Our Story
Purpose and Journey
Welcome to Spice Drive, a micro business based in the heart of Oldham UK. Established in 2017 and run by Kaleemah a mum of one.
The idea of Spice Drive was first thought of way back in 2011. It took 6 years to make it a reality. Throughout this time, I wrote down different ideas. Digging deep to what I felt Oldham was missing from a customer’s perspective. Despite an array of places to get spices, there wasn’t the same availability for organic spices. The second task I faced was plastic free packaging. I wanted clients to receive a hassle-free shopping and gift experience that matched the recycling facilities Oldham provides. I didn’t see the point in supplying jazzy eco-friendly items that once used, that would then have to be binned into the grey bin heading for landfill, simply because there is nowhere for these items to suitably to go. Carefully selecting to go with glass and paper/cardboard packaging I felt was right for the town and the business ethos I wanted to achieve. Third task, supplying to the UK mainland only. Making the decision to not send goods back across the sea, from where some of them came, just for the sales makes sense ethically. Task four, choosing made in GB wherever possible. Supporting local small businesses and artisans to connect consumers to what is in our Oldham town. Task five, being inclusive offering services that includes and not excludes people.
Read Our Promise page.
In March 2018 a few months in, I was diagnosed with 2 different cancers and underwent chemotherapy, radical surgery and radical radiotherapy. The plans to get a big delivery service going and open, a high street shop plans hit a wall. I was deeply upset about the future of Spice Drive. Once I took a breath and gathered my thoughts. I put my energy where my heart was and that was into building Spice Drive up to be a positive figure in the community. To grow this into something special I can pass down to my daughter. I believe things happen for a reason, even if we do not understand why. Thanks to being part of an amazing business family called Doing Biz For Yourself. I stayed open minded throughout, rewrote a new plan and knuckled down because closing the doors on my dream wasn’t an option. Their uplifting teamwork helped tremendously.
In 2019 with a new outlook. I changed the business logo, expanded the stock slowly and started to see and feel Spice Drive making small positive steps little by little. A new Facebook group Plastic Free Oldham was created, and I have plans for its future, watch this space.
With a personal feeling of wanting to give back after everything so far. It felt fitting The Christie’s was the place to start. After the amazing treatment I received. So, I challenged myself to do a skydive and with the help of amazing sponsors helping to raise £1,257.85. I completed the skydive on 21st September 2019.
Despite all the setbacks Spice Drive has come a long way and I see it going further in the future. I was thrilled to share in 2020 a unit shop opened in Chadderton at Falcon business centre, unit E4 for 2 years before closing the doors and relocating again.
Where are we now? Due to ill-health and now living with stage 4 cancer. I am back where I started, in my home kitchen with a lot more to offer and a few year’s experience under my belt. With great intention to grow and reach out to as many locals as I am able to. From choosing to refill foods or liquid cleaning products, I am here to pack all your chosen kitchen essentials and gifts and more into our plastic free packaging. This small business has survived a global pandemic and I cannot thank you enough for the support.
Let’s count our blessings. Keep things simple, smile, reuse. Buy what you need and nothing more.
From Kaleemah owner of Spice Drive.
READ MORE HERE
ORGANIC SPICES
We believe in throwing ourselves into the community and being active in a variety of projects. For example supporting local Ukeff-Oldham charity food hub by offering a unique opportunity by being a UK FIRST TO ACCEPT PLACTIC FREE DONATIONS. Through opening up a part of our unit shop space to be a food donation drop off point to make it accessible for local people to help other local people within our community.
Charities We Support
Sands stillbirth and neonatal death charity is one that is close to my heart. The Christie is a charity that I will forever support and be connected to due to my own personal journey, along with the Maggie’s Centres that have played a special support network. Oldham Food Aid Hub is a Oldham charity that I have admired and followed since it’s early days. The dedication and hard work in feeding the community is outstanding. As I mention above my premises offers a safe non perishable food and drink drop off point for donations. Making it so the charity can distribute out to people within the community every Monday.
