It’s hard to believe that it was only at the beginning of 2017 we decided we were going to set up our falafel streetfood stall and that just over 4 months later, we are a real life proper grown up (ish) business, with 5 days trading under our belts. It has been , no it still is, a rollercoaster ride and so much work but we feel like giddy kippers and can’t wait for our next event.

We have learnt so much already:

• We have got great friends (actually we already knew that), who have been there to lift heavy stuff/advise/take photos/serve falafel/sample falafel/walk our dog. Couldn’t have done it without you all and we WILL remember you when we make our first million, sorry hundred quid profit

• Other traders have been so helpful and supportive. Our friends from Fishfinger Heaven have been fantastic, and have spent hours downloading their experiences and advice to our confused and overloaded brains.

• It costs more than you expect and we have made some expensive mistakes. In particular, remember whatever you buy, you have to be able to carry: (so the 6ft stainless steel table was lugged in the back door by 2 of us and went straight back on Ebay!)

• We needed far more space in our house than we ever believed possible, or maybe that is just us!

• It’s really hard work and physically exhausting, so you need to love what you are doing, but we do so that’s OK.

• It will take you a while to work out what events to do or not, we have done some which weren’t right for us, but they have all been really useful for us in gaining experience and learning how to run our setup. I suspect we will be honing that for the foreseeable future!

• There is a lot of paperwork and legislation you need to get your head round. For us, joining NCASS was worth every penny. We are still awaiting our EHO inspection though, so regularly cacking ourselves and not counting our chickens yet.