The Forrager Podcast for Cottage Food Businesses

Wynter Hosier of Greentown, IN sells macarons and other baked sweets with her food business, Etta’s Gooey Goodies.

Wynter started her business from home back in 2016, and it has been quite the crazy ride since then!

From navigating Indiana’s very strict cottage food laws, to buying a storefront that she couldn’t even use for 3 whole years, to starting a Facebook group that grew to over 35,000 members, Wynter’s journey has taken many unexpected turns.

But ultimately, through lots of perseverance and a strong focus on fostering community, she now runs an increasingly successful storefront and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

• Why understanding your laws could dramatically impact the success of your business
• The importance of building a strong network in your community
• Why you should NOT have the same profit margin on all of your products
• How to use pricing to avoid becoming overwhelmed
• What it’s like to do $55,000+ in revenue from a cottage food business
• Why Wynter’s brick-and-mortar storefront became a major challenge, and what she learned from it
• The importance of being quick to hire and willing to fire
• How Wynter build a Facebook group with 35,000+ members
• The challenges of working with local government agencies, and how to deal with them
• How to balance home life and business when operating a cottage food setup
• Why you must differentiate yourself and stand out in the market
• How creative marketing strategies, like themed discount days, can drive sales

Etta’s Gooey Goodies website (Facebook | Instagram)

Marshmallow Making Madness Facebook Group

MallowCon

Friends of Fred (Facebook)

Hear Liz Marek on Episodes 31 & 32

Indiana Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using Kit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/128

Joan Eppehimer lives in Jamestown, NY and sells flavored popcorn with her cottage food business, Aunt Joan’s Pearl City Popcorn.

Joan started her business in 2015 as a way to raise money for many different causes, and she has now donated thousands of dollars to charity!

Even though her popcorn has always been extremely popular, in 2021, Joan decided to reboot her business with a new business name and brand, and with the help of her nephew Jason, has taken it to new heights.

• The importance of proper licensing and regulations for running a cottage food business
• How the government’s red tape ironically enabled Joan’s business to flourish
• The rare disease that Joan’s husband has, which inspired her to expand her business
• How to effectively brand your products to make them stand out in a competitive market  
• The value of maintaining strong community ties and supporting local enterprises 
• The challenges and rewards of charitable work in a business context  
• How to manage time effectively, especially when balancing multiple personal and professional commitments  
• When to seek help and delegate tasks for improved productivity
• Why you should continually strive to keep learning and improving your business operations

Aunt Joan’s Pearl City Popcorn (Facebook | Instagram)

National MPS Society

Food Business Success (hear Sari Kimbell on Episodes 59 & 60)

Kidology (non-profit ministry)

New York Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/127

Kristi Otto lives in Fort Myers, FL and sells organic desserts with her cottage food business, One More Bite Organic Desserts.

Kristi has 3 decades worth of experience in the food industry, and she built two unrelated businesses before starting her bakery.

So perhaps it’s no surprise that her cottage food business has been quite successful, but that doesn’t mean that it’s been an easy road.

Kristi started this business shortly after moving from Minnesota to Florida, and she found that her products did not resonate with her new community like she expected them to.

As a result, her business looks much different than she initially envisioned, but she’s managed to adapt and find products that both she and her community are passionate about.

• The importance of adapting your business model to meet the needs of your market
• How personal passion can transform a business into a fulfilling venture
• Techniques that commercial food establishments use to run more smoothly
• The effects that an HOA can have on business decisions
• How to price fairly without overthinking it
• Why you must try different types of sales venues to find the best fit for your business
• Why you should invest time and effort into local search engine optimization (SEO)
• The pros and cons of offering free shipping on your website
• How to use artificial intelligence (AI) to boost your productivity

One More Bite Organic Desserts website (Facebook | Instagram)

BakeDiary (pricing & order management software)

ChatGPT (AI Chatbot)

How to Make Sourdough Bread by Roselle Blore (Instagram)

Blondery by Auzerais Bellamy

Mentioned Podcast Episodes:

• #112: Mark Elvidge with Vermont Nut Free Chocolates
• #113: Tiffany Hill with The Pink Crumbb
• #114: Tiffany Hill with Think Pink Bakers

Florida Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using Kit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/126

Nicole DiMarco of West Deptford, NJ sells freeze dried candy with her cottage food business, All About The Freeze.

