Lisa & Rick Sanderson, Buy-Local.net
How did a husband and wife team turn their passion for food into a virtual, online farmers' market? The founders of buy-local.net reveal all.
Explain your business so my mum would understand it.
Buy-Local.net is a Virtual Farmers
Market giving local people the opportunity to purchase a whole weekly basket of
quality local and ethical produce - and we deliver it to their door at a time
that suits them.
Our suppliers get a maximum return - more than twice what the
supermarket offers - so they too have a sustainable future. We are virtually
carbon and waste neutral and our business has a true social impact on the
community it serves. We are now offering our business as a franchise package
across the UK.
Why did you start a business in the first place?
Our own need for the service we are
now offering and our desire to prove that a green, sustainable supply chain can
exist if the retailer does not have ‘greed' as its mission statement was our
motivation.
What surprised you most about starting up?
We were surprised by the amount of
free help that is out there to get your business moving, and the general
camaraderie and support from the business community at large.
Was there anything you would do differently now?
Yes. We would have taken on more
paid, professional help in certain areas much earlier than we eventually did. I
think we would also have a few extra clauses in supplier contracts regarding
their commitments, and we would have undertaken customer deliveries ourselves
from day one, rather than contracting out.
What was your strategy at launch, and have you stuck to it?
We have almost unbelievably stuck to
our business plan and strategy from launch. Some elements have been achieved
faster, and some slower, but our aim was always to run Bedford as the pilot operation for a year and
start franchising - and build some local and national brand recognition. We have always had this as the plan and have delivered!
What's been your biggest hurdle or stumbling block so far?
Trying to get everything done and
still work full time for someone else. This has been an essential in terms of
cash requirements for a young growing business and has been very testing for
both of us.
...And your luckiest moment?
The whole momentum behind the local
food and environmental issues - proving that timing is everything and you
really need a big slice of luck!
Where are you now with the business?
Having won many awards during 2007,
we are about to take the plunge and go for it now with our national franchise
rollout - not to mention moving into offices at Bedford iLab - which will be a
real moment for our business; moving out of the back bedroom. We have taken on
some investment, and have the foundations in place now to move forward in 2008.
What does the future have in store?
Business Growth hopefully! Bedford is now running smoothly after six months of independent
running from our franchisee, and we hope to find five other new franchises in
the next 12 months - and our aim is to have 65 franchises covering the UK within five
years.
We have some exciting PR opportunities over the next few months alone,
including some national TV, and hopefully this will give us the springboard to
success.
What's your best piece of advice for someone who's about to launch?
Do your sums carefully - however
exciting logos and websites are - cash counts! Robust business plans are the
backbone of any successful business, and put as much time and effort into this
as you can.
It has to evolve too, and always be relevant to where you are
today. And finally - enjoy it! Why else would you work for yourself? It is the
most amazing rollercoaster journey we have ever been on and truly rewarding.
