Feeling Stuck While Building a Food Brand? Here’s the Advice That Helped Me Reset

If you’re building a food startup from scratch, you’ve probably had moments where everything feels like too much.

Even when things are moving forward — a new retailer, strong customer reviews — the pressure to make the next right decision can leave you second-guessing it all.

That’s exactly where I found myself a few weeks ago.

I run Minky Snacks, a better-for-you snack company focused on mini muffins made with real ingredients — like whole grains, natural sweeteners, and no dairy, no soy, and no seed oils.

Right before the July 4th holiday, I had a meeting with someone who’s been in the food world for decades. He co-founded Frontera Foods with Rick Bayless, and eventually sold the brand to Conagra.

We talked about my product, the packaging, and all the changes manufacturers keep recommending to “optimize” what I’ve already built. I’ll admit, I was overwhelmed.

I mentioned that Minky Muffins just got into Mariano’s, and that we’re currently stocked at Foxtrot.

He paused and said something that stuck with me:

“You have traction. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

That reminder hit home.

In the packaged food world, it's easy to lose your footing, but ultimately, it comes down to this: If the product moves off the shelf, the brand will grow.

So if you're a fellow food entrepreneur, a mom trying to build something big, or just someone chasing a dream, and wondering if you're still on the right path, let me pass that reminder to you:

You’ve got this.

Keep going.

PS:
Want to see what this healthy snack journey is all about?
Browse our mini muffin shop here — made for busy mornings, hungry kids, and anyone who wants a more wholesome snack.