Meet the Founder: Guilherme Maia Silva

Guilherme "Maia" Silva knows that it’s possible to snack smarter. That’s why he dove into the deep end of the food industry, creating a snack that’s equal parts delicious and eco-conscious. Along the way, he learned what it means to be an entrepreneur. This is his founder’s story.

The green crusader may be a fictional character, but Guilherme Silva is the real deal. He’s a true citizen of the world, growing up first in Brazil, then Thailand, India, China, and the U.S. His father’s career in agriculture did more than take them around the globe — it sparked a passion in Guilherme to understand where our food comes from.

Guilherme went on to attend UC Davis in California, where he followed in his father’s footsteps and studied agriculture. Little did he know, his path was about to diverge from the family patriarch — into the world of food manufacturing.

Like most college students, Guilherme didn’t cook much, so he was a big snacker. But he soon realized that all the protein bars he was eating — certainly healthier than many other options — had almonds or other nuts as the first ingredient. As Guilherme was learning in his coursework, these tree nuts were grown at the cost of pretty hefty water consumption.

He started digging into the research and soon became convinced that there was a better, more environmentally friendly way to snack.

It took a lot of time and a lot of testing — most of which happened in his own kitchen — but Guilherme, who never considered himself much of a chef, finally discovered a recipe that might just be his recipe for success.

Guilherme realized that he needed to think radically about his sustainable snack idea, and soon, the seed was planted … a watermelon seed.

Guilherme learned that watermelon seeds require 78 times less water consumption than almonds and have more protein per serving. Best of all — they tasted great in the energy bites Guilherme whipped up.

His next goal? Product testing. Guilherme asked friends and family to try out his smart snacking concept … and they loved it.

It wasn’t long after that Guilherme’s company, Força Foods, was born. The brand’s core product, its energy bites, is gluten-free, vegan, and organic. Each pouch saves three gallons of water. And contrary to the old wives’ tale, it won’t grow a watermelon in your tummy (the website assures consumers they’ve put it to the test).

Guilherme is no stranger to tough times, but he keeps a positive outlook and finds the silver lining in every rain cloud. And he believes other founders can do the same.

So what are his best business tips?

01 - Surround yourself with support.

Guilherme credits his father with being not only his inspiration but his listening ear. He also has a strong network of friends, family, mentors, and industry professionals he relies on for advice.

02 - Make time for yourself.

Guilherme gets through the tough weeks by taking a step back and doing something he enjoys. He prioritizes his well-being, which means working in some downtime and getting plenty of sleep.

03 - Be patient.

Most entrepreneurs know that success doesn't happen overnight. Still, it's hard to build a business and not see immediate results. Guilherme says you have to dig deep and learn how to wait because good things will come.

Growth is on the horizon for Força Foods, and that’s what Guilherme has firmly set his sights on. He’s ready to expand while still staying true to his original vision. Here’s what he’s planning on in the weeks, months, and years ahead:

01 - Grow across California.

Currently, his energy bites are sold in small shops, farmer's markets, and online, but Guilherme is ready to start growing into larger chain retailers across California and the West Coast.

02 - First, Cali. Next, the world.

The ultimate dream, Guilherme says, is to see his products on the shelves of Whole Foods and other national grocers that have an influence on their customers and understand what's important to them.

03 - Keep it simple and sustainable.

The core goal stays the same, even into the future, Guilherme says. "Just introducing more people to this concept of saving water simply by snacking. Everything goes back to that goal — showing people there are more sustainable and better alternatives out there without compromising on nutrition, without compromising on flavor."

After helping more than 1 million customers reach their dreams of business ownership, we’ve got the knowledge and experience to set founders up for success. And our goal has always been to walk beside business owners in their entrepreneurial journey.

We talk a lot about "lightbulb moments" or "aha moments," but we’re also here to help spark new ideas or nurture lifelong passions.

Plus, the Bizee process makes it simple and easy to get a business — like Guilherme’s — up and running in no time. That’s because we take care of all the paperwork and all the hassle, so our founders can focus on the big stuff — running their business.

Guilherme says he can do almost all of his work from the comfort of his trusty laptop. But he knows he’d never be able to do any of it without the network he’s built around himself — including close friends, family members, and industry professionals who support and mentor him.

Finally, Guilherme says his top tool is himself — because he knows that confidence, grit, and perseverance are some of the chief determinants of future success. That’s why he says it’s essential to hold onto every little win. "Keeping that momentum from the good weeks is so important, especially for your own motivation and your own confidence — just building off of your successes and learning from your failures."