Marshmallow Mum

 

A mum-of-two says she has made nearly £10,000 in six months by making marshmallows in the kitchen of her family home. Emily Roberts, 25, from Swansea, started making the treats while on maternity leave from her retail job as something to do with her eldest daughter. But after the sweets went down well with family and friends, Ms Roberts started selling them at local markets - which she said were "sell-out upon sell-out". Ms Roberts, who has now left her retail job to focus on her new venture, said she "never imagined" that her hobby could be turned into a business. Ms Roberts, who is registered as a sole trader but wants to soon convert her business into a limited company, said setting up was not as challenging as she thought it would be. Ms Roberts said she was not yet taking a wage, but had made just under £10,000 since March 2024. She sells her marshmallows at four events each week, either at markets or food festivals. Her advice to anyone considering setting up their own small business was to "go into it with all the passion that you've got". "It’s pointless doing something if you haven’t got your whole heart in it," she said.

BBQ: What entrepreneurial skills are on show by Emily? Is she right to consider becoming an LTD?

Marshmallows

Workers Rights Change

The UK government is introducing a major overhaul of workers’ rights through the Employment Rights Bill, which includes several significant changes aimed at benefiting millions of workers. Key reforms include granting sick pay from the first day of illness and allowing unpaid parental leave from the start of employment, removing the previous two-year qualifying period for unfair dismissal protections, and introducing a nine-month probation period. Additionally, the bill proposes making flexible working requests a right from day one of employment. These changes are designed to provide greater job security and flexibility for workers, reflecting the evolving nature of the workforce and the increasing demand for work-life balance. While business groups have generally welcomed the reforms, there are concerns about the practical implementation, particularly for smaller firms that may face challenges in adapting to the new regulations. The government emphasizes that these changes aim to strike a balance between being pro-worker and pro-business, ensuring that the UK remains an attractive place to work and do business.

BBQ: How might the introduction of immediate sick pay and parental leave from day one of employment affect small businesses and their approach to employee management?

Workers Rights

Paper Quality Street Tubs

 

Nestlé is trialling a new paper tub for its iconic Quality Street chocolates in collaboration with Tesco, aiming to reduce the use of virgin plastic. Over 200,000 paper tubs, designed with a luxurious feel and gold foil embellishments, will be available in selected Tesco stores this festive season. The trial will help Nestlé gather feedback from shoppers and supply chain teams to assess the tub’s popularity and effectiveness. This initiative is part of Nestlé’s broader sustainability efforts, which previously included switching to recyclable paper packaging for Quality Street’s twist-wrapped sweets. By introducing these paper tubs, Nestlé hopes to not only reduce its environmental footprint but also appeal to eco-conscious consumers who are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions. The success of this trial could pave the way for a broader rollout of paper packaging across more of Nestlé’s product range, further cementing the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

BBQ: How can sustainability initiatives, like Nestlé’s trial of paper tubs for Quality Street, impact a company’s brand image and consumer behavior?

Quality Street

Modern Slavery in McDonalds

A BBC investigation has revealed that signs of modern slavery were missed for years at a McDonald’s branch in Cambridgeshire and a factory supplying bread products to major UK supermarkets. Six members of a Czech family-run human trafficking network were convicted for forcing 16 victims to work under exploitative conditions. The victims, who were vulnerable and often homeless or struggling with addiction, had their wages stolen by the gang while living in squalid conditions. Despite earning at least the legal minimum wage, their pay was funneled into accounts controlled by the traffickers. The exploitation ended in 2019 after victims contacted police in the Czech Republic, leading to the gang’s arrest. McDonald’s UK and the British Retail Consortium have since pledged to improve systems for detecting such abuses.

What are your thoughts on how businesses can better prevent such exploitation in the future?

Modern Slavery

Workers Tips Law

 

A new law in the UK mandates that all customer tips, whether given in cash or by card, must be passed on to workers, benefiting over three million service employees in England, Scotland, and Wales. This legislation, effective from Tuesday, aims to prevent businesses from withholding tips and allows employees to take claims to an employment tribunal if the law is breached. The law is expected to significantly impact workers in restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, hairdressers, and taxis, ensuring they receive their rightful earnings. However, some businesses may face challenges adapting to this change, particularly in terms of adjusting their payroll systems and managing the distribution of tips. Overall, this move is seen as a positive step towards fairer treatment of service industry workers, who often rely heavily on tips as part of their income.

BBQ: How do you think this new law will affect the service industry in the UK?

Workers Law Tips

Mike Ashley Mulberry Takeover

 

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has made a takeover bid for luxury handbag maker Mulberry, expressing significant concern about the brand’s future. Mulberry has faced a sharp decline in sales due to a downturn in the luxury sector. To address its financial challenges, Mulberry recently announced plans to raise nearly £11 million. assistant Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has launched a takeover bid for Mulberry, the renowned luxury handbag maker, amid growing concerns about the brand’s financial health and future prospects. The luxury sector has been experiencing a significant downturn, which has severely impacted Mulberry’s sales and overall performance. In response to these challenges, Mulberry has outlined a strategic plan to raise nearly £11 million through a share issue, aiming to stabilize its finances and support its long-term growth. This move by Frasers Group highlights the increasing consolidation within the luxury market as companies seek to strengthen their positions and navigate the current economic uncertainties.

BBQ: What are the main reasons behind Frasers Group’s interest in acquiring Mulberry?

Mulberry Takeover

Lunchly Critisied

 

YouTubers MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI have launched a new line of lunch kits called Lunchly, marketed as a healthier alternative to Lunchables. However, health campaigners have criticized these kits for being ultra-processed and lacking in nutritional value. Despite the creators’ claims, the kits contain high levels of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives, raising concerns about their suitability for children. The controversy has sparked a debate about the ethics of marketing such products to young audiences. Turkey Stack ‘Ems, The Pizza and Fiesta Nachos are currently exclusive to the US market, but KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – said he hoped to bring the range to the UK in “the next few months.

Lunchly

BBQ: How can the backlash against Lunchly’s nutritional content impact the brand’s market positioning and consumer trust?