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Episode #413 - From Hobby to Global Success: The TruffleHunter Journey navigating storms - with Nigel Whitehouse

Episode #413 16 Sep 2024

Show notes

Sep 16, 2024

Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and welcome to ScaleUp Radio. You can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Nigel Whitehouse, the visionary behind TruffleHunter UK.

 

Nigel started TruffleHunter as a hobby in Italy back in 2006, which evolved into a thriving business by 2010. Today, it stands as the UK's only company manufacturing a wide range of truffle products, from oils to butters, and fresh truffles. TruffleHunter operates across multiple channels, including online sales, retail, food service, and exports, with a strong brand presence in English-speaking markets.

 

Despite achieving a decade of consistent growth, TruffleHunter faced significant challenges when COVID-19 disrupted operations. Online sales surged, but wholesale plummeted, leading to a need for restructuring. Nigel shares insights into how he managed to streamline operations, right size the company, and retain a loyal core team.

 

One of the key highlights of TruffleHunter’s journey is their expansion into the US market. With a new distribution deal, Nigel is optimistic about significant growth opportunities ahead. He also discusses the complexities of Brexit, raw material inflation, and the future plans for enhancing production efficiencies.

 

Join us as we delve into Nigel's inspiring journey, exploring the highs and lows of scaling a niche business and the strategies employed to overcome unforeseen challenges.

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

 

If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin

 

You can get in touch with Granger here:

 

grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk

 

 

Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!

 

Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that’s you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, then commit to them and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat.

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Nigel can be found here:

 

nigel@trufflehunter.co.uk

 

 

Resources:

 

Newscast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05299nl

 

Americast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07h19zz

 

Football Daily - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrsln

 

 

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ScaleUp Radio is hosted by Kevin Brent — founder of Smart90, author of the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System (ESUS), and the same Kevin who works directly with founders inside the G90 Summit.

The Summit is a structured half-day — quarterly, virtual via Zoom — where founders and their teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and leave with a plan committed to making them happen.

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Next session: 26th June 2026 · £97 for a standalone seat · smart90.co.uk/summit