20 minutes with Mulu, Founder of V&Me

Interview with Mulu, founder of V&Me, a recently launched fresh baby and toddler food provider, delivered daily to parents.  

Can you tell us how your business came about and the inspiration behind it?

Our journey as a husband and wife team started two years ago when we were going through the weaning process with our first baby. We found it daunting to find the time to research and prepare nutritious meals for our child. The overwhelming amount of reading and research felt like we were earning a new degree. This led us to realize that there must be a better and more efficient way to handle this situation. We took inspiration from Bulgaria's baby kitchen and decided to create a solution that offers fresh, home-cooked-like meals for babies while adhering to all public health guidelines to set a new industry standard.

What sets your baby food products apart from others in the market?

What sets our baby food products apart is our commitment to cooking fresh meals every day, making them as close to homemade as possible. To ensure the highest quality, we have dietitians planning out every aspect of our meals, focusing on nutrition and taste. Additionally, we partnered with Think through Nutrition to address the concerning issue of declining IQ.

64% of school meals in the UK are sourced from processed foods

When compared to the school meal landscape, where 64% of meals are sourced from processed foods and 82% of packed lunches contain such items, our dedication to fresh, nutrient-rich meals sets a new standard in the industry.

What were the biggest challenges and turning points you encountered in the journey so far?

The journey of running our business, especially while going through pregnancy and welcoming a baby, has been challenging. We officially launched in 2021, but the journey began in 2019. The decision to make everything from scratch, including bread without salt and homemade stock, presented its challenges. Additionally, constantly changing menus required adaptability and creativity.

What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?

Our advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs is to embrace the "just do it" mentality, especially in the early stages of your venture.

Overthinking can lead to discovering too many potential challenges, which might hinder progress. Instead, take the plunge, face challenges head-on, and learn as you go. Experience and adaptability are key to success in entrepreneurship.

What are your current focus areas for the business?

Currently, we are primarily operating in London and we want to make our product available to everyone in the capital before expanding. Our vision extends beyond just running a business; we aspire to collaborate with the government to make our nutritious and convenient meals accessible to a wider audience. We take pride in the liberating feeling that our service brings to families, where they no longer have to worry about cooking and can enjoy fresh, wholesome meals together.

Interview with Mulu, Founder of V&Me