On the quest to pursue your own food business, there are a myriad of factors that contribute to its success. These could range from branding, social media awareness, unique flavor and menu, insurance, and customer outreach programs.
To help enhance the flavor and presentation of your business, FLIP has reached out to one of our customers to share their personal experience as they entered the food business. We also asked for any secret recipes they had in finding success after starting their own business.
Head Chef and owner of 2 Fish & 5 Loaves BBQ, Terrance Williams, shares five distinct tips to help individuals who are looking to take the leap and start their own food business
DEVELOP YOUR FLAVOR
Chef Terrance Williams entered the food industry nearly a year and half ago, after working 15 years in the IT job sector. Forged from the desire to deliver authentic southern barbecue catering, 2 Fish & 5 Loaves BBQ, a full-service mobile catering company, opened to serve any size event throughout the DC Metropolitan area.
Two Fish & Five Loaves BBQ sticks by the motto: “Any location, any event, any time.” Their unique outlook established a standard of excellence customers have come to know and expect.
Small food business owners must develop their company’s flavor. “If you are looking to enter the industry, the key thing is to be passionate about what you do,” said Williams.
ENGAGE WITH THOSE YOU SERVE
Along with a deep passion, a new food business owner must be willing to engage directly with the customers they serve. Whether that be through reviews, an app, or striking up a conversation with the customer as they order, it is crucial to make the connection.
“Find any way you can to get people to taste your food,” Williams said. “Once they have tasted, follow-up with the client and get real feedback on your services.”
To improve taste, delivery and overall experience, food business owners must not be afraid to directly engage with their client base. Chef Williams gathered input and critiques before and during the launch of his business to help alleviate bumps and hangups as they occurred.
DEVOTE TIME TO SOCIAL MEDIA
“Use social media as a platform to showcase your food,” Chef Williams shared.
Creating an inviting social presence opens the door for first-time customers to get a feel for the type of food you serve. 2 Fish & 5 Loaves BBQ utilizes their Facebook account to display mouth-watering plates of finger lickin’ good BBQ.
2 Fish & 5 Loaves BBQ captures catering highlights, tickles their followers taste buds, and displays their unique personality through social posts and comments. How can customers resist when they scroll past delicious food like theirs?
ENHANCE YOUR NON-COOKING SKILLS
Chef Terrance Williams shared a list of things he wished he would have known before embarking on his food business venture.
- Learn and apply time management skills
- Research and fill-out all appropriate paperwork
- Hire qualified staff members
- Don’t forget food safety certification
GET INSURANCE
“To help alleviate bumps in the road, don’t forget to obtain insurance,” Chef Williams said.
Protect the food business you love with Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). FLIP offers food business insurance plans starting at only $299 per year or $25.92 per month including general and product liability coverage.
Want to know more about 2 Fish & 5 Loaves BBQ? Visit their website for more information.
Also, connect with them on Facebook!
BY LYNDSEY LARSEN
Lyndsey Larsen is the Marketing Manager and writes about business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and insurance.
Lyndsey Larsen is an experienced writer with a background in corporate communications nonprofits, SAAS corporations, and nutraceutical companies. She has previously worked as a journalist for regional and national publications. In her spare time, she enjoys chasing butterflies, rockhounding, and spending time with her two kids in Utah’s mountains or deserts. Find Lyndsey on LinkedIn.
