Boost Business Champions: Laura Crowther, The Busy Food Company

Our newest Boost content series, Boost Business Champions, is designed to help business leaders gain insights and advice from others who are growing companies across Lancashire. We will speak to business owners and founders from across the county who have previously used Boost support about their motivations, challenges and lessons learned.

Our first participant is Laura Crowther, founder and head chef of The Busy Food Company, a family-run business based in Chorley, which is currently employing seven staff and provides high quality catering for both corporate and personal events. 

Laura, who previously spent 20+ years working as a primary school teacher before leaving to help run the business, received Boost help to support the company’s growth during 2024 and 2025. She discusses the huge learning curve of managing and growing a business, and the support she received along the way.

What motivates you in business, and why?

Having not come from a business background, there is always something new for me to learn each day. Working with a range of partners, from everyday customers to corporate clients and suppliers, means I get to meet people from all different walks of life. I also like being able to talk to people about my career change and that it’s never too late to walk down a different path.

What is the most rewarding thing about running a business?

Running a hospitality business means I get to be a part of some very significant events in people’s lives - from christenings to funerals and everything in between. Making sure these events run smoothly and guests are happy is a very rewarding part of the business.

What do you find most challenging?

Being very new to the business world, I was on a huge learning curve three years ago. Some of the most difficult things currently are juggling rising costs, VAT bills and staffing – all three cause most hospitality businesses headaches at the moment.

What has been your biggest lesson learned in business? 

Don’t assume anything – this could probably apply to most areas of life. Always check, ask for clarification or more information. I’ve almost come a cropper a few times due to assuming something had been done or had been sourced or paid for by someone else.

What support did you receive from Boost, and how has it helped you and your business?

I’ve worked alongside Steve Howard and Hayley Caine over the years and their knowledge and advice has been very valuable. They have helped to provide clarity to our business, encouraged us when we doubted ourselves, provided technical advice and support on issues such as recruitment and retention and leadership.

After every meeting, I always had an action plan of things I needed to do to help move our business forward.

What is the best piece of advice you have received as a business leader? 

Keep good records both in terms of finances (invoices, bills and receipts) and conversations – get it in writing. Just because someone has said it doesn’t mean it is true or it will happen. Having it on record can help in the long run.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to start and grow a business?

Be realistic. Starting a business is tough and it can take time to start seeing a profit. Make sure you have a long-term plan and are not just dealing with the day-to-day grind of running the business – you need to be clear on the direction you are going. Also, stick to your principles and values. 

Don’t take a contract or a client just because of the money, because it can be easy to grab onto new business. For example, we wouldn’t source cheaper ingredients just to meet a prospective client’s budget – we focus on providing the best quality we can.

What are your growth plans for the next three years?

We are looking to expand into potentially larger kitchens as well as diversifying into a mobile catering van for events etc.

Why is Lancashire a great location for a business?

The people here, especially other business owners who are really supportive. If you’re stuck, need advice or guidance, there is always someone willing to lend a hand or impart a nugget of knowledge or a contact who can help.

Who inspires you in business, and why?

Most fellow female business owners are an inspiration to me. It can be quite tricky in what is often a male-dominated world especially when you’re very new to business, but seeing other women thrive spurs me on to realise I can do it too.