Member Article

Syrian refugee turned entrepreneur expands cheese-making business in Yorkshire

31-year old Razan Alsous, who fled the war in Syria with her family is growing her cheese business, Yorkshire Dama Cheese, with the support of the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency.

Razan launched Yorkshire Dama Cheese from a small factory just outside Huddersfield. It produces a range of halloumi cheese made from Yorkshire milk which is already being sold in shops around West Yorkshire.

Researching her options on the internet, she found that the UK was the second biggest consumer of halloumi in Europe but there were not many producers. She decided to fill that gap and produce a high quality home-produced range of the cheese.

Yorkshire Dama Cheese was born after Razan was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance, the government scheme that aims to get those out of work to start their own business. With the support of a business mentor, she produced a business plan and then set up her base in Linthwaite.

Last week, it won a Bronze at the 2014 World Cheese Awards at the BBC Good Food Show in London.

When she arrived in the UK from Syria in July 2012, she wanted to start her own business to support her family and, with a background in microbiology, she decided cheese-making would be a good use of her skills.

She said: “I wanted to do something that helped my family and built a good future for my kids in our new home.

“I went to the Jobcentre and told them about my hope to start a business and they referred me to the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency and placed me on the New Enterprise Allowance.”

“I am very optimistic and excited about the future. Within five years I am confident I will be in bigger premises, be offering a wider selection of cheeses and have more customers.”

Razan was supported on her business journey by mentor Veronica Baldwin who said: “When starting a business, everything else can be learnt and Razan combines her passion for her business with her passion for learning. By bringing this together with her skills, it makes the perfect recipe for success.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of Razan’s journey, she is determined to succeed, yet also open to learning and understanding all aspects of running a business….and she makes a fantastic product!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .