Business Spotlight: WellBean Bar
By Allie Rohlfs
Last June, Patty Czach and Caroline Israel decided it was time to create a whole-food snack bar using ingredients that promote longevity and health: beans.
Each WellBean Bar contains half a serving of beans, fruits and nuts. They are made completely out of whole foods, with no refined sugars or extracted proteins. The bars come in five flavors, including almond fudge brownie and peanut butter crunch.
After dealing with food addiction, Caroline dedicated her life to eating a whole food diet and helping others do the same. Patty was looking to try something new with her career path, and the idea of creating a healthy snack bar seemed perfect for the pair.
With no prior entrepreneurial background, Patty and Caroline have worked with a variety of free business resources, including the Cal Poly Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC has provided them with mentorship and constructive feedback about how to manage a snack bar business.
“It was evident that we were seeking people with specific experience who could guide us,” Patty said. “Snack bars are just that industry where people want variety.”
WellBean Bars are sold on the company website and in stores in San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Cambria and Paso Robles. The bars were recently sampled at California Fresh Market in San Luis Obispo and will be carried there.
The two also rely on each other for support in managing their business.
“I love being able to consult with her, even if we’re not necessarily in agreement,” Caroline said. “I couldn’t do it by myself, the whole thing would not be as good.”
Patty and Caroline agree that relying on resources and making connections with industry professionals has been important in the creation and maintenance of WellBean.
“We have a lot to learn and still go, and growing bigger is a big unknown still,” Patty said. “But this has been really grounding and helps us feel like we don’t have to figure out everything alone, so that’s very helpful.”
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