(WSVN) - Whether chocolate, blondie, red velvet or PB&J, Cristie Besu has the golden touch when it comes to baking brownies.
Cristie is the founder and CEO of Eat Me Guilt Free, a South Florida company specializing in baked goods that are “better for you.”
The idea started a few years ago, when Cristie was working as a nurse and sports nutritionist. Her clients would always ask how to satisfy their cravings for sweets without feeling guilty.
Cristie Besu: “And that’s when I started to realize that there really wasn’t anything on the market that was like a baked good.”
So Cristie went to work in her kitchen.
The result? A brownie made from protein powder and other healthy ingredients.
Cristie Besu: “So I had to use protein and make it taste good and have the right texture, so that was a little tricky.”
Once Cristie came up with the right mix, her brownie business took off. It moved from Cristie’s home kitchen to a commercial one.
As her kitchen grew, so did her flavors.
Cristie Besu: “We always have five core flavors, and there’s usually another three that are either seasonal or in and out.”
And that’s not all.
Cristie developed even more baked goods!
Eat Me Guilt Free recently expanded the line to include tortillas, bread and even cake mixes.
Cristie Besu: “And it’s really very similar to the conventional ones, just like eggs and oil and the mix, then you’re done.”
Eat Me Guilt Free products are available across the country in the Vitamin Shoppe and GNC, as well as online at walmart.com and Amazon.
Cristie Besu: “We’re slowly but surely making a footprint.”
But that’s not enough for Cristie.
She is determined to help other women achieve their dreams of owning a business.
She launched the “You Glow Girl” grant. It provides support to aspiring entrepreneurs, along with a $10,000 award.
This year’s winners are the creators of a new dating and social app.
Cristie Besu: “It’s not just like a prize or grand prize of $10,000. It’s a little more holistic. We support their mental health, their physical health throughout that year.”
The “You Glow Girl” grant has received hundreds of applicants and Cristie expects even more.
She also expects Eat Me Guilt Free to continue growing.
Cristie Besu: “I mean, I see it disrupting, you know, the food industry, because, you know, not just making things that are delicious and healthy, but I find that what makes us a little different is that we seem to appeal to the masses.”
And thanks to the sweet success she has had already, she’s on her way to reaching her goal.
Kevin Ozebek, 7News.
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