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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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