Single mom fueling a tribe of go-getters, one power bite at a timeDate: 10/5/2022 WESTERN MASS. – Tribe Power Bites LLC began as a healthy on-the-go snack alternative for owner/founder Kim Prada, a single mom who bought a mixer and started experimenting with recipes.
Two years later, she has turned it into a full-fledged business and movement to bring people together.
“I didn’t envision it to go this far. My mind was already established working at a hair salon, but when COVID[-19] happened I had to figure something out quickly to support my daughter and I,” Prada said. “When you’re a single mom, it’s very hard to think that way. All we know is how are we going to support our children and that’s it. I never envisioned that I could make something that people would love. Now, it has been so successful that it’s been my full-time job for three years.”
Tribe Power Bites are locally made, gluten-free and kid-friendly. The most popular flavor is the white cinn (abbreviated for white cinnamon roll) one of Prada’s first flavors she came out with when she started, made with old fashioned rolled oats, vanilla extract, honey, peanut butter and white chocolate chips dusted in white cinnamon cane sugar. This season, she has two new fall flavors – pumpkin spice and caramel apple.
Prada went from being a stay-at-home mom to a single mom and was making these bites for herself as a healthier snack to eat during the day. “I was busy all the time and was always on the go,” Prada said. “I wanted to feel fuller for a longer time, but not snack on junk food. I was making these bites and donated a batch of them to my mother’s church.”
Prada’s mom encouraged her to sell the bites and she did during COVID[-19]. However, it wasn’t official and Prada wanted to formalize it with the licensing and the LLC but didn’t know what to name her business. She received an overwhelming amount of support from the community and felt they were giving her a tribe-like atmosphere, so she named the business “Tribe” in honor of them.
“I want to give back to the community that gave back to me,” Prada said. “The name ‘Tribe’ comes from the connections I made during the process of starting my business. Not only did customers give me a sense of community with their support; they also became my family.”
Currently, Tribe Power Bites have 10 local partnerships with Elite Nutrition in East Longmeadow, Auntie Cathie’s Kitchen, Joey’s Deli and Magic Blend in Agawam, Good Works Coffee House and Lids Live Well in Chicopee, Common Grounds Cafe in Wilbraham, the Yoga Shop in Ludlow, Better Life Whole Foods and Ramos Detailing in Springfield.
Elite Nutrition owner Crystal Jimenez of told Reminder Publishing the first week they had Tribe they sold out within two hours. She said the bites were amazing, and they had to keep them in stock. Every Thursday she gets a personal delivery from Prada and puts them on their shelves on Fridays. Jimenez said their customers can’t wait for Fridays to get their bites; they love the convenience of a quick and go snack.
Jimenez said she loves changing it up with seasonal flavors and their customers love every single flavor. She said she is also excited to have their second location in Ludlow – opening soon – fully stocked with Tribe bites as well.
“I absolutely love Tribe bites,” Jimenez said. “I’m super busy and I love how I can just have a quick snack on the go, and it keeps me full. My whole Elite team absolutely loves them as well.” She continued, “Kim and I have become very close friends and I am very proud to have a partnership with her and her brand. You will always find Tribe Power Bites at any Elite Nutrition event.”
Tribe has two to four pop up fairs each week. Prada’s goal this year was to do at least 30 festivals and she has done 53. For the month of October and November these are the events the business will be attending:
• Oct. 1, The Apple Place in East Longmeadow, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Oct. 9, Common Grounds in Wilbraham, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Oct. 16, CELLF Juices in Springfield, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Oct. 21, Auntie Cathie’s Kitchen in Agawam, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Oct. 22, Knights of Columbus comedy show, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Oct. 23, Outside the Box gift shop in Ludlow, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Oct. 29, Auntie Cathie’s Kitchen in Agawam, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Nov. 26 Small business Saturday at Eastfield Mall in Springfield, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I do everything for my daughter within the business,” Prada said. “A current goal that I really want is for us to get a house just so she can play in the backyard and have a home that we can call ours. It’s a small goal, but it’s a huge one for me.”
She added, “It’s fulfilling to build these connections with people that I never thought I would even build connections with or rooms that I never thought I would step into. I was once very shy and timid. Now, I’m just blossoming into someone who really loves people and community and seeing other people grow. I have a passion for humanity, and I hope to inspire other single moms to achieve their goals.”
Customers can purchase Tribe Power Bites through their partnerships, at their weekly pop-up events and their online shop which is their website at tribepowerbites.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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