2008 Success Award Winner Blackwell’s Organic LLC

Marcia Blackwell, Blackwell’s Organic LLC

Talk about a company whose superior products embody and reflect its consciousness of the global environment and you’ll find no better example than Blackwell’s Organic.

Founded in 2005 by Marcia Blackwell, Blackwell’s Organic created and distributes a certified Organic Soy Gelato and Fruit Sorbetto that they’ve dubbed “an Italian Tradition with a Healthy Twist™.” All of their ingredients are certified organic and the chocolate, cocoa, coffee and evaporated cane juice that are used are FairTrade Certified as well.All the juices are hand pureed and every pint is hand-packed to guarantee freshness and quality. This ensures that the customer receives the same delicious dessert in every pint. To top that off, the products are gluten-free, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, Vegan, and full of flavor.

Marcia began working with the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College consultants Larry Novick and Paul Rinaldi in April 2005 to complete her start-up paperwork and SBE and WBE applications, prepare a marketing/sales presentation package, and do a cost-price analysis. That work apparently paid off, as sales tripled within the first half of 2006. Since then, Marcia has expanded distribution to over 40 stores located throughout the Northeast, including all Whole Food Stores in New Jersey and many specialty food retailers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition, Blackwell’s Organic sells and ships products throughout the continental United States through its online store – Gelatobymail.com. As a crowning touch to those achievements, the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) awarded Blackwell’s Organic Raspberry the 2008 Gold for outstanding USDA – Approved Organic Product Category.

Without a doubt, Blackwell’s Organic reflects the owner’s personal values. The quality of the ingredients is the highest priority for Blackwell, since the true flavors of the fruit are the essence of the product. Marcia is also dedicated to using “green” and fair trade business practices, which reinforced her decision to go the organic route and use coffee and chocolate that are triple certified (fair trade, shade grown and friendly to migratory birds) by the Smithsonian Institute.

According to Marcia, “The NJSBDC was instrumental in helping us get our business off the ground from registering for our LLC to creating our marketing materials.  We also took advantage of their accounting advice.  The expertise offered by the NJSBDC is invaluable to a start up business like ours.  We would not be where we are today without them.  When I speak with budding entrepreneurs I always recommend they visit their local SBDC for help.”