HOW TO START UP by FF&M

Before Kate Halfpenny designed wedding dresses, she dressed Kate Moss, Rihanna and Cate Blanchett for a living.

That client list didn't just shape her design eye, it built her a reputation before she'd designed a single dress for the public. When a commission for actress Emilia Fox in 2005 became the foundation of Halfpenny London, Kate already understood something most founders take years to learn: proximity to the right person, at the right moment, is one of the most powerful and least controllable forms of PR there is.

Kate's Advice:

Build a reputation through consistently exceptional work, not just advertising
Paid marketing creates visibility, but trust has to be earned
Word of mouth can't be controlled. Focus on creating work people genuinely want to recommend
Choose collaborators because they're the right fit, not because they're famous
Audiences can feel the difference between genuine love for a brand and being paid to wear it
Be crystal clear about who your brand is for. It protects you from the wrong partnerships
One great PR moment opens the door, but consistency is what keeps people coming back
Never compromise the integrity of your product simply to gain attention
Bring experienced external leadership into your business sooner than you think
Treat mistakes as part of building a business. They're lessons, not failures
Protect time for your personal life before your business takes all of it
Don't compare your journey to everyone else's, especially on social media

Chapters

(00:00) Why reputation beats advertising
(01:25) Meet Kate Halfpenny
(02:00) Building a brand through reputation
(05:00) How Emilia Fox launched Halfpenny London
(08:15) Why authentic celebrity PR is priceless
(10:05) Choosing the right influencers
(13:00) Celebrity marketing mistakes founders make
(15:00) Turning one PR moment into a 20-year brand
(18:00) PR, social media and luxury branding
(20:30) Founder storytelling and personal brands
(23:00) Growing Halfpenny internationally
(24:30) The leadership mistake Kate would change
(28:00) Work-life balance as a founder
(29:30) Kate's question for the next guest

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
https://www.fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 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.

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Every guest on this podcast talks about looking after yourself and your sleep when starting a business so I was keen to speak to someone who has first hand experience in losing it, how to get it back & making a business from it too.

Hayley Dawes spent years designing beautiful, calming homes for other people. She couldn't find a moment of that calm for herself. A mother of four and a long-time entrepreneur, Hayley battled chronic insomnia that began to affect every part of her life. The thing that finally shifted it was broad-spectrum CBD and plant actives, used properly and consistently. That personal discovery became Dreem Distillery, a science-led luxury sleep brand now known for its award-winning Night Drops Sleep Oil and, this year, a new magnesium body butter, Dreem Melt.

This is a story about building a business out of a problem you genuinely couldn't solve any other way, and what happens when your professional skill and your personal life are pulling in completely opposite directions.

Hayley's advice:

Protect your sleep as fiercely as you protect your business
Working harder works... until suddenly it doesn't
Small daily habits ("micro moments") can have a huge impact on your nervous system
Don't underestimate the power of a daily walk, movement and natural daylight to regulate your nervous system
Build a business around solving a genuine problem
Work with experts when you're entering an unfamiliar industry
Never compromise on quality – from your product to your branding and packaging
Building a business teaches resilience
Prioritising yourself allows you to perform better in every area of your life

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 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.

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Laura Butler-Madden is an award-winning interior designer with 14 years of expertise restoring and transforming period properties. Laura hasn't left her design career. She's simply added a second one.

For anyone starting a business, this may feel like a lot given how many hats you’re already wearing, so I was keen to chat to her about why and how she decided to do this.

Keep listening to hear a practical guide on how to build a second career alongside your first.

Laura's advice:

Just because you can do something well doesn’t mean you should be doing it
Go for what makes you happy and contented
And simultaneously look for a gap in the market
When you are in control of a business, you can shed the extra processes
As long as you have the basics - like understanding spreadsheets - you can manage
You don’t need a big team - but it also means you have no support group
So you do need to be resilient to do everything yourself
Patience and resilience are vital - just keep going!
At first, there may be more lows than highs
The big plus is the freedom
Make sure you relax sometimes
And acknowledge how far you’ve come

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.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Most founders start with an idea & go looking for an ingredient. The Taylor sisters started with the ingredient and had to build everything else around it.

Their family has farmed plums in Northern California for four generations. For most of that time, the plum pits were just waste. Le Prunier turned them into the hero ingredient of an organic, luxury skincare line that now sits in goop, Anthropologie, Neiman Marcus & Bloomingdales.

Allison came in from fashion and brand development, having worked at Giorgio Armani and MOTHER Denim. Jacqueline is a UCLA grad with a science background and culinary training. And rounding out the trio is their sister Elaine, who brings experience from two previous CPG brands and heads up finance and operations.

This is a story about vertical integration before it was a trend, about patience in product development, and about what farming actually teaches you that business school doesn't.

Jackie's advice:

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.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Jo Glynn-Smith is a coach & specialises in leadership growth, career transition and personal transformation, working with people to navigate change. Alongside her coaching practice she hosts The Midlife Entrepreneur podcast, which explores the shift from corporate life into entrepreneurship, so is perfectly placed to guide us through how to pivot in mid-life & address how listeners might honestly assess whether they are ready to do the same.

Keep listening to hear a practical guide on ‘how to pivot’

Jo's advice:

When considering a career change or starting a business in mid-life, be wary of a dramatic move which can be risky
Consider your reasons for wanting change
Make a list of the pros and cons of your current job
Identify the aspects of your work you love the most/dislike the most
Consider taking a sabbatical
Consider whether it’s the pace of your current work/the way you currently work that is making you unhappy - not the work itself
Coaching can help you identify the problems
You will need to plan ahead financially and work out how long you can manage without an income
Once you know this you can make a plan - Retrain? Have coaching? Undertake research?
Be self-aware: will you be happier with a co-founder or a partner?
Find people doing what you’re interested in, and talk to them at length
Many skills are transferable - you will be competent in various fields
Growth and learning are constant in everybody’s lives
Self-belief can be the hardest attribute to find; use a coach to help you examine your successes
Think about: what you love/what the world needs/what you can get paid for/what you are good at
Finding your new identity and building a reputation takes time - expect this
Create your own brand story
Enjoy your autonomy

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.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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According to the Office for National Statistics, only around four in ten UK businesses live to see their fifth birthday. And for most of the ones that do make it, the bottleneck isn’t the market - it’s the founder.

Our guest today learned that the hard way. Thea Brook spent over a decade as a CFO scaling startups into the tens of millions, built her own restaurants and product brands, and then ran the conventional playbook of working harder and growing faster straight into burnout and a brain haemorrhage.

She rebuilt from scratch, and founded CALMM - now giving more than 250 founder-led businesses senior leadership brains on tap across strategy, ops, marketing, people and finance.

Her blunt lesson: the skills that got you here are rarely the ones that get you past here.

Thea's course can be found www.theabrook.com/workshop

Thea's advice:

When scaling, look inside your own business to find solutions: keep looking within
Make the most of what you have already and your assets
Recognise that it’s not all about starting a business and being an entrepreneur, it’s about owning a business
The visionary side of things can be stimulating and fun - but the operating, the actual doing, can be hard
Allow yourself strategic thinking time: assess your thinking and your doing
Always accept you’re learning and never be afraid to ask questions

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.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode I'm joined by Emmie Faust, serial entrepreneur, investor in over 30 women-founded businesses & founder of Female Founders Rise, the 11,000-strong UK community supporting female entrepreneurs.

Emmie is also the author of the newly published RISE Report, the largest independent study of female entrepreneurship in the UK & this is the first time she's sharing its findings on a podcast.

We talk about why she built Female Founders Rise after a post-COVID breakdown, why she believes peer networks matter more than funding & why she is, very purposefully, a solo founder on her 11th business.

What we cover:

Why Emmie started Female Founders Rise after a breakdown, and why she never intended it to become a business
The four pillars of Female Founders Rise: community, funding, fundamentals and awareness
Key findings from the RISE Report, including the £310 billion opportunity for the UK economy
Why 80% of young people can't name a female entrepreneur, and what the ecosystem needs to do about it
Loneliness as the single biggest challenge for one in seven female founders
Why peer networks outperform family, friends and even funding as the most valuable founder support
The case against co-founders, and how to build a support structure without one
Why "networking" is a dirty word, and what to call it instead
Emmie's advice for first-time female founders: build in public, stay curious, and launch before it's perfect

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. It genuinely helps other founders find the show.

