What attracted you to this industry?
I have been running a vegan coffee shop for 25 years, creating chocolate products that our customers love. For years, I was always disappointed with the lack of great quality alternatives to the products that us vegans “give up”. With that in mind, I set out to take my locally loved products into the big wide world. We started with our Rocky Road and now we offer chocolate lovers a vegan swap for Creme Eggs, Freddos, M&M’s, Lindt Truffles and Mini Eggs.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Keeping the business going for eight years despite the impact of Covid and all the things going on in the world. We know how much this brand means to us and our loyal fans and all we want to do is keep creating great alternatives which are better for the planet.
What’s your favourite kind of sweet?
It changes every time we launch a new line, ha-ha… right now I absolutely love our hard-shelled products and cannot get enough of our Peanut M’z Gems.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Being 75 years old, I’m not involved much with the day-to-day, but I love hearing about it when meeting for coffee with our MD, Helen Hartley. I love seeing the response on social media when we launch a new product and get it right. Our followers’ reactions are priceless to me!
What is a skill you would like to learn?
I would love to learn how to surf in St. Ives whilst listening to the Beach Boys…
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
If you are going to do something, do it your way and to the best of your ability.
What three items would you take with you to a desert island?
Not that I would refer to my rescue dogs as items, but I don’t go anywhere without them, so they are coming. Assuming there is WiFi, I would also take my mobile phone – who wouldn’t?
What’s your favourite genre of book or film?
I have this weird quirk whereby I read the end of a book before the start because I want to know that it ends well. Therefore, I love a book with a happy ending.
Where in the world would you most like to visit?
This one is easy – St. Ives in Cornwall. I’ve been going there since I was a little girl and it is my favourite place in the world where all of my memories live.
Who or what inspires you?
When we first launched Mummy Meegz, I was inspired by Earthling Ed who I have since met along the way of running the business. I just love people who have influence and put it to good use, like Peter Egan and Ricky Gervais to name but a few…
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Media contact
Hannah Larvin
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: editor@in-confectionery.com
