Chapel Allerton Indies : Cinnammmm
Here’s a little interview we did with Mina from Cinnammmm to find out a little bit about her and her business…
Tell me a little bit about yourself & your business
Hello, I’m Mina. Owner and founder of Cinnammmm. Its mainly just me that runs the business from all angle, ops and behind the scenes. But I am very lucky to have a massive support network of family and friends with helping hands as I need.
How did you get into doing what you’re doing?
I started in july 2020 during lockdown whilst on furlough as I worked for an events company and everything had come to a halt. I was baking away filling my time finding things to do to fill my time. I always wanted some sort of food business, and so this was perfectly timed by the universe to let me have a go. I wanted something niche to set me apart from all the other bakers doing cookie and brownies at the time.
What does a ‘normal’ day look like?
Lol, a normal day? Well everyday is different.
As I mentioned I started in July 2020, and Dec 2020 I also took on a full time remote based events role and have been managing both my full time day job Mon to Fri alongside running cinnammmm for 5 years from my home based kitchen, doing weekend pop ups, markets and food festivals with supplying upto 12 local coffee shops through out the week too.
Fast forward to Dec 2025 and I’ve made it to Chapel Allerton with my first brick and mortor shop front. I now work remotely from the shop mid week, plus the shop on a weekend. A typical day involves 4am starts, fresh bakes and shop set up. Log on to laptop for day job for 9am. Switch between the coffee machine and bakery counter, to pot washing, sweeping and doing instagram posts to then hopping back to my lap top answering emails and processing bookings for my job. Start to close down the shop and tidy up around 430pm, finish off day job and log off laptop 5pm, finish shop close down and usually out around 530pm if I’m lucky then restart again.
Biggest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement to date for Cinnammmm in all honesty was the guts to just start and try it. Its been progress ever since. Yes there are low and very low days with voices and doubts in my head often of what am I doing. Then I stop to pause and think right back to the beginning and the hardest scariest thing was just starting in the first place and that’s what I am most proud of because to anyone that starts any business it takes guts and courage to actually do it not just say it or write it down but actually walk the walk and try!
And it don’t stop there, everyday is a an achievement, the resillience of trying the next steps not knowing how it will be recieved or if it will work!
Favourite product you sell / make
I offer a selection of bakes, mainly american style ie whoopie pies, snickerdoodles and pecan pie, but our speciality and niche is american style cinnamon bons with our signature special homemade caramel and pecan.
Best & worst thing about running your own business?
The best thing about running my business is the people I get to meet along the way and building relationships and friendships along the way from fellow small business owners to customers too.
Worst thing is not always having/knowing what to do but having an opportunity to ask others and try anway.
Favourite time of year in the business?
It’s my first year in the shop so not sure yet...but from previous years I love the summer months of food festivals and then winter festive markets too. It’s just a vibe and people are in a positive state of happiness.
Is there another business in Chapel Allerton you’d like to run for a day?
Ooo I’d love to have a go at Tasha's place, flavour like fancy! It just shouts out FUN all over! The colours, the products and variety and the spectrum of customers in there...oh and also Armardillo, that is just dreamy to have a play day in there!
Plans for the future?
Not sure on the year ahead, just settling in and living in the present for now!
Why should people shop local and support their local indie businesses?
Times are tough right now all round, we get it. Supporting your local indies is about supporting one and other and our communities all round. It’s taking chances and trusting one and another, the multinationals are always looking at ways to take short cuts and short change us, they will replace us with tech. Keeping small businesses alive keeps connections alive, teaches younger generations the importance of communitiy and supporting as well as keeping skills and artisan maker and dreamers alive
Something funny / unusual / different about yourself that customers might not know
I’m a super busy bee, I juggle lots and find it hard to sit still. I’ve been an active girlguide voluteer for over 10 years another great way to support our local young people through many experiences and adventures, plus it keeps me living my youth.
Where can we find you?
Find us the top side of Chapel Allerton, 186 Harrogate Road open weds to mon
Find us on social @cinnammmm