Summer Idea

[nolde05]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Brandon and I am a freshman at the University of WI-Madison. With the recent crisis in the economy, my ability to attain a summer internship has been diminished. I have spent a copious amount of time searching for jobs that would be relevant to my field, but I came up empty-handed. Subsequently, I have began to brainstorm some ideas that would allow me to make money on my own.

While on vacation, my friend experienced a mouth-watering experience at the local restaurants. He became addicted to a type of food that was widely offered in this foreign country.

I began to research local grocers and restaurants to see if they carried this product, 99% did not. I looked up reviews on this product and everyone else had the same feedback, "this stuff is amazing, why is no one selling it in the US!"

I would like to be a salesman for this company and widen this product's sales from its hometown to Wisconsin. I would like to spend my hours in the summer pitching local restaurants and grocers to show them how great this product is and get it on their shelves or tables. I really think i could make some sales. I just received the phone number to the owner of the company and I am planning on contacting him/her in the next week. But I have a few questions beforehand:

1. How should I approach the owner? Should I have my entire business plan laid out or simply inform him/her on my idea? I mean this will only benefit his/her company.

2. What do you think about the potential of this?

3. How much of a cut should i take from the profits on a sale? 50%, 75%,etc?

4. How should i approach this, in entirety?

I do not have much experience so give many any advice you have, it will be greatly appreciated!


Sincerely,
Brandon

[akula]

man just have a cv ready, give him a call and go from there
i wouldn't waste much time on negotiation at this stage
just take the first fair deal that he offers
see how you go as a salesman and there's gonna plenty of opportunity to renegotiate

[nolde05]

I just contacted the owner and he was thrilled, just as I expected. I have a couple of questions regarding the sale side.

When I make a sale to a grocery store, how does the proceeding process work? How do i determine price, placement, etc?

Are grocery stores open to new products or is this a difficult sale?

Any information regarding grocers or restaurants sale/distribution process would be helpful.

Thank you,
Brandon

[nolde05]

I just contacted the owner and he was thrilled, just as I expected. I have a couple of questions regarding the sale side.

When I make a sale to a grocery store, how does the proceeding process work? How do i determine price, placement, etc?

Are grocery stores open to new products or is this a difficult sale?

Any information regarding grocers or restaurants sale/distribution process would be helpful.

Thank you,
Brandon

[mcstartup]

It's going to just depend on the owner. I would be willing (and ask for) to stand there in the store with a little display, giving samples and driving interest in the product. Anything that can get feet in the store is going to be of interest to the store owner. If you can explain any sort of plan you have to drive traffic into the store, even if it's something as simple as "I'm going to stand out at the corner with a sign that says Come in for Free Samples" that will be of interest.

The stores will carry whatever has a demand. Generate some of that demand (or at least show that you will try) and they should have no problem giving the new product a try.