Giving Back to the Community by Nourishing Your Health
David Mattei of Cambridge, MA felt there was something lacking in the fast casual restaurant sector. With more of an emphasis being placed on personal wellness now more than ever before, as well as a growing consciousness about where food comes from, people are craving nutritious alternatives to fast food that take the guesswork out of transitioning into a healthier lifestyle. So Mattei decided to fill this void by formally establishing Nourish Foods, LLC in April of 2014. He plans on introducing the concept using a food truck and brick-and-mortar restaurant in the greater Boston area.
“I decided to start this business because I felt there was a real market opportunity for thoughtfully raised food that’s good for the customer and the environment,” he says. “Helping local farmers in New England distribute their meat and produce is a key component of our business model.”
In addition to a growing demand for this type of service, Mattei believes Nourish Foods, LLC will be successful because it simplifies the process of attaining a nutritious meal. The health food industry can appear exclusive to those who don’t have the funds to buy organic produce, or the time to prepare meals. With Nourish Foods, those looking to better their lifestyle can order a meal rich with health benefits as easily as they can a cheeseburger and fries.
“There’s a growing demand and need for this kind of option and already we’re seeing interest from local businesses and institutions. That’s how I’ll define success: Are we selling out? Are we experiencing high traffic and volume throughout the day? Are we serving a wide range of customers? And, most importantly as an indicator, are we generating revenue and hitting our income goals?” Mattei explains.
What Mattei enjoys most about this line of work is knowing that he is helping his community by collaborating with local farms, building a diverse workforce and offering consumers food that is good for them. While the small business owner is aware that the food industry is competitive, he is one of few filling this niche around New England. The demographic for Nourish Foods is all-inclusive, and the business’ website can be located at www.nourishfoods.com.
“The people who are going to be eating at Nourish Foods care about their health, the environment, and their community. It’s not just millennials or a small segment of the population anymore — it’s become the standard,’’ he elaborates.
Challenges of Small Business Ownership
“Raising sufficient capital for infrastructure and growth operations has been the biggest challenge so far. Narrowing the scope of the company — doing a couple of things well and doing them better than anyone else is a challenge,” he admits. “I’m constantly asking myself, ‘How can we position Nourish to effectively communicate our message and drive sales and loyalty — some of this comes through trial and error and some comes from having more experienced advisors critique your business model.”
Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners
“Do your homework, speak with as many people as you can, and do your best to get an idea of what the financial reality of the situation will be. Understand how you’re going to get from Point A to Point B before you jump right in. Follow your instincts and ask for help when you need it. Make sure that the reality of your dream is attainable. 1-800Accountant can help you with that,” he chuckles.
Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client
David Mattei is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I like knowing that I have a partner overseeing all of the details that I just can’t keep track of as a small business owner, like the financial and tax issues that my company is dealing with,” he says. “With 1-800Accountant I have complete confidence that I’ll receive the guidance necessary to operate a financially successful business.”
Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by Nourish Foods, LLC and are used with permission.
