Lucinda Caldwell : Seriously Pickled
![]() Lucinda is a 2020 Kapiti Rebel Graduate.
When the 2020 Lockdown commenced and her (at home registered kitchen) catering company folded due to cancellations, she came out fighting. By pure chance she saw an ad on Facebook about the Rebel Business School and she thought… why not? There is nothing to lose, right! Around the same time a good friend highlighted a commercial kitchen with shop front that was coming on to the market and it was decision time - go big or stay home. She decided to jump. The first splash pad was Rebel Business School Aotearoa. With no ‘real business’ experience, this free course was a no brainer. After 10 days of online workshops and a couple of on-site sessions (which pushed the boundaries of how you thought and how capable you could be!) she walked away with so much confidence and more knowledge than she ever expected. She could do it!! “I loved the advice that was given. I appreciated the time and wisdom of the facilitators. They made you believe that you could do it… and I was willing to put my big girl pants on and give it a go! No regrets, right!!” Operating a business during a pandemic has been challenging. In hospitality, we were forced into a situation of choosing who we were going to have to walk through our doors. Morally challenging, I chose to accept the ‘all eaters welcome’ ethos which had ramifications. I lost a lot of customers who didn’t support my decision however I gained a whole new diverse and inclusive customer base which made for a thriving business in trying times. Seriously Pickled her wee Deli & Catering Kitchen in Paraparaumu Beach, was a Kapiti Top Shop Finalist in 2021 where her key words for success were: flexibility. adaptability, pivoting and delivery. In 2022 she was a Electra Business Awards Finalist in 2022 and her drivers for success were: adaptability, listening and going beyond customer expectation, unique offerings and sheer determination Who knows what lies ahead in 2023. Seriously Pickled is in growth mode and she can only hope that the only way is up.., Website: https://www.seriouslypickled.nz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seriouslypickledcatering/ |