Her Biz January 2023 Winner
Owner of Ukrainian cuisine Flavours of Ukraine wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.
With a passion for her home country’s delicacy, Lena Tykhonova aims to showcase Ukrainian culture through the diversity of its delicious food to those in the Hythe, Folkestone, and surrounding areas with her start-up business ‘Flavours of Ukraine’.
Lena won £500 towards her start-up costs for Flavours of Ukraine after taking part in the NatWest funded Her Biz start-up workshop programme in January 2023, and submitting her winning business plan to the following optional competition, which is open to all participants.
The Her Biz programme, which is delivered by Let’s Do Business Group and supported by NatWest bank, consists of 4 x 2-hour workshops over 4 weeks, and aims to increase entrepreneurship by breaking down the barriers between women and starting or growing a business. Delivered virtually over Zoom by expert business coaches, the programme has been a long running success since it launched over 3 years ago.
What is Flavours of Ukraine?
Flavours of Ukraine is a homemade food business which consists of dishes such as cakes, biscuits, and desserts, as well as lunch & dinner options. What sets this business apart is offering something different to those in the Hythe and Folkestone area, with a diversity of selections when it comes to the sweet treats that are suitable for everyone!
From using minimum sugar, to no artificial or chemical flavourings and colouring – only natural and eco ingredients to having options for vegetarians and vegans, Lena aims to cater to a wide variety of customers.
With a background working in HR and Recruiting, and over three years of experience being self-employed in Ukraine, Lena has many strengths relevant to her business. Her people-oriented approach is what brings people back to her service and time management skills which help her plan and reach order goals.
Lena has also had previous experience organising two Ukrainian Cultural Events which were attended by over 400 people combined. The first being ‘Colours of Ukraine’ and the second being ‘Made in Ukraine’, both within 5 months of each other. These events were set up with the aim of sharing her country’s culture of craft, food, and music to the people of Kent.
“I have conducted a lot of research in order to understand the market and improve. Out of 100 feedback surveys gathered at the Colours of Ukraine event, 80% of people mentioned the food was their favourite thing. I have also pitched the idea of ‘Flavours of Ukraine’ to 10 British people in the Hythe area as well as treated all my neighbours with my Ukrainian dishes, both receiving positive feedback.”
One of the biggest goals for Lena is to grow her business in order to partially finance more of the events. For now, she hopes to continue sharing her sustenance to those who are up to trying something new and are open to new flavours of life!
Finding the Her Biz programme
Lena joined the Her Biz Start Up Business Workshop to gain some clarity on the practicalities of starting her own business, and how she could set about making her ideas for Flavours of Ukraine a success.
The Her Biz Women’s Start Up Business Workshops, delivered through 4 x 2-hour sessions, covers everything from sales, marketing, finance, and business planning; and from this, Lena was able to create her plan of making Flavours of Ukraine official, and how she could turn her hobby into a full-time business. After completing series of workshops, Lena submitted her business plan to the subsequent competition, which is open to all attendees, and won the £500 prize towards her start-up costs.
“The Her Biz workshop helped a lot to move from the idea to act and launching my small business. It has awoken a spirit of start-up that gives adrenalin to keep going. Her Biz is a good way to structure thoughts and end up with a business plan, I strongly recommend it.”
Having completed the Her Biz programme with a renewed motivation for moving Flavours of Ukraine forward, Lena is now looking to secure funding for her business idea which will help her to buy new equipment, employ members of staff, secure a premises, and consult with a specialist.
“I have really enjoyed working with Lena, she embraced everything that was covered in the workshop sessions, and this really showed in her completed business plan. For someone who has only been in the UK since August 2022 her understanding was something to be admired and her passion for her country and culture shone through.”
All the team at Let’s Do Business Group wish Lena and Flavours of Ukraine the best of luck!