Meet Vanessa Becker of V’s Alternative Treats in Buckeye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Becker.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vanessa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a native Arizonan and local Certified Personal Trainer. For years, I’ve been practicing a healthy lifestyle through mindfulness, physical activity, and nutrition. Like many people, I have always loved food and could be labeled as a “foodie”. Throughout the years, I have identified food sensitivities to gluten, processed sugar, and a variety of dairy products. This has made it difficult to enjoy some of the foods I love without consequences, especially sweet treats. I began experimenting at home with products that were non-inflammatory to my body and could create something just as tasty and satisfying using quality ingredients. From frozen fat bombs, to mug cakes and cookies, I believed I created a variety of quality treats to share with others.

Per a request from my mother, I started sharing my treats with her and other loved ones who were diabetic or following a low carb diet or lifestyle. The more I shared my treats with them, the more positive feedback and orders I received.

My family and friends enjoyed my treats so much that I wanted to offer them to my clients as a holistic personal trainer. Most of my clients have expressed to me how hard it is to eat healthy on-the-go. Eating whatever was convenient would also increase their cravings for sugar and poor quality foods, which ultimately put a damper on their progress in the gym and how they felt overall. When I was thinking about how I could help, I took into consideration the convenience factor and refined my high quality fat, low carb cookies that could serve as a healthy treat or meal on-the-go. Since offering the cookies to my clients, they have become a HUGE hit! I have only heard how amazing they taste and how satisfying they are! THAT was my cue to start selling them to the public as a healthy snack, treat or meal replacement to those who cannot have real sugar due to health concerns or simply want to follow a healthier lifestyle.

My mission is to provide others out there like my clients, family, friends, and I the opportunity to enjoy tasty ALTERNATIVE treats to the typical baked goods on the shelves today!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like anything else, it’s not been perfectly smooth. Due to my own food sensitives, I have had to experiment with a variety of ingredients that did not cause any bodily irritation. The ability to enjoy what I made before selling to anyone else was critical.

The consistency of my baked goods was initially a challenge as well. Baking with healthier ingredients can make it tough to create a similar texture and taste as traditional baked goods. Using the right flour, almond vs coconut, and even the sweetener such as monk fruit vs stevia has made a huge impact on texture, taste, and overall success for the business.

Please tell us about your company.
I’m not only the owner and creator of V’s Alternative Treats but the sole baker as well. My company specializes in gluten free, keto, and paleo friendly baked goods. Currently, I offer a variety of cookies (customizable) that serve as both an alternative treat and satiating snack or quick low carb meal. The cookies are very popular with my personal training clients and customers with extremely busy lifestyles. Cookies may be my staple due to customer convenience, but the plan is to expand my offerings soon!

Creating great tasting baked goods with high quality ingredients is what makes my company unique. Many other companies have slapped labels onto their products and called them “keto” or “gluten free”. However, if you look closely at the ingredients they use, they aren’t necessarily healthy. You will find ingredients such as fake sugars, grain-fed chicken eggs, corn fiber, canola oil, and additives in other products. Grass-fed butter, pasture-raised eggs, monk fruit, and coconut oil are some of the healthier ingredients you will find in my baked goods. I pride myself on selling a product that contains some of the best and cleanest ingredients for not only my clients but anyone who is following a healthy lifestyle.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mom certainly deserves a big shout out. She planted the seed to not only create something healthy for me but for her and other family members who needed yummy sugar free and low carb options to enjoy. My boss at my daytime job, Sue, deserves credit as she motivated me to move forward with starting a baking business. We have an ongoing joke about her being my PR representative! However, she does do a nice job speaking highly about my product hehe! Bridget Wyman, mentor AND friend, has not only supported me but pushed me to become just that much stronger as a small business owner. From helping me with social media ideas to being a sounding board for moral support, she has genuinely helped me progress in my business goals. And of course, I cannot forget my personal training clients who have also supported my business. They have been my guinea pigs for taste testing, provided marketing recommendations, and website support. Thank you all!

Pricing:

• $40 Per Batch of Cookies (20ct)
• $20 Per 1/2 Batch of Cookies (10ct)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vsalternativetreats.com
• Phone: 6233993981
• Email: vsalternativetreats@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Bridget Wyman

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