Jo's Passion Flour
A newly formed local business is helping people who suffer from a serious food intolerance to rediscover the joys of eating.
The gluten free business, Jo’s Passion Flour run by Joanne Cottam has made waves in Doncaster with its homemade everyday food such as cakes, breads, pizza, pastries, muffins and puddings especially for people suffering from gluten intolerance.
Joanne discovered she was suffering from ceoliacs disease (an intolerance to wheat) when she fell ill. Gluten is found in wheat and several other cereals including rye and barley and fed up with the lack of choice on the market for gluten free products, Joanne decided to start her own business.
It's good news for anyone in Doncaster who suffers from this common food intolerance. It is estimated that 1 in 100 people suffer from coeliac disease, an auto-immune disorder in which the body's own immune system turns on itself for which there is no known cure.
Jo has accessed support from Success Doncaster to turn her business dream into reality. She had support accessing a small amount of funding and has benefited from the bespoke business advice on offer as well as help in setting up her business in the Food Hall at Doncaster Market.
We asked Jo a few question about running her own business:
Who / what was your inspiration for starting in business?
As a sufferer, my main inspiration was the lack of food choice available. I wanted to be able to offer people like me a choice of foods at an affordable price.
What has been the biggest challenge for you?
The biggest challenge so far would probably be ‘getting the word out’ and promoting my business. I had leaflets and business cards printed but wasn't quite sure where to distribute them
What do you like most about being your own boss?
I can decide what to bake and what hours to work, basically I AM in charge. If I am successful then I pat myself on the back, if not then there is only myself to blame.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?
Ask yourself "Do I really want to do this?" If the answer is yes, go for it!
Future plans, where do you see yourself and your business this time next year?
I would like to see Jo's Passion Flour expand and grow. More and more people are being diagnosed with ceoliacs disease and I want to be the person they come to for their fresh home cooked food.
For further information on Jo’s Passion Flour, visit www.passionflour.vpweb.co.uk or visit the Food Hall at Doncaster Market.
Help is Available!
To see what help Success Doncaster can give you please visit the Help Available area of this website using the link below:
