COOK WITH ME - Amber Pattullo
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Amber Pattullo has lived in Edinburgh for almost seven years, after moving from Dumfries and Galloway. She has worked with children since she was 17 years old - in a children's home, in schools and in early years settings. Amber is currently doing a Masters in Business Administration, whilst running her business Nurture the Play - a social enterprise devoted to childhood and play - and being mum to Charlotte (2) and Taylor (11). She has just made it through to the competition stage of the #backherbusiness RBS and Crowdfunder with her ‘Cook with Me’ campaign.
MADE speaks to Amber to find out more… |
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How did your career change after having children?
I had my eldest at 17 when I was living in homeless accommodation back in Dumfries. Whilst pregnant, I decided to start studying childcare at higher level so I could later go to college (I left school with just standard grades so couldn't go directly to university). By the time my eldest had started school, I had an HNC in Early Education and Childcare and a BA in Childhood Studies. So you could say I chose my career because of my own life experiences. This is why I am so determined to provide high-quality early years experiences, and ensure that parents and carers have access to a space to meet, relax and to feel supported.
Where did the idea for ‘Cook With Me’ come from?
I have always loved cooking (my Home Economics teacher would vouch for that!) and with being a parent and working in the early years sector I realised that children love to cook too, but there isn't currently a ready-made programme which can be implemented to support this. We began running a pilot of weekly classes at Nurture the Play to assess interest - these have been fully booked every week! I am an advocate for teaching children practical life skills and cooking is fantastic for this.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
With a lot of pre-planning, research, courage and faith! Every day is a learning day when you are an entrepreneur. I remember first thinking about branding, so I made a mood board and chose colours depending on what people associate with them. I would also say harnessing an online community is really useful. We now have over 5,000 followers on Facebook and over 13,000 members in our closed groups.
What makes this business venture unique?
Our main goal is to reinvest back into society and run as a social enterprise model. 10% of our profits go to the local charity Juno, whilst the remainder is used to subsidise sessions and grow our offerings. So, whilst there are a few franchises (mainly England based), who offer cooking classes, there isn’t a programme which parents or early years settings can implement independently. Additionally, all of our recipes will be underpinned by NHS guidance on nutrition for children under five.
What has been your proudest business moment so far?
Finally opening a bricks and mortar venue. My favourite part of the day is each morning when I arrive and it is completely empty - I have no idea what the day will bring, everything seems full of possibilities.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Trying to find a venue in Edinburgh without being established and only having access to limited funds via grant funding. I was adamant that we would remain working to a social enterprise model, so it put a limit on the amount of start-up funds we had access to, and we applied for every grant going. Proving our social impact before trading was the first obstacle, we needed this to receive funding but also needed a venue to prove start creating social impact. Rather like the chicken and egg which comes first, the grants or the social impact?
Why is work so important to you?
I love work, it gives me a sense of purpose. It’s a way to be independent away from family life and keeps my mind active.
Who inspires you and why?
Jenna Kutcher. I love how hard she has worked to establish herself in her industry, and then to expand into being an educator and podcaster. She does what she loves and inspires others to do the same.
Can you share your top tip for balancing your work with your family?
Don’t be afraid to admit you need help. I am still bad at this, as I like to have control, but I have really found the benefit of outsourcing to complete the tasks that I struggle with or could be done more efficiently by someone else. Yes, it costs money, but it saves my sanity and gives me time back to concentrate on tasks that suit my skills and fire me up.
Click below to find out more about Nurture the Play and the Cook with me campaign.
I had my eldest at 17 when I was living in homeless accommodation back in Dumfries. Whilst pregnant, I decided to start studying childcare at higher level so I could later go to college (I left school with just standard grades so couldn't go directly to university). By the time my eldest had started school, I had an HNC in Early Education and Childcare and a BA in Childhood Studies. So you could say I chose my career because of my own life experiences. This is why I am so determined to provide high-quality early years experiences, and ensure that parents and carers have access to a space to meet, relax and to feel supported.
Where did the idea for ‘Cook With Me’ come from?
I have always loved cooking (my Home Economics teacher would vouch for that!) and with being a parent and working in the early years sector I realised that children love to cook too, but there isn't currently a ready-made programme which can be implemented to support this. We began running a pilot of weekly classes at Nurture the Play to assess interest - these have been fully booked every week! I am an advocate for teaching children practical life skills and cooking is fantastic for this.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
With a lot of pre-planning, research, courage and faith! Every day is a learning day when you are an entrepreneur. I remember first thinking about branding, so I made a mood board and chose colours depending on what people associate with them. I would also say harnessing an online community is really useful. We now have over 5,000 followers on Facebook and over 13,000 members in our closed groups.
What makes this business venture unique?
Our main goal is to reinvest back into society and run as a social enterprise model. 10% of our profits go to the local charity Juno, whilst the remainder is used to subsidise sessions and grow our offerings. So, whilst there are a few franchises (mainly England based), who offer cooking classes, there isn’t a programme which parents or early years settings can implement independently. Additionally, all of our recipes will be underpinned by NHS guidance on nutrition for children under five.
What has been your proudest business moment so far?
Finally opening a bricks and mortar venue. My favourite part of the day is each morning when I arrive and it is completely empty - I have no idea what the day will bring, everything seems full of possibilities.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Trying to find a venue in Edinburgh without being established and only having access to limited funds via grant funding. I was adamant that we would remain working to a social enterprise model, so it put a limit on the amount of start-up funds we had access to, and we applied for every grant going. Proving our social impact before trading was the first obstacle, we needed this to receive funding but also needed a venue to prove start creating social impact. Rather like the chicken and egg which comes first, the grants or the social impact?
Why is work so important to you?
I love work, it gives me a sense of purpose. It’s a way to be independent away from family life and keeps my mind active.
Who inspires you and why?
Jenna Kutcher. I love how hard she has worked to establish herself in her industry, and then to expand into being an educator and podcaster. She does what she loves and inspires others to do the same.
Can you share your top tip for balancing your work with your family?
Don’t be afraid to admit you need help. I am still bad at this, as I like to have control, but I have really found the benefit of outsourcing to complete the tasks that I struggle with or could be done more efficiently by someone else. Yes, it costs money, but it saves my sanity and gives me time back to concentrate on tasks that suit my skills and fire me up.
Click below to find out more about Nurture the Play and the Cook with me campaign.
