It’s Alive: Rebeca Yepez Corsetti on getting started in business

Rebeca Yepez Corsetti from It’s Alive in Johnstone discusses her enterprise and instrumental early dealings with Renfrewshire’s Business Gateway

Tell us about your business and the services you offer.

My name is Rebeca Yepez Corsetti and I’m the director of It’s Alive. My business makes natural, live-fermented, gut-friendly food and drink like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha – all handcrafted in Johnstone.

My products are made with plant-based ingredients, they are not pasteurised, contain no additives or preservatives and are designed to retain all their gut friendly bacteria. I’m proud to offer something that feels both nourishing and exciting. 

What made you start up your own business?

I started the business as I wanted to bring truly high-quality fermented foods to the market, the kind I grew up with. My mum’s a chef, so our home was always full of flavour, colour and gut-friendly foods.

Fermentation was second nature to us and I wanted to create something people would love eating. It was about sharing something personal, rooted in family and flavour, and giving it a modern, accessible twist.

How did Business Gateway help you achieve this?

My advisor, James Edmonds, was instrumental in helping to get my business off the ground. He gave me tailored, practical advice and helped me to access Start Up Street in Johnstone, which offered the kind of manufacturing and storage options that simply weren’t possible from my home kitchen.

His support really helped me to take those early steps with confidence and clarity, my business wouldn’t be where it is now without that input.

It’s Alive Kimchi

Which BG services do you use to this day?

I still regularly tap into Business Gateway for advice. The support has been incredible, it’s reassuring to know we’ve got that experienced sounding board as we grow and evolve.

Whether it’s planning for scale or tackling new challenges, their guidance continues to be invaluable. I have also attended 1-1 workshops and surgeries including their finance surgery.

What advice would you give someone looking to start up?

Speak to Business Gateway, they’re an amazing resource and genuinely want to see you succeed. Also, really focus on quality and know your ‘why’. That sense of purpose is what gets you through the tough moments.

Keep your support network close, starting a business is intense, but with the right people around you, it’s absolutely worth it.

Business Gateway, 27 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2AF, 0141 530 2406, website.