“The BEGIN New Venture Center was a great place for my business to get started with a professional and helpful atmosphere!”

Corey Grass chose to start his business, Grass Farms and Foods, because he wanted to pass along his Sainte Genevieve family farm to the next generation in good working order. As owner of C.F. Grass Consulting, he was able to marry his business savvy and his family’s farming roots to create a line of locally produced, value-added whole grain products, including frozen whole-wheat pancakes and waffles, organic whole wheat cereal and whole wheat flour.

While it made sense to start the business out at the farm in Sainte Genevieve, Corey knew that he had to find a kitchen in St. Louis in order to be closer to an expanding organic and local foods market. “I was looking for a commercial kitchen,” says Corey, “but I was sold on the BEGIN New Venture Center (BNVC) small business incubator and culinary suite when I found out about the opportunity to help the homeless.”

Since bringing his business into the BNVC, Corey has moved his products from farmers’ markets to St. Louis’ two Whole Foods Markets locations, part of a national chain. He has also shared some advertising opportunities with St. Patrick Center to assist the agency in its fundraising efforts. “If it were not for the encouragement of the BEGIN New Venture Center, I may have given up on my business venture,” adds Corey. “I hope to hire a St. Patrick Center client soon!”