Foodpreneur

Foodpreneur:

Laura WaitzeZuckerman

About the Foodpreneur:

I am a chocolatier. I am the owner and president of yummie chocolates. 4 years ago I started the company. Since that time, I and yummie have been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, The Food Network's Roker on the Road Show, Modern Bride Magazine, NJ Monthly Magazine, NJ Savvy Magazine and many many more media outlets.

I love making chocolate and seeing the smiles that come from eating a yummie chocolate. Each piece is handcrafted with Swiss and Belgium chocolate.I have had no formal education for being in the kitchen, although I have always had a passion for cooking. My business started after I started to make chocolates for family and friends. And as they say, the rest is history. I enjoy making new concoctions. Each holiday season I bring back some of the recipes that I are no longer on the website. People still talk about "vacca dream." It is a white chocolate based treat with popcorn and marshmallow. It is broken into pieces like a bark.

I am also a mother of two children. A boy who is 6 and a girl who is 4. Balancing being a mother, a wife and an entrepreneur is exciting and challenging. But, I like challenges and wouldn't want my life any other way.

I have recently also started to make jewelry and photo journal books. Both of which I have started to sell. Each hobby is fun lets me express myself. It is also wonderful for my children to see what their mother can accomplish.

About the y u m m i e Chocolates Biz:

I sell my chocolates all over the world to individuals, gourmet food stores, gift shops and on other websites. Having a business is a wonderful gift! It wouldn't be possible if I was not surrounded by people who support my creativity.

Founded:

2004

Number of Employees:

1

Clients:

Whole Foods

Marketing Strategies:

Work my butt off! Call anyone from any media outlet. At some point, someone will listen to you.

Fun Food Story:

I had a chocolate called "Simby's Bark."

So, how did I come up with the name? I always like to use fun and whimsical names for each chocolate confection. Simby was my dog and obviously dogs bark. So, since the confection was a bark, I thought it would be cute to have a play on words, so to speak. The confection was Swiss dark chocolate (so creamy and so amazing!) and popcorn. It was a simple idea, but instead of it just being popcorn drizzled with chocolate, it was chocolate that had popcorn mixed in. The taste was phenomenal! The Swiss dark chocolate had such a wonderful flavor and added to the salty popcorn, pure perfection! So, that is my silly fun food story with how I came up with the name for "Simby's Bark."

Laura knew y u m m i e Chocolates was a hit when:

I was on the Roker on the Road Show

In the News:

Rachel Ray Show, Food Network, The Culinary podcast, Modern Bride Magazine, NJ Monthly Magazine, NJ Savvy Magazine, The Fancy Food and Culinary Magazine (4 times), many blog sites, local New Jersey newspapers, The Jewish Exponent, The Jewish Times
 
Why is Laura in the Food Biz?

Food, I love it! Isn't the way to someone's heart through their stomach?

Words from the Wise:

My words from the wise are go for your dreams. There will always be someone who will tell you why you SHOULDN'T do it, but if you are a strong person, you will figure out how to do it.

Have faith in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

As my father always told me "you don't have anything to lose if you have anything in the first place."

What I don't like about business in general is that to advertise your product, it is very expensive. You must be creative to get your name out there if you have a small budget.

Final Thoughts from Laura:

One more thing, I wouldn't be were I am today without my father. He has given me confidence to believe in myself and the strength to always persevere. My husband has given me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams and my children give me delight. My mother has given me an ear regardless of the subject matter and my friends have given me their loyalty and support. All of these factors make being a stay at home mother, wife and entrepreneur fun and worth the challenges that I deal with each and every day.

Contacting y u m m i e Chocolates:

y u m m i e Chocolates
15 Heather Hill Way
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 285-1494
Website: y u m m i e Chocolates

Foodpreneur:

Matt Nielsen

About the Foodpreneur:

With vanilla in his blood, so to speak, Matt Nielsen decided at an early age that his life's work would be in the family business, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. As third-generation owner/manager, Matt's main responsibilities include all operational activities at the company's two plants, in Waukegan, Illinois and Leeuwarden, Netherlands, as well as sales of all retail and foodservice products worldwide. Matt is a graduate of Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA; a member of the Board of Directors of the NASFT; a member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing and co-chair of its Business Development Model Committee; and a member of the Loyola University Family Business Center (Nielsen-Massey received the Center's Small Family Business of the Year Award in 2006). Inn 2006, Gourmet News magazine selected Matt as one of their top "20 under 40" in the specialty food industry.

