Food Entrepreneurs Get a Chance to Smell the Aroma of Success

Many aspiring food entrepreneurs churn out delicious treats in their home kitchens, sometimes not realizing that they are running afoul of the health laws of most cities. While they may enjoy a few sales, some are living in fear of being shut down. They are also restricting their sales since they probably don't feel safe advertising too widely.

A recent article on InsideBayArea.com reports on an ideal solution: La Cocina in San Francisco. La Cocina is a nonprofit community kitchen where entrepreneurial cooks can get everything that need at an affordable price. The kitchen opened last January and has since helped 13 low-income entrepreneurs pursue their culinary dreams in this affordable professional kitchen space.

One successful participant, Yumna McCann of San Francisco, produces quantities of her savory pies in the commercial ovens. Made from a favorite recipe from her childhood in South Africa, Mystipies, are delicious beef pies wrapped in crispy dough. Her dream of turning her beloved childhood treat into a business is being helped along with her participation in the community kitchen and her new website www.mystipies.com

The other participants are turning out wonderfully different ethnic foods as well. In order to get as many folks as possible to taste their wares, La Cocina staged a giant food fair last month called Expo Cocina.

Laurie MacKenzie, director of programs at La Cocina is quoted in the InsideBayArea.com article as saying of Expo Cocina, "This is like a mini-Fancy Food Show, and the best thing is that they don't have to pay thousands of dollars to participate."

The program offers more than just the use of a kitchen. Participants meet with advisors monthly for help with setting and reaching goals.

If your gift basket business goals include preparing your own food products, read more about this program. Perhaps something similar is available in your area.

Late-Night Munchies Must Be Satisfied

Remember how the late-night munchies distracted you when you were studying deep into the midnight hours? Students who attend one of several lucky universities can now fuel late-night study sessions by having fresh cookies and milk delivered to their dorms between 8PM and 2 AM. Insomnia Cookies were created by enterprising juniors who became frustrated when there were few if any foods available to satisfy those late night munchies. Currently these late night snacks are available only at NYU, Syracuse, UPenn and a few other schools.

Another late-night service in Instanbul, After 9,goes beyond cookies and milk. They deliver life necessities like condoms, diapers, sandwiches and more. Orders are accepted online or by phone between 9PM and 6 AM and delivered by motorbike in 45 minutes or less.

Want something fast in Manhattan? Max Delivery will bring a rental DVD, cold medication, food, cleaning supplies and more to you in 10 minutes. They take orders 24 hours a day but delivery is noon until midnight.

These businesses all prove that there is a market for services that meet customers' needs in unique, convenient and fast ways. Perhaps there are some inventive ways you can make your gift basket service more attractive to customers. Hmmm.

Forget About Gouda, Bubba Wants Junk Food and Maybe Barbie Does Too

Most gift basket designers aspire to create dazzling baskets filled with gourmet food. But not Curt and Teri Dickinson. In an article in the News-Gazette of Homer, IL, they share their disappointment with seven gift baskets they received in December 2004. According to their tastes, not one thing was fit to eat.

They got to thinking. Other people probably longed for "real" food too. So they filled pails with junk food and Redneck Snack Baskets was born.

Even though it's still their sideline business, Redneck Snack Baskets is keeping Curt and Teri busy thanks to Jeff Foxworthy giving one of their baskets away every week on his radio show. The Dickinsons' decision to supply this basket free in exchange for the advertising is paying off.

So, before you decide that gourmet food is what most customers prefer, think again. Many of your customers, too, may have a hankering for candy bars and salty snacks that are familiar and easy to pronounce.

Sorry, This is Not My Department

Those dreaded words usually are a good sign that you won't get any help from that clerk. But if you're a solo or small business owner you can't afford to take this attitude. Every department is your responsibility, so you'd better know about all the aspects of it. One way to know your business well is to create a mission statement.

A mission statement is not just high-sounding words that dress up a company report. It is a guiding light. More than that, according to Ari Weinzweig the mission statement is the North Star. If everyone in a store understood the mission, following Weinzweig's reasoning, no clerk would snap "Sorry, this is not my department."

Once you create your company's mission statement turn to your personal benefit statement.

Declutter by Giving Thoughtfulness

As I was taking stock of my inventory last year, it gradually became apparent to me that I have items and supplies that I will probably never use. Gasp! Perhaps I should have figured this out before, but I hadn't.

Being a baby boomer, my practical side wouldn't let me throw stuff away or even donate it indiscriminately to faceless charities. I began to liquidate some of it on my website by placing it on sale at bargain prices. I even listed some of it on Ebay. The most satisfying way of all has been to give it away as prizes or with purchase.

