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The Forrager Podcast for Cottage Food Businesses

Business & Economics Podcasts

Learn how to start a food business from your home kitchen by hearing stories from cottage food entrepreneurs about how they grew their businesses from the ground up. Does everyone ask for your recipes, or say "You should sell that"? Have you dreamed of starting a brick-and-mortar bakery, or simply want a fun hobby that brings in some extra dough? On this podcast, David interviews a wide range of entrepreneurs across America who legally sell their homemade food via their state's cottage food law. Each episode reveals strategies for marketing and selling your food products successfully from home, online, at farmers markets/events, and in stores. Learn what steps you should (or shouldn't) take, and get your cottage food business off to the right start!

Location:

United States

Description:

Learn how to start a food business from your home kitchen by hearing stories from cottage food entrepreneurs about how they grew their businesses from the ground up. Does everyone ask for your recipes, or say "You should sell that"? Have you dreamed of starting a brick-and-mortar bakery, or simply want a fun hobby that brings in some extra dough? On this podcast, David interviews a wide range of entrepreneurs across America who legally sell their homemade food via their state's cottage food law. Each episode reveals strategies for marketing and selling your food products successfully from home, online, at farmers markets/events, and in stores. Learn what steps you should (or shouldn't) take, and get your cottage food business off to the right start!

Language:

English


Episodes

Michelle Dukes with The Cookie Cutters

3/12/2024
Michelle Dukes of Penfield, NY shares why she shifted her business model after 10 years of running a cottage food bakery, while keeping focus on the most important aspect of her business: having fun Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/110

Duration:00:56:14

Shupan Abraham with Cakes By Shupan

2/27/2024
Shupan Abraham of Lawrenceville, GA shares how her cottage food bakery transformed once she hired a coach, and what she's learned about putting herself out there and marketing her business effectively Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/109

Duration:00:57:28

David Bock with Buzzed Honeys

2/13/2024
David Bock of Altadena, CA runs a multifaceted honey business that specializes in rescuing honey bees, and he shares local marketing tips that helped him build an email list of 3,500+ subscribers Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/108

Duration:00:58:12

Jessi Deily with Colby Jack Rabbit

1/30/2024
Jessi Deily of Helena, MT sells macarons and custom-decorated meringue cookies with her cottage food business and shares her journey from struggling artist to successful baker and TikTok influencer Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/107

Duration:00:58:42

Eric & Denise Steilberger with Fudge De Fûge

1/16/2024
Eric & Denise Steilberger of Ocala, FL sell their homemade fudge all year long and share how the lessons they learned from running a cafe in Alaska helped them build a successful cottage food business Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/106

Duration:00:55:38

Kristyn Suemnick with Old Oak Sourdough

1/2/2024
Kristyn Suemnick of Murrieta, CA shares how her discovery of sourdough bread led to building a thriving home bakery that allows her to stay at home with her kids and better connect with her community Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/105

Duration:00:59:56

Megan Shonka with Happy Mango Bakery

12/19/2023
Megan Shonka of Papillion, NE shares the highs and lows of her home-based bakery journey, the importance of being involved in her community, and her plans to expand into a brick-and-mortar storefront Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/104

Duration:00:59:21

Angela Awunor with Angyono Cakes

12/5/2023
Angela Awunor of Glenn Dale, MD shares how she moved her thriving custom cake business from a commercial kitchen into her home, and how she maintains work-life balance with two full-time careers Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/103

Duration:00:59:58

Denae Spiering with The Sugar Shack

11/21/2023
Denae Spiering of Bridgeville, DE shares how she realized her long-time dream of building a brick-and-mortar bakery despite life getting in the way and pausing her cottage food business for many years Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/102

Duration:00:59:17

Deanna Martinez-Bey with The Fiery Whisk Bakery

11/7/2023
Deanna Martinez-Bey of Wake Forest, NC is a multi-faceted food entrepreneur and shares her experience in building a cottage food bakery, writing books, managing social media, and running pop-up events Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/101

Duration:00:57:50

Episode 100: Where Are They Now?

10/24/2023
In this very special 100th episode, previous guests come back on to share an update of what's changed since they were last on the show, what's surprised them, and what they've learned along the way Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/100

Duration:02:06:58

Starting A Mission-Driven Business with Nancy Chang

10/10/2023
Nancy Chang of Oakland, CA sells healthy soups with her home-based micro-restaurant and shares how her mother's battle with cancer inspired her to provide nourishing food to those facing health issues Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/99

Duration:00:59:33

Invest In Yourself with Stephanie Wiley

9/26/2023
Stephanie Wiley of Whitefish, MT shares how the tragic loss of her son inspired her to start a cookie business, which she has quickly grown by seeking help from others and investing in the business Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/98

Duration:00:59:13

Healthy Grains, Wealthy Gains with Tamara Ketchian

9/12/2023
Tamara Ketchian of Orange, CT sells gluten-free vegan granola and shares how she's gone from stay-at-home mom to starting a cottage food bakery to now scaling her business with a commercial kitchen Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/97

Duration:00:59:58

Don’t Be Afraid Of Failure with Jana LaViolette

8/29/2023
Jana LaViolette of Clovis, NM shares her incredible journey from cottage food to food truck to storefront, and how she overcame many obstacles by constantly trying new things and never giving up Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/96

Duration:00:59:56

It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint with Robert & Paula Grosz

8/15/2023
Robert & Paula Grosz of Murray, KY share how they built a thriving jam & jelly business that allowed them to quit their jobs by focusing on quality, listening to customers, and scaling their business Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/95

Duration:00:59:58

From Corporate Burnout to Cottage Food with Susan Ting

8/1/2023
Susan Ting of Needham, MA shares how quitting her corporate job and facing burnout led her to start a cottage food bakery where she sells very unique and high-end gluten-free mochi desserts Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/94

Duration:00:57:05

The Freeze Dried Trend with Janna Newcomb Walworth

7/18/2023
Janna Newcomb Walworth of Choctaw, OK has rapidly grown her cottage food business selling freeze dried candy, fruits, veggies, etc, and shares why she doesn't think this trend will end anytime soon Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/93

Duration:00:59:55

Live In The Moment with Alisa Woods

7/4/2023
Alisa Woods of Des Moines, IA shares how she promotes her home bakery by networking with others, getting TV spots, building Instagram followers, competing in state fairs, and living in the moment Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/92

Duration:00:59:54

Back To Basics with Lora Friemel

6/20/2023
Lora Friemel of Scranton, AR shares how she sells homemade jams, jellies, and other canned goods as a way to support her lifelong dream of running a sustainable homestead for her family Get full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/91

Duration:00:56:00