HOW TO START UP by FF&M

Starting a business is tough & making sales in a challenging economic climate is even harder. So, resilience is key to keeping on track. But how can we manage rejection alongside the expected setbacks? To find out, I spoke with Lauren Currie OBE, Founder of UPFRONT, a global organisation upskilling 10 million women. Teams at Nike and Just Eat Takeaway have enrolled their teams in UPFRONT's Bond course to transform their team culture.Keep listening to hear Lauren's advice on developing resilience in sales & when to acknowledge you should probably cut your losses. Lauren's advice:Your energy is vital to running a business, so manage itAvoid those people who drain your energy and seek out those who replenish itMarketing equals revenue - the more you do, the more returns you will haveAccept the loneliness of the founder, which can be hardBe comfortable and confident about your pricingAlso, be very clear about your pricing so the customer doesn't have to work hard to find itWhen a potential client or customer approaches you for the first time, always ask them how they found youGet them to say yes or no as soon as possible!  Don't spend a long time courting a potential customer - move on to find someone newMake life easy for your clients: for example, don't let them have to work out time differencesDon't take rejection personally!If you need to make a customer more comfortable, include an older white man face in a callNurture yourself and your energy before you decide to quit: are you tired? Dehydrated? Hungry? FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the showText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Welcome to How To Start Up — the podcast that dives into the real stories behind the startups, side hustles & self-made successes. Jamila Brown is an American-German powerhouse who moved to London at 21 and after being told her life was “over” when she became a single mum at 24 — proved everyone wrong.From running Soho House's global ESG programme to discovering her knack for freelancing during a sabbatical Jamila's journey to founding her own impact agency is anything but linear — and that's exactly why it's inspiring.Today, she's a business owner, a mum of two, a wife and a sustainability and social impact champion. This is an honest, motivating chat about reinvention, resilience, and knowing your worth.Jamila's advice: Self-confidence helps!As does a sense of purpose/serviceBeing vocal makes you visibleIn my case, being a single parent helped concentrate my mind and made me use my time wellHaving good people skills, being outspoken and having drive are all importantRemember ESG matters, there is a point to itI had an idea and a smile - not a websiteEvery challenge is an opportunityDon't procrastinate, just do it and you will learn as you goFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

In today's episode, I'm joined by Emma and Kenny, the co-founders of HipPop — a gut-friendly drinks brand that's shaking up the soft drinks aisle. While many might have pigeonholed their product as just kombucha, Emma and Kenny have taken a bold and intentional route: positioning HipPop as a go-to soft drinks brand, not a wellness niche.We talk about what it takes to enter a new market, how branding beyond a product category can be a superpower, and why really listening to your customer is key. From humble beginnings in a farmhouse to securing shelf space in major retailers, their story is packed with practical insight for anyone launching into a crowded space.Emma & Kenny's advice:Test your products locally, in small independent businessesPublicise your ingredients and the provenance of the productTry to work within a representative area of the UKLook for a gap in the marketIf you have a personal reason for setting up the brand, people will love to hear itAfter rigorous testing, and building a local reputation, move on to website and Facebook marketingGradually approach bigger retailers (you will have to be dogged - and original - in pursuing buyers)When you scale, bring in people to cover the skills you don't haveAs you expand distribution, it's important to build relationships with the new people you are dealing with; go slowly and patientlyFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the showText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Welcome to How To Start Up, the podcast for anyone looking to start & scale their own business. I'm Juliet Fallowfield & today we're discussing viral marketing with Lucie Macleod, founder of the TikTok sensation, Hair Syrup.Founded in 2020 with no prior entrepreneurial experience, Lucie combined her understanding of consumer behavior with social media creativity, to turn a handmade hair oil into THE beauty must-have with over 350,000 engaged TikTok followers & rapid, 1,000% year-on-year growth. After an appearance on BBC Dragon's Den, the brand is now on track to hit £6.5 million in revenue by 2026.To hear our next guest's answer to Lucie's question at the end of this ep, just click follow in your podcast directory of choice & you'll receive a notification from us when it is ready for you to listen. Lucie's advice:Don't invest hugely to begin with; start cautiouslyDon't build on ‘pinterest appeal' with pretty packaging; functionality is what countsBelieve in your productStick at it when things get difficult; be doggedTiktok can be good if you strike luckyBe very careful spending on advertising as you can lose a lot of money if you're badly advisedAlso be very careful about the people you surround yourself with; if you wouldn't be happy with a particular person being in your house, then don't employ them in your businessTrust trumps skillLearn to step away from your business and fully relaxFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the showText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Building a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand offers an incredible opportunity to connect with customers and foster long-term brand loyalty. But while the rewards can be significant, so too are the challenges and barriers to entry. That's why I wanted to speak with someone who has successfully navigated this journey for our season focus on sales.From modest beginnings in a Shoreditch coffee shop in 2011, David Abrahamovitch has built Grind into one of the UK's leading DTC coffee brands. Having built a hugely loyal customer base, it's estimated a Grind coffee is enjoyed every 2.8 seconds in the UK. David's business has also grown through partnerships with the likes of British Airways & Soho House. Keep listening to hear David's advice on how to build a DTC brand & how to leverage community-building to generate sales. David's advice:Accept that everything is sales; sell to yourself constantlyWith every small sale you are building a following and a brandPitching your product should not worry you; you know more than anyone else about it, so you have nothing to fearAlways know your numbers; but also tell the story of the history of the brand, and your plans for its futureBe optimistic - but not delusional!DTC is more work in that you have to have a website / attract people to that website / and  deal with the packaging and the postingWhereas  selling through a retailer you only need to advertise the productBUT DTC gives you access to customers' data and allows you to build a relationship with themSo selling through both the above is perhaps optimalAdvertising is essential for DTC selling - Facebook / Instagram / email / tube car panels are all useful; expect to spend up to 30% of revenue on marketing which will be a constant burdenRetaining customers is everything; the product must be a good oneIf customers unsubscribe, find out why so that you can fix the problemUse AI to help with small repetitive edits, not to replace people, just to speed up what they doIn order to attract young talent, create a culture that they will understand and like; always be thoughtful with your team and make sure they understand their job, their position and the company missionFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the showText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

PWC reports that over 80% of consumers are willing to pay higher prices for sustainably produced goods so environmental responsibility is clearly a lucrative business as well as being the right thing to do. Laura Harnett is the Founder of Seep, the only B Corp-certified, plastic-free cleaning tool brand in Europe. Having raised a £50,000 Dragons' Den investment from Trinny Woodall & Deborah Meaden, Laura & her team are on a mission to stop 1 billion plastic cleaning tools from entering landfill by 2030.  Keep listening to hear Laura's advice on learning how to sell as a first-time founder & how to make your sales process as sustainable as possible. Laura's advice:As a challenger brand, having spotted a gap in the market you will need to ensure you are confident about your supply chain, packaging, etc. before you approach retailersSelling direct to customers via a website is a great way to gain approval / test - and perfect - your product / do some market research When iterating products, try them out with your direct customersThe evidence of your DTC sales enables you to approach big retailers with confidenceTarget your marketing emails carefully and thoughtfullyPersevere with this; it can take timeFacebook and Instagram ads are helpfulYou will find other founders provide you with advice and supportFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Starting a business is a huge effort, but scaling it to new heights takes a great deal of skill. So, I wanted to hear from a serial founder who has not only grown and scaled a multi-million-pound business, but also decided to start from scratch and do it again.Guy Blaskey founded healthy pet food business Pooch & Mutt in 2007. Having scaled it to £30 million in sales, he sold the business in 2023 for £11.5 million. Since then, Guy has founded Detrash to upcycle waste products into high quality watches.  Keep listening to hear Guy's advice on what he learnt about a sales strategy, selling a business & why laying the operational foundations is one of the most important things you can do. Guy's advice: Think about how you can do things differentlyDon't spend too long on your business plan; get going and make a plan afterwardsIf you need a retailer, remember it's less about the product (and less about you) and more about what makes your buyer's life easy: filling a gap in their range, price point etc.  Think about themAlways think about your customer and how you can help them achieve a resultIt takes time and rigour - and some failures - to get everything right and become a strong businessYou need a strong understanding of the finances; it's not just about the brandBudget properly; predict sales and follow throughDon't overfund early on; if you start small you can track the money and see what works and what doesn'tProduce the product and get going with a small budget before considering looking for VCMarketing and distribution channels are quite as important as the productWork on your business rather than in your business; in other words, delegate the knowablesFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends:  Buzzsprout for directory listingZencastr for recording remotely MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

