A recipe for success (From Messenger Newspapers)

Sale cheese maker goes from strength to strength after winning Local Business Accelerators competition in Trafford

11:10am Sunday 4th March 2012 in News

WINNING the Messenger’s Local Business Accelerators competition has proved a recipe for sucess for Sale cheese maker Claire Burt.

Sales of her award-winning blue are going from strength-to-strength and, thanks to the mentoring advice she’s been receiving as part of her prize, there are several exciting opportunities on the horizon.

“Working with the mentoring team for the past couple of months has been fantastic,” said Claire, who lives on Grosvenor Road in Sale, with her husband Phil and two-year-old son Noah.

“It’s hard when you are trying to manage all the day-to-day stuff to then start thinking about new ideas for growth, marketing, raising the product and company profile.

“Having a team of people with all their expertise and great ideas, therefore, has been so exciting and given me a lot of confidence for the future of Burt’s Cheese.”

Claire has been receiving support from competition judges Barbara Hallwood, who runs Marketing Profile, and Martin Duff, managing director of Randals Ltd, as well as the Messenger team.

“Everyone keeps coming up to me saying they’ve read about Burt’s Cheese in the Messenger. The feedback has been great,” said Claire.

Martin Duff said: “Having the right product is essential for a good business to start, grow and thrive. Claire Burt has created a fantastic, award-winning cheese and is at the very beginning of her business career.

“I am incredibly excited to be involved, and have very much enjoyed the initial meetings – especially the cheese tasting! – and look forward to assisting Claire with her undoubtedly successful future.”

And Barbara Hallwood, said: “It is very exciting to be working with Claire. Undoubtedly, she has created a wonderful cheese.

“I am delighted to be able to assist her in marketing the product and on taking her business to the next level.

“Since meeting Claire just a couple of months ago through the Local Business Accelerator awards, we have made great progress, and I am confident that Claire has the passion and drive to take the business all the way.”