We were lucky to catch up with Keesha OGaldez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Keesha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
In the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), the challenges for a small start up that most people are not aware of. While it seems super sexy to be on all the retail shelves it does come at a cost. The cycle is to get on to a shelf and then to get your product off the shelf and get a reorder from a store.
The first shocker is “You may have to pay to be on the retail shelves”,
Slotting Fees and Shelf Space: Some retailers charge slotting fees for placing products on their shelves, and competition for shelf space can be fierce. Small businesses may find it challenging to afford these fees or secure prominent placement in stores, limiting their visibility and sales potential.
Retailer Requirements and Negotiations: Retailers often have requirements for product placement, pricing, and promotional activities. Small businesses may struggle to meet these requirements or negotiate favorable terms with retailers, which can impact their profitability.
Payment Terms: Retailers may impose extended payment terms on suppliers, requiring small businesses to wait longer to receive payment for their products. This can strain cash flow and make it difficult for small businesses to manage their finances effectively.
The most common senario that you will have to upfront a cost to make your product and then have to wait close to 60 days to get paid. Can an emerging business have enough cash flow
Discounting and Promotions: Retailers often expect suppliers to participate in discounting and promotional activities to drive sales. Small businesses may struggle to absorb the costs associated with these promotions while maintaining profitability.
Marketing and Branding: Building brand awareness and attracting customers in a crowded marketplace requires effective marketing and branding efforts, which can be resource-intensive for small businesses with limited budgets.
It’s important for a new brand being able to figure out what sales channel they can be more profitable and to be able to support.
Personal antidote ” Our nuts were featured for sale on a reputable culinary marketplace, the terms were consignment, they ship to their customers and net 30 payment, unfortunately our products didn’t sell fast enough (even after putting them on sale) and they had to be discarded – lost money on this”
Keesha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Chef Keesha O’Galdez didn’t set out to create her own candied nuts brand — but when it happened, she embraced it.
Her serendipitous journey into the world of nuts began in 2019, as she was preparing a dinner for a pop-up event. The Bronx-born chef topped her first course with a sprinkling of candied pistachios, made from her own recipe. The guests loved the nuts so much, she gave them two bags – and one got stolen.
“I thought that if they were good enough to be stolen, they were probably good enough to be purchased,” O’Galdez, 44, said.
Live Loud Foods is shaking up the snacking experience with the launch of its expertly crafted candied nuts this March 2024. The brainchild of Bronx native Chef Keesha O’Galdez, Live Loud Foods aims to break free from the ordinary and usher in a nutty revolution with snacks that exude irresistibility and serve as the perfect complement for sophisticated gatherings, fine wines, and spirits.
O’Galdez proudly declares, ‘We’ve elevated the ordinary bar nuts into a realm of sophistication, offering a well-deserved upgrade. By crafting nuanced flavor profiles, promoting healthier lifestyle choices, and mindful consideration of drink pairings, we’ve turned these humble nuts into storytellers. This is the evolution of nuts – a grown-up experience that’s not just flavorful but also an absolute delight!'”
Live Loud Foods will initially launch with two flagship flavors available for purchase direct-to-consumer on www.liveloudfoods.com for $9 for a 3.5oz bag.
Candied Citrus Pistachios – A symphony of sweet citrus flavors, transforming every bite into a mouthwatering party.
Caribbean Jerk Spiced Nuts – A bold and spicy sensation reminiscent of a festive Caribbean Carnival made with chef-crafted jerk spice blend and sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar.
Whether you’re reaching for a snack during a high-powered work meeting, refueling after a workout, or at night out, Live Loud Foods encourages everyone to embrace a life they are excited about. It’s time to show the world your nuts!
For more information and to join the flavor revolution, visit www.liveloudfoods.com.
About Live Loud Foods:
Live Loud Foods crafts snacks that transcend the ordinary, creating experiences that make life pop with excitement and flavor. Live Loud means embracing a life that you’re stoked about, with purpose on your terms. Each candied nut flavor embodies the power of culture, finds beauty in everyday moments, and champions the freedom of being authentically yourself.
About Chef Keesha O’Galdez:
Chef Keesha’s culinary journey began at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Culinary Arts in NYC, where she mastered the art of organic, vegetarian, vegan, and health-supportive diets. With a BS in Information Systems Engineering and an MBA from Simmons College, Chef Keesha brings a unique blend of culinary expertise and business acumen to the Live Loud table.
From gracing the NYC fine dining catering scene to dazzling on Epicurious’s 50 Person Prep Challenge and making waves on Food Network’s Chopped, Chef Keesha is a force to be reckoned with.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had my personal chef business “Gourmet Diva” where I would catering in person. During the pandemic the culinary industry came to a hault.
O’Galdez pivoted to hosting online cooking courses and wine and spirits tastings during the pandemic, curating different experts to present on wine, chocolate, and other topics of interest. She wants her members to have fun while learning valuable skills, calling it “Culinary Edutainment” (education + entertainment).
“I wanted to harness the community and bring people together through food,” says O’Galdez. “When I teach cooking classes, I’m not trying to groom the next master chef. These are functional skills you need to know to survive and to be a more savvy consumer. I want to change the image of cooking, making it something that people enjoy doing, experiencing, and connecting with others. I find that how people show up in the kitchen is how they show up in life — some with trepidation and others ready for adventure.”
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
From building @gourmetdiva and @live.loud.foods. Building a social media presence takes time, effort, and patience. While some people may have a viral video or moment for me it was a combination of the following tactics:
1. Understanding what is goal for social media. Knowing that will help you navigate this
For Live Loud Foods its to build community and showcase the brands personality
Define your niche and audience: Determine what you want to share or promote on social media and identify your target audience. Understanding your audience’s interests, demographics, and preferences will help tailor your content to resonate with them.
Be authentic and relatable: People connect with authenticity. Show your personality and share personal stories or experiences to humanize your brand. Building relationships is key – people buy from people the like. I like to make short videos and post in my stores so people can see who I am in an unfiltered way.
Collaborate with others: Partner with influencers, other businesses, or individuals in your industry to reach a larger audience. Cross-promote each other’s content or collaborate on joint projects to leverage each other’s followers and expand your reach.
Interact with your audience: Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions. While this can be time consuming its key. If someone takes the time to write a comment on your post – take the time to write back something meaningful.
Track and analyze your performance. You can start to see what is working for you and adjust.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.liveloudfoods.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/live.loud.foods
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-loud-foods
Image Credits
Devin Santa