Meet Andrea. She is a freelance social media manager and has been part of the Sharpham team since 2019, when Nicky and Greg took over the business. She's also our final Staff Spotlight, so you can now read back through them all and meet the whole team.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I work part time to support Sharpham, but I’m lucky that I’ve been involved since Nicky and Greg took over the business - so I feel very much part of the team. It’s been a joy to be so closely involved as the business has rebranded, developed new products, moved to the new dairy… and now we’ve got the buzz of Crowdfunding!
My working days are spent mainly at home on my laptop with the dog next to me; but I create content too, so I visit the dairy to film behind-the-scenes, and I photograph cheese and film recipes in my kitchen, where the dog is never far out of shot, hungrily eyeing the product!
How did you end up at Sharpham?
Greg and Nicky asked me to be involved as they’d followed one of my Instagram pages and liked what I did. I had been working in marketing for a long time – in publishing, PR and latterly as marketing manager for a company of architects and urban designers. I began working with Sharpham alongside my day job.
Shortly after Nicky and Greg took over the business Covid hit, and the world changed… we all had to think on our feet to find a way to save the business, but it was exciting, and it also showed me a different way of working.
Like most of us I spent months working from home and liked it - and the dog loved it! A change of direction was on the cards. I took some time to upskill in anything and everything digital, and finally went freelance nearly three years ago.
I specialise in supporting small food and drink brands, like Sharpham. I also work for Food Drink Devon, so I am fully immersed in the world of artisan food, drink and hospitality which is a friendly, energetic, (and tasty) community.
Outside of work?
I like to run, cycle, travel, bake cakes and walk our grizzly old Schnauzer, Paddy. You’ll find me at a local parkrun most Saturdays. Anything to keep me in one piece and to balance out the copious amounts of cheese I eat! I live in Topsham so I’m lucky to be not too far from a beach, the river and lots of good cafes.
Any burning ambitions? Cheese related or otherwise.
Ahh... to buy a small campervan and become a digital nomad for a while! But who knew that camper vans that don’t break down or look old and mouldy are so pricey?! So, that’s rather a pie in the sky ambition right now.
Favourite Sharpham cheese?
It’s got to be Washbourne. It’s made with ewe’s milk and is named after the South Devon village where sheep once bathed in the river Wash. I love a cheese with a story! It has a unique taste. It’s subtle and smooth and gets a little bit nutty with age. We haven’t been able to make it for a long time due to a shortage of ewe’s milk, but it’s back now.
Favourite place or view in Devon?
I grew up on the coast in North Cornwall, so those beaches and views take some beating! So in Devon? Anywhere high, windswept, rugged or sandy - I can't cope with pebbles!
Favourite place to eat or drink in Devon?
Tricky question… I’m all for casual eating and love a café with good coffee and cake, especially one that's halfway around a long cycle ride, so Otterton Mill and Hangtime in Exmouth are high on that list. Closer to home my family and I love a dog walk around Topsham and the friendly vibe in the town’s Circle café often calls us in. It’s full of plants, lovely staff and great music.
I’ve also recently discovered the Yamza food truck which has a pitch outside Topsham’s Old Firestation every Tuesday. My goodness, their Eastern fusion food is incredible, and you have the bonus of being able to eat it in the Old Firestation tap room (another favourite place) with half a Le Douff!
