I do most things VERY fast…………….and that can be a good or a bad thing in business I know!  Often its a plus….even now I am touch typing at speed, which means I can type things very fast, I think fast, I am a bit of a whirlwind to be around.  As the lovely Pip [...]

I’ve often reflected and shared in this blog just how difficult balancing a corporate career and a family is.  Four years ago I worked for a large corporate, but having my two mini-Martinsens was a key driver to starting Breckland Orchard……balancing a career for a large company with children is very tough. Marissa Mayer of [...]

I am off to the NEC this weekend for the Farm and Deli Show – it runs Sunday to Tuesday.  I’m looking forward to meeting new and existing customers of course, and to showcasing Breckland Orchard and the fabulous range of boutique soft drinks that we have here……but it also means being away from home [...]

Today is International Woman’s Day – a global event around the world….aiming to raise the role of women. It’s even a national holiday in 27 countries. Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike.  Women’s organisations [...]

I’ve had the past 3 days as a ‘mini’ holiday, spending the second part of the half term break with the Mini-Martinsens.  Mr Breckland was away for a long weekend skiing in his native Norway, so it’s been just me and the mini’s for four whole days!  They’re at a magical age – SOOOO much [...]

Yes, I’m the founder of Breckland Orchard……..but I am also Mum to the mini-Martinsens.  I’m always mega-busy, juggle lots of balls – but quite honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. This week is half term, and for the past few days the mini’s have been in Wales visiting my mum [aka Ma Breckland]. [...]

Few hiccups in the Martinsen household this past week or so.  I’m a small business owner, a mum and this week have stepped up to my latest role – being Florence Nightingale. My seven-year-old had some day surgery last week at hospital under general anaesthetic…….he needed a day or so to get over it.  Luckily [...]

Is it just me are have there been an awful lots of references to Female owned businesses over the past few weeks ? First there was the question in last week’s PMQ’s Q4. [137149] Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Last week I organised an entrepreneurship seminar in Chiswick for women wanting to set up their own businesses, [...]

September has flown by in a complete whirl.  Its been a really busy busy couple of weeks at Breckland Orchard and I have been working so hard my feet have barely touched the ground [hence very little time to blog - apologies]. And on top of a gigantic workload, my little girl has started school! [...]

Six weeks of school summer holidays – blessing or problem?  Its the ongoing conundrum that all mothers have!  It’s blissful having the little ones around all day long, stepping off the conveyor belt of school runs etc……..but it takes some proper planning to juggle the summer holidays around work. That’s one of the key reasons [...]

There was a brilliant article in the Independent over the weekend entitled ‘Gourmet Gamble: Could you make it as a Food Entrepreneur‘, written by Charlotte Philby.  It gave an honest insight into the world of being a start up food and drink entrepreneur.  Must-read for any would-be start up entrepreneur. With the recession, and many [...]

Last Friday was the third anniversary of having launched Breckland Orchard – yipeeee! My feelings change – on one hand it doesn’t feel brand-new, but at the same time three years in the life of a new brand and a new business is nothing at all!  I am loving the challenges and the pure enjoyment [...]

The word ‘Mumpreneur’ has made it into the Collins English Dictionary in the lastest edition, so seems to be here to stay.  I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the term, and generally oscilate about how I feel towards the tag.  Overall it brings out negative thoughts in me….. Mumpreneur describes someone who [...]

I get the comment ‘I don’t know how you do it’ quite a lot…………I fear some people must think I am some superwoman.  Truly and honestly I’m not, but sometimes even I wonder how I do it.  Maybe if I thought too long about it I’d frighten myself! I’m a micro-business owner, and also a [...]

This week was sportsday at my son’s school.  He’s just in reception, so it wasn’t the Olympics……obstacle race, relay, balancing of a beanbag on the head etc….all things that require real focus and precision when you are five years old(!!)  He loved it, and his competitive streak was coming out [must have some of my [...]

Ah isn’t running a micro-business fab!  It’s just like living a dozen lives all at once……constantly swapping hats and being a bit of a jill of all trades! A day catching up on paperwork today and these are the hats I’ve worn so far……… Purchasing Director…………finding a new supplier for one particular part of my [...]

When I chat with friends they are fascinated by the fact that I have started my own micro-business.  Lots of oohs and ahh’s and sighs of ‘I wish I could do that’. It resonated further a few weeks back when I was speaking at an event in London organised by Stylist Magazine.  The theme of [...]

I guess if you are juggling starting a new enterprise with looking after two young children then life is always going to be interesting! I did a first on this week – and took my little boy along with me to a business meeting. I was exhibiting at IFE a few weeks back and as [...]

I set up Breckland Orchard whilst the mini-Martinsens were 1 and 3 [They are now 3 and 5].  Life is inevitably a juggle between family, home and business.  Some people thought I was crazy setting up a business with two toddlers – but far from slowing me down, they have been the inspiration behind me [...]

I love running my own business – the sheer breadth of things that I get involved with are really interesting, but at times it all feels just a tad crazy!  Yesterday was a ‘typical’ day in so far as there is no typical First job of the day was to call at LaHogue Farm Shop [...]