ALOHA’s Post

Yes, your food business idea can work—if you test it with the right approach. Pour it into the C.U.P., take a sip, and you'll find your answer with three simple questions. When I speak with friends in the industry or other startup entrepreneurs, they all have the same question: Will my idea work? I always ask them: Have you poured it into a cup and taken a sip? You might be thinking, "What does that mean?" Let me explain: The C.U.P. method is based on three questions that will help you see if your idea will work. Competition, Understanding, and Perception of Price/Value. Let's break it down into three simple steps: 1. Competition: Are there other businesses like yours? Have others failed, or is there room for new ideas? Look at the market to see if there’s enough competition. A competitive market can be a good sign that your idea will work. 2. Understanding: Do you know a lot about the food and idea you want to sell? Make sure you understand the cuisine and concept well. Pay attention to cultural norms and values. Being authentic and having good quality are very important in the food business. 3. Perception of Price/Value: Do people want to pay more for something special, or do they like cheaper options? Find out what the market thinks about your product’s price and value. Match your pricing to what your customers are willing to pay for the value you offer. When thinking about your next step in the food industry, answer these 3 questions. Your answers should be short and to the point. In less than 5 minutes, it will be clear to you. If you have any questions or want me to explain more, my inbox is open. Feel free to ask! I will gladly share more information and help you answer your questions. How do you plan to validate your food business idea? Let's discuss! #Foodpreneur #Entrepreneurship #Startups #SmallBusiness #FoodStartups

“I can do that.” Entrepreneurship has transformed my life in many ways, but the most surprising has been a kind of radical agency. I’ve always been a creative and maker of one sort or another. The love of making comes with a deep love of learning and trying new things. But as I came back to entrepreneurship over the past few years and started working with startups and solopreneurs, something shifted. I realized that almost anything I buy, any product I use, started in someone’s kitchen or as one of those famous ‘napkin sketches.’ And that led me to this powerful thought: I can do that too. I can figure it out. I can make something great for myself…and maybe for others. This shift has led me down some fun paths. My favourite plant-based coffee creamer disappeared, so I spent 6 months iterating to create a genuinely better replacement. I love kombucha but got tired of the cost, so I started brewing water kefir. I’m allergic to soy but missed my favourite plant products, so I started making soy-free tofu and miso. And it all started with realizing that so many great products start with people like me, in kitchens and at desks like mine, with an idea and one powerful thought: “I can do that.” And P.S.: You can too. #foodforthought #entrepreneur #solopreneur #makers #personaltransformation #growth #youcandoit #startup #newbusiness #newproduct

💡Struggling with how to get ideas? Look no further. Humble brag: I’ve been on a book-reading terror. Insomnia has its upside 😳 Somewhere in exploring esoteric creative content, this book was recommended. I love that it was written by a former Ad Man. Each campaign was framed as “the problem to be solved” with great ideas. And how do great ideas come? Jack Foster has so many cool methods and references from all sorts of creatives and problem-solvers from all walks of life. It’s a quick read and totally worth it because after all - we all have problems to solve, even if we’re not trying to come up with the new Dunkin’ Donuts campaign. #ideas #entrepreneurship #startups #productivity

Intrapreneurship vs. Entrepreneurship: Mindset not status. Whether you're building something new inside a company or starting from scratch on your own, the common thread between intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship is your mindset. It’s not about titles or ownership, it’s about how we approach problems, seek opportunities, and embrace challenges. I tried to find out what are the commonalities and here are my thoughts: Ownership mentality: Whether you lead a project inside a corporation or run your own startup, taking full responsibility for outcomes is key. Innovation: Both intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and constantly seek better solutions. Resilience: Failure is part of the journey. It's how you respond, iterate, and move forward that matters. Impact-driven: At the core, both roles are about creating value—either for your organization or the wider market. Yesterday I came to realize that I will once again leading a inner small startup project. #Intrapreneurship #Entrepreneurship #MindsetMatters #Innovation #Leadership #GrowthMindset

Dear first time entreprenuers...👇🏻dont... Don’t over-focus on the product! As a founder, it's easy to get caught up in perfecting features, spending weeks and weeks on something that customers may not even care about in the end. Trust me, I’ve been there. Here’s what I’ve learned: 1) Build an MVP – Don’t strive for perfection from the start. Create a minimum viable product that serves your core purpose. 2) Find your customers – Get your product out there as soon as possible. Your customers are your best feedback loop. 3) Validate your idea – The sooner you launch, the quicker you’ll understand whether your idea holds real market potential. 4) Validate product-market fit – It's all about testing if what you've built is really needed. Focus on delivering value first, then optimize later. 5) Lastly, don’t ignore distribution. Even the best product can fail if no one knows about it. #startup #entrepreneurship #productdevelopment #MVP #distribution

In an era where traditional career paths are being redefined, Gen Z is leading a remarkable shift towards solopreneurship, embracing the allure of running single-person startups. This entrepreneurial wave isn't just about forging a path of independence but is deeply rooted in Gen Z's values of creativity, sustainability, and technological innovation. Let's dive into the nuances of this trend, uncovering why solopreneurship is resonating so profoundly with the youngest generation of entrepreneurs. #Solopreneurship #GenZ #Entrepreneurs #DigitalNatives #Sustainability #FutureOfWork

Colin, the founder of alchemy pet, sent me this nice gift and note. We riffed on the pet supplement and wellness market chatting a lot about the classic 5 P's of marketing: product price promotion place people From my experience - most founders typically have something unique. And, don't confuse that because that something is 'unique' it should be built or scaled - a topic for another day... The problem? The 5 P's (amongst a million others). It's likely that your product/solution is some iteration of an already $billion+ industry. How do you differentiate clearly so that people don't throw you into the $billion+ bucket instantly? Need help? Reach out - link in comments. #startups #founders #entrepreneurship #venturecapital

A brand in early-stage startups is built daily over a lot of micro-activities congruent with a leader's belief system when no one is watching. Some founders confuse it with slogans, logos, free coffee vending machines, and yoga sessions. It's none of those. At an early stage, it boils down to how you made your comrades feel not your phony slogans. Your customers and comrades have a very sharp nose to smell your intentions. Never underestimate their wisdom and overestimate your intelligence as a founder. This is Josh Calabrese's image. #startup #branding #culture #entrepreneurship

Some brands have more press coverage than customers. They just spread and allow their stories to be written everywhere without realizing that it does more damage to the brand than good. Not all excesses are good sirs. True for life and true for brands. #branding #startups #entrepreneurship

Putting the Right Skills to Work in Your Startup is truly essential. When people work in areas they excel at, they often come up with creative solutions. With limited resources, It’s like a small bakery—if the best baker spends time on deliveries instead of baking, the quality of the baked goods could drop. Using everyone's skills wisely helps the startup grow faster and smarter. #StartupSuccess #RightSkills #Efficiency #Innovation #JobSatisfaction #ResourceManagement #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship