Are you familiar with the adage:

Q. How do you eat an elephant?

A. One bite at a time.

I’ve been thinking of this a lot as I learn about how to start a food business.

It’s easy to want to jump right to sales! While I’m eager to get in a [commercial] kitchen and make the hummus so I can sell it, food business is not that simple.

The more people I talk to, the more I learn about how much there is to learn. The food industry is, rightly so, highly regulated requiring licensing, permits, insurance, food safety certifications, buying from approved vendors, finding licensed commercial kitchens, etc.

So, I’m working to stay present with every step. I’m not rushing to the end. Anxiety or over working isn’t taking over as it did in the past. I feel grounded and settled.

A researcher at heart I’m also digging the learning. There is so much to uncover and discover. It’s exciting!

In short: I’m enjoying the process.

• Maybe it’s experience. (The lessons I’ve learned are invaluable to this new venture.)
• Maybe it’s age.
• Maybe it’s because I finally feel that I’m on the right path for me.

Stay in Motion

Over the past 15 years I’ve launched lots of projects – women’s conferences, jewelry, books, online magazines – and what I’ve learned from each of them is that you cannot rush what’s worthwhile.

We may want to, yet every step counts. Too big a leap can set us back. And certainly standing still gets us know where.

The path may be anything but direct yet as long as there is motion each step feels good.

The Bottom Line

Should you or someone you know have an idea you want to turn into reality consider the following…

• Grow a podcast one interview at a time
• Run a marathon one mile at a time (You don’t go from decision to 26.2 miles!)
• Write a book one word at at time
• Eat a bowl of hummus one dip at a time.

When we let go of the expectation that we have to move quickly through a process we can feel lighter, more in control and more confident getting those ideas into the world while enjoying each step.

Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got an elephant, err, hummus to eat.

Your turn to talk to me

What step will you take to get further towards your goal?