So Smoothies - Enrico Andrione

• INTRODUCTION

My name is Enrico Andrione, I am a 29 years old business owner. I co-own So Smoothies Traders and also still help manage a restaurant part time.

• THE IDEA 

I have worked and also studied in the hospitality industry for many years, working in both restauarant and hotels locally and abroad. So Smoothies is a idea I got whilst working abroad in a health resort, Champneys, in the UK. I started selling smoothies in a newly opened food and beverage area in the resort and used these portioned pouches of fruit to make the smoothies. The concept was very effective in both saving time and cutting down on wastage. I then started looking in to the availability of these pouches in South Africa and couldn’t find any company doing them. I always planned on returning to South Africa and so I started planning and working on this idea for the South African market. After a year or two and after returning to South Africa the idea started taking shape and So Smoothies was born nearly a year later after my return.

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PREPARATION/SKILLS LEARN

•  I didn’t take any courses apart from the Btec Hospitality Management degree I had before opening So Smoothies, I used the background knowledge I had from my degree and from the experience I gained in the industry. I also spent a lot of time reading business magazines. What I would recommend is a financial management course as I spent a lot of time getting to grips with all the financial procedures. It is very important knowing the financial side of your business and being hands-on.
  
• LAUNCHED

We started selling in 2009

• START-UP COSTS

There is a lot to consider under start-up costs but to basically be up and running cost us in the region of R200 000. One then also still have  to consider loss in income when you start and not taking a salary sometimes.

• PRODUCTS/SERVICES 

We supply portion pouches of IQF frozen real fruit used for the preparation of healthy real fruit smoothies, we also supply a vast range of other IQF frozen fruits and berries in bulk form. We also supply high performance blenders and also plastic cups and lids etc.

• BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Breaking into the market, convincing people to go more healthy and natural by using real fruit instead of powders or syrups. Basically getting new customers and showing them the benefits of frozen fruits and berries.

• BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN
  Be patient. Look in to every opportunity that comes your way
• BEST TIP LEARNED         Learn as much as you can about as much as you can.  Be an expert in your field.

Cell: 082 673 8823

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.sosmoothies.co.za

LinkedIn: http://za.linkedin.com/pub/enrico-andrione/32/258/292

FB: http://www.facebook.com/SoSmoothies

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SoSmoothies