Meet Melanie Webb of Lite Bites KC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Webb.

Melanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our Story… I am Melanie Webb, Founder of Lite Bites KC and, most importantly, a proud mom to two incredible boys. They’re full of energy, always on the move with activities & sports.

They are the heartbeat of everything I do and they were a big reason why Lite Bites KC came to life. I’ve always believed that food is fuel — not just for the body, but for the soul. And in our fast-paced world, snacks should lift you up, not weigh you down.

Long before Lite Bites KC was officially born, I was the go-to snack maker — always mixing up energy bites in my kitchen, playing with natural ingredients to find that perfect combo that kept me going through workouts, busy mom life, and moments of quiet reflection. I needed something clean, satisfying, and made with purpose — and I wanted my boys to have access to the same.

A few years ago, after countless taste tests (with plenty of help from my little in-house critics!), I finally found the recipe that checked all the boxes. It was simple, wholesome, energizing, and delicious — something both adults and kids could enjoy. That’s when Lite Bites KC officially came to life.

What began as a personal passion became a small-batch, handmade operation run by me and a tight-knit team of four. Every bite is made with care, using high-quality, feel-good ingredients that you can recognize and trust — snacks I feel good about feeding my kids and sharing with our community.

My goal was never just to create another snack — it was to build something meaningful. I wanted my boys to see what it looks like to chase a dream & to create something you’re proud of.

Now I get to share it with our community. I want the boys to be proud and to know that they were part of this journey from the very beginning.

Our mission is simple: to offer a wholesome, delicious alternative for healthy snacking — whether you’re fueling up for your day, recovering after a workout, or just need a kid-approved bite to keep you going.

We’re proud to be small but mighty, rooted in Kansas City, and powered by love, purpose, and clean ingredients.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship is never an easy road. However, it is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my life, outside of having children. It’s been such a complete labor of love, this journey has brought me to my knees in tears. I have cried for all the small wins and large. I have cried when I feel I can’t go on, but ultimately this has taught me who I truly am. Stripped from all else I knew before, starting “alone with a cause” forces you to dig DEEP. I feel you cannot fully grow if you are not tested. You cannot fully feel courage without fear. These facts drive me through the hard obstacles that running a business inevitably throws your way.

Some of the struggles I’ve faced is that this was not a “plan”. It was a very organic creation that quickly made me realize this MUST be part of my purpose and story. I have loved every second of pain, b/c it taught me so many things about who I am as a person, what I am capable of, and how to show my boys that they can do anything you put your mind to. Above all else, the look on my kids faces when they seem surprised or PROUD of me, nothing else matters. I’ve realized that is reason enough to keep going. In addition, the self love and empowerment I have gained from this journey if just simply fascinating to feel.

When I first started, I did not know the first thing about running my own business! I had to become resourceful and move fast. Not because someone said I had to… but b/c i am a perfectionist at heart. If this was something that would take time away from my family and my life, it was going to have to be full-throttle focus. I had to realize that sacrificing what my “old life” looked like was necessary. I committed to myself that I would go 100% for one full year without fail. I would push when I didn’t want to. I wouldn’t sleep when I needed to. I would be ALL IN on this endeavor.. I never doubted my moves, I just moved. I knew if I spent any real time analyzing my every step, I would stop.

I also did not know if I wanted to focus time on e-commerce, retail, or DTC. These are all very important decisions to make and nothing will guide you better than just trying, and trying again to see what fits. Learning how to pivot and realizing that failure cannot be avoided is actually very refreshing. I don’t allow myself to get too far into feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I do what I can today, then we go back to it the next day. Consistency is the key to success!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We create premium protein bites that fuel our busy lives. We produce with minimally processed ingredients. (Peanuts only pb, never any added oils, sugars or preservatives in that…Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Gluten free oats, Pure Honey, Lactose-free protein powder) Always top notch, high quality ingredients sourced from privately owned businesses when possible….supporting other “small businesses” is important to us. We are committed to offering a gluten free, macro-friendly, delicious product that all can enjoy. These bites are great for active kids, anyone with gut (digestive) issues, athletes, but also the older demographic who is trying to maintain energy & protein levels.

We work out of a commercial kitchen in Olathe. It is proudly our second home, and we love it so much! The people, the environment, all of it. Just the perfect fit.

Our mission is to NOURISH.THRIVE.REPEAT. – put as simply as possible. (our tag line)

We want to empower others to make healthier snacking choices, that actually taste amazing! We aim to provide a product that doesn’t feel like deprivation, but feels like delicious fuel.

What sets us apart?
We are unlike anything else on the market currently. We are small batched, hand made, and we weigh every bite by hand. We put a ton of care into the product. We are not a typical “protein ball”. Most protein bites you see are overpriced and made of oats, honey and peanut butter, and many times a little extra junk tossed in. We truly focus on adding in the BEST protein powders we can source, that are great for digestion and are giving you BENEFITS immediately. Heart healthy, feel good snacks, that the whole family can enjoy.

Our brand has already made a name for itself in the KC area. We are so humbly proud of that! We are local only for now, but we have big hopes and dreams for what we can grow to become! There is a clear demand for our product and we are so stinkin’ proud of ourselves. We are women owned and operated. LBKC just celebrated our 2nd anniversary in June. We have 18 retail partners and we continue to push the boundaries. We are proudly partnered with some of the most prestigious small businesses in the city. Billie’s Grocery, Kitch Meals, Pure Barre, Blush Bootcamp…to name a few. We are super excited for our continued expansion, and so much more to come!

Our brand is what it is b/c of our team of leaders who carry us. We are not just selling a product, we are aiming to sell a lifestyle. “Healthy” is a lifestyle and we are just a small piece of that equation. People in the community trust us and the product, and that feels really good. It’s all possible b/c we truly LOVE what we do. We have a team of Leaders whose priority is to provide complete Quality and care for our bites. The smile as someone tries the bites for the first time is always the absolute BEST feeling for me as the creator. Every message of support and love on social media, feels like all the hard work is truly worth the grind.

We offer our bites at select retailers across the KC area. Find our retailer list on our website: LITEBITESKC.COM or through the Link on our IG page.
We hope to start offering shipping again very soon! We feel lucky to be a part of the community in this small way and will continue to do our very best to offer the BEST protein bites you can find!

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
E-commerce and large retailers nationwide

Contact Info:

• Website: https://litebiteskc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litebiteskc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550499821955
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-webb-136094311/