Farmers Market Here I Come

I didn't realise that starting a new food brand was going to be as tough as this. Most of my problems stem from the fact that this is not the only thing I do. I currently run a catering company which always requires my attention. I am also working on an online portal, SAFARAMagazine.com which will have recipes, travel news and interviews from Africa and Africans. So perhaps I have taken on much too much. But I am coping. The effect has been that I have had less and less time to work on my spices. I still haven't chosen the recipes I like and the one I am going to use but I am determined to start selling my spice blends at the end of February. I have got a name, which is a step forward. I have also decided that I will take my wares to a couple of farmers markets near me, which would serve as market research anyway. Even going to the local market requires a lot of preparation. Thankfully, my kitchen has been registered by the local authority and it is easy to get insurance for selling at the market. I still need to choose packaging, choose the logo I intend on using and print the labels. But not to worry...I like the pressure. I will get it all done by the end of Feb.
Look out for a range of African spice blends, next time you are at the farmers market.

Signing out, It's Amie

Meeting Suppliers

I haven't written in a while. For two reasons: one is that my catering business has picked up and two is because I am just plain lazy. Anyway, I am back now and I think I will try and make at least a couple of posts a month. I think a post a fortnight is not a bad idea and won't kill me. Lots has happened since I last posted,but I will concentrate on a couple of biggies.
I met one of the possible suppliers earlier this week. It was a wonderful and productive meeting. We spoke for three hours with me telling him about what I wanted to achieve and him giving me advice on how best to proceed. It did require me going back to the drawing board on some counts but I am pleased about the changes he proposed.
I also know now that I will need about £35,000 a month for the amount of stock I want to buy and for warehousing and salary costs.
I am also starting an African food magazine, so that people who currently don't know much about African food will have a portal where they can download recipes and also read fabulous travel reports. It is a good way for me to introduce people to African food and also my products. It isn't up yet, but when it is (which I hope will happen later on this month)you will find it at http://www.safaramagazine.com.
Let me know what you think about the magazine.
I'll write soon.

Amiexx