Kuuntele How To Start Up by FF&M

PWC [https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2024/pwc-2024-voice-of-consumer-survey.html#:~:text=Consumers%20are%20increasingly%20prioritising%20sustainability,%2Dliving%20concerns%2C%20among%20others.] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-harnett/?originalSubdomain=uk] is the Founder of Seep [https://theseepcompany.com/], 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 retailers * Selling 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 customers * The evidence of your DTC sales enables you to approach big retailers with confidence * Target your marketing emails carefully and thoughtfully * Persevere with this; it can take time * Facebook and Instagram ads are helpful * You will find other founders provide you with advice and support 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  FF&M recommends:  * LastPass [https://lastpass.wo8g.net/AzkdN] the password-keeping site that syncs between devices. * Google Workspace [https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100234523-14343091]is brilliant for small businesses * Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1251284] * Canva [https://partner.canva.com/WjQeJ] has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites. 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/twilio/text_messages/1288742/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

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 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/guyblaskey] founded healthy pet food business Pooch & Mutt [https://www.poochandmutt.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoqA7LgKLMyg5W0Ej6wHAetDmjy8yogtrNsqwLah4TLk0xZmO1OI] 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 [https://detrash.com/?srsltid=AfmBOormlR9GCWikH_fU15y-p_Fp1l7QObz0xw-zqXIdbPL_dcmCcfmj] 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 differently * Don’t spend too long on your business plan; get going and make a plan afterwards * If 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 them * Always think about your customer and how you can help them achieve a result * It takes time and rigour - and some failures - to get everything right and become a strong business * You need a strong understanding of the finances; it’s not just about the brand * Budget properly; predict sales and follow through * Don’t overfund early on; if you start small you can track the money and see what works and what doesn’t * Produce the product and get going with a small budget before considering looking for VC * Marketing and distribution channels are quite as important as the product * Work on your business rather than in your business; in other words, delegate the knowables FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2025 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. FF&M recommends:   Buzzsprout [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1251284] for directory listing Zencastr [https://zencastr.com/?via=juliet] for recording remotely  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/twilio/text_messages/1288742/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingawilewska/] is the Founder & CEO of MUJO [https://mujo.life/?srsltid=AfmBOoqR82XSxNfyHS-34G-yucaKdSVA0ZROzqphPmuwdVmNmauNQ2St], 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 costs * Spend time sourcing ingredients carefully * Research your market thoroughly and understand where the gaps are * Speak to strangers about what propels them to buy / what are their priorities / what packaging appeals to them * Pay continual attention to feedback * Communicate with your buyers; see your product as a service for them * Refine your pitch and your website to suit your market * Your brand needs to inspire trust and exude authority * Always put quality over quantity * Believe absolutely in your product yourself * Be 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 yourself * Always be ready to learn some new way of reaching your market 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.  FF&M recommends:  * LastPass [https://lastpass.wo8g.net/AzkdN] the password-keeping site that syncs between devices. * Google Workspace [https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100234523-14343091]is brilliant for small businesses * Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1251284] * Canva [https://partner.canva.com/WjQeJ] has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites. 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/twilio/text_messages/1288742/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

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 [https://lyma.life/], Lucy Goff [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lucy-goff-1191b41b2], 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 different * Surprise people * Remember everything is aiming towards a sale * Plan your PR stories in advance of the launch; that way you reduce any risk * The product will stand on its own; but the brand storytelling is what will set you apart * Think about how your brand will resonate with customers and stand out in the marketplace * Listen to your customers and engage with them; their feedback will be crucial  * Customers won’t always want what you want to give them * Any loyalty scheme should be designed around the product you are selling * A loyalty scheme should also repay the length of time your customers have stayed with you * On 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  FF&M recommends:  * LastPass [https://lastpass.wo8g.net/AzkdN] the password-keeping site that syncs between devices. * Google Workspace [https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100234523-14343091]is brilliant for small businesses * Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1251284] * Canva [https://partner.canva.com/WjQeJ] has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites. 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/twilio/text_messages/1288742/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]

How to generate sales overseas? With only 11.9% [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/number-of-exporting-registered-businesses-in-the-uk-2016-to-2022/number-of-exporting-registered-businesses-in-the-uk-2016-to-2022] 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 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/thea-green-511a2424] founded Nails.INC [https://www.nailsinc.com/] 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’ needs * Enjoy working out what the next trend will be * Have good PR when starting up * Find the new angle * If you believe in it, you will be able to sell it * Keep your standards high * It’s easier to sell when there’s a story to personalise the product and make it relevant * Listen to the customer and solve their problems * Excite the customer * Engage with the customer and listen to them * It’s essential to employ good sales people * Renew your enthusiasm by concentrating on the aspects of the business you enjoy * It’s helpful to consider your budget over the long term * Sales will be transformed when you become a brand; and when you do your first business overseas 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 [https://www.fallowfieldmason.com/].  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  FF&M recommends:  * LastPass [https://lastpass.wo8g.net/AzkdN] the password-keeping site that syncs between devices. * Google Workspace [https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100234523-14343091]is brilliant for small businesses * Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory [https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1251284] * Canva [https://partner.canva.com/WjQeJ] has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites. 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/twilio/text_messages/1288742/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1288742/support]