It has been a busy several weeks already because of the
demo at Falletti Store
PLAYgreen Festival in Berkeley
ExpoWest in Anaheim
And after we came back, besides catching up, we have to move now; I guess life is just a non-stop happening!
We will be busy!
At first I was trying to avoid the topic because I do'nt know where to start; thanks to Sone she breaks down the tasks (without moving an office before!) so we can think more chronologically!
All I can say is, I am grateful for the people around to help get things moving!
I never doubt that God send Angels to help! Thank you all!
Just a little being doing something that I believe is right, and hope to contribute to the positiveness in the society and bring more peace and harmony!
2011-03-31
2011-03-28
2011-03-23
Retail is a war- read at your own risk!
Why do I say that?
After about half a year we have the products available in the market, I still struggle (if I must say), or have challenges to get into more retail stores (not even mention about more marketing to let the consumers know)
Here's the trick part:
1. The retailers are hesitate to take new products because they are unsure how it will sell (or it's not a guarantee sell)
2. The retailers want to take products mostly only from distributors because it's easier to just pay 1 invoice
3. The retailers expect the demo, price discount, coupon, in-store flyer, etc marketing to promote the products to help sell through (which is understandable)
4. The distributor are even more hesitate to take products from a new vendor because they are unsure how many retailers are (really) interested
5. The distributor and retailers are concerned about the shelf life (good thing our products have long shelf life) and returns
6. The distributor expect even more of the marketing (ad calendar) tools to get the retailers to buy
7. The distributor expect a big margin... plus the big one demand to use a broker as sales person so they are sure the products will be sold to the retailers.
8. The brokers should represent us, however they also represent many products, and could build up the costs before cash flow even comes in.
9. And that is not the end; with big distributors the manufacturers are expected to have at least 9 months of cash flow ready before going into them and before getting paid off.
10. All these will take a big chunk of the retail price consumer pay to get the products, leaving the manufacturer little margin.. so it's definitely a state of art to get it done!
Tricky, tricky, tricky... !! There is no short cut, and we will just have to fight this retail war!
I guess that will require good strategy, steady cash flow, persistent, and many more communication, marketing, etc to get it right!! Wish us good luck!!
After about half a year we have the products available in the market, I still struggle (if I must say), or have challenges to get into more retail stores (not even mention about more marketing to let the consumers know)
Here's the trick part:
1. The retailers are hesitate to take new products because they are unsure how it will sell (or it's not a guarantee sell)
2. The retailers want to take products mostly only from distributors because it's easier to just pay 1 invoice
3. The retailers expect the demo, price discount, coupon, in-store flyer, etc marketing to promote the products to help sell through (which is understandable)
4. The distributor are even more hesitate to take products from a new vendor because they are unsure how many retailers are (really) interested
5. The distributor and retailers are concerned about the shelf life (good thing our products have long shelf life) and returns
6. The distributor expect even more of the marketing (ad calendar) tools to get the retailers to buy
7. The distributor expect a big margin... plus the big one demand to use a broker as sales person so they are sure the products will be sold to the retailers.
8. The brokers should represent us, however they also represent many products, and could build up the costs before cash flow even comes in.
9. And that is not the end; with big distributors the manufacturers are expected to have at least 9 months of cash flow ready before going into them and before getting paid off.
10. All these will take a big chunk of the retail price consumer pay to get the products, leaving the manufacturer little margin.. so it's definitely a state of art to get it done!
Tricky, tricky, tricky... !! There is no short cut, and we will just have to fight this retail war!
I guess that will require good strategy, steady cash flow, persistent, and many more communication, marketing, etc to get it right!! Wish us good luck!!
2011-03-20
Some more photos from Expo West & Trip
ecoVegan and Field Roast!
Ani the Raw Chef & Author, Bob from Go Vegan Radio, and ecoVegan
Just me at the booth!
At FreeSoul Caffe; they have organic coffee and tea, being not a coffee person, I prefer their waffle below!
Wow, great green tea waffle! Must try!
My attempt to cook blissful bits!
I actually didn't know that when soy is cooked with mushroom, it will give less filling feeling! I spent about 10 minutes in front of Whole Foods Market's vegetable section and thought hard what to cook with Blissful Bits! Well, I enjoyed it, and people enjoyed it, so that's good!
- slice a whole organic onion, stir fry with some sesame oil, and take out to cool
- wash and cut in half of mushroom (half lbs), slightly heat, and take out to cool
- tear two bags of Blissful Bits and cut in half for each bits (or one bag in this case is enough), add water and heat for 1 minute, and add onion and mushroom and some pepper, stir fry together
- sprinkle some oregano or fresh greens on top, enjoy =D
By the way, did you see vegan.com's review for Blissful Bits? Here's a brief
"In the mock meat category, I really enjoyed ecoVegan’s Blissful Bits and will certainly use them in a stir fry or on skewers next time I need to blow away an omnivorous friend. "
2011-03-18
website update
I wouldn't say it's a nightmare.. though it is a lot of work to get it right!
interestingly I also did this years back and also for another organization; just more things to learn (and prettier to look at now too!)
Stay tuned!
Minor changes only- good quality of work is built up by all the details!!
interestingly I also did this years back and also for another organization; just more things to learn (and prettier to look at now too!)
Stay tuned!
Minor changes only- good quality of work is built up by all the details!!
2011-03-17
LightLife
Look at these hippies!! What a great group of people who also believe a veggie lifestyle! I wonder (or I still don't know why) people think I am a hippie too!
Question 1 to ask: Are you a vegetarian
Question 2 to ask: Are you an environmentalist
Okok... I guess that determines it!
I hope one day many will also share our mission too!
Question 1 to ask: Are you a vegetarian
Question 2 to ask: Are you an environmentalist
Okok... I guess that determines it!
I hope one day many will also share our mission too!
2011-03-16
Expo West! We have returned!!
Click on title to see some pictures! More to come later! =D
*fb is so tricky! I cannot link the picture url so I have to manually upload them now!*
*fb is so tricky! I cannot link the picture url so I have to manually upload them now!*
2011-03-02
PLAYgreen was a lotta fun!
Tada!
There was indoor Farmer's Market
Berkeley Student Food Collective was there
And Saturn Cafe too!
I am not even sure where to start
Finally, our products, after a month and half, are released from FDA hold (remember the FDA inspection and tips?). The world rejoices!!! or more like me myself and I rejoice!!!
Thanks team for the hard work, and thanks to our customers with patience, and thanks God for the blessing!
Thanks team for the hard work, and thanks to our customers with patience, and thanks God for the blessing!
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