Celebration Time NC LLC | Application Preview
Celebration Time NC LLC is applying for government grants to enhance its operations and meet increasing demand for its spicy pizza sauce. The funds will be utilized to hire two production employees, a part-time social media assistant for online presence and website upkeep, and an accountant for managing finances. This staffing expansion will allow the company to purchase raw ingredients and packaging in larger quantities, benefiting local Chatham County farmers while reducing costs.
The business aims to grow its spicy pizza sauce line and introduce a second variant by the end of 2023. Since launching the first sauce in November 2021, it has consistently sold out, highlighting the need for additional help to keep pace with demand. Production will shift back to the Piedmont Food Processing Center, enabling larger production batches of 60-120 gallons. The company plans to continue selling dressings and marinades locally due to the nature of their fresh ingredients.
The founder has managed the business primarily on her own and seeks funding to allow for more strategic growth, including expanding market reach to specialty food stores and larger grocers. Additionally, she is actively involved in her community through the Downtown Pittsboro Advisory Board and local merchant initiatives.
Despite competition from grocery store brands and larger companies like Ragu and Prego, Celebration Time NC LLC distinguishes itself with its unique spicy pizza sauce made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. With a successful track record, including a recent award for second place in the NC Specialty Foods contest, the company believes its products have the potential for national and international distribution, as they cater to multiple culinary uses beyond pizza.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: Celebration Time NC LLC
Location: Pittsboro, NC, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
Funds will be used to hire 2 employees to assist with increased production, hire a part-time social media assistant to help with posts and videos and website maintenance, and hire an accountant to manage financials. I would also have the ability to purchase larger quantities of raw ingredients and packaging at lower costs (for larger volume) to allow for increased production. Purchasing larger quantities of my fresh ingredients will help sustain local farmers in Chatham County.
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Business Plan
I am planning to grow my spicy pizza sauce and add a second, spicier sauce, to take to market by end of 2023. After introducing this first sauce in November of 2021, I have sold out of each case I have made, so having additional personnel to assist with production would allow me to keep up with the current demand and pursue larger-scale opportunities with national and international grocers. I currently produce both food products at a local Pittsboro, NC restaurant, but would plan to move production back to Piedmont Food Processing Center, where I began, so that I could produce 60-120 gallons of products at a time. My dressing, dip, and marinade plan is to continue to only sell locally, as the amount of fresh ingredients used to make these jars does not allow for mass production. I have worked tirelessly, with only the help of my husband, when he is available to work larger markets with me. Every jar of product with all packaging is done by me. With the ability to hire production workers, I could focus more time on meeting with and selling to additional specialty food stores and larger grocers. In addition to running my business, I am a volunteer member of the Downtown Pittsboro Advisory Board and lead a group of 50+ local area merchants, both of which support events that highlight downtown Pittsboro. I genuinely care about this community that supports me so enthusiastically and try to give me time and efforts at all local events.
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Self Identified Competition
Most grocery stores have their own, lower cost brands. Ragu and Prego also make pizza sauces. However, none offer spicy pizza sauce versions with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. I have spent the last 3 years trying to find a spicy pizza sauce and tasting several plain pizza sauces throughout the country and have found no offerings that compared to mine. My current and future spicy pizza sauces offer alternatives to the bland options and are made with fresh herbs, peppers, and a variety of tomatoes. I believe I make a unique sauce that has the potential to be sold nationally and internationally. In addition to pizza, we also use it in chili, on pasta, and as a dip for a variety of snacks, so the sauce has a potential to be marketed as a multi-purpose product. After only selling for 7 months, we won 2nd place in the Condiment category in the state of North Carolina, awarded by NC Specialty Foods.
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Contact Applicant
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