To celebrate World Food Day we’re spotlighting some inspirational food businesses who have been supported by BIPCs around the UK. Do you need a nudge to start your business? Or have you started but feel like you need support? You are not alone. Here are some wise words of advice from people who have been there and done it before.

 

Test your ideas and refine them before going all in

 

 

"The advice I'd give to someone who wants to set up a food business would be to go for it! But remember, passion is key. You have to love what you’re doing, especially in the food industry, because it’s a lot of hard work. Get clear on your niche – whether it's a specific cuisine, style of cooking, or type of service (like catering, classes, or a product line).

 

Although passion is crucial, it needs to be paired with a solid business mindset. Start by understanding your market and see if there’s demand for what you’re offering. Be realistic about costs and pricing; passion alone won’t pay the bills! Also, start small – test your ideas and refine them before going all in. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, whether it’s from mentors, fellow entrepreneurs or organizations like the BIPC. Building a strong network can help you avoid common pitfalls and grow smarter. 

 

When I started my business journey I wish I had known how unpredictable things can be. I thought I had it all mapped out, but sometimes plans change and you just have to roll with it. It’s ok to pivot and adapt to what your customers want rather than sticking too rigidly to your original vision. I also underestimated how much time would spend on the ‘other’ side of the business – admin, marketing, social media etc... I wish had been kinder to myself in the beginning. Mistakes happen, and they’re all part of the learning process! 

 

The BIPC has been a game-changer for me.

 

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to begin. The BIPC offers tons of free resources, advice and workshops that are perfect for anyone starting out. They also helped me understand the legal side of things, like protecting my brand and intellectual property, which is super important. Plus, it’s a great place to connect with other entrepreneurs – you don’t feel like you’re going it alone. Honestly, if you’re starting a business, tapping into the BIPC is a no-brainer!"

 

- Suki Pantal, Founder of Suki's Curries and Spices

 

Advertisement is key

 

 

"My advice would be to speak to the environmental health team before your inspection. If you contact them directly and say you are a new business and would like to know all the ins and outs of what makes a good food business, they will certainly help you. I was lucky to have one of the inspectors come to our business when we were setting up and he told me exactly what I needed to do, along with the best and most affordable options. He helped us plan the best place for our sink and what we needed to watch out for.

 

Advertisement is key. If that be having a theme, all the way down to window design. We found that two years on many people didn’t know where we are but knew where the new shops are in town. So, we have invested more into our shop window, so people know exactly what we do and where we are.

 

At the start of my business journey I wish I'd have known that I didn’t need to buy everything new. I wish I had saved thousands buying more second-hand items for my shelving and units as I am stilling paying these off two years later. This would have also been so much better for the environment.

 

The BIPC has been amazing for me. They helped me set up my business and pointed me in the right direction to get it to grow. I wouldn’t be here today with my shop if it wasn’t for the BIPC."

 

- Laura Curling, Founder of Higham Refill

 

Research your product

 

 

"When setting up a food business you have to first of all research your product. Go to your local BIPC and use the resources there to look at food trends and what consumers are looking for. Look at your competitors and what their USP is. Does your product match trends?  If so, what also makes it different and stand out from your competitors? What is your USP? What is your brand about?

 

Contact and register with your local Environmental Health and Trading Standards and work out what it is you need to do in terms of food safety and labelling before you sell anything.

 

Next, work out the aims for your business and where you want to sell it. If retail is your goal make sure you are clear about what percentage the retailer needs from products, then go back and work out your prices. Take some time to test your product out at markets and events and see how sales and feedback goes. Then you can make tweaks accordingly.

 

Get good at social media, it can make a real difference to your sales. People like to get to know who is behind the brand. It is something that I constantly need to improve on!

 

At the start of my business journey I wish I knew the time it can take to get a product to market. Creating a product isn’t the hard part, it is the processes you go through to get that product to market that takes the time, so always allow much longer than you think! Also I wish I had had better business knowledge at the start of my journey in accounting, profit/loss, forecasting etc. I would recommend visiting your local BIPC and getting on as many courses that deal with the business side of things as soon as you can.

 

The support you can receive from the BIPC is amazing. From the free resources at the library, to free events, free consultations with experts and the opportunity to get funding, it really is a fantastic place for start-ups and established businesses. I have been so grateful for the support and people I have met through BIPC who are continuing to help me on my business journey."

 

- Vicky Armitage, Founder of Meraki Cacao

 

Have confidence in your ability and just do it

 

 

"My advice to anyone looking to start a food business would be to ensure you really are passionate about food, then the setting up a of food business where you can bring all the aspects of your food enjoyment together could be the icing on the cake!

 

There are also many non-food related issues to consider when setting up a food business, for example legislative requirements, food hygiene and business insurances. Are you working on your own or shall you employ staff? If so, how many full time or part time and subsequent training needs. Where are your suppliers based? What is your customer base? Spend some time on market research, know the market you are entering - competitors, price and location. 

 

Talk to people, lots of people and not necessarily within the food industry. You don’t have to do it all on your own, there are lots of organisations who can help. Stay positive. Make mistakes and learn from them.

 

Time management is key. Organise yourself to carry out all the business tasks or delegate where you can. It is very easy to let your business run your life and it can become all encompassing. Plan time away from your business, time for friends, family and time for you to recharge your batteries. This is easy to say, but not always easy to put into practice.

 

What is great for anyone setting up their own business that that the BIPC service is completely free. It is accessible online and in person. I live in Glasgow, my local BIPC is located in the Mitchell Library, so it's very handy for me to visit and see the service in action. I found out the range of services of offer and enjoyed the use of their free workspace. The staff are friendly, approachable and nothing is too much trouble.

 

I borrowed some business text books and arranged a one to one session which helped explain more about my business and for me to obtain a set of information tailored to my needs. Packed full of business information, BIPC is an invaluable resource with access to a variety of networks that can assist you. A very helpful and knowledgeable service."

 

- Kirsteen Oliver, Founder of Granny Beaton’s

 

If you're thinking about starting up but aren't sure where to begin, sign up for our free Kickstart Your Business programme that offers tailored, accessible workshops and webinars to help you on your business journey. Topics covered include financing your business, researching your market and protecting your business's intellectual property. Find out more here and sign up today!