Having run a small kettle corn business on and off for one decade, the first thing that I'm inclined to say about it is that it's tough work. I operate my kettle corn business as a side hobby type of enterprise, and usually on the weekends and holidays. Out of all the people I know who have tried their hand at running a small kettle corn business, I am the last man standing, which speaks volumes about the type of work that it is. I love doing it of course, and always have had a passion for perfecting the art of kettle corn, but it isn't easy at times to stick with for the long haul. In this section of my website, I will share with you some of my thoughts on the best plan or approach to getting started with a kettle corn business. If you're serious about doing it, then be sure to read through this, as I do have a good amount of experience under my belt. If you have any questions about starting up a kettle corn business, then feel free to shoot me an email.
The first thing to consider before starting a kettle corn business, is analyzing your motivation. If you're out for a crude buck or two, then that's fine, but monetary drive alone usually means that you won't last long in the kettle corn business. At the end of the day, and above all else, to be successful selling kettle corn, you have to know how to whip up a batch of perfect kettle corn. Perfecting the popping techniques can take years, and the more you enjoy practicing it, the better your end product will become. Now the reason that I bring up the motivation issue, is because most of the people that I see come and go in this business, only had dollar bills on their mind, and they didn't bother to consider the fine art of popping kettle corn, and what sort of work actually goes in to mastering the craft. At the end of the day if your kettle corn tastes like crap, then word of mouth will spread around, and eventually you'll have no one to sell it to.
Outside of the motivation factor as mentioned above, the first hands on part of your business plan should be to line yourself up as a temporary employee of a local kettle corn business. Spend some time working an actual kettle corn popper and booth, that way you know exactly what you'll be getting yourself into before you invest in buying your own equipment. I would even go so far as to advise you to spend six months or longer working a booth as an employee, that way you can gauge whether or not your interest in it may fade. I've seen individuals get saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in equipment, after getting burned out from the business due to a short attention span. So don't be one of those individuals, as used kettle corn equipment or gear can sometimes be difficult to resell, and you might end up losing a great deal of money. Once you have found someone to sort of mentor you, be sure to ask as many questions as you can.
The next basic plan of action with regard to setting up a kettle corn business, is to familiarize yourself with the local market. Things you will want to pay attention to, are how many kettle corn businesses operate in your area already, and how many venues are available for a potential new comer to the business. In many cities across the United States, you can actually find that the kettle corn market is over saturated with businesses, which ultimately means that the available venues are fiercely contested. You'll really want to put your thinking cap on when researching this element of your business plan, and prepare yourself for a bit of foot work. Hit up your local farmers markets, craft markets, etc., and dig for any unexploited venue with a good deal of foot traffic from the locals. People usually buy their kettle corn on impulse, so you'll need a location with a good deal of people in the area. Get to know event organizers, as they'll be helpful.
