Foolproof Strategies for Establishing a Food Business
Nik Fields of Chic Chef Co has been able to build a multi-million-dollar brand by inventing her own spin on fun and whimsical gourmet foods, spice blends, and kitchen essentials, and transitioned her booming online business to expand to a brick-and-mortar spice shop and cafe located in her hometown Phoenix, AZ, where the queen rules the organic culinary throne.
She has been analyzing Black females in the culinary industry and states, “Black women are among the fastest-growing entrepreneurs, but only 4% are chefs or in the culinary industry. Then COVID happened, which led to a huge impact on the economy.”
Fields states people who opened businesses during the pandemic have certain advantages. Similar to start-ups competing with legacy companies, they may have lower overhead costs and the agility to adapt to a shifting environment easily outside of normal working conditions.
Nik has also formulated a strategy that will make establishing a business foolproof during the pandemic. Here are her business secrets:
- Create a marketing plan. This is the meat and potatoes of your business, written on paper for potential investors or partners.
- Location– The location of your business will determine your success. Think about what your guests’ needs will be currently.
- Since Covid-19, a lot of real estate agencies, landlords and property managers are offering full build-out options for new construction sites, rent abatement up to 1 year, location signage and tenant options that will cover move-in cost and equipment. A down market allows more room for negotiations, which means more perks and less capital given up front.
- Think About Your Digital Marketing Strategy– Let’s face it: Social media reigns supreme when it comes marketing, but posting on social media shouldn’t be your end-all of marketing and advertising. Create marketing campaigns, purchase ads, join Facebook groups and, obtain interns from high school or college to create content for your social media platforms.
- Master your esthetic, your style and rock it out! What’s your P.O.D? Point of difference. What makes you unique to the industry? Why would consumers want to shop or purchase from you? Capitalize on being you!
About Nik Fields
Chef Nik, better known as “Nik the Chic Chef or “Foodie with a Cause” has merged her passion for food and life and has gained national recognition for her amazing culinary art skills having prepared cuisine for celebrities such as Jess Hilarious, Supa Cent, Angie Stone, Vivica Fox, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Snoop Dog, Sharon Stone, Tony Goldwyn, Famke Janssen, Shar Jackson, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vincenzo Williams as well as Personal Chef to Phoenix Cardinals football player, Chris Johnson (CJ2K) and many others. Chef Nik has been featured in People Magazine, The Doctors on NBC, HGTV as well as several series on Bravo and VH1. Nik Fields’ philanthropic efforts to provide food and clean water to villages in the Dominican Republic has garnered international acclaim. Her nonprofit organization Waste Not Want Not (WNWN Inc.) encourages households and restaurants to limit food waste.
