Although the term “foodpreneur” may seem new, it has been around for a while and describes an innovative entrepreneur that has chosen food creation as their passion. Rather than simply producing a consumable product, foodpreneurs think of their food as something that makes people feel satisfied, nurtured and loved. It’s more like a way of life, creating goodness to share with other people. The goal is also building and maintaining long-term relationships that make a business grow sustainably as opposed to only closing sales and chasing rapid growth.

Years ago, foodpreneurs would look to hire a co-packer to make their product, hire a broker and distributor to get their product on the shelf and hopefully get their payout when they sell their brand to a giant company. As consumer appetite for small scale and locally-produced foods has grown, that equation has changed. Getting on the shelf at a big grocery chain doesn’t necessarily lead to higher sales or bigger payouts than focusing on working with small and independent stores. Foodpreneurs and farmers should weigh all of their options and come up with a game plan that best suits the kind of growth that makes sense for them.

We invite you to join the movement of health-conscious food innovators, pioneers, entrepreneurs and share your stories of how you’ve developed your products, rolled them out to the public, and grown your businesses. Get in contact with your local advisor to get started.

About the Author:

Susan Jerke is a Regional Director who specializes in marketing materials, graphic design, sustainability, human resources and general small business assistance. Her past work experience includes owning several businesses and working as a marketing director for an economic development organization. She has a B.S. in Business from the University of Mary and is a certified instructor for Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

When she’s not in the office:

A longtime Wyoming resident, Susan enjoys being an artist, working on DIY projects, and spending time with family.

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