Product businesses are the hardest to scale up and grow fast, with inventory and accounts receivable eating cash faster than you can make and sell it.
Perishable foods are even harder, with deductions frequently taken for spoilage and much higher storage and transportation costs.
So then how does one become the 281st fastest-growing small business in the U.S. in 1993 no less?
By selling a perishable product no less?
“America’s most-hated food” (tofu) no less?
In the Reagan ’80s no less?
With no production, sales, logistics, or warehousing operations no less?
Competing against a large multinational conglomerate and a public company no less?
With positive cashflow from Day One no less?
And starting it all on just $400 with no loans or investors no less?
Then after turning over millions in product, selling the company 14 years later for $3.7 million no less?
Hand of God, that’s how. Hand of God, it’s the most-reasonable explanation.
You can call it what you will: the Universe, synchronicity, fate, destiny, the stars… I call it the Hand of God despite not being particularly religious. It wasn’t the first and won’t be the last time the Hand blessed me.
See #281 Sharon’s Finest on the 1993 Inc. 500 at: https://www.inc.com/magazine/19931001/6089.html
