The Good:
Having invested in going to some trade shows, with specific objectives and clear ideas of what I wanted to get out of them.
To have worked with experts in their fields to advise me on the following:
- Strategy and business plan creation (Connect Mildands, Ginem);
- Technical issues on food manufacture (Campden BRI, Food and Drink Forum, Nottingham Trent University)
- Issues around innovation (Food and Drink iNet)
- Packaging and web design (23 Skidoo, Invosis, Design Futures)
- Sales (The Tasty Company)
The Bad:
On a day to day basis, I’m still running the show on my own- this needs to change.
The Ugly:
To have spent too much money on packaging which will last me for many months- work in progress can kill viable businesses.
The Bank which changed its mind and said “no”, after my manager , who had agreed in principle to loaning us what we needed, got transferred to a different branch.
And the next moves for 2010:
-To employ a book keeper/credit controller
-To employ a fantastic admin person- please do contact me if you know of anyone!
-To have the manufacturing unit up and running
-To increase our sales
-To go to the gym!!
