I don’t know about you, but I always seem to find the best things via word-of-mouth. This months Small Business Spotlight is no different. Through a friend of a friend (or something like that) I found Brüks Bars. Brüks Bars is a health bar company out of North Carolina. They make gluten, dairy, soy and egg free health bars that are DELICIOUS. The second I tasted one I knew I had to feature them on the blog. I can say with out hesitation that this is now my favorite health bar on the market. You will want to try these whether you have allergies or not because they are just that good. But enough of me jabbering on….lets get to know one of the great minds behind Brüks Bars and then give away a half dozen to one lucky reader!
Everyone say hi to Brooke, co-founder and president of Brüks Bars as well as baker extraordinaire!
PROFILE••
AGE: 27
STATE: North Carolina
DREAM TRAVEL DESTINATION: Does anywhere with sun, surf & good dancing count? 
Right now, Colombia & Italy are probably tied for first, but the truth is I’d go anywhere! I love to travel.
COFFEEHOUSE DRINK OF CHOICE: Dirty chai latte with skim milk. That’s my jam.
CURRENT FAVORITE TUNE: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love. I just can’t get enough. Makes me tear up every time.
1. How did you come up with the idea for Brüks Bars?
My fiancé Sean is intolerant to gluten, dairy, soy & eggs. We came up with the idea to make something with sustenance that tasted good too while we were standing in the bar aisle of Whole Foods. He had tried dozens of bars and none of them tasted of felt very good. I guess the idea to start the actual business came after we started experimenting with our own recipe on our own and started sharing our bars with colleagues and friends in Miami. People went nuts for them. It hit us practically overnight and we thought, ‘we could really turn this into something big.’ That’s when we decided to go for it.
2. What is your key to success?
In all honesty, I think we’re still trying to figure that out. I’m learning to find success and happiness in small victories every day instead of always focusing on the bigger picture. The big picture is important too of course, but being able to watch someone with a food allergy’s face light up for the first time because of a food we love and believe in, that’s what success looks like to me. Also, getting to do something that I love and believe in everyday is success to me.
3. Do you have a favorite product?
Lately my favorite bar has been the Apple Pecan. The combination of maple and apple reminds me of autumn. Normally, it’s probably the Apricot Chocolate, because I’m a bit of a chocoholic.
4. What is the best part of your work day?
When we get comments from people we don’t know, who have discovered our bars for the first time, that’s definitely the best part of my day. It has been such a joy to see our little hobby grow into a business that people recognize. I also love thinking about marketing and finding ways to reach people in the future. I think there’s a huge need for more allergen-friendly products and I want to help people find us!
5. Who/ what inspires you the most?
Two groups of people really inspire me: 1. Entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs, who aspire to have it and balance it all. There are so many strong, amazing women I look up to and many of them are still navigating how to balance work and life. If they can do it, I can do it! 2. People and children with food allergies. A few years ago I couldn’t begin to imagine the stress and hard work it takes live with a food allergy. Today, I’ve become accustomed to looking at food labels, asking questions at restaurants, etc. It’s becoming easier to find healthy and good foods that fit within certain dietary restraints, but we’ve got a long way to go.
And your reward for reading this far (besides now knowing about the best health bar out there) is that you can enter our giveaway! If you are the winner, you will received a half dozen Brüks Bars in assorted flavors. Here is what you will need to do:
1. Like Brüks Bars on Facebook
2. Like off-TRACT on Facebook
3. Leave a comment here about what flavor of Brüks Bars you would most like to try. If you are interested in Brüks Bars due to allergies, feel free to tell us if you have ever had any issues finding good-tasting, allergen sensitive foods.
Good luck all! Make sure to read the small print below for official rules.
Contest closes at midnight, Sunday, 02/02/14. One winner will be chosen via a random number generator and will be notified via Facebook direct message or email. If winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Entries within the continental United States only, please.
**Images by Sharon Pfeiffer Photography**
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