A MAKER of Indian sauces has been picked as one of the nation’s 100 most inspiring small businesses.

Zaman Condiments and Sauces was founded last December by Southampton-based Fatima Zaman, who was inspired by her father’s secret blend of spices.

The business was a finalist in the Great British Food Awards last year and this year, while its founder was a finalist in the Women Who Do Awards 2022 as best new small business.

READ MORE: Hampshire firm is among the UK's top female-led businesses

Its founder crafts small batches of Indian restaurant-quality sources, using organic produce from Hampshire, organic olive oil and a blend of spices from her father’s Indian restaurants. She says the sauces enable people to prepare a healthy, authentic Indian curry in less than 20 minutes.

The business was picked to be part of this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up, showcasing independent businesses from across the nation ahead of Small Business Saturday.

Now in its tenth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday will return on December 3 and is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the UK’s 5.5million small businesses, particularly as they face mounting economic challenges over the winter.

Fatima Zaman said: “I'm honoured and humbled to be selected as one of the Small Business Saturday #SmallBiz100 2022.

"This campaign is a celebration of inspirational small businesses around the UK and recognition of the hard work and determination that they invest into their passion, whilst supporting the local economy.”

Zaman Condiments and Sauces will be profiled by the national campaign on November 19 as part of its 100-day countdown to the December event. The Small Business Saturday team will visit Zaman Condiments and Sauces on November 23.

READ MORE: Best in the business: Winners of the South Coast Business Awards announced

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “It’s fantastic to celebrate small firms just like Zaman Condiments and Sauces as part of our 10-year anniversary of the campaign.

“Over the past decade we have been able to spotlight dynamic businesses from across the nation, who remind us of the incredible tenacity and determination of small firms in this country. It’s brilliant to have Zaman Condiments and Sauces in this year’s SmallBiz100 line-up.”

The Small Business Saturday campaign was founded in the US in 2010 by American Express, which remains the principal supporter of the initiative in the UK.

The event sees customers support all kinds of small businesses, from independent shops and restaurants to business-to-business services.

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