Business Name: Ruth’s Kitchen

Support received: Start Up Loan and Ready for Business

Location: Norwich

Website: www.ruthskitchen.org

As a busy mother of two young daughters, Ruth Kitcher, from Norwich, had dreams of running her own business but had always felt like she was underachieving and suffered from low self-confidence. Two years later, now a successful businesswoman and running Ruth’s Kitchen café, which serves her own unique spin on Jerusalem street food, the future has never looked brighter.

Based along the city’s vibrant Magdalen Street, the menu at Ruth’s Kitchen has a loyal following and business has steadily built since it launched in August 2014. 

What was your motivation for starting your own business? 

I was a mother with two young daughters with a quest to fulfil a dream of running my own business. Before the Ruth’s Kitchen, I felt I was underachieving.  I have now proved to myself that I can achieve and build success from just a dream.  Very much like my food, which is freshly created daily. I now have a few grey hairs but feel so much more confident about myself.   

What makes your business unique?

The menu is inspired by the culinary fusion of Jerusalem.  Ruth’s Kitchen sells healthy, nutritious dishes, which are made on the premises using fresh ingredients from traditional recipes.   With a menu which includes falafels, humus, shawarma, Middle Eastern salads and pickles. My ethos of ‘eat fresh for less’ is proving to be a big hit.

Have you taken on business premises, or do you work from home?

I have a cafe situated on Magdalen Street, an ethnic trading street in Norwich. We employ two members of staff and have just recently recruited our first full time employee.

Have you encountered any challenges?

I haven’t taken a holiday for three years and coping with the life/work balance of bringing up a young family is difficult. We also had a house fire which was a really testing time and a massive low when trying to move the business forward.  I feel I can now handle any situation!