insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 159

BUSINESS

TURNING Food into Business
When you love food – love tasting it, love creating it, love others enjoying it –
and you’re good at making it, perhaps it has crossed your mind that food in some
form could be your career; that you might even be able to make a business out
of it. We asked some of the best and brightest culinary stars around the South
East to tell us a little about their own business, and whether turning your foodie
hobby into something that earns you a crust is a good idea. BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Sally Newall // Simply Ice Cream
"I had been catering for weddings and parties
for almost 20 years, and having had four children
decided that I would like a little more time with
my family as the events/weddings mainly took
place on the weekends. Selling into retail looked
like a good way to try to reclaim the weekends
but that was very naïve as we are now at trade
and consumer shows every weekend from May
to October! It’s been a very steep learning curve
as although I have always run my own businesses,
selling a product into retail I have had to learn so
much about marketing, PR, advertising, print,

// www.simplyicecream.co.uk
brand values and positioning, accounting, HR,
legal regulations, staff management, the list goes
on...
"My biggest tip would be always taking advice
from the experts. Whilst I had the ideas and knew
how I wanted to grow the business, I have always
sought help and advice from specialists in various
areas. There are so many regulations in running
a food business that you need expert advice and
guidance in all areas – areas that are constantly
changing. Your friends and your family are always

159

going to be your biggest fans but that doesn't
necessarily translate into sales in the consumer
market. Therefore, go to as many farmers’
markets as you can, and get feedback from
people, give away small samples. Ask questions
such as would they pay for your product, and if
so, how much? Would they return to buy
it? Would they recommend it to friends? Try
asking a local farm shop to stock it for a trial
period so you can judge how it may sell going
forward."