Biscuit lovers can now sign up to receive a monthly box filled with tasty baked treats from across the world thanks to the launch of The Biscuit Baron.
The online subscription and gifting business has quickly become a hit with biscuit fans from throughout the UK, with nearly 1000 sweet-toothed people putting their name forward to become the company’s official biscuit taster!
The idea for the enterprise arose after owner Roxanne Kerr, from Rumbling Bridge, came up with the concept while holidaying in Crete with her partner Ross Callachan.
In just three months the biscuit lover had sourced a wholesaler, created a brand, and designed packaging. Using a grant secured through Business Gateway Clackmannanshire she enlisted a photographer to take product shots and designed thebiscuitbaron.com.
Now, with the business just over a month old, Roxanne is using advice from Business Gateway’s DigitalBoost workshop programme to increase her unique company’s reach on social media and entice more biscuit lovers to sign up to subscriptions.
She said: “After tasting Japanese biscuits someone had brought into my work and then eating traditional Greek biscuits on holiday I realised there was a gap in the market for a biscuit subscription business. Each Biscuit Baron box contains between five to eight packets of biscuits from a different country each month – the first provided a mix of sweet and savoury treats from Italy. Future boxes will offer treats from the likes of Russia and Japan.
“Getting support from Business Gateway helped me get started quickly. I think I’ve been on about 10 of their free business start-up courses and DigitalBoost workshops which were invaluable and gave me the opportunity to learn and network with others, which helped to build my confidence. Our adviser then helped me successfully apply for funding and connected me to Scottish Development International for advice on importing.”
Alison Davidson, Adviser, Business Gateway, said: “Roxanne has set up a business that has the potential to grow rapidly, tapping into Britain’s love of all things biscuit! With our help she was able to build her knowledge and business expertise, attending our workshops and securing funding to create a professional website. Further support, to help her grow the brand, is also in the pipeline.”
The boxes, which cost £15 for a one-off gift or £15 per month for a subscription, not only contain biscuits they provide fun facts about the treats and their country of origin as well as a score sheet so customers can rate dunkability, scoffability, taste, and texture.
Already influencers on social media have noted an interest in The Biscuit Baron with trendsetting UNILAD looking to create a video about the company.
Roxanne said: “I’m a resourceful, hardworking person – I work full-time, run the business, and am studying for a master’s degree in counselling. Those attributes plus a lot of trial and error have helped me spread the word about what I am trying to do and I’m delighted at how positive people have been.
“I want the boxes to bring people together and to be a talking point – and the score cards add a little fun to the whole process, igniting debate and a lot of laughs. Ross and I have tasted a lot of biscuits and will be tasting hundreds more – as will the biscuit taster competition winner who lives in London. So far we’ve only found one biscuit made with durian fruit that we felt we couldn’t add to our boxes, the rest have been delicious.”
To find out how Business Gateway Clackmannanshire can help your business call 01259 208426 or visit www.bgateway.com/clackmannanshire.