Success Stories

MEP Member

Idaho TechHelp

Story Title

Cowboy Tom Products Selling Like Hotcakes!

Client Profile

Cowboy Tom Flapjacks, produced by Tom and Charlotte Armstrong, are made from hard, red wheat grown on a dry farm in Declo, Idaho. The Cowboy Tom product line has grown to include Flapjacks, FLAXJacks, Buckwheat Jacks, Teff Jacks and Lip Lickin’ Country Maple Syrup. The Cowboy Tom Posse packs all ingredients at the University of Idaho Food Technology Center, a certified food processing facility located in Caldwell, Idaho.

Situation

Initially, Charlotte was selling product mostly through word of mouth, cowboy events and farmer’s markets. Charlotte thought an e-commerce enabled website would help her increase visibility, marketing and sales. Charlotte always keeps her eyes open for opportunities to increase shelf space at local grocery stores, to boost production, to line up national distribution agreements and to seek licensing deals. She contacted Idaho TechHelp, a NIST MEP network affiliate, for assistance.

Solution

TechHelp worked with Cowboy Toms to create an e-commerce website that gave the company increased visibility, legitimacy and sales. Potential stores and customers can now be referred to the website for additional information. With a focus on new product ideas and licensing and distribution deals, Charlotte completed TechHelp’s innovation and idea generation programs. E-commerce efforts by TechHelp led to creation of an e-commerce website that gave the company increased visibility, legitimacy, marketing clout and sales. TechHelp growth activities led to a number of benefits including, new ideas for Cowboy Tom products such as muffins and waffles, and a company message clearly articulating overt benefits. Idaho TechHelp’s assistance also gave Cowboy Tom’s a presence on the National Innovation Marketplace that will boost the company’s efforts to attract licensing and distribution deals.

Results

• Retained sales of $4,000.
• Realized $750 in cost savings.
• Invested $1,300 in web development.
• Achieved a more competitive and profitable position.

Testimonial

“TechHelp has been a wonderful asset for our business. With each meeting, new and different ideas come to the surface. Their guidance and direction as we pursued these avenues has been invaluable.”
Charlotte Armstrong, Owner