How to scale early by saying no: Dan Cray, PHIZZ

How to grow a brand with intent, Izipizi: Charles Brun

Charles Brun, co-founder of IZIPIZI, talks about how to start a brand from a simple idea and grow it into a global consumer business without losing sight of the initial values. This episode is about spotting overlooked opportunities, building a brand around design and accessibility and scaling internationally while staying true to the original idea. Keep listening to hear how IZIPIZI turned an everyday functional product into a global lifestyle brand - and what founders can learn about how to start a brand that truly resonates with consumers. Charles’ advice: * Considerations like carbon footprint, sustainable delivery routes, general effect on the environment all contributed to our decisions and led to gaining B-corp certification * We also find it important to consider the team and the staff and make sure this company is a great one to work for, with a positive atmosphere * Our customers need good value/good quality product/good design; we need a good place to work * From the outset we intended to make this product in a good way; we need the team to be happy * We consider each other and make allowances for each other’s personal needs * We had great mentors who gave us an education in producing and marketing something * It’s important to keep talking to each other - sharing both the good things and the problems * It’s also useful to network and meet other founders * Always look around and consider other brands and the competition * Take your time choosing your partners and have a strong partnership agreement in place * Start marketing your product through the right outlets; be selective * Every so often take a break with your partners away from the business and discuss long-term plans * Always put the team before the product 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop%20%20] &  Licence [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

How to: build a truly consumer-led business, Nick Croft-Simon, White Rabbit

Nick Croft-Simon, is the co-founder & CEO of White Rabbit, the UK’s largest gluten free pizza brand & the No.1 contributor to growth in the category.   But this is a conversation about more than pizza.  It’s about how to build a truly consumer-led business. From building their own gluten free bakery to making the controversial data-led decision to introduce meat SKUs after starting as veggie and vegan this episode is about ownership, agility and listening hard when your customer speaks. If you want to understand what “consumer-led” really means in practice - not just in a pitch deck - keep listening. Nick's advice: * Always listen to the consumer * Aim high and don’t compromise * You need your consumer to come back a second time * Once convinced, your customers will spread the word and be your best advertisement * Trust is everything * Trade events can be useful if you choose very specific ones * A consumer panel has been good for us; invite them to look closely at new products / question them exhaustively / listen to their answers.  Honest feedback is gold * Always put quality before everything else 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop%20%20] &  Licence [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

How to scale early by saying no: Dan Cray, PHIZZ

In this episode Dan Cray, founder & CEO of PHIZZ, talks about how to scale without losing your North Star, stay focussed and go global. After raising capital, PHIZZ had the opportunity to go broad early. New markets, new use cases and major international interest created momentum - but also complexity. Dan shares how chasing too many opportunities diluted focus, and why returning to a laser focus became the foundation for faster and more sustainable growth. This episode is a lesson in timing, discipline and knowing when to say no. Keep listening to hear how PHIZZ found clarity through focus and what founders can learn about leadership, restraint and long-term growth. Dan's advice: * Start with observation, not ambition * Build credibility early, partnerships with trusted brands created momentum before mass awareness * Investment creates pressure to scale, but chasing growth too broadly can pull you away from your core * Focus is a growth strategy, cutting revenue generating products and markets can accelerate long term performance * Say no more as you grow, shifting from a yes culture to disciplined decision making is key to scaling well * Nail your home market first, global expansion only works if your core business is strong and stable 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop%20%20] &  Licence [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

How to make podcasting work for your business with Samantha Cusick

Samantha Cusick is one of the most recognisable voices in hair & uses podcasting to deepen brand trust, create community, as well as accidentally open doors commercially & position herself as an authority in a crowded market. In this episode, we unpack what podcasting really does for you as an entrepreneur once the mic is live: how it supports the brand, drives opportunity, builds long-term equity & ultimately makes you feel less lonely as a founder.   Keep listening to hear how to use podcasting as a growth lever, not a distraction and what founders should think about before they press record. This conversation explores:  * Why Samantha started a podcast despite running multiple salons * How long-form podcasting creates deeper connection than short-form social media * The realities of podcast growth, sponsorship, and production * How podcasting has strengthened her broader business ecosystem * Overcoming imposter syndrome as a founder * The importance of understanding your numbers and planning properly when starting a business * Why founders should “just start” - even without certainty 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop%20%20] &  Licence [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

How to start, scale & stay married Marie du Petit Thouars & Matt Berkson, Maison Louis Marie

In today’s episode of How To Start Up, I’m joined by Marie du Petit Thouars and Matthew Berkson - the founders and partners behind Maison Louis Marie, the clean luxury fragrance house that blends centuries-old botanical heritage with modern consciousness. We discuss how they turned a personal passion into a global brand while learning to start, scale and stay married along the way. Matt & Marie's advice:  * Divide by strength, not ego * Respect work ethic above all * Align on values and definition of success * Create physical and psychological boundaries * Trust is the operating system * Let go before you burn out * Protect the relationship deliberately * Say no as you grow 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop%20%20] &  Licence [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]