A START-up business owner from Kingswinford has got the future of her company in the bag after winning a Dudley Council competition.

As part of the local authority’s ‘Small Business Saturday’, the council teamed up with local business owners and advisers to offer a Dragon’s Den-type event for new and existing organisations to pitch their ideas to experts.

The ‘Ideas and Innovation Den’ saw 19 small companies and social enterprises across the borough take part where they explained their concepts for a new business, or to expand their existing one.

But it was 34-year old Rachel Sanders who was selected to win £1,000 of in-depth business support for her subscription cake decorating firm ‘Cake Bag’.

Rachel, a former paediatric audiologist who set up her business in March last year, said: “I was very excited to find out that I had won.

“I have always been interested in cake decorating and when I received a beauty gift subscription, it struck me that there was a gap in the market for people to receive a regular delivery of cake decorating tools and equipment.

“I set up Cake Bag on my own, so it was great to get feedback from the team at the Ideas and Innovations Den.”

She added: “The business has grown so much and it seemed a great time to get guidance on how to improve and expand. I can’t wait to start discussing future plans.”

Rachel will now receive £1,000 of business help, advice and backing from Steve Parker, of Steve Parker ICD International Company Development, who was one of the business panellists at the dens and a brainchild behind the scheme.

Steve said: “My business team and I, who took time out from our private businesses, were really impressed by everyone that came along and hope that we helped them all with real, honest advice.

“Rachel impressed us with the originality of her idea, her attitudes and the exciting potential for success, which we all believe her company has.

“I look forward to working further with her to develop clear strategies for making success happen, including through development of new sales and marketing channels in the UK and particularly gaining more business globally.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “We took a very hands-on approach to Small Business Saturday this year by providing consultancy for local organisations.

“It was fantastic to receive so many bids to take part and we were impressed with the diversity and creativity of Dudley’s entrepreneurs. I would like to congratulate everyone that took part.”

For more information about Cake Bag, visit www.cakebag.co.uk