Entrepreneurs tapping farm mystique, food with ‘a story’ and more
By Jane Fyksen, Crops Editor
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 12:33 PM CDT
Deciding to add value to farm production or diversifying by launching some unrelated enterprise requires more than a creative idea.
It takes work targeted at marketing and a financial plan. However, having a passion for what you’ll be doing will turn most of that hard work into enjoyment, and hopefully, generous profits.
The first step is to think creatively about new product development. Brenda Reau harkens to the old Beach Boys’ hit with the probably familiar refrain, “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” Reau says finishing that phrase can be a powerful tool for would-be entrepreneurs. “Don’t get stuck worrying about the feasibility or how to implement the idea. The goal is to get you thinking about desirable products or services that would be ‘nice,’” she says of this easy brainstorming technique. Read the rest of this entry »
Every Bride Expects a Lovely Food Truck
Amy Maureen Yee had all the trappings of a Brooklyn wedding. An off-white lace dress that was a remake of a vintage gown. Bundles of tulips grown by her and the groom.
And food trucks serving huaraches, schnitzel and dumplings on paper plates.
“We started to look at traditional caterers and the costs were just crazy,” said Ms. Yee, who got married last month in the Green Building in Carroll Gardens. For a third of the price she hired three food trucks instead. Read the rest of this entry »
A New Location – Mark’s Carts in Ann Arbor
Mark’s Carts set to open Monday!
The highly anticipated opening of the downtown outdoor food cart courtyard is here.
Seven concessionaires will offer ethnic street food ranging from pulled-pork sandwiches to paella at the W. Washington St. location.
Construction is in its final stages at Mark’s Carts – the last concrete pour is happening this afternoon. Food carts will be open for business starting Monday, May 9. The beautiful outdoor courtyard — located at 211 W. Washington Street, between Ashley Street and S. First Street — is poised to become Ann Arbor’s premier street food scene. Details about a grand opening celebration will be distributed in the coming two weeks.
“The opening of the food cart courtyard is a dream achieved,” stated Mark Hodesh, owner of Downtown Home and Garden and originator of Mark’s Carts. “I am thrilled to offer this charming outdoor urban pocket of activity to the community.”
Seven food carts will be open for business in the courtyard. Vendors include: San Street (Asian street food); Debajo del Sol (Spanish paella and tapas); The Lunch Room (vegan entrees, sides and baked goods); eat (locally sourced hearty sandwiches); Darcy’s Cart (breakfast burritos and more); Humble Hogs (hoagies, braise-in-a bun, and other savory and sweet offerings), and People’s Pierogi Collective (a variety of homemade pierogi). Hodesh is still accepting applications to fill several additional spots.
The food cart courtyard will operate seven days a week from 8 am to 10 pm, and each cart will set its own hours. There is parking on the street and in a large surface lot just across the street, with entrances on Ashley St. and First St.
The idea for Mark’s Carts originated when Hodesh visited his daughter Jeanne in New York City last year. Impressed with the breadth of street food available there and the joyful, entrepreneurial spirit of the people running the carts, Hodesh decided to bring the concept home.
Food carts, food trucks, and other mobile food establishments have seen a sharp rise in popularity worldwide in recent years. Food carts allow for start-up entrepreneurs, without the capital required for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, to try their food ideas – typically using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. With the opening of Mark’s Carts, Ann Arbor takes its place on the map of street food hot-spots, alongside other U.S. cities like New York, Austin, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle.
People’s Pierogi Collective travels to the Thumb
On Friday January 21st the Peoples Pierogi Collective was invited to speak at the Women in Agri-Business III conference by ThumbWorks, a Michigan Works! Agency. The event featured four presenters on different areas of how to get started and to transition to the Agri-Business industry and was attended by about 100 women that were in related fields, farmers, new entrepreneurs, or people in the agriculture business.
This is my second time working with ThumbWorks and I again enjoyed the experience. ThumbWorks is a Michigan Works agency that directly services the people in the Thumb region of Michigan, including Bad Axe in Huron County, Lapeer in Lapeer County, Sandusky in Sanilac County, and Caro in Tuscola County, though their services are extended to people that don’t just live in those areas. They offer education programs, seminars and services geared towards helping entrepreneurs, and other useful services. You can find the full list of programs and services offered on their website at http://www.thumbworks.org/web/.
The crux of what I talked about was how to get started as an Agri-Preneur. I talked about how trying and difficult it can be but also about how rewarding it can be. If you just stuck in there then the reward can be great. I mentioned licensing classes and information on how to get financing for your business. It doesn’t take that much to get your business off of the ground, but you have to take that first step otherwise it’ll never get off of the ground.
I would say that overall the tone of the event was extremely positive, uplifting, and inspirational. It was letting women know that if they have a business idea that they want to try and start there’s tons of resources out there to give them help and for those that have already started their own business there’s lots of support out there for them too.
The Peoples Peirogi Collective was also invited to another event in March of this year by the good people at the ThumbWorks where we’ll be speaking to about 400 high school students from the thumb area of Michigan about entrepreneurship. Look for more information on that in the coming weeks!
MSU School of Packaging – Designs Delivered!
