Show notes
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent sits down with Aliza Ratnayaka, co-founder of Little Big Flavour Kits — a business that grew from humble beginnings during the pandemic into a multi-award-winning food brand bringing authentic Sri Lankan curry kits to UK kitchens.
Aliza shares how she transformed packaging spices for friends into a niche, sustainable product sourced directly from Sri Lankan farmers, including a long-standing partnership with SDS Spice, a family-run cinnamon plantation. Along the way, she’s tackled the challenges of educating customers on Sri Lankan cuisine, navigating the jump from direct sales to wholesaling, and balancing rapid growth with quality and ethics.
We explore:
- The Business Journey – how a lockdown side project became an award-winning brand sold in farm shops and beyond.
- Scaling Up Challenges – from cash flow pressures to shifting sales channels, and Aliza’s thoughts on the ScaleUp Challenges Report.
- Quickfire Questions – where Aliza shares insights, tips, and a few personal favourites.
Aliza’s story is packed with lessons for food entrepreneurs and small business owners alike — from embracing networking and personal growth to creatively marketing through supper clubs and dinner kit experiences.
The one key thing: Building a business that’s both commercially viable and ethically sustainable takes patience, creativity, and a deep belief in your product.
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For now, continue listening for the full story from Aliza.
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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.
Aliza can be found here:
aliza@littlebigflavourkits.co.uk
Resources:
Simon Sinek - The Optimism Podcast - https://simonsinek.com/podcast/
Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/
Trevor Noah podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@WhatNowPodcast