A couple from Cheshire started with just £2,000 and now their meal prep business is thriving, making millions and serving top athletes.
Warrington: Michelle and James Laithwaite took a leap of faith with just £2,000 to start their meal prep business, Fuel Hub. They were excited to launch their service, but on launch day, Michelle went into labor with their son, Stanley. Talk about timing!
Despite the chaos of new parenthood, they pushed through. They quickly realized they were onto something special by delivering healthy, balanced meals right to people’s doors. Their first year brought in £150,000, just as the pandemic hit.
Fast forward five years, and Fuel Hub is on track to make a whopping £4.5 million this year. They’ve become a go-to for top athletes and families alike, even hitting record sales this January. Michelle reflected on their journey, sharing the ups and downs on Instagram, including the challenges of a newborn and a pandemic.
She mentioned how tough it was, but they always believed in their vision. They’ve made sacrifices and taken risks, but the support from their team has been invaluable. It’s amazing how far they’ve come from those early days.
Looking back, Michelle recalls how they started with just £2,000. Their first website cost £800, and they were just figuring things out as they went along. The day they launched, she went into labor that night! Talk about multitasking!
During lockdown, they faced even more challenges, but they never lost hope. They adapted to the changing market, realizing that meal prep was a game changer for many. People started to see it as a time and money saver, and their business began to grow week by week.
James, a former rugby player, used his connections to get their meal prep service noticed. They landed contracts with sports teams and high-profile athletes, which really boosted their credibility. Recently, they became the official nutrition partner for Matchroom Boxing and are working with the Professional Darts Corporation.
Fuel Hub offers various meal plans, including options for weight loss and athletic performance. They focus on creating delicious, healthy meals that people love. Michelle is proud of the success stories they’ve seen from customers who have lost weight and improved their health.
They operate on a flexible subscription model, making it easy for customers to enjoy their meals without long-term commitments. As the business continues to grow, they’re looking for ways to expand even further.
With a recent £1.2 million investment, they’ve upgraded their facilities and are now producing around 20,000 meals a week. They’re working with top-tier teams and are in talks with major retailers for future growth.
Michelle emphasizes that while they’ve achieved a lot, they still live a frugal life. They focus on reinvesting in the business rather than taking big dividends. Their goal is to keep improving and providing great meals for their customers.
Michelle has even been nominated for a Great British Entrepreneur Award, but for her, the best part is hearing from satisfied customers. She loves connecting with them and seeing how Fuel Hub has positively impacted their lives.
For anyone thinking of starting a business, Michelle advises being cautious with cash flow. She started with a £20 desk from eBay and learned to be frugal. It’s all about taking risks while being smart with money.
