Some people take on side gigs not just to supplement their income but to start a business they love, with the financial security of their main job. This approach has created many successful entrepreneurs who have grown their side hustles into companies with expanding operations. One of them is Teyoshe Smith, a woman from the United States. Smith is the founder and CEO of “Bite by Bite & Co.,” a company that started as a side hustle in her kitchen and now has a nationwide presence, beloved by consumers.
Smith shared her entrepreneurial journey in an article published on CNBC Market It on May 28. Perhaps influenced by her childhood experiences of enjoying food with family and friends, Smith always found joy in creating delicious meals. She fondly remembers her grandmother’s elaborate food presentations and the freshness and effort put into each dish. As an adult, she started making charcuterie boards for her family gatherings.
Two years ago, Smith began her side business selling products made from high-quality ingredients such as fresh herbs, spices, homemade cheese balls, and cheese spreads. The income from this venture was lucrative enough for Smith to eventually quit a six-figure salaried job and dedicate herself fully to her kitchen business.
Smith recalled a memorable moment when, on the eve of her daughter’s 13th birthday party, she stayed up all night in the kitchen arranging a giant “1” and “3” with her daughter’s favorite foods like strawberries, fontina cheese, pepper jack cheese, and sausage. Her sister-in-law’s positive response to this creative display inspired Smith to consider selling similar creations.
She decided to test the waters on Mother’s Day weekend in 2022 by posting a sample on Facebook Marketplace, featuring items like sausage roses, fresh produce, and snacks arranged in a box decorated with twine, a fresh sunflower, and baby’s breath. Within just two days, all 25 boxes were sold, and orders flooded in on Facebook, leading Smith to spend her evenings fulfilling new customer orders in the kitchen.
Initially operating from home under the name Grazing Crazy, Smith later rebranded her venture to “Bite by Bite & Co.” and eventually relocated to a commercial kitchen to increase production. Smith also began offering workshops to connect with the community in Richmond, Virginia.
With over two decades of experience in the American corporate sector, including as a project manager at Capital One with a six-figure salary, Smith found the juggling act of managing a demanding daytime job, building her small business at night, and fulfilling her roles as a mother and wife overwhelming. About a year after starting her side hustle, an opportunity for a new role and raise at her company arose, requiring her to manage more people and responsibilities.
After long discussions with her family, Smith made the bold decision to leave her well-paying job and fully commit to her business. This move resulted in an immediate surge in sales for “Bite by Bite & Co.” In 2023, Smith’s sales reached approximately $379,000, a significant increase from around $84,000 in 2022.
In just two years, Smith has employed 11 people, allowing her to focus on standardizing procedures, recipes, and business negotiations. Her business now extends nationwide, offering in-person and virtual workshops, corporate product lines for large groups, partnerships with catering companies and 1-800-Flowers, as well as wholesale distribution to stores across the country.
Smith teaches others how to create intricate designs using premium cheeses and meats, combining sweet and savory flavors, creamy and crunchy textures for the perfect palate. Through her side hustle, she turned her passion into a successful business.