This past weekend was small business Saturday and today is cyber Monday. I plan on talking about both but with the focus of small business and of course a giveaway through cyber, sound good?
Okay let me explain this. I have what you call an itty-bitty business, not so much a small business but itty-bitty. That would be Healthy Bites and my passion behind it started with a story. You can read about how healthy but started here. Every small business has a story and passion behind it. That is why it sometimes takes longer and is harder for a small businesses to find growth, because they are genuine.
And that’s the main reason why I love supporting them. The genuine people, care, and purpose behind that small business.
I’ve been lucky to build a relationship with a few of these companies, Love Grown Foods in particular. I know their story and knew them when they were pretty much starting from scratch. In fact, we have mutual family/friends. Crazy eh?
Today I get to share something very cool about this company and few other fellow Colorado companies. A new book by Rachel Hofstetter called cooking up a business. This book features stories from Colorado Food companies such as love grown foods, Justin’s nut butter, and Evol foods. Plus a lot of other awesome food and beverage companies!
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to start your own small business or just need help with guidance, you want to check out this book. Plus I also get to host a giveaway for this book and additional goodies from each of these companies. And just so that my itty-bitty company can be included on this, I’m going to throw in an dozen Healthy Bites or my E-book in the giveaway as well.
If you have a passion for delicious food and want a real outlook and real-world close-up of these companies and their small business journey, check out Cooking Up a Business…. and this giveaway below of course! I know I can’t wait to dive into this book myself.
Here’s what you need to do to enter. Oh and it’s open to Canadians as well. Yeah!!!
How’s that for something marvelous?
Many other love grown food bloggers will be hosting this giveaway today as well. Take advantage!!
Cheers,
Healthy Bites owner and creator – Aka “baller” cotter
I WON!!!!?!?! What do you need from me?? 🙂 🙂 🙂
My dad owns a small construction company. He started it about 15 years ago, and he loves it! He is approaching 60, so he picks and chooses his jobs! I hope I have as much freedom as he has at that age!
What an awesome giveaway! Love it!
I work for a small business and I love it! I literally work in the basement of their home, so I spend A LOT of time with my boss’s entire family. I wouldn’t have it any other way!! Small businesses are the best 🙂
I have my own small business, so do my parents, and so does my sister. I guess you could call us a family of entrepreneurs. =)
This is such a great giveaway. Small businesses are so focused on customer satisfaction, which is amazing. I know the stories of a few independently owned coffee shopped in Providence, RI that I think fit the small business criteria. I also love the story of how Peanut Butter & Company started.
What a great giveaway! A friend of mine has a jewelry business (Thought Blossoms) and I wear the karma necklace she made daily. Her jewelry has become my new go-to gift.
oh i want to check that out!
p.s soooo good to hear from you!! xxoo
My aunt owns a small family-style restaurant and MI. It’s such a lovely place, but they’ve unfortunately been struggling in these hard economic times. Things are looking better though!
oh bummer, hoping they pull through!
Yours! 🙂 And I love it and want to try them!
I would love your ebook!
local running stores – they’re so helpful!
My hometown of Duluth MN has a handful of small business stores, and I truly love them all. One is called Happy Space, which is a t-shirt shop. Funny thing is? I used to work there! It is run by one of my past dance teacher’s husband. He is a graphic designer, and his mission to make these amazing + positive shirts! =) He now prints all of his shirts in store and even holds days where you can go and print your own!
Here’s their store: http://www.laughingstockdesign.biz/
that is awesome Kelsey! I love that positivity!
I love so much that you’re supporting other small businesses as well! You are truly one of a kind my friend!! 🙂
and you are mine!! xxoo
I think this book is a great idea. I’ve had a great idea in mind for a while but lack the confidence, finances, and much more to start! I think it is amazing when people follow through with their dreams!
I’m building my small business right now – holistic health coaching – which will launch after the new year…I’d absolutely love to read the advice in this book!
i’m so excited for you danica! let me know how i can help promote!
Thanks so much, Lindsay <3
My friend has an awesome hand made jewelery small business. Love her stuff Holly Handcrafted Designs
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holly-Handcrafted-Designs/220123996586
this is awesome! thx for sharing Angela!
Love this giveaway! I’m a Colorado native so I love seeing these businesses getting some love. 🙂 Thanks so much for hosting this!
yay! me too alex!
Aww, this giveaway is AWESOME!
I have never tried most of these items other than the chocolate hazelnut butter so it would be wonderful to get a chance to try them. Everything seems wonderful to incorporate into my Ironman training! Been reading your blog for years and this is my 1st comment!
i’m so glad you did friend! nice to “meet” you!
Loving this giveaway! So many great small business featured in this post!
The Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz! It employs a certain amount of homeless individuals in Santa Cruz to cultivate and harvest the garden during certain seasons of the year and feeds them dinner every day they work. They make products out of the garden and use individuals skill sets, like knitting or sewing or baking, to create products to sell in their small store in downtown santa cruz to provide funds for the garden and wages for the workers! Their small store and little business has allowed individuals to gain skill sets and work in a sustainable employment job.
With a company called Love Grown Foods – it would hard to believe that the people behind the company are anything BUT amazing! 😀 And I know the people behind Healthy Bites and I know they ain’t too SHABBY either 😉
look at you and your flattery. <3 keep it coming!
This is the BEST giveaway I’ve come across! Don’t get me wrong, ALL giveaways are fantastic but this one is nothing like the others…this one brings PASSION to LIFE!
I have my own small business story that I’d love to share with you…2009/2010 was THE year I separated from my son’s father, stopped being a SAHM (my son was starting school + income was tight). I decided to put my passion into ACTION and began working full-time as a personal/executive assistant for a very successful MOMpreneur in Ottawa. This woman quickly became my mentor and taught me things about business that I had no idea about. She even helped me launch my own small business as a virtual assistant, which was amazing!
However, my true passion lies in the kitchen..and it ALWAYS has..ever since I was 12 and I learned to bake things all by myself. I would love to turn my passion for food into a reality 🙂
Thank YOU for hosting this fabulous giveaway! Love YOU (and your ballin bites)! I wanna be a baller 😀
LOVE this giveaway! Obsessed with Justin’s nut butters in this house. I just stick a spoon in and snack away =)
Love all of these! EVOL bowls are my go to when craving Chipotle!
this is an amazing give away and I would love to dive into that book! I have a few ideas for the future but sometimes need a little extra help 🙂
Small biz Saturday! Thats what we say around here. I love supporting the small businesses around my town, like the local running shops 🙂 And restaurants!! Technically we have a small biz too but are part of a large corporation, Organic Valley. I also work for what started out as a very small business ran in the garage of their home, Amy’s Kitchen. I also went to school with Amy! Working for the company now, that is very large, we still have an extremely “small business” Feel and atmosphere. You have to start somewhere! Justin’s nut butters are MY FAVORITE!!! Of course, so are your wonderful bites 🙂
I love small businesses! I don’t know many, but my husband works in his family business that his grandpa started, his dad took over, and now he works at. They’re not too small anymore, but they’re a local company with roots!
i love that! grass roots are the best!
Both of the studios I go to are small business started out of passion and growing with that passion!
I’m not entering but I just wanted to say I think it is fantastic you’re supporting small businesses and that you have such an awesome one yourself!
oh jess, you are awesome! love you!
Yum!!! LoveGrown is a daily eat in my house, and if I could get my hands on Justin’s here I’d probably be eating it daily too! Maybe it’s a good thing I can only get it on races and training vacations 😉
it’s addicting, but you need to try justins! for sure!
I would have to say I’ve mostly found out about small business through bloggers! I love anything food/health/wellness/social good related 🙂
Awww That’s such a cool giveaway! And congrats on your itty bitty business 🙂
<3 thank liz!
love supporting small businesses!!!
love healthy bites! wishing you all the success 😉
I know of your and you are pretty awesome.
This reminded me I need some more healthy bites. Is there a special time I should order when the other orders are going in?
You are awesome!! Just shoot me an email. We will chat!
My friends own Mason’s Creamery – a local ice cream stand (travels to festivals and markets) The best handmade ice cream ever! They just started about 6 months ago and are looking to sell their ice cream in local grocery stores and open a store front soon!
Yay! Thank you so much for hosting such an amazing giveaway! I have a strong passion for small businesses, because as you mentioned, they’re so genuine and hardworking. My grandmother started a small business when I was younger– it was a crafty/home decor store in a small town. It was very difficult for her to maintain, and I’ll never forget how hard she worked at it. I credit her and that period of my life for my strong work ethic today.
wow, what a woman!!! inspiring!
I also love Nuttzo’s story (are they still a small business?). And I guess I have my own little itty bitty small business too – BWV Multisport! 🙂
There’s so many nice small business start ups on etsy too. Thanks for sharing!
That books sounds amazing! Perfect timing, too, as I just got my first nutrition consulting client and have started taking my blog in a more professional direction with hopes of growing it even further.
best of luck friend! xxoo
Laura’s Wholesome Junkfood is a fabulous story from CA and is now in nationwide Whole Food Markets! Woo-hoo!
I have been coveting your Healthy Bites, but can never decide on a flavor to order!
One of my friends recently opened up a small art business.
I would love to win some of these to try them out! I could have used the healthy bites during my 24 hour race!
Love love love this, friend!! You are the epitome of cooking up a business and doing it WELL! and deliciously! I LOVE this flavor, I do believe I had that one on Saturday fueling up to teach my pound class 😉 XOXO
Three cheers for small business! Even more when they are local as well. I gave a shout out to some of my favorite local businesses today. They are a huge part of what makes our communities great, and I will always support them as opposed to the big box stores. I love that you do this.
I had my own small business for a few years, catering small events and privately for families with dietary restrictions. It was hard getting off the ground! Kudos to you for this undertaking and wishing you the best of luck!
thank you! i appreciate any luck i can get
Wow – great giveaway! A small business I’ve become more familiar with is my dad’s place of employment – Gateway Garden Center in Delaware. It’s owned by a husband and wife team, and staffed with their loyal neighbors and friends! My dad has worked there off and on for probably 5 or 6 years, and it’s a great, loving atmosphere for the employees and customers alike! We get lots of free/reduced price flowers, pots, garden decorations, and trees to spruce up our yard. And they owners have holiday parties all throughout the year. I love the whole feel of a small business, and know they truly care about the people they serve.
My mom opened a toy store 20 years ago!
I work for a small, family-owned business!
Three60 Market in Naples, FL!
Owner Rebecca Maddox joyfully runs and operates this market, gourmet deli, AND charming eatery that serves breakfast and lunch. Everything is made fresh, from scratch, every day. Her passion to provide delicious wholesome gourmet food is a gift to this world!
I used to consider myself a small business. I used to make custom jewelry, and I got a lot of sales from brides and bridal parties! I love supporting small businesses 🙂
oh no way!! that’s awesome!
Love this! I am a big fan of Bethanny and recently on her show she highlighted small businesses. I love the determination and hard work that small business owners possess.
I totally love reading more about small businesses because I think it’s so important to spread the word and help them grow!
I always love hearing your story because you are all kinds of amazing. And I love the passion that goes into small businesses.
you are kind, thank YOU for always supporting!
Love the idea of supporting small businesses! Love Grown Foods has some amazing things and I totally need to try out your healthy bites! 🙂
You know I love small businesses! It can be challenging to get going but you’re right the passion and love is felt! I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Awesome! I love supporting small businesses, too. One of my favorite was a natural parenting store (Jillian’s Drawers) although it’s not so small anymore!
LOVE for all small businesses!
LookNook is having a sale, too! Yay for ATX small business sales 🙂
I love the idea of supporting small businesses – I think that the products are usually far superior to mass produced items!!!
