Sian Holt
MD, Fudge Kitchen, on making people happy, reversing into a vicar and kicking ass
What was your first-ever job? On a market garden in Droitwich aged 14. I increased retail sales by 20%-plus but managed to plant a field of cabbage plants upside down.
What’s been your worst job interview? I’ve never really had a traditional interview. As a marketing consultant I can remember a few terrible pitches though - particularly when I mistakenly added a ‘0’ to our quote for a monthly retainer to a large fmcg multinational. Sticks in the mind because they agreed to it!
What was the first music single you bought? I’m more of an album person. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Stories.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I make people happy with the world’s best sugary confections.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working with our shop or production teams. We have fantastic people.
What is the least rewarding part? Bureaucracy and forms - there’s more thrown at us every year: traceability, labelling, food safety, employment etc. It’s generally a complete waste of time.
What is your motto in life? Don’t read the small print, just do it.
What would your one dream perk be? To add as many additional days to a week as I liked.
Do you have any phobias? Heights: it seems to get worse with age, too.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Ridiculous food labelling. Cut the on-pack waffle and hype, and display ingredient information that means something to people.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? Coldplay’s Chris Martin - so many benefits.
What animal most reflects your personality? A meerkat. Busy, love building community, protective, small but mighty - can kick ass when required.
What’s your favourite film and why? The Wizard of Oz - my father drummed its principles into us from an early age.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Reversing into a vicar (in a car) then going on to crash the courtesy car on the same day. I now take the train.
Which celebrity would you most like to work with? Noel Fielding. Apart from the laughter, I think he’d be great at creating new flavours and concepts with his lateral take on the world.
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