Fenwick’s everythingCHILLI celebrates 17 years in business

What started as a hobby and a birthday gift for a friend soon grew into a full-time venture <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>
What started as a hobby and a birthday gift for a friend soon grew into a full-time venture (Image: Supplied)
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A FENWICK business owner is marking a milestone of 200 months in business.

Lynn Kelly, founder of everythingCHILLI, began her journey in 2009 after struggling to find locally made chilli jam.

What started as a hobby and a birthday gift for a friend soon grew into a full-time venture, with her going self-employed in 2014.

She said: "I almost missed the milestone completely.

"Like most small business owners, I'm usually focused on the next order, the next event or the next thing on the to-do list.

"Reaching 200 months felt like a good excuse to stop for a moment and appreciate just how far everythingCHILLI has come."

Sixteen years on, she continues to handcraft every jar herself and manages all aspects of the business, from packing orders to attending markets and festivals across Scotland and the north of England.

The brand has built a loyal following by prioritising flavour, aiming for products where chilli enhances rather than overpowers the taste.

Lynn said: "As a small producer, relationships matter.

"Many retailers are looking for products with genuine provenance and a maker behind them.

"That's exactly what everythingCHILLI has always been."

To mark the milestone, she is sharing throwback photos and stories from the past 200 months on social media, along with customer thank-yous and commemorative gifts.

She said: "It's been a journey with plenty of ups, downs and unexpected twists, but I've met some wonderful people along the way.

"Looking back has reminded me how much has happened since those first small batches, and it's given me fresh enthusiasm for the next chapter."

EverythingCHILLI supplies farm shops, delicatessens and independent retailers across the UK, and is using the anniversary to explore new stockist opportunities and expand its workplace pop-up tasting events.

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