Bringing a range of cordial drinks to life

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Stephen Storey

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May 11, 2016
39
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  • #1
    Hi guys,

    I have an exciting idea for a range of cordial juices which I would like to start producing.

    I have no experience in this area and looking for recommendations on where to go to start formulating and taste testing . I know I could probably start formulating and testing at home but think I probably be wasting my time.

    Ideally I would to find the right company to help start formulating and potentially producing the finished product for me.

    Any advice is much appreciated.

    Have a great weekend 😊
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #2
    Stephen Storey said:
    Any advice is much appreciated.
    Click to expand...
    Have you got a huge wodge of cash ready to spend on marketing? They might be the best drinks anywhere but unless people know about them you will struggle to get much traction.

    Make up some samples at home and pay for a stand at the local farmers market for the taste testing. You can buy bottles on ebay along with capping machines. A local printer can do the labels for you. You may need to get your samples tested. Talk to the Food Standard Agency about this. And you will probably need local authority check for food hygeine in your kitchen. You might be able to get the samples made in a local factory but they will probably want a minimum batch size (which could be 1000 litres or whatever).
     
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    JEREMY HAWKE

    JEREMY HAWKE

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  • #4
    Mark T Jones said:
    Id start with market research rather than product development - its a very crowded space - and your idea of exciting may differer from a lot of the market
    Click to expand...
    Exactly this
    Always know your market What exites you may not be favourable to your potential customers
     
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    MikeJ

    MikeJ

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  • #5
    Maybe use the same company that's manufacturing your shower gel?

    www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

    Where can i have shower gel manufactured?

    Hi guys, Hope everyone is well and has had a good weekend. I have an idea for a shower gel that i would like discuss production of. I would like to get in touch with the right manufacturer that i could start work with and trialling different ingredients / formulas to get the desired shower...
    www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

    No offence, but you seem to be intent on starting a business in a sector you know absolutely nothing about.
     
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    Stephen Storey

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    May 11, 2016
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  • #6
    fisicx said:
    Have you got a huge wodge of cash ready to spend on marketing? They might be the best drinks anywhere but unless people know about them you will struggle to get much traction.

    Make up some samples at home and pay for a stand at the local farmers market for the taste testing. You can buy bottles on ebay along with capping machines. A local printer can do the labels for you. You may need to get your samples tested. Talk to the Food Standard Agency about this. And you will probably need local authority check for food hygeine in your kitchen. You might be able to get the samples made in a local factory but they will probably want a minimum batch size (which could be 1000 litres or whatever).
    Click to expand...
    Thanks for that mate. I do have funds available for marketing . I always have some good friends who have very big social media followings that have agreed to help. I would prefer to find a factory to produce the samples, I imagine it would be a much faster process that me trying to make a cordial for the first time.
     
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    Stephen Storey

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    May 11, 2016
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  • #7
    MikeJ said:
    Maybe use the same company that's manufacturing your shower gel?

    www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

    Where can i have shower gel manufactured?

    Hi guys, Hope everyone is well and has had a good weekend. I have an idea for a shower gel that i would like discuss production of. I would like to get in touch with the right manufacturer that i could start work with and trialling different ingredients / formulas to get the desired shower...
    www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk

    No offence, but you seem to be intent on starting a business in a sector you know absolutely nothing about.
    Click to expand...
    You absolutely right, I do not have any experience in these sectors. We are not always going to have knowledge or experience in what we are trying to sell.

    This product and the shower are both products I have no experience in but I am very confident that they are both something that would sell and be very scalable.

    That’s why I am researching into bringing to them to life. So no offence to you neither but please do not comment on my posts unless you have something productive to say. Thanks.
     
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    Stephen Storey

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    May 11, 2016
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  • #9
    Shopclicks said:
    Have you taken any steps towards approaching beverage manufacturing?
    Click to expand...
    I’ve contacted a few places yes. Currently in talks with these guys - https://www.tastehead.com/ but also looking at other options. Ideally I would like to find somewhere local (north east England) where I visit a bit easier and work on sampling / perfecting the product
     
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    MikeJ

    MikeJ

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  • #11
    Stephen Storey said:
    You absolutely right, I do not have any experience in these sectors. We are not always going to have knowledge or experience in what we are trying to sell.

    This product and the shower are both products I have no experience in but I am very confident that they are both something that would sell and be very scalable.

    That’s why I am researching into bringing to them to life. So no offence to you neither but please do not comment on my posts unless you have something productive to say. Thanks.
    Click to expand...

    Thanks, but that's not the way a forum works.

    Without doing a survey, I'm going to say 90% plus of people on this forum have developed a business based on some in depth knowledge of an industry, generally by working in it for some time. Then they decide to go on their own, either having seen a niche or confident they can do something that the existing suppliers can't.

    Over the last five years or so, you've..

    1) Wanted to open a sunbed shop, despite knowing nothing about the costs.
    2) Wanted to open a nursery, despite knowing nothing about them.
    3) Wanted to sell sportswear online, but didn't know where to get the products from
    4) Wanted to sell swimwear, but didn't know any white label suppliers
    5) Tried to source some soft play equipment
    6) Tried to get a bit of kit manufactured in plastic, but didn't know where (I think this was a couple of times, and possibly included looking in to a patent)
    7) Said you had £100k to start up a company, but had no idea what to do.
    8) Looked in to selling something on Amazon

    Then got into the shower gel and now cordials.

    You've also asked how many millionaires are on the forum. I'd hope to look for advice, but you don't seem to want any that doesn't fit with your current plans.

    You say you're in the oil industry, and I could understand your concern about the future of that, at least in the UK. But you don't seem to want to do any proper work in developing a business. It's very rare to make really good money just by buying and selling something, unless you really know the product and the market place. I'm just concerned that you're going to spend that £100k on a load of stock that you end up selling at a loss. You remind me of one of the many people that think there's a fortune to be made in opening a cafe, then find out there's a Starbucks just round the corner.

    Feel free to block me, I won't be offended.
     
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    Stephen Storey

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  • #12
    MikeJ said:
    Thanks, but that's not the way a forum works.

    Without doing a survey, I'm going to say 90% plus of people on this forum have developed a business based on some in depth knowledge of an industry, generally by working in it for some time. Then they decide to go on their own, either having seen a niche or confident they can do something that the existing suppliers can't.

    Over the last five years or so, you've..

    1) Wanted to open a sunbed shop, despite knowing nothing about the costs.
    2) Wanted to open a nursery, despite knowing nothing about them.
    3) Wanted to sell sportswear online, but didn't know where to get the products from
    4) Wanted to sell swimwear, but didn't know any white label suppliers
    5) Tried to source some soft play equipment
    6) Tried to get a bit of kit manufactured in plastic, but didn't know where (I think this was a couple of times, and possibly included looking in to a patent)
    7) Said you had £100k to start up a company, but had no idea what to do.
    8) Looked in to selling something on Amazon

    Then got into the shower gel and now cordials.

    You've also asked how many millionaires are on the forum. I'd hope to look for advice, but you don't seem to want any that doesn't fit with your current plans.

    You say you're in the oil industry, and I could understand your concern about the future of that, at least in the UK. But you don't seem to want to do any proper work in developing a business. It's very rare to make really good money just by buying and selling something, unless you really know the product and the market place. I'm just concerned that you're going to spend that £100k on a load of stock that you end up selling at a loss. You remind me of one of the many people that think there's a fortune to be made in opening a cafe, then find out there's a Starbucks just round the corner.

    Feel free to block me, I won't be offended.
    Click to expand...
    I’ll continue researching , you continue researching people’s profiles 😂 and no need to block you, just stop commenting on my posts please.
     
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    Stephen Storey

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    May 11, 2016
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  • #13
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    BusterBloodvessel

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  • #14
    Stephen Storey said:
    I’ll continue researching , you continue researching people’s profiles 😂 and no need to block you, just stop commenting on my posts please.
    Click to expand...

    The problem is, your idea of research seems to mostly involve asking very broad questions like “who can make this?” or “how do I do that?”, rather than doing some groundwork first and then asking more specific questions.

    A quick Google search brings up loads of cordial and beverage manufacturers. A better starting point would be researching a handful of them, contacting them directly, comparing minimum orders/services/pricing, and then coming back here with more detailed questions. Something like:

    “I’ve spoken to X and Y. X can do small runs but no formulation help, Y can help formulate but requires much larger MOQs. Has anyone worked with either?”

    That’s the kind of thing experienced people can give genuinely useful feedback on.

    Also, don’t expect manufacturers to get excited purely because someone says they have a “great idea”. They’ll hear that constantly. Most will either want paying for development work, or they’ll want to see evidence of market research, demand, and a realistic route to market.

    With respect, I think part of the reaction you’re getting is because you seem very focused on the idea stage - multiple ones across completely different industries - while a lot of the advice about starting small, validating demand, or doing deeper groundwork tends to get brushed past. That’s why some replies are becoming, at best, a bit skeptical.
     
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    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

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  • #15
    Stephen Storey said:
    You absolutely right, I do not have any experience in these sectors. We are not always going to have knowledge or experience in what we are trying to sell.

    This product and the shower are both products I have no experience in but I am very confident that they are both something that would sell and be very scalable.
    Click to expand...
    @Stephen Storey For any serious business advisor, this should be ringing alarm bells and they should be chiming hard in your ears.

    It is great that you want to start something, but, sadly, in a majority of cases, starting a business in an area you have no knowledge or experience in normally ends in failure. The exceptions are where you have the funds to bring in experience and proper advice.

    You will need a lot more determination and focus than you have shown (by changing directions every few months).
     
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    Millicentdigit

    Millicentdigit

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  • #16
    Stephen Storey said:
    Hi guys,

    I have an exciting idea for a range of cordial juices which I would like to start producing.

    I have no experience in this area and looking for recommendations on where to go to start formulating and taste testing . I know I could probably start formulating and testing at home but think I probably be wasting my time.

    Ideally I would to find the right company to help start formulating and potentially producing the finished product for me.

    Any advice is much appreciated.

    Have a great weekend 😊
    Click to expand...
    Sounds like an exciting project.

    Before spending too much on formulation, it may be worth doing some initial testing yourself to get a clearer idea of the flavours, sweetness levels and target market you're aiming for. Even rough prototypes can help when discussing the concept with professionals later.

    Once you've validated the idea, I'd look for a food and beverage product development consultant or a contract manufacturer that offers formulation services. Many can help with recipe development, shelf-life testing, compliance, and eventually production if the product proves viable.

    You may also want to consider:
    • Who your target customer is
    • Whether you're aiming for concentrates, ready-to-drink products, or both
    • Expected shelf life
    • Packaging requirements
    • Minimum production runs and budget

    Hopefully someone with direct experience in the drinks industry can recommend specific companies, but those would be the areas I'd focus on first.

    Good luck with it and keep us updated on how you get on.
     
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