spice business

[b_lyne]

Hi all. Im in the midst of starting a spice business and have some queries/ points where i need help. im based in the uk so uk centric answers will be most helpful but i of course welcome any help from anywhere.
i know its a crowded market but i believe i have a specialised niche i can exploit.
my problems are as follows:
Is it better that i have the mixes pre blended by a company or do it myself. A manufacturing company im guessing will have a minimum order quantity. if i use a company how do i stop them running off with my idea?
where can i source dried herbs and spices? is it better to stay on shore or develop a route overseas such as asia where most of the spices i'll use will originate?
where can i find preset recipes gram by gram that i can base my mix off amnd tweak accordingly
thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Mr D]

You can source the recipes from various books and existing packets that give breakdown of mixes.
A number of the barbecue recipe books will give good recipes for particular mixes if that is what you want.

 

[MOIC]

Im in the midst of starting a spice business

How far have you got to, so far?

 

[b_lyne]

How far have you got to, so far?

ive been "planning" since january which i discovered is just procrastination. ive written an outline and blueprint. ive identified the equipment i need. im looking for packaging manufactures , raw ingredient suppliers and a unit / workshop to work out of. aimimg to start december. strictly due to financial constraints

 

[Mr D]

There's planning and planning. I do some of the best planning with my eyes shut....
Least that's what I claim to the dog. He believes me.


Unit/workshop can be relatively quick to get once you have the place found. Our last one we started moving into a week after viewing it. We used to drive round out of the way industrial estates in the area looking to see what units have to let signs.
Just be careful about what you have to pay for and what landlord pays for. Commercial leases can be tough and if you default landlord often has a personal guarantee - leaving you liable rest of the lease. Can be worthwhile having a commercial solicitor advise you on the lease.

Packaging suppliers there are tons, depending how you want to package.

 

[MOIC]

ive been "planning" since january which i discovered is just procrastination. ive written an outline and blueprint. ive identified the equipment i need. im looking for packaging manufactures , raw ingredient suppliers and a unit / workshop to work out of. aimimg to start december. strictly due to financial constraints

Hi b_lyne

A few questions:

Do you have any professional experience in the food industry?

Are you aware of food/import regulations?

Will you be concentrating on a niche area of international spices/cooking?

Have you decided on your packing/labelling & packaging design?

Have your costs included all purchases, import fees, weighing/labelling machines, containers, cartons, logistics (staff, if any)?

Have you enquired about having product liability/insurance?

Have you registered your brand?

What's your marketing plan for the business?

Who will be your target customers?

What platforms will you be selling your products on?

How will you be calculating your selling costs?

Have you the required budget to see this through to cover all the above (and some more)?

Do you have the time needed to research, prepare, organise and devote the hours needed to get this off the ground and run the day to day business requirements, or will this be a project where you will have limited time to devote to it?

Depending on your starting scale (and where you live), I would hold off for the time being on finding premises to work from. If possible, set up your workstation from home, until you are sure the business has legs and you can commit to moving into commercial premises. Given that the space you require will be small, I would think carefully before adding to your expenses, especially during the first year of your business.

With regards to actually 'starting" your business, it's important not to set yourself an opening date, until such time you have all the above covered, researched (thoroughly) and set up.

If it's done correctly and you have a premium product, together with an aggressive and targeted marketing plan, your idea has good potential. However, a successful business needs commitment, hard work, financial backing, perseverance and a bit more perseverance. Don't set your targets too high for the first year.

Feel free to contact me directly (via the website in the link in my signature below) if you need any (free) advice, assistance or pointers to help you get started.

Prepare well.

I wish you luck!

Ron

 

[Lauren_Lcc]

Hi b_lyne

We are a UK based packaging company and specialise in custom/bespoke packaging. If you would like to speak to one of our packaging experts who can help please contact our team at plus packaging - 0151 486 4800
Good luck with your business venture, if we can be of any help please let us know.

Kind regards
Lauren

 

[b_lyne]

Hi b_lyne

A few questions:

Do you have any professional experience in the food industry?

ive ran 2 takeaways. decided the work to reward raio and scope for growth wasn't enough for me.

Are you aware of food/import regulations?

Not in the slightest. any help is appreciated

Will you be concentrating on a niche area of international spices/cooking?

yes

Have you decided on your packing/labelling & packaging design?

i have a rough idea ,

Have your costs included all purchases, import fees, weighing/labelling machines, containers, cartons, logistics (staff, if any)?

yes

Have you enquired about having product liability/insurance?

i hadnt thought about that

Have you registered your brand?

Companies house? yes but my name is too close to an existing company. i will ave to use a trading as name.

What's your marketing plan for the business?

i have found a good marketer but have yet to nail down a solid plan.

Who will be your target customers?

