Woman-owned, Gaia Bowls releases a full line of wholesome granola and cereals at area farmers markets, sources local ingredients.
Yavapai County, Arizona – Meet Alexa Alcala, an entrepreneur and wholesome food advocate that recently relocated to the Verde Valley. With a master’s degree in fine arts, Alcala has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years.
“I love doing creative projects. I became obsessed with oatmeal and granola many years ago and I started to eat it almost daily. I have always been an avid food label reader, and I realized how much processing and unnecessary ingredients go into store bought granolas and cereals.”
Alexa Alcala, Owner and Entrepreneur on starting her business
Gaia Bowls specialty product is the Honey Nut Granola made with gluten free oats, raw peanut butter, and Arizona cat claw honey from Bisbee, Arizona. Gaia Bowls also features the Honey Nut Granola with home dried, locally sourced honey crisp apples and strawberries. In addition to granolas and cereals, her menu also includes healthy, natural, sweet treats like homemade dark chocolate peanut butter cups, vegan sweet potato parfaits, and home dried organic banana chips.
“Perfect blend of yummy and delicious.”
Sarah, Welch, Gaia Bowls Customer
Alcala says her biggest challenge is working full time while planning and saving money for the business. Especially during such challenging times, she needed to make smart, conservative decisions while setting up the business. “My love for oatmeal, and wanting to share a higher quality product publicly, definitely inspired me to do this business. I also strive to be financially independent. I only want to work for myself.”
Seeking support, Alcala has been working with Ruth Ellen Elinski and the Yavapai College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to assist with the set-up process of her business and building a solid business plan with financial projections. “Having Ruth Ellen on Zoom while I processed transactions for the business ensured that I was doing things correctly.”
Alcala plans to increase her distribution channels and to add additional farmer’s markets to her busy schedule. You can find Gaia Bowls granolas and other products at the Sedona Farmers Market every Sunday until May 1st, 2022. 11am-3pm, and in the lobby of the Element Hotel in the Village of Oak Creek (VOC). Visit gaiabowls.us for more information on Owner and Chef, Alexa Alcala and her products.
The Yavapai College SBDC is funded jointly by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Yavapai College.
Register for services at yc.edu/sbdc or call the office directly at 928-717-7232 to make an appointment.
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