Africa Al’s
Africa Al’s is an award-winning West-African sauces, cooking pastes and chilli dip manufacturer, founded by a husband-and-wife team in the heart of Stockport.
Alex and Lorraine Anyakwo always had a passion and flare for cooking and creating recipes inspired by the cuisine of Africa. Alex had developed his own range of dishes reflecting the food from his West African childhood roots.
The popularity of the couple’s African-inspired pastes and chilli dips had spread through recommendations and word of mouth. They were now supplying to an expanding circle of social contacts.
Realising there was demand, and a gap in the market, Alex decided to turn this labour of love into their own small business.
Alex and Lorraine spoke with GM Business Growth Hub’s Access to Finance team, who helped the couple to develop a business plan and source funding to get the business up and running. With the help provided, they were able to access a Start-up Loan and a bank overdraft.
With finance now in place, Africa Al’s was supported by the Hub’s manufacturing specialists to increase production capacity by 400%, enter into discussions with well-known supermarket chains, and create two new jobs.
Not only is Africa Al’s now a successful business, but they’re also flying the flag for greater representation of African food culture across the UK.
If you are looking to be the boss of your own business, speak to one of our specialist finance experts today to see how we could help.
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