Roland and Miranda Ballard, Muddy Boots Real Foods

Ages: 33 (Roland) and 32 (Miranda)

Work at: Muddy Boots Real Foods

Anyone who turns down a potentially lucrative Tesco contract immediately goes down in fmcg history (and gets a lot of press into the bargain - just ask Tyrrells founder Will Chase). And that’s exactly what the Ballards did earlier this year, instead choosing to focus on Waitrose, Ocado and the indies. Next up is a new breed of high street butcher: the first Modern Meat Shop is set to open in Crouch End early next year and another 10 are planned to open before 2020. This entrepreneurial couple are also steadily extending their reach in the premium meat category, with bang-on-trend quality burgers, meatloaf and meatballs. Their rise has been steady since quitting their jobs to set up the business in December 2008. So far, the moves they’ve made carry all the hallmarks of a top - and in future, far bigger - brand. Miranda has also had her first cookbook, Burgers and Sliders, published.

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