Breaking Down Big Tasks: How We Tackled Packaging and Hired a Food Scientist

It feels like we’re really moving things forward now. 

 

But it wasn’t always that way. Don’t you know it. 

 

For weeks I had on my todos: “figure out packaging” and “find a food scientist”. 

 

I had no idea how to tackle either. 

 

Packaging alone felt like a huge task. I still wasn’t 100% clear on what packaging my muffins needed or what my co-manufacturer required. 

 

What type of packaging? What’s it going to look like? How do I know which one will protect the shelf life? Will it transport my muffins without damage? Are there more sustainable options? How much will it all cost?

 

Although there were a lot of unknowns, I knew if I didn’t “figure out packaging” then it could hold me back from launch. 

 

So, I started asking around. 

 

First, I asked my co-manufacturer if there were any packaging companies they liked working with and recommended. 

 

She provided a few options, one of which she knew would allow for low order quantities.

 

That’s a start!

 

Next, I posted a job on Upwork (a website for hiring freelancers), collected resumes, and interviewed packaging designers. 

 

To my surprise, I found someone I liked and started working with her in a matter of days. She has a fun style that I’m excited to infuse into Minky’s brand. 

 

She too had a recommendation for packaging. Now we’re getting somewhere. 

 

Next up: food scientist. 

 

Where does one find a food scientist anyways? 

 

I started asking friends and family, no one knew anyone in my space. So, I started searching.

 

In the depths of Google, I stumbled upon an entire directory of food scientists with contact information and all.

It was exactly what I needed!

 

In one night, I reached out to 20+ food scientists. 

 

The response rates were much higher than I expected. I was able to interview a handful and started working with someone within a week. 

 

Oh, and then that person had another recommendation for a packaging supplier.

 

What originally felt like two monumental tasks were actually manageable once I broke them out into smaller action items. Not only that, I was able to get even farther simply by moving forward. 

 

All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other. From there, the rest came together.