Pere Papa Padre

Client: Colin Barnes

Islington entrepreneur Colin Barnes set up his organic burger market stall “Pere Papa Padre” six months ago. All the meat is sourced from Soil Association assured sources and then made into burger patties. Pere Papa Padre are also currently in the process of being certified by the Soil Association to gain their own licence number.

The idea for the business originated through Colin not being able to take his son out to play in an environment where he could receive a healthy meal. This, coupled with a strong desire to work for himself and do something that he genuinely enjoyed.

Before launching into business Colin conducted an initial online survey through a magazine aimed at fathers with the view to try and find out what type of services and the type of venue they would be most likely to use when accompanying their children on outings.

He had put together an initial business plan for opening a family orientated organic café but after conducting his research he adapted it into a business plan to sell organic burgers at food markets. Colin sees this to be the first step to build up capital for the business and gaining a name for Pere Papa Padre in the public domain before starting the café.

Initially Colin found balancing time spent getting the business off the ground while doing a full time job very difficult. Sourcing the capital to purchase essential equipment and licenses to get his food business off the ground posed a similar barrier.

Pere Papa Padre were given extensive help under the Business London: Start Up and Micro Business Support programme by his business adviser, Tas Gooden from Innovative Enterprise Action. This support helped Colin to plan his pricing structure and explore the idea of the market stall.

Within 12 months Colin hopes Pere Papa Padre will be earning a profit and be in a position to open the first Pere Papa Padre café.