n Debbie with Lily, Sonny and Ashton.
By Nicola Moyne
BRINGING your children up on healthy, nutritious food is important to most parents. But what about when you go on holiday? It can be hard work keeping up a healthy regime, and many families find themselves with no healthy options available that are suitable for tots.
However, one entrepreneur couple from Billericay are planning to solve the nation’s problem with their Smallganics range.
Dreamt up by Paul Bowerman and his wife Debbie while they were on holiday with their three children, Smallganics ‘Eating Out Range’ is a collection of nine organic meals for infants that offer the perfect solution for health-conscious parents.
And, having set the business up just eight weeks ago, the idea is really catching on.
“We’ve already got about 10 clients, which include The Ivory Rooms in Billericay, Lake Meadow’s cafe and Barleylands,” Debbie, who also runs her own nursery nurse agency, tells me. “We’re thrilled with how the business has taken off and we hope we’re able to take it nationwide.”
Indeed, the business has already got the attention of James Caan – a judge on Dragon’s Den who is also judging the Nectar Small Business Awards this year, and Paul is in the running for Entrepreneur of the Year!
“It’s so amazing even to be considered, and obviously it would mean everything to us to win,” Debbie enthuses. “I can’t even put into words how thrilled we would be. We’ve both put a lot into the project,” adds the 31-year-old. Indeed, they’ve invested a huge amount of both time and money into the business, whilst still holding down their day jobs.
“We just spotted a gap in the market and decided to go for it,” the mother-of-three explains. “We decided it would either really take off or get no interest at all, and after a lot of sleepless nights it’s so good to see people reacting positively!”
In fact the couple have been inundated with local support and Debbie has spoken to a lot of mothers who are grateful for the healthier option. “Me and Paul spent a long time coming up with the recipes and getting everything right,” she reveals. “And it was important to us that the range was completely organic.”
Paul, who works in finance, adds: “There’s nothing nicer than seeing your dream become a reality. Anyone who is passionate enough about an idea can make it happen.”
And the Bowerman children - Lily, 4, Ashton, 2, and Sonny, 1, - have been enjoying the process too. “They’ve all been helping out with taste testing and Sonny has become the face of the brand,” Debbie laughs. “It’s been hard work, but a lot of fun and I hope me and Paul can continue to build the business up.”
For details on the Nectar Business Awards 2010, visit www.nectar-business.com.
n Closing date for entries is 31 May and winners will receive £2,000 in cash, £2,000 to spend at Viking Direct and 50,000 Nectar points.