#021: Launching a Food Startup With Coconut Chilli Founder & Boss Lady, Navina Bartlett

Navina Bartlett is an ethical food entrepreneur and Boss Lady of Coconut Chilli, a start-up food business that manufactures healthy and inventive South Indian microwaveable meal pots in the UK.

Navina has extensive knowledge of the food industry, having previously set up the StrEAT Food Collective - which brought together the very BEST local street food vendors. Navina's business acumen has also led her to become a Virgin Start Up Ambassador.

In this episode, you will learn about the challenges of scaling a business, while maintaining your core values. Why it is important to keep a record of your figures and to keep data and we learn more about the best distribution channels and the power of going directly to the consumer.

Check the show notes for resources, notes, and links from the show. Original Music by MadReal

Navina Bartlett is an ethical food entrepreneur and Boss Lady of Coconut Chilli, a start-up food business that manufactures healthy and inventive South Indian microwaveable meal pots in the UK.

Navina has extensive knowledge of the food industry, having previously set up the StrEAT Food Collective – which brought together the very BEST local street food vendors. Navina’s business acumen has also led her to become a Virgin Start Up Ambassador.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEwJAyqNV4C/

Main points of discussion

An introduction to Navina Bartlett.We find out more about coconut Chilli
We find out how Navina got started in the food scene
How Navina used branding to promote her street food business
Why it is important to have a scalable business
The different types of costs to consider when setting up a market stall
Should you start with a food stall first, when starting a food business
We learn how Navina started her next business after the food stall
Challenges of scaling a business, while maintaining your core values
We find out how Coconut Chilli was funded
The problem of reaching out to friends and family for funding, when you are a woman, or if you haven’t started a business before
We found out more about the biggest challenges Navina has faced so far.
Navina shares what has been working for her in promoting her business
Do you need a business plan when starting your business?
Why it is important to keep a record of your figures and to keep data
We find out how large the Coconut Chilli team is
How a virtual assistant can help your business
We learn more about the best distribution channels and the power of going directly to the consumer
Navani shares who inspires her in business and the best advice she ever received in business
An insight into the world of business hampers
Navina shares tips on looking for funding
We find out what Navina wishes she knew before she started out in the food industry

Key points you will learn

Challenges of scaling a business, while maintaining your core values
Why it is important to keep a record of your figures and to keep data
We learn more about the best distribution channels and the power of going directly to the consumer

Links and resources mentioned

More from Navina

Coconutchilli.com
Coconut Chilli on Facebook
Coconut Chilli on Instagram
Navina on Twitter

Job role:

If you are interested in the job role mentioned in the podcast, please email cooking @ coconutchilli.com

People to follow:

Hamdi Ulukaya – Chobani yoghurts

Homework

Try to get out of your comfort zone.

Visit the institute of Directors in Pall Mall. London, and try to learn as much as you can from people different from yourself.

Try to find and visit business networking opportunities.

Take the opportunity to speak in public, or to travel to a different country.

Do something different that scares you, and see how it makes you feel after.

Tweet #DiversityAllStar to discuss the show on twitter.