Elite Sweets is a Texas startup which marries the health benefits of protein with the delicious decadence of donuts. We know, we didn’t believe it either.
Fresh off their win at the Creator Awards, CEO Amin D Bahari shared his recipe for success.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
I worked for the University of Texas football team and my co-founders played football at UT so we were surrounded by high protein brownies, cookies and shakes. In the evenings we often found ourselves eating donuts and thought how could we make this healthier and protein-packed? We got to work in the apartment kitchen and the rest is history.
Give us the elevator pitch
We are Elite Sweets and we are Austin’s original baked, gluten-free, protein donut. We are the healthier alternative to traditional sweets. Our donuts are naturally sweetened with only 2g sugar, have 16g protein and only 200 calories per donut.
Why do you think your company has been successful?
We bring a unique and youthful dynamic to the entrepreneur space. We have a lot of support from friends, families, and former teammates. We are a team and Elite Sweets is a family.
What’s your team structure like?
Our team consists of myself as CEO, my twin brother Amir Bahari as COO, Caleb Bluiett co-founder (current NFL Free Agent) and Tim Cole in the role of CMO (former UT football player).
Describe your experience of the Creator Awards
It was amazing, my first time in Silicon Valley. It was very memorable and I was left speechless. The spectators were so supportive and really motivated my team to push harder and help more people.
What’s been your biggest achievement to date?
Winning the Creator Awards!
What’s been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was that we are a young minority owned business and people did not believe in us at times. It was hard because we were an Austin based company and could not ship, so that was a huge challenge because we couldn’t get our product nationwide.
What was your dream career as a child?
NFL player.
Name one past failure that contributed to your success
Having taken losses in the past has translated to being more hungry and having the desire to be more successful in the future.
What advice would you give to someone considering starting their own business or applying for a job at a startup?
Don’t ever take no as an answer and be ready to work harder/smarter than anyone. Utilise your resources, network and run lean initially until you have found validation.
Get your ticket for Creator Jerusalem today.
How do you measure success?
Success is finding your happiness and being proud of your accomplishments.
What’s your ultimate ambition?
My ultimate ambition is to help others and make the world a healthier better place with more educated and informed people.
How can companies nurture a more diverse team?
By being inclusive of all backgrounds and willing to seek multiple perspectives.
What’s the one thing you wish people knew about your business?
That this was personal and we wanted to help those who are excluded from enjoying the things they love. We want to help other #AchieveElite and strive to be the best in whatever it is they are doing and to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
What does the future hold for your company?
Elite Sweets is going to be the largest Protein Donut company in the world and we are going to help redefine the way people think of sweets. We are going to make the world a healthier place and help combat health related issues.
Want to learn more about startup life?
Come along to Creator Jerusalem this June
