Meet Master Granola Maker, Michelle Pusateri

Michelle faced significant hurdles in establishing Nana Joes Granola. Entering the competitive natural food market meant managing tight margins, high ingredient costs, and navigating unpredictable supply chains. For example, when oat prices surged dramatically due to external market pressures, Michelle refused to pass these costs onto her customers. Instead, she restructured her sourcing and packaging strategies. She also maintained ethical business practices, paying her team competitive wages significantly above San Francisco’s minimum wage. Despite higher labor costs, Michelle focused on team retention and local job creation. To navigate these challenges effectively, Michelle turned to Renaissance. Although she received guidance, mentorship, and business development support, she says it was her difficult conversations and work with Gwendolyn Wright, Managing Director of Renaissance’s Financing Resource Center, that truly got her on the right path. “Gwendolyn told me if I didn’t make changes to my business structure, we would go under. I didn’t know what to do, so I just listened and followed, ” recounts Michelle, “her guidance saved my business and put us in a position to grow the way we have.”