How To Start Up is produced by Fallow, Field & Mason.

If you'd like help launching your own podcast, or doing your own PR in-house, visit fallowfieldmason.com.

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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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Today on How To Start Up, I’m joined by Sophie Paterson, founder of the internationally recognised design studio Sophie Paterson Interiors. Since launching her studio in 2008, Sophie has completed over 80 luxury projects worldwide but it’s her strategic use of social media that transformed her business into the global brand it is today.

With more than 1,000,000 followers across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, Sophie has built a loyal international audience, opened doors to collaborations, and attracted clients around the world. Today, she shares how founders can use social platforms not just to showcase their work, but to grow a business, build credibility and reach global customers.

In this episode, we cover:

When using social media, it’s all about building a community
It’s a good idea to share the process - whatever you are producing
Be consistent about what you share - so your followers know what to expect
Sharing builds trust
Be honest: your personal brand is your brand
A social media manager will enable you to produce more content and reach more platforms
No need to be too polished; be genuine and don’t over-curate
Sometimes reveal the bad as well as the good
Don’t allow negative content from others to touch you

If you’re building a business and questioning how visible you really need to be, this conversation offers reassurance, clarity and practical insight from someone who’s built scale without losing herself in the process.

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.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Rhian Stephenson is a nutritionist, naturopath and founder of ARTAH, the practitioner-led supplement brand built around a core belief: performance starts with your health.

In this episode, Rhian shares the realities of building a company in the wellness space, how to stay healthy while navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship & why understanding your physiology is one of the most powerful business tools you have.

We cover:

Think of yourself as your business’s most important asset
Your performance will affect the whole team
Your health is vital: try keeping a one-month food/energy log
Know that protein is fuel
Understand your needs and proactively manage your mind/food/exercise
Prioritise and be disciplined about doing what you can in these areas
Try having a mentor, like a sports coach, to help you keep improving
Being self-employed is both the hardest the most rewarding way of working
Fibre (we should all be having 30 gm a day) affects mood, energy and immune systems
Female founders have to accept they are cyclical, and that ageing affects oestrogen levels
If in any doubt have your hormone levels checked
Magnesium aids good sleep
Try to speak to other founders
Know that constant comparison via social media is simply destructive - try breaks from it

Rhian has seen first-hand, both in clinical practice and as a founder herself, how many people push themselves to the point of burnout while building businesses. Her mission with ARTAH is not only to create targeted, science-backed supplements but also to empower people, especially entrepreneurs, to protect their minds and bodies as they grow their careers.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Andy Varley started Insanity at just 17 years old & has since grown it into a multifaceted business spanning artist management, brand partnerships, music publishing and content production.

Stay tuned to hear Andy’s journey from teenage entrepreneur to leading one of the UK’s most respected entertainment companies. We talk about how to find support when you’re starting out & the lessons he’s learned about staying relevant in an ever-changing media and cultural landscape.

Andy's advice:

Start building networks as early as you can. Meet as many people as possible in your chosen field to make contacts
Find your gap in the market, but most of all love what you do
Entrepreneurship can be lonely; ideally have someone to share the decision-making process with
Try to surround yourself with with advisors (accountants, lawyers perhaps) who can act as mentors
There are many mentorship programmes available
BCorp is a force for good and will be a guiding influence on your employees
Kindness and sympathy are vital leadership qualities
Lead in a way your team will respect
Understand you can’t do everything yourself! Trust your employees

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2026, 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 & Licence

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The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy found that 96% of UK entrepreneurs admit to ‘bottling up’ the stress of running their business.

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 enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Le’Nise Brothers is a leading nutritionist & yoga teacher specialising in women’s health, hormones and the menstrual cycle. Le’Nise’s first book, You Can Have A Better Period, was released in March 2022 and she also hosts the Period Story podcast, breaking taboos around menstrual health, hormones, perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

In today’s episode, Le’Nise shares her advice on working to the rhythms of your body and harnessing the power of the four stages of the menstrual cycle to benefit you both professionally and personally.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Rachel Harris is passionate about financial well-being & running values-led businesses. Rachel has created a modern, cloud‑focused accountancy & tax advisory firm for both businesses and individuals alongside a platform for business owners to find accessible, consumable, financial education.

Stay tuned to hear Rachel’s advice on the highs and lows of running a business. Why loneliness is something that you should not ignore, what you should ask an accountant when you are vetting your first one, how they can become your business partner, how to manage people within the business...& so much more.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Daisy Bird, founder of BIRD PR, leads with a deep belief in the power of culture, emotional intelligence & building a people-first business. After 15 years in business, Daisy is cognisant of the investment this takes as well as the invisible skills a founder has to have to make a business succeed with a happy team as well.

Stay tuned to hear Daisy’s insights on the emotional undercurrent of running a business, why understanding personalities is non-negotiable in service industries, how she interviews, the value of psychometric testing and why investing in people is the best way to future proof your business.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Eshita Kabra-Davies is the founder & CEO of By Rotation. 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 context.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

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Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience & the Head of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford as well as the author of Life Time explains why a good night’s sleep is so important, as well as what ‘good’ means to an individual, plus how to balance your sleep schedule with building your business.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from physio, Tim Blakey, creator of PRIME BODY. Born from his own health and fitness challenges and overcoming training injuries, Tim combines corrective work with strength training to optimise body composition and combat body betrayal.

Tim shares his perspective on why founder mobility is so important to incorporate from the beginning, why to prioritise resistance training over cardio and why it can actually be a great investment in your overall business to look after your mobility.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Jenna Hope, registered nutritionist and founder of Jenna Hope Nutrition helps implement beneficial nutrition strategies, through a combination of talks, presentations and workshops, to improve people’s well being, productivity, sleep, stress management and mental health.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

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Jamie Clements, founder of The Breath Space: using breathing techniques to overcome anxiety and panic attacks, Jamie discovered the extensive benefits of breathwork for improving physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2024 Fallow, Field & Mason. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

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As a workplace stress and burnout prevention consultant, Nina Nesdoly, Nina shares her advice on maintaining a work/life balance, identifying stress triggers and techniques for relieving stress.

If you’d like to contact Nina, you can reach her at contact@workplaceclarity.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & podcasts. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 Fallow, Field & Mason.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Broadcaster & Mental Health Ambassador, Matt Johnson for a grounded, practical conversation about letting go of archetypes and expectations and instead getting honest about who you are, where your patterns come from, and how to forgive yourself and start again with intention.

We talk about purpose, motivation and self-doubt, why kindness to yourself is not optional, and how - particularly if you’re self-employed - you can create your own validation. Matt shares practical ways to regulate your mental health, from journalling and movement to breathwork, meditation, nature and switching off screens, and why being proactive with these tools doesn’t just prevent burnout, but makes life easier and happier overall.

Matt's advice:

Don’t be concerned with archetypes, be what you want to be
Face up to what you are - and work out why, where things come from
Then forgive yourself
Start again: what do you want?
Try to be more purposeful, better motivated
Ignore the self-doubts and be kind to yourself
If you’re self-employed (no appraisal, no Christmas party) try to find substitutes for these things
Provide your own validation, remind yourself of your own worth
When things don’t work out, don’t always blame yourself
Find out how to regulate your mental health, what works for you (journalling/yoga/breathwork/meditation/nature/no screens)
Be proactive about using these coping mechanisms
Impose boundaries and stick to them (especially with social media)
This will a) prevent burnout and b) make life easier and happier!

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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

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Hamish Mackay-Lewis shares his advice on how to understand your imposter syndrome, explains why it is actually an experience rather than a syndrome and some simple things you as a founder can do to manage those sometimes sabotaging thoughts that can come into your head when going out on your own.

Hamish’s advice:

Impostor experience is very common: feelings of inadequacy which can come and go
One advantage of these feelings is that you will prepare thoroughly and be highly motivated
The disadvantage however can be feeling constantly anxious, doubting yourself
It’s important to celebrate yourself, not to constantly compare yourself with others
Don’t set yourself unreasonable goals
Observe your thoughts; if you are noticing self-doubt, check in with others to get an objective opinion about your achievements - and trust their opinions
Recognise where this self-doubt stems from (often from childhood) and come to terms with this
Don’t bury the sadness / frustration / nerves; learn to accept and understand these uncomfortable feelings. Face up to what is causing them
Consciously choose your response to life; practise daily to be in the moment
Understand what is important about your business, its bigger purpose, quite apart from any financial rewards
Keep a diary to record your satisfactions and frustrations and be attentive to what gives you energy and joy
Be kind to yourself; remembering you are not alone with these feelings can give you resilience
Accept that you will always have nagging doubts and may never feel good enough; and at the same time recognise that you are, of course, perfectly good enough!

