Karen Mercer only started her business, My Coffee Stop, with her partner, Gunter Hollenstein, in February this year, however, the business has just won the Innovation Category in the Archant North and West London Business Awards.  This is a fantastic achievement for a Karen who also suffers from post-natal depression, having given birth to her second child in January! 

Karen's Coffee Stop, situated at Platform 1, Enfield Chace Station, is much more that just a coffee shop and among other things offers a book-swapping service which raises funds for local charity, The Chickenshed Theatre.   The judges of the North and West London Business Awards were impressed with this novel scheme and awarded My Coffee Stop the top prize in the Innovative category - which includes £6,000 worth of advertising to help attract more customers. 

My Coffee Stop is committed to Fairtrade products (the only coffee shop in Enfield on the Fairtrade Steering Group), and sales have been boosted by an extended service delivering coffees, cakes, muffins and smoothies straight to their customers’ hands – on the train, to their workplace or even in their home. 

Karen recently completed The RSA Trust Inspiring Women Programme at Enterprise Enfield, which gave her the knowledge, skills, confidence and support she needed to get her business off the ground.  Karen says: -

“I can’t believe we have won this fantastic award, our book exchange scheme has really taken off and we are now in talks with publishers to do book signings.  It’s really difficult starting up a business just a month after having a baby and struggling with depression. The support and guidance that I received on the RSA Trust Inspiring Women programme and from Enterprise Enfield has been invaluable. I know that we would not have been able to start our business without this fantastic resource.!”

For more information about My Coffee Stop at platform 1, Enfield Chace Station visit www.MyCoffeeStop.co.uk