Do you enjoy making enticing dishes using a blend of spices and herbs? Do you enjoy finding the perfect blend of spices to create memorable, tasty dishes? Spice adds flavor or depth to otherwise bland food -and what better word to describe your business than spice, a word meaning flavor and depth? If this resonates with you, starting a spice business may be an ideal opportunity.

Beneath the allure of fragrant spices and herbs, there’s the nitty-gritty of running a business. Our guide will provide an overview of the spice business and steps to get started so you can turn your spice dreams into reality.

Business Description

A spice business creates single spices, herbs, or spice blends for sale. The business sells the products wholesale, online, in retail locations, or at markets. Your business may specialize in a particular cuisine, such as Mexican or Indian, or offer custom blends for specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free or low-sodium options. You can also create custom blends and seasonings for specific brands, such as for a restaurant to craft a signature flavor.

Spice businesses have a low barrier to entry, meaning there are few obstacles to getting the business started. For instance, when you create a spice business, you don’t need a degree or a significant investment of cash, but competition can make it hard for small or new spice businesses to expand and beat out existing brands.  

Industry Summary

The spice industry is complex, with global production, processing, and sales. Many spices are imported, so understanding import regulations and building relationships with suppliers is key.

The global spice market was valued at $37.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow by 5.6% through 2030. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including:

• Growing demand for unique and exotic flavors: Consumers are looking for new and exciting taste experiences, which creates opportunities for spice businesses to experiment with different blends and ingredients.
• Increased demand for organic spices: Consumers want spices grown without pesticides or chemicals.
• Rise of exotic spices: Spices like sumac, za’atar, and Aleppo pepper are growing in popularity beyond basics like black pepper.
• Spice blends: Pre-made blends for tacos, barbecues, etc., offer convenience.
• Online sales: Spices are increasingly being sold through online stores and subscriptions.

Steps To Start A Spice Business

While the prospect of owning and operating a small business is exciting, starting any kind of new business involves a lot of steps and planning. After all, success doesn’t happen overnight – it takes time, effort, and drive.

To help get you started on the path to becoming a successful business owner, look at the most common steps to start a spice business.

Step 1: Assess the Market

Starting a new business can be exciting, but it also involves risks. Before investing time and money into launching a spice business, it’s important to research the market and assess whether there is enough demand for your products.

Evaluating demand helps you determine if there’s a viable market for your spices and, if so, what segment(s) of the market you should target. This way, you’re not just throwing your hard-earned money and time into a wish and a prayer. Instead, you’re making informed decisions that can guide your business planning and strategies.

Determining whether there is enough demand for a new spice business is not an exact science, but there are several cost-effective ways to assess the market. Here are some methods to consider:

1. Online research: The internet offers a wealth of information on consumer trends, industry statistics, and competitor analysis. Researching online through search engines, social media, and industry publications can provide valuable insights into the market demand for your products.
2. Surveys: Conducting surveys can help you get direct feedback from potential customers. Leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter is an informal way to gauge interest in your product ideas.
3. Focus groups: A focus group is a moderated discussion with a small group of individuals who fit within your target audience. This method lets you get in-depth feedback on your product offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies.
4. Local Farmers’ Markets and food events: Renting a booth for a day can offer direct interaction with potential customers. Offer samples and see how people react to your product. Observe what spices or blends get the most attention and ask for feedback. This real-world testing offers actionable insights.

When researching the market, keep the questions “What makes your spice business different from the competition?” and “Why should customers choose to buy from you?” in mind. Finding your unique selling proposition can give you a competitive advantage.