When it comes to bringing a product to market, there are lots of aspects to consider before it reaches the shelves. To learn more, I wanted to hear from someone who has successfully launched products to market. Kinga Wilewska is the Founder & CEO of MUJO, the adaptogenic coffee alternative packed with vital nutrients. Having watched her dad lose his fight against cancer, Kinga developed a keen interest in adaptogens & set out to bring truly transformational products to market. Keep listening to hear Kinga's advice on sourcing feedback on your products & how to begin making sales. Kinga's advice:Always pay attention to costsSpend time sourcing ingredients carefullyResearch your market thoroughly and understand where the gaps areSpeak to strangers about what propels them to buy / what are their priorities / what packaging appeals to themPay continual attention to feedbackCommunicate with your buyers; see your product as a service for themRefine your pitch and your website to suit your marketYour brand needs to inspire trust and exude authorityAlways put quality over quantityBelieve absolutely in your product yourselfBe disciplined and honest with yourself (eg when you need help)Use Facebook to advertise - rather than use an agency (this can minimise spend and maximise reach)Minimise risks for first time buyers: guarantee them money back and absorb the shipping costs yourselfAlways be ready to learn some new way of reaching your marketFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the showText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

As any founder needs to conquer their fear of sales I wanted to interview a founder who rapidly grew a new sector. After overcoming chronic illness, Founder of LYMA, Lucy Goff, set out to redefine the wellness landscape and share her learnings. Since launching in 2017, LYMA has been at the forefront of science-driven wellness & health optimisation securing listings with Harrods & Harvey Nichols with its truly transformational & effective supplements. Keep listening to hear Lucy's advice on acquiring & retaining clients & what to consider when developing a loyalty programme. Lucy's advice:If you want to stand out, look differentSurprise peopleRemember everything is aiming towards a salePlan your PR stories in advance of the launch; that way you reduce any riskThe product will stand on its own; but the brand storytelling is what will set you apartThink about how your brand will resonate with customers and stand out in the marketplaceListen to your customers and engage with them; their feedback will be crucial Customers won't always want what you want to give themAny loyalty scheme should be designed around the product you are sellingA loyalty scheme should also repay the length of time your customers have stayed with youOn a personal level, eliminate fear and don't listen to your subconscious!FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

How to generate sales overseas?With only 11.9% of UK SMEs exporting their goods & services internationally, more support is needed to help businesses scale overseas. So, I wanted to hear from a founder who has generated millions in international sales. Thea Green MBE founded Nails.INC in 1999 at the age of 23 & has since revolutionised the UK nail care industry with her polishes & treatments. In 2013, Nails.INC was awarded a Queen's Award for Enterprise for international trade & today exports to over 20 countries. Keep listening to hear Thea's advice on how to get started with sales and then how to conquer exporting.Thea's advice: Concentrate on the customers' needsEnjoy working out what the next trend will beHave good PR when starting upFind the new angleIf you believe in it, you will be able to sell itKeep your standards highIt's easier to sell when there's a story to personalise the product and make it relevantListen to the customer and solve their problemsExcite the customerEngage with the customer and listen to themIt's essential to employ good sales peopleRenew your enthusiasm by concentrating on the aspects of the business you enjoyIt's helpful to consider your budget over the long termSales will be transformed when you become a brand; and when you do your first business overseasFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Thank you for joining us for How To Start Up's first panel event & first live recording of the podcast!  My name is Juliet, the host of How To Start Up  & just wanted to thank you for listening & joining today too. We're up to over 140 eps & having closed a successful season on all things productivity in December, I wanted to gather some of our guests together to discuss the topic & help listeners with theirs. I hope today will involve some myth busting on productivity plus that we have time for a Q&A with our panel.Firstly, introductions. Emily Austen is the founder of leading PR agency EMERGE & the author of SMARTER: 10 lessons for a more productive and less-stressed life. Having founded EMERGE in 2012, Emily has navigated entrepreneurship & discovered a tried and tested formula for avoiding unproductive busyness. Eva Alexandridis is a founder who has achieved that work / life balance. Having co-founded 111SKIN in 2012 with her husband Dr Yannis, Eva has not only built a globally recognised brand but has practised the brand values in ensuring she also looks after herself as well as her business. Anant Sharma is the Founder & CEO of Matter Of Form, a leading luxury brand & digital agency based in London. Having founded his company in 2009, Anant and his team work with some of the world's leading brands including Aman, Belmond & Knight Frank.  Anant in his ep shared how his ADAH impacts his work and how he manages it.FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Selling any product is a skill but selling a product with a luxury price tag is a nuanced skill. As this season is focused on sales I wanted to interview people with experience in differentiating their product in a crowded market & find out how they managed to sell it.Molly Goddard & Joel Jeffery co-founded the luxury pyjama brand Desmond & Dempsey in 2014. Over a decade the couple has redefined the concept of luxury sleepwear & secured listings in Harrods, Harvey Nichols & Selfridges very early on in their business. Keep listening to hear Molly & Joel's advice on how they tackled sales.Molly and Joel's Advice:Impart your message (in their case the benefits of relaxation) with positivity; buying this product is a treat for yourself, it's all about funIt's one thing to love your product but you must take sales seriouslyEnjoy the art of selling!  Share news of your product as widely as you can, and always in an optimistic wayPay attention to the market and always note customer preferencesAsk your clients questions, constantly monitor their tastes and their attitudesBe aware of daily sales; if you can achieve wholesale orders this will give you the freedom to take out loansWhen selling to retail clients, find your niche in the marketUse instagram / a website / word of mouth / email your customersPR will pay off and is a valuable toolBranding is important; while obviously the product must be good, you also need to make your customers feel special.  This is often achieved with some extra-special packagingYour customers are buying an expensive product and they should feel excited by both the purchase and the product, the anticipation and the realityFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

PureGym reports that 66% of Britons don't believe they look after their health as much as they should. Since good health is key to being productive, I wanted to hear from an expert about how founders can use fitness to boost their productivity. Following his retirement as captain of the England boxing team, George Veness, Founder & CEO of JAB Boxing Club in London, launched his business to make elite performance accessible to anyone & inspire his members to take control of their health. Keep listening to hear George's advice on how you can build fitness into your weekly routine as a founder & why exercise is so important for maintaining your productivity. George's Advice:Be pleased with your product before you start; believe in it and the team around you will tooPursuing fitness is a discipline, which will give you health and strengthIt will relieve stressAnd, just as important, it will give you self-belief, courage and emotional well-beingThe basics of fitness are nothing new. The essentials are: movement which leads to strength / rest and recovery (including hot and cold therapies) / good, natural food, fresh and not manufactured / good sleepWhen you are fit you will have better focus and clarity, you will make better decisions for your future life and you will be able to push boundariesKeep company with great peopleFollow a lifestyle with good habits and stick to your regimeDon't get distractedWhen you are making a long-term plan, break it down into manageable parts, like months; keep your end goal in sight and get there steadilyCelebrate milestonesEnjoy challengesTry keeping a diary where you write down what you plan to achieveKeep your vision simple; this way you will communicate it better both to your team and your customersFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Join Emily Austen, EMERGE & SMARTER, Anant Sharma: Matter Of Form & Eva Alexandridis, 111SKIN to learn their best productivity tips to help you achieve your 2025 goals. On 27th January at 12.30pm GMT, Juliet Fallowfield, host of the How To Start Up entrepreneurship podcast, will moderate the panel.Book via this link. All ticket proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research UK. We'll be hearing how these leading entrepreneurs structure their time to ensure they are productive, how they avoid burn out & overcome challenges presented by entrepreneurship. Expect myth busting, frank conversation & an opportunity to ask your questions to the panel. The How To Start Up panel:Emily Austen: Founder & CEO of leading PR agency EMERGE and the author of SMARTER: 10 lessons for a more productive and less-stressed life, published in November. Having founded EMERGE in 2012, Emily has navigated entrepreneurship and discovered a tried and tested formula for avoiding unproductive busyness. Anant Sharma: Founder & CEO of Matter Of Form, a leading luxury brand and digital agency based in London. Having founded his company in 2009, Anant and his team work with some of the world's leading brands including Aman, Belmond & Knight Frank. Eva Alexandridis: Co-Founder of leading international skincare brand 111SKIN. Eva has not only built a globally recognised brand since 2012 but has practised the brand values in ensuring she also looks after herself as well as her business. About How To Start UpHow To Start Up is the entrepreneur's ultimate handbook. With experienced entrepreneurs offering valuable advice on what to do now, next or never when starting a company, the podcast regularly features in Apple Podcasts' entrepreneurial charts and sits within the top 25% of all podcasts globally. Listen to all previous episodes here. If you'd like to learn how to produce your own podcast, drop us a line hello@fallowfieldmason.com Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

