Success Story
| Region/Nation | East of England |
|---|---|
| Sector | Hospitality, Accommodation and Food Service Activities |
| Programme | Start Up Loans |
When James Fraser was missing ramen during lockdown, he used his ingenuity to turn his newfound skill into a business opportunity.
James was working as the general manager of The Beehive Pub in St Albans when the pandemic hit in 2020. Unable to work, he taught himself how to make ramen noodles, and since they lend themselves to being cooked in large quantities, he began selling them to hungry locals and Ramen Electra was born.
When the pub re-opened, James brought his new skills into the kitchen at The Beehive and his ramen proved so popular, that he took out a Start Up Loan of £6,000 in December 2022 to take over food production full time.
The loan paid for kitchen equipment and marketing materials as well as general running costs to get things up and running. Ramen Electra now provides a full menu for purchase six days a week to click and collect and dine-in.
James is keen to expand his new business and has plans to start looking for a new venue before the end of the year, with a view to securing four or five Ramen Electra locations in the future.
James’s advice for budding entrepreneurs looking to take their business to the next level is:
Just start. My mantra is that a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. It is going to be challenging and you will make mistakes but have the confidence to just take the leap. - James Frazer Ramen Electra
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