Episode 089: Catering for Under-5s with Kerrie Goude and Maddy Griffiths

The Business Awards Show

Catering for Under-5s is the latest installment of the Business Awards Show.

Kerrie and Maddy founded the multi-award-winning TOTFest six years ago, an all-inclusive festival entirely for under-5s. So successful have the pair been, it has grown to become the largest under-5 festival in the UK.

TOTFest now visits five locations in the UK with plans to further expand in the coming years. The pair explain how they came up with the idea, the challenges of working as a partnership, and their plans for the future.

COVID caused massive disruption in their business, and Kerrie and Maddy tell us how they navigated a hugely challenging eighteen months and what it took to get the business going again.

They have won numerous awards in recent years including a silver in the Best Creative Business category at the 2023 Best Businesswomen Awards. The pair use awards as a key part of their strategy, explaining what their success has done for their business.

This is a great episode for any entrepreneurs working in partnerships, dealing with adversity, and what it takes to put on immersive events. They have a unique customer-base in the under-5 market, so anyone in a similar situation will take great inspiration from their business growth.

{1:18} How the partnership began.

{2:32} What happens at TOTFest.

{3:53} The challenges of working as a partnership.

{6:07} Kerrie's and Maddy's roles in the business.

{7:12} The TOTFest programme for 2024.

{8:30} The TOTFest schedule.

{9:06} Finding the right venues.

{12:23} When awards came on the radar.

{13:26} Their awards successes.

{15:56} Managing through COVID.

{21:33} Recovering from lockdown.

{22:52} Future plans for TOTFest.

{26:32} Franchising as a future business model.

{27:14} Maddy's and Kerrie's business tips.

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

Connect with Kerrie and Maddy: https://www.totfestfestival.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totfest_festival/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOTFestFestival/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/totfest-festival/