Beautiful business

If all you have is a good idea, but you don't know how to build a business you need all the help you can get. The business support services available throughout the region combine to create a multifaceted resource that can guide you from inventor to entrepreneur in careful steps.

It's not that opportunity exactly landed on the laps of the founders of Organic Apoteke - they did spend several years researching the science and establishing the viability of their 'cosmoceuticals' concept. What is interesting is that neither had any business experience, they just knew they had a dynamite product.

In the category of 'nice problems to have' being faced with the clamour of 180 stockists across the USA must come near the top. The issue was how to expand rapidly to fulfil the order book.

"Things moved at such a fast pace. We just weren't planning for that sort of rapid growth. Suddenly we had to change from producing 3,000 units of product a week to 50,000 units per week."
Dr Nitasha Buldeo, Organic Apoteke

The story of Organic Apoteke is one of careful advice and planning in using the collective skills of a variety of support services. It's a great example of how you can make the most of different people's knowledge and contacts to build a business that's balanced, robust and ready for growth.

Business Link advisors met with the founders, Dr Nitasha Buldeo and her husband Dr Vishal Naidoo, to draft an appropriate business plan. Using a tried and tested working model they were able to forecast business performance in differing growth scenarios. The plan went back to basics for the business providing them with a strong and reliable financial model, developing realistic baselines, projections and cashflows.

Taking a balanced approach, Business Link's advisors also helped to highlight other areas of the business that needed consideration, namely production, infrastructure and the supply chain.

As planning crossed over from one aspect of the business to another, new challenges had to be met. To acquire the specialist knowledge, Business Link introduced the company to additional support services including the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS East), the Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade and Industry (UKTI).

Through MAS East, Organic Apoteke received expert advice on close-coupling all aspects of production at their Kempston site. Through UKTI, they joined Passport to Export programme, which offers new exporters free capability assessments, support in visiting potential markets and mentoring from a local export professional.
 
Organic Apoteke has taken advantage of other UKTI services, including Overseas Market Introduction Service, which puts companies directly in touch with staff in UKTI offices abroad and provides focused business advice and visit support.

With a team of knowledgeable and well connected advisors around them, Nitasha and Vishal were able to make the most of a promising opportunity to establish their brand abroad. The product was launched on a wave of interest in organic and alcohol-free cosmetics in high value markets. Subsequent to an initial store launch, with the support of the team, they have negotiated a further 800 store placements across the country.

To understand how the network of support services could work for your business at whatever stage you are, try exploring The Business Map website. Each line gives you information on a range of related services. If you have a general query or you're not sure what kind of help you need, the first port of call is Business Link.

"Business Link's support was amazing. As a relatively small business at that stage, it really felt as though we suddenly had an extended team at the other end of the phone."
Dr Nitasha Buldeo, Organic Apoteke