How is your product changing the food industry?

Partake believes in radical inclusivity. For us, that's about making delicious snacking accessible to those with and without food restrictions. An estimated 1 in 4 households are currently living with a food allergy (mine included!), and we feel a responsibility to do all that we can to ensure those who need access to allergy-friendly foods receive it. We're also working toward eradicating childhood food insecurity and are creating access and opportunities to HBCU college students interested in the food industry with our Black Futures in Food & Beverage Fellowship Program.

What have you learned through your experience as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?

It's important to start where you are. Take a step forward and then another. We have this phrase we've adopted amongst our team: hungry, humble, smart. Admitting when I don't know something, seeking the council of those who've done it before me, and remaining curious and open to learning has helped me so much. Entrepreneurship as a solo founder can be lonely. Ensuring that I'm surrounded by and engaging other founders and experts in their fields has helped that quite a bit. □

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?

Knowing that I'm building a company that makes products that I feel good about giving my daughter is very motivational; I enjoy the mission and the purpose that are ultimately bigger than me. And I enjoy that I'm teaching my daughter and others through my mentoring efforts that while your past is important, it doesn't define where your future takes you.

What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?

I initially bootstrapped Partake. I sold my engagement ring and emptied my 401k to fund the business. I heard "no" 86 times when raising our seed round before I heard one very important "yes" from Marcy Venture Partners, co-founded by JAY-Z.

How did Partake Foods get started, and what does it look like now?

My daughter, Vivienne, was diagnosed with multiple food allergies around her 1st birthday. When I couldn't find solutions that met my nutritional standards, safely satisfied her taste buds, and would allow her to confidently and happily snack amongst her friends, I left my career at Coca-Cola and started Partake Foods. We've grown from selling cookies out of my car to our products being available in 7000+ stores nationwide and recently added baking mixes to our product offering.

Article Credits

Denise’s Instagram: @denisegwoodard

Partake Food’s Instagram: @partakefoods

Website: partakefoods.com