We get it. We hear you. We know we’re asking a lot. And we think you deserve an explanation.
Firstly, please know that we’re not the only ones charging this much. We did our market research before we launched, and believe it or not, we are competitively priced compared with those like us and those we aspire to compete with.
We all know that bricks and mortar shops come with unbelievable overheads these days – many shop-based businesses that are just about surviving are struggling to meet rising rents, energy, and staffing costs, not to mention the rising costs of every aspect of the supply chain. In the current climate, e-commerce seems like the most sensible business model.
But, we are a start-up entering a saturated market with an unknown product that no one was Googling until we turned up. We didn’t start with huge investment. We work around the clock and we don’t yet earn a living from the business – we are paying for everything out of our own pockets. Every discount, every refund, every courier eff-up, comes directly out of our personal pockets.
We don’t mean to sound like martyrs and we know for certain that we’re not the only ones…!! This is how it goes for almost every small start-up that doesn’t have big investment. We all have to work hard to grow organically.
E-Commerce Has its Own Overheads
It’s tough for little businesses like us hoping to break through in e-commerce. The costs are high, the customer expectations have been set by the big boys (Amazon, Tesco…), and the access to customers is extremely expensive (Google, Facebook, email marketing…). Little businesses are paying for every single flash you see of their products that are not on their own feeds. Every email they send, every Google Shopping Ad clicked, every Facebook ad.
They’re all fighting for your attention, your clicks, your custom, your CONVERSION. Getting paid isn’t the first priority. Just breaking even is. Paying staff, paying suppliers, getting the brand name known, designing and maintaining their website, constant photography…
And then there’s packaging. Ahhhh, packaging. You’d think couriers would be the biggest headache. Not so. We have a unique product so we had to have bespoke packaging designed, and it is an absolute minefield. We had no idea how hard, how time-consuming and how expensive it would be when we started our business. We’ve learnt a lot!!
Fortunately, a year in, we think we’ve finally cracked it with beautiful packaging that it is at once robust, efficient, sustainable, and scalable, but it’s taken a LOT of money and effort to get there.
But, none of this is really your concern
For any business to survive, and to be viable, it has to be able to compete. That’s just the way it goes. No point complaining about it. What matters to you as a customer is the value you get for your money. So, let’s come back to the original question, when you can buy a donut at Lidl for 35p, how can any business get away with charging £3-4 or more for a cake the same size?
Well, let’s think about that value for a moment. To get that donut from Lidl, you had to get out of your PJs (if indeed you wear any), leave your house, get yourself to the supermarket one way or another.
You had to pick the donut up and get to the till, most likely with a trolley-load full of shopping (because why would you go through all that hassle just for a 35p donut?!), queue, pay for your plastic bags or bag for life, bag up your own shopping, converse with the checkout person, and then get yourself home, get back into your PJs so that you could enjoy your donut on your sofa, uninterrupted, with your cup of tea and your cat (or dog, or ferret, whatever does it for you).
Phew. That was a lot of effort. We hope you reeeeeeally enjoy that donut. Don’t get us wrong, they are delicious! We love them. But, you really earned it.
Convenience and Quality
Now compare that to the handmade, artisan Whoopie which may have cost around £3.50-£4.50 depending on whether you got a discount and which platform you bought it on. The purchase was made online, from your sofa, right there in your PJs. An actual real-life expert Baker carefully handmade and hand-decorated your Whoopie.
Then someone else got up and went to work manually processing your order, paying the courier on your behalf, making all the courier arrangements, carefully wrapping and protecting each individual Whoopie, picking and packing your order so that you didn’t have to leave your house.
A couple of days later it was delivered to your door via 24-hour courier service (assuming the courier didn’t breakdown or get stuck in a motorway queue or flooding – it is the real world, after all), in beautiful packaging that kept it safe during transit. When it reached you, it still looked perfect and tasted delicious, for enjoyment on your sofa, without you having to lift a finger. Surely that’s value for money?
£3.50 for a Cup of Coffee? Sounds fair, if you think about…
We all know that cost isn’t just about the actual pricing of the individual product, and value isn’t just about the size. Consider how much money millions of people pay every day for a cup of coffee at high street coffee chains. Why do we do it, when most of us have coffee at home? Because they’re there – where we are – when we want it – making fresh coffee on our behalf and offering it up to us right there, usually with a smile, in the middle of the central business district of a busy town or city, where rents are high and competition is great. Consider the millions of dollars spent on marketing that led to that one decision in that moment that theirs would be the specific chain you’d choose for that single cup of coffee. And the discounts and offers that keep you going back.
