A trained lawyer, Tamara Arbib’s passion for healthy snacks which use simple ingredients direct from nature grew from her work with a sustainable food charity.
Frustrated at the slow-moving progress in the non-profit sector, she launched Rebel Kitchen with her husband in January 2014.
“Fire in your belly and conviction in your beliefs”
For Tamara, “our passion and desire to effect change in people’s health on a global scale inspired us to get started. We knew we had to establish something big to make our vision a reality, so we set up Rebel Kitchen to show that you can combine great taste with health – and be a responsible food brand.”
With the aim of creating positive impact through both their products as well as business, Tamara’s drive comes from having fire in your belly and conviction in your beliefs, that’s the inspiration right there. That and being completely invested in the cause. It’s blood, sweat and tears so there has to be something deeper driving you otherwise you’ll quickly lose heart.”
Combining four kids with a £1.85 million turnover
Despite having no prior FMCG experience, juggling family commitments and raising four children under the age of ten, she won NatWest everywoman’s inaugural Brand of the Future Award last year in recognition for the brand’s considerable expansion. Tamara was honoured for getting Rebel Kitchen stocked in prestigious high-street stores, including Wholefoods, Selfridges, Planet Organic, Tesco and Waitrose, and for selling its products across 21 countries worldwide.
Since her nomination, Tamara’s relentless drive has helped the company evolve at break-neck speed. Following the acquisition earlier this year of raw coconut water brand Unoco and the launch of a new line of organic coconut yoghurts, their predicted turnover for 2016 is already ahead of original projections.
“A proud, pinch-me moment”
With so many achievements to her credit, Tamara was hard pressed to choose the one that stood out the most. “A real high was securing our listing in Wholefoods within three months of launch, and then Ocado and Waitrose after just six months. A very proud, pinch-me moment,” explains Tamara.
“Since then it’s achievements that demonstrate how it’s possible to set the standards we’re keen to implement across the board. When we first launched the Mylks we couldn’t afford to make our products certified organic and keep a competitive price point. But, two years on, we’re proud to now be fully organic across all our products without increasing the price to consumers.”
“The awards gave us more credibility as a business”
Describing the best thing about being selected as a NatWest Award winner, Tamara said: “It’s given us more credibility as a business and the confidence to know we can make it, so that’s a real boost for everyone. We all work so hard, and we celebrate that as a team, but it’s great to have the external recognition.”
“Don’t be afraid – take the plunge”
For those considering their own business venture, Tamara is full of positive words of encouragement. “Go for it, don’t be afraid. You can spend forever deliberating getting your feet off the ground but sometimes the first – and best – step is to take the plunge.
“Then stay nimble and learn from any mistakes you make, fast. As a business we’re not afraid to own up to our mistakes. The worst thing you can do as a start-up is get too attached to an idea or strategy. If something doesn’t work, change it. Learn to make decisions for the greater good of the business.”
Nominate your success story by 4 July
Tamara is in no doubt of how being short-listed for the 2016 Awards could help business women at all stages of their journey. “It’s fantastic to have access to the entire NatWest everywoman network. There are so many inspirational women out there and we can all teach, and learn from, one another.”
With six award categories, the NatWest everywoman Awards celebrate the success of the UK’s top female entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, from start-ups to established multi-million pound organisations.
To submit your nomination or find out more visit https://www.everywoman.com/award/2016-natwest-everywoman-awards
