Meet Elina Abramova | Founder of BuckWe

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

Hi Elina, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I moved to the US recently, and the first thing I realized was that the food was unhealthy, too sweet or too salty; even my kids could not eat snacks, complaining about the taste. So when I asked myself what I could bring to this community, the answer was clear. Buckwheat products!
I created a unique recipe for bread and crackers packed with nutritional benefits. Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free and rich in essential nutrients, including high-quality plant protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
If each American replaces the daily snacks with buckwheat alternatives, the level of national health will change significantly, I suppose two times.
The social impact of my business is to change the snack culture because we all know that “snackcidance” happens 🙂

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When you start your own business, be ready to face many challenges and the feeling that the whole industry is against you. The first and apparent hides in the name of the buckwheat; I wish I could change it. Buckwheat is not wheat, officially, it’s not even a grain but rather a seed that’s harvested from a flowering plant related to rhubarb; this is why it is naturally gluten-free, and every time I have to defy the stereotype of buckwheat as a grain.
Our commitment to using buckwheat as the foundation of our product line sets us apart, as very few competitors offer comprehensive buckwheat-based alternatives.
BuckWe’s emphasis on clean ingredients, exceptional taste, and nutritional value positions us as a premium brand in the market, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality gluten-free options.
That is not so easy to keep the high standards of the products when you try to switch to wholesale because every step in negotiating with retailers and distributors requires finding compromises.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. Love.Life in Culver City, I love the philosophy and I admire that one of the founders of this place serves on the board of directors for the Conscious Capitalism Movement.

2. Plant Food + Wine of Matthew Kenney, his values in food align with mine in terms of nutritional science and plant-based products. I appreciate his crafting the future of food.

3. Zinque at Venice is my favorite spot for work, I like the French ambiance.

4. 1 Hotel with its eco-friendly mission and exceptional design of Kelly Wearstler.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to express gratitude to my co-founder, Elena Sidorenko, who believed in my idea and supported me every step of the way. Thanks to her I was able to organize, test and start selling our products in the local community, Farmers Market, and online. And I am thankful to all the female entrepreneurs, who inspired me to start my business and continue moving forward in tough moments.

Website: buckwe.com

Instagram: buck.we

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/elinatre

Facebook: facebook.com/we.buckwe

Image Credits
photography by @kosloff