Step 2: Write a Business Plan

After assessing market demand and potential customer interest, crafting a business plan is the next big step in launching your spice business. A plan not only helps to organize your thoughts and ideas, but is also a document that lenders often require before considering funding. Here are some sections that are particularly important for a spice business seeking funding:

1. Market analysis: This section should highlight why your spice business has a good chance of succeeding in the current market. Are you fulfilling an unmet need? Is there a gap you aim to fill? Lenders want assurance that there’s a market for your product, and this section should instill that confidence.
2. Management team: The management team plays a crucial role in the success of a business. Lenders and investors put a lot of weight behind the management team and want to see that you have the necessary skills and experience to make the business successful. As the owner of the spice business, it’s important to highlight your qualifications, as well as any key team members who will be involved in running the business.
3. Financial projections: One of the most closely reviewed sections is the financial projections. Provide forecasts for expenses, sales, and profits for the first three years. It’s important to provide reasonable projections based on market trends, competitors, and other factors. Since the bank is probably going to ask, it would be best if you were prepared to explain your projections in detail.

Before approaching lenders, having your business plan reviewed by a seasoned business owner or accountant is a good idea. They can offer a fresh perspective and catch details or assumptions you may have overlooked. Having another set of eyes review the plan can help refine it and increase your chances of securing the needed funding.

Related: How to write a business plan

Step 3: Secure Funding

After confirming there’s a market for your spice business and crafting a solid business plan, securing funding becomes the next major hurdle. Ensuring you have the necessary funds in place is important because running out of money mid-launch can cripple your venture before it even starts.

Many entrepreneurs tap into their savings as the first line of financial support. However, savings alone may not cover all startup costs, requiring you to explore additional to cover startup costs. Here’s the common outside funding sources for starting a spice business:

Traditional lenders: A common funding source is lenders such as banks or credit unions. Lenders typically require borrowers to invest a portion of their personal funds (towards the total cost of the project (15%-25%), have a good credit score, and have sufficient collateral to secure the loan. If the bank feels the loan is too risky, they may use an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan guarantee to reduce their risk.

Friends and family: Borrowing money from people you know can be a viable option, but it’s important to treat it as a formal business transaction. Make sure to put all terms and agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings and maintain healthy relationships.

Microloans: For those who can’t secure a traditional loan or only need a small amount of funding, microloans can be a helpful alternative. Some microloan programs even offer business training along with the funding, allowing you to develop the necessary skills as you launch your spice business.

Local investors: While not as common, securing investment from local individuals who are interested in your industry can also be an option. However, this route can be challenging as most local investors look for businesses that are high-growth and scalable, criteria that a spice business may not necessarily meet.

Related: Finding the money to start a business

Step 4: Register the Business

Before you even think about filling spice jars or designing labels, you’ve got to make sure your spice business is legally registered and compliant with all local, state, and federal laws. Failure to do so can result in fines or legal issues.

Choosing a business structure: The first step is to determine the business structure. There are four different types of structures: sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to choose the one that best fits the needs of the business.

• Sole proprietorship: The simplest form of business, it’s often used by individual entrepreneurs. The startup and operating costs are generally low, making it accessible. However, you assume all business liabilities personally.
• General partnership: This structure works well for businesses operated by two or more individuals. Each partner contributes to all aspects of the business, including profit, loss, and management decisions. Like sole proprietorships, there’s no separation between business and personal liabilities.
• Corporation: Suitable for larger businesses with multiple employees, this structure offers the most protection against personal liability but comes with higher costs and more regulatory requirements.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): This offers a balance of liability protection and simpler operational requirements. It’s often a preferred choice for small to medium-sized businesses.

While each structure has its pros and cons, LLCs are often recommended for small businesses due to the blend of liability protection and operational flexibility.

Related: Comparison of business structures

Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.

During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.

Related: Finding a domain name for your business

Obtain business licenses and permits: In addition to local food production facility requirements, a spice business may also be under regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), depending on the ingredients. In general, there aren’t labeling requirements as long as there isn’t an allergen or any health claims.

On top of that, a spice business may require additional local health and safety permits, especially if you’re blending or packaging the spices yourself. Food-handling permits and inspections from the local Health Department are common for food manufacturers.

In addition to spice business-related requirements, there may be additional general business registrations. Every state is different, however, a local business license, sales tax permit, and Employer Identification Number are commonly required.

Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state

Step 5: Set Up Operations

Setting up your spice production involves several moving parts, each demanding careful attention. The next step to cover includes setting up a location and buying any equipment for production and packaging.

Some spice businesses operate out of a spare room and bottle themselves, rent a shared commercial kitchen, outsource production to a commercial facility, and others have a dedicated manufacturing facility and storefront. Depending on where production occurs, a spice business may need to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, each state has different requirements, so you will want to first check with your local health department to comply with any food production requirements.

If you’re starting as a small spice company, you might initially operate out of your home kitchen. In many states, small food producers can operate under cottage food laws, which have far fewer requirements than larger businesses.

Next, you’ll need to purchase equipment and supplies to produce and package your spices. Depending on the scale of your operation, this may include blenders, grinders, scales, packaging materials, and storage containers.

Step 6: Find Suppliers

After getting the licensing and production facility in order, it’s time to open accounts with suppliers. The quality of your spices is essential to the success of your business. Once you’ve identified potential suppliers, request some samples. This is standard practice and gives you a way to verify the quality before placing a larger order. Some suppliers charge for samples, but others offer them for free if they see a potential for long-term business.

Most suppliers will want to see proof that the business exists before giving out pricing, so they may ask for a business license or sales tax number.

Step 7: Create a Marketing Strategy

Running a successful business starts with getting the word out to potential customers. Developing an overall marketing strategy that is current and appropriate for your target audience is essential, and there are several options to get the message across.

If you plan to market locally, setting up at a farmer’s market can be a very effective and low-cost way to get in front of a lot of people. Don’t forget to have lots of business cards and brochures to hand out! Additionally, contacting local retail stores to carry your product is another effective way to generate sales. To pull in more customers, offering sampling on-site will encourage customers to try your spices.

Setting up an online store on Shopify or selling on marketplaces like Amazon is a path for many spice business owners, but just setting up an online store is the first step. The next (and more important) step is getting people to notice your business in a crowded marketplace.

Social media is one option to reach targeted audiences on platforms such as Instagram or Twitter that will introduce potential customers to your products, as is budgeting to place ads on search engines.

Food is a visual medium, so it is important to use high-quality images and videos in your marketing materials. This will help to showcase your products and make them look appealing to potential customers.

Other options include attending trade shows and local events related to cooking, which will provide an excellent opportunity to educate potential buyers about your products. You could also consider working with local restaurants to feature your spices in new dishes.

Whatever method you choose to advertise your new spice business, it’s important to ensure the message is clear and concise to attract customers!

Related: Low-cost ideas to market a new business

Step 8: Prepare to Launch!

Starting your spice business is an exciting adventure, one that demands not just passion but also a heap of practical steps. Even after you’ve mapped out your business plan, dabbled in market research, and set up a marketing strategy, there are additional elements to consider. Each business has unique needs, but here are some loose ends you’ll likely need to tie up.

Develop packaging: Your spice packaging should not only be functional, keeping your product fresh, but also attractive to stand out on the shelf or online.

Business insurance: Look into getting liability and property insurance to protect your business from any unforeseen events. You’ll rest easier knowing you’ve safeguarded your investment.

Setting up bookkeeping: You’ll need a system to track your income, expenses, and taxes. Consider hiring a bookkeeper or using software like Wave Accounting (FREE) or Quickbooks to keep your financial records in order.

Opening a bank account: You’ll need a separate bank account strictly for business transactions. This makes tracking income and expenses easier and keeps personal finances distinct from business operations.

Setting pricing: Determining the right price points for your products can be tricky. Consider researching your competition and analyzing your costs to set prices that are competitive yet profitable.

Credit card processing: Accepting credit cards is almost a given for most businesses. Consider using a payment processor like Square or Stripe to simplify the process.

Join industry associations: Consider joining associations like the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), Specialty Food Association, or National Seasoning Manufacturers Association (NSMA). Membership can offer networking opportunities, industry insights, and possibly even discounted rates on trade shows or supplies.