Where should I start?

[JamesL123]

I've got an idea (that old chestnut), it's a serious idea for a business and I really believe that I have noticed a gap in the market for a brand to produce a certain type of food and drink. I have plenty of ideas for products the food part of the business.
However I don't know where to start. I think I have overwhelmed myself with all the possibilities and directions I can take this brand and idea but I just don't know where to start.
I think I've perfected my recipe for one product, received plenty of good feedback but not sure how to get it to market along with my other ideas for products which have gone down quite well with friends and family.

I'm thinking I should be looking at starting at food shows to get interest going in my products however at the moment I'm just using my kitchen to make my products so I don't have the facilities to wrap and package the products properly. Don't want to let this be an excuse. I also don't want to let this idea fizz out because I don't know where to start.

I'm excited about my idea, I really believe in it and it means something to me and hopefully I can get the message across in my branding and story but I don't know how to graduate from out of my kitchen and serve more people other than friends and family.

Where should I start? Quite a vague question I know. Looking forward to the journey ahead, working hard, building my brand, making my products but I don't know what I don't know.

Hope you can help, any advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers

 

[Scalloway]

Food Standards Agency resources for start ups.

https://www.food.gov.uk/topic/starting-up

 

[Alison Wright]

Food Standards Agency resources for start ups.

Agree this is a good place to start. You need to be on top of food hygiene regulations for obvious reasons. If you start employing people to produce food you need to be aware of the following:
"Under Food Hygiene Legislation, food businesses must ensure that food handlers are 'supervised and instructed, and/or trained in food hygiene in a way that is appropriate for the work they do'. Although certified courses do provide an easily recognised standard of training, there is no legal requirement to attend a formal course."
You can find out about courses with a quick google search in your area. Although not legally required they are still worthwhile.

Suggest you put a 90 day plan together for launching one product in a small way such as through farmers markets. It's hard to give less general advice without knowing what the product is. Possibly you could launch more than one product if the products are related.

Work out where you are now and where you want to be in 90 days time, and what you need to do to get there. Try and work out the logical steps you need to take rather than just getting overwhelmed. Stick to essential actions, for example promoting your brand through one social media channel not all of them.

I suggest you start with food hygiene and other legislation. Work out what you want to produce and test out your produce at a local farmers market or equivalent. If it all goes well then look at setting up a company, creating your brand etc. Test first and take it one step at a time.

Hope this helps.

 

[JamesL123]

Thanks for the reply.

The products are related so I think I probably will launch/test a couple of food products, will try and stay focused though and master a couple before trying to launch a whole range of products.
Through a little research I guessed I would need some sort of hygiene certificate/qualification but the above answers has confirmed that for me.

One step at a time - I shall remember that to stop myself from getting overwhelmed.

Thanks for the pointers

 

[ViktorijaS]

you need to consider pricing and where you would sell your product.

 

[Nochexman]

I've got an idea (that old chestnut), it's a serious idea for a business and I really believe that I have noticed a gap in the market for a brand to produce a certain type of food and drink.

Hello James, if you are still out there would be really interested to know how you have got on over the past ten weeks or so?