The teenager who’s “keen as Mustard”? 

Liz Nicholls

Josh Mustard, 17, tells us about his pet treats business – Mustard’s Miracle Services – and what he most loves about life in Cookham 

Teenagers often get a bad rap. However Josh Mustard is proof that hard work and bright ideas can pay off, especially if you’re “keen as mustard” to help out. 

Josh launched Mustard’s Miracle Services in the summer of 2019 when he was 11, offering plant watering and other odd jobs around his area. Just after lockdown started, in April 2020, he decided to branch out and began making delicious dog treats, hand-delivering them on his bike around the Cookham, Maidenhead and Marlow area during the school holidays. 

“I love the community spirit in Cookham and people’s kindness towards each other, which was particularly noticeable during the pandemic,” he tells us.  

Josh lives with his mum, dad, younger brother and cocker spaniel Daisy Dot (pictured)who was one of the inspirations behind the business. “We’re big fans of the Metre Market in Cookham Dean. All the business owners are so welcoming and have amazing stories; Moneyrow Beans, Agosti Gelato, Grape & Nectar & the rest. We live on the High Road and couldn’t wish for better neighbours! My favourite restaurant is Malik’s, but it is difficult to choose in Cookham because there are so many great places – we are very lucky here.”  

Since starting Mustard’s Miracle Services, Josh has regularly supported Foodshare Maidenhead. In the early days, he also made donations to Many Tears Animal Rescue and The Captain Tom Foundation. In 2020, he won a Marlow FM Hidden Heroes Award & CSR Accreditation. “In 2021, I was awarded an RBWM Youth Voice Youth Choice grant, half of which I invested into my business. I wanted to help other local, aspiring young entrepreneurs so decided to offer them the chance to receive a small grant of their own, from the remainder.” 

Josh and his family moved to Cookham from London when he was three and he went to  
Holy Trinity School in Cookham. “I had the best time,” he says. “I made some great friends there.” A member of Cookham Dog Walkers’ Facebook group, he is currently studying for his A-levels at Sir William Borlase’s and loves the school. “All of the staff are brilliant and put in maximum effort to give us the best opportunities, which I am so grateful for.” 

Josh adds: “I deliver my canine treats to customers in the local area and I also sell them at the Metre Market. I charge £3 for a bag of 20 biscuits. Round & About readers can feel free to email me on mustardsmiracleservices@gmail.com if they’d like to place an order.  

“I love to make my customers happy (both the two-legged and four-legged kind!) and also enjoy giving back. I wish there could be less conflict in the world and more tolerance and understanding – we should celebrate our differences. We need more kindness…”