I am pretty much a noobie to the industry aside from helping my dad on and off a few years ago. My dad ran a meat shop processing domestic and wild game. He closed his doors about 2 years ago as it was getting to be too much for him to do on his own. I am looking at reopening the shop but purchasing USDA wholesale meat and making hamburger sausage, etc... We are located out on our farm so not in a great location but I am planning to make deliveries. As this is something different than what my dad was doing he isnt sure how much of a profit could really be made doing this. I am in North Dakota in the middle of the oil boom so i believe the customer base is here. I am having a hard time getting ahold of any distributors and getting prices. Sorry if this sounds jumbled I really need this to work for me. I do work for an oil company right now from 8-5 and will continue to do so. I need an extra income as I am pregnant and will be a single mom. ANY ADVICE you could offer would be greatly appreciated!
I admire your spirit and ambition. I have been a cutter and manager, but never ran my own shop. I do have some nice spreadsheets I think i got on here, which will calculate your profit, once you do cutting tests. You will purchase the meat wholesale, cut, grind, make sausage etc. and weigh up each item separately. This will help you set prices and also make you more careful in your merchandising-you won't waste as much and you will be measuring your work.. Let me know if you want the spreadsheets, will probably have to email them. Good luck!
I have a good friend in South Dakota I can put you in touch with. Message me and I will give you his contact info and I am sure he can put you in touch with any USDA suppliers in your area. Good luck to you, its a tough business but can be fun at times. As the old owner of my business used to say, "The hours are long, but the pay is lousy!" if you don't know what your doing the pay can be lousy. Educate yourself so you know what you are doing and the pay can be good. I will help any way I can.
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I'm not a vegetarian, but have eaten many animals that were.
