Side Hustle School Ep. 3252 - STORY: Frenchman Says Bonjour to $35,000/Month Foodie Hustle
Nov 26, 2025
After moving from France to Quebec, Cédric Fontaine missed the flavors of his homeland, leading him to create Terroir Quebec, a directory of local artisans. Starting with just ten products, he expanded to around 400, crafting a unique e-commerce platform. Navigating seasonal sales, he faced shipping hurdles but adapted with better packing strategies. With a focus on customer feedback and reinvestment, Cédric aims to grow while maintaining his culinary roots, embodying the spirit of a passionate food ambassador.
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From Expat Taste To Product Catalog
- Cédric Fontaine moved from France to Quebec and built Terroir Quebec to recreate the flavors he missed.
- He started in 2005 with ~10 products, grew to ~400, and ran the business from his basement before scaling.
Basement Fulfillment And DIY Tech
- Cédric coded his own e-commerce site and started with a few thousand dollars of stock.
- He self-fulfilled orders from his basement until volume exposed shipping and fulfillment challenges.
Seasonality Drives Catalog And Sales
- Seasonality shaped both product selection and demand, with summer and winter catalogs differing markedly.
- Orders followed the same rhythm, peaking in late year holiday months and driving merchandising strategy.