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Starting a healthy snack business, first sales!

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Lerenardroux

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Everything started with a phone call last November.

I had been mulling over this idea for some time but never had the courage to start executing it—really executing it. At the time, I was interning at a food company that produced products related to what I envisioned creating. After three months there, I felt I had reached the peak of my learning curve. Soon, the routine, the people, and the tasks became mundane. There was no spontaneity, no energy, and not much passion left. It felt like a result of several years of doing the same things over and over with no end in sight. The employees could have been programmed robots: going for coffee breaks at exactly nine every day, heading to lunch exactly three hours later, and leaving with the same monotonous “goodbye” four hours after that. I knew I could not do this for forty years and I just started...

On the other end of the phone was the organizer of the so-called 100-Day Challenge. The concept is simple: one idea, one room to live in for free, and 100 days to work on the idea without distraction. The catch: if the challenge fails, the participant has to volunteer for charity for 100 hours. I was approved to present my idea to the jury and, shortly after, was accepted into the challenge. My goal: develop a new innovative snack product, sell the first product within 100 days, and have a plan for continuing after the challenge ended.

After several failed experiments, a lot of trial and error, and numerous feedback rounds—initially through surveys and later with people testing the product—I finally received positive feedback. I started looking for stores and found a small shop with the concept of selling unpackaged goods. I brought the owner some samples to try, and shortly after she ordered the first batch of product. Was a nice feeling filling out the first delivery note and getting paid cash. Shortly after I could deliver two more bigger batches as the product was running very well.

At the same time, I was looking for some place to start producing my product which was quite a challenge. Eventually, I found a small producer selling just one product who was willing to give me a chance to start producing alongside him.

Yesterday, I moved out of my challenge room. The next steps will be finalizing the other recipe I created, conducting shelf-life testing for both products, figuring out packaging and starting to look for other stores to carry my products and then start production. I plan to bootstrap this whole adventure so I will also be working part-time on the side again.

I started this thread to keep myself accountable as I no longer have the outside pressure to complete the 100-Day Challenge.

Will post an update once a month.

Thanks for reading. :)
 
Good luck on your journey and hope it all goes well for you!
 
Everything started with a phone call last November.

I had been mulling over this idea for some time but never had the courage to start executing it—really executing it. At the time, I was interning at a food company that produced products related to what I envisioned creating. After three months there, I felt I had reached the peak of my learning curve. Soon, the routine, the people, and the tasks became mundane. There was no spontaneity, no energy, and not much passion left. It felt like a result of several years of doing the same things over and over with no end in sight. The employees could have been programmed robots: going for coffee breaks at exactly nine every day, heading to lunch exactly three hours later, and leaving with the same monotonous “goodbye” four hours after that. I knew I could not do this for forty years and I just started...

On the other end of the phone was the organizer of the so-called 100-Day Challenge. The concept is simple: one idea, one room to live in for free, and 100 days to work on the idea without distraction. The catch: if the challenge fails, the participant has to volunteer for charity for 100 hours. I was approved to present my idea to the jury and, shortly after, was accepted into the challenge. My goal: develop a new innovative snack product, sell the first product within 100 days, and have a plan for continuing after the challenge ended.

After several failed experiments, a lot of trial and error, and numerous feedback rounds—initially through surveys and later with people testing the product—I finally received positive feedback. I started looking for stores and found a small shop with the concept of selling unpackaged goods. I brought the owner some samples to try, and shortly after she ordered the first batch of product. Was a nice feeling filling out the first delivery note and getting paid cash. Shortly after I could deliver two more bigger batches as the product was running very well.

At the same time, I was looking for some place to start producing my product which was quite a challenge. Eventually, I found a small producer selling just one product who was willing to give me a chance to start producing alongside him.

Yesterday, I moved out of my challenge room. The next steps will be finalizing the other recipe I created, conducting shelf-life testing for both products, figuring out packaging and starting to look for other stores to carry my products and then start production. I plan to bootstrap this whole adventure so I will also be working part-time on the side again.

I started this thread to keep myself accountable as I no longer have the outside pressure to complete the 100-Day Challenge.

Will post an update once a month.

Thanks for reading. :)
Nice story!
Congratulations on this success!
I would love to hear what obstacles were before you, and how you solved them? What was the initial idea for that snack? What is the selling points?
 
