For Julie Kuras, timing was everything. Julie had just had a 3rd child, and her husband had been giving Dad’s Garlic Salt® away at work—three flavors: Original, Italian, and Cajun—which added another dimension in flavor to vegetables, steaks, chops, chicken, burgers, and other favorite grilled foods. (It was Julie’s dad, who mixed his first batch of this special garlic salt in the late sixties in a small kitchen outside of Boston.)
People were insisting on paying for the garlic salt with the comment that Julie and her husband should really sell the salts to the public. The timing was right, and they decided to try selling at a local Farmer's market. The general public bought the salts, and their business, Dad’s Garlic Salt®, began three years ago.
Prior to starting Dad’s Garlic Salt®, Julie was and still is a stay-at-home mom, but her background is in food. She has a degree in Hospitality Management. Julie had previously worked in Restaurant Management, an Off-premise Catering Director & Wedding Coordinating, and as a Director of Catering for a large hotel. She also worked for a software company.
Julie’s home business is and has evolved into a true web-business. She receives retail orders from the web site, wholesale orders are faxed or called in, and she occasionally delivers to local stores
Julie promotes her home business by showing her products at trade-shows. This way, her time away from home is very productive. She has the opportunity to see many people in a few days—more than she would ever be able to see by going on the road and cold calling.
According to Julie, her best business achievement was having the guts to do her first trade show, having only ever walked a show but never worked one. She has had great business success by taking this risk.
The advantage of working from home for Julie is the obvious—setting her own hours. Julie works primarily early in the morning and after dinner, into the night. This way, she doesn’t have to give up time with her three young children.
In 3 years, Julie sees herself doing four trade shows a year and having sold their garlic salts in all fifty states. Only 18 states to go. For questions or for ordering garlic salts, email , visit www.dadsgarlicsalt.com, call 847.971.3859, fax 773.751.2281, or write to Dad's Garlic Salt, P.O. Box 166, Glenview, IL 60025. HBM
Previously published in the February 2008 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com
