Meet the brands featured in the Empowering Journeys pop-up

At the start of 2021, together with Enterprise Nation, Uber launched Empowering Journeys - three exciting initiatives to empower drivers, couriers, restaurants and new food entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

In the Business Builder programme, 100 Uber drivers and couriers received support to help them turn a business idea into a business reality, including weekly training sessions and a grant.

In the Food Fellowship programme, eight food entrepreneurs took their food start-up to the next level via a hands-on educational programme and access to workbenches in Karma Kitchen.

Now, six months on, some of the programme participants have the chance to showcase their businesses and sell their products to the public in a pop-up shop on Oxford Street.

The Empowering Journeys pop-up will take over Sook’s Oxford Street store every Monday – Thursday in October to give the entrepreneurs the opportunity to test physical retail and introduce their businesses to the public.

Visit the pop-up at Sook, 58 Oxford Street, London, W1D 1BH, every Monday – Thursday in October to support the small businesses.

You can see the businesses that will be in the store each week here:

Week one: Monday 4 – Thursday 7 October

Monday - Thursday: Karolina Ba, founder, THEENK TEA

Herbal tea blends designed to support a healthy brain function and mental wellbeing.

Monday - Tuesday: Dan Tang, founder, Sow Foods

Healthy, plant-based protein bites.

Wednesday - Thursday: Muhammad Nawfal, founder, Yū pods

Plastic-free shampoo and bodywash pods.

Week two: Monday 11 – Thursday 14 October

Monday - Thursday: Kasey Clarke, founder, Sweet Cakey Thing

Free-from cake pots made with no wheat, no dairy, no gluten, no grains, no soya, no additives, no preservatives and no refined sugar.

Monday - Tuesday: Nora Amin, founder, From Nora’s Kitchen

Authentic South East Asian treats including ready-to-eat Sambal.

Wednesday - Thursday: Laurens Ludgrove, founder, Basement Flat

Independent record label and platform for up and coming musicians to perform and release music through. Laurens will be hosting an open-mic night in the store.

Week three: Monday 18 – Thursday 21 October

Monday - Thursday: Nicholas Cave, founder, The London Experience

Nicholas will be showcasing his app in the store. The London Experience helps people in London try new foods and experiences whilst saving money and supporting local businesses. Visit to find out more about using the app or getting your business listed on it.

Monday - Tuesday: Chaimaa Ormazabel, founder, LAZY PEA

A handmade vegan deodorant made with organic and natural ingredients for your skin!

Wednesday - Thursday: Sukh Gill, founder, Priceless App

Sukh is the founder of Priceless App - a private social network for families. An online repository that can only be accessed by your family. Sukh will be showcasing his app in the store.

Week four: Monday 25 – Thursday 28 October

The final week in the store will be a food fair with three food and drink businesses selling their products.

Mirko Amelotti Yimesghen, founder, Gursha

Ethiopian food reinvented. The team at Gursha have made Ethiopian food easy – visit to try samples and get your hands on their ready meals.

Mia-Sara Crowther-Nicol, founder, CND Drinks

Father and daughter led family business. South London homemade tropical drinks, specialising in ginger beer, sorrel and fruit punch.

Xiaojuan Yuan, founder, MAI DIM SUM

Contemporary, gourmet, dim sum focused menu, offering hot delivery in South West and North London, and a Nationwide frozen delivery service.

Visit the pop-up at Sook, 58 Oxford Street, London, W1D 1BH, every Monday – Thursday in October to support the small businesses.