I presume the question is about one-time project based hire and not a full time resource. Google, as rightly mentioned by you, is definitely one of the ways to search for relevant agencies or vendors. Alternately, you can try one of the following as well:
1. You can try websites like LinkedIn, Quora, Clarity et al to get connected or introduced to a relevant agency or expert per your requirement. LinkedIn could be highly powerful in doing so.

2. Try freelancing websites like Upwork, Zintro, Maven etc to reach out to relevant experts and explore an engagement model.

3. If the project isn't too complex or in case you've 1-2 senior experts then hiring an intern and grooming him/her up could be one of the most cost effective way to get things done.

4. In case you've large capital reserve or are venture backed then you can consider hiring relevant experts. Again, LinkedIn could be the game changer here.

5. In case your business has relevant social presence, especially Facebook, then you can consider running a small campaign to receive relevant resumes.

Let me know if there's anything more I can help you out with. I can connect you to few agencies or experts if you could share the requirement. Happy to connect!!

A portion of the profits will be donated to various charities- - This signifies the traditional approach to philanthropy as a process to give money. The modern definition of philanthropy is about solving problems. Problems around which social enterprises could be established. On the same line, you should talk about the problem that you shall be solving, not the intent to donate a part of earning. Donation based mindset to philanthropy, yet omnipresent, is ephemeral.

There's no difference between a typical business organization and philanthropic venture. Both needs model to monetize- not VC money- and achieve financial goal to last long. If philanthropic fund is what you intend to target by speaking philanthropy then it's better to avail them to bootstrap than considering an end in itself.

If you want to commit to some social cause then you should position yourself as a for-profit venture with philanthropic model than a philanthropic organization.

Need know anything in particular? Drop me a message!! All the best.

You answered the question yourself. It's B2B that you should target to get started, build traction, and plan for transition. Once you reach transition stage you could consider adopting an alternate business model, B2C, over and above your prevalent B2B model.

I understand margins will be low in B2B model, but then there would be savings in term of less customer acquisition cost, low entry barrier, and minimum logistical infrastructure.

I believe you must be well aware of Pune region being famous for exotic and organic vegetables. I have had experience with various companies there who are doing it both for B2B and B2C. Drop me a message if you feel hopping on a quick call could be of any benefit.

Sales effectiveness is what your business requires and there's no uniform formula that you can adopt to achieve the same. The first problem mentioned by you isn't about sales process, but absence of requisite capability. The problem is your inability to scope out a requirement and close the deal successfully. The capability could either be built or hired or outsourced.

Your second problem again isn't about sales process, but project planning. You aren't sure how to plan the deliverable milestone, due to which you are equally unsure of resource expectation. A part of this could be limited capability of your internal team. May be you rely on freelancers to get a part of the work done and you aren't sure of time guarantee. Once again, it's better to have a rate contract and stand alone engagement with an agency to get the work delivered.

The third problem mentioned by you is something that startups across the globe struggles with, especially services based. The best way is to decide what rate works for you guys, or the outsourced team, and decide cost per complexity of the work.

I can be of help in terms of helping you build necessary effectiveness and define critical business process. Let me know if you think hopping on a call could help.

It's important to catch one bus or another to start the journey. I, along with my company, have had worked with plethora entrepreneurs on similar engagement, acting a a virtual, yet actual, team for tons of activities. There is no harm in partnering up with professional individual/firm and get started. Just ensure to complete the initial formalities in a best possible manner to keep everyone on a same page since day one. You would like to pen down things like roles, responsibilities, expectations, exit, stock options, post investment valuation, etc.

Plan everything keeping series A at the back of mind.

I presume you should be looking to develop either a video tutorial for some course or design a textual course content. I should be able to provide further insight if you can provide more detail.

Everything mentioned by you- packaging, celebrity endorsement, customer service- carries a touch of luxury. A category wherein mere increasing the price does the trick. However, catch lies in customer's focus being on price.

Another way forward could be to not talk about price and try to influence customers by enhancing the perceived value of a message. "Genius in Five Letters" to "Performance and Prestige", Roles never said "Rolex is expensive". Like, you just need to convey a different attitude.

The packaging example as chosen by you is appropriate one. Packaging could always be rebranded to enhance the perceived value of a product. Think of wines, toys, e-commerce. The size and quality of package does play some role in increasing the perceived value.

At times adding a guarantee or credibility enhances the perceived value. Think about the digital marketplace and you'll see things like reviews, testimonials, free trials etc. Everything adds to the credibility. Top those further with things like bonus points, discounts to add more values.

Last but not the least, you need to convey the value. Consumer should feel that they have cracked a deal.

Thank You!!

Value based pricing is neither about being cheap, nor about the kind of product/service. The value potential of $3.99 will depend upon the quality of output that the product/service provides, irrespective of the categories mentioned by you. Ideal way should be to benchmark your product/service content to decide the price point.

Pivot if you have persevered enough and failed to find the answer. Persevere if you feel there's still room for some learning. That might sound confusing and similar as a Chicken-Egg problem.

What you need is a shift in approach, thinking, and planning. Paid marketing isn't as costly as a failed venture. You need to narrow down your focus to one or two online mediums to market your product. Secondly, if I may ask, how much time per day does your team invests on any sort of marketing activity? I am talking about free marketing.

What different marketing initiatives you have taken till date, individually or collectively?

There could be various such questions to ponder over, the answer to which could be found only after knowing your past efforts.

You need to plan various phases of your product launch and allocate budget for each and every phase. As far as paid marketing is concerned, the budget for the same could only be decided after knowing your customer segment, geographical span, and your business concept. The cost of paid marketing varies to a great extent per above criterion.

Invest some time to review your launch vehicles with focus on integrated marketing strategy. Make sure you plan for 6 months to a years time to avoid getting caught unguarded down the line.

Meanwhile, have you worked out your estimated development cost? If no, then you should do that on priority.

As far as equity sharing is concerned, we had published a blog titled "Happy Equity Index" a while back. You can read the same to get further clarity around equity sharing dilemma. All you need to do is to type "Happy Equity Index, 366Pi" in Google's search bar.

Hope above helps!!