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DUCKDOWN

posts: 5

Jun 16, 2008 1:13 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello,

My name is Donald Pierre and I have a small candy company that I`ve been trying to get jump started for the past 5 years. I have several problems and questions I`m hoping some one could point me in the right direction. The type of candy I specialize in are called "Pralines". This candy are made with sugar, pecans, and little bit extra. :-) I make 4 different flavors to choose from with crushed or whole pecans. I`ve had the opportunity of providing these items for clients from parties, weddings, or just the average snacker.

The problems I`m having ranges from producing a mass quantities, getting customers, keeping repeat customers, licensing(because the state of GA where I live doesn`t allow producing food products from home), just to name a few. Everyone who`s sampled and purchased my products have been pleased to say the least. Funding has also been a issue.

I know I have a great product that the masses would love, but I`m having trouble of keeping them interested.

Any suggestions? Please help.

Trying to get out of the "Rat Race"

Donald Pierre

GrillCharmer

posts: 621

Jun 16, 2008 7:31 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello Donald!! I`m a neighbor to the north (SC) and I don`t have any real answers for you, but I totally understand. I think it`s a problem all of us "non-necessity product" people have. Like you, my product is a "luxury" item so to speak and therefore I must CONSTANTLY remind people I am here. My own brother-in-law admitted to me that when it came time to buy his father-in-law a birthday present, he FORGOT out my product and got him something else!!! If my own family can`t remember I`m here, how is the rest of the world?! At that moment, I realized that my job is to CONSTANTLY get the word out. I contact people that have blogs in my genre, I send out press releases, I write articles, I post on forums, I write to magazines, I enter contests, it is an all out battle each and every day to get my name and product out to as many new (and old) customers as possible. I blog regularly to keep my supporters coming back, I am starting a newsletter to maintain contact, I post on YouTube and put videos on my website to try to be as memorable as possible. I don`t have any sure fire answer for you, but I just want you to know it`s a challenge we all face. I`m right there with ya!

-------------------------

Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms

minimegeology

posts: 143

Jun 17, 2008 2:34 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Donald,

I love pralines!! I agree with everything that Leslie said about items being a luxury and how you are constantly having to get your name out there. My products are the same way. Do you sell through a website? I would think that your pralines would make a great gift item. Maybe in addition to selling to the public you should look into selling to other gift companies to have them added to gift baskets or as add ons to orders. I think of places like Wine Country Gift Baskets and Christie Cookies as possible types of companies who may like to have your products. There are also some companies like Burton & Burton who wholesale to florists and people who make gift baskets. With wholesalers like those you could drop ship for them as well to keep the products fresh and to entice them to basically be a rep for you.

Also you mentioned selling for parties and weddings. How about advertising to event planners or on The Knot.com. You may need to come up with some packaging for the gift and party industry customers but you can get boxes printed with your logo and maybe use some basic raffia ribbon to spice it up. Check out Nashville Wraps and Fetpak. I believe they have food ready boxes and I believe Nashville Wraps can print on them. All of these places are online - let me know if you need links.

Now, I`ve had two flavors of pralines, original and chocolate. I`m dying to know what the other two flavors you make are!

Good luck,

Tracy

-------------------------

Tracy Barnhart, Owner
Giverny, Inc. / Mini Me Geology
http://www.GivernyOnline.com
http://www.MiniMeGeology.com

houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Jun 17, 2008 8:41 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Donald,

I`m wondering. Are you making your pralines at home, and what you`re asking is how to get licensed and move your business to a production facility? That would probably be a necessity to grow your business and sell them on the web too. You could probably ask funding questions in that area on the forum.

Good luck, you know you have a great product!

Janie

DUCKDOWN

posts: 5

Jun 17, 2008 12:53 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks for your suggestions. I`m going to try to apply them and hopefully be on my way.

Sincerely,

Donald

DUCKDOWN

posts: 5

Jun 17, 2008 12:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks. I also have chocolate/coconut and coconut flavors. Thanks for all your help and advise I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Donald

DUCKDOWN

posts: 5

Jun 17, 2008 1:01 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Yes I do make them from my home, but I was adivsed my state will not issue a business license. Thanks for your help.

Donald

minimegeology

posts: 143

Jun 18, 2008 2:18 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Donald,

I just remembered an interview that I saw with the folks who started one of the granola companies. They were making the granola in their apartment and needed to use a commercial space. They didn`t have the money to start their own place so they started out by renting a bakery at night when it was closed. They made the granola at night and working on selling and distributing it during the day. Maybe there is a bakery or restaurant in your area that would rent to you.

Tracy

PS. Coconut pralines sound wonderful!!!

-------------------------

Tracy Barnhart, Owner
Giverny, Inc. / Mini Me Geology
http://www.GivernyOnline.com
http://www.MiniMeGeology.com

DUCKDOWN

posts: 5

Jun 18, 2008 4:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Is the name of that company called "Bare Naked"? I think I may have saw them on the Food Network.

minimegeology

posts: 143

Jun 18, 2008 8:12 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Yes, I think it was them. I believe I saw an interview with them on The Big Idea.

-------------------------

Tracy Barnhart, Owner
Giverny, Inc. / Mini Me Geology
http://www.GivernyOnline.com
http://www.MiniMeGeology.com

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