GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN, DELICIOUS—AND SKYROCKETING
Liz Barrett has been resourceful and self-reliant throughout her career. So when it came time to share her vegan delights, she jumped in with both feet. Starting out with cashew-based products designed to substitute for parmesan and ricotta cheeses (and called “Farmesan” and “Fauxcotta”), she’s been a big hit on the farmers market circuit. Early success and education at the Hope & Main food incubator fueled her confidence and helped her to launch Barrett’s Garden, LLC. Targeting healthy retail food chains, Barrett’s items are now available at retail (including several Whole Foods locations in RI and MA) and wholesale outlets throughout New England and major health food distributors are asking for product.
Due to this early success, Barrett needed to secure her own dedicated kitchen and add staff to keep up with demand. She worked with the RISBDC to secure a loan from Navigant Credit Union. These funds enabled her to buy equipment, invest in marketing and secure a state- of-the-art kitchen where she develops products that are “healthy, minimal, GMO-free, and without fillers”, according to the Barrett’s Garden website. Barrett, who also received RISBDC assistance for streamlining her QuickBooks accounting system, is well-positioned for growth.
Barrett is a true asset to the state’s small business community. She has not only developed a dairy-free, gluten-free kitchen and local job opportunities but also sources supplies and services from Rhode Island-based companies whenever possible.
Her company has recently been presented with several exciting growth opportunities that could have a significant positive impact on the operation. Barrett says, “I would not be here without the help of the RISBDC. Dennis [McCarthy, Northern RI Center Director] has made my journey so much more successful than if I was alone. Thank you so much.” Learn more about Barrett’s Garden, LLC by visiting their website at BarrettsGardenFoods.com. If you’re ready to start writing your business success story, attend one of our upcoming workshops or set up a free one-on-one counseling session. Register online at RISBDC.org today.
The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center at URI is part of a national network of nearly 1,000 business assistance centers that provide counseling and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Partially funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, we help businesses to succeed from start-up to maturity.