Obviously, there are major differences in the costs between mass-produced products retailing in supermarkets and handmade products that artisan producers can preach about, but let’s be honest, in a cost-of-living crisis there is certainly a place for low-cost food, whatever your budget. We buy Lidl donuts when we happen to be there shopping anyway. They’re tasty, convenient, and excellent value. But we also know we’re getting huge added value when we choose to spend our money on any small e-commerce food business’ products online, even if, on the face of it, the products appear to cost more.
And if we consider that our key target-market is the gift market, well, a paper bag of six supermarket-bought donuts (that you had to go and get and then deliver yourself) v a box of six artisanal cakes packaged with attention to detail and delivered to your loved-one’s door with a hand-written, personalised message…well, you can be the judge.
Planning a wedding can be an exhilarating yet daunting task. From choosing the venue to picking out the perfect dress, there are countless details to consider. Fortunately, the internet offers a plethora of resources to help couples navigate the journey to their special day. Matt and I have been working in the wedding industry for years, Kate as a singer and then having owned a bell tent company, and Matt having provided catering as The Hull Pie for over 12 years. Drawing on what we’ve learnt over the years about planning your wedding, we’ve put together a list of sites that might come in handy and take the pressure off you a little as you put together the day of your dreams. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, advice, or practical tools, these top 10 UK wedding sites will make your task fun, creative, and much, much simpler.
1. Hitched
Hitched is a one-stop destination for all things wedding-related. From venue ideas to supplier recommendations, this comprehensive site has everything you need to plan your dream wedding.
2. Wedissimo
Fed up with hours spent emailing those amazing wedding photographers you found on Instagram only to find out that they are out of budget or worse: in-budget but unavailable? Wedissimo will help you cut through the wedmin by making it easy for you to find the wedding photographer of your dreams, and book them online. You can even check whether they are available for your date before you spend precious time contacting them, as they have a real-time calendar function with every photographer. With over 100 wedding photographer packages to choose from, they have you covered!
3. Pinterest
Pinterest is a treasure trove of wedding inspiration, featuring millions of photos and ideas to spark your creativity. Whether you’re planning a rustic barn wedding or a glamorous city affair, you’ll find endless inspiration on Pinterest.
4. Instagram
Instagram is not just for sharing selfies – it’s also a hub for wedding inspiration. Follow wedding photographers, planners, and bloggers to fill your feed with beautiful images and useful tips for planning your big day.
5. Bridebook
Bridebook is like having a virtual wedding planner in your pocket. From budgeting tools to guest list managers, this app has everything you need to stay organised and stress-free throughout the planning process.
6. Vogue
For the fashion-forward bride, Vogue’s wedding section is a must-read. Drool over the stunning dresses and picture-perfect bridal couples and dream. From bridal trends to celebrity weddings, this iconic magazine offers plenty of inspiration for brides who want to make a style statement on their big day.
If you’re looking to break free from tradition and celebrate your individuality, Rock n Roll Bride is the site for you. Filled with alternative wedding ideas and real wedding features, this blog proves that there are no rules when it comes to saying “I do”.
Rock My Wedding is a treasure trove of wedding inspiration, featuring real weddings, DIY tutorials, and expert advice to help you create the day of your dreams. Whether you’re planning a rustic outdoor wedding or a glamorous black-tie affair, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire you.
Love My Dress is dedicated to all things vintage and elegant. From timeless wedding gowns to romantic venues, this blog celebrates the beauty of yesteryear while providing practical advice for modern brides.
10. North Sky Yurts
If you’re planning a wedding in the Great Outdoors, or have a venue that has limited or no on-site accommodation, North Sky Yurts offer luxuriously styled bell tents and yurts for enchanting event spaces and overnight clamping accommodation across the North of England, as well as a permanent Hen Camp called Birds and Bells. The company is run by female entrepreneurs Becca and Charlotte, who are incredibly passionate about what they do, will take care of all your needs, and are fantastic fun to work with.
Of course, no wedding is complete without a sweet treat, and The Whoopie Bakery has got you covered. Specialising in delicious whoopie pies and other baked goodies, we will add a touch of sweetness to your special day.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but with the help of these top 10 UK wedding sites, you can take the stress out of the process and focus on what truly matters – celebrating your love with friends and family. Happy planning!
image source: London wedding photographers David & Joanna
Starting and running a business can be a daunting task, but choosing the right location can significantly impact your chances of success.
One hidden gem for entrepreneurs is our hometown of Hull, a city that offers a unique blend of affordability, creativity, and community support. Drawing on our experience of starting and running several small businesses including The Hull Pie (12 years) and The Whoopie Bakery (1 year), here are 8 compelling reasons why we think Hull is a great place to start and run a business.