If you'd like to contact Hamish you can reach him via hamish@hamishmackaylewis.com
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.

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As the year draws to a close, many founders feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched thin - while being told to relax, be festive, and switch off, but it isn't always possible.

This trailer introduces How To Start Up’s 12 Days of Christmas mini-series: a calm, practical collection of short episodes designed to support founder health during one of the hardest times of the year.

With insights drawn from four years of conversations and over 140 guests, this special edit brings together expert guidance to help founders rest, reset and regain perspective.

What this series covers:

Imposter syndrome and how to work with it, not against it — with coach Hamish Mackay-Lewis
Founder mental health and self-reflection — with Matt Johnson
Stress prevention and burnout — with Nina Nesdoly
Using breath to regulate your nervous system — with Jamie Clements
Nutrition and energy for founders — with Jenna Hope
Mobility, posture, and physical resilience — with Tim Blakey
Sleep - with Professor Russell Foster
Personal branding boundaries and social media pressure — with Eshita Kabra-Davies
Building emotionally intelligent teams — with Daisy Bird
Money, cash flow, and the emotional weight of finances — with Rachel Harris
Female founder health and working with your cycle — with LeNise Brothers
Productivity culture and redefining success — with Emily Austen

Each episode is 30 minutes, designed to be easy to take in - whether you’re lying on the sofa, heading out for a quiet walk, or simply needing space to breathe.

This is not hustle content. It’s thoughtful, practical support for founders who need care, clarity, and steadiness as 2026 comes into view.

🎧 The 12 Days of Christmas from How To Start Up begins on Christmas Day.
Normal programming resumes in January 2026.

Produced by Juliet Fallowfield, www.fallowfieldmason.com 2025

If you enjoy the series, please rate and review the podcast — it makes a meaningful difference to the show being discovered and helps support its future.

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Today’s episode of How To Start Up dives into the reality of building a business from the ground up or bootstrap, so without investors, without a big marketing budget, and without a safety net. Joining us is Aimee Connolly, Founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee and Sculpted: The Academy, the global beauty brand she launched at just 23 in 2016 using the €10,000 she saved from her part-time job.

Less than a decade later, Sculpted is a multi-award-winning brand with over 140 products, stocked in nine countries and shipped to 68 markets worldwide - all built from a bootstrapped beginning.

In this episode, Aimee shares what it really takes to fund your own idea, stay lean while scaling, and build a global brand by relying on resourcefulness, grit, and an unshakeable belief in your vision.

Aimee’s advice:

Grasp opportunities when they present themselves
When starting up, take each task one at a time and don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed by considering the enormity of the whole project
Think ahead about a year so that you have resources
Be patient, things may grow slowly
Always have a grasp of the finances and don’t be afraid to confront the realities of demanding payment
Play on your special strengths
Show your authenticity by telling your own story
Applaud yourself for each win
Customer feedback is essential; cultivate a community in your customers (social media/direct messaging) which will help you move forward constructively
Take care of yourself: sleep, exercise, diet all support you mentally
Aim to have a support network where you can find advice
The pros of being boot-strapped are that you are in charge, not just financially
But the cons could be that you have fewer contacts and less flexibility financially
Take care when picking partners, as although this could be a huge asset, if it were to go wrong it could be very damaging

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Today we’re joined by the brilliant Michelle Pughe-Parry de Klerk, founder of The Women’s Chapter, the UK’s first network for women in business to achieve B Corp certification.

Michelle’s journey is an extraordinary example of how a passion project, started on a shoestring as a side hustle, can evolve into a thriving, impact-led portfolio career.

Since launching in 2014, The Women’s Chapter has reached more than 30,000 women through events, thought leadership, membership and pro bono initiatives. Michelle also champions women and girls beyond the community through her work as an ambassador for The King’s Trust Women Supporting Women, a UN Women UK delegate and a council member for Founders4Schools and Maths4Girls.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why a portfolio career is an asset, not a failing, and how to recognise the skills you’ve built across different areas of work
• How to decide whether your passion project should stay a passion or become a commercial venture
• Why community isn’t a “nice to have” but a biological, emotional and strategic necessity
• How small businesses can use sustainability frameworks to drive meaningful impact, even without formal certification
• What Michelle learned from becoming unexpectedly financially exposed and how founders can protect themselves
• Practical ways to combat imposter syndrome using evidence-based techniques
• Why connection lowers cortisol, boosts leadership ability and helps founders make better decisions
• How niching down and staying in your lane creates focus, momentum and clarity
• The role of conversation as a catalyst for collaboration and change

• Networking is a form of self care

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Siff Haider one part of the co-founders due behind Arrae - the wellness brand that’s redefining the supplement space with elegant, effective, natural solutions for issues like bloating, anxiety and sleep. Since launching in 2020, Arrae has gained a cult following thanks to its minimalist aesthetic, loyal community, and commitment to solving real, everyday problems - all while standing out in a saturated and often sceptical market.

Stay tuned to hear how Siff and Nish approached brand-building with intention from day one, why storytelling and science go hand-in-hand and what it takes to grow in a crowded category.

Siff's advice:

Founder mindset tip: Have faith in yourself and trust your abilities.
Leadership advice: Don’t be ruled by ego; stay flexible and be prepared to change direction if necessary.
Motivation lesson: Take one step at a time, steady progress is sustainable progress.
Resilience insight: There will always be challenges; this is normal, and you can cope with them.
Growth advice: Learn from your mistakes, apply the lessons, and keep moving forward.
Perspective shift: Don’t take challenges personally, they’re all part of evolving and growing.
Purpose-driven business tip: Think about your primary driver, which hopefully isn’t just profit; purpose will motivate you to keep going.
Lifestyle principle: Make personal rules about your life, your fitness, and your happiness and stick to them.
Customer connection advice: Communicating with customers will always be worthwhile and deeply satisfying.
Workplace culture tip: Create an environment that others will appreciate and thrive in.
Branding advice: Be honest and clear in your branding, and always stay relevant to the customer.
Inspiration insight: Look for motivation and new ideas in the world around you.
Entrepreneurship lesson: If you’re not making some mistakes, you’re not truly pushing yourself or innovating.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Ella McKay, founder of FATSO, the unapologetically bold, brilliant and beautiful chocolate brand shaking up the confectionery world.

Launched in 2022 after being dreamt up in lockdown, FATSO is on a mission to make chocolate fun again - big, chunky, and full of life - while doing things ethically and with integrity. Behind the humour and bold branding is a founder navigating motherhood, lean budgets, and the ever-shifting culture of work.

Stay tuned to hear how Ella has managed imposter thoughts, turned limited resources into major visibility, and learned to prioritise both sales and operations without burning out in the process.

Ella’s advice:

Imposter experience insight: be aware of your weaknesses (not insecurities) and accept that sometimes you just have to work on them
Accept your vulnerabilities, don’t be overwhelmed by them
Support-network lesson: Have a good mentor network and ask for help. You can usually overcome self doubt by talking something through with someone. But spend time first thinking it over, deciding who best to share with
There’s a fine balance between sharing a problem and being swamped with too much advice
Budget-friendly growth tip: Be honest about what you can afford. Approach partners transparently and find people who want to grow with you.
Sales-first strategy: Sales always come first. Everyone in the business should think like a salesperson — you can’t build operations without revenue.
Hiring advice for startups: Trust your gut. Look for energy, passion, curiosity, and the willingness to get hands-on. Not everyone is built for startup life.
Motherhood and entrepreneurship: There’s no maternity cover when you’re the founder. Embrace help, drop the guilt, and remember — your child benefits from seeing you strive.
Mindset for founders: Don’t chase perfection. Start, iterate, and learn as you go.
Values-driven business tip: FATSO wasn’t started to make piles of money — it’s about building a brand with purpose, humour, and integrity. Stay true to why you began.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Candace Bertram, founder of Studio88, a fast-growing Pilates community in Birmingham. After opening her first Reformer Pilates studio in November 2024, she expanded just six months later with a second location in Hall Green.

