Hot Stuff Entrepreneur Wins Lewisham's Retail Scheme
18th May 2012 - 20th July 2012
Marie-Noëlle Uriel from Catford has won Lewisham Shopping Centre’s retail entrepreneur scheme 2012 and has now opened Mama-Marie Chilli Sauce in the centre.
Forty-seven year old Marie-Noëlle will be selling Mama-Marie's Chilli Sauce for eight weeks from a retail unit located at Lewisham Shopping Centre on the East Mall outside the Orange store. It’s an authentic and traditional African recipe of hot chilli sauce made from a mix of fresh peppers and blended spices. The homely flavoured sauce priced at £3.00 for a 227g bottle can be added to casseroles or used as a marinade, condiment or dipping sauce.
Marie-Noëlle wowed the panel of judges which included Lewisham’s centre manager Paul Redden and Dan Ruckin manager of the centre’s Marks & Spencer store with her concise business plan, comprehensive market research and projections for the future. With a background in retail and a BA Hons degree in retail management, Marie-Noëlle’s Mama-Marie Chilli Sauce venture is expected to fly at the shopping centre.
As part of her prize, Marie-Noëlle will receive regular coaching from Marks & Spencer store manager Dan Ruckin and Ahmed Khan, store manager of Holland & Barrett. Mama-Marie Chilli Sauce will be officially opened by the Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock.
Marie-Noëlle comments: “Words cannot describe the joy and excitement that I’m feeling. I am extremely grateful to Lewisham Shopping Centre, the Mayor of Lewisham and everyone who has supported me thus far on this journey to realising my goals and dreams. Using the retail space in the shopping centre for 8 weeks will promote and market my product to a wider audience as well as aid in retailing it in the major supermarkets. I am really looking forward to getting my new business off the ground.”
Paul Redden centre manager at Lewisham adds: “All the judges agreed that Marie-Noëlle’s entry really was very strong though we had some excellent contenders overall. Her business plan was very detailed and including objectives, marketing plans and a look at the competition, plus we felt the product itself would really appeal to Lewisham’s shoppers. We look forward to welcoming Marie-Noëlle and hope locals really get behind her and buy the chilli sauce.”
The Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: “Marie-Noëlle shows every sign of making a real success of her idea. She’s got an excellent business plan and a great product. All she needs is the right environment, and managers at Lewisham Shopping Centre have been very generous in providing this. Sometimes, all anyone needs is a helping hand and I really hope this is the beginning of a new future for her.”
Mama-Marie Chilli Sauce is now open so hurry along to the East Mall as stock is selling fast.