We know it's important to rest, relax & recharge to ensure we're as productive as possible, but how many founders actually prioritise this & how do we really achieve this? Eva Alexandridis is a founder who has achieved that work / life balance. Having co-founded 111SKIN in 2012 with her husband Dr Yannis Alexandrides, Eva has not only built a globally recognised brand but has practised the brand values in ensuring she also looks after herself as well as her business. Keep listening to hear Eva's advice on balancing work & family time plus how you can build a daily routine that works for you. Eva's advice: Be honest at the end of the day as to whether it's been a good one or not; then, if necessary, you can improve the next day It is possible to be a good mother and an efficient businesswoman; obviously you need trustworthy help when your children are very small, but from the age of five onwards, explain to your children what you do so that they appreciate its valueBe honest about your work commitments.  Your children will be proud of what you do, when it is explained to themIdeally your work challenges will be balanced by your sense of satisfaction/achievementTry running first thing in the morning, to clear your mind and energise youMake sure that family commitments come before any other social commitmentEva finds biking to work refreshing and energising (and she listens to podcasts so she is not thinking about work)Keep any exercise sessions sacrosanct - do not allow interruptions If you can, have work conversations out of the office, perhaps during a walk; being in nature will probably relax/inspire youEmploy people you trust.  Be careful when employing, as both hiring and firing can be very time-consumingEva finds electric cryotherapy energising!To avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed, appreciate what you have achieved and applaud yourselfGet energy from some positive reinforcement from clientsKeep meetings to 35-40 minutes and always have a break (preferably in the fresh air) between themFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

70% of us use phones for our work, yet we all know how much they distract us.  As productivity is crucial for any business I wanted to speak to an expert to help manage this necessary evil.Dr Kristy Goodwin is a neuro-performance scientist & Australia's leading expert on peak performance in the digital age. Her book Dear Digital, We Need To Talk enables individuals & organisations to enhance their performance & productivity in the digitally-intense world we live in & conquer tech distractions. Keep listening to hear Dr Kristy's advice on how to use digital tools to help us and not hinder, how to work in tandem with your neurobiology to achieve your goals & why rest really is a super power.Kristy's advice:Know your goals Success must be sustainableListen to your body; you cannot outperform itYou will have 4 - 6 hours a day of best performanceRemember that time spent not conspicuously working is often the most valuable productive timeFocussing our eyes on a small screen or area triggers a stress responseWe are programmed to sigh, or exhale fully, every five minutes; however, staring at screens typically means we are holding our breathWe are more successful if we can direct our focus and avoid distractionLeave margins - ie. blank spaces, unprogrammed gaps It is NOT about the hours you put in - it's about the outcomesBe clear to others about how you wish to be contactedIdentify when you are at your most productive You can bundle your notifications Have a VIP list and block everyone elseSleep is vital; get to know your own sleep pattern and keep it regularAs a founder, make sure you - and your team - enjoy not just the results of your work but the process itselfTech robs us of our time, our energy and our attention; be aware of this and take controlLive by design, not defaultFF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

Amid a proliferation of workplace tech platforms, Unily reports 77% of UK employees consider notifications from digital tools distracting. Despite being valuable in many areas, clearly workplace tech is hindering focus & productivity. So, I wanted to hear from an expert on how to stay focused at work. Phil Nayna is the Founder of Absolute Mind + Body: a coaching consultancy supporting businesses to build high-performing teams, resilient teams. Having trained in performance psychology, neuroscience, and a range of mindfulness techniques, Phil works with leaders & their teams to unlock untapped performance potential. Keep listening to hear Phil's advice on how to build sustainable focus, make the transition from busy to effective, and what to do to manage your energy, so you can stay focused for longer.Phil's advice:To be focussed, you can't be busyAvoid distractions; all your energy and attention need to be directed to one thingIt takes energy to suppress all the small details and distractionsIf there are things you tend to do every day, automate them so you don't have to keep making small decisionsPractise quick 2-3 minute meditations to clear your mind before each important activityIf your mind is quieter, decisions will be clearerMaintain your conviction about the core belief/mission of your business while you are undertaking minor activities - this belief will help you focus on themDoing something you care about releases dopamine which brings more motivation and focusIt's important that you take care of yourself physically Hours of sleep before midnight are more valuable than those afterAccept that you won't be 100% focussed all day every day; a good aim would be 2 x 2-hour sessions a day of really focussed deep work; the more trivial tasks can fill in the rest of the dayBe disciplined about avoiding distractions during those 2-hour sessionsImagine that you only have 3 hours a day to do what matters - this will show you what's important and what isn'tConcentrate only on the revenue-creating tasksTo avoid procrastination, you must Believe in what you're doing Address the fear which is preventing you doing the task Be clear in your head about why it needs doing and how to do it FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

The UK's Chartered Management Institute has previously found that 41% of managers believe having direct reports increases their own productivity. So, I wanted to hear from someone who has built a strong team to help them achieve more. Anant Sharma is the Founder & CEO of Matter Of Form, a leading luxury brand and digital agency based in London. Having founded his company in 2009, Anant and his team work with some of the world's leading brands including Aman, Belmond & Knight Frank. Keep listening to hear Anant's advice on discovering your strengths & how to build a team around you to enhance your own productivity. Anant's adviceYour business will evolve as you personally grow and change; you may have to let go of some initial ideasPrioritise what is important and what you should be doing; this may mean handing on to others the things you are experienced atConcentrate (without guilt!) on reflection / exploring opportunities / less quantifiable “work”Celebrate thinking time and allow space for it in your weekThere is no need to keep packing in information which is not always productiveBe modest about your daily to-do listHave belief in where you want to goKnow yourself and employ accordingly; you may require mirror personalities of yourself, or you may need strong support in those areas where you know yourself to be weakKnow the value of meditationFF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy found that 96% of UK entrepreneurs admit to ‘bottling up' the stress of running their business. Many founders are clearly overwhelmed with too much on their shoulders, leading some to feel a sense of unproductive busyness. So, I wanted to hear from a founder who has cracked the code of productivity. Emily Austen is the founder of leading PR agency EMERGE and the author of SMARTER: 10 lessons for a more productive and less-stressed life, publishing this autumn. Having founded EMERGE in 2012, Emily has navigated entrepreneurship and discovered a tried and tested formula for avoiding unproductive busyness. Keep listening to hear Emily's advice on how founders can avoid becoming busy yet unproductive and why tracking your energy rather than your time can help unlock your productivity. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

It's challenging enough to be productive while building one company. However, productively building multiple ventures at once requires incredible focus & purpose. So, I wanted to hear from someone who has achieved this alongside several investor, advisor & board positions all while keeping purpose at the heart of every endeavour. Asad Hamir is the Co-Founder of Klyk, the sustainable IT company helping businesses tackle e-waste & reduce their carbon footprint. Alongside Klyk, Asad is also a Co-Founder of Ocushield, a clinician-led eye healthcare company. In addition to both his Co-Founder roles, Asad serves as a Non-Executive Director & investor in several tech & healthcare companies. Keep listening to hear Asad's advice on how to scale without losing productivity or purpose plus how to make your calendar work for you and not the other way round.Asad's advice:Any previous enterprises will have been valuable experience & will teach you what not to doAt the start of the week, agree weekly objectives / at the start of the day, define what needs doingAllow time each day for checking emails, don't leave them till the end of the dayLeave space for you to react to clients' needs if necessaryInitially you will be fire-fighting on every front; aim to get to a place where you can look at the big picture as well as the immediate problemsCelebrate both the big and the small wins - and keep your eye on bothTry using Calendly - but protect your timeSet boundaries for yourself and make sure your team understands those boundariesParcel the week up, eg. meetings on Mondays, and maybe a certain day each week to concentrate on something differentFocus is key; concentrate on one business at a timeDraw a line at a certain time and finish your dayPay attention to your health / fitness / diet and you will be more energisedBe open with your team and allow them to share your vision and plansB.Corp is a big help both guiding people inside the business and attracting people from outside who will want to work with youWrite your own job descriptionFF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