About the Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Biz:

Nielsen-Massey is recognized as the premier brand in pure vanillas and flavors for the specialty retail, distribution, foodservice and industrial markets. Since 1907, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has specialized in pure vanilla. This family owned and managed company offers a full line of Pure Vanilla products including vanilla beans and extract from Madagascar, Tahiti, Mexico and Indonesia; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste and certified Organic Pure Vanilla Extract. Their unique cold process method of extraction protects the over 250 different flavor components found in vanilla beans from the damaging effects of heat or pressure during extraction. The process takes 3-5 weeks to produce a single batch and allows them to extract the total bouquet of flavor providing a true vanilla profile. In 2005 the company introduced superior quality, all natural Pure Chocolate, Pure Almond, Pure Lemon, Pure Coffee, Pure Orange, Pure Peppermint Extracts, Rose Water and Orange Blossom Water ideal for adding an extra touch of flavor to your favorite recipe. All of their products are 100% all natural, kosher certified and gluten-free. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas corporate headquarters are located in Waukegan, Illinois with production facilities in Waukegan and in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Founded:

1907

Number of Employees:

20+ worldwide

Clients:

Retail stores, Foodservice, Manufacturers

Marketing Strategies:

PR with consumer journals, trade advertising, sponsorships

Fun Food Story:

We started our retail business by having my mom hand fill and label bottles on our kitchen table.

Matt knew Nielsen-Massey Vanillas was a hit when:

When Chuck Williams called us to put our product in his "small" catalogue and stores in 1984.

In the News:

Food Network, Bon Appetit, Fine Cooking, Gourmet, Food Arts, etc...

Why is Matt in the Food Business?

It's in the blood!

Words from the Wise (what you don't like about the biz):

The instability of raw material costs are hard to control and forecast!

Contacting Nielsen-Massey Vanillas:

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
1550 Shields Drive
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 578-1550
Website: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Foodpreneur:

Monique Hamaty-Simmonds

About the Foodpreneur:

I am a second generation entrepreneur, opening Tortuga Imports/ dba Tortuga Rum Cake Company upon graduating from Florida International University in Miami, FL. My husband Marcus, CFO of our company, and I have 3 children ( ages 6, 4 and 1) and currently live in Grand Cayman B.W.I., where we also have management roles in my father's company, Tortuga Rum Company, Ltd.

About the Tortuga Rum Cake Company Biz:

Based in Miami, FL, the Tortuga Rum Cake Company was started in 1997 to bring Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cakes to the US market. The cakes are baked in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Bahamas and Barbados from a four-generations old secret family recipe. Each cake is hand glazed with special 5 year old Tortuga gold rum and vacuum packed to lock in freshness. We handle world wide sales and distribution, online and mail order for Tortuga Rum Cakes and other Caribbean gourmet products. The company has been named to the INC5000, as one of the fastest growing private businesses in America. Tortuga Rum Cakes are now sold on over 100 cruise ships and in specialty and gourmet shops throughout the Caribbean and North America. We ship to 70 countries.

Founded:

1997

Contacting Tortuga Rum Cake Company:

Tortuga Rum Cake Company
14202 SW 142nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33467
(305) 378 - 6668
Website: Tortuga Rum Cake Company

Foodpreneur:

Terry Brown

About the Foodpreneur:

After graduating from college with a BS in Business Management, I worked in the Savings & Loan industry for 7 years.

It was my true passion for Buffalo wings that motivated me to quit my high paying day job as a financial analyst for the life of an entrepreneur - that was back in 1993.

What really makes me tick, outside of selling Wing-Time sauces, is skiing. Three years ago I decided to relocate my family along with Wing-Time's corporate headquarters to the beautiful mountain town of Steamboat Springs, CO. During the winter I'm able to catch powder days (businesses here call it having a powder clause) in the morning and ship sauce out in the afternoon as that is when all our trucks come. I'm married with a beautiful 4 year-old daughter, Ellie. I love skiing with her on weekends...she's turning into quite an accomplished skier as she's already been on skis for 3 winters now. Other than skiing, we love to hike, bike, go to concerts and just enjoy the beautiful outdoors in the mountains.

About the Wing-Time Buffalo Wing Sauces Biz:

I started Wing-Time in 1994 to bring our authentic Buffalo style chicken wing sauces to the market. I grew up in upstate New York, the birthplace of Buffalo wings, so I feel I know a little something about wings. Our entire line of sauces is made from the finest all-natural, preservative free ingredients. They are also sugar free (ideal for diabetics) and gluten free (ideal for celiacs). We offer 5 different flavors/varieties in both retail as well as food service sizes. We sell our retail bottles to gourmet/specialty stores, independent grocers, chain grocery stores, department stores, hot sauce shops and also through the military commissary system. Our food service sizes are also used in restaurants, bars, delis, meat markets and high volume exclusive wing joints.

