Absolute Indian provides authentic Indian cookery classes for lovers of Indian food. Classes run in St Albans, Hertfordshire. During a class, curry lovers will go through an introduction to ingredients and spices and then a ‘hands-on’ cookery lesson for 3-4 hours.
Before having my daughter in 2008, I had been a secondary school teacher for 5 years. I took my full allocation of maternity leave with Isabelle and then a further year leave of absence in order to spend more time with her. I returned to work in June 2010 which coincided with the beginning of Absolute Indian. Absolute Indian has stemmed primarily from my passion for cooking! I love to cook anything really but Indian cooking is what I was brought up on and what I spent many hours watching my mum doing. Combine this with my love for teaching and you get Absolute Indian cookery classes!
I started the ball rolling 3 months ago and have loved every minute of it. I’ve found that I have skills in areas I never knew! Suddenly I’ve found I have the IT, Marketing, Finance, Sales and general admin positions within my business! Of course, it’s hard work as you have to do everything yourself but if it’s something you love, you’ll find the time! One of fun parts of the promotions I have been doing is the cookery demonstrations at selected events – this is where people can watch a demonstration of a particular dish being cooked and then have a taste. It gets people talking and allows me to meet a lot of my potential customers.
I have to admit, it has not been easy juggling both teaching and this as well fitting everything else that parents have to do (I won’t even attempt to start the list!) but organisation, a supportive husband, late nights and a passion for what I’m doing means I manage to get things done. Also, all my classes are scheduled during the weekends and holidays which is perfect for me and for all those who work and love to cook!
One of my biggest challenges has been me! I am just starting out and I have many days when I question whether I’ve made the right decision in starting all this! I have to keep reminding myself ….NO REGRETS! In terms of help and advice, you’ll be amazed at the amount of free advice there is on the internet nowadays which not provided me with lots of information but it has also meant that I don’t have to spend hours being on hold to an information line.
If I could give one piece of advice to a mum of a baby or toddler starting a business, what would it be? If you feel passionate about what you are doing, go for it! And don’t let other people’s comments cloud your dream!