Budding Entrepreneurs: From Journalism to Curry Kits
Veena Josh and Nilam Wright, AKA The Spice Sisters, are successfully blending their British-Hindu cultures and a love of Indian food to create easy to cook, healthy, time saving, lip-smacking curry cooking kits.
Curry On Cookiing was born when Nilam moved to Spain and, realised that along with other British expats, she missed having a decent curry. To fill the gap, Nilam and Veena began blending and selling spice mixes, leading Veena to give up her full time job as a BBC TV and radio producer.
Veena says: “This is not the first time I jumped from one profession to the other. I had already left a TV job to set up an organic deli/coffee shop in Manchester. More recently, This time I walked away from producing a daily live three-hour radio show, five days a week, to sell curry kits with my sister.
“Our business is based in the UK and Spain. Despite being 1,500 miles apart, Nilam and I communicate several times a day. Technology plays a huge part in the day to day running of the business and in our personal communication.”
The kits are a blend of around 13 different herbs and spices, which the sisters have painstakingly developed. They have kept everything simple by including a tailored shopping list on each pack, with easy to follow recipes and tips.
The Great British range comes in six flavours: Korma, Tikka Masala, Bombay Potatoes, Balti, Jalfrezi and Madras. What makes the packs special are they are all free from sugar, gluten, dairy, nuts, MSG, preservatives, additives – and are suitable for vegans.
“We sell to retailers and wholesalers, via third party online marketplaces and through our website. Using digital platforms is a priority for a business like ours as we export and sell abroad as well as in the UK,” Veena explains. “We are on a constant journey to understand the digital business concept and how it relates to our current operations, which is why I attended Digital Women UK’s Missing in Action event at Nottingham University in 2015.
“I have had to learn a whole new set of skills to work across multi platforms, which at times can be a bit bewildering. The way we communicate has changed and it’s exciting that with smart planning we can reach out to anyone, anywhere in the world.”
The sisters are now extending their brand by offering weekend retreats and masterclasses in Indian cookery. The next retreat runs from 23 to 25 June 2017.
Participants can relax, unwind and nurture their minds, bodies and spirits in idyllic surroundings at the Sammati Wellness Finca in Spain. They also learn about Indian spices and their healing properties, make Indian staples such as bread, paneer and ghee making and have the chance to practice yoga, mediation and mindful walking.
The kits are available from www.curryoncooking.com and are stocked in high-end delis, farm shops, garden centres and butchers nationwide, as well as in Spain and France.
For further details please about the kits and/or the new retreat, contact Veena and Nilam via email at: keepcalm@curryoncooking.com
Book for the retreat at: https://curryoncooking.com/buy-now/
Date: 23-25 June 2015
Fee: £320
Early Bird Offer £285.00 (available until 31 May 2017). The price includes full board (shared rooms)
Nearest airports: Murcia San Javier or Alicante
https://www.facebook.com/events/1894665017456697/?ti=as
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