Let’s face it – most Americans have a sweet tooth. What’s not to like about candy? However, what most people don’t realize, or choose to ignore, is the fact that excess sugar is one of the unhealthiest things a person can eat. Since this problem has been identified, weak attempts at a solution have been created. No significant solution has emerged until now, with Tara Bosch’s “SmartSweets”.

SmartSweets is a candy company that creates traditional sweets and candies that everyone knows and loves without the traditional use of sugar. As a replacement, Bosch sells candy made with plant-based fibers and plant-based sweeteners to replace things such as corn syrup. Before her founding of SmartSweets, Bosch was a self-proclaimed sugar addict. On the company’s website, she states that she herself has “experienced the negative effects excess sugar has on our health”. It is clear that, by experiencing this problem firsthand, she understands the need and will be the most inclined to solve it in the best way possible. From that, Bosch began experimenting with plant-based candy. Eventually, she found a recipe that worked.

After creating her recipe, she began selling out of her car and cold-emailing Canadian retailers. While her product was selling in Canada, Whole Foods reached out to her. This contact led to a full U.S. distribution with the retailer. Today, she sells at over 18,000 locations around North America.

With the creation of SmartSweets, Bosch has shown an exemplary entrepreneurial mindset. She identified a clear need in an industry overrun with problems that has existed for a very long time. By solving this need (and being one of the few to do so), she had an potential consumer market instantaneously. It will be fascinating to see what direction she will lead her business to in the future. Her goal, to “keep candy and kick the sugar”, has sure come to fruition.