Setting up Food and Drink Business
The food and drinks industry is the biggest manufacturing sector in the country and also the most popular type of business people can start from home. There are many successful good businesses out there that were able to turn into household names but started in the kitchen. Below are the top ten tips from Proper Popcorn that are going to help you if you are interested in this type of business.
- Making sure the recipes work
You will need to practice a lot to make sure your product is perfect, especially when you are developing a retail product. Try out the recipe on different people so you will be able to get feedback, which will help you know whether you need to improve it. Keep in mind getting negative comments is helpful because it lets you know that you make your recipe even better.
- Contacting the local Trading Standards Officer
You should work with them because there are there to help and not hinder. When you closely work with them, you will benefit because they will advise you on what you need to do to meet legal requirements and also what you can state on the labels. They can also be of help with product testing and nutritional information. To avoid costly printing charges, it is a good idea to have them on board so you can only start printing when everything is okay.
- Having all food hygiene and environmental health certificates
There are some certificates a food and drink business need to have before they can operate. The products you are making are going to be consumed by humans, and this is why the government is strict. Contact the local authority so they can help you know what you need to do. Even if you are going to do things from your home kitchen, it is important to comply with hygiene requirements.
- Networking
Try to go to as many networking events as possible and have the samples with you. You don’t know the people you are going to meet and impress with your product. Try speaking to as many people as possible about your business idea and products. If you have a good product, more and more people will get to know about it, and it might end up reaching a food buyer who ends up stocking it.
Online is also a good place to network. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms make it easy for business owners to communicate and engage with customers. You will also be able to get direct feedback from your customers, which can help you improve your products. You can also use social media to offer discounts and get ideas.
- Starting local
One way of gauging your market is through direct selling to customers from the local market. You will not spend to hire a stall, and you get the chance of meeting customers and understanding their needs. You might also have an easier time getting products to the local farm shops and delis since local businesses like supporting other local businesses. Once you are done with the local shops and market, you can start thinking of going bigger.
- Finding the right distributors
Distributors are very key because most large retailers work with them. This is why you need to choose the best distributor. One way of knowing distributors is by asking retailers the ones they prefer working with. You can also contact a food business and ask them to recommend a distributor.
- Understanding pricing and margins
Many retailers will be expecting a margin of over 50%, and this goes higher when working with a distributor. It is very important to know all of your costs so you can recommend a retail price that is going to include margins for the retailer, distributor, and also yours.
- Attending industry trade shows
Industry trade shows provide you with a perfect environment to meet people looking for new products. You will have the chance of demonstrating your product. Most of them offer small business starting out special prices, make sure you ask for reduced rates or discounts.
- Prioritizing customer service
You should always think about your customers. They need to feel valued and handle any complaints they have. There are times when mistakes happen, but your response to them is what matters the most. Many of them are going to understand when they see you putting in the effort to rectify things.
- Being passionate and loving what you do
If you are not passionate about your products and what you do, there is no point in being in business. If you love what you do, others will see this.
