Annabel Karmel’s advice for mums wanting to set up their own business

Annabel Karmel is the UK’s number one children’s cookery book author. She will be visiting the UAE as part of the Taste of Dubai food festival this Spring. Here’s her advice for mums wanting to set up their own business…  

I built my business from scratch at my kitchen table with three children in tow, so I am proof-positive that anything is possible. Here are my top tips:

Build a strong team around you

Find the people with the right talents, skills and attitude to support your business. Make sure you give them time and be clear about your goals.

Learn on the job.

I worked for Marks and Spencer and Boots creating ranges for them before I developed my own food range which provided me with some invaluable experience.

Research.

You don’t have to be an inventor to be an entrepreneur, you just have to do something better and believe in it. But, be sure to do your research and try and find a niche.

 Confidence is just as important as competence

The more you believe in yourself and in your chances of succeeding, the more likely you are to do just that.

Give yourself a break

Just do the best that you can with what you have. Life is a compromise, so take pleasure in small things and focus on appreciating what you have, rather than what you lack or what you’ve done wrong.

Get help wherever you can and ask advice

Thomasina Miers, founder of Wahaca says: ‘The most important part of being a working mother is to know when to accept help,’ she says. Women have to stick together, and give each other advice and assistance.

Treat failure as a stepping stone to success

If you seldom fail there is a good chance you’re playing it too safe.  Failure rarely feels fun at the time but the lessons it teaches may not take long to become apparent, and are likely to lead you on to greater successes in the end.

Annabel Karmel is joining the headline chefs at Taste of Dubai this year (8^th-10^th March 2018). Not only will she be cooking up some of her favourite family dishes; she will also be doing book signings and dedicated parent and child cooking sessions!

Visit Taste of Dubai for more information. If you enjoyed this article, you may like this story on healthy family recipes.