Entrepreneurship + Innovation

Prepped

Prepped is a 12-week program designed for main street food entrepreneurs, particularly women and people of color. Prepped focuses on early stage and emerging mobile food businesses such as food trucks, caterers, food carts, farmers market products, baked goods, beverage services and other non-brick and mortar food businesses. We are looking for innovative food and beverage businesses that are looking to scale. 

What Do You Get?

• Weekly class sessions taught by ASU facultyand food industry experts at the Downtown Campus
• Mentoring sessions with experienced food business owners
• Peer learning with a cohort of 15-20 food business owners
• Business support services such as food safety certifications and access to commercial kitchen space
• Participation in a final food tasting with the chance to win awards of up to $5,000 to grow your business

Meet Our Program Instructors

Professor Rick Hall is the Director of Health Innovation Programs and Clinical Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at ASU. His academic area of focus relates to leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. Rick brings 15+ years of experience in management in the restaurant industry and is the founder of multiple nutrition related businesses. As an experienced food and nutrition entrepreneur himself, he is excited to be working with food entrepreneurs in this program.

Chef Kent Moody coordinates the Instructional Retail Kitchen, the Kitchen Café, at the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion in ASU’s College of Health Solutions. He brings a career in the food industry to his work with ASU students. Chef Kent will bring his knowledge and experience in the management of food service systems, food safety and food purchasing to Prepped participants.

Our Approach

Entrepreneurs Do’s: Entrepreneurs live by certain guiding principles that make them successful. ASU’s Entrepreneurship Faculty (ASU was ranked #1 in the nation for Innovation) will help you innovate your business model and understand your own adaptability as your biggest asset.

Study Success: If you want to be successful, study those who have been successful in your industry. You will have the chance to have 1 on 1 time with successful food entrepreneurs on topics such as value engineering, food production, finances, marketing and commercial kitchen operations.

Know Your Numbers: Increase your capacity by understanding your finances and efficiency leaks. By the end of this program, you will have new financial projections and a plan to grow your business based off of your current revenue.

Do You Have a Food Business Idea but Haven’t Started Yet?

If you have an idea, but haven't started yet, we want to see you succeed! Our community partners offer programs to teach you everything you need to start your food business. To be connected to partner programs, email Michele.Rudy@asu.edu