Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mark Batarse, owner of Bacon Freak Inc., located in Moorpark, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bacon Freak is a one-stop shop for all things bacon. We offer unique, premium bacon varieties that are not available at the mass market stores. Our bacon varieties are dry-cured, wet-cured, and uncured. We have various different hardwood smoked bacon and a number of flavor options, including cajun, honey BBQ, and firecracker chili. You will find a number of different sausages, ham, and pork products. We feature bacon-flavored seasoning, chocolate-covered bacon, and several bacon novelties. A large part of our business is Bacon of the Month Clubs.
Our customers are all over the US, and we do sell some wholesale. Bacon lovers looking for premium quality and unique flavors make up the majority of our customer base.
Tell us about yourself
I purchased Bacon Freak 6 years ago because I thought it had a unique, quality product with wide appeal and potential. I had not run an e-commerce business before and discovered there are a number of unique challenges in this evolving market segment. Things in e-commerce are always changing, but the main challenge is to keep building traffic and awareness of your product.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building sales and profits. Creating new and unique products that people appreciate. Repeat customers validate our business and operation.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Building traffic and sales in a very competitive environment. We sell a perishable product and cover the entire US. We rely 3rd party carriers (USPS, Fedex, and UPS) to deliver our products on schedule.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be ready for most goals to be harder than they look on paper.
- Prepare for a competitive market.
- Realize that often your goal may take at least a couple of attempts before you get it right.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://baconfreak.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baconfreak/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baconfreak_baconismeatcandy/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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