Li'L GUY FOODS
 Contact Info:
Sloan Acquisition Corporation,
DBA Li’L Guy Foods
Christina Sloan
1717 Topping Avenue,
Kansas City, MO 64120
(816) 241-2000
www.lilguyfoods.com Things were different for my grandfather, Don Miranda, when he and a friend started Li’L Guy Foods in 1965. There were many opportunities for a hard-working, second-generation, Hispanic American to succeed, but few economic initiatives to help a fledgling minority-owned businesses. For the first 20 years, Don Miranda ran the business, there were no Mexican or ethnic food aisles in grocery stores, and the concept of supplier diversity had yet to be born.
Today we have grown from a small manufacturer of tortillas to Kansas City’s largest local provider of specially formulated tortilla products used by restaurants and food service companies. Growth was not easy, but once we got on the path to success, we knew that this Li’L Guy could cast an enormous shadow in the right light.
In 2005 Li’L Guy Foods received its certification as a Minority Owned Business through the Mid America Minority Business Development Council (MAMBDC).
“This certification has opened doors previously closed to our company,” says Christina Sloan. “It has enabled us to participate in the bid process used by county, state, federal and large private sector contractors.”
Participation at the chair and board levels of Kansas City’s economic development councils has provided a substantial lift to Li’L Guy’s business.
Says Sloan, “By working with MAMBDC, we have found a way to be a part of the solution. The best part has been the satisfaction of ‘paying forward’ the same help that was shown to Li’L Guy Foods.”
All the hard work is starting to have positive results. Li’L Guy has posted record sales in traditionally down month, and work on three new flavored chip lines is nearly complete. In 2007 Christina was offered a seat on the Fairness In City Contracts Board. This mayoral appointed position will last for two years, and according to Sloan, “will give Li’L Guy Foods the opportunity to ensure all Kansas City minority-owned businesses receive the same opportunities for success that we have had.” |
