The Enterprise Nation members pitching to Selfridges and Sainsbury's at the Wellness Exchange

_From lots of brilliant entries, these are the three small businesses selected to pitch live on stage to buyers from Selfridges and Sainsbury's at the Wellness Exchange in London this Friday (8 November).

Tickets are still available to watch the pitches and get a full day of advice and inspiration on how to start and grow a successful wellness brand._

Susan Gafsen, Pep & Lekker

Describe your business.

Award winning all natural seed snacks. Vegan and gluten-free. High fibre and protein and low sugar.

Why do you want to pitch?

I believe that our product fills a gap in the market. The healthy snack market is growing 20% per annum but there are no snacks that match our credentials.

We are one of the few lightly baked snacks that are not oats. We are vegan (approved by the Vegan Society) and gluten free, two fast growing sectors, and our seed snacks contain no allergens. They are high protein and high fibre and yet low sugar and there is no added sugar of any kind. They are versatile so can be eaten on their own or with dips, nut butters or soups just like a cracker. They contain chicory root fibre, a great source of inulin, that supports gut health. Sold in fully compostable pouches

What is your vision for the future of your business?

We have a vision to create a global brand of convenience foods where every ingredient we use is carefully chosen for its nutritional value or taste.

Working with the positive feedback we have received on our seed snack range we are looking to larger packs and multi-packs. When our seed snacks are established we will look to move into soups and dips which will have the same nutritional credentials.

Al Shariat, Coconut Merchant

Describe your business in one sentence.

​​​We believe business can be a force for good, so we source the world's largest range of coconut products from farmers around the world with love.

Why do you want to pitch?

We have a broad and exciting range of coconut products. They are in direct response to customer needs and we are always moving to surprise and delight our customers with new innovative, quality products.

What is your vision for the future of your business?

Backed by the growth in demand for healthy, vegan-friendly, clean products, we are adding a range of value-added products, to meet the future needs of our customers.

We want to consolidate further our UK presence and start expanding internationally.

We have also made clear commitments to help our farmer communities in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and are having our business model monitored by the UN to see how it can be replicated elsewhere.

Gavin Erlam, Lavandi

Describe your business in one sentence.

Plastic and palm oil free vegan soap bath and shower products that are organic and zero waste.

Why do you want to pitch?

I would like to pitch as Lavandi Body & Nature create products that don't just clean, they nourish as well.

I believe our products are right for both Sainsbury's and Selfridges as neither companies offer palm oil and plastic free cleansing and nourishing soaps, shampoos and body creams that are vegan, organic and zero waste, from a company that is carbon neutral.

What is your vision for the future of your business?

We have gone from a start-up to a turnover of £130,000 selling through our website and to boutique shops through BIRA (British Independent Retail Association).

We have now scaled up our production with the purchase of mixing tanks, water tanks, cutting machines and presses. This has given Lavandi a six-fold increase in manufacturing capacity. Our vision for the future is to be a truly global brand. We have just start to export to the US and our next target market would be Japan.

_Tickets are still available to watch the pitches and get a full day of advice and inspiration on how to start and grow a successful wellness brand.

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