From politics to pies: Entrepreneurial student has the recipe for success

Final year International Relations and Politics, Jay Mainprize, has achieved a lifelong dream of becoming his boss by launching his lockdown business, Manipies.

During lockdown, student Jay started cooking for his friends and family, taking his love of the humble pie to the next level.

Jay said: “As a bit of a distraction from the pandemic, and around my university work, I started making pies for friends and family.”

After perfecting his pastry, Jay launched the takeaway business. Mainpies. Which delivers cooked pies, homemade mash, and gravy to hungry Northamptontonians.

Jay credits his time at the University of Northampton, with giving him the confidence to launch the business. Jay recently took part in a webinar hosted by the University’s Changemaker Hub, ‘How to become an Entrepreneur’, which he believes was just what he needed to launch the business.

Student Jay said: “Studying at Northampton has helped me build my confidence, organisational skills, and connections, which has boosted the launch of my business. The ‘How to become an Entrepreneur’ event was brilliant. I figured lots of people were using lockdown to launch a business, and I spotted a gap in the market here in Northampton. It made sense to give it a go.”

Mainpies sold out on the first day of trading, earning Jay a spot on the Northampton foodie map, with local BBC Radio Presenter, Bernie Keith, taking to the airwaves to praise his pastry.

Mainpies deliver all over Northampton, follow Mainpies on Instagram and Facebook for the menu, and bookings.

Find out more about our International Relations related courses, including our International Relations MA