What started as one small space has quickly become more than just a Pilates studio, it’s a welcoming community where inclusivity sits at the heart.

As a young, Black female founder and single mum, she has faced pushback along the way, yet her resilience and determination have carved out a space that is both empowering and trailblazing. Stay tuned to hear her insights on taking the leap from job security into entrepreneurship, navigating the realities of financial pressures, and how she’s embedding diversity, inclusion, and true community into the very foundations of her business.

Candace’s advice:

Community inclusion tip: Candace has always believed in building community and fostering inclusion.
Customer experience insight: Her customers appreciate the security of a small space, familiar faces, and a feeling of safety.
Entrepreneurship lesson: She was spurred into taking on a second studio simply by the belief that it was the right time and place.
Mindset advice for founders: She didn’t let imposter syndrome or external doubts hold her back. Instead, she trusted her timing and her vision.
Business growth advice: She did not allow the pressure of fixing an opening date to dictate her decisions.
Inclusivity approach: She believes in creating space for everyone, but if a female-only class is preferred, that’s fine too.
Hiring advice for fitness businesses: It’s vital to find the best possible instructors who have an open mind, a positive outlook, enthusiasm for learning and improving, and strong communication skills.
Leadership mindset: Try to adopt a philosophical attitude toward any problems that arise.
Values-driven business tip: Always stick to your original aims and ethos, no matter how much 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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Jianne Jamil, founder of DIOME, a premium supplement brand developing science-backed formulas to support the demands of modern life. Inspired by her mother’s decades-long struggle with prescription sleep medication, she set out to create effective, natural alternatives without the negative side effects. Before founding DIOME, Jianne built her career in the luxury beauty industry across New York, Paris, and London with La Mer, Tom Ford and Bobbi Brown. DIOME launched with Rested, an award-winning doctor-formulated, sleep supplement developed with her expert scientific team, including naturopath Emilie Delanoue and medical doctor Dr. Jencikova.

DIOME launched with Rested, a doctor-formulated, sleep-optimising supplement developed with her expert scientific team, including Emilie Delanoue and Dr. Jencikova.

Stay tuned to hear Jianne’s insights on where to start with your NPD, building a science-led wellness brand, and how to market those premium products.

Jianne's advice:

Product launch advice: Efficacy is everything; your product must truly deliver results
Health industry tip: Do thorough research before entering this highly regulated space
Regulatory compliance advice: Check laws in every country where you plan to sell
Supply chain tip: Confirm ingredient availability before committing to production
Quality control advice: Test, test, and test again to build customer trust
Entrepreneurship lesson: Use both data and intuition when deciding launch timing
Startup growth tip: One hero product can be enough to build a thriving business
Customer loyalty advice: Focus on longevity and building a faithful customer base
Branding and marketing tip: Position your product carefully, especially for a premium science-based brand
Business integrity lesson: Cut no corners — reputation is everything
Agency collaboration tip: Brief your creative team thoroughly so they reflect your vision

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Neada Deters, founder of LESSE, a skin care brand redefining beauty through simplicity, efficacy and sustainability.

Born in Sydney and now based in New York, Neada began her career as a beauty editor, interviewing leading experts and testing countless products. Yet her own struggles with cystic acne and reactive skin revealed a gap in the market for effective and natural skin care that worked for sensitive skin. In 2018 she launched LESSE, a self-funded business pioneering high-performance formulas that merge active botanicals with brilliant results.

Stay tuned to hear Neada’s insights on building a self-funded beauty business in a VC-driven industry, the lessons she’s learnt in balancing simplicity with efficacy and how she’s working to raise standards in the natural skin care space.

Neada's Advice:

Self-funded startups tip: Stay independent and fully in control of your vision
Bootstrapping advice: Grow at your own pace without investor pressure
Entrepreneurship lesson: Build trust by prioritizing quality and ingredients
Small business survival tip: Gain resilience by staying clear and focused
Startup motivation: Celebrate small wins along the journey
Business growth advice: Be resourceful, run a lean team, and know your numbers
Money management for entrepreneurs: Always keep cash flow top of mind
Financial planning for startups: Get advice from experts who understand small businesses
Working with your partner in business: Define clear roles from the start
Founder health tip: Protect your wellbeing — it’s one of your biggest business assets
Work-life balance for entrepreneurs: Learn when to push hard and when to rest

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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Today, I’m joined by Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small group adventure travel company and a pioneer in community tourism. Bruce started the business 35 years ago with two maxed-out credit cards from his garage in Toronto and has since built a global movement rooted in purpose and impact.

Recently awarded The Officer of The Order of Canada, Bruce returned to the Ecuadorian Amazon, the site of G’s very first trip, to reflect on the company’s legacy and plan for the next 100 years.

In this episode, we discuss Bruce’s approach to leadership, how he built a values-led culture, and what it really takes to create a business that changes lives, within his business as well as so many others.

Bruce's Advice:

Carve Your Own Path With New Ideas – True entrepreneurship means innovating and standing out from the competition.
Find Your “Why” – Define your motivation and purpose to stay focused when building your business.
Know Your Audience – Understanding who you serve is the foundation of successful marketing and growth.
Define Your Unique Strengths – Highlight your skills and specialties that make your business different.
Why Your Business Should Exist – Clarify the value and impact your business brings to the world.
Your Business Reflects You – Every brand is a mirror of its founder’s values and vision.
Balance Creativity and Strategy – Innovators thrive with ideas, but lasting businesses need both creativity and solid numbers.
Turn Crisis Into Opportunity – Challenges like the pandemic can fuel innovation and business transformation.
Human Connection in the Age of AI – In today’s AI-driven world, genuine human relationships and service are what set businesses apart.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In this episode, we’re joined by Richard White, founder of Fathom, the AI-powered meeting assistant that records, transcribes and summarises your video calls so you can focus on the conversation. Previously the founder of UserVoice, Richard brings deep experience in user-centric product design and has built Fathom into one of the fastest-growing tools in the productivity space.

Stay tuned to hear Richard’s insights on the early product decisions that drove Fathom’s breakout growth, why their freemium model worked from day one, and how they engineered virality into the onboarding experience. We also dig into how to build AI products that people actually want to use, why storytelling matters even in a product-led company and how to stay focused on solving real problems in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Richard's Advice:

When launching a product, make sure it always works - not just some of the time
Be a target user yourself: what do I value?
What feels like ‘magic’ and appears to go beyond the possible
Build things you yourself can and will use
Word of mouth infinitely more valuable and trustworthy than, for example, an Amazon ‘review’
When trying out what AI can do for your business be prepared to jettison ideas as you go - sometimes big ones
Use humans for customer support; this is an area worth investing in

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Daisy Bird, founder of BIRD PR, a creative communications agency specialising in luxury travel and hospitality brands since 2010.

Daisy leads with a deep belief in the power of culture, emotional intelligence and building a people-first business. After 15 years in business, Daisy is cognisant of the investment this takes as well as the invisible skills a founder has to have to make a business succeed with a happy team as well.

Stay tuned to hear Daisy’s insights on the emotional undercurrent of running a business, why understanding personalities is non-negotiable in service industries, how she interviews, the value of psychometric testing and why investing in people is the best way to future proof your business.

Daisy’s advice:

Align yourself with brands you respect
In this way you will be more effective; integrity matters
When employing, look for a range of talents and individuality - embrace differences
Invest in your employees: coaching is helpful for your team in areas like leadership skills and self-awareness
Wellness retreats are valuable
Employ people who are ready to learn and accept feedback
Encourage and reward employees who consciously add value to prove their worth
You must delegate; it’s not sustainable to do everything yourself and leaves no room for creativity on your part
Allow time to replenish yourself
It’s important to air and discuss female developmental/health stages
Take care of your loyal clients and don’t give all your attention to the new and exciting ones

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In this episode we’re joined by Rachel Harris, co-founder of striveX & founder of Accountant She. Passionate about financial well-being and running values-led businesses, Rachel has created a modern, cloud‑focused accountancy and tax advisory firm for both businesses and individuals alongside a platform for business owners to find accessible, consumable, financial education.

Stay tuned to hear Rachel’s advice on the highs and lows of running a business. Why loneliness is something that you should not ignore, what you should ask an accountant when you are vetting your first one, how they can become your business partner, how to manage people within the business, and so much more.

