We were lucky to catch up with Monique de Oliveira and Fernando Senges recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Monique de Oliveira and Fernando Senges thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I believe that being successful when starting a small food business requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Being prepared to face challenges along the way and learn from your experiences is a must. But there are also other key factors that will help you to succeed, for example offering a unique and high-quality product that stands out in the market and differentiating yourself from competitors by focusing on a niche. Providing excellent customer service to build a loyal customer base is another great example. We try to stay 3adaptable and open to changes in the market and consumer trends. Since we started Stick’n’Bite in 2020 there were so many changes to our processes, menu and marketing materials. Along the way we have learned what works better and kept improving. Another important advice we would give is to not be ashamed of seeking help. We hired marketing professionals to help with our social media and website and financial consultants to help grow our numbers, and that was the best decision for the business.

Monique de Oliveira and Fernando Senges, 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?

Monique de Oliveira is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has a marketing background and moved to San Diego in 2015. Fernando Senges is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has a culinary background and moved to San Diego in 2016
They decided to form a partnership and start Stick’n’Bite, a Brazilian barbecue catering business, in 2020 after they lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
Stick’n’Bite specializes in Brazilian style grilled skewers and we believe in the power of flavors and fresh, high-quality ingredients. From elegant appetizers to sumptuous grilled skewers, delicious sides and delectable desserts, our diverse range of options will cater to all tastes and dietary preferences. Everything is made from scratch and we take pride in customizing our offerings to meet your specific needs. Our catering service is designed to elevate events and create unforgettable dining experiences. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering, a corporate function, or a grand celebration, Stick’n’Bite is here to provide a feast that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression on your guests turning any event into an exceptional churrasco experience featuring fire-roasted meats. Beyond the exceptional food, we pride ourselves on our attentive and professional service from start to finish.

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

Both Monique and Fernando know how hard it is to be an immigrant here in the US. They started the business with very little investments from their savings and lots of hope. The first year was the hardest because they had to work with no salary since all the money coming in had to be reinvested in the business in order to help it grow. So they were both working 2 or 3 jobs to have the bills paid while Stick’n’Bite wasn’t profitable enough. In the beginning of the second year they started with a very low salary so they had to keep a side job as Uber and delivery driver to complement that. Toward the middle of that same year things started to look a lot better. Business had grown a lot and they were now full time entrepreneurs. There were a lot of sleepless nights, wondering if they should keep going, and they needed to be very patient and resilient. They both agree that great things don’t come easily and they work very hard to see the business growing more everyday.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

We participate in festivals and farmer’s markets where people are able to try our food and that has been a great way to attract new catering clients. Social media is also very helpful on that

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sticknbite.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sticknbite/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sticknbitesd/

Image Credits
Gabriela Milara – 051 Photography