Caribe Producers, Michael Hocklander’s Springdale-based company, formed an e-commerce export strategy for Five Star Jerky, the company’s international flagship brand, with the help of the UA Fayetteville ASBTDC.
Five Star is the first “made in the USA” Halal-certified beef jerky, and Hocklander is targeting Middle East markets with his product.
Hocklander reached out to the ASBTDC in 2020 when he was seeking pandemic relief funding.
ASBTDC consultant Catherine Corley helped him secure a working capital loan through FORGE. Next, she assisted Hocklander on his exporting plan for Five Star Jerky.
Halal jerky is a new product for the Middle East/Gulf States, and Hocklander traveled to Dubai to showcase his products at a USDA-sponsored trade show. There, Five Star won an award for the most innovative Halal product, and the trade show resulted in leads from 12 countries.
Hocklander and Corley met with Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas in Rogers. Thomas introduced him to several resources and contacts to guide his market entry – from legal resources to ensure that he works with legitimate businesses to connections to potential customers.
Corley helped Hocklander narrow his export focus to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. They agreed that e-commerce was a good market entry strategy, particularly since Five Star was already an established Amazon seller.
The UAF ASBTDC began helping Caribe build a Five Star website to appeal to both domestic and international customers. Lindsay Ramsey and the center’s marketing team assisted with professional photography and website design.
With a strong domestic website, Hocklander’s next step is translating the site for his Middle Eastern targets.
“I am happy that I discovered ASBTDC, and they have taken an interest in my small business. It is a benefit and encouragement,” said Hocklander.