Rachel’s advice:

Initially decide how much you want to delegate
Then employ people more intelligent than you, and delegate to them
When you choose an accountant, choose them according to your plans/expectations for your business; it helps if they can mirror your long-term goals
Establish your communications preferences at the outset
Because your accountant will be effectively your partner, research their core values and the infrastructure of their business first
Check whether or not they outsource work
Assess their values before you assess their technical competence
Rachel believes in the value of therapy
She also believes in regular measuring of KPIs
A very worthwhile benefits package will attract good employees if they are prepared to work hard for it
Establish systems and processes to free you up
Don’t underestimate the personal sacrifice and loneliness that being a founder can bring

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In this episode we’re joined by Chloë Luxton, founder of Bramley. With sustainability as a top priority, this company is providing customers with botanical magic through natural fragrances, bulk refill pouches, and recycled packaging.

Keep listening to hear how Chloë got started and why slow growth was her friend. Also, her perspective on B Corp and the pros and the cons of getting certified as well as the pros and cons of being a founder and how to manage that isolation that can often feel relentless.

Chloë's Advice:

If it’s a good product, free samples will really generate sales and boost reputation
Keep up with developments in recycling (for example, compostable refill pouches)
If sustainability is something you believe in, then it will make your choices more straightforward
Sometimes it’s complicated, but all you can do is make the greener choice
B-Corp will give your business recognition
It’s a good idea to make packaging which can serve a second purpose later
Packaging apart, it’s what’s on the inside - the product itself - that really matters
Take advantage of networking opportunities; put yourself out there
To avoid isolation as a single founder, talk issues over with others whenever possible

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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In today’s episode, we hear from Caragh Keane, founder of SUPERKEEN. A shock lupus diagnosis in 2021 turned her world upside down and sparked a radical shift in her lifestyle.

Refusing to settle for a life dependent on medication and steroids, Caragh took matters into her own hands—turning to food as a tool for healing. What followed was not just a personal transformation, but the birth of SUPERKEEN: a brand on a mission to make healthier, natural food options more accessible, supporting gut health and nourishing the body from the inside out.

Tune in as Caragh shares how adversity became her launchpad, why she believes food is powerful medicine, and what it really takes to build a business with purpose.

Caragh’s advice:

When you’re new to entrepreneurship, it’s ok not to know everything, eg. sales forecasting
Don’t strive for perfection straight away because you’ll disappoint yourself; instead, learn and grow steadily
As you work on building a business, take good care of your own health at the same time
Story-telling is vital in spreading your message and your mission
Use a timeline to illustrate why and how you have developed as you have
In sharing your motives you will allow others to share their own stories, and to identify with you
Being yourself is not self-promotion, it’s inclusive and brings others in
Find time to congratulate yourself on your achievements

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 it
Avoid those people who drain your energy and seek out those who replenish it
Marketing equals revenue - the more you do, the more returns you will have
Accept the loneliness of the founder, which can be hard
Be comfortable and confident about your pricing
Also, be very clear about your pricing so the customer doesn’t have to work hard to find it
When a potential client or customer approaches you for the first time, always ask them how they found you
Get 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 new
Make life easy for your clients: for example, don’t let them have to work out time differences
Don’t take rejection personally!
If you need to make a customer more comfortable, include an older white man face in a call
Nurture 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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/service
Being vocal makes you visible
In my case, being a single parent helped concentrate my mind and made me use my time well
Having good people skills, being outspoken and having drive are all important
Remember ESG matters, there is a point to it
I had an idea and a smile - not a website
Every challenge is an opportunity
Don’t procrastinate, just do it and you will learn as you go

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 businesses
Publicise your ingredients and the provenance of the product
Try to work within a representative area of the UK
Look for a gap in the market
If you have a personal reason for setting up the brand, people will love to hear it
After rigorous testing, and building a local reputation, move on to website and Facebook marketing
Gradually 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 have
As you expand distribution, it’s important to build relationships with the new people you are dealing with; go slowly and patiently

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 cautiously
Don’t build on ‘pinterest appeal’ with pretty packaging; functionality is what counts
Believe in your product
Stick at it when things get difficult; be dogged
Tiktok can be good if you strike lucky
Be very careful spending on advertising as you can lose a lot of money if you’re badly advised
Also 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 business
Trust trumps skill
Learn to step away from your business and fully relax

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 constantly
With every small sale you are building a following and a brand
Pitching your product should not worry you; you know more than anyone else about it, so you have nothing to fear
Always know your numbers; but also tell the story of the history of the brand, and your plans for its future
Be 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 posting
Whereas selling through a retailer you only need to advertise the product
BUT DTC gives you access to customers’ data and allows you to build a relationship with them
So selling through both the above is perhaps optimal
Advertising 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 burden
Retaining customers is everything; the product must be a good one
If customers unsubscribe, find out why so that you can fix the problem
Use AI to help with small repetitive edits, not to replace people, just to speed up what they do
In 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 mission

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:

Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 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. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

FF&M recommends:
Buzzsprout for directory listing
Zencastr for recording remotely

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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 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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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’ 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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 fun
It’s one thing to love your product but you must take sales seriously
Enjoy the art of selling! Share news of your product as widely as you can, and always in an optimistic way
Pay attention to the market and always note customer preferences
Ask your clients questions, constantly monitor their tastes and their attitudes
Be aware of daily sales; if you can achieve wholesale orders this will give you the freedom to take out loans
When selling to retail clients, find your niche in the market
Use instagram / a website / word of mouth / email your customers
PR will pay off and is a valuable tool
Branding 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 packaging
Your customers are buying an expensive product and they should feel excited by both the purchase and the product, the anticipation and the reality

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 too
Pursuing fitness is a discipline, which will give you health and strength
It will relieve stress
And, just as important, it will give you self-belief, courage and emotional well-being
The 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 sleep
When 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 boundaries
Keep company with great people
Follow a lifestyle with good habits and stick to your regime
Don’t get distracted
When you are making a long-term plan, break it down into manageable parts, like months; keep your end goal in sight and get there steadily
Celebrate milestones
Enjoy challenges
Try keeping a diary where you write down what you plan to achieve
Keep your vision simple; this way you will communicate it better both to your team and your customers

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 Up

How 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

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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 value
Be honest about your work commitments. Your children will be proud of what you do, when it is explained to them
Ideally your work challenges will be balanced by your sense of satisfaction/achievement
Try running first thing in the morning, to clear your mind and energise you
Make sure that family commitments come before any other social commitment
Eva 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 you
Employ people you trust. Be careful when employing, as both hiring and firing can be very time-consuming
Eva finds electric cryotherapy energising!
To avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed, appreciate what you have achieved and applaud yourself
Get energy from some positive reinforcement from clients
Keep meetings to 35-40 minutes and always have a break (preferably in the fresh air) between them

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 sustainable
Listen to your body; you cannot outperform it
You will have 4 - 6 hours a day of best performance
Remember that time spent not conspicuously working is often the most valuable productive time
Focussing our eyes on a small screen or area triggers a stress response
We are programmed to sigh, or exhale fully, every five minutes; however, staring at screens typically means we are holding our breath
We are more successful if we can direct our focus and avoid distraction
Leave margins - ie. blank spaces, unprogrammed gaps
It is NOT about the hours you put in - it’s about the outcomes
Be clear to others about how you wish to be contacted
Identify when you are at your most productive
You can bundle your notifications
Have a VIP list and block everyone else
Sleep is vital; get to know your own sleep pattern and keep it regular
As a founder, make sure you - and your team - enjoy not just the results of your work but the process itself
Tech robs us of our time, our energy and our attention; be aware of this and take control
Live by design, not default

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 busy
Avoid distractions; all your energy and attention need to be directed to one thing
It takes energy to suppress all the small details and distractions
If there are things you tend to do every day, automate them so you don’t have to keep making small decisions
Practise quick 2-3 minute meditations to clear your mind before each important activity
If your mind is quieter, decisions will be clearer
Maintain your conviction about the core belief/mission of your business while you are undertaking minor activities - this belief will help you focus on them
Doing something you care about releases dopamine which brings more motivation and focus
It’s important that you take care of yourself physically
Hours of sleep before midnight are more valuable than those after
Accept 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 day
Be disciplined about avoiding distractions during those 2-hour sessions
Imagine that you only have 3 hours a day to do what matters - this will show you what’s important and what isn’t
Concentrate only on the revenue-creating tasks
To 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 advice

Your business will evolve as you personally grow and change; you may have to let go of some initial ideas
Prioritise what is important and what you should be doing; this may mean handing on to others the things you are experienced at
Concentrate (without guilt!) on reflection / exploring opportunities / less quantifiable “work”
Celebrate thinking time and allow space for it in your week
There is no need to keep packing in information which is not always productive
Be modest about your daily to-do list
Have belief in where you want to go
Know 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 weak
Know the value of meditation

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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.

