Meet Jessi Lupardo | Co-founder, Mama to Parker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessi Lupardo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As the owner of a small, locally owned business in Scottsdale (Ruze Cake House!) and as a mother whose husband travels a lot for work, I frequently used meal delivery companies to help fill the gaps around mealtime! The meal delivery services were helpful, but not necessarily kid-friendly.

Tiny Plates was born when my husband Taylor and I realized we weren’t alone in this struggle and that there could be a better way. We’re here to give Arizona parents a new way to feed their families – fresh, locally made, nutritionally balanced meals that never compromise on taste and always deliver on convenience. Between work, school, sports, and extracurricular activities, it’s harder and harder to fit in quality time. My hope is that the valuable time Tiny Plates saves you each week (sometimes over an hour a day!) gives you more opportunities to enjoy with your family.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our goal for Tiny Plates from the very beginning was to give parents a meal option that they can feel good about. And, for parents to have one less thing to worry about at the end of the day (because all parents are busy!).

We’re so proud to be the FIRST and ONLY kid-friendly meal delivery service in Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding cities to offer certified organic meats, dairy, and eggs — and we only use organic olive and avocado oils in our cooking. Even our snack cakes are a component you can feel good about! They’re made with organic Greek yogurt, and organic whole wheat flour, and contain hemp hearts for added protein. They contain less than two grams of sugar, which comes from being lightly sweetened from honey or maple syrup.

There were a lot of bumps along the way. Recipe development for Tiny Plates took months – and many little taste testers! Finding the best ingredients that were the highest quality, local (when available), cost-efficient, and could scale into larger quantities took several iterations and hours in the kitchen! Taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional value of each recipe were my top priority when developing each recipe — I’m SO proud of all 50 unique recipes we offer at Tiny Plates!

I’ve learned to slow down before moving too fast. We take our customers’ invaluable feedback to heart and have honored their requests in our weekly menu offerings. They are our biggest cheerleaders and we’re here to serve them!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Start the morning at Piestewa Peak for a nature hike and full view of the city. Stop by Luci’s at the Orchard for coffee, pastries, or lunch and enjoy their outdoor patio. Visit the Desert Botanical Gardens to view over 50,000 plants over 140 acres! Treat yourself to dinner at Elements at the Sanctuary on Camelback for a spectacular view of Camelback Mountain!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At the heart of my success is the unwavering support from my family, friends, and community! My ‘tiny’ family believed in Tiny Plates since its inception and offered an “all hands-on deck” from the start. I’m so grateful for our customers (both parents and kids!) who have provided invaluable feedback and who have shared their Tiny Plate experiences with their family and friends (thank you!).

And last, but not least, my 2.5-year-old toddler, Parker who is my biggest cheerleader, first customer, and best taste-tester!

Website: https://www.tinyplates.com/

Instagram: tinyplatesaz