Interview with Tess Reed - Founder of All Dressed Up

This week we caught up with Tess Reed, the Founder of All Dressed Up, to talk about the inspo behind the brand, Tess’s biggest achievement and more.

1. What inspired you to start All Dressed Up and how did you come up with the name?

I'd made a simple tahini dressing one night to pair with roast chicken, and then we had it with a sweet potato salad for supper the next evening. My boyfriend messaged me the next day, saying he thought there was a huge gap in the category for delicious, versatile, all natural salad dressings (inspired by us having the tahini dressing 2 nights in a row!) and had come up with the name All Dressed Up.

So the name and initial inspiration was all of his idea! But given that I'd always worked in food, loved FMCG brands and had trained as a professional chef, we both agreed it felt right for me to kickstart the business and see what happened! 

2. What sets All Dressed Up apart from other similar brands?

We are a flavour first brand, that happens to also be totally natural and good for you too. The dressings were designed to predominately taste delicious, and it was really important to me that we used the best quality, all natural ingredients. I think that's what's really setting us apart. That and our unique, easy to use squeezy bottle! 

3. Is there anything exciting you’re working on that you can spill the beans on?

I'm currently working on 2 new flavours dropping in the next few months, you'll have to wait and see what they are.

4. What’s been your biggest achievement with All Dressed Up?

Probably our Wholefoods listing, I think it's a store that brand's dream of being in one day, so to have them come on board within our first 6 months of launch, was a huge confidence boost/achievement.

5. What advice would you give anyone thinking of starting their own side hustle business?

To really make emphasis on the word 'hustle'! It takes hustle every single day, and you're never given a golden ticket of guaranteed success as such, so it's a risk. But I'd say it's a risk absolutely worth taking, as I've never found a job/side hustle more rewarding, and think you learn so much along the way.

6. What would your ideal day in London be like?

A long walk around Hyde Park serpentine, followed by a long lunch out with friends (Bistro Freddie being a recent favourite!) then maybe a few margaritas outside (ideally in the sunshine) followed by a bath, big bowl of pasta, the Traitors and an early night.

To find out more about All Dressed Up visit https://alldressedupdressings.com/

Photos courtesy of All Dressed Up