Just A Business Idea

[billie1]

Hello

I go through so many business ideas, I thought I'd run a few past you, so I can get different opinions.

I bake a lot of gluten free, wheat free, nut free and dairy free cakes, bread and pastries. I thought of setting up a specialist bakery where I sell these products, then I thought against it as a Specialist bakery in one location may not bring in enough customers.

Then I thought perhaps setting up a normal bakery and supply the 'free from' baked goods in addition.

Today I was thinking of approaching schools and offering these products. I know more and more kids are developing intolerances to one or more of these items. I think its a way forward as most schools in the future can move towards the use of 'free from' baked goods instead of alienating children who cannot consume these.

It's just another thought in my ever changing mind. Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[thelegalstop]

Why don`t you start with a market research to check if such a bakery is required?

 

[billie1]

I don't know where to start with market research, do I pay a company to do that. I'm also wary the results are not always accurate.

I'm just looking for a direction to go. I've even though of doing it wholesale where I supplies other bakeries and restaurants.

 

[Mitch3473]

Hello

I go through so many business ideas, I thought I'd run a few past you, so I can get different opinions.

I bake a lot of gluten free, wheat free, nut free and dairy free cakes, bread and pastries. I thought of setting up a specialist bakery where I sell these products, then I thought against it as a Specialist bakery in one location may not bring in enough customers.

Then I thought perhaps setting up a normal bakery and supply the 'free from' baked goods in addition.

Today I was thinking of approaching schools and offering these products. I know more and more kids are developing intolerances to one or more of these items. I think its a way forward as most schools in the future can move towards the use of 'free from' baked goods instead of alienating children who cannot consume these.

It's just another thought in my ever changing mind. Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

Is this an actual fact or just some form of fashion statement by over protective parents.

 

[billie1]

It's actually a fact, not just kids but more and more people are having food intolerances. Apparently due to all the preservatives put in our foods now.

 

[DazRave]

It's actually a fact, not just kids but more and more people are having food intolerances. Apparently due to all the preservatives put in our foods now.

Point us in the direction of where apparently this fact is?

As for your idea, i know you would like to do the good deed and help people with tolerances out, but as a business venture i can't see it doing very well. Unless it was a not for profit venture where by you could get other (charities?) on board to help you out.

Only problem is it won't be for profit.

 

[billie1]

Point us in the direction of where apparently this fact is?

As for your idea, i know you would like to do the good deed and help people with tolerances out, but as a business venture i can't see it doing very well. Unless it was a not for profit venture where by you could get other (charities?) on board to help you out.

Only problem is it won't be for profit.

You just need to 'Google' the subject and you will be surprise. Don't forget people with Celiac disease.

 

[billie1]

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenintolerance/a/How-Many-People-Have-Gluten-Sensitivity.htm

Also all my friends knows someone who either has a nut, lactose, wheat or gluten intolerance. Not forgetting many skin conditions like eczema are linked to lactose intolerances.

 

[shine26]

why don't you write all your ideas on a paper so you can rightly analyze which one will work and which one is simply a fleeting thought?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

If I was in your shoes this is what I would do

Bake a small selection of what you think are going to be the best sellers, Then take a sample around say 10-20 local corner shops give them each a sample and tell them what you would like to do and would they buy from you if you went ahead,

Before you ask the question tell them a lot depends on their honest answer and you would prefer to hear no rather than possibly if there is any doubt

Is there any other gluton free items they would consider

You could do the same for local schools

Maybe consider say converting your garage into a small bakery and deliver to all at slightly higher price, less costs to you and far less risk

Local advertisment free delivery two/three times a week to postcodes xxx.xxx

 

[Mitch3473]

But surely if it is the preservatives in the food then why are people wheat,lactose,gluten and nut intolerant and not preservative intolerant.These are all naturally occuring products and these intolerances were never heard of when I was a kid.Sorry to go slightly of thread.

 

[Psl]

My elderly mum is a celiac and it costs me and my sister a bloody fortune supplying my mum with free from meals from a private company. They deliver the frozen meals but they don't supply cakes or free from cake/bread mixes etc.

The only place you can buy the free from cakes/bread products is supermarkets and the choice is limited at the moment.

In my opinion there is a market for gluten free food products of all varieties if marketed right.

There are two routes to market that I can see at the momenta s with limited knowledge of your products, direct to consumers and supplying companies with a existing celiac customer base.

What gluten free food products can you provide?

PM your contact details and I will be more than happy to help you with your idea.

 

[Laura Chattington]

That is really good advice by Chris... you need to test if the market will buy not just 'market research in theory'. Find people that your product complements, give it to them for free (tell them the make the profit) and see how much you can sell... like Chris said local shops.. also things like coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, etc etc I would go for everyone in the area myself.

