Sometimes, starting a business means not spending enough time reflecting on starting a business. Hi, blog. Sorry for the absence.
I thought that the first few months of 2011 would be lazy and relaxed and that I would spend a lot of time looking back on the past year and preparing for the new one. As it turns out, it’s been a whirlwind of activity, including winning an award, selling lots of jam, and moving to a new kitchen.
I am a big maker of to-do lists. In fact, in January, I made a four-page list of things to do in the new year. My hero, Leslie, challenged me to come up with a list of things I’ve done. That was funny, because I’m not much of a backwards-looker. But it seems like an appropriate thing to paste here, especially since it’s been a while since my last post! So here is a recap of 2010. Apparently I started a business!
My 2010 accomplishments:
- Created a logo with Megan
- Got cards
- Found Stephan at Trysk Print Solutions, printed labels
- Registered business with all the authorities
- Found a kitchen, got WSDA licensing. Then did it again at the end of the year!
- Chose jars and jar sizes and found source
- Made relationships with farmers
- Made a lot of jam
- Sold jam on menu at Picnic and 106 Pine
- Got jam into six stores
- Blogged semi-regularly
- Started newsletter
- Got website up with the help of the amazing Sam T. Schick at Wandering Works
- Got online store up, thanks again to Sam T.
- Did beautiful photography with Megan
- Sold at three shows
- Went to the Fancy Food Show
- Got set up with a bookkeeper and started tackling QuickBooks
- Wrote most of the business plan
- Printed t-shirts with the cool cats at Clone Press
- Designed a booth and display
- Printed a vinyl banner
- Figured out how to get UPCs
- Calculated nutrition facts
- Sorted out shipping materials for online sales
- Opened a business bank account with BECU
- Ran a half marathon!
- Set up a Facebook page and Twitter account
- Got liability insurance
- Made a wholesale price list and conquered my fear of sales calls
- Wrote an awful lot of label copy (none of it too awful)
- Won a Good Food Award!
- Press mentions in Seattle Weekly, Seattle Magazine, Red Tricycle, and Edible Seattle
- Had fun
Not bad, huh? I will post again in fewer than six months to talk about what’s on deck for 2011.
