Bella Karakis

Bio

Bella is also currently the co-founder and CEO of e.terra Kitchen, a flexible commercial kitchen with 2 locations in Harlem NY, with over 8,500 sq ff of space. e.terra is a culinary workspace solutions company for chefs, bakers and makers of products. These NYC commercial kitchens provide on-demand, commercial kitchens and comprehensive support, customized to the needs of F&B brands, from Startups, to CPG Manufacturers and Delivery-only/Ghost/Virtual Restaurants. One location has a private kitchen that is ideal for media production and culinary events.

Prior to co-founding e.terra Kitchen and Maiden Voyage Catering, Bella was a full-time, practicing trademark attorney. As an attorney, Bella has substantial experience in negotiation strategy, transactional/deal flow, domestic and international intellectual property law. With over 20 years of IP experience, both in a law firm and in-house settings, her practice has spanned over 120 countries worldwide. Bella has managed and enforced worldwide trademark portfolios and advised clients in various industries, including food and beverages, restaurant, nutritional, entertainment, fashion and apparel, consumer and luxury goods, import and export, among others.

Bella and the e.terra/Maiden Voyage Catering team volunteer monthly to support the community in efforts aimed at reducing food insecurity in Harlem and other economically challenged communities in NYC, volunteering their time for meal prep, serve, packaging and delivery, as well as food rescues with organizations such as City Harvest, Gods Love We Deliver, Encore Community Services, Project Eats, Union Settlement and Monday Night Hospitality.

In 2023, Bella launched Makers Pantry, to further support the smaller F&B brands who call e.terra their business home as well as select small local brands who collaborate with e.terra, by providing them a platform to showcase their unique, handcrafted, small batch, products to the corporate community, while doing good for the hospitality industry. Sales proceeds from curated gift boxes benefit Southern Smoke Foundation. She received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania & a JD from Touro Law. An avid life-long learner and believer that knowledge is power, Bella strongly believes in supporting the community that she works and lives in, through volunteering and mentorship. Bella is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10K SB Accelerator Program, Cohort 38.

Bella is from Ukraine and speaks fluent Russian. Bella’s favorite hobbies include reading, baking, gardening, traveling, & beach going. She calls Manhattan home.

EXPERTISE: Flexible Commercial Kitchen /Event Space Operational management, Business Strategy & Innovation; Business Development; Strategic Partnerships; Brand Strategy; New Market Expansions; Startup Advisor; Guidance for foreign companies seeking US expansion; Leadership Development; Team Building & Mentorship; Risk Assessment & Management; Negotiation Strategy; Due Diligence; Regulatory, permitting, and IP/legal guidance.

Life-Long Beliefs: 1) Never say never 2) Dare to be different 3) Collaboration, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships are the keys to success in any business. A rising tide lifts all boats. 4) Its all about The WE – Team first.

Passions: 1) Mentoring startups and entrepreneurs, esp. in the F&B, hospitality and shared economy spaces; 2) Empowering girls & women to achieve personal and professional success 3) Supporting social causes that build & empower local, national and international communities 4) Family