I reckon there is some clever play on words which I could do around the theme of 'Pitch Perfect'...but it isn't coming to me any time soon, so I'll just jump in and say from the off that my pitch went well and I won the grant! Yay, and well done me!
The whole thing was very informal and the panel were super friendly and supportive and gave me some really good advice even whilst I was trying to sell my self and my business plan. They felt that accreditation with Coeliac UK was probably over-priced for a bakery my size and would be unlikely to attract enough additional custom to make it worth the investment at this stage in my business. They also advised that fetes and fayres can often cost more in set-up (equipment wise) and produce that may not get sold and then goes to waste than they make, and also require a large investment of time - so their advice was to choose wisely, perhaps looking more at things like wedding fayres where you supply samples to encourage large future orders (squirreled that idea away for future consideration!). They liked the idea of gluten-free baking / decorating workshops, and they felt my biscuits in particular were very marketable. So plenty of food for thought.
Aside from the cash injection, which I am determined to use wisely, what I am most excited about is having access to the support group and networking opportunities which the grant provides - which are starting in April. Later this week I am meeting with Karen to share ideas of where to go next with Wendy Bakes.
Being new to self employment, it has not taken me long to appreciate how much I miss having camaraderie and sounding-blocks to bounce ideas off. Really excited to get stuck in to this new opportunity.
Oh and by the way, I did take cake to my pitch - sweeeeet!