What platforms will you be selling your products on?

my own website / amazon / supermarket websites in the future / local retailers

How will you be calculating your selling costs?

per 100 gram on product + packaging + postage

Have you the required budget to see this through to cover all the above (and some more)?

in the process .. looking at crowdsourcing. Some private funding. relatively low entry point costs

Do you have the time needed to research, prepare, organise and devote the hours needed to get this off the ground and run the day to day business requirements, or will this be a project where you will have limited time to devote to it?

i work 2 or 3 days a week in my job. rest of the time i can devote to it

Depending on your starting scale (and where you live), I would hold off for the time being on finding premises to work from. If possible, set up your workstation from home, until you are sure the business has legs and you can commit to moving into commercial premises. Given that the space you require will be small, I would think carefully before adding to your expenses, especially during the first year of your business.

i live in a 3 bed with 2 kids ( age 6 + 1)and mrs not a big house so working from home will be difficult. Plus i cant seem to find any legislation on running this type from home.

With regards to actually 'starting" your business, it's important not to set yourself an opening date, until such time you have all the above covered, researched (thoroughly) and set up.

i have now realised this

If it's done correctly and you have a premium product, together with an aggressive and targeted marketing plan, your idea has good potential. However, a successful business needs commitment, hard work, financial backing, perseverance and a bit more perseverance. Don't set your targets too high for the first year.

Feel free to contact me directly (via the website in the link in my signature below) if you need any (free) advice, assistance or pointers to help you get started.

Prepare well.

I wish you luck!

Ron

 

[b_lyne]

Hi b_lyne

We are a UK based packaging company and specialise in custom/bespoke packaging. If you would like to speak to one of our packaging experts who can help please contact our team at plus packaging - 0151 486 4800
Good luck with your business venture, if we can be of any help please let us know.

Kind regards
Lauren

thank you will be in touch soon

 

[Nochexman]

...if i use a company how do i stop them running off with my idea?...

Your supplier is unlikely to run off with your idea before it is a success for you. Focus on making your idea into a success.

 

[Mr D]

Your supplier is unlikely to run off with your idea before it is a success for you. Focus on making your idea into a success.

Though if its a good enough idea people will copy it when they see the OP doing it.

 

[b_lyne]

Though if its a good enough idea people will copy it when they see the OP doing it.

ive accepted it as inevitable i just have to be strong enough to be able to steal others ideas and improve on them to maintain my self as market leader. kinda like how facebook have cherry picked the best ideas from instagram and snapchat

 

[Mr D]

Look at the best of what your competitors are doing.
If they are stocking certain items that appear to sell, check them out. If their packaging is poor and they get sales consider better packaging on similar items.

There are few new products unique to a particular seller in a year, there is a lot of copying going on.

 

[netdesignr]

Personally, I think that there's one thing to get inspired and another thing to copy the whole thing if you really want your business to stand-up. I know it sounds complicated but sometimes easy routes like copy/paste ideas can lead to a very slow growing.

 

[Nina Saparia]

Hi there, just had a look at these emails and was wondering if you managed to get this idea off the ground and how are things going ?

Nina

 

[Biniam_1]

Hi all. Im in the midst of starting a spice business and have some queries/ points where i need help. im based in the uk so uk centric answers will be most helpful but i of course welcome any help from anywhere.
i know its a crowded market but i believe i have a specialised niche i can exploit.
my problems are as follows:
Is it better that i have the mixes pre blended by a company or do it myself. A manufacturing company im guessing will have a minimum order quantity. if i use a company how do i stop them running off with my idea?
where can i source dried herbs and spices? is it better to stay on shore or develop a route overseas such as asia where most of the spices i'll use will originate?
where can i find preset recipes gram by gram that i can base my mix off amnd tweak accordingly
thanks in advance for any help.

I want to start importing raw spices from Africa, I have a strong link with various firms in Africa. However, I want first to establish the marketing chain with companies in the UK or spice importers. Price wise and the quality of the spices are very good. It is a promising market for me, and I am hoping it will work for me. I am based in UK and have no financial problem to start the business, I have good knowledge of the food industry, storage, the legislation and importing food items to the UK. I have suppliers in Africa and I need buyers in the UK. My problem is how to get link myself with buyers. I have been reading many forums and they all indicate spice is cheaper in asia but in many cases it is cheaper even in Africa. I need anyone’s advise who have experience or good idea in this business.

 

[freddy55]

You can source the recipes from various books and existing packets that give breakdown of mixes.
A number of the barbecue recipe books will give good recipes for particular mixes if that is what you want.

Hello Mr D,

I am also doing spice business but I don't know about high-quality red chilli so can you give me the right information for that?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mr D]

Hello Mr D,

I am also doing spice business but I don't know about high-quality red chilli so can you give me the right information for that?

Thanks in advance

I don't stock that - perhaps a stockist or find a supplier growing it?

 

[Nicholas Cooke]

I want to start importing raw spices from Africa, I have a strong link with various firms in Africa. However, I want first to establish the marketing chain with companies in the UK or spice importers. Price wise and the quality of the spices are very good. It is a promising market for me, and I am hoping it will work for me. I am based in UK and have no financial problem to start the business, I have good knowledge of the food industry, storage, the legislation and importing food items to the UK. I have suppliers in Africa and I need buyers in the UK. My problem is how to get link myself with buyers. I have been reading many forums and they all indicate spice is cheaper in asia but in many cases it is cheaper even in Africa. I need anyone’s advise who have experience or good idea in this business.

I have a good ingredients company in South Africa let me know if you're interested in a pricelist etc

 

[Istvan5]

How far have you got to, so far?

Hello, if you don't mind I would have a few questions.