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How One Mompreneur Is Offering A Grant To Help Other Female Entrepreneurs


On February 13, a day commonly known as Galentine’s Day, Eat Me Guilt Free unveiled its first-ever “You Glow Girl” grant program. The grant is an extension of Eat Me Guilt-Free CEO Cristie Besu’s commitment to empowering girl bosses just like herself.

The Miami-based Cuban-American businesswoman created her baked goods brand that strives to have its customers satisfy their sugar and bread cravings minus the guilt.

The “You Glow Girl” grant winner will receive $10,000 to help their business flourish; a one-year supply of Eat Me Guilt Free products; a Peloton bike to maintain fitness goals; and a one-year mentorship with Besu.

A Mompreneur Paying it Forward

As a female entrepreneur, this past year felt particularly fitting for Besu to give back. Following the final jobs report of 2020, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics released earlier this year, a National Women’s Law Center analysis reported that in addition to the American workforce losing 140,000 jobs in December, women lost a net 156,000 jobs. Essentially, women accounted for 100% of the labor market’s first month of losses.

“There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has displaced so many people,” Besu acknowledged. “That said, one of my philosophies in life is that obstacles, failures, and difficult times provide you with an opportunity to either refine or change your goals. Likewise, difficult times allow you to learn critical lessons as well.”

A registered nurse and certified sports nutritionist-turned-entrepreneur, Besu started baking Eat Me Guilt Free treated straight from her very own kitchen in 2013 from her Miami, Florida kitchen. Relying solely on her financial savings, Besu’s hard work and determination grew the company. Her products are now available for purchase at more than 3,000 independent retailers nationwide and in GNC, all locations of The Vitamin Shoppe, and through their site.

Besu made significant sacrifices to launch her brand, and the business owner and mother of three has firsthand experience of the hardships and barriers limiting female entrepreneurs from succeeding. And this is precisely where the “You Glow Girl” grant hopes to help.

“We fully believe in supporting female entrepreneurs, so we started the ‘You Glow Girl’ grant to pay it forward to female entrepreneurs ready to live out their business dreams,” Besu said. “We’re asking that women indulge in their business dreams through Eat Me Guilt Free’s inaugural female entrepreneur grant, and we hope to help a lucky winner propel her vision forward through this initiative.”

Leveling The Playing Field

While the National Women’s Law Center analysis showed women losing a net 156,000 jobs, it also highlighted that men gained a net 16,000.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found COVID-19 impacted women-owned businesses at a greater rate than their male counterparts. However, Besu is quick to point out that gender inequity was a problem long before the pandemic.

“Although gender equality remains an issue, I also see a genuine opportunity for women to continue to capitalize in a new era where women entrepreneurs are increasing in numbers and influence,” she said. “In thinking back through my entrepreneur journey, I know I had moments where I could have used some guidance and a little financial boost, with a plan behind it. The effects of the pandemic undoubtedly exacerbated the challenges an entrepreneur might face. Still, I realized I wanted to help other female entrepreneurs with the very things I needed help with in general. So I felt good that something so positive as the YGG Grant was born during such a tough time for the world.”

Advice for Future Female Entrepreneurs

The first piece of advice for female entrepreneurs that Besu offered is to empower themselves, which permits her to firmly believe that women can be successful as female business owners.

The second piece of advice is to do extensive research and preparation – not just of the industry and space but of the broader cultural and societal landscape. This will allow her to get more holistic in her views. In addition, it will show how her business could help and enhance how her future will benefit from the industry.

“Once she’s identified the broader cultural and societal landscape, it is always nice to step back and think “outside the box” from her unique perspective,” Besu adds. “While learning from others is valuable, making sure she creatively looks at the space to see how it can be improved and how innovation can be maximized.”

The third piece of advice Besu suggests is to find a mentor. “There’s so much more knowledge to share with women entrepreneurs, but these are some of the foundational lessons that I think are crucial,” said Besu. “This is what I love about this grant – it’s one woman entrepreneur helping another to build a more extensive support ecosystem for a broader base of aspiring and existing female entrepreneurs.”

The application deadline for the “You Glow Girl” Grant is Sunday, August 1, and ten finalists will be selected and announced on Friday, August 6.



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