H-E-B and Bagel Dots make donation to support small businesses
February 23, 2022

H-E-B and Bagel Dots make donation to support small businesses

February 23, 2022

H-E-B and Bagel Dots make donation to support small businesses

 

A former first-place winner of H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best competition and H-E-B partnered together to provide a donation to a San Antonio nonprofit to support aspiring entrepreneurs and growing small businesses. Together, H-E-B and Bagel Dots, which took first place at the 2016 Quest for Texas Best competition, announced donations of $15,000 each to the Maestro Entrepreneur Center in San Antonio, an organization that works to create jobs and accelerate small business growth in the Alamo City.

“Small business is the backbone of our communities. Donations like this are critical and allow us to help more growing businesses in our community,” said Willie Ng, co-founder of Maestro Entrepreneur Center.

In a check presentation ceremony, Bagel Dots announced a $15,000 gift to support small businesses and H-E-B made a dollar-for-dollar matching gift. In total, the Entrepreneur Center was presented $30,000.

“Our hearts are full today, and we’re inspired by this gift,” said Jody Hall, H-E-B Vice President of Global Sourcing. “Committed to our H-E-B Spirit of Giving, we also want to pay it forward to help small businesses thrive in Texas.”

In 2014, Aarti Garehgrat was juggling a corporate career in New York City and an idea to create one of her favorite snacks in the Big Apple. Her bagels, which come in an array of flavors, are bite-sized balls filled with cream cheese different fillings. Two years later, Aarti along with her partner Purav Patel, took one of the top spots in the Quest for Texas Best, which landed their products on H-E-B shelves throughout Texas.

Since taking first place, Bagel Dots is among nearly 40 brands that have gone through the Quest for Texas Best competition that have made or exceeded $1 million in sales. And while they’re remain consultants with their brand, they also sold Bagel Dots to to a large supplier, which allows them to sell their products at more than 3,000 grocery stores and 650 restaurants across the nation.

“We can’t thank H-E-B enough,” said Purav Patel. “Over the last six years, we’ve been able to grow our brand, which allows us to pay it forward. What H-E-B did for us allows us to give back and support growing entrepreneurs.

“It’s difficult for small suppliers to compete with larger suppliers in the marketplace,” he added. “Events like Quest for Texas Best levels the playing field and gave us the platform to compete. It was a gamechanger for us.”

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

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