If you are paralyzed by clutter or surrounded by good, but unwanted inventory, take advice from Wendy Thomas. Although her advice in a recent Nashua Telegraph article is aimed at the general consumer, there are a number of ideas that can be adapted to the gift basket retailer as well. Get busy.

Make Your Gift Baskets Part of Retail Fun

Savvy grocery stores, specialty stores and even warehouse stores, according to an article in the Ithaca Journal, are scrambling to make their stores service-oriented, customer-friendly, but most of all, fun. They want to be destinations where customers may spend hours.

Then there's grilling.It's no longer grueling with all the new and fun gadgets and tools.

Have you seen the lifestyle centers? These are outdoor malls mimicking the old Main Street concept, but without the crime and traffic congestion.

Somewhere in this retail shakeup may be a place for your gift basket service. If you can't come up with the cash to open your own specialty store, perhaps you can be the in-store gift basket designer for one of these trendy retailers. You'll probably need a clever angle to win the business of the upscale stores, but you're in the "creativity" business, aren't you? Get in on the fun and the "mon."

Want to Make a Million? Consider Joining Other Entrepreneurs

It's common to hear aspiring entrepreneurs say they want to make a million dollars. If you're one of those, and really want to do the work to reach your goals, consider joining other entrepreneurs at www.makemineamillion.org. This program, founded by Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence, helps women-owned businesses reach and surpass that million-dollar revenue mark.

You have two chances be one of the 40 entrepreneurs selected this year. To be among the Spring 2006 awardees you must apply by May 12, 2006. Once accepted, you receive help in the form of money, mentoring and marketing tools. If you can't meet the spring deadline, apply when the fall 2006 application goes online in July.

To learn more and see what former winners have to say, visit www.makemineamillion.org

If you feel hesitant, get help with my audio CD Five Ways to Overcome the Obstacles to Your Success.

Vanity, Thy Name is Increased Gift Basket Profits

Want to increase your gift basket profits? Offer your clients personalized products, containers or ribbon.

Narcissus isn't the only one fascinated by his own image. Even the most modest among us can't help but smile to see our names or photos in print. And we'll pay more for it.

Companies are no different. But they are driven by more than vanity. They want to be remembered for their thoughtfulness in the hope that the recipient will use their service or product again.

Here are some of the ways that gift baskets can be personalized:

1. Ribbon imprinted with the company's name, personal name or slogan. Added to the bow or used as streamers this ribbon can make a big impression. I suggest to realtors that they use personal names so they can continue to use the ribbon even if they change companies. Others who want to stress their industry could use their slogan. One financial planner with the surname "Morrow", for example, had white ribbon imprinted with green lettering with the message "Money by Morrow."

2. The customer's greeting framed. Placed in center as the focal point of the design this message ensures that it will be read. It also lets the recipient know that this gift was indeed customized.

3. Imprinted pencils or pens for industries you work with frequently. For example, if you create gift baskets for dentists include a pencil that says "Dentists have pull" along with a notepad.

These ideas are just the start. Look at how other companies are offering personalization.

How about ceramic dolls made in the likeness of the customer?

A Dutch bank offers personalized ATM cards.

A Virginia-based company offers personalized wrapping paper.

Photo stamps may be catchy on your important mailings.

Personalized confetti and stickers may be just the thing you need to add pizzazz.

So, when you create a design for a client offer to personalize it. It'll please your customer and increase your profits.

Creating Healthy Gift Baskets Can Mean Fat Profits

Gift basket designers committed to offering healthy snacks were once hard-pressed to find acceptable and tasty choices. But no more. An increasing number of new products are taking center stage, offering an alternative to the sugary, unhealthy snacks we've known until now.

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, the San Francisco Chocolate Company rolls out its organic fair trade chocolate--good to your mouth and the planet too.

Pacific Natural Foods introduces ready-to-drink organic brewed iced teas in five delicious flavors.

Paleybar, a new, all-natural and organic whole foods nutrition bar was created by Vitaly Paley, an award-winning chef and owner of Paley's Place Bistro & Bar in Portland, Oregon. The idea for the bar came when Paley, an enthusiastic cyclist, became weary of all the flat-flavored energy bars on the market. So he set out to create a delicious nutrition bar. And according to all reports, he succeeded.

For a wider choice, consider attending All Things Organic, the only exclusive organic show in North America, May 6-9, 2006 in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place. To make this an even more very productive trip, you will have access to four other shows that are co-located with four other shows: the FMI Show, The Fancy Food Show, The United Produce Expo & Conference, and The US Food Export Showcase. Registration and an admission fee are required. There will a number networking events and a comprehensive education program, but also the option of attending the tradeshow only.

