Libertyville native's new agency represents minority-owned food businesses nationally
LIBERTYVILLE NATIVE'S SALES AGENCY REPRESENTS MINORITY-OWNED
FOOD AND FOOD PACKAGING MANUFACTURERS NATIONALLY
For Immediate Release: April 21, 2021
Press Contact: Vicki Kenyon Vicki@AliceNormanSRG.com
What happens when the food industry collapses and there are no jobs to be found? Libertyville native and Des Plaines resident, Vicki Kenyon, founded Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group and ventured out on her own instead of waiting for the interview call that never came.
After years in the industry, Ms. Kenyon saw many emerging manufacturers lose their way once diving into shark-infested waters filled with fierce competition. "Most of these small companies have excellent products, but they are under-funded and inexperienced at navigating the waters of distribution and food service operators," explained Ms. Kenyon.
The company is named after Ms. Kenyon's paternal grandmother (Alice) and maternal grandfather (Norman) - two of the hardest working people she ever knew. An homage to her family, Ms. Kenyon aims to honor them well in her new venture.
Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Ms. Kenyon felt it was of great importance to work with minority-owned manufacturers. Lenders and traditional funding outlets often overlook this group of business owners who are working hard and often investing all of their personal savings to make a great product designed to fill a unique niche in various types of food service clients. What a manufacturer in this position needs most is a sales team to grow the business, but this is likely cost-prohibitive and unchartered territory that can be scary - especially if it does not go well.
Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group is an agency that is hired by the manufacturer to sell their products along with a portfolio of other complementary items, and eliminates the need for overhead that is unaffordable. With over 30 years in the food industry, 10 years in food distribution, and 4 years in manufacturer sales, Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group is well equipped with a strong network of contacts that allow for business opportunities that clients may not otherwise have.
A strong and experienced board of directors and advisors supports this venture. Individuals come from backgrounds deep in food industry consulting services, industry education, sales, marketing, merchandising, accounting, and restaurant operations. Board members are active as advisors and meet quarterly to review important business decisions.
Based in the Chicago Suburbs, Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group has deep roots in the Central United States, as well as key contacts nationally within distribution, restaurants, healthcare, hospitals, college & universities, corporate dining, hotels, stadiums, convention centers and other related venues.
The first strategic partner to sign with Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group is a brand called Equo International based in Vietnam. Equo is a certified minority-owned and woman-owned company who manufactures a line of 100% natural, plastic-free, non-toxic, chemical-free, biodegradable and compostable straws, cutlery, dishware and other single- use items used in food service.
Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group is a manufacturer's representative agency dedicated to growing the sales of minority-owned food, beverage, and food packaging manufacturers in the United States. Everyone needs a hand up at one point in their professional lives. Alice Norman Sales & Resource Group is dedicated to being that hand up and lifting clients in order to allow their businesses to grow and support themselves financially. Inquiries into representation or purchases should be directed to the contact information listed above.