Founded:

1994

Number of Employees:

3

Clients:

Military Commissaries, Publix, Harris Teeter, The Frest Market, Bass Pro, Barbeques Galore, Le Gourmet Chef and thousands of other smaller accounts

Marketing Strategies:

Trade shows, gourmet magazine advertisements, demos and other in-store promotions, consumer shows, farmers markets. T-shirts, magnets, stickers, recipe fliers

Fun Food Story:

Even though I'm from upstate New York, I started Wing-Time in California and we're now based in Colorado. Whenever we do trade/consumer shows, we always get people from Buffalo (where "Buffalo" wings started) who come up to our booth with a chip on their shoulder. You see, Buffalonians have a lot of pride in their wings and feel no one else can make a good wing sauce. I always let them try the sauces first before telling them my background. 99% of them go crazy, explaining it's the best bottled wing sauce they've ever had and how it reminds them of all the wings they consumed while growing up. Most also end of making a purchase after I've been successful in knocking the chip off their shoulder they had when first approaching us.

Terry knew Wing-Time Buffalo Wing Sauces was a hit when:

The customer testimonials started pouring in from all over the country. Some of my early favorites were:

(From Kim in Aurora, IL): "I love your hot wing sauce! I could dip goldfish in the sauce and eat them."

(Via email): "I just love the Garlic sauce...my bald boyfriend doesn't 'cause it makes me smell like Garlic, but ya know what? I don't care...I love that Garlic sauce so much I could sit in it...so there..."

(From Glenn in Greenville, SC): "Mr. Wingmaster, Oh King of Wing, Oh Master of All That is Divine SauceWise. Please tell me where I can get Wing Time Sauces. I have traveled to Atlanta (2 hours away) and can't find it there. I live in Greenville, SC where I can buy 3 different types of lard and 4 brands of head cheese BUT no Wing Time Sauce. I usually buy it when I travel to Florida but am now out and having the Wing Time Shakes BAD man. My last bottle just fell out of the fridge and broke on the floor. I couldn't salvage any of the sauce due to the broken shards of glass (I was willing to take the chance but my wife said NOOO! - I am considering divorce as we speak) and my tears dripping on the floor and into the sauce. I see no reason for going on....HELP!!!!

In the News:

Specialty Food magazine, Fancy Food magazine, Chile Pepper magazine, Gourmet Retailer magazine, Gourmet News magazine, Food Distribution magazine, San Diego Chargers "Gameday" magazine, Family magazine (military to 500,000)

Why is Terry in the Food Business?

Because after 14 years I am still passionate about our sauces and sell them with enthusiasm. It also now supports our family and pays for annual ski passes!

Words from the Wise:

Be careful when working with large distributors and don't be too hungry too early in the buisness. Start small with local accounts before going national with the big boys.

Final Thoughts from Terry:

I started Wing-Time in a 1 bedroom apartment in Davis, CA. The bedroom became my office during the day. The living room was my warehouse and UPS packing area. I had bundles of boxes and bags of styrofoam peanuts stacked to the ceiling. Since UPS wouldn't pick up at my apartment complex, I had to drive packages 10 miles away to the UPS center in Sacramento every day. Later I moved to a 2 bedroom duplex with a 1 car garage. This allowed me to get my office out of my bedroom and set up a small warehouse in the garage. Then I bought a house with a 2-car garage which gave me greater warehouse capacity. Then the big move...to an actual warehouse with offices, employees and a forklift along with rent and new overhead expenses.

Contacting Wing-Time Buffalo Wing Sauces:

Wing-Time Buffalo Wing Sauces
P. O. Box 775003
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 871-1198
Website: Wing-Time Buffalo Wing Sauces

Foodpreneur:

Linda Twining

About the Foodpreneur and the Twin Hens Biz:

Twin Hens is an artisan food manufacturer of chicken and beef pot pies, made with organic vegetables and all natural beef and chicken.

Both owners, Linda Twining and Kathy Herring are trained chefs. Both worked in corporate America before starting this business.

Clients:

Dean and Deluca, WholeFoods

Contacting Twin Hens:

Twin Hens
23 Orchard Road
Skillman, NJ 08558
(908) 281-9911
Website: Twin Hens