When did you start Ali Made Food and what made you decide to launch that business?
AliMadeFood began as an Instagram account in 2017 sharing recipes and tips I learned from healing myself with food. Healing my gut with bone broth, fermented foods, and nutrient-dense foods not only cured my symptoms (pain, nausea, fatigue, hypoglycemia, anemia, amenorrhea, and more), but also gave me more energy and vigor than I had ever felt! I wanted to help other people thrive! After sharing about bone broth on Instagram, so many people asked if I could just make it for them… and the lightbulb turned on. Instead of just telling people how to heal, I could give them the tools necessary! So I created the first bone broth business in the state in November 2017! I brewed broth in a commercial kitchen and sold it at local farmers markets, online to customers, and at a few local food retailers. Then in 2021, I expanded my business to a restaurant/store Bōn Broth Bar!
Tell us more about Bōn Broth Bar!
There were many factors that led me to build and open Bōn Broth Bar, but the main reasons were that I had outgrown the commercial kitchen space I had been renting at Kitchen 66, and it had been a dream of mine since the beginning of AliMade to have a one-stop-shop for all things local, healthy, and delicious! I had envisioned waiting until my triplets were in school to launch my restaurant, but a number of factors contributed to my decision to open a year sooner. It has been such a blessing to our family and hopefully the community, too!
What is your favorite item currently on the menu at Bōn Broth Bar?
It’s hard to choose, but The BrothBowl has been my darling for years. It is a build-your-own soup in which you choose the meat, grain, and broth to pour over a heap of veggies. It is so simply delicious, and you can order it for dine in, you can take a bunch to go for later, and you can even purchase them frozen in our store to keep for an easy quick and healthy meal!
Can you give other Mom Entrepreneurs looking to launch their own business one piece of advice?
A student mentality keeps me from frustration – there is no failure, only learning opportunities. Also, as a mom, I dedicated myself to patience, knowing my business may grow slowly because I am prioritizing my kids, and that is okay. Lastly, I can’t do everything and be everything at once, but I can be 100% present where I am at the moment and accept that there are seasons/days/weeks could have different priorities.
How long have you lived in Tulsa?
11 years
How do you practice self-care?
I learned that mindfully caring for my body and heart is the best form of self care. I see my morning cup of broth as self care, enjoying healthy food as self care, wiggling my toes in the grass with my face in the sun as self care, being fully present in a precious moment with my kids as self care, hearing how my broth has helped someone as self care.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have 5 kids and 3 step kids, ranging from 10 years to 2 months old. 🙂
What is your go-to healthy family meal that your kids love?
Oven roasted whole chicken with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts.. yum!!!
Favorite Date Night restaurant/activity in Tulsa?
We don’t get many of those 😉 but a charcuterie picnic at Turkey Mountain at sunset is one of my favorites.
How can Tulsa Mom’s check out your amazing products?
Bōn Broth Bar (81/Harvard) is my establishment and carries all my products plus many other local foods! AliMade Broth is also available at other storefronts and websites for delivery! You can see them all on my website alimadefood.com
