Savoring the Entrepreneurship Journey

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.