We recently connected with Clara Overmier and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Clara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

I would start with a small business loan. I think trying to finance myself stalled my full potential. Also, invest in the time to find a partner. Someone who you believe would work as hard or harder than you. Having a good partner also helps support the burden of all the behind-the-scene duties.

Clara , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Clara and I was born in South Carolina but raised in Ohio. A special thing about me would be that I was named after my late Grandmother on my father’s side and was also born on her birthday.

I was born into a family of 10. Holidays were always those times where we would bake cakes, cookies, cook large meals and create some of the best core memories as a family. Within the past 4 years, I believe that-that part of my childhood was where the seed was planted for starting my cake business many years later.
With my business, I have continued to enjoy baking and cake designing for so many occasions. Apparently, I thought it would be a great idea to start another business, under my Clara’s Cakes, but promoting a healthier side of treats. I like to call it my alter-ego!

In September of 2021, Clara’s Protein Bites was created. I wanted to give customers the option of still enjoying something sweet but without the guilt that sometimes eating cake or other treats can induce. Being in a gym community, it encouraged people they could still enjoy their sweet tooth but in a healthier way. After a few samples to CrossFit Future, it was clear that they would be a hit. My mentor and I began to talk about the future.

To be more available for a higher demand and to become more competitive in the market, I researched and ordered equipment that would allow me to produce protein bites at a much faster pace. I also like to compose recipes so all my protein bite recipes are original. In these days, I feel like one has to stay a few steps ahead by thinking of what ways to better your business and value your customers.

Within this first year, Clara’s Protein Bites has made some big leaps. Like, getting machinery shipped from overseas during a freight crisis, working 50+ hour weeks while being present as a mom, wife and a very little social life. The balance can be tough to find.
Like most entrepreneurs, the first couple of years is the ground breaking phase of putting your head down and getting the work finished. We work countless hours for the dreams to become a reality.
Many have asked: How do you do it? How do you work so many hours? When to do you sleep? Well, I do what I can but passion remains to be the driving force. Without it, I would have quit along time ago.

To expand on that vulnerability, I’ve had moments of doubt and exhaustion but I’m thankful to have had a business mentor to encourage my work and to remind me of my goals. In addition to a supporting spouse who wants my dreams to come true as much as I do. Also, friends and family who continue to encourage me. Having such a strong support system has given me that extra motivation to helped spread my protein bites business to several locations and to help keep me focused.

I currently provide protein bites to CrossFit gyms and a coffee shop here in Columbus and Lancaster. I am looking to expand. I believe there’s a need for pure, protein, healthy snacks for on the go.

I’d like to believe I make a high class type of protein bite. I use gluten free oats, organic/or pure products for my bites. I have one flavor that isn’t gluten free due to the butter I use, Cookie Butter. However, it’s one of my popular sellers. I believe, using top shelf ingredients help set me apart from competitors along with my turnaround for requests. You can also read my labels and know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

Knowing you are supplying your friends, family and/ or clients with healthier snack options is what makes me the proudest of this business. When they choose my protein bites over a candy bar or some other snack it is a moment of gratitude and a moment of reward.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been word of mouth. It’s how my cake business grew and it is now how my protein bite business is currently growing. I think it helps to remain honest and opened to customer when or if they have any questions.

If I have someone with certain allergies, I can usually cater a recipe to their benefits. For example, my youngest son has an allergy to cow’s milk. I will customize his bites by using a plant base-protein while adding some powered greens/ reds into his bites. It’s his favorite snack! But, I have produced this option for a couple of clients.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Yes, I’d love to share a recent story from my journey that illustrates resilience. A great and recent example would be one that happened a few weeks ago. I had the idea to package many protein bite samples to deliver to several places with hopes of creating a partnership. Not one single manager was at the establishments at the times I made the delivery. I made about 8 deliveries, I believe, and there wasn’t anyone in charge that I could speak to. It was becoming disappointing by location 3 but I kept going. In addition, I didn’t hear back from any of the places. It would have been easy to feel defeated but instead it lit a fire within to keep grinding. I cannot give up at the first several rejections. One must stay persistent and be resilient. Why? Because that’s how much I believe in my product. Maybe it’s not the right time for the other businesses; however, for every “No”, there is an infinite of “Yes!” waiting! Don’t give up. Stay resilient! Believe in yourself and your product.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clarasproteinbites.com
• Instagram: @clarasproteinbites_
• Facebook: Clara’s Protein Bites

Image Credits
Lori Anne Photography