I’ve started putting thought into my business. And think the plans may be rearranged abit. Let me show you.
I had thought about making products because I love making things, baking things, putting things together, etc…
But then I was thinking to myself, my goal is to help people learn how to eat healthy.
If I create a product, I am helping one area: adding a product to a shelf for people that are already raw vegan or have their curiousities peaked about being raw vegan. That’s one item (or two or three).
But my passion surpasses wanting to put one item on the shelf. I want to help people become healthier; to meet a niche group in a wider circle. And if I teach people to become healthier than they can teach those people to become healthier. Just by eating healthier can help persuade someone to do the same.
Do you see how the bubble expands and causes a ripple effect?
Awesome video by Jamie Oliver called “Teach every child about food”
So, after I blogged about my Biz Idea (Thank you! Loved all the feedback and interest) I just happened to run across something that peeked my interest – building an online business to coach, mentor, help that niche group of people in a wider circle. I know someone that already runs this type of business and then followed it to her mentor who runs in a bigger scale for this type of business.
My Financial Brain, as it likes to be frugal, decided not to buy the NOW products (as they are very expensive), but to map out these mentor’s business maps through researching their layouts, websites, and catalog/curriculum information.
Now, don’t get me wrong… along the way I will need help. But the beginning things I have an upper hand on due to me blogging and knowing about websites -n- stuff.
My To-Do List
After mapping general guidelines I’ve have my basic To-Do layout:
The order to proceed:
- Build a brand
- Build a Website
- Build a Blog
- Make my eZines
- Make a Teaser
- Network site
- Write eBOOKs that sell
- List Building
- …
The list will continue, as I have more, but this is a good start to keep me busy. My plans are to blog about these steps as I go through them. There still will be a “Shop” on my link, hosting raw-vegan products, but that is further down the list. Then with the “Blog” I will still get to make/cook things to promote healthy eating.
Well, not to overwhelm with information, I will stop here. Your thoughts?
You do know that this type of information can help you excel with your website/product even if you’re not Raw Vegan. 
New Show via ABC premiering tonight: Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Moneyfunk, I make my living full time online and although I am no expert I have a fair grasp of things and how they work…. basically I may be able to help answer any Q’s…. be very weary of buying any product that says it tells you how to build something and make XX (even though I know you know this already it’s easy to be pulled in by the hype).
Anyway i’ll try and send you a mail at some point with some bits.
I can’t wait to see this grow.
Thank you. I’d like that.
And perhaps I still feel something from the hype (even though I didn’t buy). But the steps and processes to make this work can be easily implemented with time and effort.
And I don’t think its wrong to buy in hype as long as you do your research. Get feedback, personally, from those that have already bought the product. Take down time to make sure you want to invest in this ‘product’. Or ask yourself, can you learn this instead by doing your own research; check out books/audio at the library, etc…
I would love to see some good raw vegan granola bar type things. I think those are few and far between!
Did you see this Holistic Chocolate Chip Cookie? Yum! So stick with the first idea.
I don’t know how I missed the first post on this Christine. I wouldn’t want you to slow down getting to market because nothing beats experience in it, but I’d encourage you to do a little research to define things like the size of your market, what they look like, how they think, and if there is an lifecycle they typically follow. You have a bit of a leg-up because you are part of your own market, but that can lead to a lot of biases too. Doing some basic research can help you craft products that fit their needs better and present them when they are looking for them. Hit me up any time. I wish you the best.
Thank you. I love how I am getting all this support.
I agree about testing the market. That is one of the things I like about this new approach. It is easier to implement and will allow me analyze the market by building a blog, website, community. Not only that, it is financially cheaper. I think I may be able to find a happy medium between the two ideas w/out being overwhelmed by processing too much. I think I am getting the hang of this. Christine takes over the raw food world.
Now I just need to learn to delegate some of the lower priority tasks.
Christine,
Plenty of people will tell you what you need to do, but one thing is essential: do more than just think about ideas because as we both know, it’s hard to take action and not to become overwhelmed.
