posted 10-03-2009 09:27 AM                  

Our approach to this marketplace will be to introduce a "boutique" beef jerky that is worthy of being included in the "Fancy Food" market. Top round beef makes it far more tender and the flavor comes from a unique number of marinades that Dave has perfected over the years. We do marinade the meat which many no longer do (takes too long to marinade and dry). Flavor names are creative and unique - Original (OK, not creative), Gut Warmer (Medium), Suffrin' Bastard, (Hot) It'll Hurt Ya' (Very Hot), and Lethal, (Extremely Hot) with other flavors coming - he makes a wonderful Garlic, spicy Garlic, Teriyaki, (Painted Lady?) Teriyaki Ginger (Asian Hooker?) and others but we are concentrating on the first four flavors at first. Level of heat will be determined by red colored bullets on the label off to the right.

The Brand will be around "No Name Cowboy" who is my brother - he is a registered Cowboy in S.A.S.S. - the single action shooters society. He is a real cowboy and to say the least, is a character. He will be the brand (think Orvile Redinbacher, Col Sanders etc.) The portrait which is the basis of our label, letterhead , business cards etc., is having color applied and we should have it back this week. Colors are reds, burgundy's yellows and Black. It is really beautiful. I have a friend who is a portrait artist and did this for us based on about 50 pictures he took of Dave.

We are buying much more expensive "Barrier Bags" which will keep the jerky fresher longer with no preservatives.
Our target markets will be upscale shops that carry "boutique" products - as you know things like Bar-B- Que sauce can go for $1.99 all the way up to ten bucks or not. That's what the fancy foods products are all about. Upscale products which are far superior and do cost more - but they are worth it.

Our Jerky is going to be locally produced, with Ohio Grain Fed Beef, Labels, bags etc all from Ohio Companies. Our Beef Jerky like so many others will be low carb, high protein low fat (extremely low) but our approach is to be all natural, no preservatives, beef with no hormones, additives etc. More expensive but people are buying these types of products. We sell about 50 Lb's of it a month right now bootleg meaning just to friends until we get legal.

We already have four shops to carry it when we get legal. We have a bunch complete, but a bunch to do. We have put a good amount of money up and I believe we can be successful if we are smart.

If I could make the money doing this I would quit the technology biz in a heart beat. Our marketing plans are crazy fun - Any thoughts input would be much appreciated. We have no experience in the Fancy Food Market. So we are just stupid enough to think we can pull this off....

More to come,

Thanks for reading,

John "I now have a ton of time on my hands"

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posted 10-03-2009 10:07 AM                  

Thanks .....Yep - I bet that would be a place where it may sell. Those gift shops have unique things. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's all of those we can dream about. Based on what I learned in New York at the Fancy Food Show (and I sat with the president of NASFT for lunch, spoke with folks who had become millionaires doing this - Tera Chips, Dave's Insanity etc. - I worked about 18 hours a day visiting and listening to people who have been in this market for some time - all GREAT people I have to say and eager to offer help and advice), we will start small and do this right. When I asked Jack Acree in one of my classes (one of the founders of Terra Chips) how he did it and what advice could he offer, (he too had no experience in the FF market, had a job selling other products etc.) he said to stay focused and don't grow too fast - he said he had to say; "no" a number of times because he knew that signing up companies when he could not deliver product fast enough would be a problem. That's when you go to a Co-packer, someone who makes it for you. But then we lose the "Artisan" label. That's all down the road if we can pull this off.

You can read Jack's Story here....
http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/nasft/session.php?id=2948

Darn, I'm getting excited just typing all this out ! I love this jerky and used to have my brother send it to Dallas when I lived there for 12 years. It is addicting. Again, I do not know the marinades (Secret) and when people ask Dave what he puts in it because it is so addicting, true to form his answer is: "Man, you really don't want to know". They always get a good laugh out of that.

Thanks !

John

PS. Many of our customers ar people who would not typically buy Oberto's, Jack Links etc. Like me, they don't like store bought mass produced jerky but love this stuff. Many woman expecially love it and buy it from me and tell me that they love it. My buddies that golf love it. Right now, I would say 80% say it is the best the have ever had, 10% say they like it. 5% say it is OK and offer suggestions like lessen the salt, too hot (Even the original) and 5% say they just do not care for it.

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posted 10-03-2009 10:17 AM                  

Let me get the labels and bags complete (working this week) and we'll send you some samples out... if you like it tell everyone and place an order and we'll sell you some OK ? Let me know your preference and I'll send you some (Original, Medium, Hot etc). We can legally sell to friends, can not legally sell retail yet. And we can not sell across state lines until we have our "bug"..... agricultural stamp. We have sent to the labs here in Ohio and it tested perfect for bacteria water content etc. Now we have the Ohio Department of Agriculture to approve but are on our way to get legal. Right now we sell in 1/4 lb, 1/2 Lb and 1 lb increments. We sell it for 8 bucks for 4 oz, $15 for 8 oz and $28 for 16 oz. When we get up and running these will be close to our wholesale prices. And we will introduce smaller packages. Oddly enough, right now most order a lb and they go through it quickly.

