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Mother of three, Rachel Duguid, has scooped a major crowdfunding scheme for her dairy-free ice cream brand Lick.
Rachel, who began making plant-based ice cream to tackle the dairy industry, was accepted onto the NatWest Back Her Business scheme, which helps support female entrepreneurs starting new businesses.
She has already exceeded her first goal on Crowdfunding (£1,900) which will go towards buying a larger ice cream machine and branded tubs.
Rachel now hopes to achieve her ‘stretch target‘ of £6,000 to invest in a refrigerated van for deliveries. The more money she raises, the more chance she has of winning the first-place Crowdfunding competition of £10,000.
‘Fabulous side hustles’
Speaking to Plant-Based News, Rachel said: “I applied for NatWest Back Her Business because I think it’s a great way of getting women who have these fabulous side hustles to take it a step further. Women are underrepresented in start-up businesses so it really is a brilliant scheme.
“I’ve had pledges from some restaurants including Humpit in Leeds and a couple of local places. I am hoping to get in touch with the big supermarkets once the business is more established next year.”
‘Veganism is becoming mainstream’
When asked what the reaction to setting up a vegan business in the North has been like, Rachel added: “I have faced a lot of criticism and verbal abuse from people after being in the local paper but ultimately veganism is becoming mainstream wherever you live. Vegan food is all over menus and supermarkets up north!”
Lick, which will be available in vanilla, mint choc chip, and chocolate, replicates a ‘traditional ice cream’ taste and texture.
You can donate to Rachel’s Crowdfunding, where you can earn rewards such as vegan cookies, brownies, and Lick ice cream
