Founder Spotlight: Narell Vasquez (Full of Beans Kitchen)
Meet Narell Vasquez:
At Full of Beans, we are elevating nutrition with reimagined beans, making it accessible for people to enjoy the benefits of beans for breakfast or a snack.
Startup Stage:
Bootstrapped
Location:
New York City, New York, USA
When did you launch the business?
April 24, 2023
What led you to where you are today?
I began incorporating plant-based protein into my diet upon realizing that beans are one of the best sources available. However, it was challenging to have them for breakfast or daily as I did back in my home country of Ecuador. That's when I challenged myself to make beans a staple in the United States by innovating with our first product, beancake: a 12-gram protein, vegan, and gluten and allergen-free pancake mix that is also a great source of iron and potassium.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
While the difficulty of the entrepreneurial journey is widely recognized, I wish I had understood earlier that the greater challenge is managing the unmet expectations along the way. Learning to accept that not all business outcomes are within my control and to focus on working hard without being attached to the results is a lesson I wish I had known from the start.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Choosing sustainability over affordability is a challenging decision. I am carefully considering whether to continue our use of recyclable packaging for the next batch, as I navigate the delicate balance between consumer preference for cost-effectiveness and investor focus on profit margins, all with a commitment to our sustainability values.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
With a Food Product Development Certification from Cornell University and a major in Food Studies,I am eager to share both my knowledge of the food system and my entrepreneurial experiences with those in earlier stages of their journey within the Vegpreneur community. Moreover, my co-founder's extensive network in the fitness and wellness community is a resource we are excited to share, opening doors to new collaborations and opportunities within the Vegpreneur community.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
As the founder of Full of Beans, my company's mission aligns perfectly with the Vegpreneur community's dedication to sustainability and a healthier planet. Your support could be instrumental in expanding my network, providing mentorship, and offering platforms for collaboration that could help Full of Beans flourish in the food industry.
Fun fact about you:
Ten years back, beans and rice were just pantry decorations — I couldn't have cook a burrito even if my life depended on it! But after moving to the U.S., my love for crafting plant-based foods flourished, leading me down a deliciously unexpected path to where I am now.
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