Americans have changed their eating habits. Foods that were once exotic, such as Mexican and Chinese food, have moved into mainstream. Now, efforts to prevent illness, avoid obesity and promote fitness has lead to the desire for natural and organic foods. And the best part for retailers is that people are willing to pay more for these healthier choices.

Technorati Tags Healthy foods Organic foods Eating trends

What is Good Friday and What Do You Believe?

Good Friday is most popular as the day when Christians around the world mourn the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the Friday before his resurrection on Easter Sunday. But Good Friday is significant in other ways as well.

The Long Good Friday is a 1980 British crime film thought by many to be the best film ever.

The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement, reached in Belfast on Friday, April 10, 1998, is a plan for devolved government in Northern Ireland that lead to the creation of Human Rights and Equality Commissions.

The Good Friday Appeal is a fundraiser for children at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Growing out of a charitable sporting activity started in 1931, the funds now help ensure that all children with life threatening illnesses receive the best possible medical and clinical care.

Because Good Friday is thought to be holy by so many, any other activities on this day are seen as sacriligeous. For example, when the Italian soccer league decided to play their AC Milan-Inter Milan match on Good Friday, it was met with bitter criticism from Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, according to a USA Today article. The article goes on in this quote "The insensibility of the soccer world is discouraging," the 81-year-old Vatican official told the sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday. "There is no justification for this choice."

Cardinal Tonini would likely also chafe at the fact that Good Friday is for many retailers one more shopping day that holds lots of promise of increased revenue. With the celebration of Easter filled with religious and pagan symbols, items from crosses to Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs will bring increased profits.

Before you react to any of these takes on Good Friday, it's important to know that our religious affiliations and spirituals leanings don't fit into neat categories anymore. Take this 10 minute quiz from Beliefnet to find out how your beliefs line up with others. You may be surprised.

Boost Your Sales with a Birthday Reminder Service

For most gift retailers the Christmas season is the big money maker. But it comes only once a year. Those who succeed in the gift basket business must generate sales year-round. One way that many basketeers have garnered more sales from their customers is to set up a birthday and anniversary reminder service.

A reminder service is easy to begin with your current customers. Ask customers to sign up. After they provide you with their important dates, you will send them timely reminders offering them the right product at the right time for their colleagues and loved ones.

A birthday reminder service can be simple or very sophisticated, but you will need tools.

Read the full article.

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Birthday Reminder Service Gift basket business

Marketing to Baby Boomers Means Money in the Bank

As baby boomers turn 60 it's clear that they are not the same as oldtimers of generations past. Born between 1946 and 1964 baby boomers make up 30% of the USA and have more than $7 trillion in wealth.

Because they enjoy greater health, more wealth, and broader minds than their ancestors, their activities will not be limited to rocking grandbabies on the front porch or playing Bingo on Wednesday nights at the community hall. Instead, baby boomers will be giving a new meaning to retirement. Many will be traveling to places where they can explore the world as well as combine their love of learning with hobbies, fun and relaxation. Here are some of the activities boomers are choosing.

Read the full article.

Marketing
Baby boomers
Gift basket business

Indiana Gift Basket Designers Wrap Up Success by Finding Their Niches

Finding success in the gift basket business is based on research, planning and hard work. Gift basket designers in Indiana shared with the Journal Gazette additional ingredients of their success.

Tina Williams, owner of Bay's Avails in Fort Wayne, listens to each client's needs, includes items provided by her customer, and wraps the finished design in a veil. Tina takes her unique designs a step further by naming them after her family. The "TK" is named for her children, the "Grand" for her grandchildren, and the "Oosie" for her father.

Marilyn Rafter, owner of Sweet Basket & Unique Gifts, listens to her customers as well to create her custom designs. In addition, however, Marilyn offers gift bundles (gifts without the basket) and balloons.

Like other successful gift basket retailers each of these designers has found her niche. How about you? What is your niche? How has it contributed to your success?

Finding your niche is essential if you want to outshine your competition. Learn how now.

Protect Your Identity, but Know What to Shred and What to Keep

Because of increased concern for privacy and preventing identity theft, shredding documents has become an important activity. But surely we must not shred everything.

No single set of guidelines can tell you which papers to keep and which to shred. It depends on your type of business and the documents you need to refer to frequently or in the forseeable future. But here are some general guidelines.

Papers that are important but are seldom needed such as birth certificates should be stored in a safe deposit box.

Things that contain sensitive information and are no longer needed,such as pre-approved offers and expired credit cards, should be shredded.

Check out these sources for more information on what to shred and what to store.

www.ricedelman.com

www.financialpublishers.com

findlaw.com

Low-Cost Ways to Market Your Business

Who would give a party but forget to send out invitations?

