7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Brixton Cornercopia was originally founded as a shop project to re-energise Brixton Village by Anne Fairbrother and her partner, chef Ian Riley in 2009. Born as a shop with a difference, where food products were locally made to support and highlight produce from its community, Brixton Cornercopia quickly grew and became a restaurant loved for its local food and sustainability mission. In the first few years, Anne won the award for Female Entrepreneurs, became a Lambeth Champion, in addition to winning ‘Best Green Business’ in Lambeth. A decade later, Brixton Cornercopia has once more evolved, still selling local produce with the addition of beautiful homeware and a dedicated houseplant shop loved by locals and beyond.
What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own company?
Be open to opportunities that suddenly present themselves, even when you are not looking. We started our business in between other jobs, with zero finance. Good ideas can grow and find resources as long as you have a real excitement about your project that will get you through the long hours and initial hard work. Experiment lots early on and accept that not every seed of an idea will take root.
What are your 5 top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Understand your customers / users – early research is key to develop a USP
Do it your own way – but be informed by others, their successes but more importantly mistakes
Collaboration not competition
Do not be afraid to DISRUPT
Surround yourself with others that inspire you – so much is possible with the right team
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?
Jacinda Arden – amazing leadership & decision making
Gertrude Bell – early explorer, middle East expert and intrepid observer
Dianne Abbot
Malala Yousafzai
Greta Thunberg
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” Jane Goodall
Website Link and Social handles: cornercopiastorte.co.uk / Instagram @cornercopiastore
