Inspiring, Awesome, Motivating

Three words that I came away with yesterday, if you haven’t heard of Enterprise Nation they are an organisation that was founded in 2005 to create an inspirational environment for business owners and entrepreneurs by having a supportive community, hosting events and be a campaigning voice for small businesses in the UK.

I’m not one for networking, the whole idea scares me, yes I am passionate about my business, which is Cakes with Secret Ingredients by the way, but I am very much one of these people who is happy to just let other people get on with it.

However last year I plucked up the courage and booked tickets to an event I had seen called The Food Exchange that Enterprise Nation held, donning my glad rags and leaving my kitchen for the day I ventured to London.

Not knowing what to expect I came away feeling mentally drained physically exhausted, but I was ready to take on the world.

This year I didn’t have any hesitation to book tickets to the Food Exchange, and the second year was as equally as impressive as previous event.

Emma and her team put their heart and soul into these events, they find buyers to come and talk about how to get your products to stores, they find suppliers who have been there and made it, this year we had Ella’s Kitchen founder Paul Lindley come and talk to us, all the time having the opportunity to put questions to the speakers, (I haven’t plucked up the courage to get that far yet, maybe next year!!)

There are panels of entrepreneurs, funders, press, this year (and last) the amazing packaging expert Tessa Stuart, who can even make packaging fun when speaking about it, gave us her expertise and there is so much more going on.

Huge tip when going to these Exchange events take samples, take leaflets, business cards, approach the buyers, it is your easiest way to ever get to meet them.

It does work, last year I found out about the Good Food Show Product Bursary Award which they hand out 20 every year, Last year I won one and will be exhibiting my products at the NEC in June 2015. This year I met the buyer for food gifts from Notonthehighstreet.com who saw my product, sampled and liked it, watch this space…..

These Exchanges are amazing opportunities.

Thanks to Kate Saunders from Blackberry Cottage for this super review. Kate’s business is Cakes with Secret Ingredients, where she has created a winning recipe for baking gorgeous cakes and brownies with the prime ingredient being vegetables, in particular her signature dish: Chocolate Brownies with spinach. Yes, spinach but kids love it!

Kate also runs courses to introduce us to new ways of thinking when it comes to baking. Genius.

You can find more about Enterprise Nation Exchanges here.