LowCarbDirect.net Issue 03

8
| LowcarbDirect Directory - Issue 3 - October 2016
Ashleigh
Tutt
~ Just an ordinary girl with a
burning passion
By Esther Möller
LOW CARB
Entrepreneur
There’s no quick fix for success in the world of business.
Yes, you do need the right mix of ‘ingredients’
to go into business for yourself, but most of all you
need passion and the dire will to succeed – no matter
what! If you don’t have the will power to push
through, even when the odds are so high against
you, the chances of succeeding are slim.
Ashleigh Tutt is one of those entrepreneurs
who doesn't only live her dream, but she pushed
through all the hardships most entrepreneurs face
in the early days. We asked her to share her story
with us – one which many entrepreneurs can relate
to.
Ever since I can remember I have had a passion for
cooking, learning most of my skills from my late
grandmother. As such, you would always find me
cooking or baking up a storm on the weekends, which my
friends absolutely loved. I come from a corporate
background far removed from
the food industry, and cooking
and baking became my ‘Happy
Place’, a place where I could
experiment and be creative.
My son, Cameron, was my
guiney pig – much to the
envy of his friends.
I was
extremely
frustrated, as there was
so much more I wanted to
produce, but simply did not
have the time or space to do
so. My stock sold out almost
as quickly as I produced
it, so I was doing an
imitation of a hamster
on a treadmill.
When passion meets
an entrepreneurial
mindset
After stepping off the corporate
treadmill, and moving to
Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), 4 years
ago, that is when BizziB began to
take shape. Familiar to local farmer’s
market shoppers in KZN, the BizziB range of
foods and condiments are firmly entrenched in the pantries
of KZN. I have had no formal training so-to-speak, I
am self-taught and watch far too many cooking shows,
as well as read, and own far too many cookbooks! I took
part in the Coastal Living Bru “So You Think You Can Cook”
competition over the Ballito Pro event.
I was approached by customers and clients alike to offer
gluten free, sugar free, diabetic friendly products. Based on
this request, I went and did a whole lot of research, spoke
to experts in these fields and begun producing healthy
foods that did not compromise on taste or flavour. It was
then that my BizziB Banting Range was launched.
Working from my small kitchen in Westbrook, I would
produce, bottle, label and dispatch batches of stock to
Gauteng, Cape Town and throughout Natal, as well as sell
at various markets. I was extremely frustrated, as there was
so much more I wanted to produce, but simply did not
have the time or space to do so. My stock sold out almost
as quickly as I produced it, so I was doing an imitation of a
hamster on a treadmill.
Taking the next big step
The breakthrough occurred when I finally made
the nerve wracking move into a much needed
factory with a shop front. I finally had the
kitchen space to produce in much larger
quantities, and together with the most
amazing staff, who are as passionate
about the BizziB Banting Brand as I
am! They do sometimes think that
I have lost my mind when I come in
and show them a new recipe, which
inevitably becomes a best seller.