in-business
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOME GREAT MANX STARTISANS Manx Startisans are continuing to emerge in the local market and this month some great new concepts were discussed in a session for new operations at Noa’s Bakehouse.
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ll of these local entrepreneurs are looking to put their passion into practice and create innovative new food and drink companies that can provide healthy, premium alternatives to mass-produced off island goods, for the island’s residents. Many of the people behind these companies have switched careers, retrained, researched and put their knowledge into creating their own businesses. All of them are driven by the desire to do something different, to take the kernel of an idea and grow it into a tangible product that appears on the shelves of the island’s supportive retailers. And now is your chance to join them. Shoprite’s Manx ‘Startisans’ programme is looking to identify the potential in a local food entrepreneur who wants to get their idea off the ground, or take their fledgling idea to the next level. Shoprite has already helped a number of local producers to develop their proposition to a stage where a major food retailer can stock it. The company’s team works with local producers to help them with branding, packaging, marketing, pricing. Many of the companies that started out as home based operations have now gone on to reach the stage where they can now be exported to UK and international markets. The winning entrepreneur will receive a guaranteed listing in Shoprite’s stores for six months as well as receiving start-up operations marketing support, packaging, product development and presentation advice including one to one sessions from the panel of experts as well as a free stand at the 2016 Isle of Man Food and Drink Show. Shoprite’s parent company Isle of Man Enterprises will also make available free of charge one of its retail units in Village Walk, Onchan for a six month period. Are you a ‘Manx Startisan’? To register your interest and receive an entry form or for help and advice on creating your proposal please email: simon@redpointpr. co.uk.
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agenda
ENTRIES CLOSE ON FRIDAY 1ST JULY 2016 Can you become a Manx Startisan and join the local food revolution. The Isle of Man has a large number of well established local food producers, particularly involved with meat and dairy industries, that allow large food retailers like Shoprite to operate ‘import substitution’ where they can support local producers by offering local alternatives. However, the Island can always support more niche providers which not only benefit the local economy but also provide premium quality, healthy alternatives to well known brands with provenance that can be tracked back directly to local sources. New businesses are being set up by local people who are passionate about food and drink who are creating products that reflect those premium quality values with delicious, home spun products that are far superior to the mass produced, well established alternatives. ON THE AGENDA