Getting your product into grocery stores takes time and requires networking with retailers & buyers in the food industry. Ashley Kirk, Founder of Planted Foods Co, a plant based food company walks us through: How to get your products onto store shelves by networking and other strategies The consumer research Ashley conducted to decide the products she would sell Her winding career path that led to going vegan and building a plant based food business Full show notes at profoodmaker.com

Pro Food Maker

30: Tips for getting your product into grocery stores w/ Planted Foods Co.

You won’t be able to bootstrap your food business forever and might need investors, says Kai Nortey, co-founder & CEO of Kube Nice Cream. This vegan ice cream manufacturer explains: Why venture capital (VC) may not be right for you as a food business owner The types of conversations you might have with potential investors  Potential problems working with co-packers & getting into grocery stores Full show notes at profoodmaker.com

29: How to find investors for your business w/Kube Nice Cream

Are you a food truck owner having trouble with marketing and keeping your social media pages updated? Ariel D. Smith, The Food Truck Scholar, has quick & easy tips for you. Ariel also chats about: How she created an audio diary for food truckers using her podcast Opportunities for current and future food truck owners The importance of insuring your deposit for events Full show notes at profoodmaker.com

28: Food truck marketing tips with The Food Truck Scholar

Interested in getting more press for your business? Mercedes outlines common mistakes we make when pitching to media outlets and tips on how to successfully pitch to journalists, podcasters, YouTubers, and bloggers.

27: How to pitch to media outlets

Geo Darwin, a Philadelphia-based food & lifestyle blogger and content creator, is on a mission to highlight underrepresented people in food & beverage. We chat about: Being consistent as a content creator Why blogging isn’t dead and the evolution of blogging The Philly food scene Full show notes: https://profoodmaker.com/geos-table

26: Navigating social media to grow your brand with Geo’s Table

Courtney Lindsay is the chef & owner of Houston Sauce Co, a super popular vegan food company in Houston, TX. Courtney shares: how a hot sauce turned into a food truck, BBQ trailer, storefront, and more what food truck owners need to do to grow their business and who they need to hire how much a food truck costs   Mentioned in this episode $2 tacos, Drippy Southwest Burger, the lump crab gumbo, and the garlic parmesan wangz Texas Southern University Food Network’s Chopped Max’s Wine Dive restaurant New York Film Academy  Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern DJ Reel Chill (Chasitie Lindsay) Pro Food Maker’s Instagram post about the $2 tacos Jarrett Milton, co-owner of Houston Sauce Pit  Sauce Co Shoppette provides grab & go items (non-fried) (cajun alfredo, gumbo, chik’n & mac, lemonade, etc) TRUE Laundry Detergent (Black owned). Order from TRUE’s website or Sauce Co. Shoppette. Tennessee Hot Tacos Big Hot Chik’n Sammich   Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Connect with Courtney Lindsay & Houston Sauce Co. Instagram: @houstonsauceco Twitter: @houstonsauceco Website: houstonsauceco.com   Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

25: Houston Sauce Co.’s vegan empire started with a hot sauce recipe

Want to open a restaurant, bakery, cafe, food hall, or food space/facility? Learn restaurant start up costs and best practices from Felicia Middleton, an architectural designer for food spaces, specializing in food service design. Hear about: The costs for equipment, renovations, etc The steps you need to take to open a restaurant Common mistakes & misconceptions about opening a restaurant   Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Connect with Felicia Middleton & the Foodie Builder Instagram: @foodiebuilder Twitter: @foodiebuilder  LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/urbanaesthetics Website: foodiebuilder.com Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

24: How much does it cost to open a restaurant or food space?

Meet Kyle Sexton, the owner of Kyle’s Good Finds, a Black owned bakery in Tokyo, Japan. We chat about: How and why Kyle moved to Tokyo 30 years ago His bakery’s best sellers which includes carrot cake  The importance of having true friends who will support you Mentioned in this episode Rhode Island School of Design - Photography Minshuku - Guesthouse accommodations that are family-owned and family-run Mandarake - popular used goods chain in Japan. Mostly known for their comics and toys. Nakano Sun Plaza - Hotel in the Nakano neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan that has a concert hall and several restaurants. Shinjuku Station Edogawa - neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan KitchenAid flour/grain mill attachment (affiliate link) Takkyubin - Shipping & delivery service in Japan JAFA: Japan African American Friendship Association Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify   Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss Connect with Kyle Sexton & Kyle’s Good Finds Instagram: @kylesgoodfinds Facebook: @kylesgoodfinds  Website: https://kylesgoodfinds.net/ Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

23: Life in Tokyo, Japan as a Black Bakery Owner

Welcome to Season 2! Mercedes talks about highlights, media features, and collaborations from Season 1. She finishes the episode with an Ask Me Anything segment and a sneak peek for the new season. Mentioned in this episode How to Support Black Owned Restaurants & Food Businesses Long-Term guide Ep 17: Improve your food photography skills with food blogger Anela Malik The Food Truck Scholar Podcast 20 Food Podcasts by Black Women on soulphoodie.com Pro Food Maker was featured in MOFAD, Food + Tech Connect, Washington City and more (Pro Food Maker Press page) Pro Food Maker was featured by Apple Podcasts Houston Sauce Co Favorite Black Owned Restaurants in Houston 2020 Edition on profoodmaker.com Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify   Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast  Website: profoodmaker.com Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

22: Season 2 Sneak Peek & Ask Me Anything

The new season of Pro Food Maker launches this month! Find out how an extra 15 seconds of your time will lead to a bonus episode. Subscribe to this podcast and follow us on Instagram @profoodmaker. Thank you for listening and for your support.