I’ve seen and been tempted by Justin’s PB cups soooo many times, but I’ve never actually tasted them. All of these treats look so yum : )
I love reading about small business! I would love to start my own small business one day it has always been a dream of mine but I am really not sure where to go with it at this point! hopefully I’ll figure it out one of these days and make my dream a reality 🙂
Chunkie Dunkie cookies based in Florida for their wholesome fruit and nut mixture of cookie treats! Thank you!
“Baller” Cotter might be my new fav nickname for you. Amazing giveaway. Amazing companies and you!! Love being able to support small businesses.
I AM OBSESSED WITH JUSTIN’S!!! SO DELICIOUS!!! And you know I love your Healthy Bites! xoxo
I fell in love when I heard your story … and fell even harder when I tried your bites! 🙂
The other small businesses I adore are Jasmine at Bama+Ry and Erica at Erica Sara Designs…. they’re both beautiful inside and out <3
oh yes! i love Jasmine!! what a story she has and i love her heart. Love you too!
LOVE THIS & YOU!!! My parents had small businesses when I was in high school – very very tough!!! Long hours, hard work, not a lot of money….
I love this and love that you support small businesses. I think that’s so important. I try to support my favorite running store here – GO! Running. I know I can find cheaper prices, but they do so much for the running community.
So many small business of friends to support, Power House Muffins, Sparkle Athletics, Handana, and more . . . . plus my son’s new business idea, a keyboard with removeable crumb tray. .lol
i think your son is on to something… seriously! self cleaning key boards!
This is an awesome giveaway! It’s so important to support small businesses and locals – it’s worth the little extra that it might sometime costs.
Open to Canadians too?!? Music to my ears 😀 Small businesses are amazing for exactly the reasons that you mentioned — so much more genuine and passionate. Our family business actually started out as a teeny tiny one, and while it was hard as heck to get it off the ground, it’s all sorts of amazing to have something that you built from the ground up.
I LOVE this giveaway! My dad owned a small business, and I’m a huge fan of supporting locals. That’s one of the things I love about Whole foods – they do make an efforts to carry locally made things. I don’t mind paying a little more for that.
definitely marvelous! what a fab giveaway!! 🙂 🙂
I’ve been looking for those oats everywhere! And I love small business EVERYDAY! 😉
Loving your Healthy Bites logo! 😀
I very much like small business and try to support them (e.g. when they’re food or gastronomy businesses). My parents also have one, they rent a holiday home to tourists.
maybe we need to come visit for the holidays!
Love YOUR small biz! And I love several small, local businesses. I make a point of trying to support them. The mom and pop shops are the ones we want to keep around, IMHO.
owning a small business is STILL the hardest things Ive ever done.
and Ive done some hard :-0
You know I’m so with you on this. There is so much heart and soul in small businesses and they should be celebrated. I would much rather give my money to a small business over a larger one any day. Besides, I really do think the quality of their products is so much better!
oh yes, i know you know! and am thankful for your support. And for YOUR small business. <3
I love your bites. I think I need more of them in my life. I have a bunch of friends who own small businesses. I think it’s great and I love supporting them.
What awesome companies! So great to know of the interconnections reminds me of Henry Ford, the firestones, the Wright brothers and edision…creativity builds creativity! But mostly I’m excited about the healthy bites!!!!
I have my own small business! Tuff mother – fitness and health catered to motherhood!
This is awesome! Small business men and women NEED to be celebrated for all their hard work! My ex-husband was actually an entrepreneur and started a cross-fit style wellness center back in 2007. It was definitely no small task getting it up and running…day in and day out, it most definitely is your life until it takes off and prospers. Unfortunately we never made it to the prosper part, but such is life!
well at least he tried, right? and you probably made it worth it all! <3
I can say first hand that your healthy bites are amazing! In fact I may need to order some soon.mits been far too long. Not cool not cool
My mom has a small business. She used to be a paralegal but because of the economy was laid off. Now she builds these glass flowers for your garden and does great. Couldn’t be more proud of her!