CIPD research shows that 67% of UK working women aged between 40 and 60 with menopausal symptoms had experienced a negative impact on their work, with 79% reporting feeling less able to concentrate at work. Clearly, hormones play a large role in the lives of female founders of all ages. I wanted to hear from a team with great experience in helping people overcome hormonal imbalances.  Margo Marrone, founder of The Organic Pharmacy and her daughter Roxy are the co-founders of eyeam, the solution-led skincare, supplements and education brand. Inspired by Roxy's experience with adult acne and hormonal imbalance, the duo are supporting people to overcome debilitating conditions which impact their energy both at work and at home. Keep listening to hear Roxy and Margo's advice on how founders can harness their hormones at work and how they can create a supportive environment for their teams too. Margo & Roxy's advice:Never go against what your body is telling youThe four different hormonal phases are effectively four different sets of skills:Follicular - energised, a good time to schedule and planOvulatory - communicative, a good time to set up talks and eventsLuteal - detail-driven, a good time to tackle paperworkMenstrual - a good time for rest and reflectionCommunication is important; there is no shame attached to your bodily cycle so share how you are feeling.  This is constructive and helpful for your colleaguesListen to your needs; you don't have to push to the limitsManaging hormones is not just a physical concern, it's a mental one too.  Understand why you are stressed and self-regulateWork smarter not harder; it's the output that counts, not the time spent.  Ideas which come when in the shower or on a walk can be so usefulQuick ways to reduce stress can be breathwork (4-7-8 breathing helps) and hummingNutrition means not just food but your whole environment: the people around you, the things you read and watch, as well as what you eatStop worrying about the to-do list; simply clear your head and tackle one task at a timeFF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

With Zippia reporting that happy workers are 13% more productive than unhappy workers, clearly it's crucial to maintain a supportive and welcoming company culture as you grow your business. Not only will this keep your employees motivated, but you'll also reap the benefits of higher productivity. So, I wanted to find out how to grow a productive and happy team. That's why I spoke with Katharine Pooley, Founder & Executive President of her eponymous luxury interior design studio. As one of the UK's foremost interior designers, Katharine has grown her team to fifty people and adeptly balanced maintaining a creative environment with ensuring her team gets stuff done. Keep listening to hear Katharine's advice on how to keep your team happy as well as productive as you scale and why thinking about the octopus effect can really help imbue each and every employee on a daily basis. Katherine's advice: Know your limit in terms of number of employeesThe happiness of your team is critical and will spring from:Enjoyment of the workGood collaborationBonuses, salary raises and perksKnowing each other wellBeing allowed autonomy and being trustedHaving a safe work environmentA pleasant office with a reasonable commuteBeing trained and having the opportunity for meetings and discussionsExamining a project after it has been delivered and discussing its good and bad pointsIf a team is a happy one, productivity will be the resultA happy team will be a loyal one and the longstanding employees will be so valuableLongstanding members can perhaps each manage their own teamIt's a symbiotic relationship between employer and employedYou need each other and ideally will stimulate each otherFrom the employer's point of view, when interviewing:Try to assess the candidate quicklyTrust the ones who speak with genuine warmth rather than the well-rehearsed speechesIt's important to like your employeesAvoid ones who chatter rather than answering the questionThose who can communicate and engage with you face to face will be strongestAs the boss make sure you tackle your emails every single nightIf you have children be up front with them about what you need to do (and then make the most of your time with them)Give yourself goals at the start of the year and check up on them in AugustRemember, your enthusiasm will be infectious to your employeesBe consistent Always be approachable; make yourself available at all times and respond to requestsTry to deal with problems yourself rather than handing them downBe prepared to forgive mistakesFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the show

The Department for Education found in 2022 that 63% of UK adults hold multiple roles, demonstrating the extensiveness of the portfolio career. However, how do you create multiple roles for yourself and, importantly, ensure you deliver across them all? To answer this, I wanted to hear from an experienced portfolio career holder who manages several roles at once - as an M&A growth expert, angel investor and advocate for inclusive leaders Nnenna Onuba founded her first business, LBB Skin, in 2018, & has since built a mergers & acquisitions consultancy and the leadership & inclusion advocacy organisation 100 Allies. Nnenna also holds directorships with organisations including the British Beauty Council and the Royal Veterinary College. Keep listening to hear Nnenna's advice on separating your different roles and effectively balancing competing demands on your time. Nnenna's advice:You need plenty of life experience firstYou must know yourself and what you're good at, so you can hone in on your strengthsYou need to be the sort of person who enjoys continual learningTackle the tough creative tasks at the beginning of the day when your energy is highestWhen you are relaxed you will be more creativeAccept that as you age your energy levels may alter, and different times of day will suit you betterStay innovativeIf you mentor others you will learn from thisAttract people with different skills to your ownDon't be afraid to delegate important things and trust othersAdditionally, surround yourself with people who inspire youIf you tackle uncomfortable jobs you will get better at themIf you are properly self-aware you will be more observant of othersTry to do even one small thing that makes a differenceFF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

UK productivity was ‘24% lower in 2023 than it would have been had it continued climbing at the rates seen before the global financial crisis' according to the Economics Observatory. Given time is the most limited factor for any founder, for our eleventh season I've set out to find answers on how we can all improve our productivity in business.First up, I wanted to find out how to scale a business efficiently. So I spoke with Nina Briance, Founder & CEO of CULT MIA, the online fashion marketplace for the world's leading sustainable designers. Since founding CULT MIA in 2019, Nina has grown her business to become one of fashion's leading online retailers. Keep listening to hear Nina's advice on implementing the right systems for efficient growth and how to avoid duplicating work. FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. Nina's advice:Always aim to achieve more with lessWhen you start you need a solid foundation of 1) clear processes 2) strong leadership 3) a business model which is scalable - that way you will be able to grow comfortablyTime block your calendar well in advanceAlways ask yourself WHY you are doing somethingKeep focussed on your long-term goalsLearn when to step back and let others make decisions (trust people and let them feel empowered)Save time by automating processes where this is possibleAll team members need to have a clearly defined role; a growing business does not necessarily need a growing workforceKeep auditing your thinking and structuresFF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

Building, scaling and maintaining one brand is challenging. However, successfully creating multiple brands is a brilliant feat of focus and endurance. With this in mind, I wanted to learn from an expert brand builder.Hind Sebti is the founder of whind, a beauty brand that merges both science and sensoriality to deliver Golden Hour Beauty, inspired by her home of Morocco, in a high efficacy yet super indulging range of skin care, body care and  fragrances, and the founder of Waldencast, a beauty and wellness platform that creates, acquires and scales the next generation of high growth purpose driven brands. Waldencast Ventures, is a privately owned brand incubator that has launched and built whind but also sister brands coat[s] and glaze. Waldencast PLC acquired Obagi skin care and Milk Makeup and was listed on the Nasdaq in July 2022 and valued then at over $1bn.As a multi-brand founder, Hind has a wealth of experience building brands that win customers' hearts. Keep listening to hear Hind's advice on building multiple brands and effectively managing different businesses at the same time. Hind's advice:As a founder you will start by doing everything yourself, but once you have a team you need to prioritise what to do yourself and what to delegateThose things only you can do will be the most important things - prioritise!Being able to trust your team and confidently delegate is vital; you cannot do everything yourselfA combination of ambition and humility is goodWhen building several brands at once, space out the various processes as you will learn from each one, which will benefit the next one - don't put all your eggs in the same basketBe flexible when building a company culture; every business is different, and every employee works differently.  Allow the employees to contribute to the company culture as people are your most important assetBe flexible and adaptable; businesses may not evolve in the way you had expectedIf you can find a partner whose skills complement your own, you are in luck as it's great to have someone with whom you can discuss decisionsFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

