What It's About
Two friends serve up a tasty side hustle with healthy profits.
Business Model
Skills Required
Complexity
Profit Potential
Words of Wisdom
Andrew and Julia limited their Bliss Bowls options to three options which made their own setup simple and more cost effective. It also meant customers weren’t overwhelmed by choice.
Fun Fact
Bowls, for unknown reasons, have become a trendy way to serve healthy food. One of the most popular styles is the Buddha bowl, typically vegetarian, that includes fresh produce and grains like quinoa. Then there’s the acai bowl, a delicious smoothie-like mix of berries and fresh fruit.
Notes from Chris
Episode 896
Julia Green and Andrew Palummo were working together at an engineering firm in Sydney, Australia. She was an environmental scientist, and he was an electrical engineer. Although they had very different roles, both jobs shared one thing: the stuffy, corporate working environment. Shirts, ties, and power suits were the everyday uniform. But, it wasn’t the clothes that made these two friends uncomfortable. It was the culture of the corporate world. It just didn’t lend itself to their personalities. Their jobs lacked the fun and fulfillment they craved. They’d often get together over lunch and talk about the ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybes’ of starting something of their own. One day, after a particularly stressful morning, they came up with an idea that bowled both of them over. It began with listing a few of the things they were good at. Julia was a skilled amateur chef and Andrew, forever a ray of positivity, loved engaging with people. The idea seemed obvious in hindsight. They should do something in the food industry, where they could serve happy customers. They decided on health food bowls, a popular trend at the time. The type filled with salad, fresh food, and delicious flavors. The concept was right up their ‘bowling’ alley. Since they dreamed of giving up the corporate life to follow their bliss, that’s what they called their new venture; Bliss Bowls. Now they had a recipe, but it was time to cook the meal. Julia put on her thinking cap and concocted several creations. She threw everything she loved onto her shopping list; fresh salads, spinach, tofu, organic meats, and avocado. Anything you could find in the health food section was on the table. Throwing them together in different combinations eventually yielded a few different recipes. The prep was done, the meal was ready. It was time for a taste test… They spent around five thousand dollars on setup costs that included purchasing cooking equipment, marquees for the stall as well as ingredients and serving materials. They were excited to get out there and start serving up meals fit for a healthy king. That first day went extremely well. Andrew and Julia were so busy they can’t even remember any single customer. But, they do remember the way the day made them feel! Excited and relieved that Bliss Bowls resonated with people. They sold out, made hundreds of dollars profit and validated their idea. Through 2017 and 2018 they built up their market stall operation into a $30,000 business. Both Andrew and Julia are still working part-time while they grow Bliss Bowls. While they earn less than before, their job satisfaction and quality of life is much better. They love Bliss Bowls, which is why they are taking a huge step in 2019. It’s time for them to go all in. They’ll be opening a Bliss Bowls store using the profit earned so far and some extra funds from personal savings. They don’t know for sure if it will be successful, but, so far ignorance has been bliss for these two side hustlers. No doubt their new store will continue bowling customers over.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Bliss Bowls: If today's episode bowled you over, head on over to Andrew and Julia's Facebook page to learn more
- Nacho Average Tacos! Chef Puts Twist on Mexican Culinary Classics: A San Diego chef turns her weekend catering gig into a popular brick and mortar restaurant for visitors on both sides of the border
- Crossfit Trainer Starts Meal Prep Service for Hungry Customers: A Crossfit trainer and her videographer partner create a healthy meal prep and delivery service, launching it with zero startup costs and growing to nearly $1m in 3 years
- Louisiana Vegan Community Becomes a Big Dill: Feeling like the only vegans in Louisiana, two friends start a roving, multi-course dinner series
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