Asking good questions is an art. Perhaps The Oracle (AKA Google) led you here after you asked about your food business idea. Or your life. Or both.
Like a detective or a journalist, when you are seeking information, keep the questions coming. And when people like me are trying to help YOU find answers, be willing to keep the answers flying.
Here are a few examples of questions aspiring food businesses (what I call FoodStarters) have asked…and the very basic questions and details I need to know to get you started:
From a blogger with aspirations to market something:
- FoodStarter inquiry: I am starting a food business with two unique product ideas. I love and enjoy all things about good food: I garden, cook, explore new cuisines and read a lot about food in general but I don’t have food business experience. I am looking for a mentor who can guide me through the process. I am trying to figure out what is the right thing to market and HOW, I am all about cooking at home, gardening and creating with less – can we connect _ I LOVE YOUR SITE and well I believe if I ask – one never knows!!
- Susie: Look into Small Business Development Centers in your area to see if they have a business planning program. It seems like your efforts have a lot of community around them from Edible, Slow Food etc. and I can see them appealing to parents wanting to live healthier lifestyles. So much is going on with urban homesteading too. Check out http://www.iuhoakland.com/
From an aspiring food product maker:
- FoodStarter inquiry: OUR COMPANY IS A START UP THAT PLANS TO MAKE _______. CAN YOU RECOMMEND SOMEONE TO CONSULT WITH US?
- Susie: Where are you based? Do you plan to produce them yourself? I would start by asking other people locally what resources are available.
From a small food company:
- FoodStarter inquiry: i hate that I don’t have time to keep up our news on social media. i hope it’s okay the way I “package” things together. Keeps it interesting anyway, right?! (Hope so!!)
- Susie: Totally it is is part of your company’s personality!
- FoodStarter: what is super awesome (and comforting) thing to say. 🙂
TAKE ACTION: Got questions like these? Ask in the comments and let’s start a conversation!
(It’s shameless plug time too: I’m so excited that my new book Good Food, Great Business comes out soon. Questions like these here are what led me to write this book, which is chock full of answers…or at least good starting points.)
