This is an episode about why Suzie has started this podcast and what you can expect from future episodes.  'Think Outside Your Hive' is a place where entrepreneurs share experiences, stories and advice on how to navigate these unchartered waters of setting up and running your own business.It covers leadership, innovation, failure, success, and the many and varied paths that have taken our guests to where they are now - more often than not through a non conventional route. Running a company can be a really lonely endeavour and so this is a way to expand your own hive. 

Todays guest is Natasha Steel from Urban Cordials. I started using Urban Cordials a few years ago when I was recommended them by a friend. The taste was absolutely delicious, and I loved the variety of different flavours that kept coming out. Looking into the company, I loved everything they stood for; sustainability, natural products, low sugar, protecting the environment, sourcing locally. It was in line with everything I believe in, and as a new mother, it was exactly the kind of drink I wanted my kids to be consuming. And then, like most food products I buy, I didn’t think any more of it - I just bought it and drank it - it became habit.

It was only when planning this podcast, looking for guests - entrepreneurs with exciting innovative products, but who come from unconventional or unexpected backgrounds. That my cousin Victoria - producer of this podcast suggested the wife of a friend in the theatre industry, someone called Natasha. She described Natasha as the founder and ‘chief juicer’ of a juice company who would forage in her allotment for ingredients to turn into cordials. She added very little sugar, worked on the recipes and started selling them for fun at her local farmers market. ‘From there it grew and grew and the product is really excellent’ Victoria said, ‘they’re called Urban Cordial, do you know them?’ It felt serendipitous, and so we got in touch and had the most fantastic conversation with Natasha about her journey and where her fruity road is taking her.

We spoke about many things, with a real focus on the big problem of food surplus in supermarkets. I found out that over one third of food around the world never reaches our plates - a percentage so unbelievable it seems embarrassing to be a part of. As part of urban cordial, Natasha contacts local farms and uses their surplus to produce the cordial and to date has helped save over one hundred tonnes of fresh fruit from ending up in the landfill. We also spoke about the power of female friendships - Natasha has the most fantastic group of female entrepreneurs who she exchanges ideas, advice and support with. 

I can’t wait for you to hear about her company and another female-boss leading the way. Check out  Urban Cordials here!