B-Tempted

Success Story 17 June 2016

Region/Nation South East
Sector Hospitality, Accommodation and Food Service Activities
Programme Start Up Loans

Sarah Hilleary has always been motivated by the personal rewards of being her own boss, and this lead her to start gluten free snack company Birubi Ltd.

Sarah applied for a Start Up Loan when she encountered some cash flow problems, and after working with Delivery Partner GLE, received a loan of £15,000.

Sarah Hilleary, founder of B-Tempted

Sarah used her loan to extend the B-Tempted range, offering delicious treats for the health conscious consumer who loves food, but also loves to be healthy. She now makes a wide selection of bitesize cakes that are all gluten free, all produced with the finest ingredients such as French butter and Belgian chocolate. Flavours include white chocolate and cashew, matcha green tea and macadamia, and the classic chocolate brownie,

Sarah’s range of products have also had great success in the retail industry. Her cakes are stocked in Harrods, Whole Foods Market, Fortnum and Mason, and most recently in LEON and Selfridges, among others. She has even supplied the British Royal Family for royal engagements.

The B-Tempted range has won numerous gold Great Taste awards. Now Sarah’s plans for the future include scaling up to supply national retailers, exporting and launching a second snacking brand. Her advice for those wanting to start a business is clear.

Know you market, know yourself, and be honest with yourself. If you lack a skill, find support to make up for it from a business partner or mentor.

Now employing a head flavour maker who helps source new ingredients and a creative designer in charge of all the graphics for the business, the future is looking great for Sarah.