Without any doubt, one of the most profitable opportunities for small-entrepreneurs is the food niche industry. The industry promises a wide range of amazing business opportunities and on this site, we have written on how to start some of these businesses.
Bringing it down, the beef jerky business is one sector of the food business that has experienced significant growth over the years. In 2018 alone, the jerky industry has more than $5 billion in sales in the United States alone. That shows how much money you can make if you decided to go into it. But then, what do you need to start a beef jerky business?
Opening a beef jerky business goes more than just having a dehydrator and a passion to sell meat. You will need a proven recipe to turn meat into yummy treats people will love to eat and enjoy right out of the package. You will also need to be on the good side of the law so you can protect your business while ensuring your customers don’t fall sick from eating your meat. Here in this post, we have provided you the steps you need to start a beef jerky business. Consider it as our way of taking off some of your burdens and helping you start your business right away.
Steps For Starting A Beef Jerky Business
#1: Choose your business type
What we mean here is that you choose how you will source your product. Selling beef jerky can come in varying ways. You can either make it yourself or buy wholesale and then resell. However, you will need to consider many factors before you reach a conclusion on this.
Think of concocting a winning recipe your customers will enjoy. That may not be as easy as many people often thought. And if you will be making your product yourself, you will need to buy some equipment to help you have a good business. That is why many people prefer to buy from another business in wholesale and sell retail. But if you are really looking to make good money off this business while also establishing a good business for yourself, making your beef jerky yourself is the best. So we will duel on that in this post.
#2: Buy your equipment and supplies
Since you will be making your beef jerky yourself, you will need to buy some equipment and supplies for the business. That, however, depends on the volume of jerky you intend to produce. Some common and basic equipment you need includes a smoker or dehydrator, a commercial oven, and a temperature probe to ensure your meat is well cooked before dehydrating.
To keep your raw meat fresh at all times, you will also need cold storage. You will need to buy a scale to measure portions and slicers to prep the meat. You will need spices and smoke flavorings too. To sell to final consumers, you will also need to invest in packaging bags or containers.
#3: Obtain a health permit for your beef jerky business
Selling beef jerky is a business that has to do directly with the health of the people you are selling to. That is why most states will require that you get a health permit before you can start selling. They will sample and inspect your meats to be sure they are safe for consumption. You should contact your Environmental Health office to find out about such a permit and make sure you have one before opening your business to the public.
#4: Brand your business
Now that you have everything in place – your equipment, supplies, and legal documents. Next thing is to brand your business and make it unique from others. The place to start with that is to get a name for the business. Then get a label for your jerky.
If you intend to sell to stores, you will be required to provide a full list of ingredients and information as directed by the FDA. So include on your label the spices and smoke you use in your recipe.
#5: Determine the price
For you to be able to set competitive prices for your jerky, you will need to research your competitors to know what they are doing. Remember, your price should not be too high and, of course, should be profitable for you.
Consider the cost of making the product when setting your sales rate. If you are planning to sell to stores, then you will have to offer wholesale pricing so the stores can make a profit off the sales too.
#6: Market your product to get buyers
Even if you make the best and most tasty beef jerky, no one will buy it if they don’t know about it. That is why you need to have a solid marketing strategy in place for the business. Do you want to sell to stores, at food festivals, farmer’s markets, flea markets, or concerts?
You can also leverage social media and e-commerce websites to promote your jerky. Since your jerky is well dehydrated, it can stay for a long time without getting spoilt. So it won’t be a problem selling it to people outside your area.
Final Note
Starting a beef jerky business is a profitable one if you have a good recipe. But make sure you get the basics correctly. Buy the right equipment and supplies, and make sure you get on the good side of the law by obtaining your licenses and permits.
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