21: Season 2 Announcement + Listener Challenge

If you are looking to grow your career in hospitality, food & beverage, you need a mentor.  Lorraine Copes founded BAME in Hospitality, an organization that supports and promotes Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities in the hospitality sector through education, coaching, and mentorship. Lorraine walks us through:  how and why she created BAME in Hospitality how you can join the BAME in Hospitality community   Mentioned in this episode BAME: Acronym used in the UK that stands for Black, Asian, and other Ethnic Minorities Black in Hospitality founded by Tolu Aladejebi Diversity in Wine & Spirits - Lia Jones, Executive Director   Connect with Lorraine & BAME in Hospitality Instagram: @bameinhospitality Twitter: @BameHospitality Website: https://www.bameinhospitality.co.uk/ Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify   Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

20: How to grow your hospitality career with mentorship & coaching

Where can Black professionals in the food industry go for professional development, collaboration, and support? Colleen Vincent and Clay Williams founded Black Food Folks, a fellowship that centers Black people, our accomplishments, and our growth in food & drink. Colleen & Clay walk us through:  the food industry's gatekeeping and how that affects opportunities for Black people media's obsession with one Black chef at a time how and why they created Black Food Folks immediate changes they want to see in food & beverage how you can support Black chefs, writers, creatives, etc Mentioned in this episode Nicole Taylor Marcus Samuelsson JJ Johnson   Edouardo Jordan Black Food Folks daily conversations on Instagram Live Garrett Oliver talks with Jackie Summers on Black Food Folks Instagram Live Fresh Fest  Adam Rapoport, former Editor In Chief of Bon Appetit resigns (Eater article) Whetstone Magazine  For the Culture  While Entertaining by Amber Mayfield CashApp: $BlackFoodFolks Black Food Folks partners with Discover on the Eat It Forward Program (website & Instagram post) Connect with Colleen Vincent, Clay Williams & Black Food Folks Instagram: @BlackFoodFolks, @ms_collycol, @ultraclay  Twitter: @BlackFoodFolks, @Collycol, @ultraclay  Facebook: @Blackfoodfolks Website: blackfoodfolks.com   Listen to this episode   Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify   Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com  Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

19: Centering Black people in food & beverage with Black Food Folks

You don’t need to be a celebrity chef to create your own cookbook. LVNGbook, created by Shaun Chavis, a former cookbook editor, offers culturally-inclusive customizable cookbooks for people with a chronic disease. Shaun walks us through:  the importance of customer discovery when building your app how to find developers to build your app potential revenue streams for your app Mentioned in this episode Health Magazine Master’s Degree in Gastronomy at Boston University ABC 11 WTVD news  Digital Undivided Kemiko Lawrence of Kemboocha MyPlate U.S. dietary guidelines Brazil dietary guidelines Intentionally Good Project - Goodie Nation  Joey Womack Google for Startups Atlanta Academy   Connect with Shaun Chavis & LVNGbook Instagram: @shaunchavis and @lvngbook Twitter: @shaunchavis Pinterest: pinterest.com/lvngbook Website: lvngbook.com   Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast  Website: profoodmaker.com  Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

18: Create & customize your own cookbook using your phone with Shaun Chavis of LVNGbook

Anela Malik is a food blogger & food writer who focuses on food politics and telling diverse food stories. Anela chats about her work that supports Black owned restaurants and walks us through: How to plan your content based on your mission statement. The equipment and apps she uses to create food content. The importance of networking as a content creator and how to genuinely build relationships. Mentioned in this episode How to Support Black Owned Restaurants & Food Businesses Long Term on ProFoodMaker.com Ben’s Chili Bowl DMV Black-Owned Restaurants Open During COVID-19 on FeedTheMalik.com How You Can Support DC Black-Owned Restaurants Now Washingtonian article Black owned restaurant resource bank (upcoming; will update with a link later) Software that Anela uses for her social media content: Adobe Premier Rush Adobe Lightroom Parker Arrow Lightroom presets Emulsio video stabilizer iPhone app Instories app for iOS and Android phones Later visual planning and scheduling tool for Instagram. Also has a library of free resources   Food & Politics reading Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin The Cooking Gene by Michael Twitty “As COVID-19 Disrupts the Industrial Meat System, Independent Processors Have a Moment to Shine” on Civil Eats People of Color are at Greater Risk of COVID-19. Systemic Racism in the Food System Plays a Role on Civil Eats The D.C. Region Doesn’t Have Full-Time Food Critics of Color. Why That Matters on Washington City Paper The Sickness in Our Food Supply on The New York Review on Books Connect with Anela Malik & Feed the Malik Instagram: @feedthemalik Website: feedthemalik.com Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com  Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

17: Improve your food photography skills with food blogger Anela Malik

Mike Bradford, Founder & President of Wonderffle, is a software engineer who invented a stuffed waffle iron that lets you make waffles with your favorite foods inside. Mike walks us through: Cost estimates for manufacturing your kitchen appliance Lessons learned from finding the right manufacturer for your invention How to save money on filing for your patent How he was able to get feedback from chefs & food media    Mentioned in this episode NSF certified Steven Harvey’s Funderdome   Connect with Mike Bradford & Wonderffle Instagram: @wonderffle Twitter: @wonderffle  Website & order directly: wonderffle.com   Listen to this episode Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the RSS feed: http://profoodmaker.libsyn.com/rss   Reach out to the Pro Food Maker Podcast Website: profoodmaker.com  Instagram: instagram.com/profoodmaker Facebook: facebook.com/profoodmaker Twitter: twitter.com/profoodmakerpod Hashtags: #profoodmaker #profoodmakerpodcast

16: How a software engineer invented a stuffed waffle iron

Showcasing Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the food industry. Join the host, Mercedes Gosby, to discover the resources, tools, and strategies you need to grow your food business or food career, no matter where you are in your journey.

hubhopper

Pro Food Maker

hubhopper