5 Easy Steps to Get Started in the CBD Business

So you’re one of the millions of people who have discovered the miraculous restorative properties of CBD oil. And you’ve probably also discovered it causes a side effect – an entrepreneurial itch. But how do you launch your own CBD business in a market awash with new products? From the outside, it looks complicated: a fast-growing market with a lot of competition and even more regulation. But with the right help, it’s easy. Here’s a few steps to get you started:

Step 1: Decide what you’re making

Not as straightforward as it sounds. Are you going to make a flavored oil? A beverage? Chewables? If you say “everything,” you’re probably jumping the gun a little bit. Figure out what market you want to enter and design a product that can win in that area. Your CBD business should reflect your niche brand.

At Flavorman, we develop drinks, so we’d want to help you make a tasty and functional beverage or drinkable oil. If you want to go that direction, then call us. If you want to go another direction, that’s great, too. Some of the info below won’t apply to you, but the next section applies to EVERYONE.

Step 2: Find your source

CBD is a little like the Wild West these days. Products vary wildly in terms of flavor, quality, and reliability. You’re going to want to find a source for bulk CBD. It could be in an oil or powdered form, oil soluble or water soluble, and so on. Additionally, you’ll need to find a supplier whose product tastes the same every time. This is really important – if you’re starting ingredients don’t have a consistent taste, composition, or quality, you’ll have zero chance of making sure your finished product will taste the same to your customers. Where you source your cannabidiol can make or break your CBD business.

So how do you ensure your bulk CBD supply remains consistent?

Simple: Ask your supplier where they are getting it from. Are they using the same farmers for every batch? The same species of plant? What kind of quality control measures do they have? It’s worth getting into the weeds on this one. It’s that important.

Step 3: Formulation

This is the most important step in turning your idea into a finished product. In beverage creation, your development partner has to come up with the recipe for your drink or oil. This is called a formulation.

The process for developing a beverage formulation is essentially repetition – adding different ingredients in different proportions and tasting until you find the perfect balance of flavor, aroma, mouth-feel, and performance. When you reach the end of this process with Flavorman, you’ll receive 100 units of your new formula that you can use to demo for retailers and distributors, and to get feedback from friends, family, and neighbors.

While you do that, our trusty engineers will scale-up your final beverage formulation for mass production. This is where we take the measurements from grams and milliliters to pounds and gallons. This is where we also do shelf-life quality control tests to ensure your product’s stability. While we’re at it, we’re going to make sure you’re meeting every regulatory requirement there is to meet, which in the CBD world, involves quite a bit of finesse.

Fun stuff – important… but fun!

Step 4: Logistics

Now it’s time to figure out who is actually going to bottle your drink or oil. Can they manufacture your product? Where should they be located?

We will work with you to find the perfect manufacturer for your needs. We’ll help you source any additional ingredients for your product, and we’ll be at your first production run to help solve any problems that pop up. Anytime you’re making something brand new, it’s good to be prepared – and having an expert by your side is a pretty great way to curb any issues!

Step 5: Share it with the world

CBD source? Check. Delicious formulation? Check. Production-ready? Check. Quality assured? Double-check. Now it’s time to roll out your brand and let the public taste your dream product. And, if you should ever need anything else, Flavorman will be there for you, from start through finish!

Ready to change what the world is drinking? Give us a call at (502) 273-5214 or contact us through our web form, here.

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CBD Oil, Beverage Development & Your Role in the Approaching Green Rush

Yes, You CAN start your own natural drink company!