This is a special episode where I’ve had the opportunity for some students to ask me some questions. I’ve had many, but I chose these two episodes as great examples of the advice I give to students.

So first up is Weslie Khoo, a PhD student who wants to know more about Product Developemnt and stuff like that. I do my best answering them and talk about my experience, but also name dropping a lot of companies that I found

If you guys have any problems with the audio, let me know. Weslie’s audio is a bit hard to listen to, and if it bothers you, let me know through podcast@myfoodjobrocks.com or linkedin. I’ll have a replacement episode with my audio switched out.

Sponsor - FoodGrads

If you are even just a little bit interested in a career in food & beverage, you should join FoodGrads. It’s an interactive platform where you can hear about different careers, hear from your peers, have a voice and share your story as well as ask specific questions and get feedback from industry experts across the sector.

You can create a profile, add your resume and search for co-op, internships and full time opportunities just for Food Grads. Employers can find you too, they can recruit you for jobs and projects they need help with to give you the relevant industry experience you need.

Join FoodGrads today! Just go to Foodgrads.com

Sponsor - ICON Foods

Big announcement from our friends at Stevivia. They now go by ICON Foods and you’re seeing a rebranding in action which I find really exciting. Their vision is brighter, their strategy is stronger and their all-natural, clean-label product portfolio is ever growing. So why are they doing this? Even though stevia is an amazing product, there are just so many sweeteners coming up and it’s becoming a bit overwhelming.

Monkfruit, Allulose, Agave, you name it. This is what ICON Foods is here for: to help you find sweetener solutions so you can focus on other challenges in the product development process.

For more information, visit ICON foods at ICONfoods.com

Housekeeping

If you like what you heard, like us on facebook or write a review on itunes. It helps wonders.

I am also inviting you to sign up on our email list at myfoodjobrocks.com. I am doing this new thing called the 5 course meal where I send you 5 pieces of hand picked content and deliver it every Friday morning. Like a meal kit…

If you have any questions or suggestions on how to improve the podcast, don’t be afraid to email me at podcast@myfoodjobrocks.com

Questions Asked

After you test flavors, do you launch all at once or one at a time? How startups can collect market research When am I sharing too much information before launch? Why would you go with a copacker? How to find copackers? Why do grocery stores private label? Do you argue a lot with copackers? Is there anything between a copacker and a incubator? What is a Pilot? How to get Packaging What startup resources do you like? How do you get a product out there?

Question Summary

Just collect data for sensory. More data the better How do you know a product is good? Seth Godin: If ten people tell ten friends about your product, it’s a good product Am I sharing too much information before launch?: You should be as transparent as possible, because people want transparency. If you put in more effort, then most people won’t copy you until you get big Legal disputes can be important regarding how products work Why would you go with a copacker?: Upfront cost of manufacturing is huge When do you engage with a co-packer?: When you validate your product will work. One example is getting Whole Foods to demand your product, then you need to get product fast Cottage Industry Permit How to find copackers?: Word of Mouth, Google, some websites do this, Copacker websites suck, go to trade shows, Private Label Manufacturer Association, also friends with someone who sells a lot of things, any book that talks about making your own product Why do grocery stores private label?: It gives higher margins Do you argue a lot with copackers?: Yes, but you have to be competent Is there anything between a copacker and a incubator?: Commercial kitchen or your basement How to get Packaging: Ask the copacker to see what they recommend. Also go to Pac Expo How do you get a product out there?: You have to go there and talk to people. Who you’re targeting, why, what they really want Give away your product for free Taste wins, having it healthy is better You can have a bad tasting product, and be healthy, and it will sell, but you won’t be the best The best Food Scientist have a mix of science or art, and it’s the consumer opinion that matters What startup resources do you like?: Good Food, Great Buisnesses, Conferences, Fancy Food Show