Meet Isabella Bedoya, who borrowed $20 to make pesto when her bank account was $300 overdrawn, her first experiment generated $120 in sales in a day

Isabella Bedoya was struggling financially after graduating from Florida State University when a small cooking experiment gave her a new business opportunity. With her bank account $300 overdrawn, she borrowed $20 from her mother to buy supplies and make pesto.

The experiment brought in $120 in sales in a day, according to Forbes. What began as an attempt to earn money from homemade food eventually helped Bedoya move towards a career as a private chef.

In a Forbes article in 2025, her story was featured. It was titled 'Rock Bottom To Breakthrough: 7 Entrepreneurs Who Refused To Quit.'

How did the idea to sell pesto come up?

Initially, Bedoya used to prepare food at home, and shared work with people online. To her surprise, the response was good, and her homemade pesto gave her an opportunity to test whether customers would pay for it.

She began with a small experiment, rather than going in for a large investment. The first few orders showed that there was interest in what she was making.

Notably, she did not have enough money to fulfill the supplies of the ingredients needed to fulfill the orders. After this, she had to ask her mother for a small loan.

The small loan

The $20 helped Bedoya purchase the supplies needed to prepare the pesto. Her bank account was already $300 overdrawn.

According to Forbes, the first day's sales reached $120, and the amount showed sales revenue, not necessarily profit. This was because the cost of ingredients and other expenses would have to be deducted.

The early response gave her a reason to continue exploring the opportunity rather than abandon the idea after her first attempt.

An experiment led to other opportunities

Bedoya's experience showed her that preparing food could offer a way to earn money while she was struggling to find work. The first few orders also helped her test demand before going in to a larger business.

The early stage of the journey was built around making food for customers rather than launching a big operation. This allowed her to start with limited resources and respond to the interest she received.

The experience became part of her journey into private-chef work.

Bedoya later developed a career as a private chef. Her story shows how a small food experiment can become an entry point into a different line of work, even when someone is facing financial difficulties.

Forbes included her among seven entrepreneurs whose experiences involved setbacks and efforts to build new opportunities.