Originally Posted by geobatman
I've broken the writing up in case you need breaks.
My opinion.
Anyone with a bit of business or stats knowledge will know that the opinions generated here will have a large bias.
This type of product does not appeal to the general public at all. The 'fitness' community is very small, and products are quickly duplicated.
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My business advice, after 1 year of university commerce (im a fkin noob):
1. Use own money/profit from sales to invest in minor manufacturing upgrades. (2nd oven, more refridgeration space, 2nd freezer, BULK ingredients)
2. Find an amateur graphic design student who will help create a great logo with his Company name and HIS name (if ppl know who he is, exploit it). If its truely geared toward the fitness community, have all the right stuff on the packaging. Ask yourself, What looks better: Some random cookies in saran wrap or a product that is packaged nicely that feels semi-professional.
- A would go for a snack-cake look. What I mean is those clear plastic covers, that perhaps have cardboard bottom to keep the cookies intact. Makes the consumers feel like he cares about his product.
- Slap the logo with detailed nutritional information + additional marketing on a package similar to a snack-cake (horrible shit but have you ever noticed the clear packaging of these is one of the strongest selling points?)
-this is pretty much as low risk/reward as you can go. In terms of fees, addition manufacturing costs what it costs. If he knows anyone online who is handy with graphic design or even a student might do it for like 20 bucks or free. The package w/logo and info should be made by another company (will be cheap as **** in bulk) But packaged at home, by himself (huge cost reduction)
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You pose a problem in your initial post and i'll break it down by quoting you.
1. "they are to die for. any ideas for getting these out?"
2. "He can only afford to sell them in packs of 5. so it's $10 a pack, because ind. wrap is mucho $$"
Basically what these two quotes tell us is that he has a good product and no money. If the profits are so low that individual wrapping significantly increases the costs, then there really isnt a future in this product.
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The above suggestions are technically the only step up from what he is currently doing. It boils down to.
1. Increasing output (and costs)
2. Increasing marketing.
this is really dependant on how much demand he has to begin with. In conclusion, I think the product is doomed. If he is selling 3000 cookies a month and hardly turning a profit, he will need a SIGNIFICANT boost in demand then supply to reap larger profits.
My final question is: Why would any person who is knowledgable nutrition 'wise' not be able to replicate these at home? If he is being honest about all of the ingredients, then its just a matter of trial and error.