Teyoshe Smith’s entrepreneurial journey began with hour-long lunch breaks delivering hand-crafted charcuterie boxes around Richmond, Virginia. What started as a passion project quickly evolved into Bite by Bite & Co., a thriving business currently located in two cities: a storefront in Richmond, VA, and a commercial kitchen in Atlanta. Bite by Bite plans to open two additional franchise locations later this year.
Smith’s venture started modestly. It began with Teyoshe crafting charcuterie spreads on her kitchen island with her sister-in-law. Their creations, featuring hand-toasted crostini and intricately shaped cheeses, sold out within days on Facebook Marketplace. Encouraged by this early success, Teyoshe steadily grew her business. At the time she was still employed as a project manager at Capital One. However, by May 2023, after generating $84,000 in revenue, she leaped to pursue Bite by Bite full-time.
“Crafting elaborate charcuterie spreads from exceptional ingredients became my idea of Southern comfort,” Smith says.
Since then, Bite by Bite has grown significantly. In 2023, the company had a revenue of $379,000. Smith attributes this rapid success to her passion for hospitality and dedication to delivering exceptional experiences. “To my core, I love entertaining, I love hosting, I love giving everybody a good experience,” Smith explains. “That’s just me, bottled up.”
Reflecting on her journey, Smith emphasizes the importance of differentiation in a trendy market. Bite by Bite distinguishes itself by offering a more homemade experience. For example, they craft unique items like cheese balls and dips from fresh ingredients. Their innovation also includes custom-made serving boards. This creation benefits both quick setup and reduced on-site disruption during events.
Smith’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is based on her own experiences. She shared that the feedback she initially received was that she was moving a bit too fast. Interestingly, Teyoshe chose not to follow that advice as things were happening organically and falling into her lap. She states, “If things are working, I’d rather just keep going until I run into a stumbling block.”
However, Smith emphasizes the necessity of researching and understanding every part of an individual’s business. One bump in Smith’s road was not realizing that when you get approved for an LLC, no one checks to see if anyone else already has that name. She originally started with the name “Grazing Crazy” and later had to pivot to a new name.
She also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to “Make sure you have your bank account set up correctly, educate yourself about your taxes,” stressing the importance of legal and financial safeguards.
Looking ahead, Smith is eager to share her blueprint for success with others. “I’ve created a good blueprint to repeat and share with others,” she reflects. Her determination to innovate and provide exceptional service has propelled Bite by Bite’s success and inspires a new generation of small-business owners to pursue their dreams.
As Bite by Bite continues to grow, Smith remains dedicated to creating memorable experiences through food. Her journey from project manager to successful business owner demonstrates that with passion, creativity, and perseverance, anyone has the potential to turn a side hustle into a full-fledged business.