1. Low Living Costs: A Financial Breathing Space
One of the biggest hurdles for budding entrepreneurs is the financial strain that often accompanies the early stages of a business. Hull addresses this concern with significantly lower living costs compared to many other parts of the country. Affordable housing translates to the lowest mortgage payments or rents in the country and living expenses for better quality housing, providing entrepreneurs with some much-needed financial breathing space as they navigate the challenges of starting a business.
2. Low Start-Up Costs: A Competitive Edge
In addition to low living costs, Hull offers entrepreneurs lower start-up costs for their businesses. Whether it’s unit rent, market rents, vehicle purchases, or professional services, the overall cost of running a business is more competitive than elsewhere in the UK. This financial advantage can make a significant difference for startups, allowing them to allocate resources more strategically and weather the initial uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
3. Flexible Staffing: Adapting to the Entrepreneurial Journey
Hull’s lower living costs contribute to a pool of high-caliber, flexible staff. Recognising the challenges faced by new businesses, Hull’s workforce is often willing to adapt to the unique demands of startups. This flexibility becomes crucial for businesses managing fluctuating cash flows and working with limited initial capital. Having committed, creative and adaptable staff can be a key factor in the early survival and eventual success of a business.
4. Creative Networks: The Village in the City
Hull is often described as a big village despite being a city. This close-knit community fosters fantastic creative networks where freelancers collaborate and support each other. Building a team of like-minded, grounded, and down-to-earth professionals becomes more accessible in this connected environment, providing businesses with a strong foundation for success. For example, we’ve established longstanding relationships with amazing suppliers, such as wholesalers, HR, printers, designers, marketing professionals, market traders and food outlets.
5. Supportive and Well-Connected Infrastructure: Building Relationships for Success
Hull’s status as a relatively small city contributes to a well-connected infrastructure. Local councils, media outlets, the university, and key players in various sectors are intertwined. Establishing a reputation for reliability and professionalism opens doors to collaborations and ongoing support from local organisations. Personal connections quickly transform into professional opportunities, creating a robust support network for businesses. With The Hull Pie and The Whoopie Bakery, we’ve received fantastic support from local organisations such as Hull City Council , East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cottingham Parish Council, the Univeristy of Hull, Reckitt, Smith & Nephew, CHCP, Willerby Caravans, to name but a few.
6. Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Spreading the Buzz
The ‘big village’ atmosphere of Hull makes word-of-mouth marketing particularly effective. A well-timed social media post or a feature in local media can lead to rapid business growth. The close community ensures that news travels fast, helping businesses generate buzz and build a customer base quickly. This dynamic environment is especially beneficial for small businesses looking to establish themselves in the market.
7. Loyal – and Friendly – Customer Base: The Heart of Success
As businesses gain traction in Hull, they discover a customer base that is not only loyal but also friendly. The personal connections formed at market stalls and through local delivery routes contribute to a strong bond between businesses and customers. Loyalty programs become a hit, and customers actively engage with the brand, creating a foundation for sustained success.
8. Quality of Life: A Hidden Gem Beyond Business Success
Above all else, quality of life in Hull can be truly fantastic. Despite being a city with high levels of deprivation and social challenges, our experience tells a different story. Hull is a place teeming with down-to-Earth, friendly, creative, and community-driven individuals who prioritise connection with others above everything else. It’s often said that Hull has a way of drawing you in, and in our case, it’s true – friendships and communities tend to be deep-rooted, not fleeting.
While the nightlife might not be the city’s strongest suit, Hull compensates with an abundance of great restaurants, cultural performances and events, museums, cafes, and markets. From our perspective, one of the greatest perks is that Hull is on the edge of some of the most beautiful countryside and coastline in the UK. The Yorkshire Wolds, the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Yorkshire Moors, and the Yorkshire Dales are all within easy reach for day trips. For us, this combination of a thriving business environment and easy access to breathtaking natural landscapes is nothing short of living the dream in Hull.
Conclusion
Based on our experience of running The Hull Pie and more recently starting up The Whoopie Bakery, Hull emerges as an ideal location for entrepreneurs seeking a supportive, cost-effective, and vibrant environment to start and run their businesses. With its unique blend of low living and start-up costs, flexible staffing, creative networks, well-connected infrastructure, effective word-of-mouth marketing, and a loyal customer base, Hull offers the perfect ecosystem for businesses to thrive. As the city continues to grow and evolve, it remains a beacon for those looking to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Kate Cunnah, Managing Director
By Katie Cunnah, Managing Director, The Whoopie Bakery,
and Marketing & Communications Manager for The Hull Pie
Photo of Hull by 43 Clicks North on Unsplash