I have decided to make some changes to the business. I am going to blog regularly, which up to now I have not managed to do, and I am going to do a monthly newsletter, to help promote the business.
Wow September has gone quick and boy so much has happened. Kids when back to school really early on the 2nd, this was also the day that my eldest daughter left home and also the day that I bought the most massive freezer you have ever seen, it is approx 1400l capacity! this means that I can freeze so much raw produce which helps to extend my season by quite a lot.
We went – as visitors – to the Speciality Fine Food Fair, what an eye opener, I obviously spend too much time at Farmers’ Markets as I was surprised by the amount of imported food exhibited there, but it was great to see @Breckland and Heavenly Cakes there.
We also handed in our samples to back up our application for a bursary stall at BBC Good Food Show. We found out later in the month that we didn’t win a stall, but greats like @brays_cottage and @gowerbrownies did win stalls so big congrats to them.
On the 17 I met up with 2 wonderful people @enhance_me and @susanodev, they really are the very nicest friends a girl could have, the awful thing is through that the miles really come between us with @enhance_me being in Orkney, @susanodev in Kent and me in Bedfordshire! But girls thank you a fab time.
Out this month we had a 4 page feature on the business in the national magazine Country Kitchen. This was a great opportunity that all came out of a twitter conversation! a big thanks you to @goodshoeday and @rachieGraham for making it possible, this is our first feature in a national and it was a great article – even though I do say so myself.
I went to my usual networking events this month but I also went to a new one set up by @truesilver in Little Wymondly, which was great, just the right balance of free networking time plus 2 speakers and I already have had 1 testimonial and 1 lead from it!
I also attended a knowledge hub networking event at the University of Bedfordshire which was all about Food Tourism. It was a really interesting evening and soon a new website www.ukfoodtourism.com should be up and running which should benefit all food producers everywhere in England.
My darling OH is slowly getting better he has been off work for 3 weeks with a chest infection. He has been a very poorly man he also has a severe (doctors words) calcium deficiency so has yummy chewable lemon flavour tablets mmmmmm.
So its October today and Christmas really isn’t all that far away. This year we will have our usual seasonally preserves like Mincemeat with either Brandy or Rum, Christmas Chutney, Cranberry sauce with Port and this year we will be selling Sloe Gin, Damson vodka, Blackberry Liqueur and Plum Brandy and we want make Brandy Butter too.
I really want to get my making courses off the ground. The first jam making course I ran was really successful but I want to run more, so if you are interested in coming on any – Jam, Marmalade & Chutney – contact me and I will let you know when they are running. Why not come with a friend and get a discount.
On the subject of running courses I visited a great inspirational lady who runs chocolate making courses in Hitchin this week (@makechoccies). You know when you just click with someone? It was just great lady, hubby and I even had homemade warm biscuits! How special did we feel! and on that warm and fuzzy feeling I will finish this edition of the blog.
Vickie xxx