How Aixa Fernandez Started a Successful Spanish Food Business in the UK

Aixa Fernandez left behind a secure IT consultancy career to follow her dream: bringing the flavours of Spain to her community through a catering business.

She started small- just her, a home kitchen, and an online shop. What began as an experiment during a gap year has turned into a thriving food business built on community, courage, and a deep love of cooking. Her journey hasn’t been straightforward, but it’s a story of personal growth as much as professional success.

From Corporate to Culinary

For years, Aixa followed a traditional path, climbing the career ladder in the corporate world, working in a structured IT consultancy role, and ticking all the boxes of professional success. But deep down, she felt unfulfilled.

“I moved from a role in IT consultancy… and then I decided to open my business during my gap year.”

When she took a planned gap year in 2022, Aixa made a bold decision to try something completely different. Instead of using the time to rest or retrain in something new, she chose to launch a business. CulynArt, her vision of bringing the unique Spanish cuisine and culture to Londoners, was born.

Initially, it was a solo operation. She developed the menu, prepared the food herself, managed the admin, and marketed the business, all while navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with starting something new.

The Hidden Cost of Going Solo

In the early days, CulynArt operated entirely online, but despite Aixa’s best efforts, it was difficult to build traction. Aixa explained that without a shop or physical presence, it’s hard for people to trust what you’re offering, especially in a crowded online marketplace where new brands compete for attention every day.

"I think people need to create a relationship with you in order to then buy something from you."

Working from home added another layer of complexity. The boundaries between work and life vanished. She found herself constantly switched on and never really ‘clocking off.’

“I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t know when my job day finished and my personal life started.”

Like many solo founders, Aixa believed she had to do it all on her own. She once equated asking for help with admitting defeat, but her experience revealed a truth many entrepreneurs eventually learn, that seeking support isn’t weakness, it’s what makes growth possible. 

Finding Confidence in Community

An unexpected opportunity came when Aixa was invited to join a local weekend market. Though it wasn’t part of her growth plan, she took a chance, and it proved to be one of the best decisions she ever made.

The markets gave her something the online shop couldn’t, real, face-to-face connections with customers. She was able to tell her story, share samples, explain her dishes, and watch people enjoy them in real-time. Over time, she built relationships with regulars who came back every week for the flavours of Spain.

“I loved doing markets because I loved the connection with the clients.”

It turned out to be about more than just sales.  Through the markets, Aixa met other small business owners. These peers became her sounding board, offering advice, ideas, and solidarity. It helped her realise that entrepreneurship didn’t have to be lonely.

She even began meeting up with other traders outside of market hours to brainstorm and share honest reflections on the challenges of small business life. These informal conversations became a form of peer mentorship and made the long days feel a little lighter.

Letting Go: The Power of Delegation

As CulynArt began to grow, the pressure grew with it. Aixa soon realised she couldn’t keep doing everything on her own, and the workload was quickly becoming unsustainable. Choosing courage over pride, she made a brave move and asked for help - a decision that would change everything.

Handing over parts of the business, even to her husband, wasn’t easy at first, but small changes made a big impact. Her husband took over supplier relationships and inbox management, freeing up hours of her time every week.. With that time back, Aixa could finally focus on what mattered most, the food, her customers and her growth and marketing strategy. 

“Asking for help is something that was hard, but I learned I have to do it.”

If her husband hadn’t been available to help, Aixa said she would’ve looked for someone else to support the business. What mattered most was learning to let go of the idea that she had to master every task herself. She began to focus only on the parts of the business where her skills and energy made the biggest difference.

This shift in mindset changed everything. It allowed Aixa to step into a leadership role in her business, becoming the visionary guiding its future rather than the worker bee tirelessly keeping things running in the background.

The Game-Changer: A Commercial Kitchen

“Moving to a place outside my house was a complete game-changer.”

One of the biggest turning points in Aixa’s story was moving out of the home kitchen and into a professional space. The decision wasn’t just about logistics; it was about mindset. Operating from a commercial kitchen gave the business legitimacy and structure.

It also gave Aixa the breathing room needed to restore her personal boundaries. No longer surrounded by packaging and ingredients 24/7, she could reclaim her home as a place to rest and reset. It brought a sense of rhythm back to her life and allowed her to build better routines, both personally and professionally.

With the move came opportunities to produce more efficiently, collaborate with others, and envision future growth. It marked a transition from survival mode to sustainable operation.

Redefining Success

For Aixa, success didn’t come with viral moments or massive contracts. It came with small, meaningful milestones: customers coming back week after week, a morning routine that included the gym again, and feeling confident enough to say no to unpaid requests.

“My business changed me as a person… my ability to say no, to make decisions.”

The growth wasn’t just financial; it was emotional and mental. Over time, Aixa became more assertive, more strategic, and more intentional with her time. She learned the difference between being busy and being productive.

Now, with a loyal customer base and a clearer vision for the future, she’s beginning to think about building a team, one that shares her passion for food, service, and meaningful human connection.

She also spoke about how meaningful it felt to know her business could create jobs for others. The idea of forming a team that could carry her vision forward, and love it as much as she does, has become one of her biggest aspirations.

Lessons From the Journey

When asked what advice she’d give to someone starting out, Aixa doesn’t hesitate. She offers three lessons:

1. Ask for help - whether it’s emotional, financial, or practical. You don’t have to do it alone.
2. Start before you’re ready - waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ means you may never begin.
3. Know your worth - exposure won’t keep the lights on.

“Visibility doesn’t pay bills.”

Her voice is calm but clear; these aren’t clichés, they’re hard-won truths from someone who’s lived through the journey of making a dream real.

Women Supporting Women

As both a woman and an expat founder, Aixa speaks passionately about representation and the importance of support. She believes women entrepreneurs need more platforms, more mentors, and more permission to take up space.

She’s seen firsthand how female founders often hesitate to speak up, worrying about getting it wrong, or feeling like they don’t know enough. But she’s also seen how powerful it can be when women share their stories and lift each other up.

Aixa also reflected on how women are often less likely to speak up in meetings unless they’re 100% sure of what they’re saying, something she’s personally experienced in previous roles. She believes this mindset can carry over into entrepreneurship and hold women back from taking risks or promoting their work.

“Don’t be afraid to run your own business, to speak out, to go on social media and sell your product.”

Aixa credits her own growth not just to individual grit, but to the women in her network who’ve encouraged, challenged, and supported her every step of the way.

Final Reflections

CulynArt isn’t just a catering company. It’s the product of courage, curiosity, and continuous learning. It’s a business that feeds people, literally and emotionally, through the love and energy Aixa pours into it.

Her story reminds us that entrepreneurship doesn’t require perfection. It requires belief, community, and the willingness to keep going.

“Running a business is hard, but I think it’s worth it.”

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