Sussex mum toasts success as her fruit infusions business grows
The glass is definitely half-full for one Sussex mum as she prepares to take her growing fruit infusions business to a number of large food and drink shows in the South East and beyond.
Michelle Pratt from Horsham will be taking her brand Fruitology to the BBC Good Food Summer Show at Birmingham NEC from 13 to 16 June and Goodwood Good Food Festival from 16 to 18 August.
Alongside other markets in Sussex, Michelle will also be showcasing at the Surrey Gin Fest at Loseley Park on 7 September, and at the Festive Fayre at Hampton Court Palace from 6 to 8 December.
Michelle only took over the brand – and lots of glass bottles – from a friend in 2023, and has seen her business go from strength to strength in a short period of time.
She’s already attended plenty of markets and fairs both large and small, and is stocked in 10 shops across the UK, including stores in Salisbury and Weymouth.
Fruitology combines freeze dried fruits and sugar in a reusable glass bottle.
Customers can then add their favourite alcoholic spirits and leave them to infuse for three to four weeks. After that, it’s ready to drink over ice, in prosecco, or in cocktails.
Michelle has three core flavours available all year round – Berry Blast, Blackcurrant Burst and Strawberry Cooler – in 250ml and 750ml bottles, as well as environmentally-friendly refill pouches.
There are also seasonal specials – currently Summer Heat, which brings together pineapple, mango and chilli flakes, and Mango Sunset, which mixes mango and raspberries.
And Michelle has even recently branched out into wedding favours.
“It’s fantastic that I’ll be able to showcase Fruitology at the Good Food Show this summer”, she said.
“It’s like a dream come true, albeit one that sometimes keeps me awake at night. Who would’ve thought I’d be exhibiting there after less than a year!
“I love what I do, but I couldn’t do any of it without my husband Dave and the rest of my family who have all been brilliant – helping me with labelling and supporting me at markets.
“It’s been an absolute whirlwind over the last 12 months, and I can’t believe how much the business has grown in such a short time.
“My next dream is to be stocked by a national retailer – so if Waitrose or John Lewis are reading this, drop me a line.”
