Every successful food business starts with a first step.
If you've ever envisioned selling your own food product but weren't sure where to begin, Start Where You Are was written for you.
Whether you're making sauces, baked goods, granola, spices, jams, beverages, confections, or another specialty food product, this practical guide will help you turn your idea into a real business, one step at a time. Drawing from more than two decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, food executive and strategist Crystal Black-Davis translates the business side of food entrepreneurship into clear, approachable lessons for first-time founders.
Inside, you'll learn how to determine whether your product is ready to sell, understand your costs and price your products with confidence, navigate cottage food laws and production options, build a memorable brand, tell your product's authentic story, and begin selling through farmers markets, events, ecommerce, and, when it makes sense for your business, wholesale channels. Along the way, you'll discover how to avoid common mistakes that cost new food businesses time, money, and momentum.
You'll also follow the journeys of three aspiring food entrepreneurs as they navigate many of the same decisions you're likely to face, providing practical examples that bring each lesson to life.
Unlike many startup books that encourage founders to grow as quickly as possible, Start Where You Are recognizes that success looks different for everyone. Whether your goal is to earn extra income at local markets, build a thriving online business, or eventually see your products on grocery store shelves, this book will help you build a strong foundation before taking the next step.
You don't need a large budget, fancy equipment, or everything figured out to begin. You simply need to start where you are.
