Ben Price - Uncle Ben's

"I always enjoyed working with the general public in my previous jobs and wanted to start a business where I would be meeting different people. I knew someone who ran a fruit and vegetable stall at the local market and I thought maybe this was something that I could do”.

Ben gained experience of the trade, volunteering with the local trader, learning a variety of skills and knowledge including wholesalers, price fluctuation, seasonal stock rotation and the importance of keeping records, weights and measures etc.

"Even though I am dyslexic, I work around it and have a system for recording my income and outgoings which works for me. I am lucky that I have a great memory”.

Ben received relevant support from a range of local providers including Taste of Enterprise, who helped Ben with the test trading element of building up a viable business via Job Centre Plus Permitted Work Scheme and with on-going support with bookkeeping, working with ben's own system. Taste worked intensively with the local Job Centre to ensure Ben could test trade his business through the Permitted Work Scheme which he did successfully for 12 months.

Job Match were instrumental in gaining funding for Ben to purchase a market stall and weighing scales to enable him to be totally independent and explore different trading markets. Bridges into Work worked with Ben to help him gain certificates in Food Hygiene, First Aid, Health & Safety and Risk Assessment.

Ben is now successfully trading independently attending a variety of markets across South and West Wales and is now working on a range of additional services, including local delivery of fruit boxes to local workplaces and schools, promoting the benefits of healthy eating and the important ‘5 a day' message.

"I am delighted with the recent developments for my business and all the help and support provided by taste of Enterprise. I am currently eager to build on those successes and continue to grow my business. The business has had a positive effect on the whole family and certainly on my health”.