Glynis Fox

If you want to know what Jenny Smith’s jams, pickles and sauces taste like, simply meeting this energetic, fun-loving lady could give you a clue before you even lift the lid on her produce.

This feature interview was first published in issue 12 of the Lincolnshire Business weekly magazine, now available to read at www.lincsbusiness.co. Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the latest edition in your inbox this Friday.

Lincolnshire Business magazine cover interview with Jenny Smith.

In the space of five years, Jenny, who is a member of the Select Lincolnshire for Food group, has turned her talents to creating a mouthwatering selection of fresh fruit-packed jams, golden marmalades with a special twist, tasty chutneys and more recently, lively sauces with an extra kick.

At one point Jenny thought jam-making would make a nice little hobby business, but a combination of the fact that everything she has made has been given the big thumbs-up – along with a change in home circumstances – changed all of that.

Today, Jenny’s jars are sought after at farmers’ markets, stocked by Lincolnshire farm shops, spotted on the shelves of Lincolnshire Co-operative stores and sold through Lincoln’s Visitor Information Centre to tourists wanting to take home a true taste of the county.

It seems there’s no stopping Jenny because she simply can’t resist a good challenge. That’s why last year she found herself whipping-up some tongue-tingling sauces for one of Lincoln’s newer restaurants, Ribs ‘n’ Bibs.

Jenny, who has enjoyed competition success in the past, also travelled to Scotland to be a judge in the intriguingly-named Jampionships. She had a great time, admits it gave her the perfect excuse to take a break with a difference, and is hoping to get involved in this year’s event too.

As we went to visit, Jenny was once more juggling her commitments, by busily preparing pots of her Pink Grapefruit & Cranberry and Thick Cut Orange, ready to wow judges in The World’s Original Marmalade Awards, which take place at Dalemain Mansion and Gardens in Cumbria from February 28 to March 1.

It’s just as well she’s not fazed by the odd sticky moment. The deadline for entries is February 15 and Jenny also has a mountain of orders to deliver to her regular customers before then.

“I’ve got a good feeling this could be my best-year yet,” she said – cheerfully admitting that running your own enterprise often involves a steep learning curve and trying to develop a business, whilst cooking up hundreds of jars of jams and chutneys, creates its own challenges.

Read the full cover interview in issue 13 of the Lincolnshire Business magazine here. Also, look out for the next issue on Friday.

Businessman Jon Thornes wears many hats, but it doesn’t take much to work out the common denominator that links them all. “I enjoy making money, but I am even more passionate about seeing other people make money. Making money helps people in Lincolnshire to survive and prosper and it also boosts the local economy. I get a real buzz when I see people succeeding.”

This feature interview was first published in issue 11 of the Lincolnshire Business weekly magazine, now available to read at www.lincsbusiness.co. Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive the latest edition in your inbox this Friday.

Turning to all those different hats – Jon is the well-known founder of the successful business Cool Milk at School, which he started sixteen years ago and he is also interim chair the national organisation The School & Nursery Milk Alliance.

He set up J T Consultants more than five years ago and loves to encourage entrepreneurs and growing businesses to aim high, providing supercharging finance to those which show great promise.

Jon is also the brains behind Langworth Resources Ltd – a multi-faceted business, which provides a range of support services to all his businesses interests. Jon employs 100 people across his businesses in Lincoln and Langworth. Awarded an MBE in 2010, Jon thrives on keeping himself busy and as up-to-date as possible.

On the milk front, he is keen to see UK farmers and dairies become more sustainable and profitable and every child in the EU given the opportunity to drink milk every day.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business

Jon did Cranfield University’s Business Growth Programme in 2006 and he continues to maintain his relationship with Cranfield – carrying out mentoring sessions and also signposting his clients to that establishment.

He is passionate about getting involved with aspirational, new age businesses and helping them to reach for the stars, by providing injections of cash for those ambitious to succeed.

However, getting that important “Yes” and a congratulatory handshake from Jon is not a walk in the park. Entrepreneurs looking for help should make sure they are well prepared for a bit of a grilling!

“I have always loved helping people. When you have your nose to the grind in your business you have to use your energy to move it forward. Luckily, I have a great band of people behind me, so I can put my energy to use, to help others elsewhere.”

Tracking down businesses which are worthy of support is quite an art, but one member of Jon’s team is known as “The Spotter” and she talks to people working with budding entrepreneurs at Bishop Grosseteste University, Sparkhouse Studios on the University of Lincoln campus, Lincolnshire Investment Network and other organisations, to identify people who might benefit from Jon’s help.

Continue reading the full interview in Issue 8 of the Lincolnshire Business magazine.