Mums' start up sauce-making business
by WIN Admin — published in Press Releases
TWO mums who met at the school gates and ended up starting a sauce-making business are in talks to supply two airlines and two supermarkets.
Louise Bailey and Dawn Wilson have already been forced out of home production and into rented premises at the school where they met because of demand for their sweet chilli sauce Devlish.
The two “mumpreneurs” met at Westfield School in Gosforth where their daughters are pupils and quickly realised they could turn Louise’s special chilli sauce into a commercial proposition.
Louise, from Nedderton Village, near Morpeth, said: “I would make it for every occasion such as birthdays or christenings – I would even take a jar to a dinner party instead of a bottle of wine.
“Gradually an ‘appreciation club’ developed and it started to reach a wider audience than just friends and family.”
Louise and husband Steve, who also helps with the company, believed they had a great product which would sell commercially.
“We contacted a few businesses and restaurants and received a good response. However, the distractions of everyday life meant that we found it difficult to gain momentum and the idea was placed on the back burner,” said Louise.
school at the same time as Dawn’s girls and we became friends quickly. I told her about my sauce and Dawn explained she had a business background. She tasted it and loved it, and could immediately see the potential.”
Dawn, a former self-employed businesswoman from Woolsington, was ready to return to work after a three-year break.
She said: “I had my own businesses for years which I gave up to look after the kids, who are now aged eight and nine. I met Louise – literally at the school gates – when I was at a stage to do something else that would fit in around looking after the kids.”
They started selling at farmers’ markets, farm shops and delis, and now supply garden centres Dobbies and Peter Barratt, the National Trust and Fenwick food hall in Newcastle, where they will be conducting Valentine’s taste tests this Saturday.
They have also impressed top North East chef Terry Laybourne, who uses Devlish in his Fenwick Cafe 21 eaterie, and Professional Masterchef finalists John Calton and David Coulson, who are both from the region.
And they’re on track with ambitions to turn Devlish into a national and international brand with discussions with airlines BA and Emirates, and supermarkets Waitrose and the Co-op.
Lousie and Dawn worked with regional food business Northumbria Larder, which has helped them to win new customers.
Larder business support manager Ian Blair said: “Louise and Dawn are extremely driven and focused businesswomen who are determined to make Devlish not just a national but international success.
“We have worked closely with Devlish throughout the development of the business – offering advice and guidance on packaging and initiating buyer introductions.”
Karen Dent, The Journal