Emily’s advice:

Set boundaries, which will be different for everyone (soft ones which are ‘crossable’ and hard ones which are not)
Be vigilant with your time; Emily uses a desk timer to time tasks and she maps out her day in minutes
Prioritise
Don’t be performative; it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about your working hours
Know when to move aside from the top job
Don’t allow small things to annoy you; take the long view
Know your own energy cycles and plan work accordingly

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 do
At the start of the week, agree weekly objectives / at the start of the day, define what needs doing
Allow time each day for checking emails, don’t leave them till the end of the day
Leave space for you to react to clients’ needs if necessary
Initially 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 problems
Celebrate both the big and the small wins - and keep your eye on both
Try using Calendly - but protect your time
Set boundaries for yourself and make sure your team understands those boundaries
Parcel the week up, eg. meetings on Mondays, and maybe a certain day each week to concentrate on something different
Focus is key; concentrate on one business at a time
Draw a line at a certain time and finish your day
Pay attention to your health / fitness / diet and you will be more energised
Be open with your team and allow them to share your vision and plans
B.Corp is a big help both guiding people inside the business and attracting people from outside who will want to work with you
Write your own job description

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 you
The four different hormonal phases are effectively four different sets of skills:
- Follicular - energised, a good time to schedule and plan
- Ovulatory - communicative, a good time to set up talks and events
- Luteal - detail-driven, a good time to tackle paperwork
- Menstrual - a good time for rest and reflection
Communication is important; there is no shame attached to your bodily cycle so share how you are feeling. This is constructive and helpful for your colleagues
Listen to your needs; you don’t have to push to the limits
Managing hormones is not just a physical concern, it’s a mental one too. Understand why you are stressed and self-regulate
Work 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 useful
Quick ways to reduce stress can be breathwork (4-7-8 breathing helps) and humming
Nutrition means not just food but your whole environment: the people around you, the things you read and watch, as well as what you eat
Stop worrying about the to-do list; simply clear your head and tackle one task at a time

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

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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 employees
The happiness of your team is critical and will spring from:

Enjoyment of the work
Good collaboration
Bonuses, salary raises and perks
Knowing each other well
Being allowed autonomy and being trusted
Having a safe work environment
A pleasant office with a reasonable commute
Being trained and having the opportunity for meetings and discussions
Examining a project after it has been delivered and discussing its good and bad points
If a team is a happy one, productivity will be the result
A happy team will be a loyal one and the longstanding employees will be so valuable
Longstanding members can perhaps each manage their own team
It’s a symbiotic relationship between employer and employed
You need each other and ideally will stimulate each other

From the employer’s point of view, when interviewing:

Try to assess the candidate quickly
Trust the ones who speak with genuine warmth rather than the well-rehearsed speeches
It’s important to like your employees
Avoid ones who chatter rather than answering the question
Those who can communicate and engage with you face to face will be strongest
As the boss make sure you tackle your emails every single night
If 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 August
Remember, your enthusiasm will be infectious to your employees
Be consistent
Always be approachable; make yourself available at all times and respond to requests
Try to deal with problems yourself rather than handing them down
Be prepared to forgive mistakes

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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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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 first
You must know yourself and what you’re good at, so you can hone in on your strengths
You need to be the sort of person who enjoys continual learning
Tackle the tough creative tasks at the beginning of the day when your energy is highest
When you are relaxed you will be more creative
Accept that as you age your energy levels may alter, and different times of day will suit you better
Stay innovative
If you mentor others you will learn from this
Attract people with different skills to your own
Don’t be afraid to delegate important things and trust others
Additionally, surround yourself with people who inspire you
If you tackle uncomfortable jobs you will get better at them
If you are properly self-aware you will be more observant of others
Try to do even one small thing that makes a difference

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 less
When 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 comfortably
Time block your calendar well in advance
Always ask yourself WHY you are doing something
Keep focussed on your long-term goals
Learn when to step back and let others make decisions (trust people and let them feel empowered)
Save time by automating processes where this is possible
All team members need to have a clearly defined role; a growing business does not necessarily need a growing workforce
Keep auditing your thinking and structures

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 delegate
Those 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 yourself
A combination of ambition and humility is good
When 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 basket
Be 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 asset
Be flexible and adaptable; businesses may not evolve in the way you had expected
If 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 decisions

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 Mail

Support the Show.

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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 idea
Find a gap in the market
Be passionate about what you do
Timing is vital but stick to your original mission to bring back the dynamism
Instagram 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 sales
Know every department of your business inside out even if you’re delegating a lot of it
Listen continually to your customers - imagine you are one of them, learn from their feedback
Pay attention to company culture and make sure your staff are loyal to the ethos
Know your competitors but don’t worry about them, no need to copy them
Don’t overproduce; try sustainable initiatives like rentals/preloved/alterations
Avoid 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 context

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 brand
Persevere until you get this right; don’t hesitate to start again from scratch if you’re not convinced
If you are not a designer, employ someone who is
Know your own weaknesses and either choose a partner who complements your strengths, or hire someone who does this
Settle the visual side of your brand first; tone of voice will follow on
Take time over choosing the name; experiment with a few, try them out on friends
Use focus groups/groups of friends and bombard them with questions
Use social media; take time crafting promotional emails
Believe in what you do; authenticity shows and will build trust in your customers
Never be afraid to ask advice; admit your vulnerability
Take time out and step back when you’re struggling to resolve a problem
Collaboration can be valuable

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 market
A good product is not enough on its own; marketing and visibility are crucial
To have the edge a product needs to look good as well as be effective
If a product can be multipurpose, so much the better
It 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 sales
Take your community with you; use feedback. Establish contact via blogs / whatsapp / email and always listen to them
Your 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 gain
Aesthetics and branding are vital and must represent you and your values
Don’t over analyse; just start!
Know what you don’t know and find a partner with a different skill set to yours

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the Show.

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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 there
Depending on your product, attracting a younger audience early means you build a relationship sooner
Look for a gap in the market
Be confident in your authenticity
It 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 exhaustively
Be clear about who exactly your target audience is
It is easier for the retailer - and better for the investor too - to have an absolutely clear target audience
Your primary concerns are the excellence of your product (which means it will be bought a second time) and your authenticity

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the Show.

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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 logo
Vitally important is that the branding should show the ethics of the company
The 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 DNA
Imagine your customer is yourself
Do 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 style
These things will generate trust and loyalty in your customers
Your brand voice will evolve over time, and rebranding can occur spontaneously
It is important to be clear and authoritative
If you believe in the efficacy of your product your brand voice will be strong

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 point
When 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 of
Take advice from your shareholders or board if possible
Invest in design and good writers
Consider the ethos of B Corp and promote its message where appropriate
Your branding may grow organically with your business
Use LinkedIn for help and advice
Remember you are your own best resource

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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/create
The 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 be
The purpose is your motivation/why you want to do it
The “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 creed
You are the best person to articulate it
Keep these three things distinguished one from the other
Understanding your customers will inevitably lead to changing or adapting your vision in time but you need to stay relevant and be flexible
You have to be able to answer the question: “who cares?”
Don’t spend too much time and effort at the start on branding
Find inspiration in other people and other places

You can contact Julian via email on julian@createacademy.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason
Host Juliet Fallowfield LinkedIn
Submit a guest via this link
Submit a question for the next guest

Recorded, 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 plan
Branding so important; to start with, concentrate on aspirational visuals that can then inform further work
Don’t rush this stage:
Create mood boards
Take care of yourself and go with your intuition
Get to the essence of what you want
Settle on a name, which will take you in the right direction
Look 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 build
Social 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 this
You can’t do it all so be clear on what success looks like and work backwards
Keep 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 time
Take time to reflect on what you’re doing and enjoy it
Expect 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 @fallowfieldmason
Host Juliet Fallowfield LinkedIn
Submit a guest via this link
Submit a question for the next guest

Recorded, 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.

