A graduate has launched a business helping people to create their own signature curries after developing the successful enterprise at the University of Chester.
Hamza Hussain has officially presented Mona’s Curry Base to the market this year, and offered tastings at the UK launch event.
He was supported in the entrepreneurial idea from the start, by the University’s Business School, while studying a Business Management with Marketing degree.
Named after his mother who created the recipe, the gluten-free and vegan product is an authentic Indian curry sauce base, suitable for Halal and Kosher diets, which with a few additional fresh ingredients can be used to make any curry.
Mona’s Curry Base has already secured interest and significant orders from a range of businesses, universities, caterers and the NHS.
Hamza showed determination to succeed from the beginning of his degree studies, winning the 2017 Santander Enterprise Challenge in his first year at the University, after impressing the judges with the initial Curry Block idea.
Sponsored by Santander, Hamza, from Prestwich, Manchester, won a cash prize and the opportunity to have the idea tested by a panel of business experts. The annual competition is run by the Business School, which encourages entrepreneurship as part of all its degree programmes and offers dedicated entrepreneurship courses at its Queen’s Park, Warrington and Shrewsbury sites.
Hamza said: “I’d like to thank all my lecturers at Chester Business School for giving me the help and motivation to set up Mona’s Curry. If it wasn’t for the opportunities that the Business School provided, I would not be where I am today. Having been able to enter and compete in the Enterprise Challenge, it allowed me the chance to bring the idea to life. Winning the competition and getting feedback from industry leaders really helped me in going forward with the business venture.
“After graduating, I am delighted to have secured backing to officially launch Mona’s Curry Base. My advice to future graduates is to be ambitious and go for it. Never be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. If you are determined enough, you will succeed.”
Dr Connie Hancock, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Management at Chester Business School added: “I am so pleased and proud that now Hamza has graduated, he has secured backing for his product and delivered an amazing product launch. It was a superb experience attended by large numbers of businesses eager to find out more and place orders.
“I can’t tell you how delighted we all are to see our alumni, Hamza, join the ranks of our students who have successfully launched businesses that have come to life at, and been supported by, the University of Chester Business School.”
The Mona’s Curry Base UK launch took place at the Mahal Restaurant in Greater Manchester during the summer.
