Welcome to our WBE Spotlight Series! Today, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Lisa L Marsh, Founder & CEO of MsPsGFree Inc. Join us as we delve into Lisa’s entrepreneurial journey and uncover the driving force behind her success in the Specialty Food Manufacturing industry.
What inspired you to start your own business?
In 2009 my life changed forever, my mom – Youlas Patterson Brown, affectionately known as MsP, passed away. My health issues (acid reflux, digestive issues, severe flatulence) got worse I finally saw a doctor. The doctor told me to stop eating fruits and vegetables, stop eating dairy, weren’t these good for me? I went to a training and a classmate told me she was gluten-free. I looked at her like she had two heads, I had never heard of gluten-free. She described her symptoms, and she described me. I returned home and threw out anything that had wheat, rye, or barley (gluten). I began searching for delicious gluten-free snack foods that were not loaded with sugar and was having NO luck. I found some triple chocolate gluten-free break a-part cookies that were expensive, at least $7.00 back in 2009. I purchased the cookies and was so excited, I took them home and baked them. I popped one in my mouth and they tasted like HOT WAX. It was then I started baking.
What is a business milestone or achievement that you are most proud of?
2021 Buy From a Black Woman Trademark Grant; 2022 UPS Grant Recipient; 2022 Brilliantly Black Award Recipient from Iheart Media; Founders First CDC 2022 Kitty Award Winner; 2022 Chicago Innovation Award Nominee; 2022 Lightbox Grant from The Maclyn Group; 2022 Macro Impact Support from Inspire 11; 2022 BMO Winning Women Grant; 2023 Nextdoor Kind Foundation – Keep it local grant, Founders First CDC Awards finalist, and a Bey Good Foundation Grant sponsored by Beyonce Knowles Carter, July 2023.
What challenges have you faced as a woman business owner, and how did you overcome them?
Being a first-generation entrepreneur is a journey I have stumbled into, I had very little knowledge of how to move our business from an idea to a concept to a product. With learning retail, certifications, money-management, marketing, cash flow and budgeting, it has been a miracle that has allowed us and MsPsGFree Inc to grow to where we are currently. Our biggest obstacle to date is raising capital. We are currently looking at grants, loans and may even look at crowd funding as a first measure to raising capital, once we have a firm footing, we will begin series rounds to raise the needed capital to continue scaling.
What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Understanding thyself is the name of this game, getting to trust ourselves as we chart our way, gather the knowledge base needed and take the necessary actions to move our business further than our wildest dreams.
MsPsGFree Inc
A leader in gluten-free snacking, MsPsGlutenfree has been creating nutritious, flavorful alternatives since 2016. Their award-winning gluten-free granola can be found in premium retailers across Chicago and Malibu, including Whole Foods Markets, Mariano’s, and Fresh Thyme. MsPsGlutenfree combines taste and health in every bite.
MsPsGFree is a legacy business, it has been named in honor of our mom, Mrs P, started by me (Lisa Marsh), and will be made ready for ownership by our daughters and grandchildren.
Understanding thyself is the name of this game