Support the show

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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 it
Always keep in mind what you stand for
Customers must trust your brand and feel comfortable with it
Communicating your brand values will be easier if you use recognisable language that people can identify with
Use language to convey feeling and emotion - and sincerity
Keep it simple and truthful
Share what matters
Your brand story can communicate how it started/who with/what you were aiming for/your values
When writing copy don’t be a slave to perfection; try ‘stream of consciousness’ to start off with. The important thing is truthfulness

If you’d like to contact Tom you can reach him via tom@blacktomato.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason
Host Juliet Fallowfield LinkedIn
Submit a guest via this link
Submit a question for the next guest

Recorded, 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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.com

Asher’s advice:

A good exit is all about timing since you obviously want a high multiple return
Operating companies are very different to tech companies in terms of multiples
Hopefully you will have created a brand to out-compete others in your sphere
Exiting from your company gives you financial freedom and the space to re-think
It also gives you credibility when you start your next venture
It gives you the time to make improvements and move with the times
If 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 long
You will inevitably find it hard to step back and phase out
You must be hard-headed about the valuation
Be very precise responding to the questions
Know who to sell to

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 can
When communicating with your investors approach them on an equal footing; it’s not necessarily the case of you only reporting the good news
Use them for help and dispassionate advice - they should be people who understand crises and will be able to be objective
They may be able to help you with introductions
A quarterly meeting with investors is probably enough; if necessary you can have ad hoc calls in addition
Structure 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 quarter
Have your list of questions prepared and make sure you ask for what you need
Be open about any failures
Generally 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 crucial
Always be confident when communicating with your investors

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 feel
It’s not a comfortable experience, waiting to be interviewed
You may be encouraged to ask for more than you actually want - to make your case more exciting - but this could work against you
They prefer only one interviewee, even if you do have a co-founder
Have confidence in your forecast numbers
If you show you are genuinely passionate about your business, that is more likely to convince them
Afterwards, do as much PR/social media as you can to maximise the effect of the show
More than any investment, what you will be gaining is brand awareness for your business
You will probably notice an increase in attention (from potential investors) as a result
Raising 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 investment

If you’d like to contact Déj you can reach him via
adejare@thewholeleafco.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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 investment
Be aware that not everyone interviewed will be shown on the programme
It took nine months of preparation and initial interviewing before the studio appearance
You have to provide a video recording in advance of yourself pitching your product
You are interviewed in advance by a panel of producers
The due diligence is extremely rigorous; every claim you make must be verified
Proving all your claims can be very time-consuming
The recording will be halted immediately if you make a false claim
In the studio you are interviewed for an hour and a half; only ten minutes of this gruelling ordeal will be shown
The reach of the programme is huge and you will probably be very nervous
But 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 time
When 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 matters

If 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Support the show

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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 new
VCs will be more focussed on the numbers and accurate forecasting
When pitching to an angel investor it will be important to make an impression as a story-teller and an innovator with a vision
The best angel investors are those who are entrepreneurs themselves
It’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 investment
Ideally you will be able to consult them regularly
Make a list of your dream investors/advisers
Don’t be afraid to ask for introductions; use LinkedIn and network to try to gain first-hand introductions
Be content with refusals; there is nothing lost
Don’t waste their time; they are usually busy people with a job as well as an interest in investing
Ask outright for what you need; explain that you’ll need advice as well as investment
You can always start with small amounts which may gradually increase if they have confidence in you; you may not need to progress to VC investment
Angel investors will usually understand your long-term vision and be less fixated on end dates
Finally, if you don’t need investment, don’t look for it

If you'd like to contact Mathilde you can reach her on mathilde@aime.co

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.

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Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory

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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 noticed
Be prepared to tolerate some failure
Be aware that Venture Capitalists tend to invest in just one area/type of business
VCs are typically willing to take earlier and relatively speculative risks
Whereas private equity investors are risk-averse
And angel investors will take on even greater risks than VCs
Another way of raising funds can be crowd-funding
Because 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 crisis
It’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 seconds
You need a good idea which will elicit a question in return
Eventually there will probably be a full or partial sale/industry buy-out; know in advance what the likely time period for this is
Always have an idea of what you want to achieve in the long term
Allow your subconscious brain the chance to work things out (by exercise, meditation etc.)

You can reach Steve on steve@vollebak.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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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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 investors
It’s efficient and helps them make a quick decision, which is what you want
It’s a way to show you are competent and professional
It can highlight your potential
It’s an easy way for them to do due diligence
Security is important and it’s wise to ask them to sign an NDA before having access to the data room
Doc Set enables you to send them a tailored choice of links
If you have your pitch deck on Doc Set you will have version control over it
It 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 them
Laura suggests you use Calendly
Having 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 business
You need to protect yourself from the wrong investors
Interrogate them as to what value they can bring apart from capital; ask for specifics and don’t be satisfied with generalisations
Remember that fund-raising never stops, even if it is just building relationships with people who may invest in the future
Try to go to the right events where you will build relationships and friendships for the future - founders always need support

If 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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 company
Concentrate 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 it
You may need to use an advisor to help you with the financial modelling
You obviously can’t expect your modelling to be accurate as there are so many unknowns, it just needs to be plausible
You 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 breakdown
You may want to invest in some design help to make it look slick
Always 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 colleague
You will get more expert at doing this, and it’s good to practise on potential investors as much as you can
Always have all materials and information ready to draw upon
Know 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 turn
General good advice: it’s crucial to have a strong, experienced team as early as you can
Finally, have the courage of your convictions

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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

Remember that all investors will be looking for different things: return, timeline etc.
Know your worth; speak from a strong position not a needy one
Be ahead of the need point; show that you can manage and may not need a great deal now, and your position will be stronger later
Don’t over-borrow - wait till your valuation increases
Go in with confidence and foresight
When looking for investors, consider whether or not they are well-connected; look ahead to the next round and how they could help in the future
Look for investors who may have contacts to help you expand your business; it’s not all about the cash
Choose investors with whom you can engage; make sure you’re on the same wavelength
Be candid with them as to your reasons for choosing them and discuss the many different ways in which they can help you
Aim to have an independent chairman or mentor who could arbitrate between you and your investors if necessary
Keep networking; Michael calls it ‘opening doors’. This builds your reputation and may earn you support in many ways further down the line
When you are starting out don’t be afraid to fail; you will have less to lose
Always ask questions; and be prepared to listen carefully and perhaps change your point of view
Enjoy the challenge!

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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 mentors
Research the market and look at other business models
There is a government tax relief scheme (SEIS) to help investors
Build 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 investors
When 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 position
Try to be choosy and select investors who really believe in you
Accept failures and learn from them; be transparent with your investors, as no business is perfect and this will gain their respect
Don’t waste mental energy on worrying about their risk; this is something they have taken on themselves
Always take confidence from remembering that you are the expert in what you do

If 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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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.

Ed’s advice:

When you are looking for investment, you need to have at your fingertips:
- Your business plan
- Your strategy
- Your historical numbers
- Pre-empt the due diligence question
- Understand the market you are in
- Have pre-prepared responses
You need to instil confidence and not lose momentum, so be quick to provide information
If you’re not sure what you need to know, get involved in networks to learn what you need to learn
Ask advice from people who’ve done it before and never be embarrassed to ask
Don’t be wedded to a particular evaluation
The reputation of your business, and the founder’s track record, will count
Future cash flows and profits will be taken into account
Remember that the enterprise value is different from the equity value (which may be affected by debts)
Try to have 18 months ‘cash runway’ - ie you are covered for 18 months. Sharp investors may try to run the clock down on you and delay until you are seriously short of capital, thus in a weak position

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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 investment
If you are lucky, you may be able to play one potential investor off against another
Avoid being in a situation where you are tempted to take the ‘wrong money’ because you are under pressure
You may need to keep your day job to finance growth
Be 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 detail
Finding the right investor can be a full-time job
You must decide how much equity to give away; keep this as minimal as possible
Be aware that with an investor, you lose power and autonomy
Consider crowd-funding as a source of revenue, rather than finding a single investor
Be mentally fit for this challenge - your well-being is vital for your whole business

