IMKENOBI's Blog (9)

I determined, much to my chagrin, that Indian tribes are immune from suits. UNLESS you can get them to sign a contract that has language waiving that immunity. There is a lot of settled law on this issue; however, there are really no remedies for a vendor/supplier or anyone doing business with Indians without the waiver. The unfortunate aspect is the lack of due process that results when the tribe invokes its sovereign immunity. In other words, you are screwed! Whether you are consulting or p… Continue

Here is a recent email exchange with an editor-in-chief of a major food trade publication: "The point I was trying to make is that it would not benefit us at all, from a business standpoint, to sponsor your publication. We have a controlled circulation and are not trying to drum up new subscribers. Does that make sense?" This was in response to an inquiry I made about the possibility of either sponsoring an edition of our online magazine, and/or writing an article about the growing trends in pr… Continue

This is from the July issue of Wired Magazine: ELEMENT - SCARCITY ABUNDANCE Rules: Everything is forbidden. Everything is permitted, unless it is permitted. Unless it is forbidden. Social Model - Paternalism Egalitarianism ("We know what's best") ("You know what's best.") Profit Plan - Business model=We'll figure it out Decision Process - Top-down, Bottom-up Organizational Command & control - Out of control I am on the side of abundance, yet I think the organizational structure is stra… Continue

Hello, Do any of you use powders, specialty powders, in the production of your specialty foods? If so, can you share with me the types of powder? Thank you. Steve Continue

Hello, The following is from the 43rd edition of Food Entrepreneur Magazine: =========== STOP PRESS!!! ATTENTION small business owners who could benefit from the SBA 2009 Recovery Act. SBA says: - Deferred-payment loan up to $35k - Must be an existing (minimum two years), viable, small business in the U.S. - Funds can be given out over six months, followed by 12 months with no repayment of principal, followed by a repayment period of five years. - SBA pays monthly interest to the bank. - Mu… Continue

Chocoholics Divine Desserts Vice President of Sales - Specialty Foods Position Profile Position Location Corporate Headquarters, Clements, CA Chocoholics Divine Desserts San Francisco / Sacramento / Stockton Region Company Websites http://gourmetchocolate.com Company Overview Chocoholics, a 15 year old privately held company, are a leader in the gourmet chocolate industry renowned for its ultra-premium chocolate, impeccable customer service, and innovative all-natural cutting-edge products.… Continue

Take our mini-surveys and submit questions for future surveys and articles for publication in FE. Current survey is about "life before specialty food marketing." What did you do before you got the ur… Continue

The following is offered by Food Product Business Development Consultant Teddi McMillen, author of Nirvana in a Cup that highlights her success as a co-founder of Oregon Chai.

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Need help with your business plan? I have been guiding specialty food entrepreneurs in preparing effective strategic business plans for the past twenty years.

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