The Lunch Room

Applications Are Open!

A 100% funded program to support that critical make-or-break stage.

We are excited to announce The Lunch Room is back, this time with a fully funded 5 month cohort for 10 non-competing B.C. food and beverage companies in the late emerging / early growth stage of business.

Good to Grow has coached, mentored, and educated over 1,000 businesses at all stages of growth and has experienced first-hand that there is a crucial “in-between” stage where businesses experience make-or-break challenges as well as loneliness and isolation.

The Lunch Room will set-up late-emerging / early-growth food and beverage companies for success through:

The make-or-break stage...

It is crucial for companies at this stage to receive support through expert education, pointed 1-on-1 coaching, and peer-to-peer networking to best prepare their transition into the next growth stage of business.

How do you know if you’re in this stage?

Companies typically in this stage have:

revenues greater than $300,000
distribution in multiple market channels, for example:
- 100+ stores in independent grocery retail
- gaining traction in regional and/or national grocery chains
- an online grocery presence
- ready to sell to or already in institutional food service
2 – 10 employees

Dates & Times

Key Learnings:

Sales Management: building sales budgets, trade and consumer, forecasting, managing the outside sales process, managing national and key accounts, negotiating deals and promotions
Hiring and Managing Distributors and Brokers
Finance and Investment: traditional lending, pitch and pitch deck, the right investors for your business
Export: take a look at exporting into the PNW
Legal: trademark, agreements, and contracts (co-pack, employee, distributor, broker, rental etc.)
Operations Improvements: efficiencies with inventory and traceability
Product Development: continuous improvement with your products (COGS, shelf-life, quality etc.)
Human Resources: hiring, managing, and building your team with structure and clarity in place for solid growth

Application & Selection Process

Applications are open to all B.C. food and beverage companies in the late-emerging and early growth stage.

*Please note the parameters listed above for this stage are only a guide, if you feel you are in this stage please apply or reach out if you are unsure and have questions.*

Applications close Friday, November 1, 2024.

Each application will go through a grading matrix and internal review.

The final cohort will be 10 non-competing B.C. food and beverage companies in the late-emerging / early-growth stage.

Accepted applicants will be notified on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Participation confirmation deadline is Thursday, November 14, 2024.

First group sessions is Monday, November 18, 2024.

Lunch Room Testimonials

“Participating in The Lunch Room came at the exact moment of monumental transition both for myself and for Kindred. When I joined the cohort, I came in with the perspective of a COO and had to immediately shift my mindset and perspective to that of a CEO. In addition, I had to rapidly expand my knowledge and skill set and I feel The Lunch Room helped me achieve that and supported me along the way through knowledge, networking, resources, peer support and Andrea’s guidance. The support I received throughout the program significantly bolstered my ability to navigate a particularly challenging period in our business.”

Anastasia Sewart

CEO & Co-Founder, Kindred Cultures

“Andrea helped connect me with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food to support our launch with Fraser Health via GFS. Our one-on-one sessions also pushed me into looking at our brand as a category captain. This program connected me with peers that are facing similar challenges in our industry. Andrea provided great feedback and suggested things that we need to start looking at as a company. She also helped connect us with individuals in the industry.”