7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Having left school with a distinctly average bunch of qualifications, Helen was determined to make more of a success of her time at University and thoroughly enjoyed her degree in Maths and Business Studies. Not quite finished with education however, she decided what she really needed was to spend two more years gaining the qualifications she needed to become a lawyer, finally getting a proper job at the age of 23 at city law firm Lawrence Graham. It was here that Simon arrived as a trainee solicitor and to whom Helen was assigned as his mentor. She took her responsibility in this regard very seriously and six months later they were married and already planning a South American adventure that would take them away from the law forever.
From a tiny idea in the back of a travel diary, the fledgling ideas for Montezuma’s grew, from a lifestyle business with clearly defined trading fairly principles into Britain’s most creative chocolate maker and retailer. The driving force has always been very much a husband and wife team, sharing common ideals and passions, while possessing very different but ‘mostly’ complementary skills.
Equally happy behind a spreadsheet as she is out and about telling everyone about the wonderful world of Montezuma’s. Helen spends a lot of her time telling people about the joys of chocolate and establishing a values-led business.
In her spare time, Helen will often be found riding a bike or out for a run. Helen regularly races her bikes and is a former world champion and current Cyclo-Cross national champion! She is a trustee of the charity Children on the Edge which exists to provide safe learning spaces to marginalised children around the world. Helen and Simon invest in other food businesses and enjoy mentoring food entrepreneurs as well as spending as much time as possible with their three girls.
What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?
Starting your own business can be the most daunting time of your life but I’m a big advocate of just getting on with it. Make some plans and let your family and friends know that you’re going for it. The worse that can happen is the idea will fail but you’ll learn from your mistakes and move on. So many entrepreneurs have had failures before their big break and this is all part of the learning experience, the next time will be more carefully planned, thought out and executed. That doesn’t mean every first idea will fail!
What are your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Dream big but don’t expect anyone else to make those dreams come true
Grab every opportunity with both hands
There will be disasters, so be prepared and try to find a positive route out of them
Stick to your values and use them to guide your decisions
Take your team on the journey, share your dreams and passions with them and tell them where you’re aiming to go
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?
Anita Roddick
Greta Thunberg
Kamala Harris
Katherine Switzer
Michelle Obama
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” Audrey Hepburn
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