Website Developed to Assist Specialty Food Businesses

A new website designed to provide specialty food companies and entrepreneurs immediate access to industry-specific business information and expert advisors has been launched by veteran specialty food coach and consultant Deb Mazzaferro.

The website, GrowingYourSpecialtyFoodBusiness.com, provides easy access to relevant information based on a company’s stage of development from start-up through emerging companies to legacy brands, including those who are just exploring the possibility of launching a specialty food business, Mazzaferro said. 

“A lot of people don’t know where to start whether they are launching a company or trying to get to the next level,” she said. “We wanted to provide a resource with information and expertise that are specific to the specialty food industry.”

The website features free information downloads from professionals with specialty food industry experience, including accounting, legal, marketing, business consulting and more, said Mazzaferro, who has used her many years of specialty food sales and marketing experience to help food entrepreneurs navigate the intricacies of the market. 

The site also has an industry blog and responses to frequently asked questions that provide information on topics ranging from how much it will cost to produce a product to how to find brokers. It also has a list of free resources that are available through SCORE, the Small Business Administration and other sources.

 Mazzaferro has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the specialty food trade and has provided coaching and consulting to specialty food firms since 2001. She helps companies assess their current situations and focus their efforts into areas that will grow business profitably. 

Mazzaferro also conducts customized workshops, provides sales mentoring and assists with brand building. She is founder of Food Clique, which connects food companies with food lovers, on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Previously she served as vice president of sales and marketing for B.R. Cohn, Daprano & Co. and John Wagner and Sons.