Everything started with a phone call last November.

I had been mulling over this idea for some time but never had the courage to start executing it—really executing it. At the time, I was interning at a food company that produced products related to what I envisioned creating. After three months there, I felt I had reached the peak of my learning curve. Soon, the routine, the people, and the tasks became mundane. There was no spontaneity, no energy, and not much passion left. It felt like a result of several years of doing the same things over and over with no end in sight. The employees could have been programmed robots: going for coffee breaks at exactly nine every day, heading to lunch exactly three hours later, and leaving with the same monotonous “goodbye” four hours after that. I knew I could not do this for forty years and I just started...

On the other end of the phone was the organizer of the so-called 100-Day Challenge. The concept is simple: one idea, one room to live in for free, and 100 days to work on the idea without distraction. The catch: if the challenge fails, the participant has to volunteer for charity for 100 hours. I was approved to present my idea to the jury and, shortly after, was accepted into the challenge. My goal: develop a new innovative snack product, sell the first product within 100 days, and have a plan for continuing after the challenge ended.

After several failed experiments, a lot of trial and error, and numerous feedback rounds—initially through surveys and later with people testing the product—I finally received positive feedback. I started looking for stores and found a small shop with the concept of selling unpackaged goods. I brought the owner some samples to try, and shortly after she ordered the first batch of product. Was a nice feeling filling out the first delivery note and getting paid cash. Shortly after I could deliver two more bigger batches as the product was running very well.

At the same time, I was looking for some place to start producing my product which was quite a challenge. Eventually, I found a small producer selling just one product who was willing to give me a chance to start producing alongside him.

Yesterday, I moved out of my challenge room. The next steps will be finalizing the other recipe I created, conducting shelf-life testing for both products, figuring out packaging and starting to look for other stores to carry my products and then start production. I plan to bootstrap this whole adventure so I will also be working part-time on the side again.

I started this thread to keep myself accountable as I no longer have the outside pressure to complete the 100-Day Challenge.

Will post an update once a month.

Thanks for reading. :)
This 100 day challenge sounds really interesting. I will definitely be following this thread
 
Nice story!
Congratulations on this success!
I would love to hear what obstacles were before you, and how you solved them? What was the initial idea for that snack? What is the selling points?

Thanks.

The most difficult obstacle so far I am probably facing at the moment as I have a problem with shelf-life due to fat blooming. The initial idea is an improvement of a snack that already exists by making it vegan and healthier but still delicious.
 
August Update

It’s been a while since my last update, so here we go:

This week, I conducted a test production run with the product. Next week, I will do another test with the other flavor.

Tasks to Complete Before Reaching Out to Potential Buyers:

  • Determine the minimally acceptable shelf-life (green light for 4 weeks).
  • Finalize packaging (declarations, label, branding, design). This is mostly done, but I still need to find a good supplier for the labels and packaging.
Fat Bloom Issues:

I’m still encountering some issues with fat bloom, as the solutions I’ve tried haven’t been effective. I’ve been reaching out to more industry experts and will have two calls with professionals next week.

Main Goal:

Pitch a saleable product to the first potential buyers by the end of September.
 
August Update

It’s been a while since my last update, so here we go:

This week, I conducted a test production run with the product. Next week, I will do another test with the other flavor.

Tasks to Complete Before Reaching Out to Potential Buyers:

  • Determine the minimally acceptable shelf-life (green light for 4 weeks).
  • Finalize packaging (declarations, label, branding, design). This is mostly done, but I still need to find a good supplier for the labels and packaging.
Fat Bloom Issues:

I’m still encountering some issues with fat bloom, as the solutions I’ve tried haven’t been effective. I’ve been reaching out to more industry experts and will have two calls with professionals next week.

Main Goal:

Pitch a saleable product to the first potential buyers by the end of September.
well done and good luck with solving the fat bloom issue!
great to hear you moving forward.
hope to see your snack in my area's supermarkets in a year time ;)
keep grinding!
 
September Update

This weekend I went to a small farmers market to sell my product and get feedback. Made 170 $ in Sales in 6 hours, which is not bad considering the size of this market and ppl there not really being my target market.

I designed and ordered the label for one product. The other product is still in development. Concerning packaging: I have contacted 20+ suppliers for the packaging I need. Currently waiting for offers to make a decision.

I pitched my product to a shop and got rejected. Pitching to another potential buyer today. Fat bloom: Talked to more industry experts and came to the conclusion that this problem is not completely preventable however, there are some measures which can be taken.

Sent a batch of product to the lab to make some tests concerning shelf-life.

Also contacted a potential co-packer who`s able to produce the product in small batches to start.
 
It looks like your 100 days of having a free room is about over; how will this affect you? I hope it doesn’t hinder you from continuing to move forward. And while I’d certainly call your project a success, are there any hoops you have to jump to convince your sponsor?
 
It looks like your 100 days of having a free room is about over; how will this affect you? I hope it doesn’t hinder you from continuing to move forward. And while I’d certainly call your project a success, are there any hoops you have to jump to convince your sponsor?
My 100 days were already over mid of June. It was hard to continue as focused as during these 100 days after I moved back to my place. I did not know how to continue as there were just too many things I was thinking of that need to be done so I was a bit overwhelmed. Also motivation was suffering due to the problems I was facing at this point. However looking back I think a lot of this was just thinking in terms of problems instead of solutions and maybe my subconscious mind was just looking for an excuse to not have to continue marching into the unknown. Funny thing is as soon as I called the guy who agreed to let me start production at his small facility for a first test production run all the next steps suddenly became clear.

Concerning my sponsors for the 100 days: I do not owe them anything so there is not a problem with that. :)
 
September Update

This weekend I went to a small farmers market to sell my product and get feedback. Made 170 $ in Sales in 6 hours, which is not bad considering the size of this market and ppl there not really being my target market.

  • I designed and ordered the label for one product. The other product is still in development. Concerning packaging: I have contacted 20+ suppliers for the packaging I need. Currently waiting for offers to make a decision.

I pitched my product to a shop and got rejected. Pitching to another potential buyer today. Fat bloom: Talked to more industry experts and came to the conclusion that this problem is not completely preventable however, there are some measures which can be taken.

Sent a batch of product to the lab to make some tests concerning shelf-life.

Also contacted a potential co-packer who`s able to produce the product in small batches to start.
  • created a product (with both real and perceived value),
  • engineered the product to make it manufacturable,
  • manufactured the product,
  • already sold almost $200 worth of product to secondary market,
  • intensively grinding towards solving newly occured problems,
and it only took you 10 months...

GREAT JOB!!!

continue crashing it and remember to ask for advice, in case you need any.
ah, yes, and also please keep us posted, if possible, of course =)
 
October Update

What I did during the last four weeks:
  • got packaging and labels ready (except GTIN-Code)
  • finalized cost structure
  • registered company
  • shelf-life testing
  • created website
  • contacted more potential buyers
  • had one price negotiation with a café
  • contacted a big food service company with over 200 restaurants which is offering a program for start-ups to test their product in a market environment
However, I feel like nothing tangible happened in the last 4 weeks since I did not have any sales. I proposed my product to a café, which more or less agreed to give me a shot but I am still waiting for a definite answer for almost 2 weeks now. I plan to get into this café and get sales before approaching more and bigger accounts. The big food service company would be a great opportunity to get started but I haven`t heard of them yet, since the guys responsible for the program were on vacation till this week.

I am not sure whether I am too passive or just impatient. I will follow up this week on the two accounts if I do not hear anything from them.

Also started working part-time again at the company where I did my internship to pay the bills. It`s quite a big food company making snacks, so basically my future competition haha.

Next steps:

1. Get into 1st store/café, follow up and contact more potential purchasers.
2. Get GTIN-Code.
3. Get Bank Account.
4. Finalize the recipe of the second product type.
 
December Update
1. Get into 1st store/café, follow up and contact more potential purchasers. ✅
2. Get GTIN-Code. ✅
3. Get Bank Account. ✅
4. Finalize the recipe of the second product type. ❌

Realized that I need to get into a bigger wholesale distributor to start selling my product, because almost all canteens, where I wanted to sell my product directly work with these. Was rejected by one big wholesaler and two big food service companies.

A different big wholesale distributor will give me a chance to list the product regionally starting next year. This is a big win for me. :)

Currently working on the contract with the company where I will rent the space to produce and looking for a good insurance for my company.

Still working on the second recipe.

Next steps:

1. Finalize recipe for second product type
2. Plan and prepare promotion in new store begin of February 25
3. Create list of potential buyers who go to the wholesale store to promote my product via e-mail marketing
4. Reach out to more potential buyers
 
Update February

This week I finally launched into the big wholesale store that listed my product. Next week I will start selling the product at a café as well.

Revenue this week: 200$

Next steps:
- Reaching out to more potential buyers

It`s a cool feeling to see the product that was only an idea less than a year ago on the shelf next to the big players. Here`s a pic:

POS Prodega.webp

@MJ DeMarco could you rename this thread into: "starting a healthy snack business"
 
Revenue this week: 200$

Congratulations.

Seeing your product on a shelf is terribly intoxicating.

Imagine when you're selling 1000s per day!

Updated to NOTABLE for the execution.

Added to the food business thread.
 
Last week I pitched my product to a store where I saw potential for it. Today I received an e-mail of the store cafeteria manager who bought the product at the wholesaler I sell my product to. I was at the office of my part-time job when the e-mail came in and it was the first time I got a glimpse of what it feels like making money with a system that is detached from my time by selling a specialized unit of something instead of hourly-counted slices of my existence. If felt amazing. Even though my sales are still pretty low (~100$ week) and food production as a one-man show is a hassle, knowing that I am able to play the system (even on a very low scale so far) I was reading and dreaming about for quite some time now gives me some kind of peace and weird energy I can`t really describe.
 
Today I received an e-mail of the store cafeteria manager who bought the product at the wholesaler I sell my product to. I was at the office of my part-time job when the e-mail came in and it was the first time I got a glimpse of what it feels like making money with a system that is detached from my time by selling a specialized unit of something instead of hourly-counted slices of my existence.
1741978195483.gif
I can smell a productocracy here =)
superb job!

If felt amazing.
and it is going to get better,
though the hardships will not stop.

keep it up!
continue happening to life! =)
 
One month ago I launched into the market, revenue this first month: 750$.

This week I did a promotion at the wholesaler I am listed. It was interesting to talk to the people buying food there and I realized how important the wording is when introducing a new product to someone. (especially the word vegan is anchored in a negative way with many older people) I realized that 90% of the customers in this shop are not my target group. However, if I 5-10% are regular buyers that`s more than enough I guess. Will see in a few weeks whether there are repurchases in this store.

I also tried to get into two onlineshops. However, one was not interested in listing a new product in my category and for the other the shelf-life of the product is too short at the moment.

I will talk to someone specialized on packaging at the company I am working part time to check if there are options to improve shelf-life with a different kind of film and if this would be feasible with my current process.

Also approached two more food service companies.

What I also realized: If you want to make progress selling you have to pick up the phone, sometimes several times calling the same person, until you reach them. They won`t come back to you sometimes after you gave them samples for their store even if they like your product and want it. You sometimes have to force an action from their side.
 
It has been a while since my last post here so I thought it is time for an update.

my cookie is on the market for almost 4 months now. What I can say so far:

- in some places it is selling well
- in some places it is selling ok
- in some places it is selling bad

getting into more stores is still a challenge (often price is an issue but also my shelf-life is on the lower end of a food product of this type) last time I mentioned I was looking for a new packaging for better shelf-life, however with my current process of production there are basically no alternative options. So I started my search for a co-packer and found a potentially good one in Slovakia. He signed an NDA, I sent him all the needed information and he is currently checking whether it is feasible to produce my product in his facility. I will also talk to a potential co-manufacturer here in Switzerland next week. If it is possible to produce the product with a co-packer with a feasible shelf-life and price I will approach potential wholesalers and retailers for a listing.

Next steps:

Online Shop and Social Media: A guy at a kiosk (a place where it was selling bad) told me: look you have a great product but taste does not really matter if no-one knows your brand. And he is probably right. No one knows my brand. So I have to take massive action on that. Since I am not really a guy that is into Social Media Marketing I am currently looking for someone who could do this for me. Launched a job posting on LinkedIn. Have an interview this week.

With more presence online I will also launch an online shop to sell DTC.

New flavour


goal is to create a new flavour by end of August. So if everything works out with a co-packer I will have two flavors to launch which is better than just one.
 

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