If it is a local 'shop' you might try local trade shows and fairs and things like that too... get access to your market any way you can think up.

Specialising in anything, whatever you do is always a good thing because it means you meet a more specific market with your products and services meaning you can give them a better service and sell them more stuff in the backend... personally if I was interested in 'gluten-free food' and you were the expert I know where I would buy from.

ps. Ideas are great however they are worth nothing unless you implement... that's what makes the difference. Idea, test, implement, review, do more if it works, test something else if it doesn't

 

[billie1]

My elderly mum is a celiac and it costs me and my sister a bloody fortune supplying my mum with free from meals from a private company. They deliver the frozen meals but they don't supply cakes or free from cake/bread mixes etc.

The only place you can buy the free from cakes/bread products is supermarkets and the choice is limited at the moment.

In my opinion there is a market for gluten free food products of all varieties if marketed right.

There are two routes to market that I can see at the momenta s with limited knowledge of your products, direct to consumers and supplying companies with a existing celiac customer base.

What gluten free food products can you provide?

PM your contact details and I will be more than happy to help you with your idea.

You're absolutely right Psl, I have noticed the same thing where gluten free products are very limited in the supermarkets and are all pre-packed therefore containing preservatives. The quality is not the same as fresh baked products.

I would be doing a range of gluten free, nut free and lactose free 'cakes, bread and pastries'. I will continue experimenting with various recipes over the next few months.

 

[Psl]

You're absolutely right PSL, I have noticed the same thing, gluten free products are very limited in the supermarkets and are all pre-packed therefore containing preservatives. The quality is not the same as fresh baked products.

I would be doing a range of gluten free, nut free and lactose free 'cakes, bread and pastries'. I will continue experimenting with various recipes over the next few months.

To undertake some market research with the products you currently have, I suggest the following;

1. You need to target a market that consumes your type of freshly baked products - sandwich shops.

2. Choose three or four busy sandwich shops in three or four different areas.

3. Create a set number of products for each range, gluten, nut and lactose free - see what the likes of Costa/Starbucks sell in respect of cakes.

4. Approach the sandwich shops identified and offer to supply them with your products for a set period of time on a no sale/no pay basis.

5. Support them and the sale of your product with a leaflet available in the shop, that will explain the products. Get some posters for the sandwich shops 'Gluten Free cakes/bread/pastries sold here'.perhaps offer to have the sandwich shops menu printed on one side of a leaflet with a promotion of the free from range on the reverse.

6. Set your prices at an affordable level for everyday consumption by consumers.

7. Make sure the sandwich shops get their delivery at the same time everyday.

8. Ask for feedback from the shop owners and customers.

9. If the sandwich shops are in areas that service businesses that have a high number of employees - office blocks, factories etc - take the leaflets suggested mentioned in 5 and deliver a number of them to the said businesses, at the same time promoting your products.

There are 2,200 venues in the UK that sell gluten free foods, these range from pubs to hotels, and the data base is available.

There are organisations, that I am sure you are aware of, that will help you with The Codex Standard, Licensing the Crossed Grain Symbol for your products, labelling legislation,product testing etc. And one of them is currently looking for commercial partners.

 

[billie1]

Many thanks to Psl and other members for all your useful posts. I now feel I have a direction to go towards.

Would bakeries also be a good place to approach? They don't seem to do any free from products.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I would say no, just build up your own brand and let them ignore the market untill they wake up to how big you have grown

 

[businessfunding]

Whether it is a statistic or a belief is wholly irrelevant

The fact is that people are being diagnosed with intolerances (sometimes self-diagnosed) and the outcome is increased demand for food to meet these needs.

Presumable there are benchmarks & test as to whether you qualify as gluten free or can overtly market celiacs or intolerant?

Why not test market at local/farmers markets?

Perhaps target health food outlets rather than bakeries?

Build an online brand.

 

[OliverTrent]

You just need to 'Google' the subject and you will be surprise. Don't forget people with Celiac disease.

Relying on Google for business decisions is not a good idea. I think some comments in this thread have been overly harsh, but when you are building your business you don't want to base it on opinionated pieces. You need data, real data not some that has already been altered in to 'information'.

I'm not attacking your industry, data manipulation is widespread. But a business decision based on bad data can cripple a potentially successful business.

There have been some great comments here on product testing. I also think it would be sensible to hedge your bets if you don't get a clear direction from your testing. (I.e. having a specialty baked section).

I think their could be a market for this, but it may be highly dependent on your location as well as your product as to whether or not it succeeds (I know my Vegan wife had a hella time on occasions finding stuff to eat!)