Established in 2017, Short But Sweet is an award-winning home bakery business based in Chorley. Specialising in vegan and free-from baking, founder Rachael Foster-Jacob creates celebration cakes and wholesale goods that can be purchased direct, online or through local retail outlets.
Winner in the 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS) Hospitality Industry Award, Rachael shares her business inspirations, discusses the Boost support she received, and why Lancashire is a great place to do business.
After a meeting with Chorley Council’s business development team, and Boost was recommended to me as I was starting the process of expanding; looking to move into my first commercial premises and employing staff in the near future.
I had an initial meeting with Sue Denver and met with Hayley Caine who became my business adviser and I joined Boost's Growth Catalyst programme. Hayley has been great in helping me create a financial model, cash flow forecast and profitability model to ensure I am making informed decisions.
There has been lots of little lightbulb moments which in turn have big knock-on effects to making future decisions. It’s nice to have a sounding board for ideas and talk through things to help you see it from a different perspective.
I was inspired to start the business when Alana Spencer won the 2016 series of The Apprentice with her bakery, Ridiculously Rich by Alana. I have followed her journey closely since and have loved seeing how she has grown and expanded while still staying true to her roots.
My passion for baking and the happiness it brings to people! I love seeing customers’ faces light up when they hear about the vast range of vegan and free-from bakes I offer. They can enjoy eating cakes that they have perhaps missed out on for years or never even tried, due to dietary requirements or lifestyle choices.
In the next six months I hope to be in my first commercial kitchen and will then begin hiring my first staff. Then I wish to take on several new wholesale customers as well as increase my celebration and wedding cake offering.
A good cup of tea while I sit down and plan my baking schedule for the day ahead!
There is so much support available for business and the community of small businesses is just fantastic and thriving. You never feel isolated, there is always someone willing to help.
Reach out and make that initial contact, it is definitely worth exploring all the options for your business and you have nothing to lose in doing so.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Attend networking events and ask plenty of questions, you never know who is going to be in the room and be able to take your business further.
If you’re looking to grow, scale or start your business, use Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub. We offer a range of funded business support services. Call our Business Support Helpdesk on 0800 488 0057 to find out more or complete our enquiry form.
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