Mama Dolce, founded by Jane Visram, is a luxurious ice cream brand offering a range of delicious flavours made from wholesome, high-quality ingredients. Their range features six flavours all of which are free from dairy, nuts, soya, and wheat, without compromising on flavour. Whether vegan, flexitarian, or without any dietary requirements, Mama Dolce provides desserts that everyone can enjoy.

I was drawn to the MSDUK Accelerator because of its unique structure and areas of focus. spoke with the Accelerator Team before applying who convinced me to join, especially with the understanding that the MSDUK network includes several major corporations interested in diverse businesses. It was a no-brainer for me. The content and quality of the programme exceeded my expectations; the experts were excellent, and the 1-2-1 interactions provided personalised guidance, and the cohort was welcoming and collaborative, making the entire experience wholly positive.

Discovering the MSDUK Accelerator

There were several modules that I thoroughly enjoyed however, there were a few that stood out to me. Module 1: Customer Discovery and Validation really stripped back the importance of understanding our customers. It was fascinating to dissect the various elements of customer discovery, and this has transformed how I engage with our customers and potential clients. Also, Module 4: Sales and Communication was another highlight with the facilitator’s expertise and infectious energy leaving a lasting impression. Additionally, Module 5: Pitching supported the final creation of my pitch deck and helped me understand the importance of tailoring to different audiences. Module 3: Growth Marketing introduced me to the intricacies of digital marketing. It was full of practical information, tips, and tools to make our business more efficient. There were also some insightful guest workshops and for me, the PR workshops stood out and led to a successful LinkedIn post, generating significant engagement. All these learnings were especially valuable for us as a scale-up business.

Practical Applications: From Theory to Implementation

The module tasks were a great way to reinforce the learnings following the masterclasses and I certainly took out time to revisit the sessions.  The ability to have a 1-2-1 with the experts was useful in completing the module tasks as it gave me the chance to follow up with any questions and iron out any uncertainties. Following the tasks, I tailored my customer questions to better understand their needs, transforming our conversations and relationships. We also made changes to our processes when it comes to digital marketing strategies, partnerships, and collaboration approaches to make them more agile. The feedback on our pitch deck was helpful in creating targeted presentations for different audiences. Overall, my approach to strategy and operational efficiency improved thanks to the programme.

Demo Day: Showcasing Mama Dolce

It was a great opportunity to be chosen as one of the 10 businesses to pitch during the Demo Day on Business Opportunity Day. It allowed me to showcase Mama Dolce to a corporate audience, making networking smoother and more effective. The follow-up after pitching led to interest from corporations wanting to host Mama Dolce as part of their corporate pop-up events. I also had the opportunity to take part in the in Corporate Roundtables which provided valuable insights into integrating small businesses into larger supply chains, opening new avenues for growth.

Key Takeaways: Building Relationships and Harnessing the Network

The masterclasses were fantastic with the experts delivering valuable insights and practical guidance. The opportunity to meet and build relationships with other entrepreneurs was also a highlight, and I will continue to build those relationships and use the community outside of the programme. The MSDUK network is also a valuable resource, and I’m excited to harness it to further establish Mama Dolce.