Episode 9

full
Published on:

15th Aug 2024

How A Bite With Mee Fused a Passionate Following with Great Food and Great Community

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford welcome the founders of "A Bite With Mee," Mee Sun Klingerman, and Jairo Aleman. Mee Sun and Jairo discuss the formative experiences that led them to the food industry, including Jairo's early aspirations inspired by TV chefs and Mee Sun's involvement in organic farming and cooperatives. They share how their paths converged, leading to both a personal and professional partnership. 

Listen as Marty, Susan, Mee Sun, and Jairo discuss the importance of community, perseverance, and innovation in food entrepreneurship.

 

 QUOTES

  • "We love to educate people through our food, teaching that vegan and vegetarian dishes can be flavorful and exciting.” -Mee Sun Klingerman [21:52]
  • “For me, it's always family before the business, which requires a tremendous amount of patience.” -Jairo Aleman [31:00]




TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) The Journey of Two Entrepreneurs in the Food Industry

(06:54) A Culinary Journey from Italian Cuisine to Korean Flavors

(12:00) From Culinary Dreams to Community Impact: A Journey in Food

(19:14) Vegan Nachos: A Happy Accident Turned Fan Favorite

(24:19) Korean-Mexican Fusion: Unique Culinary Creations in Elkhart

(29:22) Challenges of Managing a Food Business and Balancing Family Life

(30:50) Balancing Family Life and Business Challenges

(33:40) Navigating Business Growth with Expert Guidance and Funding

(35:01) The Journey to Launching a Food Truck Business

(40:59) Advice for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs



RESOURCES

A Bite with Mee


CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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About the Podcast

Rooted and Reaching
Stories about local Startups and Founders in South Bend and Elkhart
There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region.

In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.