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Ling Yean Ong
Carrum Downs, Melbourne, VIC 3201
11 May 2022
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Ling Yean Ong
Carrum Downs, Melbourne, VIC 3201
27 April 2022
It's the final week of EOIs. In case you missed our Q&A webinar (or if our emails went to spam or this is the first you're hearing of this investment opportunity), here's a recap of all the questions. Watch the webinar video recording if you have a spare few minutes.
Q. How do you plan to scale/increase production?
Our co-packers have sufficient scale to grow production as we grow sales volume nationally and internationally.
Q. Any challenges re: manufacturing, procurement and obsolescence?
While raw material procurement and manufacturing was a challenge when we started in Nov 2021, we're finding the domestic supply chain returning to normalcy. We plan to utilise increased inventory buffers to cover any unforeseen delays.
Q. What is the shelf life of the product?
Sorted drinks have a long product shelf life of 2 years. This helps us build inventory buffers to be prepared for unforeseen supply chain disruptions.
Q. Any constraints for export markets?
Trials are currently underway in Malaysia with an export market partner. This is an evolving space for us. However, we do not see any immediate constraints.
Q. Will pricing be standardised nationally?
Short answer, yes. The difference in pricing on our website and at Coles is due to the distribution terms with Coles Supermarkets. As sales volume grows, we expect pricing to be revised and equalised to make the product more accessible to all consumer segments.
Q. What specific industry knowledge does your advisory team/board have?
Our sales partner, Ranged, advises us about retail range reviews and deal management. Pete, one of our early investors, has significant experience in supply chain management for Food & Beverage consumer packaged goods. Harry, our CMO has prior experience in strategy with a global beverages company and growth marketing for startups. We also have informal advisors at the Rocketseeder Food & Agri Business accelerator.
Q. Which specific demographics is your marketing focusing on?
Instead of demographics, we're focusing on behavioural aspects of potential customers. Our primary customers are predominantly health and wellness conscious young women who proactively seek products with added health benefits. Consumers find Sorted to be a good alternative when cutting back on sugar and diet drinks. Sorted is also popular with people with special dietary needs e.g. low FODMAP, diabetics, keto and low-carb.
Q. Besides retail which other sales channels are you considering?
We're already in talks with hospitality venues, fitness outlets and corporate wellbeing programs (e.g. Canva). School canteen trials are currently underway and they're proving to be a promising channel.
Q. What are the long-term plans for the business?
Our priority over the next 12-24 months will be to increase brand affinity and scale distribution nationally and internationally. We want to capture a large share of the APAC market. We'll keep an open mind for mergers and acquisitions over the long term.
Q. Are product claims supported by scientific studies?
When we make claims about the benefits of consumption of Sorted in particular, we refer to scientific studies conducted on individual ingredients i.e. Acacia Gum prebiotic fibre and Thaumatin (natural plant-protein based sweetener). As the brand matures we'll likely undertake studies to attach the claim directly to the product itself.
Q. Are you associated with science bodies/professionals?
This is on our roadmap. We see dietitians, nutritionists and The Gut Health Foundation as likely future partners to spread our broader message about the importance of gut health.