Nicole’s entry point into the cottage food world was quite different than most. Many entrepreneurs convert a longtime hobby into a business, but Nicole decided to start a freeze dried candy business before she had any actual experience making freeze dried candy.

However, Nicole did have quite a lot of experience in sales, retail, and social media, and those skills have helped her build a very successful cottage food business in less than one year!

• How to free your time without sacrificing financial stability
• The importance of adapting to changes in social media algorithms
• How to effectively utilize Facebook and Instagram to grow your business presence
• Why consistency is crucial on social media platforms
• How to strike a balance between professionalism and personal brand authenticity
• How to overcome challenges posed by restrictive cottage food laws
• Why you must differentiate your products in a saturated market
• The essential steps to take when pivoting your business
• How to engage social media followers and convert them into customers
• How to plan and prepare for high-volume sales at festivals and markets
• The pros and cons of in-person selling versus online selling

All About The Freeze (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok)

Carmen DiMarco comedy page

New Jersey Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using ConvertKit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/125

Steph Uittenbogaard of Loveland, CO sells macarons with her cottage food business, Fifi’s Patisseries.

Steph never thought she’d run her own baking business, especially one focused on macarons. After her first attempt at making macarons, she never thought she would make them again!

But even when she eventually got the hang of making macarons, she never thought to sell them. As an introvert, the idea of selling her baked goods to strangers was quite intimidating. But with her husband’s encouragement, she took the plunge and started her business.

As you’ll see, Steph’s business trajectory has been quite different than most, and in this episode, she shares both the triumphs and challenges that she’s faced along the way.

• The importance of not giving up despite initial failures when baking difficult items
• How to handle bookkeeping and financial tracking efficiently
• The value of conducting market research before starting your own food business
• The importance of understanding local cottage food laws and how they affect your business
• Inventive ways to comply with local regulations without compromising your business
• How creating themed products for holidays can drive sales and attract more customers
• The benefits of building a small business and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone
• How to diversify your product line to meet changing customer preferences and market demand

Fifi’s Patisseries website (Instagram | Facebook)

Wave (accounting software)

Le Cordon Bleu (Book)

Colorado Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/124

Jenn Bowersock lives in Sidney, OH and sells pretzels, donuts, and other authentic German baked goods with her cottage food business, Jenn’s Backstube.

Jenn was born and raised in Germany, with fond memories from her childhood of bakeries on nearly every corner, and now she is bringing a little slice of Germany to her corner of the States.

Although she’s only been in business for one year, it’s been far more successful than she ever imagined!

• Why authenticity and sticking to your roots can make your business stand out
• The importance of finding the right niche with product/market fit
• How Jenn turned her entrepreneurial struggles into an unexpected success
• The benefit of testing the market quickly instead of trying to create a perfect business plan
• The necessity of persistence and not giving up when faced with initial business challenges
• How to streamline your operations with a pre-ordering system
• Why you should explore ways to turn unsold products into something new

Jenn’s Backstube website (Facebook | Instagram | Hotplate | Google | Nextdoor)

Hotplate (online food ordering platform)

CookKeepBook (Food Cost Calculator)

Ohio Home Bakery Law

Ohio Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using ConvertKit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/123

Alexis Kron lives in Bullhead City, AZ and sells luxury cakes and baked treats with her cottage food business, Bakednaz.

Alexis started her business right at the beginning of the pandemic, and initially she actually faced quite a bit of resistance from other bakers in her area.

But by focusing on serving customers and producing excellent products, she’s turned her business into a success.

In this interview, Alexis not only shares plenty of business advice that allowed her bakery to become profitable, but also shares how her very challenging childhood influenced her entrepreneurial journey.

