Difficult roads lead to some beautiful destinations

Red Loon is an exciting new condiment brand with two unique and authentic products, created by Solihull-based audiologist, Raspal Kaur. Drawing on Raspal’s own heritage, RedLoon products are based on genuine recipes that have been passed down through the generations of Raspal’s family for nearly 80 years. Now Raspal is revealing the secret culinary power of these store cupboard essentials to the nation and hoping to make RedLoon the go-to seasoning for the masses. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she spoke about her journey.
When and how did you come up with the idea of RedLoon?
 It was during lockdown when my mother was stuck in India that the idea to create the RedLoon brand first came to light. I was sat across the table from my son eating lunch and my son commented on how we used my mum’s special mix of spices every day and how he reckoned everyone would love the product if they had the opportunity to try it. Our supply of RedLoon was beginning to run low and given the fact that my mother was marooned in India, the thought occurred that we might actually need to replenish the supplies ourselves. And of course, that sowed the seed of ‘what if I created the product and brought it to market’ …
How challenging is it to juggle work and home as a single mother? Do you think it changes anything for a woman?
As a single mother, it’s a juggling act most days and I have learnt the need to be independent and ensure I am organized. Plenty of ‘to do’ lists feature in my life and I’m an expert at diary planning. I also ensure I leave time for contingency planning. I am a completer finisher in all my tasks so I like to have a ‘get on with it’ attitude rather than wait for someone to help me.
Thankfully, I am blessed with a fantastic support network of family and friends, and I believe the important social bonds this represents are much needed in any endeavour in life.
As an entrepreneur during the pandemic, what kind of strategy did you have to apply in order to sustain?
As a startup, it was hard transitioning from audiology to setting up a food business. I felt baby steps were best in order to understand the bigger picture. I did not have the luxury of trial and error but had to hit the ground running. That is not to say I did not fall – of course, I’ve fallen not just once but many times – but what’s key is to keep getting up, dusting yourself down and starting over again – no matter how tough it seems.
Starting up during a pandemic is especially challenging, with the added barriers of scarcer cash reserves, and smaller margins to help ride out any slump in sales. But you simply have to adapt to the new rules and be mindful of the revised risks. I had to conduct a proper assessment of fixed and variable expenses, as well as the usual revenue and, this helped me in terms of contingency planning.
The main difficulty was trying to ascertain how long the covid situation would or could last and therefore, how long I needed to ride out these uncertain times.
How instrumental has your own mother been in inspiring the idea of RedLoon?
My mother has always been this very strong direct speaking individual who is never scared of saying things as they are. She has been a soldier throughout her years, bringing up five children and adapting to a new life in the UK at the tender age of 18. When she first came to the UK, she didn’t even speak English but yet she adopted a ‘can do’ attitude and embraced the dramatic change in culture. She, worked hard as a sewing machinist alongside being a busy mum to us all.
As a working mother and businesswoman, what is your advice to more women like you who are single parents, who dream of a business like yours?
My best advice is to start, procrastination was what I was good at but then I soon realized that I was simply stalling starting and once I got the bit between my teeth I was on a roll. Similar to when you agonize over going to the gym, but once you get there you love it and wonder why on earth it took you so long to get your act together!
Fear sets in when there is change and confidence build over time. Once you get over a few hurdles you start to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, there are challenges and some late nights and juggling, but it is all worthwhile. There’s a steep learning curve too, however, I have always believed knowledge is power
What was it like switching careers and what is your take on trained versus passionate entrepreneurs when it comes to the food industry?
I still have a foot in the door with my Audiology career, as like most people who have made the transition, in order to keep things lean and not be reliant on external funding, I am effectively juggling two jobs. Anyone can effectively start a new business, but you need to acknowledge that you won’t be good at every aspect of the operation, so bring onboard experts who have the knowledge and expertise to fill in the necessary gaps.
 Patience is very important especially when mistakes are made which are costly. I know that difficult roads lead to some beautiful destinations.