insideKENT Magazine Issue 39 - June 2015 | Page 162

Christine McGrath // Cake Innovations // www.cakeinnovationsltd.co.uk
"At Cake Innovations, we believe good customer service is key for business.
In our small retail shop, we support hobby bakers, cake businesses and
professionals alike. Although Internet shopping is generally very popular,
the advantages of talking through ideas, giving specialist advice or problem
solving face to face, cannot be underestimated.
"As bespoke cake artists, Cake Innovations is committed to supplying
quality products, whether that is cake, icing or equipment. Tried and tested
in our own kitchen, we can confidently make recommendations. In this era,
we recognise that website presence is vital for business; however, we have
to admit we found this very challenging, resulting in a costly mistake. We
recommend researching your website consultant thoroughly before embarking
on such an investment and agree precisely what they will deliver for you.
Now we have a fantastic website that is mobile-friendly and easy to use.
"Our best piece of advice is to do your research! Contact Environmental
Health at your local council for help and advice on registering your business;
consult the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website; and get insured.
Remember, you may be good at cake decorating but now you will have to
be good at marketing, advertising, finance, customer service, paperwork
and, the biggest issue to contend with, time! Where does it go?"

Caroline Spiby // Caroline’s Dairy // www.carolinesdairy.co.uk

"We've been running a dairy farm in Sidlesham
for over 40 years, but were finding that we weren’t
being paid the cost of production for our highquality milk. We recognised that we needed to
add value to our milk, and so, in 2007, we decided
to make ice cream – but not just any ice cream!
We wanted to create a high-quality artisan product
that was made here on the farm. As well as the
practical reasons behind setting up the
business, I have always loved cooking and as
farmers, we are obviously passionate about using
local produce. Therefore, to create something
using the milk from our cows for everyone of all
ages to enjoy is a dream come true.

"Since launching we’ve grown from supplying
just two local farm shops to today selling ice
cream in over 180 outlets throughout Hampshire,
Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Using local fruits and
other ingredients where possible, we have
become known for our amazing flavour
combinations that we continually develop. Last
year we celebrated a hat trick of wins at the
prestigious Great Taste Awards, earning two
stars for our Stem Ginger, Lime and Chilli Ice
Cream and a star for both our Belgian Chocolate
Ice Cream and Raspberry Sorbet. At the National
Ice Cream Competition in 2015, we were awarded
the gold medal for our Salted Caramel, and in
2014, we scooped a silver medal for our

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Mascarpone and Amarena Cherry Ripple and
the bronze medal for our Mango Sorbet.
"As well as having passion in what you do, you
really need to ensure you have a viable business
plan. Make sure you do your market research
and look to get industry approval from
organisations such as SALSA, which help to
authenticate everything you do. There is so much
more to running Caroline’s Dairy than making ice
cream and each stage in our development has
been a huge learning curve. I also believe in
working closely with other local businesses to
support each other and help drive the local
economy."