Nevada City – Budding food entrepreneurs dreaming of a successful food business in the new year can learn from industry experts later this month.
Sierra Commons is hosting a free information session and case study from 6 to 7:30 pm. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Petra, a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Nevada City. Pre-registration is required at www.sierracommons.org/food-entrepreneur-accelerator
“Are you navigating the challenges of growing your food business or dreaming of starting one? We’ve seen students transform their aspirational ideas into actual revenue-generating businesses. We’re excited to help guide the next batch of food entrepreneurs who want to take their ideas to the next level in the new year,” said Robert X Trent, Executive Director of Sierra Commons.
The info session will feature a real-world USDA case study of a bakery from rural Northern Colorado called “The Pig and The Plow.” Attendees will learn how the business grew from its humble beginnings in a shared kitchen to a thriving success story mastering wholesale, retail and online sales.
Participants will explore the inspiring journey of the founder of “The Pig and The Plow” and how they tackled key growth challenges. Learn how they transitioned from labor-for-rent arrangements to affordable commercial kitchen access, managed limited production capacity and adapted to business disruptions. This USDA case study highlights the creative strategies and innovative partnerships used to overcome the challenges of running a food business in a rural setting.
Tim Yamauchi will guide the discussion, sharing actionable strategies for scaling a food business for cottage food producers, restaurateurs and caterers. Yamauchi is a principal of the management consulting practice, Inside the Mountain, LLC. A Harvard Business School graduate with more than 30 years of experience in high-growth business, strategy development and innovation, Yamauchi has successfully led startups and early-stage companies in a variety of industries from founding to exit.
Following the discussion, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions about the upcoming Food Entrepreneur Accelerator Program to be held Feb. 11 – March 13 and gain valuable insight into how it can help people take their food business to the next level.
Learn more and register www.sierracommons.org/food-entrepreneur-accelerator
Since 2009, Sierra Commons has committed to creating a more sustainable and resilient local economy by helping folks turn their passions into jobs with a purpose.