2016 may just be the year to take the plunge. You’ve been thinking about that great concept, tinkering with recipes, maybe even selling products at farmer’s markets or to friends. It’s time to resign from your 9-5 job, and go for it! Not only because owning your own business is an incredible experience, and because you have an amazing product that people will want, but because the timing simply couldn’t be better. Here are a few of the key factors working in your favor.
THE TRENDS ARE ON YOUR SIDE
Society is very distrusting of large corporations, and that distrust has led to a renaissance for small and local business. Millennials, in particular, want to support local brands that they can identify with, and are fickle with their loyalties. They want to understand the brands they buy, they engage with the ones the like, and they influence them in a way that no generation before them has. That gives the small, local company that can engage with their audience more personally an opportunity to get into the conversation.
THE FOODIES HAVE TAKEN OVER
Foodie culture has become pervasive. In fact, what once was a fringe segment of the populous has become more of a mainstream norm. Anything craft, micro, unique, homemade, small batch, or artisan is like foodie gold. And most of the products that fit into these categories are born of sweat and passion. If your endeavor is driven by these things, there’s a good chance your product has a market just waiting for you to launch. Give the people what they want!
HYPER CONNECTIVITY
We live in an age where brands and consumers have an opportunity to have a direct and open dialogue. No longer is it a one way conversation. Social media has opened the door, but our hyper connected society has given rise to new ways to sell products online, creative distribution networks, blogger rock stars that can get you instant exposure, and new (think Open Bazaar) and expanding (think Amazon) marketplaces that can help you sell products. It’s never been easier to get your products to market.
THERE’S A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE
With a great product and a well written business plan, there are more legitimate sources to fund your startup business than at any time in history. Banks large and small are lending to small businesses at new post-recession highs, crowdfunding is increasingly becoming a game changing option for small businesses as the SEC continues to evolve crowdfunding rules, and if you have a truly innovative product or way to leverage technology, venture capitalists and angel investors are constantly looking for the next big idea to support. While no-one here is just giving money away, there’s a broad array of options for a good business idea to find startup funding.
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
There’s nothing better than being your own boss. There are plenty of benefits to working for someone else, but if you’re entrepreneurially inclined, you simply can’t beat the flexibility, accountability, and pride of ownership that building your own business can bring. If you’re close to jumping ship, it means you’ve given this plenty of thought, and probably as ready as you can be to just go for it. Surround yourself with the right people, be deliberate in your planning, and have confidence that a truly great idea will thrive.
YOU HAVE UPSTART FOOD BRANDS ON YOUR SIDE
The sobering reality, of course, is that many brands do fail. Despite all of the advantages, the margin for error for a new business is still awfully slim. Most startups have limited capital to invest, and a couple bad moves can doom even the most promising products. But you have Upstart Food Brands on your side. You have a ringer. An advantage over the competition. A company you can trust to help you avoid the pitfalls, and leverage the right opportunities. Contact us today. Let’s start the conversation!
