Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Tara Bosch, who dropped out of college and turned $100K in loans into Smart Sweets, a $360 million global candy brand.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss her:

• Top Advice from Tara

• The Spark of an Idea

• Experimenting in Her Kitchen

• A Risky First Step

• 10 ChatGPT prompts to write a compelling Resume/CV

• Breaking into the Market

• A Breakthrough Moment

• Rapid Growth and Big Decisions

• Visualizing Success

• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice from Tara:

"If you don’t believe it’s possible, it won’t happen. Take away the limits of what you think is capable and follow your intuition."

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For years, the candy aisle has been synonymous with indulgence and, often, regret. But one young entrepreneur dared to reimagine what candy could be—and her vision changed the game. Tara Bosch, the founder of Smart Sweets, turned a simple idea into a $360 million empire. Here’s how a 21-year-old college dropout transformed her passion into one of the most successful healthier candy brands in the world.

The Spark of an Idea

Tara Bosch grew up loving candy, a sentiment shared by many. However, she became increasingly aware of the health risks associated with excess sugar. A pivotal moment came when her grandmother confided that she regretted consuming so much sugar over the years. This conversation ignited a question in Tara’s mind: Why can’t candy be something you feel good about eating?

Determined to find an answer, Tara decided to drop out of college and dive into the challenge of creating candy that was both delicious and low in sugar.

Experimenting in Her Kitchen

The journey began in Tara’s kitchen, where she used gummy bear molds from Amazon and ingredients from her local grocery store. With limited resources but unrelenting determination, Tara spent four months perfecting her recipe. The result was a low-sugar gummy bear that would become the first iteration of Smart Sweets.

She was inspired by the concept of the "sweet spot"—a formula used by food manufacturers to maximize the addictiveness of snacks by combining fat, sugar, and salt. Tara wanted to create an alternative to these overly sugary products, often marketed aggressively to children. Her mission was clear: to kick sugar out of candy.

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A Risky First Step

Creating a recipe was just the beginning. To produce her first batch of candy, Tara needed $100,000—a daunting sum for someone with no assets or financial backing. Undeterred, she took out a loan against her 2009 Honda Fit and her life insurance policy. This bold move funded her first production run.

Despite the risk, Tara believed in her vision. “Worst case scenario,” she thought, “I have some debt, I’m living on a couch, but I know I gave it my all.”

10 ChatGPT prompts to write a compelling Resume/CV

Breaking into the Market

Getting her product onto store shelves was no small feat. Tara relentlessly pursued her first retail opportunity, calling, emailing, and even showing up in person to pitch her product. Safeway in North Vancouver eventually gave her a chance after 50 persistent attempts.

When the deal finally came through, Tara celebrated the moment—but the hard work was just beginning. For the initial launch, she personally stocked shelves at over 1,300 stores, demonstrating her hands-on commitment to the brand.

A Breakthrough Moment

Smart Sweets gained momentum quickly. One major turning point came when a Fox Business reporter invited Tara to share her story on national television. Seizing the opportunity, Tara flew to New York, and the segment aired to a wide audience. Within minutes, she received an email from a Whole Foods buyer offering a global launch.

This partnership was a game-changer. In 2018, Smart Sweets debuted in Whole Foods stores across the U.S., featuring a new, vibrant packaging design. Soon after, the brand expanded to major retailers like Target, Kroger, and Costco.

Rapid Growth and Big Decisions

Smart Sweets’ growth was meteoric. In just four years, the company went from being sold in two stores to over 125,000 worldwide. However, this explosive expansion required significant funding. Tara faced tough decisions when it came to choosing investors. At one point, she turned down an offer of $100,000 for 40% equity, knowing it would cost her control over the company.

Eventually, she raised $3 million in investments, including a successful pitch on Dragon’s Den, Canada’s version of Shark Tank. This financial backing helped the company scale operations and maintain its rapid growth trajectory.

Visualizing Success

From day one, Tara envisioned Smart Sweets as a global leader in the candy industry. She even created a screensaver declaring her goals, reinforcing her belief that her dream was already a reality. This mindset kept her motivated, even during grueling 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. workdays and weekends spent at the office.

“I believed with certainty that the vision would happen,” Tara explained. Her relentless passion and willingness to take calculated risks paid off when she sold a majority stake in Smart Sweets to TPG Growth for $360 million in just five years.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Tara’s story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Start Small and Innovate: Tara began in her kitchen with minimal resources, proving that innovation can come from humble beginnings.

2. Persistence Pays Off: Her tireless efforts to secure her first retail deal and investor funding highlight the power of perseverance.

3. Believe in Your Vision: By visualizing success and speaking as if her goals were already achieved, Tara cultivated the confidence needed to navigate challenges.

4. Follow Your Intuition: Tara trusted her gut when making pivotal decisions, even when the odds seemed stacked against her.

Learn More About Tara Bosch

Today, Smart Sweets continues to expand its product line, offering candy that aligns with its mission to make low-sugar snacking the norm. Tara remains the company’s largest individual shareholder and continues to guide its vision.

Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when you combine passion, innovation, and relentless dedication. Tara Bosch didn’t just create a healthier candy—she revolutionized an industry and inspired countless others to dream big.

If you’re craving a sweet treat that doesn’t compromise your health, Smart Sweets might just be the guilt-free candy you’ve been waiting for.

A Story Worth Reading

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