Business is sweet for 'Exquisite Handmade Cakes'
A lifetime lover of the baked treat, Viv Parry's cake company is a real rival to bland supermarket offerings. After five years of business, Exquisite Handmade Cakes employees 21 people, catering to large events such as the Great Yorkshire Show and organisations such as the University of Leeds with a range of hand-finished cakes, tray bakes and individually wrapped flapjacks and muffins.
Disappointed with production line cakes, which sacrifice taste and quality ingredients for low cost and a longer shelf life, Viv Parry set out to establish her own cake company in 2004. Now, Exquisite Handmade Cakes has become a successful business with a turnover of more than £950,000.
Growing steadily, year-on-year the business received a £4,000 grant from the Business Growth Fund so it could cope with the high demand for its products. It went towards new equipment to enable the company to respond to the growing demand for wrapped products. As a result of this expansion, two more people from the local area are now employed.
Exquisite Handmade Cakes makes sure it provides its customers with a great personal service. Staff are happy to answer questions and discuss ideas. Viv's 13 year old daughter Rose has been appointed chief quality controller who makes sure the products meet her exacting standards!
Viv Parry said: I believe that to drive a business forward you need to keep a close eye on customer needs. You need to do your research and invest in what fits in with the current market in order to grow in a controlled way. We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ideas which will keep our client base happy and we like to take advantage of the resources available to us. Being based outside of the city centre in the Burley area is a real advantage for our suppliers and employees as it means they don't have to go through the city to get to us."
www.exquisitehandmadecakes.co.uk
‘Bagel Nash’ are rising to the challenge
When Uri and Karen Mizrahi returned from honeymoon in America 23 years ago, inspired with an idea for a new business in Leeds, they could not have anticipated the phenomenal success, locally and internationally that it would become.
Since 1987 when the couple’s first Bagel Nash shop opened in Moortown, two weeks before the birth of their daughter, the company has grown to a £5m turnover business that now employs over 100 people across its wholesale business and 12 retail outlets in Leeds (7) Huddersfield, London, Manchester (2) and York and the company’s award winning bagels are exported from Leeds to over 20 countries across the globe.
‘Bagel Nash’ are based in Meanwood. They have remained there as the area is both in close proximity to their shops in the centre of Leeds, whilst having easy access to the main road connections that are convenient for deliveries and collections at the bakery.
Sharing the Success has provided support for Bagel Nash, through its grants programme, to enable the business to further its ambitious plans. A grant of £6,920 this year enabled Bagel Nash to purchase new equipment to help the business meet a dramatic increase in demand for bagels.
A play on the Yiddish word Nosh, meaning ‘to eat’, ‘Bagel Nash’ introduced a new alternative to the traditional sandwich to Leeds at a time when food was becoming a lifestyle choice for consumers. From one thriving retail outlet in a Leeds suburb to a wholesale supplier nationally and internationally, Karen and Uri put their success down to persistent attention to detail and uncompromising approach to product quality and customer support in addition to remaining open to support and exploring new opportunities.
Uri Mizrahi said: "My advice to anyone thinking of setting up their own business is to definitely go for it. First find something you feel very passionate about, do your homework, stay positive, and keep your eyes open to any opportunities or support which might be available to you, and there is plenty of help available in Leeds. Be committed and determined and you will find solutions to any barriers which might come your way".
www.bagelnash.com
PLEASE NOTE THE BUSINESS GROWTH FUND IS NOW CLOSED