Blackburn pie maker’s turnover is set to rise after Boost support

By Boost Business Lancashire

20 Feb 2019

Pie Mezzanae was set up by Zainab Bilal, a qualified science teacher and former biomedical scientist. It is the business behind the award-winning Pie Heroes brand and focuses on innovative recipes such as lamb tikka pies, burger pies, samosa pies and chicken taco pies.

Zainab started the business baking pies in her home kitchen. Since gaining advice from Boost, she has relocated to a purpose-equipped unit in Blackburn and is receiving on-going support from Boost to develop a funding application.

She has already started to build a team to support her and is looking to recruit more people as the business continues to grow.

Zainab was introduced to the Boost Growth Support Programme through Enterprise4All.

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Yusuf Musa, growth explorer for Enterprise4All, said: “Zainab manages her pie production between working as a support facilitator at Blackburn College. She aims to work full-time on the business but is seeking support to learn more about the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market and distribution in particular, and to determine how much investment she needs to make along the way.

“Zainab benefitted from the Boost Launchpad workshop and various masterclasses through the Growth Support Programme as it fits with her needs and aspirations for the business.

“The interest generated by her creative pie recipes has certainly been quite overwhelming. Since starting the Boost programme demand for her authentic Pie Hero brand has significantly risen.”

In March 2017, four of Zainab’s pies won silver medals at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray, and she believes she may even be the first award winning halal baker at the contest.

Zainab said: “The Boost workshops and advice has been brilliant. Preparing a strategic plan changes your perspective and thinking. It makes you explore your ideas and tap into other areas you may not have considered.

“The professional connections I’ve made though Boost have also really helped me. Being able to get in touch with Yusuf for advice is like having another little door I can knock on. Andrew Leeming from Boost introduced me to Lancashire Forum, a peer network and business growth programme and I have really gained a greater business insight through this programme”

“I now have great plans including recruiting two more staff this year and developing a wider distribution network across the UK for 2020.

Matt Hutchinson, Lancashire Forum Programme Manager, Lancaster University Management School, said: “Zainab took part in the Lancashire Forum and gained access to a wide variety of topics relevant to the growth of her business – everything from leadership and finance to innovation and personal reflection, as well as opportunities to explore her value proposition and business model. In addition to the expert content, Zainab was able to build a deep-trust network with other business leaders from across Lancashire and share experiences with them, gaining invaluable insights to help her develop her own personal growth plan.”

Yusuf added: “Zainab has aspirations to grow turnover to £260k in three years. The Growth Support Programme has had a direct impact on helping her business grow, by providing a structure both operationally and strategically for her business and connecting her with relevant people and organisations.

Zainab said: “Meeting people through Boost who are also starting up in business has also given me tremendous confidence. When you first start out it’s hard to know where to turn or who to talk to. It’s so reassuring to meet other people experiencing the same thing.

“Since Boost I have moved to a unit, my little pie factory! Now I want to smash turnover targets and double, even triple them over the next three years. I have great vision for the Pie Hero brand – it’s a Tasty adventure in every pie. My aim this year is to launch my pies at local Blackburn Rovers football club, as a true celebration of diversity and community. My dream then, is one day to see my pies on the shelves in Booths!”

Boost has received £3.65m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin