Meet the 22-year-old entrepreneur making candy that's good for you

Mar 8 2017, 2:32 pm

At just 22, Vancouver’s Tara Bosch has achieved some sweet success.The Next Big Thing alumni, Bosch is the founder of SmartSweets – gummy bears made with natural ingredients to help kick your sugar habit.

She is also the winner of several entrepreneurial awards. Most recently, Bosch won $25,000 from the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) Pitch for the Purse competition.

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How does she do it? Daily Hive got a chance to speak with Bosch about her success and her tips for young female entrepreneurs.

Daily Hive: You’ve experienced great success at only 22 years old. How did you learn so quickly how to build a successful business? 

Tara Bosch: The most important thing I’ve learned is to keep progressing – you don’t have to have it all figured out. You do have to lean in to the uncomfortable feeling of the unknown and commit to taking steps forward, embracing the fear and uncertainty that comes with that.

The more I learn, the more I realize I still have to learn. It’s important to be okay with asking questions – I don’t think anyone ever has it all figured out and that is 100% okay, but it’s important to admit that and ask questions. I think it takes a level of courage to say: “I don’t know, what do you think?”

Daily Hive: SmartSweets is all about kicking the sugar habit while still getting a sweet fix. Where did you get this idea from? 

Tara Bosch: Growing up I developed an unhealthy relationship with food, affecting my self-esteem and body image. As I got older, it became apparent that healthy relationships in all aspects of life come from smaller, smarter choices. In a conversation with my grandmother at her kitchen table, I learned that she regretted consuming so much excess sugar over the years, especially from one of our favourite treats to enjoy together – candy.

It was this conversation coupled with my personal journey that sparked my exploration into the shocking reality of sugar. I learned that on any given day we consume in excess of 70 grams of sugar and Americans spend an estimated $1 trillion yearly fighting the damaging health effects of sugar, ranging from obesity to cancer.

However, not one confectionery player is addressing sugar reduction in a natural way. With a gummy bear mould purchased from Amazon, the quest began to create the first smart candy that kicks sugar.

Daily Hive: As a young entrepreneur, tell us about the challenges you have overcome to achieve your success.

Tara Bosch: I think it’s important to own your idea and your confidence in the ability that you are capable of making it happen. I really think confidence is everything and key to growing an idea into a business. “Whether you believe you can or can’t, you’re right!” is one of my favourite quotes. When you believe you are capable and are equipped with confidence, any challenge that comes your way (whether it’s related to being young and female, or not) you’ll overcome.

Daily Hive: In entrepreneurship, how important is it for women to support women? 

Tara Bosch: It’s incredibly important. Important for women to support women, for men to support women, for women to support men, for everyone to support everyone!

Daily Hive: With it being International Women’s Day, how do you want to inspire other young, female entrepreneurs? What are your tips for success? 

Tara Bosch: Growing up I had loads of ideas, but lacked the confidence to act on them. It’d be an amazing thing if my journey has helped to inspire the confidence in other young females to take the first step in making the idea that ignites their soul. There is no such thing as failure, everything is a stepping stone leading you to the path you’re meant to be on.

I found a lot of peace with stepping into the unknown when I adopted that belief. I think it’s so important to challenge ourselves to think big, then think even bigger. I truly believe our mind is the only limit to what we can achieve. Pretty nifty when you think that truly anything can manifest into reality (with belief, a ton of perseverance, courage and all that good stuff).

Simran SinghSimran Singh

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