CBS News · 5 Sep, 16:09 · Business briefing

Small Business Shoutout: Melissa Bermudez of Unrefined Foods

CBS News highlights Melissa Bermudez, founder of Unrefined Foods, in its Small Business Shoutout segment.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

CBS News highlights Melissa Bermudez, founder of Unrefined Foods, in its Small Business Shoutout segment. The report details her journey establishing a successful food enterprise, emphasising the operational challenges and strategic decisions involved in scaling a niche brand. It serves as a case study in entrepreneurial resilience, illustrating how independent founders navigate market entry and consumer engagement without large corporate backing. This coverage underscores the growing visibility of small business owners in mainstream media, providing a factual account of the realities behind starting and sustaining a modern food business in a competitive landscape.

Employer demand for Digital Marketing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This story signals that entrepreneurial agility and niche market expertise are increasingly valued. You should focus on developing skills in supply chain management and brand storytelling, as these differentiate small players. Professionals in food science, marketing, or operations should monitor this trend, as it highlights demand for versatile talent capable of handling multiple roles. To position yourself, consider upskilling in digital marketing to reach targeted audiences effectively. Understanding regulatory compliance in the food sector is also crucial. Analyse successful small business models to identify transferable strategies. Engage with local industry networks to build relevant connections. This approach ensures you remain competitive in a market that rewards innovation and adaptability over traditional corporate hierarchies.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Digital Marketing, Business And Management, Compliance And Governance and Finance and Accounting — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.