• Why you must stay determined, even when you face setbacks
• How to find a unique niche that meets the needs of your local community
• The importance of a strong personal support system for overcoming business obstacles
• How to build client trust and differentiate yourself
• Why social media is a “different kind of beast”, and how to tackle it
• How to add a luxury service to your brand
• Why your packaging matters, even for prepaid orders
• How to save time when setting up consults with potential clients
• How to find a balance between personal touch and business systems
• That it’s okay if your ideal customer is not like you
• How to spread the word when you’re starting your business

Bakednaz Instagram feed (Facebook)

Arizona Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/122

Tyler & Angie Worthey live in Neoga, IL and sell hot sauces and other spicy foods with their cottage food business, Worthey Peppers. 

Although Angie and Tyler now operate the business as a mother-son team, it was Tyler who originally started it as a freshman in high school.

In this episode, Tyler shares how he grew the business throughout his high school experience, and turned it from a hobby project into a very successful business. 

This is an incredibly unique cottage food story, and Tyler stands out as a truly exceptional young entrepreneur!

• How Tyler won at the state level twice in FFA competitions
• Why you must adapt your products to your market to be successful
• The significance of having a unified & professional brand for marketing more effectively
• How to use social media to engage and grow your customer base
• How to find time for a cottage food business, even with a busy schedule
• The importance of using scheduling to increase productivity
• Why you should spark creativity in your customers, which can boost sales
• How to find a strategic price that maintains a good ROI and leads to growth
• The benefits of having an accountability partner in business
• The importance of being passionate about your products and business
• How to be successful as a young entrepreneur

Worthey Peppers website (Facebook | Instagram)

Tyler featured on TV

National FFA Organization

Hot Ones

Illinois Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using ConvertKit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/121

Ka’Terra Dettbarn lives in Ocean City, MD, and she and her sister Chakirah sell cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods with their cottage food business, Sweet Addiction.

Ka’Terra and her sister started the bakery in 2018 and initially thought that they would focus on custom orders of gourmet cupcakes.

However, their business had other plans for them, and they had to adapt through trial and error to find a successful business model.

After a few years, they started selling at a variety of events, and ever since, their business has taken off!

In this episode, Ka’Terra shares how persistence, determination, and listening for guidance ultimately led them on the right path to success.

• That persistence and determination are keys to your business success
• Why you must adapt quickly to market demands and customer feedback
• The value of community support and connecting with others to promote your product
• The importance of branding to catch people’s attention and leave a lasting impression
• How to make the most of the limitations of your cottage food law
• Why maintaining a positive mindset during difficult times is crucial
• How to prepare for large events, including managing inventory and marketing
• How to avoid events and markets that are not as lucrative

Sweet Addiction (Facebook | Instagram)

Business Spotlight Video

Project Opportunity for Veterans

Maryland Cottage Food Law

A lot of entrepreneurs still think they need to spend money to get a good website, and that is simply not true anymore.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through how to set up a totally free website on Square Online in less than an hour!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/120

Valerie Allensworth of Sitka, AK sells donuts and other baked goods with her cottage food business, The Donut Lady.

Valerie used to work at her mom’s commercial food business, but when she had her son a few years ago, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom.

However, after a few months she started feeling the itch to bake more, so she started a cottage food bakery, which got her back in the baking game, but still allowed her to stay at home with her son.

As you’ll see, Valerie’s entry point into the cottage food world was quite different from most entrepreneurs, and living on an island in Alaska has presented its own set of distinct challenges, which makes for a fascinating and unique cottage food success story.

• The importance of maintaining consistency in your products to keep customers coming back
• The pros and cons of running a cottage food business on a remote island
• How to get customers to adapt when you switch from one business model to another
• The viability of using direct delivery to fulfill orders
• Whether it’s better to bring fewer products to a market and sell out, or bring enough products for everyone but risk having leftovers
• The differences between marketing to tourists versus locals
• How to balance business growth with your personal life and family responsibilities
• How to use social media to boost sales
• Ideas for sourcing ingredients in a remote location

The Donut Lady (Facebook | Instagram)

Alaska Cottage Food Law

Are you building an email list for your business yet? If not, you really should be collecting customers’ email addresses and emailing them on a regular basis. Even these days, email continues to be better than social media for generating consistent sales, and the best part is that you own it. Once you build an email list, nobody can take it away from you.

I created this free tutorial that will walk you through the essentials of using ConvertKit to build an email list and get more followers!

Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/119