You never know where inspiration for your business idea will strike. 
For Bevla Reeves, she found inspiration right in her own kitchen, with a recipe she had been enjoying for years. Whenever hunger struck, she would whip up her favorite quick and easy savory oats – a comforting, nourishing and convenient meal that fit perfectly into her busy lifestyle.
The, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Faced with the challenge and difficulty of going to the grocery store, she began to wish that her favorite savory oats were available pre-packaged, and ready to enjoy. So, she turned her favorite snack into a business, Flaming Oats.
Bevla began selling Flaming Oats online and at farmers markets, offering tastings and demonstrations to connect with customers. After a few years, she was ready to scale – she wanted to be in corporate offices, hospitals and grocery stores. But she faced a new challenge, she needed to learn how to sell her product without her engaging presence and samples to draw people in.
She turned to Prestamos. Through the Mesa Entrepreneurship Co-Lab program, Bevla was able to place her Flaming Oats in a local business – the Beanchain coffee shop. There, Flaming Oats could be on display and available to shoppers, providing Belva with the opportunity to test her product in market and gain valuable real-world experience.
“Prestamos has been giving me amazing advice and ideas, so I don’t feel like I’m alone on this leg of my journey”.
Since November 2024, the Mesa Entrepreneurship Co-Lab has provided over 160 entrepreneurs like Belva with the opportunity to gain retail experience, earn revenue and access one-on-one coaching. This collaborative program provides entrepreneurs with the tools, resources and confidence they need to build healthy, thriving businesses.
