Taste Buds, LLC
John Beck, Owners
Benton, Arkansas

When John Beck approached the UALR SBDC, he and his wife, Laura, were already running a thriving business part time. The Becks started their business with a salsa recipe in the early 1990s and worked on a part-time basis to prepare, bottle and sell the salsa. Over the years, they discovered a need in the market for producing and packaging food products for other entrepreneurs. The Becks formed Taste Buds, LLC. By November 2002, Taste Buds, LLC was certified by the FDA as an Acidified Foods Canner.

As the business began to grow, John, a full-time law enforcement officer, wanted to expand operations and work full time in the business. He contacted Heather Robinette, UALR SBDC Business Consultant, for assistance in business planning and obtaining financing.

The Becks obtained the financing they needed to purchase equipment and expand operations, and they continue to work with the SBDC. Today, Taste Buds, LLC provides production and packaging services to many well-known Arkansas businesses and new entrepreneurs.

The Arkansas Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the goal of UALR to eliminate discriminatory harassment and to promote equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran’s status, or disability.