The idea is becoming reality

It's amazing that, just a few days ago, I was only contemplating this. Now, I am actively preparing for it.
I had hoped to call my company 'Chickles', but I did some research and found that this is already a registered Trademark. In addition, market research identified that this name might imply something to do with chicken and, therefore, may be misleading. I played around with some alternatives and have now chosen the Company name and, hopefully, registered the .com and .co.uk domains. I will worry about building up the website sometime in the future, when I do actually have products to sell.

I am also starting on my business plan and have some very environmentally friendly ideas, which I think will go down well with local customers. Next step is to register my premises with the local authority and take advice about the legal aspects of starting a business e.g. the Inland Revenue! I don't want to fall foul of them! Insurance will be a sizeable, but essential, chunk of my startup costs and I have found a suitable policy.

I have also sourced a supplier of jam jars and purchased some much needed equpiment. However, I haven't spent much money yet, so, at this stage, I could still walk away from it, but, unless there's a very big pitfall (which Ihaven't yet identified) I'm going to go for it!

Sources for courses

One of the most important things, I think, is to source as much as possible locally. This poses a dilemma, as I want to produce chutneys with mango, apricots and other 'exotic' fruits.
I also aim for seasonality, which means marrow chutney in the Autumn and Strawberry in the summer.
However, I'll have to balance this with the kinds of chutneys I want to produce and the kind that my (future) customers will want to buy. Maybe this will result in a different 'range', called Chickles seasonals; at least this will give good scope for the festive season!

I need to turn my attention to some of the things that need doing in order to start my business, but, this morning, I made one of my Mum's favourites: Apricot Chutney. I used her recipe, but added a few contemporary twists. I'm sure she would have approved!

Mum's apricot chutney recipe

8oz dried apricots, soaked then chopped
12oz onions, diced
8oz white sugar
Grated rind and juice of an orange
4oz raisins
1tsp salt
1 clove garlic, diced
1 tbsp English mustard powder
1 tsp mixed spice
3/4 pint cider vinegar

Put the drained, chopped apricots into the pan with the other ingredients and simmer approx one hour on a low heat. Cool slightly and hot fill your jars. Keep for 3 weeks until tasting (the most difficult bit.

I have identified so many chutneys I want to try and develop, but I must get my basic range completely right first. Only then can I 'go live' and sell the chutney experience!

The first steps

I didn't realise there were so many pickle and chutney recipes! My long held ambition to have a small business, making and supplying them from home, may be coming to fruition.
In the past few weeks, I have tried lots of recipes, some more successful and tasty than others. Now I have whittled them down to the starting four.

• Chunky piccalilli
• Apple and lemon
• Mango and red onion
• Spicy marrow relish

I have others 'waiting in the wings', which I am developing to my specifications, such as 'Strawberry and mixed berry chutney', which tastes devine. It's a deep red colour, satisfyingly thick and chunky! I will have to check its shelf life and price viability, though, before going firm with that one. Maybe I'll just keep it for us!

So much to think about, but so exciting!