Natasha Brao is on a mission to share the deeper meaning behind the classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern one-pan dish, Shakshuka. Shooka celebrates mixing and melding different cultural flavors leading to new recipes, ideas, and conversations.

Originally from Los Angeles, she got her start in Upstate NY. Coming from the design industry, she found her way into CPG by stepping out of her comfort zone and entering many business pitch competitions during grad school. She went on to create Shooka, a thick, chunky, tomato-based sauce meant to be served with poached eggs in a skillet with crusty bread — but you can add anything you want!

Here’s Natasha’s story of fundraising during college to launch her brand.

• Why Natasha wanted to create a shakshuka inspired tomato sauce

• The original brand concept for Shooka and why it shifted

• Strategy for fundraising

• Advice for an emerging brand founder starting to pitch for funding

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