That's just what you're doing if you aren't marketing your business. If you don't have a big budget you'll need to be creative, energetic and persistent. Learn about five low-cost ways to market your business.

Read the full story.

Ready-Made or Custom-Made Gift Baskets: Which is Best for Your Business?

Shortly after you enter the gift basket business you will be faced with a decision. Will you offer ready-made gift baskets or will you customize designs upon request?

Most basketeers decide to offer a combination of both, like Stanya Doty and Sara Canterbury, owners of Baskets Unique in Ohio. Using a variety of unique containers like flower pots and backpacks, they offer both custom and pre-made gift baskets for all occasions on their website. They admit that they enjoy making custom baskets, so it's no surprise that 80% of their sales are custom made.

Offering ready-made baskets is easy on your inventory and your time. You can manage your inventory since you know what to keep in stock. It's also easy and fast for customers to select from your pre-determined array of designs.

Offering custom designs requires more inventory and time. No matter what you have in stock you may need to shop for themed items to meet customer requests. It's more involved for customers too, since they must plan ahead to order and allow time for delivery.

No matter which type of basket you offer, it's important to let your customers know what you can and cannot do. On your website be sure to give accurate descriptions of your contents and post a disclaimer in the event items are no longer unavailable from the manufacturer or distributor.

If you want help creating a design, visit our demo center on the homepage of GiftBasketBusinessWorld.com. You'll need User Name: VIB and Password: profit

Bank Promotes Harmony with "Get in Tune" Gift Baskets

Starting on April 3 Bank of America has been handing out gift baskets to accountants in 29 states where they have branches. They will continue through May. Themed "Get in Tune," these gift baskets contain a $69-valued iPod, a $10 gift card for online music, a squeezable stress relief ball and candy.

B of A wants to thank the accountants with whom they currently do business and to attract new companies. Handing them out in person rather than shipping them will reinforce the harmonious relationship they seek to establish.

What can you do in your community to strike a responsive chord with the companies you'd like to thank and the ones you'd like to court?

Need ideas for April? Get my audio CD, 99 Sizzling Marketing Ideas to Make More Money: January through June.

Get Past the Gatekeeper

In an old episode of the Rockford television series, James Garner pulls out a fist full of business cards to find just the one that he will need to convince the receptionist that he's authorized to enter their office. When asked by his cohort, "Where did you get all these cards?" he answered matter-of-factly, "I made them."

You, too, must get past the gatekeeper to reach your potential clients. Hold on. I'm not advocating that you create a variety of business cards nor that you deceive gatekeepers. What I am suggesting is that you research the companies you plan to approach to see how best you can help them.

Read the full article.

Basket Filler is Not Just Fluff

One of the first techniques a gift basket designer learns is getting products to stand up so they are visible above the basket edge. Basket filler is what enables you to achieve this feat. But filler is not just fluff, it's an important element with several important functions.

This first level of filler serves as the foundation of a gift basket design. Crumpled newsprint is preferred because it's low priced and heavy enough to support the products that you will add to your design.

Kraft paper may be used also, but don't use leftover newspaper because of the ink that could possibly rub off or run if it gets damp. Savvy designers use fresh, clean paper, not leftover cellophane from shop-worn baskets or other dust prone materials.

Amateurs don't know about this first level of filler so they often just drop products into the basket where they can't be seen unless you peer down inside.

The second level of filler is decorative and comes in several types and many colors. The colors and feel of the filler will help to convey the theme you want to create. Pastels suggest softness or solemnity whereas bright colors suggest festivity and celebration.

Excelsior shredded wood has the most volume, so it doesn't take much of it to fill up a basket. It's the least expensive usually, but hard to the touch, sometimes dusty and may have a strong odor, especially when dyed.

Crinkle cut shredded paper creates little to no dust. It has volume, comes in many beautiful colors, but the short crinkle cut can be quite messy. There are a number of popular brands. I prefer shredded paper that has long, 4 to 5 inch strips rather than the very tight accordion cuts. You don't lose nearly as much of it to the floor when you grab a handful of this longer version.

Shredded cellophane and tissue paper come in pretty colors, but because they have little volume they should be used as enhancement.

Metallic shred is shiny and wonderful for adding elegance to a design. But it has very little volume and is usually more expensive than the shredded paper, so use it sparingly.

Shredded resin is the filler we think of as Easter grass. This product is shiny, but doesn't have much volume.One of the most popular manufacturers is Highland Supply Corp. and they have been making this and other packaging products for generations.

Creative designers use many nontraditional materials as filler: real popcorn (without the butter,) clothespins for a laundry design, peanuts in the shell, cotton balls and more.

When you choose the filler that is right for your budget and your theme you will discover that rather than being fluff, filler is an important element of your design.