Startup How to Guides
Opening an Organic Foods Business
We've collected some good advice that is ideal for those of you who hope to start an organic food business. Read this advice before you begin your venture.
Thinking about opening an organic food business? We tell you what you need to know to get started.
Best Practices for Writing an Organic Food Company Business Plan
Many new organic food business owners feel unprepared for the challenge of writing a business plan.
Fortunately, you don't have to tackle your organic food company's business plan by yourself. There are plenty of useful solution designed to assist organic food business entrepreneurs in business plan writing.
Our Business Plan Help section discusses some of the business plan resources other entrepreneurs have found useful.
Consider the Competition
Before you open an organic food business in your area, it's essential to see how you will fit in the competitive landscape. We've provided the link below to help you generate a list of competitors in your area. After following the link, enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of organic food businesses in your area.
Before you open up shop, make sure you know what you will offer to your customers that provides a significant advantage over your competition's offering.
Learning More About the Industry
After you've evaluated your local competitors, the next step is to learn from folks who are already in business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. Why would they want to educate a future competitor?
Fortunately, somebody who runs an organic food business on the other side of the country will be much more likely to talk with you, once they realize that you are not going to directly compete with them in their community. Indeed, many experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to startup entrepreneurs. In my experience, you may have to call ten business owners in order to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.
Where would you find somebody who runs an organic food business in a different locale who can assist you?
We can help. Follow the link below, try a few city/state combos or zipcodes, and then start calling!
Pros & Cons of Buying an Organic Food Business
Although there are significant benefits to buying an organic food business (rather than launching a startup), it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you commit to a purchase scenario.
BENEFITS: Existing companies have proven business models and a history of profitability. They should also have some degree of brand recognition and an established customer base.
DRAWBACKS: On the downside, organic food business acquisitions can be difficult to adapt to your unique business philosophy so it's important to make sure the business is capable of achieving your ownership goals before you initiate the buying process.
Explore Franchising Options
A franchise speeds up your startup process via access to franchisor expertise and name recognition.
Before opening an organic food business, it's worthwhile to assess whether purchasing a franchise might make sense for you.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
Entrepreneur Interviews
These interviews should be of interest to you.
- Interview with Kopali Organics Co-Founder Zak Zaidman
- Interview with Alicia Sable-Hunt, Founder of Sable's Foods
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