From LinkedIn Message to Life-Changing Adventure: My Ingredient Brothers Story

I’ve just returned from beautiful Cape Town, and my heart is still overflowing with emotion. It’s hard to put into words all the feelings and memories from the past few days. Being part of the Argentinian team, we all traveled together from Buenos Aires, and it felt like an epic school trip—full of laughter, shared experiences, and stories we’ll carry with us for a lifetime.

Our journey began on Saturday, August 31st. Some of us were filled with excitement, not knowing what to expect, while others (those who had already been through last year’s conference) carried a different kind of energy—we came prepared, with big expectations. Last year had set the bar so high, it felt impossible to top. I was a mix of joy and nerves, thrilled to meet my friends from the Philippines and Colombia, to reunite with my boss and mentor in person, and to finally meet our new team members face-to-face.

After the long journey, the moment we stepped off the bus, we were wrapped in warmth and excitement by the rest of the team who had arrived earlier. The smiles, the never-ending hugs—it was like a surge of joy and adrenaline. In that moment, I realized that this trip would be something special. Unlike last year, where I felt swept away by the excitement and the newness of it all, this time I felt like an observer at times, watching with pride at how far ingredient brothers had come. Seeing that growth and being a part of it filled me with a happiness that’s hard to describe, and even as I write this, I can’t help but tear up.

I never imagined that responding to a LinkedIn message from our CEO with the subject line “NYC Opportunity” back in July 2022—a message that, honestly, sounded a bit like a scam—would end up changing my life in ways I could never have dreamed. At the time, I wasn’t happy in my job, but I wasn’t actively looking either. Eran’s message became the turning point I didn’t even realize I needed. I almost didn’t reply, but something told me I should be polite. So, I responded with, “Hi Eran, thanks for reaching out! I live in Argentina and can’t relocate, so I’m not sure this would work for you.” And I thought that was the end of it. Just another random LinkedIn message, right?

But then he messaged me back, saying he was actually looking for someone in Argentina. Out of curiosity, I agreed to meet, and the moment the call ended, I knew—that was it. That was the moment my life started to change. I decided to take a leap of faith, joining the company when we were just a small team of eight — Jac and Josh in Sourcing; Pedro in Logistics; Van and Rhiza in FSQA; Fel as Project Manager, Mariano as Account Manager, and me in Sales. Just recently, I found a screenshot from one of our early meetings, and now that we’re a team of 40, we don’t even fit on the screen anymore. It’s surreal.

Going into this year’s conference with the experience of last year behind me gave me a new perspective. I had a plan—I knew exactly who I wanted to talk to and what conversations I needed to have. While I enjoyed connecting with everyone (and those interactions were incredibly meaningful), this year felt more focused. I had clear goals, all centered around growing personally and professionally, and strengthening the bonds we share as a team.

In our day-to-day work, it’s easy to forget that we come from different cultures. Sometimes, a message on Slack or Airtable doesn’t quite come across the way it would in person. But during this trip, being able to see each other’s faces, to truly connect beyond screens, it unlocked something. Conversations felt natural, organic. I had these deep, heartfelt talks with teammates from across the world, and it brought us closer. We gained a deeper understanding of each other, and it made us value and appreciate one another even more.

One of our core values is UBUNTU, and we truly lived it throughout the trip: “I am because we are.” It’s difficult to capture in words the beauty of the places we visited, the bonds we strengthened, and the work we accomplished. But as we headed home, I think we all shared the same feeling: immense gratitude.

Gratitude for Eran Mizrahi and Aalap Patel , the two visionaries who dared to change how the ingredient import industry works. They wanted to build a company that puts its customers at the center, creating long-lasting partnerships by being transparent, offering exceptional service, and delivering premium quality products. ingredient brothers hasn’t just changed the industry; it’s changed all of our lives. They’ve created a safe space for those of us passionate about growing in this field, mentoring and inspiring us with such humility and care.

I feel incredibly honored and privileged to witness this journey, to see our company’s growth, and to be part of something so special. And I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds for us.

As I reflect on this incredible experience, I’m reminded of the strength in our unity, the passion in our work, and the endless possibilities ahead. This is not just a company—it’s a family. And I am beyond grateful to be part of it.

Emi, Account Manager at Ingredient brothers