With the UK fashion sector's annual revenue estimated to be just under £60 billion, it is a highly competitive sector in which you need a strong brand to differentiate your offering. Given this, I wanted to speak with an expert about how to build a fashion brand that stands out from the crowd. In this episode, I speak with Henrietta Rix, Co-Founder of RIXO, a leading British womenswear brand. Together with her co-founder Orlagh McCloskey, the pair founded RIXO in 2015 to bridge the gap between great fitting pieces and unique designs and offer a dynamic in-person experience too. Keep listening to hear Henrietta's advice on starting a fashion brand and why sticking to your roots and gut feelings will help you to distinguish your brand from its competitors. Henrietta's advice: When building a dynamic brand, be true to yourself and to your original ideaFind a gap in the market Be passionate about what you doTiming is vital but stick to your original mission to bring back the dynamismInstagram is a readily accessible and fast way to spread your brand's image once you know what you want to do Immerse yourself in the product and become familiar with every single aspect of production and salesKnow every department of your business inside out even if you're delegating a lot of itListen continually to your customers - imagine you are one of them, learn from their feedbackPay attention to company culture and make sure your staff are loyal to the ethosKnow your competitors but don't worry about them, no need to copy themDon't overproduce; try sustainable initiatives like rentals/preloved/alterationsAvoid wastage and dead stock at the year's end FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

With 70% of respondents of a Forbes survey stating they believed personal branding is important, it's clear that founders need to consider how they promote not just their business, but also themselves as individuals while starting their company. Eshita Kabra-Davies is the founder and CEO of By Rotation, the UK's first peer-to-peer fashion rental app. Eshita founded the platform in 2019 to challenge the notion that ownership was not the only way to consume and enjoy fashion. Since then, she has successfully built a very strong personal/professional profile internationally alongside her business. Keep listening to hear Eshita's advice on why to question what to put out there in terms of professional and personal self, and why it is important to consider the platform contextFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

Building an engaging brand is one of the most challenging parts of starting a company. This is especially true in competitive sectors where you need to cut through the noise to create connections with your target customers. So I wanted to hear from experts on how to build a brand from scratch. Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood are co-founders of Collagerie: a leading fashion, interiors, beauty and lifestyle marketplace. The former British Vogue editors founded Collagerie in 2019 and quickly built their brand through interesting and dynamic ways. Lucinda and Serena share their advice on what to do first when building a digital brand and how to ensure your brand story and visual identity work well together. Lucinda and Serena's advice: Work hard to realise the idea that's in your head when designing the look of your brandPersevere until you get this right; don't hesitate to start again from scratch if you're not convincedIf you are not a designer, employ someone who isKnow your own weaknesses and either choose a partner who complements your strengths, or hire someone who does thisSettle the visual side of your brand first; tone of voice will follow onTake time over choosing the name; experiment with a few, try them out on friendsUse focus groups/groups of friends and bombard them with questionsUse social media; take time crafting promotional emailsBelieve in what you do; authenticity shows and will build trust in your customersNever be afraid to ask advice; admit your vulnerabilityTake time out and step back when you're struggling to resolve a problemCollaboration can be valuableFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

Edelman recently reported that ‘81% of consumers need to trust a brand to consider purchasing it' so it is clear that brands which take time to build impact, education and purpose into their offering will also build trust with consumers and ultimately increase their sales. In this episode, I hear from Titi Bello, Founder of Ori Lifestyle, the luxury hair care brand now stocked in Selfridges and Harrods. Born out of Titi's experiences with her own hair loss and seeing her daughter develop hair insecurities, Ori Lifestyle offers high-performance hair care products alongside coaching courses to improve customers' confidence in their hair. Listen on to hear Titi's advice on why building an educational and purpose-led brand is crucial for success. Titi's advice:Find the product that meets the needs of a particular marketA good product is not enough on its own; marketing and visibility are crucialTo have the edge a product needs to look good as well as be effectiveIf a product can be multipurpose, so much the betterIt may well be useful to educate and challenge your customers and be honest with them about results; this will build trust and loyalty and ensure repeat salesTake your community with you; use feedback.  Establish contact via blogs / whatsapp / email and always listen to themYour relationship with your customers will be your motivating factor and keep you going“Go in with your heart” - businesses that stand the test of time are not just in it for financial gainAesthetics and branding are vital and must represent you and your valuesDon't over analyse; just start!Know what you don't know and find a partner with a different skill set to yoursFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

With Protega Global reporting that 77% of UK consumers believe brands should use ‘as little packaging as possible', it's important for new brands to research how to reduce their environmental impact. As packaging can be a huge barrier to entry, I wanted to speak to someone who has created a stunning brand package. In this episode, I hear from Randi Christiansen, CEO & Co-Founder of Néccessaire, one of the world's leading body care brands. Founded in 2018, Néccessaire provides customers with minimal, high-functioning products and is now certified as both climate neutral and plastic neutral. Keep listening to hear Randi's advice on how to create stand-out packaging for your brand and why it is so important to maintain a consistent visual identity. FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceText us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan MailSupport the Show.

Defining your target audience is key when building your brand as it's so important to know who you're selling your products or services to. In this episode, I hear from Aaron Chatterley, co-founder of teen beauty brand indu and beauty retailer Feelunique. Having co-founded Feelunique in 2005, Aaron and his team grew the business which was acquired by Sephora for £132 million in 2021. Since then, Aaron has co-founded indu to create beauty and skincare products tailored specifically to teenage skin. Aaron shares his advice on how to identify your target audience and how to build strong customer relationships with them. Aaron's advice: Be aware of all the different audiences out thereDepending on your product, attracting a younger audience early means you build a relationship soonerLook for a gap in the marketBe confident in your authenticityIt is worth spending money on doing thorough research: when you have defined your target audience, work with a cohort of these people and interrogate them exhaustivelyBe clear about who exactly your target audience isIt is easier for the retailer - and better for the investor too - to have an absolutely clear target audienceYour primary concerns are the excellence of your product (which means it will be bought a second time) and your authenticityFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the Show.

With research showing 90% of marketers agree that brand language is vital for business success, your business needs to speak confidently and clearly. Given this, I wanted to learn from an expert on how you can differentiate your brand's voice in an ever-crowded market. In this episode, we hear from Millie Kendall OBE, renowned brand builder and founder of the British Beauty Council, Brandstand Communications and Ruby & Millie. With a 30-year track record of launching and marketing beauty brands, Millie founded the British Beauty Council in 2018 to nurture talent, growth and development within the industry. Keep listening to hear why Millie thinks a brand voice is critical for any new brand and how to begin defining yours. Millie's advice:When branding your product, it is not just a question of logoVitally important is that the branding should show the ethics of the companyThe brand identity will always represent the values of the founder (if a product is taken over, the brand identity is precious)When establishing a brand identity, try putting in a box the ten things in your home you value most - and then identifying what they have in common.  Your brand should reflect who you are, your DNAImagine your customer is yourselfDo your research, and be sure you know your audience (as well as your competitors)Then the tone of voice will come naturally, followed by the name, the packaging, the styleThese things will generate trust and loyalty in your customersYour brand voice will evolve over time, and rebranding can occur spontaneouslyIt is important to be clear and authoritativeIf you believe in the efficacy of your product your brand voice will be strongFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

We often hear that print newspaper and magazine sales are declining as people switch to digital versions of their favourite titles. However, print still plays an important role in the publishing world and as ‘brand' is such an important part of this I wanted to speak to someone who had started their own. In this episode, I hear from Lucy Cleland, co-founder and editorial director of the renowned B Corp Certified lifestyle magazine Country & Town House. Lucy co-founded the magazine in 2007, just before the financial crash of 2008, and has since continually advocated for living a ‘life in balance' through its very popular print and digital editions. Keep listening to learn why Lucy thinks brand is important for any business but also why timing on developing it is key.Lucy's advice:Be aware of your market, and your position within it Concentrate on your unique selling pointWhen you're starting out, brand is not necessarily the most urgent or important thing, as there'll be so much else to get on top ofTake advice from your shareholders or board if possibleInvest in design and good writersConsider the ethos of B Corp and promote its message where appropriateYour branding may grow organically with your businessUse LinkedIn for help and adviceRemember you are your own best resourceFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

