She’s making pots of money with pots of soup
In my book The Canadian Achievers I told the story of the
Vermillion, Alberta homemaker who agreed to cater a local event for
1,000 people.
She did a great job, word spread, and now she
is one of the most successful food specialists in North America. Her
cookbooks are sold everywhere under the titles Company’s Coming. Her
name: Jean Pare.
Well, it appears history may be repeating
itself. This time it is a homemaker in Calgary named Carmie Nearing
[yes, Carmie is the correct spelling of her name] and her soup
company Spoon Fed Soups. Born and raised in New Waterford, Nova
Scotia, this 41-year-old mother of two children ages 7 and 9 moved
to Calgary with her husband, an advertising agency executive who
assists her in the marketing of her company.
In February 2005 she decided to make 20 litres
of soup and offer it for sale, delivered to 10 friends who worked in
downtown Calgary offices. A new batch of soup twice weekly was
delivered to the office workers.
Word soon spread; other offices wanted
Carmie’s soup delivered to them. She formed her company and now
cooks over 250 litres of soup weekly in a rented facility. Her
customers receive an e-mail every Tuesday telling them what’s on the
menu this week. Customers place their orders by e-mail. The soup is
delivered hot, tasty and on time. She charges between $10 and $12 a
litre.
What began with 10 friends ordering soup has
grown to over 450 regular customers. I asked Carmine if she had
plans to grow as Jean Pare has. “This is all happening so fast.
Yes, I am interested in growing the company.”
Carmie has over 60 soup recipes, so a recipe
book is not out of the question, but right now she is too busy
handling the rapid growth of her customer base. Her advice to other
budding entrepreneurs: “Dick, you have to stay loyal to your
brand. Be patient. People appreciate when you do your best. Do what
you do do best.”
Congratulations to Carmie Nearing — she is another Canadian
Achiever.
Learn more about her at
www.canadianachievers.com.
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