Sweeten your January by listening to Clapham entrepreneur Wendy Yates discuss compotes, marmalades and ketchups and managing her own micro-business.

Wendy Yates started her career in a very different industry: speech and language therapy. After spending five years studying, she entered the profession and slowly began to realise that it was not for her. She was faced with the decision of whether to maintain her stable job or strike out to find happiness in another area. Wendy credits the supportiveness of her partner with allowing her to make the jump to compote maker, and we are very glad she did!

Growing up in the countryside on the border with Wales, Wendy was always surrounded by fresh produce and her mother's inspirational cooking. These influences helped to shape the values and ethos of Wendy’s company, Fruition Preserves. Wendy’s compotes are made using fresh ingredients, old-fashioned techniques and low sugar. Her products are so delicious that they have even won awards, with her Seville orange marmalade taking the bronze Marmalade Award.

In this podcast, Katie and Wendy discuss the practicalities of being a sole-business owner. Together they examine the decision making behind growing a business, the trials and tribulations of marketing, and the power of good logo. They also discuss the importance of collaboration within the creative process and how feedback and inspiration are integral parts of creativity.

Find Wendy's website here: http://fruitionpreserves.co.uk/

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