Brianna Makaric’s plate is full of school work.
Brianna says she’s “always in a rush and just really anxious to get to the next place.”
With a packed schedule that includes classes like advertising and accounting, Brianna also has other things on her mind.
Between classes, she works. Not for someone else, Brianna runs her own company.
“It’s not easy, it’s definitely finding that proper balance between school, business and work and sometimes it’s not a pretty balance,” said Brianna.
Brianna created BRITE bites, a hand made snack that looks more like a cake pop than a healthy superfood complete with probiotics.
She says it was only fitting that she make a product like this.
“I was always passionate about nutrition and my health because i had my own digestive problems and was taking daily probiotics. however, i knew there had to be a more convenient way to get my probiotics in.”
And it all started with an idea at MSU’s the Hatch.
“I heard about the hatch through an e-mail newsletter and got involved in startup weekend which is a 54-hour weekend that allows you to take your idea to some type of working prototype or website at the end of the weekend,” said Brianna.
Running a company is not easy and the hours can get long.
“Usually we try to do long production so we’ll be here on saturday or sunday for like, six to eight hours,” said production manager at BRITE bites Heather Simon.
Luckily, the company is finding success.
Brianna sells BRITE bites to 15 locations across the East Lansing area including Foods for Living, Barre Code and East Lansing Hot Yoga.
Even yoga instructors understand the benefits of a healthy, probiotic snack.
“You’d think those two little bites wouldn’t fill you up but they’re super perfect for before and or after yoga,” said East Lansing Hot Yoga instructor Melissa Keesling.
And Brianna hopes these little bites become a huge nation brand.
“My dream and my vision is to do it full time after graduation.”
And this CEO is on track to do it, she’ll just have to do it between advertising and accounting.