What does it take to build a business from scratch, grow it across 15 states, and then know when it's time to walk away?

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, host Nick Elder sits down with Brenda Steele, a natural food industry leader, business owner, and recording artist with more than 30 years of experience.

Brenda shares how she went from working in natural food stores to building Independent Natural Food Brokers, a company that grew to serve brands across the western United States.

What started as a way to support her three children while having more control over her time became a successful business with 30 employees and 70 brands.

But success came with challenges.

After losing three people close to her in a short period, Brenda began to look at her life and business in a new way. She made the difficult choice to sell her company in 2024 and start a new chapter.

Today, Brenda is helping smaller food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution. She's also making time for something she's loved since childhood: writing and recording music.

Nick and Brenda discuss what helped her business grow, why building a great team matters, and what business owners should think about before trying to land major retail accounts.

Brenda also shares valuable advice for food entrepreneurs about starting small, understanding profit margins, and growing at a pace their business can support.

This conversation is about much more than business. It's about hard work, family, loss, change, and finding joy in what comes next.

Brenda Steele has spent more than 30 years working in the natural food industry.

She founded Independent Natural Food Brokers in 2008 and grew the company into a brokerage serving 15 states before selling it in 2024.

Today, she works with emerging food brands and independent retailers through Daily Bread Consulting and Independent Natural Food Distribution.

Brenda is also a lifelong musician and songwriter who has returned to recording and releasing her music.