We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Ingram and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One of my favorite quotes is “Success isn’t owned, it is rented and rent is due everyday”. This quote really resonated with me because it is a great reminder that you have to work hard everyday to obtain your goals. Success isn’t an overnight phenomenon, it takes consistency, dedication and persistence.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Bella Bars after I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant with my daughter, Bella. I struggled to find a low sugar, gluten-free protein snack bar that actually tasted good and was good for me. After a ton of research, I decided to create my own and name them after my daughter, Bella. The key differentiator that sets us apart from the sea of bars out there is the taste. Our taste is unapparelled to anything on the market. I am most proud of the fact that I am providing a need for people looking for these requirements. I know first hand how tough is it to find the right balance of sugar, carbs and protein.

Nothing has been easy about starting Bella Bars. We went through over 154 flavor iterations, launched in January 2020…as we all know, Covid came very shortly after that. We shut down the business for 5 months, not knowing what our fate would be. We had to switch production companies mid way through launching and something always seemed to be popping up. I will say, with all the setbacks seeing Bella Bars come to life and people enjoy the product makes it all worth it! I have learned you have to roll with what life gives you and always remain focused on the “why”. Why I started this company in the first place.

I am a mom of 2, I felt there was a need in the market place and made my dream a reality. If I can do it, so can you! I didn’t go to business school or come from the food industry but I worked really hard and never lost sight of what I wanted to accomplish.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question! I recently had a friend come into town and was a little lost on where to take them because I have 2 small kids and feel like I lost my “cool card” along time ago but I managed to get it together! We went to Bishop Art District, I personally love it there. We walked around, had to get a slice of pie at Emporium Pies and had brunch a Tribal All Day Cafe. We also went to the Farmers Market, walked around and saw all the local vendors. Our last stop was Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village. Great food, fashion and people watching.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many instrumental people who have supported me along this journey. The one person I would like to highlight would be Jaime Underwood. She is my recipe developer, sounding board and mentor. When I started this business 3 years ago, I had no clue about the food industry. She spent hours with me discussing the food business and helping me create the amazing flavor profile that I felt was missing in current protein bars. Times when I felt that I was over my head, she would always encourage me to keep pushing forward. This company would not be here today without her guidance.

Website: www.thebellabars.com

Instagram: @thebellabars

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebellabars

Image Credits
Kauwaune Burton Studios

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