Schmidt Beef Co Wins Swimming With the Sharks Competition
"Do you want to know about my cows," young Tucker Schmidt asked the judges. The son of Tiffany and Dylan Schmidt of rural Battle Creek then proceeded to tell the panel responsible for choosing the winner of Swimming With the Sharks about his Red Angus cattle, not his dad's cattle, his cattle.
"He totally won it for me," exclaimed his mom, Tiffany.
Swimming With the Sharks, in its 14th year, is a competition through Briar Cliff University that allows local entrepreneurs to share their business plans for the chance to win funds to invest in their business. A total of $5,000 was given out with Schmidt Beef Co winning the top prize. Tiffany said that the money will eventually go for a walk-in freezer.
Schmidt Beef Co, established in 2022, raises Red Angus cattle, has them butchered by USDA approved lockers, and sells the beef. The business began with sales to family and close friends, a half-beef here, a quarter-beef there. Word got out, and friends of family and other friends were asking if the Schmidts could save them halves or quarters of beef. The couple along with Dylan's parents Tracey and Deron Schmidt also of Battle Creek turned this friendly venture into a business. Dylan and and Deron (and Tucker) raise the cattle, and Tiffany and Tracey take care of the sales. Also part of the family venture are the Schmidts' other children, Cade and Taytum.
"This is my way of helping on the farm, off the farm," commented Tiffany who works for her brother-in-law, Austin Bettin at Premiere System Roofing, Inc. in Danbury.
Tiffany, a Briar Cliff grad, heard about Swimming with the Sharks which is hosted by BCU through the college's Facebook page. She also knows someone who had won it with her boutique, and Tiffany thought that perhaps they should try for the prize. She created a Power Point presentation, explaining what they do and why they needed the prize. Deron also spoke, explaining the cattle part of the business. And then, Tucker took the microphone, telling about his cattle and showing them his cattle toys. At that point, Tiffany felt that, perhaps, they could beat out these other 5 businesses.
"I was really nervous, but they liked my toy cows and they wanted me to show them a baby calf being born," stated Tucker concerning his part of the presentation.
"There were some other great pitches, many local Sioux City businesses and then there was us, a small town family farm, and we weren't sure how much knowledge or care the judges would have about what we do. I was ecstatic (when we won). When Tucker started talking and took the microphone and walked over to the judge's table, I thought, 'We've got this'. They loved it," said Tiffany.
Schmidt Beef Co can ship to all 50 states and currently ships to 18 different states. Their goal is to expand to more states. They currently have a Mother's Day sale going on. Their information may be found at www.schmidtbeefco.com or on Facebook by searching for Schmidt Beef Co. They may also be contacted at (712) 840-9700 or schmidtbeefco@gmail.com.