OUR DRAGONS' DEN QUEENS

We chat to the Altrincham women whose businesses have caught the eye of the entrepreneurs on the hit BBC show

- Bethan Andrews

Small businesses doing big things is something we’re already good at in Cheshire and now, more than ever, our attentions are drawn to those whose creativity, grit and determination are lighting up these uncertain times.

We’re not the only ones to notice the success of Cheshire start-ups though. Two Altrincham companies faced the Dragons’ Den line-up recently. One was 25-year-old Evie Waxman’s Raw Bake Station, making raw and vegan sweet treats.

“I came out of sixth form and moved to Australia for three years – I suppose I went to the university of life,” says Evie. “For me, it was the best decision I ever made because, without being too clichéd, I completely understood what I wanted to do after that.”

Evie’s time in Australia helped cement her knowledge of the raw food market – the country was ahead of the curve – and when she moved back home to Cheshire for her 21st birthday, she revealed her plans for a raw treats company to her family.

“They were supportive but also had that nod and smile aspect,” she laughs. “There was still a big stigma attached to veganism in England.”

Evie started working in a juice bar, while at home, she worked on her own recipes from her mum’s kitchen, drawing on her Australian inspiration.

She began selling into the juice bar and customers began asking to buy in bulk to take home, giving her the confidence to pitch to other businesses.

Raw Bake Station makes Crookies – oat-based cookies – and sweet treats that are refined sugar, gluten, grain and dairy-free. Evie devises the recipes, branding and product names.