The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine 2nd Issue | Page 29

Julie Bombacino of Real Food Blends

realfoodblends.com

you find out?

Tell us a little about your business.
A line of shelf-stable, 100% real food meals for
people on feeding tubes.

How old is your business.
Almost 2 years

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am first and foremost a mom to two fantastic
kiddos and wife to a pretty fantastic husband!
I worked in digital marketing for most of my
career, taking some time off to have kids and
then founded Real Food Blends.

Tell us about your family.
Tony is my husband. Did I mention he’s fantastic?
Luca is my 5-year-old daughter. She’s funny,
sweet, sensitive and never fails to put a smile on
my face. AJ is my inspiration. He’s my 3 year old
son who is the smiliest, happiest, sweetest boy
you could ever meet.

Share with us the diagnosis of your
child(ren) with special needs, how did

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AJ has a slew of Dx, none of which define him.
He has partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum,
epilepsy, GDD, cerebral palsy and autism. He’s
been 100% tube-fed since his first seizure at 6
months of age.

What is the most rewarding thing about
being the mother of a child with special
needs?
The inchstones (we don’t talk in milestones
‘round here) are so, so much sweeter. Every
sip of water he willingly takes, every time he
uses both hands, or when we first looked at my
husband and said ‘dada’, just amazing. We never,
ever take those things for granted anymore.

What advice can you offer to other
mothers who are looking to start a
business or charity?
Trust your mommy gut. If you would use it,
others probably would too. Mommy gut only
goes so far though. You need to research the
market, create a business plan (more for the

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