The Rural Voice, 1998-10, Page 39provide only 10 per cent of the syrup
they sell. They also sell syrup -
making equipment.
Bruce Jakeman claimed many of
their marketing successes came more
by accident than good planning. At
one point they hired a consultant to
design a new label, for instance, and
got a beau'iful looking label that
didn't sell the product. They finally
realized they needed the Jakeman
name prominently displayed and they
needed bright colours that
symbolized Canada for foreign
markets. They chose a simple red and
white label and products immediately
began to sell.
Thcy got a good deal on syrup
containers that had red lids. At
first they didn't like the red
colour but the customers did because
it made their product distinct on the
shelves.
"It's not what you like, it's what
you think is going to sell (that
matters)" he said.
The gift shop on the farm is the
product of Mary Jakeman. She was
working as an accountant in
Kitchener -Waterloo when she
married Bob in 1981 and wanted to
find her niche in the family business.
The enjoyed working with the public
'and she saw the potential for a retail
business since they were close to
Hwy. 401. She saw an old general
store the family owned and had it
moved to the farm and fixed up. As
well as selling their own products
they also sell other gifts.
She also started a pancake house
but she admits that once the weather
turns warm, it's hard to sell
pancakes. The pancake house will be
used as a tea room.
For others interested in agri-
tourism, Mary Jakeman said people
should ask themselves if they're
interested in working with people,
what kind of groups they are trying
to attract and if there is real value for
the people if they come. Can your
road and your lane accommodate
traffic? Will the neighbours tolerate
it?
Try to work with others to
promote your business, she advised.
"Remember, you're promoting your
community as well. If you think you
can do it by promoting yourself,
you're wrong."0
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Forestry is a major land use in Grey County
There has been a shift in provincial forest management policy
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OCTOBER 1998 35