Have questions? Call us at (828) 333-7414!

How to Start an Edible Business – The Right Way

  • 5 min read

There are a lot of people who are jumping into the gummy business right now, recognizing the period of tremendous organic growth and relatively low barriers to entry.  

However, many gummy makers are missing out on the most lucrative aspect of the business, and they may not even realize it.  

That's what we're here to talk about today.

When people start asking, "How do I start an edible business?" they often become engrossed in day-to-day problem-solving and lose sight of the bigger picture. 

They find themselves navigating regulatory compliance and making cost-benefit tradeoffs

And in their eagerness to get their product to market, many gummy manufacturers rush through the initial stages, unintentionally neglecting the core of their business: 

The product itself and its impact on consumers.

How do we know this? It's simple: 

There are a lot of subpar gummies out there. A lot.

In today's blog, we want to explore why these failures present a significant opportunity for those who understand the true potential of gummy manufacturing.

More after the jump.

Follow us on Instagramfor daily insights like those you find in this blog.

 

We are all fortunate to be operating in an industry with a significant shared baseline advantage. 

And that advantage is the fact that demand continues to severely outstrip supply in this category.

So it's difficult to saturate the category because there's a naturally high rate of increasing adoption among consumers right now.

It’s easy to see why.

Gummies offer a breezy and fun way to consume a wide range of actives. They are non-intimidating, discreet, and come in a variety of delicious flavors. 

What’s not to like?

And for you as a gummy manufacturer, these beloved aspects of gummies also provide ample opportunity for SKU diversification. 

Like a synthesizer, you have numerous dials you can turn to create unique and appealing products. 

This is the fundamental reason why we are continuing to see such dramatic growth in this industry.

But against this advantageous backdrop that we all share, you can also clearly see the reason why there is so much subpar product – because people are still consuming it.

In other words, there’s so much demand that even the sub par stuff has not yet been selected out.

Yet.

But the presence of the bad product also creates an incredible contrast opportunity for you and your brand.

The truth is that if you build your operation carefully, in a systematic way, and prioritize the right metrics, you will stand head and shoulders above the competition from the start. 

Let's take the Consumer Metric of flavor as an example. 

Incorporating a flavor into your gummy is typically a straightforward affair: you essentially just plug it in.

(Though of course you want to maintain awareness of the pH impacts.)

But this simplicity leads many to underthink their choices, and here’s the thing:

There’s an incredible spectrum of quality in the flavor category. And many go with sub par flavors.

Why?

It isn’t due to cost constraints. Premium flavors are a very sustainable element of the cost structure.

It turns out that most just give it a quick search, and take the path of least resistance.

And this is one of the issues with building your company based solely on what the top hits on Google are – it just brings everyone down to the average.

You see this with flavors. You see this with gummy molds. You see this with coloring.

It's because the highest hit on the page is not necessarily always the highest quality option.

Sometimes, especially in niche confectionery categories like the above, it just means it’s the default, average option.

And are you really just trying to build an average company?

We doubt it.

So there's an immediate opportunity for advantage.

Clearly, differentiating your product based on consumer metrics is crucial. 

Equally important is optimizing your operational metrics. 

This is why we have built systems – whether it's through our Gold Standard Recipes & SOP’s, our gummy mold products, or our consulting support structures – that enable our industry partners to understand and learn how to prioritize both types of metrics simultaneously

This integrated approach empowers our clients to produce exceptional quality and achieve remarkable success.

By prioritizing the recipe and mold selection while carefully fine-tuning operational processes, gummy makers can elevate their products to new heights. 

At DCM, we believe in going well beyond the average. 

We strive to equip our clients with the tools and knowledge they need to create outstanding gummies that resonate with consumers. 

Success in the gummy industry requires more than just following generic recipes found online or investing in standard equipment. 

It demands a systematic and thoughtful approach that emphasizes product quality and consumer satisfaction.

The gummy industry offers a wealth of opportunities for those who approach it strategically. 

While the market may be saturated with subpar products, this presents a unique opportunity for you to stand out and make a lasting impact. 

By focusing on the quality of your gummies and considering the nuances of flavor, mold selection, and operational efficiency, you can position yourself to be a leader in this industry.

So, if you're ready to take your gummy manufacturing to the next level, we invite you to explore our range of performance-grade platinum silicone molds

Our Rose Pro mold systems are meticulously designed to ensure optimal shape, texture, and ease of demolding, allowing you to create gummies that outshine the competition and far exceed expectations. 

And of course, if you have a unique vision for a custom gummy mold that will make your brand pop, reach out to us today. Our team is eager to collaborate with you to bring your ideas to life.

In addition to our mold offerings, we also encourage you to consider our Recipes & SOPs, which go beyond the basics and dive into the intricate details of setting up your gummy operation.

By following our comprehensive SOPs and leveraging our expertise, you can simplify the challenges and maximize the efficiency of your production processes, all while enhancing the unique qualities of your product.

Reach out today to embrace the opportunities that lie before you and prioritize the elements that truly matter – recipe, molds, and operational excellence. 

Together, let's redefine the standards of gummy manufacturing and create a new era of exceptional products that delight consumers and drive success.

Don't settle for average—choose excellence with Dark City Molds.

Search our molds & recipes