Darryl’s Ice Cream Solutions, LLC is a consulting service created to bridge the gap between “how to” and “actionable reality”. Helping clients turn a unique idea into a working business model or expand to keep up to growth.
Services offered:
- Product and flavor development – to understand ingredients and product composition and flavor ingredient types
- Terminology – understanding terms like “ice cream” not being used generically for any frozen product
- How to make frozen products – all of the steps to make a product from liquid to frozen packaged
- Understanding overrun – recognize the importance and how it can affect the product’s quality and cog
- Packaging – based on who’s the customer, one size doesn’t fit all. Fill is directly in relation to the customer
- Equipment – batch or continuous freezer, filler, fruit feeder, variegator, hardening freezer
Up-Scale Your Business:
If your company has grown and saturated the local and regional market and is ready to expand nationally, then you’ll need to understand the changes in:
- Manufacturing in larger batches
- The process to add flavors and inclusion
- Fill options
- Consistency in product make-up and flavor
- Cold chain logistics
- Liability and responsibility when made using a co-pack manufacturer
Is it best to invest in a co-pack manufacturer or yourself and make it in-house?
A common misconception is that a co-pack manufacturer that makes products besides their brand offers full service and accepts any size business. Before making product introductions, make sure the following is in place.
Keep in mind, even though you are not making the product, the co-packer is not held responsible for the products made while following your formula.
Have ready and in place:
- Funding
- Proven formula
- Product and weight specifications
- Ingredients and flavors with part numbers and supplier name
- Packaging that will fit the co-packers filler
- Freezer storage
- Distribution, delivery and order fulfillment method
Previous articles have been posted on the subject of finding a co-packer, here’s one to read.
A big piece of what a consultant should bring to the table is the importance of “preparation”. It is necessary that each aspect of each task be accurately addressed and tested in order to make a consistent quality product at the best possible cost for a concept to be a profitable business.
A belief, that simply having a great idea is the work required by them and everything else addressed by an outside manufacturer and resource. This approach and strategy are only made possible when investing thousands of dollars to prepare to manufacture stage, in-house, or outside.
Numerous times throughout the year individuals will post that after four or five “exciting” years of being in business they, unfortunately, decided to close their door. Why?? Basically believing that because they came with business experience from another industry, getting into ice cream and frozen non-dairy would be a piece of cake and proceeded to explain the numerous mistakes made. What they learned is what we educate in
Schedule time with Darryl and learn everything there is to know about your product, business, and required steps to avoid costly mistakes and surprises. Avoid becoming the author of another “what I learned the hard way” story and keep your doors open.
- Ethics In Using Madagascar Vanilla - November 21, 2023
- Money To Start Your Business - July 9, 2023
- Top 25 Common Myths About Ice Cream Co-Pack Manufacturers - April 22, 2023