AN ex Eaga employee has said “p-asta la vista” to the energy industry and set up her own, Italian-inspired catering company – with help from the eaga Trust.
Victoria Barone, from Newcastle, spent two years working in the renewables department at North East-based Eaga before leaving to pursue other ambitions.
And now, five years after she left the company, the eaga Trust – set up to support former employees– has given her the backing she needs to start The Sghetti Monster, a mobile unit selling Victoria’s wide range of pasta dishes.
“I’ve wanted to own my own business since my teens,” said Victoria. “The ideas went from Italian deli, to café, to bookshop café – I was always thinking about what and how, but was never in the financial position to do anything about it.”
However, because Victoria had worked for Eaga she was able to apply for help from the eaga Trust.
The Trust offers its members a range of benefits including business start-up loans, Skill-builder training grants, self-improvement courses and guidance for those, like Victoria, planning to start their own, employee-owned businesses.
Through the Trust, Victoria accessed a Business funding loan, “I used it to buy lots of things” said Victoria. “It bought the trailer and enabled us to brand it, bought lots of the essential equipment, some stock, storage, – I couldn’t have done it without the help from the Trust.”
Now Victoria and her Sghetti Van are a familiar sight at Newcastle markets, events, business parks and fairs, selling freshly cooked pasta dishes with a variety of toppings to take-away customers.
Richard Marr, Chief Operating Officer at the eaga Trust, said: “Victoria is exactly the sort of person the Trust was set up to support.
“We’re delighted to have been able to help her get her new business off the ground and wish her every success for the future.”
Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for Trust membership should register at www.eagatrust.com.