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Springfield, MO

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Startup Corner: Paul David Allen, Farm 2 Counter Inc.

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Minimally viable product …
We connect the small farmer and local artisans with the real people cooking at home in their kitchens. We have three levels of chef-inspired grocery bags ($35, $50 and $75) that include local vegetables, fruits, bakery items, dairy, jams and meats. We also do a carb-friendly bag called the “B Skinny” ($50) and the “Meat Bag” with the best local cuts of beef, pork and chicken. We offer free delivery to your home or office in the Springfield and Branson area.

Problem solving …
To make it easy for the everyday cook to receive the highest level of ingredients that travel the least distance possible. I was tired of feeding my children foods shipped in from 2,000-4,000 miles.

Seed money …
I was a private yacht chef so I saved $30,000 and moved back to the Ozarks to be around my beautiful daughters.

Hurdles overcome …
Finding farmers! We are focused on year-round growing in Missouri, so we have to invest time and money on getting our farmers to grow with hothouses, hoop houses, greenhouses, etc.

Next phase …
We are outgrowing our second location, so we will expand into a new location soon. We plan on cooking meals that are included in the bags, and we want to supply more restaurants.

Pivot …
I used to write down every order in a notebook. Now, we have a website with the capability to sub any item in the bag. We used to just surprise you with local items. Now, you can see a week in advance what is coming and make substitutions.

Advice …
From one of my former bosses, Moshe Levy, when I worked on yachts: Don’t do too much. When this company first started, I tried to please everyone and stretched myself way too thin. I was traveling too far on my route, delivering till 9 p.m. some evenings. Now, we usually get done by 5 p.m.

Greatest need …
We are doing a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to buy a sustainable vehicle for delivering. Right now, I use my Ford Expedition and my two drivers use their personal cars.

Food for thought …
Don’t judge yourself every day as a business owner; sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the big picture. Where you will be in three years is much different than where you are today. We have not made a profit yet and we will be in business almost two years. But within two more years this will be a totally different operation. We will continue to invest in our local farmer, and soon in time they will believe in us, and invest in us, too.

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