Growth Secrets for Food Entrepreneurs: Expanding from Farmer's Markets to E-Commerce

This Is Small Business

Wondering if your small business is ready to scale and how to smoothly transition into e-commerce? Just ask Val Fishbain, co-founder of Spread the Love Foods, who successfully took her business from the local farmer’s market to the online world, all while staying true to her community roots. Val shares her experience selling at farmer’s markets, what it took to make the leap to e-commerce, and the importance of giving back as her business grew. You’ll also hear from Viridiana Ponce, a business consultant and food industry expert, who dives into how to leverage farmer’s markets to enhance your business and the crucial steps for expanding beyond your local market while staying connected to your community.

Learn the essential steps for scaling up like maintaining product quality, engaging with your community, and conducting market research to confidently take your business online.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(2:28) How Val’s thoughtful wedding favor quickly turned into a full-blown business.

(4:22) Thinking of starting a food business from home? Learn the preparation and licenses to make sure you do it right!

(5:41) Val’s first experience selling her products at a farmer’s market.

(9:34) The benefits that come with starting at a farmer’s market.

(10:44) How tracking sales at a farmer’s market can help you get funding.

(11:40) When should you consider expanding? Viridiana lists what you should be looking for to make sure you’re ready for that next step.

(15:02) Three essential strategies for a successful transition to e-commerce.

(18:58) How giving back through your business can help your business grow and succeed.