Beverage industry consulting has an easy market--the beverage industry is a popular one. Just go to the corner ice house on a hot summer day and watch the delivery person rolling the dolly in piled with soda and purified water. Then there are the restaurants that make their profits from the bar and dinner drinks.

Not too many Americans are happy settling for just good water. However, water itself is a massive industry. The beverage industry can be a lucrative industry. It should not be that difficult to master the mechanics of the business, and it’s easier than taking on both food and beverage. Consider these points when thinking about hiring a beverage consultancy:

1. Use beverage specialists who only work with beverages.

2. Try beverage experts from the food and beverage industry.

3. Find coffee and alcohol beverage experts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use beverage industry consultants who specialize in marketing and selling only beverages

Beverages are part of the food and beverage industry, but some companies specialize in beverages only. These companies help new businesses in consulting, beverage making, labeling and distributing.

I recommend: The beverage specialists at Power Brands give marketing tips in developing and marketing energy drinks, sports drinks and soft drinks. The Kentucky beverage company Pro-Liquitech consults with companies in flavor development, market research, ingredient statements and nutritional facts.

Hire beverage experts from the food and beverage industry or professional bottlers and wholesalers

All you need to do is find the right consulting group for your needs. You talk to food and beverage and restaurant people about the business. You can also talk to big beverage companies that work with customer research strategies, big manufacturers, bottlers, warehouses and wholesalers.

I recommend: VSAG is in the food and beverage industry. Go to their website to see their fee structure for consulting. They offer various packages for marketing and streamlining your beverage business. Discuss such topics as bottling, wholesalers, manufacturing, strategic marketing and planning with BMC Strategic Associates. These true pros know the industry.

Use beverage consulting for a coffee or alcohol beverage business

Morning, afternoon and evening drinks-coffee, soda and alcohol. That is pretty much how beverages go. Therefore, it is no surprise to find niches and forums about alcohol, and connoisseurs in coffee beans.

I recommend: The International Beverage Network (IBN) is a world directory for alcoholic beverages. Scott Rao consults for retailers and coffee roasters throughout North America.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beverage consultants can help you get a beverage business off the ground, and it is an easy busy to start. However, be sure to find down-to-earth, practical business people, because you still need to make a profit.