billwatson58

I'm considering starting a new business of making and selling energy bars for cyclists and other athletes. I've got a recipe that I find quite delicious, as does anyone who's triedone. My brother's fiance owns a bakery where they would be made, so my start up costs/risks are next to nothing. I'd like any and all feedback from you on if you think it's a good idea, what I should take into consideration before getting started, what would be the best way to market the product, and anything else you want to add. I'm in the very initial stages. A business plan would probably be the thing to do. I'm not doing this as a get rich quick scheme, but think it would something fun and interesting to do, and would get satisfaction at making a premium product that sold for the same or less than Power Bars or Clif Bars or the like. Thanks!

bugman

Good for you; go for it.

You might be able to get some cheap marketing by providing edible support for local centuries or club rides.

Croak

Good luck, but it is a tough industry to break in to. A lot of shady dealings going on in the background aswell.

If you could find a niche and really push it, you may be able to make some good coin.

Good luck!

What's the recipe? Had to ask

Istanbul_Tea

Marketing, marketing, marketing!! Be creative, be prepared to practically give them away for free for a year or two... hook 'em, then rope 'em in!

It's a VERY competitive business so rise above the "fold" and figure out a way to walk your own road.

Sounds like you'd love doing it so always remember that you started doing it for THAT reason and that reason alone.

Good Luck!!

billwatson58

Ah, now I can't be given that away, now can I? I'll tell you it's has walnuts, raisins, molasses, honey, and uses wheat flour. Yum! Nutritionally, here's the scoop per 2" inch square bar: 470 calories (9 g protein, 76 g carb, 14 g fat).

Thanks, Bill

billwatson58

Change of heart. Full disclosure is the way to go.

A delicious high energy snack that packs for weeks without crumbling.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Ingredients:
7 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup instant dry milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup softened butter
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup molasses
1 cup honey
1 cup water
In a large bowl, add and stir the ingredients in the order listed. Press
the thick batter in a lightly greased 13" x 9" pan. Bake for 1 hour at 300
degrees F. Reduce oven to 200 degrees F., slightly ajar the oven door, and
bake for an additional 8 hours or overnight for the purpose of drying.
Before cooling, cut into 2" x 2" bars (makes approximately 20). Allow
to cool for several hours before storing in freezer grade plastic zip lock
bags.
470 calories (9 g protein, 76 g carb, 14 g fat).

I've done some research and in comparison find that the typical bar has more protein, less carbs, and less fat. Is that something I should be aiming for?

travis200

A 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein is a good base to start. Your bars are 8:1 The 76g is pretty high on the carbs. The high fat content could be good is it mostly good fat or is it saturated fat?

djbowen1

you lost my business at raisins, will you offer a recipe without?

briansvr

Check out a book titled "Guerrilla Marketing" by Jay Conrad Levinson subtitled "secrets for making big profits from your small business".
I started a business from scratch and found it helpfull.

flyefisher

Look at powerbar. There are many better products out there but theirs sells because they have a catchy name and dump tons into marketing. You could learn a lot from them.