Women Food Entrepreneurs Share Advice and Inspiration for Women’s History Month
March 7, 2025
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the contributions and innovations that women entrepreneurs bring to our local food community. According to a recent report, women make up 39.2% of all small business owners and their businesses generate 6.2% of the revenue. As more women become entrepreneurs than ever before, they still face many systemic and economic barriers to achievement. If women-owned businesses earned the same average revenue as men-owned businesses, the American economy would see an additional $10.2 trillion.
We spoke to a few food business owners in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, who shared stories about the women who have inspired them and offered words of wisdom for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
Binita Pradhan, Bini’s Kitchen: Taking on Challenges One Day at a Time
Binita “Bini” Pradhan was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, went to cooking school in Bombay, and later received her bachelor’s degree in hotel management catering. After moving to the United States, she decided to build on her knowledge and share her homeland’s food with her community in San Francisco. She joined La Cocina’s food business incubator program and with their support, launched Bini’s Kitchen. Along with her stand at the farmers market, Bini’s Kitchen also has two San Francisco locations.
Who are some women who have mentored or inspired you while you were starting your business?
One of the best mentors and chefs I have ever worked with is Marcella Lew. She used to run Nopalito, now she’s at 20 Spot in the Mission. She’s a tremendous woman who has inspired and helped me, along with my mother. My mother is the biggest strength for me. I’ve seen her go through so many ups and downs, but she’s still strong. She’s 89, but she gets up in the morning and does what she needs to do. It’s her legacy that I’m keeping up, and it’s her recipes that I’m following.
Do you have any advice for women who are thinking about starting a business or are new to entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurs should have a love toward cooking. It’s very therapeutic for your peace of mind and your body. You have to love what you do and give a hundred percent. Challenges come and go and you should embrace it. You should be able to channel your stress, channel your difficulties, and take it one step at a time.
Christine Law, Flora Gelateria: Being Authentic and Recognizing Your Unique Perspective
Christine Law, founder of Flora Gelateria, had her grand opening at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in September of 2024. She uses her expertise from decades in the baking industry to craft plant-based gelato using fresh produce from the farmers market. On Saturdays, market-goers can enjoy her seasonal gelato in a cup or on a gluten-free waffle.
Who are some women who have mentored or inspired you while you were starting your business?
One of my first jobs in baking and pastry was at this bakery called Icing on the Cake in Los Gatos. The woman who owned it, Lynn Magnolia, is such an inspiration. She puts so much of her personality into the business. You had her delicious cakes and baked goods, but also her character and authenticity.
Do you have any advice for women who are thinking about starting a business or are new to entrepreneurship?
Right now, there are some really incredible female CEOs of natural organic food businesses who are disrupting the industry and making waves. I’m a mom and a caregiver, and as women we shouldn’t forget the perspective that we can bring to a business. Especially as the world has more social and emotional needs, we’re aligned to meet those needs in a really unique way. I encourage women who want to start a business not to doubt yourself, and to recognize what you can bring to the table that others can’t.
Sierra Young, Mangosay: Being Unafraid to Change Careers
With Mangosay, Sierra Young set out to make an impact in her community by sharing her passion for mangoes through healthy and fun menu options. With coaching and support from Mandela Partners and Foodwise’s Building Equity program, she grew her business from a one-woman operation with a temporary spot in the farmers market, to a permanent vendor with a loyal following of supporters.
Who are some women who have mentored or inspired you while you were starting your business?
I’m a first-generation business owner. When I look at business owners like Pinky Cole, who started the Slutty Vegan burgers brand, I think that’s one of my biggest inspirations. We come from a similar liberal arts, communication, and journalism background. I’ve looked at her as inspiration to draw from, knowing that it’s okay to change careers and to try your own business just to see what you have and what you’re able to offer.
Do you have any advice for women who are thinking about starting a business or are new to entrepreneurship?
It’s not as easy as it looks. I say that not to deter people, but to say that it really took a long time for me to get here. After coming from four years at a news station, I changed tracks and worked in general management for a franchise food company. That was really how I got my first idea of what business was. If you’re really willing to learn food safety protocols and what standard operating procedures are, it starts there.
Once you’re already in it, you know how the wave of business flows. It’s about hanging in there week by week, season by season, and being able to keep yourselves new to customers by having staples that you offer, while also keeping them guessing about what’s going to be your next menu item.
Support Mangosay and Flora Gelateria at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays. Find Bini’s Kitchen in the farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
To discover more women-owned businesses near you, don’t miss Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Celebrating BIPOC Women Makers on Saturday, March 29.
Topics: Entrepreneurship, Food makers