August 14, 2021
Entrepreneurs, Female Founder Spotlight, Latest Articles

Female Founder Spotlight: Hannah McCollum

7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder

IWD Inspirational Female Founders Spotlight: Hannah McCollum

Hannah McCollum is a driving force within the food sector. Combining her passion and knowledge to not only educate consumers but to challenge their attitudes surrounding their food consumption and eating more sustainably, Hannah is able to encourage people to think differently about the way they eat. Founding ChicP, a raw hummus brand that utilises British grown produce in 2016, Hannah’s passionate commitment to eating more sustainably is pathing a previously unseen future for surplus produce. After witnessing first-hand, the colossal volumes of food wasted in the Catering and Hospitality sector, Hannah who previously worked as a private chef in the events industry knew she had to start a company that would truly make a difference – and ChicP was born.

Created to counteract the current food wastage problem across the UK and paired with Hannah’s love of natural, healthy and fresh foods using locally grown ingredients, ChicP perfectly encapsulates her environmental concern and culinary flair. Sticking to her ethos to Eat Better, Live Better, Do Better, Hannah has utilised discarded ingredients and given them a new lease of life, by recreating and up-cycling them in fun, unique and ultimately delicious ways. Hannah’s clear vision for ChicP has seen the brand feature on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and regularly in national media outlets and magazines. The range of five core products are available for consumers to purchase in the following retailers: Whole Foods, Ocado, Booths, Planet Organic, Selfridge’s and multiple Independent stores across the UK.

What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?

I would say that you have to really believe and want to go for it. You will be living and breathing what you do every single day and when you first start, many weekends until things begin to flow. Being passionate about the business your creating is so important because it will really show to everyone you’re pitching or selling to and it will make your life a lot easier too.

Sustainability is key. Whatever business you’re setting up, it should be sustainable. Without this, I would recommend rethinking because saving the planet is at the top of the priority list right now.

There are wonderful support and network groups for women starting any business, so always know that people will have your back and you’ll have somebody or many people to hold your hand every step of the way.