Nimisha Raja: 'I sold everything for the business I believed in'

Like any success story in the food and drink industry, Nimisha’s journey began with her unable to find a suitable product on the market and figuring out how she could do it herself.

After exploring the possibilities of a freeze dried product, she happened upon a more traditional method of preserving food and the rest is now history. From humble beginnings taking branded trays of her product round local businesses, Nim’s is now a household name.

‘Everything I owned’

“Opening a factory wasn't at the forefront of my mind at the beginning,”​ she explained. “It was through not finding anybody else that could make them and and it was a big decision because it meant me selling everything I owned. ​

“You know, my home and my coffee shop. I had another business as well at the time – a dry cleaning shop – and just selling everything really in order to invest in this. Why did I do it? I guess I believed in the product!”​

Double Food Manufacture Excellence Award winning Nim’s Fruit Crisps has been growing from strength to strength since Nimisha founded the company more than 10 years ago. The brand has since expanded into an edible tea range and has secured listings with the NHS and national retailers.

Royal recognition

Nimisha herself has also been recognised for her services to the food and drink industry, having received an MBE last year.

“It was such a proud moment,”​ Nimisha regaled. “They tell you what they expect from you, as someone who has been awarded an MBE, is to make sure you continue with the work and it’s really enthused me to make sure I live up to their expectations of me.”​

Meanwhile, you can listen to last month’s podcast, where we spoke to Bart Ingredients’ newly appointed CEO.​​