How healthy eating quest inspired young entrepreneur
SME FOCUS additives and preservatives, and did not suit my dietary requirements.
I discovered the low FODMAP diet, which eliminates all trigger foods that can set off IBS symptoms. I prepared recipes substituting low FODMAP alternatives for the usual ingredients and the results have been fantastic! I decided to create Fodilicious to help others who suffer IBS and other food intolerances like me to live a better quality of life and to fill a gap
I saw in the UK market.
To whom does it sell?
Approximately 13 million people in the UK suffer from IBS, which costs the NHS more than £45 million annually.
Our products cover a range of special dietary requirements and are free from gluten, dairy and nuts. We have vegan options too. People with intolerances account for around 20 per cent of the UK population.
What is its turnover?
We started trading in April and each month have grown sales and volumes, while securing three contracts in the hospitality sector. in the UK for a national restaurant chain (Pizza Hut Restaurants UK). I managed an Edinburgh city centre store, where I was responsible for a team of 25, and successfully increased profits. Through this role, I gained a well-rounded practical understanding of business that gave me the confidence to start my own.
How did you raise the start-up funding?
Last year, my grandfather died and left me some inheritance money. A few months later, my IBS was really getting me down and that’s when I came up with the idea for Fodilicious.
My inheritance money was enough to start the business.
My grandfather had IBS too, so it felt right investing this money into Fodilicious to help others.
I then approached Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise, which have provided me with funding advice.
Queen Margaret University has been extremely supportive throughout my start-up. I have represented the university in competitions across Scotland and the UK, and had support from Scottish EDGE, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, The Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Santander Universities.
What was your biggest break? Gaining our FODMAP Friendly Certification earlier this summer was a huge achievement for us. The FODMAP Friendly team is based in Melbourne, Australia, and we shipped our meals down under to be laboratory tested so we could gain certification for our products.