We were lucky to catch up with Natasha Brown- Wainwright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Natasha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

I went from being bullied to being the “Brittle Queen.” My name is Natasha and I am the CEO of Natasha’s Just Brittle/ B’More Made with Pride. People who know my story know that Natasha’s Just Brittle began by teaching my daycare children a lesson in business, but the origins truly began in the summer of 1983 when I tried to take my life because I was being bullied. My Grandma intervened and told me three things that day that would shape me into the woman I am. First, she said that my life was not my own to take. Secondly, she said that I was here to serve God, Family and my community and lastly, she said that I was here to fulfill a purpose. Shortly after, my Grandma took funds from her social security checks so that I could buy ingredients to make yummy desserts. In the summer of 2009, I sought to teach my daycare children a lesson in business. I wanted them to experience the same solace that cooking brought me, so we opened a small batch dessert shop called PPLC sweet treats. Our dessert shop sold cakes, cookies, brownies and smoothies; one of the children asked me to add candy to the menu and I came up with my own recipe incorporating brown and white sugar, butter, sea salt and agave. Natasha’ Just Brittle is considered an all natural product, we do not use any artificial ingredients, coloring or flavoring. The brittle was one of the most requested treats by my daycare-.parents. In the winter of 2009, Natasha’s Just Brittle was born. B’More Made with Pride Commercial Kitchen & Café was licensed in 2018 by the CEO of Natasha’s Just Brittle, to give small businesses like hers the opportunity to enter into the culinary industry. B’More Made with Pride is licensed under the State as a small batch processing plant and under Baltimore City as a commercial kitchen. It is one of the only kitchens with a café.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

B’More Made with Pride Commercial Kitchen & Café was licensed in 2018 by the CEO of Natasha’s Just Brittle, to give small businesses like hers the opportunity to enter into the culinary industry. B’More Made with Pride is licensed under the State as a small batch processing plant and under Baltimore City as a commercial kitchen. It is one of the only kitchens with a café. The tenants of B’More Made with Pride Commercial Kitchen are mostly women. These women do not work outside of their business, but devote their time to operating and growing their business. By working in the same environment we have found support, security and accountability. We have found somewhat of a sisterhood. The family- like environment has brought us closer, making it easier to work side by side. Even throughout our individual trials and tribulations, we have supported one another and became much stronger businesses together. We have taken on the mantra that “It’s not a competition, collaboration is key. Each month, someone becomes the teacher. In the month of February, Freakin Sweet Jars taught the group some basic TiKTok skills. March brought a lesson on doing Google Ads by Chef Colleen from Yellow Hen Catering Services. The New expanded Café at B’More Made with Pride opened on December 16, 2021. It features a breakfast menu, soups and sandwiches and unique Pop-Up menus. One of our customers’ favorite features is our scratch bakery that highlights the creations made in our culinary home. We offer delicious treats like cakes, cookies, cheesecake jars, cinnamon rolls, donuts, artisan brittle, handcrafted chocolate treats and dairy free caramels. Together, we are still standing.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

As a Black Woman in business, it is a challenge to get capital to operate a business. My first round of funding came from family, friends and my Sorority Sisters. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it helped me get started. From 1998- 2016, I owned a Daycare center. Children were my comfort zone. In February of 2017, I was featured on a show called (Queen Boss). It highlighted women entrepreneurs pitching their business to win $10,000. I had to quickly learn how to step out of my comfort zone to speak in front of other entrepreneurs and judges. Then in April 2017, Natasha’s Just Brittle was featured on QVC where I had to present my product on television. These experiences gave me the courage to start entering pitch competitions to win funds to help me scale my business. To date I have won $50,000 by pitching my business. Because of Covid 19, many grants have become available. I have taught myself how to write the grants and have kept my business in Good Standing to qualify for these grants. This year alone I have received $128,000 in grant money.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

B’More Made with Pride is set up to bring in several revenue streams. 1. Charging the tenants rent to use my commercial kitchen. I collect rent from 24 different food businesses.
2. The Café brings in revenue by selling breakfast, lunch, desserts and sweet treats. I also sell Products from different vendors in the DMV area.
3. Our menu is also featured online so that our customers can place their orders.
4. Processing plant- I offer co-packing services where I manufacture products for clients.
5. Natasha’s Just Brittle is one of the food businesses that work out of the commercial kitchen. Customers may make their purchase online or from the Store front.
6. Natasha’s Just Brittle sells the products by doing events, fundraisers and corporate sales.
7. The café also doubles as an event space.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justbrittlez.com www.cafeatbmore.com
• Instagram: natashasbrittle bmoremadewithpride
• Facebook: Natasha’s Just Brittle B’More Made with Pride Commercial Kitchen & Cafe
• Youtube: Natasha’s Just Brittle- Café at B’More Made with Pride