So you want to start a CPG Brand?

So you want to start a CPG Brand?

Let's break it down from an extremely high level view...

Written by Lauren Grazioso, Co-Founder of Naked Fries. Originally published on The Naked Fries Substack.

That picture is exactly how we took a LARGE task like starting a COMPANY and breaking it down to digestible pieces. We even looked at the list and thought “This won’t be too bad”. Not saying we were entirely wrong… but there is definitely more behind each step written down.

As mentioned in my previous post, Joey and I had the Naked Fries idea back in 2022 but we stopped working on it a few months after the initial idea. And as embarrassing as this is, the main reason we got to where were at today is because of ChatGPT.

So what made us pursue Naked Fries again? Well, Joey and I had just gotten back from a Europe river cruise with his family and the post vacation depression was hitting hard with me questioning everything: what will I do with my life? Is this all there is to life? You know, all those crazy thoughts that enter your head after an amazing time.

I also wasn’t working at the time (story for another time) and Joey saw the anxiety in my eyes as I sat on the couch and he said “Why don’t you revisit Naked Fries”. LIFE CHANGING MOMENT.

From there, I went to the local coffee shop, opened ChatGPT, and prompted it with “Steps needed to start a frozen fry company in Chicago”. And that is how this photo came to life, but more importantly the Naked Fries product.

One thing to note we had already filed for the LLC back in 2022 when we initially had the Naked Fries idea. So if you are reading this with only an idea in mind, please note there are a few legal items to take care of prior to these steps (We can save the boring legal how-to’s for another post).

Over the next few posts, we will dive into each of these steps listed out because it’s never as simple as “Take and Pass Food Sanitation Manager Training”. Especially when you failed the first round and only have two chances to pass!

Stay tuned for more of the HOW of building Naked Fries!