SOMETIMES, no matter how hard you try, you can never let go of an old title.
No one knows this better than Ella Mills who, despite having founded, developed and sold a multi-million dollar company, is still seen as a ‘blogger’.
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The 33-year-old started her own food blog Lovely Ellaand eventually developed it into a company. In 2016, she created her first products.
Ella is now a mother of two and made her first culinary foray at university.
The company subsequently sold more than 100 million products and expanded its range to include plant-based pastas, spreads and snacks.
It is estimated that 20 million granola bars have been sold this year alone.
Ella sold her company earlier this year to the Swiss group Hero.
Despite her undeniable success as a business owner, Ella spoke to The Telegraph about her ongoing struggle to be taken seriously within her industry.
“I don’t think there are any male businessmen who you would label as such because of their first job,” she stressed.
“I’m not sure at this point what I need to do to be called an entrepreneur.
“We’ve sold 100 million units, we have our own manufacturing facility, we’re a bestseller at every retailer in the country, we’re launching in the US, and we employ 100 people.”
She explained that this is often overlooked in business situations because potential buyers turn to her husband Matthew, who is her business partner, rather than her.
Ella remembers how her professional colleagues even asked Matthew to go golfing with them, without inviting her.
Despite her blogging background, the business mogul says she has no interest in publicity.
She even has her social media of personal content, explaining that she prefers to remain unnoticed.
Although the exact amount has not been disclosed, Ella is expected to raise around £24 million from the sale.
This is based on Deliciously Ella’s revenue growth as reported by Companies House.
How to start your own business?
Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis revealed his tips for budding entrepreneurs:
- One of the biggest barriers that aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners face is a lack of self-confidence. You have to believe in your idea — and more than that, be the one to bore your friends to death with it.
- Never be afraid to make decisions. Once you have an idea, the confidence to make decisions is crucial to starting and maintaining a business.
- If you don’t take calculated risks, you’re standing still. If a decision turns out to be wrong, identify it quickly and act on it if you can. If you can’t, find someone else who can.
- It’s okay not to get it right the first time. My experience of making bad decisions has helped build my confidence and made me who I am today.
- Never underestimate the power of social media and remember that the internet is an equal opportunity for small businesses.
- Don’t forget to dream. A machine can’t do that!
Despite the sale, Ella will continue to fulfill her role as brand ambassador and founder of the company.
Her husband Matthew will also retain his title as CEO of the company.
In a joint statement, the two said the brand has become “bigger than we could ever imagine.”
They added that “the sale has been considered for a long time and feels right.”
The couple also stated that the “Plants Food Products” will become an independent company, which will still be owned by their family.
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