Starting a Fair Trade Business from Scratch! Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Communities University of Huddersfield Jenny Coleman Tuesday March 21st 2017

Why? Passion for the subject - long term volunteer Right time in my life Appropriate financially Appropriate logistically Belief in my own capability Availability of the property

How? Bought out previous owners Set up a limited company Negotiated the rent Opened and primed the bank account Went to our first trade show Ordered products Volunteers onboard Opened the doors!

Problems Lack of any real business experience – learning by trial and error Cash flow – monthly variation in income but bills remain constant Money tied up in stock Recruiting volunteers with passion Finding things for the volunteers to do in the quiet times Choosing products to sell Exhaustion in December

Achievements Sold a great many things which have directly benefitted the producers Increased awareness of fairtrade Through talking to customers Through outside events Through work with schools and other children’s groups Membership of BAFTS

Achievements Raised profile of TASTE Raised money for TASTE £5000 profit in 1st year C£5000 profit in 2nd year C£450 from collection bottles

Achievements Job opportunity for our apprentice Skills gained by volunteers – adults and D of E Gained real sense of making a difference to individuals all over the world Gave Sheffield an opportunity to shop fairly and ethically

Immediate development Get name better known Increased social media presence Social media advertising Press coverage whenever possible Introduce loyalty card Increase regular orders from schools, churches and workplaces Increase sale or return boxes

Immediate development Increase outside events including home parties Develop our educational resources

Long term development Online shop Change of management structure Paid member of staff each day Possibly less reliance on volunteers