We're in an Incubator!

​Did you know Boone’s is in an incubator!?

No, we are not a baby chicken. We’re a fledgling food business in a food incubator! 
 
So what is a food incubator? A food incubator helps new food entrepreneurs develop their businesses, build assets, and achieve benchmarks towards business stability. It may be run by a nonprofit or a for-profit business.

Being part of the “Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program” over the past year has been awesome. With the support of the Incubator, I have launched my business and been able to meet many goals for my business along the way. Boone’s was one of a handful of new, local Sacramento food businesses that were in the inaugural group and now we have grown to ten businesses in AKIP.  
 
Jacob Sacks is the coordinator of the incubator program. With his steady, loyal, good-natured demeanor, he is a supportive and calming ally to all of us.  Jacob has been an important part of the Boone's journey. When I have a small success or get over a hurdle, Jacob shares in my excitement. He helps motivate me through the slumps and slogs, through paperwork and logistical details. Jacob is great at steady prodding when I need it. He is always there for me to bounce ideas off. If I’m stuck on a question and Jacob also doesn’t know the answer, he has a network of other people and organizations who can usually help. There are so many things to learn when starting any business, and it’s especially tough as a solo entrepreneur. So it’s critical to have a team on your side. 
 
In May, the Alchemist Incubator took the huge step of renting a shared commercial kitchen. So Boone’s operates out of a large kitchen shared with other new food businesses. Besides the benefit of subsidized (lower) kitchen rental rates, the shared kitchen has really increased comradery and information-sharing among us. More on the shared kitchen in another upcoming post!
 
I highly recommend aspiring entrepreneurs join an incubator if given the opportunity. However, be careful as not all are the same. Some are for-profit and require sharing a percentage of business profits. As with anything, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you know what you are getting into. I feel very lucky to have the support of Alchemist CDC!

For more info, visit: https://alchemistcdc.org/incubator/