Foodpreneur boot camp deploys ‘business in a box’ concept to prep builders for industry reality

A boot camp for Kansas entrepreneurs getting into the food industry works through a menu of resources they’ll need to turn a profit, said Tiffany Helton, emphasizing the program takes stock of business realities that might not always seem glamorous.

Tiffany Helton, Online Restaurant Academy

“We get into nitty gritty — like licensing, business plan, marketing, financials, employees, company culture,” explained Helton, co-founder of the Online Restaurant Academy (ORA), which partners with Network Kansas for the six-week online Foodpreneur’s Boot Camp. “It’s walking them through the steps and slowly introducing them to how it’s going to actually be and what they actually need to know.”

Targeted for restaurant and food truck owners, the program aims to be a start-to-finish guide, she added.

Classes — 11 a.m. on Wednesdays or Thursdays — begin the week of Feb. 9 and run through the week of March 23. The enrollment fee is $99 or $75 if registered before Jan. 25.

“It’s basically a restaurant/food truck business in a box and really giving them tools — not just to be open — but to be successful in the state of Kansas,” said Helton.

Becca Sweaney, Network Kansas

Click here to register for the boot camp.

The boot camp dovetails with Network Kansas’ efforts to empower entrepreneurs through its partner networks; offering essential financial resources, valuable relationships, expert knowledge, and experience, said Becca Sweaney, community entrepreneurship advisor for Network Kansas’ south central region.

“Many times, for entrepreneurs — especially food entrepreneurs — they’re starting with just an idea or a passion,” added Sweaney, herself a coffee shop owner, “and they really have no idea what they’re doing and where to even start and find those resources. The ORA is really the only resource you need. Honestly, after taking the class myself, I feel like it bottled everything up into one.”

Sarah LaRosh, Network Kansas

Through its loan portfolio, Network Kansas identified restaurants as a tough industry to find success, added Sarah LaRosh, director of community and program engagement for Network Kansas, which offers gap financing for small businesses that are starting and growing.

“Our goal isn’t necessarily to start a bunch of businesses for the sake of starting businesses or to loan a certain number of dollars out,” she said. “Our whole goal is to create sustainable economic success in businesses across the state of Kansas.”

“Providing resources to help with those industries that are hit harder or are tougher to enter is part of Network Kansas’ wholehearted approach,” LaRosh continued.

Allyssa Foster — owner of the Douglas County-based Pretzelly Truck — took the boot camp classes in fall 2024 after launching her food truck in April 2023. Although neither of her instructors in the program had personal food truck experience, she said, the curriculum taught her how to approach concepts from inventory tracking to how to expand into a brick and mortar space.

“It gave a good foundation for a new business,” she noted.

Allyssa Foster, owner of the Douglas County-based Pretzelly Truck, a past participant in the Foodpreneur’s Boot Camp organized by Network Kansas and Online Restaurant Academy (ORA); courtesy photo

The program — now in its third year — is geared toward those interested in starting a restaurant or food truck or those that have been in business less than a year.

“Even though I had already started a business and my business has been running for five years (when I took the class), my business would have been easier to get started had I taken this class first,” Sweaney noted of her coffee shop.

Within the boot camp, course content includes modules on: ownership mindset; licenses, business plan, and leases; food cost, labor cost, and Quickbooks 101; menu design and management; restaurant marketing and social media; company culture, team management, and operations; exceptional guest experience; and additional locations and revenue.

“We at ORA have created a path for students,” Helton explained, “and we start with ownership mindset. It’s getting their mind right. I always say to the students, ‘It’s being a business person and an entrepreneur and those are two different things.’ We’re trying to teach the students balance. How do we keep the the independent, dreamer, thinker, entrepreneur, and foster that and take that and harness it and say, ‘How do we turn that into you being a good business person?’”

Lea Ann Seiler, Network Kansas

When Lea Ann Seiler took the class, the Network Kansas community entrepreneurship manager for the southwest region — who, like Sweaney, also owns her own coffee shop — said she appreciated how it addressed topics like employee retention, menu pricing, and sales tax.

“I’ve watched a lot of restaurants and some of the things that they were challenged with were staying ahead of the taxes,” she continued. “That was something that right from the get-go. We set up a separate account — from things I learned — and moved that tax money right away. So it’s not like I’m freaking out when my taxes are due. It is so helpful for everybody to know things like that.”

On top of the business knowledge gained through the courses, Helton noted, participants also gain connections with other entrepreneurs.

“Kansas has a very, very vibrant food culture,” she explained, “and when we get everybody in the same room — the idea sharing and the funding options, ‘Hey, did you hear about this grant?’ — it’s exciting and it’s fun. And I think that’s what a lot of people liked getting out of this program is that connection piece of it, alongside all of the education, as well. That’s what makes it so great.”

“With everything in life, no matter what sector you’re in, that community is really important,” LaRosh added. “I’ve not gone through the class, just word of mouth is that there’s great conversations in the class, helping each other out or giving tips and tricks. But at the end of the day, having that community — knowing that I’m not the only one struggling with this — gives a lot of value to being an entrepreneur.”

Foster said her favorite part of the program was interacting with her peers.

“It was interesting to hear how other businesses got to where they are today,” she continued. “We were able to discuss and build on each other.”