Last updated at 12:51, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

FARMING is a way of life that breeds passion about produce – a passion which led one young Cumbrian woman to set up her own firm promoting the best that Cumbria has to offer.

LAUNCH: Isobel Morris-Eyton with her hampers at the Taste Cumbria event where she launched her business

Isobel Morris-Eyton was born and raised on the family farm in Whicham Valley, near Millom.

After studying at the Royal Agricultural College, in Cirencester the 23-year-old decided to return home to work on the family farm and to create her own business – Exclusively Cumbrian.

Miss Morris-Eyton’s passion for produce has been brought to the fore in her business, where she builds bespoke hampers of the finest Cumbrian goods as gifts.

Splitting her time between the hamper business and working on her deer farm, she said she hopes to grow the business into a full- time job.

After receiving guidance from Britain’s Energy Coast’s Linkstart programme, Miss Morris-Eyton managed to make her dream become a reality.

She attended six sessions that helped offer guidance for every aspect of setting up her business.

She said: “When I graduated I was applying for jobs and I thought why do I have to leave Cumbria?

“I thought I could make my own work, that would allow me to live in Cumbria and not move away.”

After coming up with her initial proposals she registered to take part in Linkstart, which gave her the advice on how to transform her ideas into reality.

The six sessions were able to fit around Miss Morris-Eyton’s work on the farm while also helping her to build the career she wants.

The sessions focus on everything from tax returns and finances to refining her products.

A meeting with a mentor led to Miss Morris-Eyton attending the Taste Cumbria food festival in Cockermouth where she officially launched her business at the end of September last year.

“I’d definitely recommend Linkstart – it was really fast and flexible,” said Miss Morris-Eyton

“There were some days I couldn’t attend because of work but they allowed me to go the next session.

“I got someone to help me with my initial business plan who suggested attending Taste Cumbria.

“It’s been really useful.”

First published at 16:01, Friday, 08 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk