Download Here (Right Click, Save As)
It was an honor interviewing Susie Wyshak, author of Good Food Great Business as she shows us so many useful tips on how to start a food business and how to write a book.
I actually was able to meet Susie for a brief time during my trip to the Fancy Food Show, which we talk about during the episode. She even signed my copy of Good Food Great Business and you can see it below
If you haven’t read the book and you are looking to start a food business, I highly suggest this one. It’s so good! From personal experience, I found the resources so valuable, the format really easy to follow, and the examples are superb.
Other little gems in this episode includes great tips and tribulations of writing a book, me showing off my food science knowledge, and Susie’s thoughts on robots in the future.
About Susie
Key Takeaways
- Why Susie’s book is amazing
- Why she decided to make a book and some tips on doing it
- What Susie thinks of robots
- Adam talks about food science and inulin
Question Summary
Educational Background: MBA in Marketing
Tips on writing a book
How did you contact people for info?: I just asked them! But I had a strong network
Do you think the industry is small?: Yes, but it’s just like any industry
What is the hardest thing about writing a book?: Books are linear and writing about a non-linear process is very challenging
How long did it take you to write the book?: Always had the idea, met Chronicle books the following year, then took a couple years.
Having deadlines will get you to focus. It’s like doing a Marathon. Be flexible and not be frustrated.Edits were mainly about Clarifying and explaining things. Thanks to her publisher
What has been the benefit of publishing the book?: I can do what I wanted and work who I wanted to work with
What would you eat for a month straight?: Lebanese Grape leaves stuffed with rice and lamb
Do you have any advice for writing a book: Read a book about writing books
My Food Job Rocks: I can help people and I have a community
Food Trends and Technology: Single serving on-the-go foods
What do you feel nailed single-serve foods?: That’s It – 2 piece fruits
Biggest challenge in the food industry: immigration and food waste
Susie’s thought on robots: It’s complicated and conflicting. We need to think through it.
What’s one thing in the food industry would you like to know more about?: food processing
Who inspired you to get into food?: An appreciation to small farmers
Favorite Book: Harold McGee On Food and Cooking
What would you eat for a month straight?: Lebanese Grape leaves stuffed with rice and lamb
Do you have any advice for writing a book: Read a book about writing books
What’s Next?: A new book about a grocery store, going to the Natural Products Expo
Where can we find you?: Susie@foodstarter.com
What other food shows do you recommend?
Fancy Food Show – Winter Summer
New Hope Natural Products Expo – LA and Baltimore
Candy Association
Specialty Coffee Association
Other Links
Fancy Food Show
Hummus Stir – Top food pick
Portable coffee tablet – tierra nueva
Good Food Great Business
Foodzie – Marketplace for Artisan food
Pierto’s Principle: 80 / 20 rule
Foodstarter.com – Susie’s own website
New Amazon Store
Meal Kits
Chipotle
Chicory Root – Inulin
Food Safety Modernization Act
The Joy of Cooking
Alice Medrich
Baking with Julia
Scissors that have two knife blades
Microplane Zester
Coffee Grinder
Spice Grinder