December Talk with Vaani VetriKo

It's almost Christmas and December is becoming more festive. Today we're talking to Vaani VetriKo and she is the co-founder of Neitiv, a food innovation company, based in Swindon. The brand specialises in producing exotic, bold and unique Coconut Flower Beer which is fine-tasting premium lager that is light, easy and refreshing to drink.

 It’s December – is this a busy time for your business? 
Yes! December is one of the busiest times for our small business so far. We will be running an intense Christmas sale till the end of December. This month, we will also be attending a number of events held in Swindon, such as the Christmas Markets organised by Steam Museum and BizSpace Swindon.

Christmas is coming – what does Christmas mean for you? 
For me Christmas means spending time with family; celebrating this magical time with our loved ones and to share love, support other people and to open presents and have fun.

What’s on Santa’s List for your business in 2022?
In terms of business, next year will be the most exciting time for our small business. Our brand will be expanding early next year - we will start selling in Germany, Sweden and Singapore. Currently, we are selling only in the UK, so expanding outside the UK will be a big milestone for our team.  

And what’s on your list personally?
As a co-founder I want nothing more than the success of our company in the coming year. Me and my partner, Keeran, are hoping to set up our own, local brewery next year.

What has been your greatest business lesson this year? 
Neitiv’s biggest business lessons came from the global pandemic and the resulting lockdowns globally. This challenge has led to many issues with the supply chain, resulting in stock delivery delays. 

As a new start-up sprouting at this time, the learning curve was steep. We've learned a lot about the struggles of small businesses and the marketing side of things such as social media marketing. 

You never realise how hard it is to market yourself in today’s competitive world, until you actually start doing it.

What have been your business highlights in 2021? 
Our big business highlights must be receiving positive feedback from our lovely and supportive customers, getting recognition in some well-known magazines such as Retail Times, FMCG Magazine or TechRound UK. 

This year we’ve also hired our first team of employees, creating a healthy and balanced working environment. Also, I’m thrilled to receive TechRound’s BAME 50 Under 50 Entrepreneurs 2021 Award.  

Will you have a nominated charity for 2022?  
Yes, we are currently supporting period poverty charities such as ‘All Yours’. We believe all women should have access to sanitary protection during their period; it should be a basic human right. But some are experiencing period poverty or unable to afford them. According to  Plan International UK, 1 in 10 British girls can't afford to buy menstrual products, while 1 in 7 have struggled to afford them.

We are also in the midst of setting up our own ‘Neitiv Red Dot’ project working towards our goal to eliminate period poverty in the UK and soon globally by offering free Sanitary products through our website.

If you are planning to recruit in 2022 – share a little of your hopes around the growth of your team. 
Neitiv is planning to recruit in 2022, following our global expansion. We are hoping to drastically increase sales and this comes with a lot of tasks to handle, hence we will be on the lookout for talented individuals seeking employment. 

Have you got any special offers or deals you’d like to mention? 
We are currently running a Christmas sale on our website. All our products are on sale including free shipping. Offer lasts until the end of December or until stock lasts.

What would be your best piece of advice for anyone in business for 2022? 
The biggest piece of advice as a small business is to never ever give up on your passion and dreams - every path will be challenging and hard, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it and you will be proud of yourself. 

As a busy co-founder I would also suggest giving priority to your mental and physical health – we often neglect these, especially as owners of small businesses. 

And finally:
I would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Support your local small businesses and make sure to drink mindfully and responsibly during your holidays celebration! 

For more information visit https://neitiv.uk