Help a 19-Year-Old Entrepreneur Bring Rhode Island Pizza Strips to the Upstate

When our family moved from Rhode Island to South Carolina, we brought a lot of memories with us. One of them was a simple hometown classic: RI bakery-style pizza strips. If you grew up in Rhode Island, you know exactly what they are. If you didn’t, once you try one… you get it.

That’s how Stripp.401 was born.

What started as a small idea between us is growing faster than we ever expected. Neighbors taste tested our strips and had great feedback -this has led to repeat orders. I believe in this idea so much that I purchased a horse trailer and converted it into a mobile food trailer to use when attending events.

We just attended our first event at Fretwell Market here in the Upstate. We almost sold out at this event, the feedback was amazing and people keep asking where they can get more. We were also told the trailer brought a 'whole vibe' to the Stripp.401 experience.

About me

I am a 19-year-old with a real entrepreneurial passion and a dream of building something of my own. I am the one in the kitchen mixing dough, baking every pan. Together with my mom, Gina (who makes our red sauce) we both are running sales, talking with customers, and building this business from the ground up. This is my first real venture, and we are putting our whole heart into it.

The community support has been incredible. The only challenge is that the cost of ingredients, equipment, and pop-up fees comes out of our pocket every single week. To keep up with demand and grow this into something sustainable for the (my) future, I am trying to raise some funds to cover the essentials.

Our Goal: $7,500

This will allow Stripp.401 to operate without financial strain and give Josh the foundation he needs to expand.

How Your Support Will Be Used

Ingredients & Inventory (6–8 weeks)

Bulk tomatoes, flour, oil, salt, spices, packaging, liners.

$1,800–$2,200

Equipment & Upgrades

Better mixer/additional mixer, sheet pans, trays, storage racks.

$1,200–$1,500

Licensing & Food-Safety Requirements

Business licensing, labeling.

$300–$500

Branding & Packaging

Professional labels, QR Business cards, stickers, ingredient labels, promotional items.

$700–$1,000

Marketing, Pop-Up Fees & Community Events

Farmers markets, vendor booths, small ad boosts, print materials, ad space in local magazines.

$1,500–$2,000

4–6 Week Operating Cushion/Additional staff to help with events

A buffer so the business can stay stable while growing.

$1,000–$1,300

Why This Means So Much

This isn’t just a food project. It’s a young entrepreneur building his future. It’s a family bringing a piece of home to a new community. It’s neighbors gathering over something simple, nostalgic, and really good.

Your support will directly help Josh keep building Stripp.401 into a real, long-term business here in the Upstate. Every donation, big or small, helps lighten the load and keeps this dream moving forward.

Thank you for helping me and my dream become more of a reality. I am incredibly grateful for every bit of support. Learn more at our website, www.stripp401.com and follow us on [email redacted]