Industry Insiders: Helen Santer,

We love hearing from other Londoners who are keen to champion small businesses, so it was great to catch up with Helen, from Waterloo Quarter to find out about all the amazing things they're up to at the moment. They're mission is to make Waterloo a better place to do business, and are working on loads of cool projects to make sure that happens. Helen shares her thoughts on small businesses, startups, and supporting independents.

Tell us a bit about yourself! Who are you and what do you do?

I’’m Helen Santer. I run Waterloo Quarter, which is a Business Improvement District (BID) that works with 320 businesses next to Waterloo station. Local businesses pay a small annual levy  to Waterloo Quarter, which we use to run projects to improve the area. I am also the Director of Lower Marsh Market. Lower Marsh is a historic street market in Waterloo, which went through a long period of decline, but has recently benefited from significant investment and a growing number of stalls. We run lots of services to support our members – ranging from recycling to events, a promotional website and lobbying the Council on issues that affect them.

What does your typical day look like?

My typical day is very varied – I can be setting budgets with the Directors, meeting new members, commissioning new projects and supporting the team with delivering events – all in the space of a few hours!

What does ‘Artisan’ mean to you?

‘Artisan’ to me means something made with love and attention. It doesn’t need to mean expensive or exclusive, but it does need to mean high quality and made from the heart.

How can small artisans stand out?

Small artisans can stand out by focusing on their unique qualities that make them so different from larger producers and chains. By focusing on the quality of the product and the personality behind it artisans can give themselves a real point of difference.

How do you think small artisan food producers should be supported?

Small artisan food producers deserve our support. At Lower Marsh Market we offer very favourable rates to producers looking to trade and support them with their marketing as they start out on the market. We also work with food producers looking for retail space in the area, putting them in touch with landlords with appropriate space to let.

What are your words of wisdom for starting out?

To anyone starting out as an artisan food producer I would say have faith in the quality of your product and be honest about your sales skills. The most fantastic product in the world will struggle to sell if customers are not tempted in and encouraged to come back. Consider whether you need any support to improve your sales skills or whether it’s worth partnering up with someone who does this better than you.

What do you think about our big ideas and what we’re trying to achieve?

We’re completely sold on Kitchen Table Projects’ model for creating a food hub that supports emerging artisans to access the high street. Street markets in particular present an affordable opportunity for even the newest start-up to access a piece of the high street. From a consumer perspective, this can only be a good thing, as it increases the range, affordability and point of difference to the high street, helping it to stand out from the norm.

We love what Waterloo Quarter are doing and think their ideas are great. To find out more about Waterloo Quarter BID visit www.waterlooquarter.org, and for all the information about Lower Marsh Market visit www.lowermarshmarket.co.uk. For all queries, please email info@waterlooquarter.org

Are you an Industry Insider who wants to be featured on our blog? We'd love to hear all your foodie insider tips and tricks- drop us a Tweet @KitchTablePro with the hashtag #IndustryInsiders or send us a message to hello@kitchentableprojects.com