Focus Friday: Kitchencookware.ie

Today’s Friday Focus meets kitchencookware.ie, a fabulous site that sells everything the enthusiastic cook could want. We sat down with owner Colm McLoughlin to find out about creating a food-related start-up in today’s economy. Like what you read? Click here to be in with a chance to win a €150 voucher from kitchencookware.ie

Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to start kitchencookware.ie?
We had a shop and knew we had to establish an online presence. We had a chap come in on work experience, his name is Aaron. Aaron is very tech savvy and he got us up and running. We weren’t in a position to hire a lot of staff and preferred to keep the business bootstrapped. Aaron would be working on the online business every evening after school and on weekends, uploading product, design and SEO. We rewarded his passion and dedication with a share of the online business and we haven’t looked back since.

Who are your customers and what are your top three best selling products?
Customers vary. Mostly women between the ages of 23 – 50yrs, who like cooking, baking and guys who like gadgets. Best sellers depend on the season. During Jam making season & the Autumn Harvest period – thermometers and jar labels. During Christmas – gifts such as slate ware, pizza stones and gift items. During the New Year period and the aftermath of New Year’s resolutions, Juicers, and gadgets to enable healthy cooking and also after over-indulging with Christmas festivities, people want/need to get back in shape and this attitude is always reflected in purchases.

What has been the highlight of kitchencookware.ie so far?
Aaron on the radio with Derek Mooney live was excellent! We have had a range of celebs pop in for a chat and something special – Diarmuid Gavin, Timothy Dalton, Ryan Tubridy, (gave us a plug on his radio show) Lilly Allen, Nevin McGuire, who always pops in for a visit.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to create a start-up in the Irish food industry?
Check out your competition. Know your product(s) inside out & upside down. Know where you are going to position your product(s) – Low end, high end to premium, niche. Adapt fast to change, if something isn’t working, change it and take a risk. Know your costs and your margins. Have a good accountant. Network with the right people. Surround yourself with a good team of people. Bootstrapping is good. Learn from your mistakes. Above all else talk to a successful mentor and bring them onboard, you can’t beat experience.

Who is your dream client, and why?
All our customers who support us.

Are you solely online or do you also have a shop?
We have two shops – Westport & Clifden. Expansion is on the cards.

If you could wave a magic wand and make everyone in the world own a piece of your cookware, what would it be, and why?
Apple corer & peeler – fast, efficient and encourages youngsters to eat fruit.

 

Kitchen Cookware provide you with innovations you’ll love and use as part of our mission to empower everyone to cook and bake. Founded in 2010, Kitchen Cookware’s journey has been rather short but that doesn’t mean that is hasn’t been an exciting one.  Whether you’re baking a scrumptious cake for a special celebration, a batch of cupcakes to share with friends or family, or you just want to cook some deliciously good food with practical utensils and cookware you can rely on, then they’ve probably got just what you need.