Regards,

John

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posted 10-03-2009 10:29 AM                  

I am working on a 1 oz sample bag to hand out with a label and contact info. Before I commit to sending out a ton of samples I need to check the price of shipping ! Guess I need to work a deal with FedEx too ! But sample are certainly a part of our marketing..... For those who want to try it I'll get bags and labels (labels may take time as the printer has to set the dies etc.) and see what I can do to get it too you....

OK, so I told you we have crazy fun marketing ideas.... think Daizy Duke (the Jerky Girls) dressed in Cowboy boots, hot pants and a "No Name Cowboy" midriff shirt (nothing too suggestive, just pretty girls handing out samples and selling jerky) in front of the places that carry our competitors jerky.....

Oh the possibilities !

John

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posted 10-03-2009 10:36 AM                  

John

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posted 10-03-2009 12:38 PM                  

My Daughter owns the K-9 Depot here in Conn, she had bought a small dehydrator & a smoker some time ago because she liked to make her own beef jerky because she liked it & for the kennel dogs as a treat & sometimes would give the dog owners a bit to take home for their dogs.
Anyway I'll make a long story short, it became so popular she now has a commercial dehydrator & a smoker which I picked up at an auction for her, she now also sells all kinds of jerky to her clients plus she also has a few dozen Kennels & high end pet shops she sells to.

You can get more $$$$ per ounce as pet treats than people food, as an example she recently did chicken, breast jerky flavored with mint & parsley, retail $15.00 for 15oz, Just Another Venue you might want to explore with your business.
Right now her jerky sales are covering a decent part of her mortgage.

Best of luck
toys

posted 10-03-2009 03:48 PM                  

Cool story and I'm not laughing at all...... We have a story which we will post on YouTube with a direct link on our web site....

I have a friend who has a German Sheapard - Brutus. Brutus will not eat ANYTHING out of Jerry's hand except our Original flavor Beef Jerky. Everything else he takes, drops it in the middle of the room, smells it, pushes it around with his nose and then he might eventually eat it. Our Jerky he eats immediately without inspection.

We gave him a piece of Uncle Mikes Beef jerky. Brutus took it over to the middle of the room, walked around it for a while and then came back to Jerry as if to say; "What happened to the good stuff?"

Jerry buys 2 lbs a month from us.... I agree, the Dog angle might be a good one. And people will buy stuff for their poochies. Thanks !

No Name Cowboys Horse treats..... Hmmmmm

Thanks,

John

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posted 10-03-2009 09:00 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Stray Cat:
Hey Toys,

Cool story and I'm not laughing at all...... We have a story which we will post on YouTube with a direct link on our web site....

I have a friend who has a German Sheapard - Brutus. Brutus will not eat ANYTHING out of Jerry's hand except our Original flavor Beef Jerky. Everything else he takes, drops it in the middle of the room, smells it, pushes it around with his nose and then he might eventually eat it. Our Jerky he eats immediately without inspection.

We gave him a piece of Uncle Mikes Beef jerky. Brutus took it over to the middle of the room, walked around it for a while and then came back to Jerry as if to say; "What happened to the good stuff?"

Jerry buys 2 lbs a month from us.... I agree, the Dog angle might be a good one. And people will buy stuff for their poochies. Thanks !

No Name Cowboys Horse treats..... Hmmmmm

Thanks,

John

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John
It's a known fact that people will take their pets to a vet before they go to a doctor no matter how sick they are, they will go with out to make sure their pets have the best, this was only a suggestion for you, it certainly is working for my Daughter Kelly.

I just spoke her & she has worked out a deal with several local supermarkets to buy their chicken skins & certain other renderings to make chicken rinds (along the same lines of pork rinds) which she says she can't even come close to meeting her demand.

Again the best of luck to you John

posted 10-03-2009 11:28 PM                  

I agree - pets rule and we should figure a way to make $$$$ here. Tough when you are using an expensive cut but your daughter is on to something there.....

Mac - I'll be there ! Shelley and I have talked and I am coming Sunday thru Tuesday - have to be back Tuesday evening but I really wanted to go so bad........ Wish I could stay for the entire thing but being there for half of it will be worth it !

See you there and I will try and bring samples !

Sincerely,

John

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posted 10-05-2009 08:22 PM                  

That would pull my eye to your product fast. I was in grocery retail management over 10 years.

Gives it that ole timie look if you ask me.

If memory serves me correctly, they did not have 4 colour presses back in the 1800's did they.

ED - wanna comment he he he

posted 10-06-2009 10:11 PM                  

Sincerely,

John

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