After many weeks of conceptualizing and experimentation, students from the Michigan State University’s School of Packaging revealed their design proto-types to the People’s Pierogi Collective. Anticipation was high as each of the 5 groups presented and explained why their concept fit all of our needs in distribution.
Concepts ranged from Frozen, Refrigerated and Microwavable. As well, each differed in materials: plastics, cardboard, etc. They listened to the needs of PPC and delivered. Their challenge in the beginning was to:
“Create a unique, cost-effective package that provides a long shelf-life, differentiates from the competition, considers the “homemade” aspect of the product, highlights the fun/witty brand and can be slightly modified to carry over to each new filling….. Is that all?”
Overall, it was a great experience working with students again. Their openness to new concepts and eagerness to step outside the “safe” norm – proved to be just what we were looking for! We will be moving forward with one of their designs. Right now I’m torn between two of the proposals. The winning design will be unveiled in early 2011. Stay tuned on where you’ll see it!
For many of the students, this was their final hour of class at MSU before graduation (and celebration at the local pub). I was honored to be part of such a pivotal point in the beginnings of their career. I wish them all the best and see great potential in what they will achieve in the business world. I only hope we’ll be able to circle around for the next product launching!
Good luck MSU Class of 2010 & 2011!
Thank you Eastern Market, Detroit Shoppers!
Last week marked the end of a great farmer’s market season and first year of business. The People’s Pierogi Collective would like to thank everyone for their support and for following their pierogi cravings. The latest filling, Sweet Potato – was a hit and sold out the two weeks available!
Although, we will not be at the market during the winter months, we’re not idle.
Based on many requests to take home pierogies, we are working with MSU students in further developing packaging. By spring 2011 (perhaps earlier), we will be launching our frozen/refrigerated products in local grocers and farmers market-goers. We’ve been utilizing the technologies of Skype and Vuroom to chat in groups virtually, discussing product and customer needs. Feel free to give us your input, as we are always open to suggestions.
In addition to packaging concepts, based on your votes, we are developing our merchandising line. Check out our two finalists for t-shirt concepts. Elvis Presley and Albert Einstein with pierogies – what’s not to love?
We want YOUR input! So, even though we won’t be at the market as the snow falls, please check back for further details on our grocery distribution, upcoming fillings, cart locations and online competitions.
The People We Meet Along the Way…
Patti Leja, PPC's newest Associate
Yes, the people we meet along the way…..
As we’ve grown the last few months, the outpouring of help, advice, guidance and well wishes has been immense. Friends old and new have opened doors to new opportunities abound.
The PPC has grown in Pierogi Associates – You’ll see new faces down at Eastern Market behind the grill and helping customers decide on fillings they fancy. Based on conversations and experiences the associates had on Saturday mornings, PPC rolled out VEGAN last weekend! And, we’ve been researching and experimenting with Gluten-Free options.
The Palmer Family - Tyler, Michaela, Kris
Our youngest Pierogi Associate, Tyler Palmer believed in the power of sampling. He thought if market goers who were unfamiliar with pierogies had an opportunity to try them, we’d win them over. He was right! We are now incorporating sampling into a daily habit.
We’ve also had the joys of experiencing music and culture at the market. A violinist, flute, bass and banjo player entertained us over the last few weekends. It’s amazing what the power of music and a pierogi can do! Will you play for pierogies? Seriously….. we want to know.
Local Eastern Market Musicians
In addition, we’ve begun working with the MSU Product Development Center on expanding the business into packaged goods for sale at local grocers. We presented the challenges and opportunities of PPC to the Fall Packaging Class. The demands of the product are great, but I’m sure their research and ingenuity will exceed expectations. It’s exciting to be back in school again! I’ll keep everyone posted during the on-going process.
Pierogies & Politics – It’s not just for breakfast anymore!
Rick Snyder, Michigan GOP Governor hopeful
Today was quite an eventful day of pierogies and politics down at Detroit’s Eastern Market. The Peoples Pierogi Collective was visited and sampled by Rick Snyder (aka “One Tough Nerd”), Ann Arbor’s businessman running for the GOP nomination for governor and Virg Bernero, Lansing’s mayor running for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Virg Bernero, Michigan Democat Governor hopeful
We won’t say who we’re partial to….. but, I will say I’m happy to hear both are in support of new entrepreneurs building business and jobs in the State of Michigan.
Don’t forget to get out and vote August 3rd!
We’re growing – Product Devlopment & Packaging
After great demand from customers and a couple local grocers, the People’s Pierogi Collective is in the process of expanding into packaging for at home consumption (aka – distribution). I’ve been working with the MSU Product Center in the details of this uncharted territory for PPC. The Center’s Innovation Counselors offered invaluable advice and suggested bringing the People’s Pierogi Collective product development and packaging challenges to the incoming MSU Packaging Seniors for their Fall Course Study. What a great idea! PPC was built on the premise of expanding education in new marketing concepts…. it only seems logical to expand the concept into packaging.
For those interested in learning more abot the MSU Product Center please see the recap below or visit them at http://www.productcenter.msu.edu/index.htm Read the rest of this entry »
Created by Philip Norton