This month Get Started has been delighted to work with Sharon Goodyer who has set up Bar 15 in Kent, and has been trading since March 2014.

Bar 15 has developed a new range of cereal bars made from oats, fresh and dried fruits, seeds, a little oil and fresh ginger. The bar contains absolutely no added sugar, syrup, sweetener, preservatives or additives of any sort. The sweetness comes from the fructose naturally in the fruits.

Sharon worked as a domestic science teacher for many years before she retired to be self employed, she then went on to open a cake business which closed after a tough time during the recession.

Before launching her business, Sharon conducted research in school yards and street events, which helped her to develop the products. Over the past few months she has seen an increasing interest in demand and by September she had already exceeded her projections to the end of October.

Get Started is currently in the process of securing a Start Up Loan to help the business realise its ambitions for the coming months, it has found an experienced mentor to support Sharon with knowledge and contacts in the food industry.

Sharon aims to use Get Started funding to invest in equipment which will help her upscale production of the bars to meet demand.