We know that behind everything on that list you created, there is a lot of work to be done. Just… keep going
There is a lot of work. I am having trouble just getting to number one. LOL. Actually I am waiting to think about it under the sun and implement when I get back.
Okay, actions speak louder than words. *off to scribble ideas*.
I agree with Moon, don’t think about it too much or you will never actually do it!
I was a planner, trying to figure out all the variables and most of the time the idea seemed like an unrealistic concept.
However, when I took that mentality away, and said “ok lets just try it, even if is not cost effective, or it isn’t perfect” when I did this getting something started, actual enabled me to see clearly where things didn’t work, and then I could adjust things accordingly. But I would never of had the chance to change direction if I hadn’t even tried something.
For me ideas evolve when I see them right before my eyes.
I have decided to move forward and set ‘deadlines’ for myself. Even if its not a perfect start and least I am moving forward.
Christine: ditto what Moon Hussain says. At some point, you just gotta leap off the cliff!! So while you are practicing your hula moves in Maui, think about putting your thoughts into action.
Hi April! That the hardest part, but here I go to take the leap. Thank U!
This is very exciting! I think I’ve told you this before… but I am vegan and would love to someday go raw vegan. I try to eat a lot of raw foods already. And actually, I am working on starting a vegan cookie company! One of my cookies will be raw. My latest post on my blog is about my aspiring cookie company. I think it is great you are doing this… especially because it is your passion! I’m excited to read more about your venture!
I like going Raw Vegan. I love the smoothies in the morning. Its the only way to get my teenager to ‘eat’ breakfast. LOL. I am excited to see how your cookie works out at the Farmer’s market and then the stores!
I would suggest getting in touch with the local small business association. A lot of time they will help partner you up with a successful (retired) business person who can mentor you a bit. It also offers classes on basic needs for starting a business, including writing up proposals for loans/grants. And contacting some Women In Business type organizations might help you secure grants.
Oh true, like SCORE. True, true. Thank you for bringing that too my attention. I should look into our local city’s Small Business association, too. I think they offer a bunch of classes.
Much good information!
oooh, very interesting! don’t get side tracked. that’s my advice. i still haven’t set up an etsy shop…and it’s been a year already since i started thinking about it.
just dive in!
Hey Dinah! Long time no hear! Nice to see you around here.
Still no etsy store. Well, get one going. I need me a baby blanket(s). Everyone is having babies around me. LOL.
Felt so hopeless lokniog for answers to my questions…until now.
Let me know if you need any help with the website or design aspects. My husband is a web and graphic designer. Check out his site:
http://www.appleboxdesign.com
Good luck to you!
Excellent idea and plan C! Will be a great journey which we can help support.
Make sure you try and get on the food network and get Martha Stewart to endorse too
Finding a way to eat deliciously healthy would be huge!
Best,
Sam
Hey Money Funk,
I was actually just researching this topic and thought the same thing. I know you wrote this post many months ago, just curious on how things have progressed. I can see a need for this type of product. Vegan is pretty huge around where I live. Plus its getting popular with the holidays and how to eat vegan during Christmas. This was just on the news where I live because they were showing local stores selling vegan ‘Christmas’ meals. Cool concept.
Definitely a need – even thought the market is rapidly expanding – its a nice little niche. I haven’t made much of move in this department, but it is still on my list of things to do. If you eat vegan or raw vegan – there are many people looking for ‘how-to’s’. I am asked a lot.
If you do an online gig, consider putting together weekly menus, ebooks (desserts, side dishes…) – you can expand on that pretty good. Consulting is also another good area – putting nutritional menus together – because a lot of people want to be vegan, but are afraid of lacking in getting all the essential nutrients. There is a lady I know – rather successful with her ebook – eating raw on $10 a day. Because people think its highly expensive to eat raw or vegan.
Let me know how it goes if you take that route. And a lot of this online venture can be taken into your area. Small produce/health stores are always keen on helping people in this niche – consider putting on food demos and marketing your goods.
I just started promoting/marketing for a vegan friendly product called Natraburst. They have a great referral program! Take a look at my website, and if you are interested, please put yourself on my waiting list
I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
The website is:
http://learn.124online.com
(Or you can click on my name)
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