Episode 15 - Eloise Frank, 29

I shouldn't have favourites should I (?!) but there's something about the concept behind Eloise's business that you can't help but love, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit more excited than normal to sit down and get this recording underway...

Having been voted ‘South London’s Best Experience’ with regular 5* reviews on everything from Time Out to Trip Advisor, gone viral on Buzz Feed and more recently, earnt Eloise the title of 'Most Inspiring Woman running a business 0-3 years' at the NatWest everywoman Awards, The Big Bakes is an interactive bake off for all ages in London and Birmingham, that sees groups of up to ten compete head to head in a kitted out marquee (a la Great British Bake Off), with one participant being crowned star baker once the 90 minutes are up... oh, and you get to eat your cake at the end too.

What's not to love right!?

On a Tuesday afternoon at her beautiful cottage in Bedfordshire last fortnight therefore, the two of us sat down to discuss everything from the company bake off that sparked the idea for the business in the first place and how Eloise along with her former colleague turned Co-Founder Adam went about getting the idea off the ground in the six months that followed. We also chat about how she managed to get the likes of AEG to sponsor all of the appliances a few months in and replace the IKEA bits and bobs that they'd originally started with; why Eloise once spent a Valentines Day filling up huge tanks of diesel at the petrol station with one of the girls on her team to keep the generators running (a story which I personally loved because it only highlights that this running a business malarkey isn’t half as glamorous as it can seem from the outside at times!); as well as the struggles she’s faced behind the scenes when it comes to switching off, managing staff rotas and for the first eighteen months, juggling a full time job with the launch and everyday running of The Big London Bake; I remember receiving so many excited DMs from some of you when I announced that Eloise would be speaking at The Midweek Jingle in December last year... (Kirsty from Oh My Cakery, I'm looking at you here!) yet after sitting down with her and hearing her story in full, I now wholeheartedly understand why that was so…

Want to attend The Big Birmingham Bake?

Use the code ‘SHEBAKES10’ for exclusive discount to celebrate the launch of The Big Birmingham Bake! T&C’s - valid at the Birmingham site only until 15/2/20 to mark the launch of their newest venue. Feel free to book at www.thebigbirminghambake.com

She can. She did. is hosted by Fiona Grayson (that's me, hello!) and is sponsored by xero.com

For a free one-month trial on Xero followed by 50% off for the next six months, please feel free to use the code, SCSD50 going forward!

The good old social handles should you fancy a further peek!

She can. She did. @shecanshedid

The Big Bakes @thebig_bakes

Xero @xero