David Habib

Motivated by his mother’s talent for bringing together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds over nutritious meals, David Habib established Yo Mama’s Foods on Mother’s Day in 2017. He was only 24 with no prior food business experience and has since grown Yo Mama’s Foods to be one of the leading brands of pasta sauce in the U.S.

Yo Mama’s Foods is devoted to making better foods and bringing people together. Whether it’s the company’s sauces, dressings, or other delightful creations, each product is infused with passion and tenderness. All items are keto and paleo certified by the Paleo Foundation and are a delicious alternative to competitive sauces loaded with sugar and sodium.

Since its inception, the company has experienced exponential growth, now boasting a presence in over 24,000 retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Publix, Walmart, Giant, HEB, Meijer and many others. The company also exports to seven countries. Beyond impressive sales figures, the brand has been recognized by Forbes, Clean Plates, Good Housekeeping, Southern Living and national television networks.

Habib was honored by Forbes with the 30 under 30 award and Yo Mama’s Foods was listed as a top 50 Florida company to watch. The most important risk he took in his journey as a leader was leaving the comfort and stability of a secure corporate job to start Yo Mama’s Foods, he said.

“At that time, I was working long hours in uninspiring, grey cubicles, feeling unfulfilled despite the job’s security,” said Habib. “The decision to venture into the food industry, with all its uncertainties and challenges, was daunting. I believed that taking this leap could not only transform my life but also positively impact the lives of others.”

He said the risk was more about just business; it was about pursuing a vision and building something meaningful.

Known for his resilience, Habib is known as a leader who presses on. “Leaders must adapt in a complex business environment, all while motivating and supporting their teams to accomplish a unified mission,” he said.

He said his secret superpower is his ability to transform passion into tangible results. “At Yo Mama’s Foods, this means not only crafting exceptional products but also building a culture where every team member feels inspired and valued,” said Habib. “I enjoy identifying potential in both ideas and people, and I know how to nurture that potential to achieve great outcomes.”