Mumtrepreneur Earning Her Corn!

'Mumtrepreneurs' take on the seemingly impossible challenge of juggling both their family and business commitments, proving that career and home life aren't mutually exclusive. While the scenario seems daunting to most, Catherine Furze is one woman who is as dedicated to running her Corn Again popcorn business as well as looking after her family of 3 children with her husband Richard.

Back in 2009, Catherine and Richard re-invented the much loved cinema snack by introducing gourmet popcorn to the UK market from their kitchen table in Consett, County Durham when they started selling the unusual flavours Hot Chilli & Fennel, Cinnamon Spice, Garlic & Herb and Salty Sweet across the North East using only the natural ingredients you find in your cupboards.

Mumtrepreneur earning her corn!'Mumtrepreneurs' take on the seemingly impossible challenge of juggling both their family and business commitments, proving that career and home life aren't mutually exclusive.

While the scenario seems daunting to most, Catherine Furze is one woman who is as dedicated to running her Corn Again popcorn business as well as looking after her family of 3 children with her husband Richard.Their inspiration came whilst Catherine was reading a novel by US author Lionel Shriver which whetted her appetite for the snack.

"It was a book with a lot of mentions of popcorn in it and I thought I'd have a go at making some but I couldn't find any of the flavourings to buy for it. I just assumed you couldn't get them in the North East but no one was selling them in the country. I decided it was now or never and that you only live once" says Catherine. "Sales began taking off a few years ago and have ironically been helped by the economic downturn as more people stay at home instead of going out for trips to the cinema and sharing a bag of popcorn is part of that experience.

As a plethora of new entrants have joined the market using flavourings, it seems our decision back in 2009 to use natural ingredients such as fennel and herbs and real lime juice in our latest creation Chilli & Lime, has helped give us a real point of difference".

Corn Again are now producing over 5,000 bags a week supplying around 150 stockists including Pod Food, Cook Stores and selected ASDA stores as well as farm shops, delicatessens, cafes, independent stores and licensed premises nationwide.

As Catherine points out, "Me and Richard are both putting in very long hours and juggling family commitments, but I get the best of both worlds. On one hand I am enjoying the rewards of seeing our brand on the shelves of stockists across the country with the positive feedback we receive from consumers as well as the rewards of being a mum. My oldest child Alistair is now 18 and he has started helping out making the popcorn, so it really is a family affair".