Sexy Pickles & Side Hustles: In Conversation with Lyndsay Summerhill, Founder of Sexy Pickles

Lyndsay Summerhill is on a mission to build a pickle empire. As the founder of Sexy Pickles, she’s turned a love for food, family recipes, and fearless entrepreneurship into a new eye-catching consumer brand. From innovating the pickle category to juggling full-time work while building a business, Lyndsay’s journey is packed with inspiration, grit, and a whole lot of flavour.

We had the chance to sit down with Lyndsay for this week’s Female Founder Friday to chat about her journey from private equity to pickles, her family’s love for food, and how she’s navigating the world of food entrepreneurship one pickle at a time.

FC: Could you please summarise your professional background?

LS: I started out in finance, back in Canada - I'm Canadian. I spent four years in wealth management before pivoting into marketing within that same industry. Eventually, I left my job, moved to the UK, and ironically ended up back in finance, but this time in private equity, doing marketing. I loved it. I worked for a fantastic firm here in London called BGF for three years.

Writing about entrepreneurship and being a part of that world is what sparked my next move. I realised I wanted to start my own business, specifically in food.. I knew I needed experience, so I went on to head up marketing for a luxury catering company.

Eventually, I joined Founders Forum Group as Head of Marketing - it’s been a bit of a full circle back to working alongside entrepreneurs, but in a totally different way.

FC: Do you ever miss that corporate finance world?

LS: Not so much anymore, but I am forever grateful for everything I learned during that time. Working in private equity was the turning point. It gave me a front-row seat to what entrepreneurship really looks like - and it sparked the fire in me.

FC: What was the moment that ignited your entrepreneurial journey?

LS: I was listening to "How I Built This" by Guy Raz back in my finance days in Canada. That podcast opened my eyes to what entrepreneurship could be. It planted the seed. Then, when I was part of the New Entrepreneurs Foundation Programme — designed to help future founders build businesses — I knew I had to go for it. That programme changed everything.

FC: So how did Sexy Pickles begin? Have you always been into pickling?

LS: Absolutely! I’ve always been obsessed with food. I travel for food. I live and breathe it. When I moved to the UK six years ago, I was in Tesco, just trying to buy a decent dill pickle — or gherkin if you will — and they were awful! Too sweet, full of preservatives, nothing like home. Back in Canada, my family always made food from scratch — sauces, pickles, all of it. They’re some of my favourite childhood memories.

Specifically, I remember making dill pickles with my grandma, peeling every garlic clove by hand. So I thought, why not just bring that recipe here? That was the lightbulb moment.

FC: How did fundraising go? Any hurdles being a female founder?

LS: I’ve only done one raise so far but I’m very aware of the barrier women face in raising funds, and it does make me nervous.

I hope that with the continued advocacy to back women-led businesses and underrepresented founders in general, this becomes less and less of a problem. But ask me again after my next round!

FC: What have you enjoyed most about launching your business?

LS: Honestly? Just being myself. I get to lean into what I love and who I am. No one's telling me what I can or can’t do. There’s no mistaking that it can be tough, but if I want to try something, I try it.

And I wake up excited because I know I’m building something I believe in. I want a pickle empire!

FC: Have you run into any surprising challenges?

LS: Everything’s a challenge when it’s just you! You wear all the hats. Things that feel small become huge when you’re managing them alone. I wasn’t surprised, but the amount of mental load — the long-term planning especially — is massive.

FC: How do you manage your time? Is it 24/7?

LS: Pretty much. I work full-time still, so Sexy Pickles is evenings and weekends. I’m always thinking about it — on the tube, on walks — you name it. That said, the gym is my sacred time. That’s my one hour of peace.

FC: Have food safety regulations been tricky to navigate?

LS: Not at my scale. If you dig, the resources are there. But now that I’m looking to scale — maybe get a co-packer or commercial kitchen — it’s a whole new level of responsibility.

FC: Have you discovered any new strengths in yourself?

LS: Networking, for sure. I used to be terrified of it. When I went to my first Bread & Jam networking event years ago with only the idea of starting a pickle business, I spoke to one person and left — because I was so nervous! But now I realise it’s crucial. Just putting yourself out there can open so many doors. It’s intimidating at first, but once you talk to one person, it gets easier.

Have a plan, know who you want to speak to, and start with one conversation. You never know what might come of it!

FC: Do you find you’ve had to sacrifice your social life?

LS: Yes, definitely. Especially last year — I barely saw my friends for six months. I don’t go out after my 9–5 on weekdays anymore. It’s a lot of picking and choosing, but I make it work. Don’t get me wrong, I still take breaks, but I’m intentional about where I spend my time.

FC: What advice would you give to first-time female founders?

LS: Network! And go after every opportunity. A few weeks ago, I pitched to Simon Squibb at a live event — it was first-come, first-served, and I just jumped at the opportunity. Was it perfect? Probably not.

But you’ve got to go for it. You never know who’s watching or what might come of it. Just keep putting yourself out there. What’s the worst that could happen?

To taste the Great Taste Award winning Sexy Pickles for yourself, check out the full range here and more on Delli.

Connect with Lyndsay:

Website: https://sexypickles.co.uk/
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaysummerhill/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sexy-pickles/

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst