Bernard Walsh - Hot Irishman
This company has gone from being about 40pc to 90pc export-based in five years.
ENTREPRENEURS
Sara and Gavin Mitchell
Poulet Bonne Femme
When Sara Mitchell’s husband, Gavin, became redundant in September 2008, the pair took the opportunity to follow their dream to set up Ireland’s first rotisserie chicken business.
In May 2009, Poulet Bonne Femme opened at its first market in Dun Laoghaire, and since then has become a regular sight around markets in Dublin, including in Ranelagh Village, Sandyford Industrial Estate, the IFSC and Marlay Park.
“The idea for the business came when we were on holiday in Spain and bought chicken straight from a spit at a local farmers’ market,” says Sara Mitchell.
Branching out full time
In under a year, the company has quickly evolved into a full-time job for the couple, and they’ve taken on one employee. They have extended the company to include Poulet Catering, which caters for everything from christenings to corporate events.
As well as selling free-range chickens, they also make additional products from their own recipes, including coleslaw and a casseroles.
In recent months, they have been approached by cafés and restaurants about providing their products to them. Mitchell says they hope to grow this side of the business.
Innovation is critical
Indeed, she says innovation is all-important. “At the moment, we’re looking at various things we can do, from setting up in markets around the country to increasing our product offering,” she says.
Poulet Bonne Femme was profiled as an Emerging New Business at the SFA National Small Business Awards on 4 March 2010.
