Business Name:  Hambro Post Office Food and Wine

Support Received:  Start Up Loan and Start & Grow

Location:  Rayleigh, Essex

When Kavitha Sampath was employed as a Post Office Assistant, she enjoyed her job so much that she made it her long term aim to one day have her own business doing the same.  When the opportunity arose to purchase a Post Office in Rayleigh, Essex, Kavitha seized the opportunity to make the step from employee to business owner.

We spoke to Kavitha about her start-up journey.

Tell us more about your business and what inspired you?

Hambro Post Office Food and Wine is on Hullbridge Road in Rayleigh.  I am now approaching the first anniversary of founding my own business.

The shop is a community Post Office.  We also sell quality wine, beer and food.  I have a lot of experience in the industry, and with 100% support from my family, I purchased the business, which already had good trading records, and was determined to build upon its success.

How did Nwes support you with your new venture?

Through the Start & Grow programme, Nwes provided me with business support and advice, which helped me to write my business plan.  I built on my knowledge and skills by attending free workshops on Financial Forecasting and Employing People.

Nwes also supported me to make an application for a Start Up Loan which, once successful, I used to support my own investment to purchase the business and refurbish the shop.

How did you feel when you gained your first customer?

Initially there was a lot of work to do, and many new skills to learn but the hard work and effort was worth it when the refurbishment was complete and I flipped the ‘closed’ sign to ‘open’ on my own business.

I gained my first customer on the first day of opening my shop.  I felt fantastic.