As defining your mission, vision and purpose statements is an important step when building a comprehensive brand for your business I was keen to speak to someone who has not only done this successfully but also recently. In this episode, I hear from Julian Parmiter, co-founder and CEO of Create Academy. Founded in 2019, Create Academy offers beautifully curated video courses providing unprecedented access to the expertise of today's best designers, makers, gardeners and chefs - with a mission to help people build their creative confidence.Having recently evolved Create Academy's original proposition by launching an annual membership offering, Julian shares his advice on how to define your brand's mission, vision and purpose and how to remain true to them as you scale. Julian's advice:The mission is what you want to do/produce/createThe vision is where you want to go with it/how you want to see the world changed by what you do/where you want to be in the future/ what will your impact beThe purpose is your motivation/why you want to do itThe “what” and the “how” will probably change.  The “why” should stay with you.  It's the “why” - the purpose - which will bring investors and others with you, will lift you when you're down.  So take time to articulate this one (even if privately, just to yourself)  early on.  It will represent your personality, your ethos, your creedYou are the best person to articulate itKeep these three things distinguished one from the otherUnderstanding your customers will inevitably lead to changing or adapting your vision in time but you need to stay relevant and be flexibleYou have to be able to answer the question: “who cares?”Don't spend too much time and effort at the start on brandingFind inspiration in other people and other placesYou can contact Julian via email on julian@createacademy.comFF&M enables you to own your own PR.DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmasonHost Juliet Fallowfield LinkedInSubmit a guest via this link  Submit a question for the next guestRecorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

With Statista reporting there are 35 million Instagram users in the UK, social media platforms are a powerful tool to build brand awareness and convert followers into loyal customers. Given this season is a focus on all things branding I was keen to speak to an expert content creator.In this episode, I hear from Estée Lalonde, CEO and founder of bodycare brand MIRROR WATER. The brand champions mirror work and self-care, inspired by Estée's quest to find effective relaxation tools during the pandemic.  Estée has enjoyed a long career working within social media building a following of over 677k before founding her brand in 2021 which has already amassed a following of 35k. She shares her advice on how to build your brand through social media, why doing the initial creative work on your brand is crucial for success and how DM'ing one of your idols (in this case Bobbi Brown) can be the motivation you need to keep going. Estée's advice:Always start with a good business planBranding so important; to start with, concentrate on aspirational visuals that can then inform further workDon't rush this stage: Create mood boardsTake care of yourself and go with your intuitionGet to the essence of what you wantSettle on a name, which will take you in the right directionLook for a designer to support you and ensure you click with them, build that relationship to a point of trust Be strategic on social; post regularly and expect this to be a slow buildSocial media can help you launch, it is a big time commitment however it will pay dividends Brand instagramming is harder than being a social media influencer (owned content v earned, DM FF&M to find out more on this)Posting every day becomes a burden so look at process and systems to help you on thisYou can't do it all so be clear on what success looks like and work backwardsKeep it lean - less is more in all things in business, focus on one thing and do it well rather than trying to post on multiple platforms all the timeTake time to reflect on what you're doing and enjoy itExpect to be overwhelmed at times; but hang on it there!If you'd like to contact Estée you can reach her via @esteelalonde on Instagram FF&M enables you to own your own PR.DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmasonHost Juliet Fallowfield LinkedInSubmit a guest via this link Submit a question for the next guestRecorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Support the show

Creating a brand story is a central part of building your overall brand identity. It's crucial that your brand story is coherent and resonates with your audience to attract loyal customers. In this episode, I speak with Tom Marchant, Owner & Co-Founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato. Tom and his co-founders launched their business in 2005 after seeing first-hand how people had such little time to plan their own travel experiences. Since then, Black Tomato has grown exponentially and delights clients all over the world. Tom shares his advice on how to begin drafting your brand story and what you should and shouldn't include within it. Tom's advice:Your brand is fundamental to your business - it's your identity - so it's vital that you are sincere about it and believe in itAlways keep in mind what you stand forCustomers must trust your brand and feel comfortable with itCommunicating your brand values will be easier if you use recognisable language that people can identify withUse language to convey feeling and emotion - and sincerityKeep it simple and truthfulShare what mattersYour brand story can communicate how it started/who with/what you were aiming for/your valuesWhen writing copy don't be a slave to perfection; try ‘stream of consciousness' to start off with.  The important thing is truthfulnessIf you'd like to contact Tom you can reach him via tom@blacktomato.comFF&M enables you to own your own PR.DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmasonHost Juliet Fallowfield LinkedInSubmit a guest via this link Submit a question for the next guestRecorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

Once you've secured investment and used it to build and scale a profitable business, the time might be right to exit. However, when is the right time to sell? In this episode, I speak with Asher Moses, founder & CEO of Sherbet London, the capital's leading electric taxi company. A serial entrepreneur, Asher grew his original small fleet of London taxis into one of London's leading transport companies. Through Sherbet, Asher is future-proofing the iconic London Black Taxi for future generations. Having sold his commercial advertising company, Taxi Media, to US company VeriFone, Asher shares his advice on what to consider before exiting a venture and when he feels it's right to consider selling up. If you'd like to contact Asher you can reach him via asher@sherbetlondon.comAsher's advice:A good exit is all about timing since you obviously want a high multiple returnOperating companies are very different to tech companies in terms of multiplesHopefully you will have created a brand to out-compete others in your sphereExiting from your company gives you financial freedom and the space to re-thinkIt also gives you credibility when you start your next ventureIt gives you the time to make improvements and move with the timesIf you receive an offer, it's probably wise to accept it as they don't occur frequently Make yourself part of a growth plan in the company (it's you they're buying)A CEO can always stay on, to give advice and support - not necessarily for very longYou will inevitably find it hard to step back and phase outYou must be hard-headed about the valuationBe very precise responding to the questionsKnow who to sell toFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

With Sifted reporting that European startup funding plummeted by 40% in 2023, maintaining open and transparent communication with your investors is vital to maintain such an important relationship. In this episode, I hear from Michelle Kennedy, co-founder and CEO of Peanut, one of the fastest-growing social media apps for women. Michelle launched Peanut in 2017 to help women combat the loneliness that comes with being a new mother. Peanut has raised over $23 million in funding since its inception. Having raised an exceptional amount of funding, Michelle has brilliant insights to share on the most effective ways to communicate with investors.Michelle's advice: Avoid outside investment for as long as you canWhen communicating with your investors approach them on an equal footing; it's not necessarily the case of you only reporting the good newsUse them for help and dispassionate advice - they should be people who understand crises and will be able to be objectiveThey may be able to help you with introductionsA quarterly meeting with investors is probably enough; if necessary you can have ad hoc calls in additionStructure your meetings with investors: they will need to see metrics and hear about targets and performance; they will also want to know about your plans for the next quarterHave your list of questions prepared and make sure you ask for what you needBe open about any failuresGenerally only the founder needs to be present at these meetings; they are investing in you because they believe in you, the founder, and the founder's voice is crucialAlways be confident when communicating with your investorsFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

With over 225 episodes of Dragons' Den recorded so far, thousands of entrepreneurs have pitched their business ideas to leading investors. However, the show offers a lot more than just investment. In this episode, I hear from Déj Doherty, founder of The Wholeleaf Company, the sustainable palm leaf tableware brand. Déj co-founded his company to reduce the amount of plastic tableware going to landfill, while also creating employment opportunities in developing countries. Appearing on Dragons' Den was a pivotal moment for the business which has since gone on to supply leading organisations including Waitrose, Glastonbury Festival and Buckingham Palace. Déj shares his experiences of Dragons' Den, how he leveraged his appearance on the show and his advice for anyone thinking of applying. Déj's advice:The more you prepare the less nervous you will feelIt's not a comfortable experience, waiting to be interviewedYou may be encouraged to ask for more than you actually want - to make your case more exciting - but this could work against youThey prefer only one interviewee, even if you do have a co-founderHave confidence in your forecast numbersIf you show you are genuinely passionate about your business, that is more likely to convince themAfterwards, do as much PR/social media as you can to maximise the effect of the showMore than any investment, what you will be gaining is brand awareness for your businessYou will probably notice an increase in attention (from potential investors) as a resultRaising money is a full-time job which is hard for a one-man band, so you may find it better in the long run to grow more slowly and do without outside investmentIf you'd like to contact Déj you can reach him via adejare@thewholeleafco.comFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

With episodes of Dragons' Den often reaching millions of UK viewers, the show is a brilliant platform for entrepreneurs to seek investment while promoting their businesses. So in this episode, I wanted to speak to someone with first hand and recent experience of the show.  Rohan Radhakrishnan, is one of the co-founders of Quarter, the acclaimed quarter-strength spirits brand. Having founded their brand in 2021, Rohan and his co-founder Fabian quickly went after an appearance on Dragons' Den as part of their marketing as well as investment strategy. Listen on to hear what happened to the duo and what goes into the preparation of Dragons' Den before anyone steps inside the studio. Rohan's advice:Entering Dragons' Den can win you both publicity and investmentBe aware that not everyone interviewed will be shown on the programmeIt took nine months of preparation and initial interviewing before the studio appearanceYou have to provide a video recording in advance of yourself pitching your productYou are interviewed in advance by a panel of producersThe due diligence is extremely rigorous; every claim you make must be verifiedProving all your claims can be very time-consumingThe recording will be halted immediately if you make a false claimIn the studio you are interviewed for an hour and a half; only ten minutes of this gruelling ordeal will be shownThe reach of the programme is huge and you will probably be very nervousBut all of this is superb media training and valuable practice in pitching and raising investment - so even if you reject the Dragons' offer it will not be a waste of timeWhen accepting investment, remember that as much as the financial investment, you need investors who will mentor you, encourage you, and help you to assess objectively what it is you've achieved (the Dragons will not necessarily be this type of investor)When composing an investor deck, be concise; and aim for a personal rapport before you go into too much detail - it's the personal relationship that mattersIf you'd like to contact Rohan you can reach him via rohan@quarterproof.com FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

UK angel investors collectively invest £1.5 billion per year and are believed to be the largest source of investment for start-up and early-stage companies. Angel investors can bring cash to your business along with contacts and advice too. In this episode, I hear from Mathilde Lacombe, founder of French skincare and supplement brand AIME. Having previously co-founded beauty subscription service Joliebox, Mathilde founded AIME in 2018 to help others overcome similar skincare challenges to hers. AIME blends nutrition, supplements and cosmetic skincare and, amazingly, achieved €3 million in revenue in its first twelve months. With many founders wondering which type of investor to partner with, Mathilde shares how angel investment has helped her scale AIME and her advice on how to pitch to angel investors. Mathilde's advice:Angel investors tend to be experts in their field, and will be more interested in you as an entrepreneur and what you will bring to that field that's newVCs will be more focussed on the numbers and accurate forecastingWhen pitching to an angel investor it will be important to make an impression as a story-teller and an innovator with a visionThe best angel investors are those who are entrepreneurs themselvesIt's vital that you have a relationship with them in which you are comfortable asking for advice; you need this as much as you need their investmentIdeally you will be able to consult them regularlyMake a list of your dream investors/advisersDon't be afraid to ask for introductions; use LinkedIn and network to try to gain first-hand introductionsBe content with refusals; there is nothing lostDon't waste their time; they are usually busy people with a job as well as an interest in investingAsk outright for what you need; explain that you'll need advice as well as investmentYou can always start with small amounts which may gradually increase if they have confidence in you; you may not need to progress to VC investmentAngel investors will usually understand your long-term vision and be less fixated on end datesFinally, if you don't need investment, don't look for itIf you'd like to contact Mathilde you can reach her on mathilde@aime.coFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directorySupport the show

It has been reported that the value of UK venture capital deals in quarters one to three of 2023 fell by 43.1% year-on-year while the number fell by 25.9% in the same period. However, VC deals are still being struck by innovative businesses. In this episode, I speak with Steve Tidball, co-founder and CEO of Vollebak, the material science-driven clothing brand. Having co-founded in 2015 with his twin brother Nick, the brand has raised over $10m in outside funding, led by the London-based venture firm Venrex, with participation from Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, and Headspace CFO Sean Brecker, among others. This allowed Vollebak to create the world's first solar-charged jacket and the first computer-programmable clothing. Given the uncertainty around raising VC investment, Steve offers his advice on the best ways to pitch to a VC fund and shares how his business has used VC investment to scale. Steve's advice:Build your network (if you can bring one from a previous career so much the better)Be original to be noticedBe prepared to tolerate some failureBe aware that Venture Capitalists tend to invest in just one area/type of businessVCs are typically willing to take earlier and relatively speculative risksWhereas private equity investors are risk-averseAnd angel investors will take on even greater risks than VCsAnother way of raising funds can be crowd-fundingBecause a VC can take over control, it's important that you are compatible (apply the flat-mate test!)It's a mutual commitment; they will care about your success, and help in a crisisIt's useful to read up on how big businesses work (always expect a crisis)You must learn to communicate quickly and have a coherent, compelling story which you can express in 30 secondsYou need a good idea which will elicit a question in returnEventually there will probably be a full or partial sale/industry buy-out; know in advance what the likely time period for this isAlways have an idea of what you want to achieve in the long termAllow your subconscious brain the chance to work things out (by exercise, meditation etc.)If you'd like to contact Steve you can reach him on steve@vollebak.comFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Support the show

When raising investment, it's important to present prospective investors with your financial information as clearly as possible. This is where a data room comes into play. In this episode, I speak to Laura Fullerton, the founder and CEO of Monk, creators of the world's first smart ice bath and cold water therapy app. After discovering that ice baths helped her regain control of her physical and mental health, Laura launched Monk to make cold water therapy more accessible. About to close a £2 million round, Laura breaks down what a data room is and what needs to be included in yours to successfully raise investment. Laura's advice: Setting up a virtual data room is a confidential and controlled way of sharing information with potential investorsIt's efficient and helps them make a quick decision, which is what you wantIt's a way to show you are competent and professionalIt can highlight your potentialIt's an easy way for them to do due diligenceSecurity is important and it's wise to ask them to sign an NDA before having access to the data roomDoc Set enables you to send them a tailored choice of linksIf you have your pitch deck on Doc Set you will have version control over itIt also enables you to see which pages potential investors have been paying most attention to - so that you get a sense of what is important to them, and this will help you build a relationship with themLaura suggests you use CalendlyHaving a data room sets a professional tone; Laura has five sections in hers - business summary / financial model / product development folder / people and contracts / marketing and PR.  This makes it easy for investors to understand your businessYou need to protect yourself from the wrong investorsInterrogate them as to what value they can bring apart from capital; ask for specifics and don't be satisfied with generalisationsRemember that fund-raising never stops, even if it is just building relationships with people who may invest in the futureTry to go to the right events where you will build relationships and friendships for the future - founders always need supportIf you'd like to contact Laura you can find her @discovermonk on Instagram.FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

According to Seedrs, investors spend an average of 3 minutes and 44 seconds reviewing a pitch deck so clearly, it's crucial to create one that is sufficiently brief yet still conveys your business proposition to your target audience.In this episode, I hear from Venetia Archer, founder & CEO of Ruuby, the UK's leading at-home beauty & wellness service founded in 2015.  After identifying a gap in the London market for an on-demand beauty app, Ruuby has grown to become the fashion set's beloved digital beauty concierge. Venetia shares her advice on what a pitch deck should include, how long it should be and the pitfalls to avoid when putting yours together. Venetia's advice: You must outline the product and the mission of the companyConcentrate on the story & make it make sense But the three vital components must be: the financials: what you want to raise, and on what terms / your team (or the team you hope to acquire when you have the investment) / the market environment and your competitiveness within itYou may need to use an advisor to help you with the financial modellingYou obviously can't expect your modelling to be accurate as there are so many unknowns, it just needs to be plausibleYou can't expect to tailor the pitch deck to each individual.  You could try a three tiered approach - start with a “teaser deck” just showcasing the main highlights.  Then if someone shows interest follow up with more detailed metrics, and finally if someone is seriously interested give them a thorough financial breakdownYou may want to invest in some design help to make it look slickAlways write it yourself, because you know the subject best and it's a good exercise for you; if necessary you can bounce your ideas off a colleagueYou will get more expert at doing this, and it's good to practise on potential investors as much as you canAlways have all materials and information ready to draw uponKnow in advance which investors you want and set out your intentions, making it clear how much time you expect from them and how much time you are prepared to give them in turnGeneral good advice: it's crucial to have a strong, experienced team as early as you canFinally, have the courage of your convictionsFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

Although securing cash is the key objective when raising investment, money isn't the only thing to consider. Many investors can offer vital support and advice too. Michael Tobin OBE is a serial founder, author and non-executive chairman of several international businesses and CEO of technology company Telecity from 2002 to 2015, Michael grew the company from a market cap of £6 million into a FTSE 250 company worth £2 billion. In 2014, Michael was awarded an OBE for services to the UK digital economy. Given many founders require more than just an injection of capital when scaling their businesses, Michael shares his advice on how to ask investors for extra support and what help you can reasonably expect from your investors….plus the importance of the cost of umbrellas. If you'd like to contact Michael you can reach him via LinkedIn FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

Having decided to raise investment for your business, it's important to prepare your financials so that prospective investors can assess the inner workings of your company. Given everyone can find business finances complex to get their heads around, I wanted to talk to someone who didn't come from a financial background but has totally smashed it in raising investment efficiently for their business. In this episode, I hear from Daisy Knatchbull, founder of The Deck, the first women's-only tailoring house to have a shopfront in Savile Row's 200-year history. Beloved by the fashion press since its launch in 2019, The Deck represents Daisy's mission to change tailored clothes for women and offer them a compelling alternative to fast fashion. Daisy shares her advice on how to approach finances when you don't have a background in it, who to bring in to support you and what to be aware of when going into pitch… all before having those extensive investor conversations. Daisy's advice:Before you start, it is vital that you have complete belief in what you do.  Learn the basics of economics (Daisy used a platform called “Upwork” to school herself)Don't be afraid to ask questions, make the most of mentorsResearch the market and look at other business modelsThere is a government tax relief scheme (SEIS) to help investorsBuild a strong pitch deck with at least a three-year (preferably five) projection; explain your business succinctly but assume no prior knowledge on the part of investorsWhen you have no business history, no evidence of transactions, it will be harder to raise money because everything is based on estimates; on the other hand, the next time round you will have to justify  your track record and your positionTry to be choosy and select investors who really believe in youAccept failures and learn from them; be transparent with your investors, as no business is perfect and this will gain their respectDon't waste mental energy on worrying about their risk; this is something they have taken on themselvesAlways take confidence from remembering that you are the expert in what you doIf you'd like to contact Daisy you can reach her on Instagram @thedecklondon_FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

Valuing your business is one of the most important yet challenging aspects of raising investment. It's important to be realistic while also not underselling your proposition. In this episode, I hear from Ed Lee, founder & director of investment and consultancy firm Bowbridge Capital.  Ed and his team work alongside business owners to implement growth strategies, build infrastructure, deliver efficiencies and embrace technology, whilst also working closely with them through funding rounds, growth capital and, ultimately, exit.With Sifted reporting that the pre-series A investment deal number has hit a 3-year low, Ed shares timely advice on where to begin when valuing your business for investment as well as how the recent market changes have changed everything for founders. If you'd like to contact Ed you can reach him on ed@bowbridge.co.uk FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

One of the most challenging aspects is knowing when the right time is to seek investment for your company. If too early your business may not be ready, however, if too late you may slow down its growth potential. In this episode, I speak with Jo Fairley, co-founder of the renowned chocolate company Green & Blacks. Jo co-founded the business in 1991 with her partner, Craig Sams, to create the world's first organic chocolate and the UK's first Fairtrade-marked product. In recognition of her entrepreneurial talent, Jo received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Studies from Kingston University. Jo is one of the UK's leading female entrepreneurs and has been an inspiration to me throughout my whole career, originally in PR and now as someone who has started a business, so I was thrilled to speak to her about her investment experience and hear her advice on key considerations around the timing of raising investment. Jo's advice: If your business grows quickly you may find your cash flow restricted so you will need investmentIf you are lucky, you may be able to play one potential investor off against anotherAvoid being in a situation where you are tempted to take the ‘wrong money' because you are under pressureYou may need to keep your day job to finance growthBe prepared for investors to want to investigate every area of your business: your contracts, your financial details, your social media history - they will want to see every detailFinding the right investor can be a full-time jobYou must decide how much equity to give away; keep this as minimal as possibleBe aware that with an investor, you lose power and autonomyConsider crowd-funding as a source of revenue, rather than finding a single investorBe mentally fit for this challenge - your well-being is vital for your whole businessFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  LicenceSupport the show

Approaching and meeting investors can be one of the most daunting aspects when growing a company. From knowing where to find the right ones to crafting your elevator pitch, there is a lot to consider. In this episode, I speak with Francesca Smith, founder of Frankie's: a membership for businesswomen that helps them connect, collaborate and engage with finance. As an experienced strategic financial planner, Francesca is passionate about increasing the amount of investment provided to female founders by equipping them with the confidence they need to grow their businesses and demonstrate their value. With many founders wondering what to do first when pursuing investors, Frankie shares her advice on how to leverage your existing network, how to identify the right investors and why ‘people first' is the best approach. Frankie's advice:Always aim to meet people naturally, by networking or joining a clubBe open to building a relationship through friendly conversation, sharing possible common ground.  Be interested, rather than interesting!Make sure you follow up promptlyIt's not just about the financial investment, it's about bringing on board someone who can contribute - so look for gaps in your skill sets and consider areas where you might need helpNever be afraid to reach out and ask for helpLinkedIn and free events can be a useful way to meet the right peopleMake sure your message is clear and concise and that you have a well-defined business planBe conscious of how much of your business you are prepared to give away to an investor; don't be over-eager to surrender too much in the early daysAlways look at the investors' track recordWhile you need someone on your wavelength who understands your aims, you also need someone who will challenge you and sometimes disagree with youThe best approach on meeting someone is to find common ground - or appeal to their imaginationAnticipate that finding the right investment could take a year and many pitches, so be tenaciousAlways trust your instincts; you need someone you know/trust/understand, who knows/trusts/understands you in returnFinally, it's about the people first, then the moneyFrankie has some great starter kits available too. If you'd like to contact Frankie you can reach her via info@frankies.uk.net FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Support the show

With Barnardo's reporting that on average clothing items are only worn 7 times before they are thrown away, the fashion industry is clearly responsible for overproduction and excessive use of resources. However, many emerging brands are encouraging their customers to shop more mindfully to reduce their personal environmental impacts so I was keen to speak to an expert to find out more.In this episode, I speak with the founder of the eponymous fashion brand Aoife McNamara who has always placed transparency at the centre of her business.  In contrast to fast fashion brands, she prioritises quality over quantity and encourages customers to care for their garments to make them last. Aoife shares advice on building an environmentally transparent fashion business and how important transparency and sustainability are to customers. Aoife's advice: Sustainability means putting the planet, people and local materials firstBelieve in: earth logic not growth logicHave your “why” foremost in your mind and if you believe in this it will help you take the more difficult routeBe curious; have mentors/ a board of advisors; network; take courses; go to talksNever be ashamed to askInternship is a useful way to learn an industryWhen making decisions on sustainability you need to show responsibilitySupply chain transparency is vital; be honest with your customers (in fashion this means being honest about the fabric, the makers of the garment, its origin)Educate your consumers,  not to make a profit from them but for the sake of doing itMake each item you create as good as it can possibly beYou will never be perfect but as long as you try that's the main thingIf you'd like to contact Aoife, you can reach her via aoife@aoifemcnamara.com or @aoife_irelandFF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & LicenceSupport the show

When building a business from scratch, founders have an opportunity to consider the environmental impact of all their activities, including work travel. According to Statista research, 81% of global travellers believe sustainable travel is important, however, 43% of respondents to a Booking.com survey said they “never, rarely or sometimes” manage to travel in a sustainable way. In this episode, I speak with Rafael Museri and Daniel Rudasevski: the co-founders of Selina: the travel company combining beautifully designed accommodation with coworking, recreation, wellness and local experiences. Having founded their business in 2014, Rafael and Daniel aim to make more sustainable travel easier, particularly for founders, and support the local communities living and working near their properties. As a big fan of remote working and slow travel, I am determined to reduce my own environmental impact when travelling, so I was keen to hear from Rafael and Daniel on how founders can reduce the environmental impact of their travel as well as how companies can give back to the local communities in which they operate in.Rafael's advice: When you set up your business, be conscious of ESG from the outsetProfitability will come from this ESG awareness as customers will look out for itBe authentic and credible - customers require reassuranceBe realistic about what you can achieve as you may not be able to tick every box straight awayBuild a long-term plan; measure your achievements regularly; communicate them to your teamTake advice from impartial shareholders; small shareholders who have been with you from the start will have no conflict of interest (unlike bigger shareholders who may be looking for quicker profits)Always try to be prepared for dramatic shifts in the economyLove what you do; if you are 100% engaged it will show and be infectiousIf you'd like to contact Rafael or Selina please drop them a line at: FF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. FF&M recommends: LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & LicenceSupport the show