Jacob's Bagels
Unwrapped
In the next instalment of our Independent Worthing: Unwrapped series, we speak to Tino Da Silva of Jacob's Bagels.
Every bagel is handcrafted, delicious and baked to order from this wonderful artisan maker. Delivered in recyclable boxes and made with organic flour, Jacob’s bagels are much loved here at IW!
IW: What inspired you to start your own business?
TDS: I woke up one day and had a craving for a bagel. I went to Brighton, Worthing and Brick Lane in London and I found many places that offered amazing bagels but they weren’t bagels that I would make a special effort to go back for. So, I created my own.
IW: What is the best thing about what you do?
TDS: The best thing about what I do is seeing faces light up. I have delivered over 11000 bagels this year and watching peoples face go from a frown into a crown completely blows me away.
IW: What pearl of wisdom would you impart to anyone wanting to set up their own business?
TDS: I feel honoured and privileged that people trust me to bake for them. I am passionate about great customer service and quality food, so I would say be passionate about whatever you do.
IW: What are your ‘go to’ local businesses?
TDS: It is very easy when you are busy to overlook the people who enable you to have a business. So, for me it has to be companies such as The Cheese Man in Hove who supply our cheese and other fresh goods, as well as Springs Smokery in Edburton for our smoked salmon, Shipton Mill and Doves farm who supply our flour. These are just a few companies who enable us deliver amazing food.
IW: What do you get up to in your spare time?
TDS: My “spare time” is spent coming up with new ideas and products that I think our customers will like.
IW: What’s your guilty pleasure?
TDS: Doughnuts and chocolate. I love a good filled doughnut and today there are many companies to choose from including Cat Dough Burglar Co from Worthing.
IW: What’s your favourite way to start the day?
TDS: Prepared! If I am expecting a busy morning, we’ve pretty much done lots of preparation the day before including a route plan for the deliveries!
IW: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things could you not do without?
TDS: I am an activist, and my brain is always busy running at a million miles an hour, so being on a desert island will probably kill me. So, a laptop to keep busy, Bagels in case I get hungry and a box of doughnuts.
IW: What plans do you have for the future?
TDS: We want to be educators and opportunity creators. I waited 55 years to try a fresh bagel. I don’t want anyone else to wait that long to try a fresh bagel so as soon as we can all get out again our aim is to have a stall where we can give away bagels to anyone who has never had a fresh bagel. Having outgrown our kitchen and moving to a semi industrial kitchen, we are looking at new channels to grow the business including supplying more retail shops, cafes and restaurants. We want to create opportunities so that others can be part of our success and one way to do this is to venture into the home party market.
IW: Anything else you would like to add?
TDS: I am grateful for Facebook groups and the people who run them. These have proven to be a great way to get Jacob’s Bagels off the ground. I am also grateful to the people of Worthing for their generosity and support during our first year.
