Beyond the Brand

Season 1 Best Bits Wrap Up

It's a wrap on Series One! In this finale, Cara revisits the most memorable moments from every guest - the setbacks, breakthroughs, and hard-won wisdom that defined this series. Nine founders, nine completelydifferent businesses, and yet the same threads keep appearing: do the internal work first, build something authentically yours, and know that the moments that change everything are rarely the ones you planned for. Series Two is coming soon - subscribe so you don't miss it!  Links & summary •       Toks [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/B7Y0aTq1L1b] — Luxuryhomeware & furniture founder stocked in Harrods. On turning a supplier crisis into her biggest opportunity, and why internal brand work attracts the right doors. •       Abbie [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ouRDpSq1L1b] — Artist & print designer who turned a lockdown hobby into a full-time business. The most-listened-to episode of the series - essential listening if you're thinkingabout wholesale or trade shows. •       Finn [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/WHE3vOq1L1b] — Co-founder of The Positive Planner. Why wholesale should be in your revenue mix from day one, and the bravery it takes to back your own instincts. •       Dr. Sophie Carr [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/9E0mDRq1L1b] — Mathematician using maths and technology to predict crowd behaviour and potentially save lives. Grew from solo founder to a team of 15 with UK government clients. •       Natalie [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/J7BHRQq1L1b] — Founder of Glisten Cosmetics, a seven-figure brand with fans including Doja Cat and Chappell Roan. On patience, brand-building, and values that go beyondmarketing. •       Georgia Larson [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/phrxJNq1L1b] — Founder of sustainable lingerie brand Dora Larson. Her brand DNA hasn't changed since her 2016 launch - a powerful listen for anyone wanting to build a brand in a competitive industry, •       Martina [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SPpT2Pq1L1b] — Founder of The Dental Architect. Brand building is ongoing - it's a living commitment to telling your story. •       Adam [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/qrhuhPq1L1b] — Startup founder and former Amazon AI lead. On how working on their business' branding helped them understand and commit to their vision more clearly as a team. •       Ruby Raut [https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/xQpqWMq1L1b] — Founder of Wuka, the UK's first reusable period underwear brand, with over one million customers. Ruby isn't just building a brand - she's building a movement.   Tabara N'Diaye, founder of La Basketry, was due to featurethis series — read her full interview on Cara's blog: Purpose,PR and Publishing Deals — A Conversation with Tabara N'Diaye [https://www.carabendon.com/blog/purpose-pr-and-publishing-deals-a-conversation-with-la-basketry-founder-tabara-ndiaye]. Episodes FeaturedAlso Mentioned

Period Power: Ruby Raut on WUKA, VAT Wins & Breaking Taboos

Ft. Ruby Raut, Founder of WUKA What does it take to turn personal shame into a global movement? In this episode, I sit down with Ruby Raut - Nepali-born environmental scientist, award-winning entrepreneur, and founder of WUKA (Wake Up, Kick Ass), the UK's first reusable period underwear brand - for an honest, inspiring, and boundary-breaking conversation about periods, purpose, and building a business that changes lives. Growing up in Nepal, Ruby experienced first-hand the harmful menstrual taboos that affect millions of women and girls worldwide. That lived experience became the foundation for everything she would go on to build - a brand, a campaign, and a movement. In this episode we cover: * How Ruby's upbringing in Nepal shaped her mission for menstrual equity * The founding story of WUKA and scaling to over one million customers worldwide * Breaking period stigma and rewriting the cultural narrative around menstruation * The groundbreaking Axe the Period Tax campaign and how Ruby helped make period underwear VAT-free in the UK from 2024 * WUKA's Tackle Anything campaign and why representation in sport matters for menstrual health * Sustainable, eco-friendly period care and why reusable period underwear is a game-changer for people and the planet * What it really takes to build a purpose-led brand as a female founder If you're a female entrepreneur, women's health advocate, or sustainability champion - this episode is for you.

In Full Support: Georgia Larsen on Staying True to Her Vision

From spotting a gap on the shop floor to building one of the most recognisable colourful lingerie brands in the market, this episode charts the bold rise of Dora Larsen. Today’s guest, Georgia Larsen, is redefining what everyday underwear looks and feels like - designed from a proudly female perspective and powered by a fearless use of colour. After starting her career as a buyer at Topshop, Georgia launched Dora Larsen in 2016 to challenge the sea of beige basics and black lacey numbers with pieces that are joyful, flattering and thoughtfully made. Since then, the brand has earned features in Vogue, Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, NYLON and i-D, and secured retail partnerships with industry heavyweights including Net-A-Porter, Selfridges, Fenwick, Harrods and Anthropologie. With expansions into sleepwear and swimwear, and more than £47,000 donated to environmental charities, sustainability remains central to its growth. We talk about the realities behind building a cult brand: the early wins, the operational pressures, partnering with her husband in business, and the discipline required to stay clearly positioned in a crowded market. Georgia also shares how colour became her strategic signature, and why authenticity has been her strongest commercial advantage. With fans including Jemima Kirke, Michaela Coel, Alexa Chung, Laura Jackson and even Madonna, Dora Larsen has evolved from an industry insight into a globally recognised label. If you’re interested in brand-building, creative differentiation, sustainability in practice, or what it really takes to turn a sharp market observation into a scalable business - this conversation delivers!

From Crowdfund to Publishing Powerhouse: The Positive Planner Story

In this episode, Finn Prevett, co-founder of The Positive Planner,shares the inspiring journey behind the iconic yellow planner that has helped thousands improve their mental health through guided journaling. Born from personal struggles with neurodivergence and motherhood, Finn and her business partner Ali launched the planner in 2017 - crowdfunding just 300 copies - and quickly grew it into a global best-seller stocked by Urban Outfitters and Barnes & Noble. Listen in as Finn reveals how they navigated rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained mental wellbeing under pressure, and attracted aligned partnerships with the Samaritans and Penguin Publishing. Packed with insights on scaling a brand, leveraging social media, and keeping mental health at the heart of business, this episode is a must-hear for entrepreneurs, creatives and anyone passionate about purposeful products.

Inventing the Next Era of Entertainment with Adam Wood

In this episode of Beyond the Brand, I interview Adam, founder of Fablecast, an AI-powered storytelling app changing how we experience stories. Adam spent 10 years at Amazon on their AI team and was part of the team behind Alexa, giving him a front-row seat to the rise of generative AI. We talk about how tools like ChatGPT are transforming creativity, why Adam’s love of role-playing games inspired Fablecast, and how AI can lower barriers to immersive, interactive storytelling. Fablecast blends AI with human imagination, allowing users to interact with stories - even becoming characters in them! Since I also collaborated with Adam to create the Fablecast branding, we also discuss this journey, from defining the audience to creating a clean, modern identity that still captures the magic of storytelling. A must-listen if you’re interested in AI startups, generative AI, interactive storytelling, or branding innovative tech products.