Start with thinking big, add in an even bigger dream, mix that with lots of hard work, research, and building solid working business relationships and it makes for a great product that is going to take Stark County and the surrounding area by surprise.
Michelle Mungo and Kim Heppe, co-founders of Capella Artisan Goat Cheese in Alliance, Ohio, are building more than just a new business venture. They are joining forces with local goat farmers and expert cheese makers to produce a product that is healthier, higher in calcium, lower in fat, and is better for lactose intolerant digestive systems than cheese made from cow's milk.
“When we went to the Stark County Fair just last year, we decided we wanted to start a business selling products made from goat's milk. We just fell in love with the goats and started coming up with ideas on how to work with them,” said Mungo.
“Nobody took us seriously at first,” said Heppe. After months of market research, reading, searching on the Internet, talking with local farmers, creameries, and cheese makers, both Heppe and Mungo knew what they wanted to do. They also realized that while goat cheese can be found in Ohio grocery stores, those products are imported from other states and countries such as Canada. There is little goat cheese manufactured here in Ohio.
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