Gian Uceta Entrepreneur

I have a background in design and branding so marketing isn't much of a worry but finances and logistics are my weaknesses.

• I've formed an LLC and trade marked my brand

• I've gone through the process of getting my product tested at a food lab for the nutrition facts and scheduled process to produce with a co-packer in upstate NY

• I have a few potential customers ranging from butcher shops, bars and a local grocery store.

• I've designed the label and have a structure for the final product.

• I've done beta tests and created mock bottles to give out to sales leads / consumers

• Developed 2 new products that need to be food tested

My future goals are to sell online starting with my flagship sauce, and develop 2 new sauces. I eventually want to have a physical store front, where I can cook, bottle, and ship my sauces. The store would have full production equipment in the back with a sand-which shop in the front featuring the sauces.

My motivations to work with a mentor are to be a well-rounded small business owner. I have the creative and leadership side but want to be better on the financial, logistical, and marketing aspects. I'm on unemployment in the SEAP program and want to give these next 6 months everything I've got. Its all or nothing for me right now, luckily I've taken a lot of steps while I was working full-time.

I started my LLC as a way for me to distribute and protect my homemade sauce. The sauce is a mix of BBQ and Ketchup, it has all the benefits of a BBQ sauce but with the versatility of ketchup. I tell people its an "everything sauce" because you can put it on anything! I'm looking to compete with great brands like Yellowbird, Melindas, Stubbs, and Rufus Teague.

As far as sales leads, I have contacts with a butcher shop, a bar, and a grocery store (possibly 3 of its stores). Along with online sales which I believe will raise the most revenue.