
Savoring the Entrepreneurship Journey
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Like I said last week, things are hard now. But it’s times like these when you're put to the test. I have certain standards I’m trying to maintain. Because of that, I know my product won’t taste exactly like Little Bites and magically be healthier. I think my customers are okay with that, but I don’t want to completely compromise on taste.
If there was an easy button, someone else would've hit it and done this already.
I also don't want to forget that this is what I signed up for!
I craved a new challenge. Every ounce of me wanted to start a business, regardless of the hardships that I might endure.
Recently, I learned that many food products contain modifiers, which combine several ingredients into a single product used in a recipe.
Think baking powder - it’s composed of 4 ingredients, but we commonly know it as a single ingredient added to a recipe.
There are a few companies that offer modifiers to extend shelf life, increase moisture, improve texture, etc.
Last week, the food scientist I’m working with received a recommendation for a specific modifier from another food scientist.
After researching the 4 ingredients included in that modifier, I realized I wasn’t keen on using one of the ingredients because it was chemically processed.
Alright, that’s one option. What else can we consider?
When I posed that question to the food scientist, she told me that there aren’t other options, that’s what is used in the industry and I should use it too.
For better or for worse, I tend to question things. Could this really be the only option in the entire food and beverage industry?
Sure, there might be one option that’s best to achieve a specific result. But there’s always an alternative - even if it’s something that falls outside of my crazy standards.
So, I went back to my recipe developer.
I showed her the modifier and explained there was one ingredient I would like to avoid if possible. She said she would take a look around.
She shared another option the next day.
After reaching out to the company, we saw that the ingredients in the new modifier met our criteria.
We immediately requested a sample and it will be in the recipe developer's hands later today.
It may or may not fix all of our concerns. Either way, it’s a big step forward.
By now, we’ve run through a lot of samples, as you very well know.
With each sample, we learn and we continue to improve.
Food products in this category face a crowded marketplace.
Customers are smart. They also have endless options.
To create a product that people want to eat again, it must at least meet, if not exceed, customer expectations.
As frustrating as these challenges can be, I can't let them get to me.
Developing a product is something I've always wanted to do.
Therefore, I am constantly reminding myself to savor the journey.