Inspired by their mother’s homemade breadsticks, Domini and Tara created Biddy Sticks to put a modern twist on the family favorite. Made by hand in Santa Barbara, Biddy Sticks are made baked to order and with organic ingredients — and of course, lots of love.
Recently, we caught up with Domini and Tara to learn more about their journey and hear their advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
1. Why did you start Biddy Sticks?
We created Biddy Sticks to honor our mom, Biddy, as she was nicknamed. Biddy Sticks graced every occasion growing up and were the favorite indulgence for all. Our mom embodied elegant and gracious entertaining, and at the heart of that was the food she made with love to be shared with family and friends. Each Biddy Stick is handmade with love.
2. What obstacles did you face along the way?
Biddy Sticks began with the two of us, in a home kitchen—and we are now in our own kitchen with a full-time staff. We are tremendously proud of the steps we’ve taken to grow our business to meet our customer demand. As two creatives, we had no idea of the intricacies involved in building a business from scratch, and we have learned so many valuable and costly lessons along the way. Biddy Sticks is a labor of love, and we are proud of our growth realizing that each day offers a new challenge or blessing, depending on your perspective.
3. What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Take risks, and come from a place of passion. Launching a business is all-consuming, and if you are not passionate about your product, it can get tedious. The saying is true, it really does take a village — don’t be scared to ask your network for help. The generosity of our friends and families has helped us get Biddy Sticks to where it is today.
4. What’s on the horizon for Biddy Sticks?
Biddy Sticks looks forward to introducing our loyal customers to some new flavors and product offerings in the coming year. We hope to scale up our business to continue to meet our growing customer demand while maintaining the integrity of our brand and staying true to the heart of our company, which is our Mom.
5. How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
Quite honestly, the key to our success thus far has been a nonexistent work/life balance. In launching a small, family-owned business, our work has become our life, and our life has become our work. Our families see our passion and drive for Biddy Sticks, and they have bent over backward to make our dream a reality. That’s what inspires us. Our whole brand’s ethos, aesthetic, and outlook on life are rooted in our Mom’s kindness and grace.
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