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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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 club
Be open to building a relationship through friendly conversation, sharing possible common ground. Be interested, rather than interesting!
Make sure you follow up promptly
It’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 help
Never be afraid to reach out and ask for help
LinkedIn and free events can be a useful way to meet the right people
Make sure your message is clear and concise and that you have a well-defined business plan
Be 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 days
Always look at the investors’ track record
While you need someone on your wavelength who understands your aims, you also need someone who will challenge you and sometimes disagree with you
The best approach on meeting someone is to find common ground - or appeal to their imagination
Anticipate that finding the right investment could take a year and many pitches, so be tenacious
Always trust your instincts; you need someone you know/trust/understand, who knows/trusts/understands you in return
Finally, it’s about the people first, then the money

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. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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 first
Believe in: earth logic not growth logic
Have your “why” foremost in your mind and if you believe in this it will help you take the more difficult route
Be curious; have mentors/ a board of advisors; network; take courses; go to talks
Never be ashamed to ask
Internship is a useful way to learn an industry
When making decisions on sustainability you need to show responsibility
Supply 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 it
Make each item you create as good as it can possibly be
You will never be perfect but as long as you try that’s the main thing

If you'd like to contact Aoife, you can reach her via aoife@aoifemcnamara.com or @aoife_ireland

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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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 outset
Profitability will come from this ESG awareness as customers will look out for it
Be authentic and credible - customers require reassurance
Be realistic about what you can achieve as you may not be able to tick every box straight away
Build a long-term plan; measure your achievements regularly; communicate them to your team
Take 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 economy
Love what you do; if you are 100% engaged it will show and be infectious

If 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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When starting and scaling your business, it’s important to consider the impact of your supply chain on not only the planet but also people too. 88% of respondents to an OpenText survey said ‘they prioritise buying from companies that have ethical sourcing strategies in place’, while 64% of 18-24 year-olds surveyed said they would never buy from a company again if it were ‘accused of working with unethical suppliers’.

In this episode, I speak with Emilie Holmes, founder of Good & Proper Tea, the tea brand committed to doing things properly. Having founded her business in 2012, Emilie has invested considerable time and money in making sure her business positively impacts the communities within her supply chain. Given how many consumers value companies who prioritise supply chain responsibility, Emilie continually reviews Good & Proper Tea’s own supply chain.

With many companies wanting to better understand the implications of their suppliers’ actions, Emilie shares her advice on auditing a supply chain, supporting the communities you work with and achieving profitability more sustainably.

Emilie’s advice:

At every step, consider what is the “right” thing to do, keeping in mind your environmental and social responsibility
Accept that “sustainability” can be complicated and means different things to different people; continually examine what is the right way to go
Be honest and authentic
Admit to your ignorance when setting up a business and talk to as many people as possible in order to learn
Share your own experience and use recommendations from other business owners
Accept that doing things right will take longer and cost more
It’s hard to measure these credentials, although B Corp is great because it’s iterative and doesn’t allow you to gain certification and then rest on your laurels
Include a sustainability roadmap in your business forecasting, and have an impact report in your year-end report
Consumers struggle to understand real sustainability, so be transparent and clear in all that you do and claim to do
If you are feeling overwhelmed, just take one job at a time

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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When starting a business, founders have the opportunity to start with a clean slate as well as start as they mean to go on. So the aim of this season is to share as much as we can on how businesses can start with ethical practice at their core.

We’re all aware of how certain industries do a lot of damage. For example, fashion is responsible for 10% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions [BBC], however the second any business owners turn on a light, they have a responsibility to the planet.

In this episode, I speak with Ginnie Chadwyck-Healy, founder of VCH Style. Ginnie is an environmentally conscious stylist and fashion writer, who champions considered consumption and a more mindful approach to purchasing products. The former Retail Editor of Vogue, now a contributor to The Telegraph and Grazia, Ginnie became self-employed to help guide her clients in purchasing fewer, higher-quality items and share her philosophy of shopping sustainably.

Given brands and businesses are all keen to secure editorial press coverage, I was keen to speak to Ginnie about how we can pitch to her with information that she really wants to hear about, how to avoid greenwashing and some simple do’s and don’ts when it comes to sustainable PR messaging.

Ginnie’s advice:

Leaders need to look at the salary split to ensure change
Businesses that promote buy-back schemes and/or recycling of products are doing the right thing
Transparency in all aspects of the company is vital; CEOs need a thorough knowledge of the whole production chain
When pitching with a sustainable message don’t do it via Instagram DM, write an email
Pitch emails need to be short
Tailor your pitch - and get their name right!
A sustained charity link-up can be impressive
Start as you mean to go on
Avoid too much gifting; it’s expensive and usually wasteful
If you do gift, avoid extravagant packaging
Avoid glossy press releases on expensive paper
Have a business coach or mentor to offload onto
Structure your week (eg back-to-back meetings days, desk day)

If you'd like to contact Ginnie you can reach her via https://www.vchstyle.com/contact

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.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 &

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Sustainable and ethical behaviour isn’t limited to environmental practices. It translates into all areas of business including providing opportunities for people who may find themselves excluded from the workforce.

Alex Head is the founder of the leading sustainable catering company, Social Pantry. As one of the first 15 UK companies employing ex-offenders to be awarded the prestigious YOUNITED Flag award, Social Pantry is a dedicated champion of equity and opportunity within the workforce.

In this episode, Alex shares her advice on how founders can overcome the stigma of starting up a business differently and why now is the right time to declare what your intentions are with your ESG goals.

Alex’s advice:

Always employ the best possible people
Make sure your staff feel valued / enjoy their work / do not feel out of their depth
Crucially, ensure that they learn as they go, so that they benefit from working with you
Give junior staff responsibilities
Have a sustainability expert, as standards are constantly changing
Put sustainability at the heart of your business
Be transparent in everything you do; be honest about what you can’t do
Always work with the best suppliers; every part of your product has to be excellent
Celebrate your wins
Move staff around in order that they learn different skills
Be honest about challenges, be flexible and keep learning

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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The amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity. EarthDay.org reported that humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total. Approximately 91% of plastic is not recycled.

Everyone is aware that we need to use less plastic every day and new founders have the opportunity to lead the way on this.

So for this episode, I wanted to speak to a proven expert on how to solve the packaging problem. Joanna Jensen founded the children’s toiletries brand Childs Farm as she was determined to help soothe her daughters’ painful eczema, so formulated a collection of natural products packed with essential oils to care for children’s sensitive skin. Childs Farm has been certified as a B Corp and became the number one brand in the baby and child segment in 2019.

Having been a sustainability advocate throughout her life, Joanna shares what investors now expect from businesses on sustainability, how to build it in from the beginning and why packaging doesn’t have to be the hardest part to solve.
Joanna’s advice:

Investors care about sustainability and expect it
Don’t pay the plastic tax: just don’t use plastic. If you have to, it must be recycled
If you set your standards high, and care about ESG (Environment, Sustainability, Governance), you will attract quality people who share those standards
If your product falls short in its packaging, attempt to improve and be honest and open about your attempts to do so
Shareholders, just like investors, will appreciate high standards in this area
Push back on suppliers because your whole supply chain should be in line with your standards
Talk to other founders to get advice; learn, ask and be curious
Surround yourself with like-minded people who will be honest with you
Communication is a vital asset in any business; if this is not your strength employ someone to support you in this

Click here to find out more about Prevented Ocean Plastics.

If you'd like to contact Joanna you can reach via Instagram @childsfarm @joannajensenofficial or via Iona@catchpolecommunications.co.uk

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Canva 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 &

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A lot of people comment about how lonely becoming self-employed can be. Leaving behind regular structure and income is one thing, but also a lack of community of support can be significant too. In this episode, I speak with two founders who know the importance of community as they’ve built their whole business around it.

Diana Stenbolt and Gemma Estrela are the co-founders of the skincare and wellness discovery platform SKINDAYS. Having met at Farfetch, Diana and Gemma shared a frustration with existing skincare retail experiences. Determined to change this, they founded SKINDAYS to offer expert advice, bespoke recommendations and impartial vetting for their community of beauty customers.

Diana and Gemma share their thoughts on the importance of community, both for brands seeking to build loyal customer bases and for founders when they need support during the often lonely journey of founding a business.
Skindays’ advice:

Building a community around your business gives a sense of belonging
Usually there is a community that exists between brand founders and customers; it should be one of shared beliefs and will offer mutual support
It is vital to engage with your customers, to listen to their feedback and their expectations; this is a crucial community to build. Listen so that you can tailor new ideas to their aspirations
Surveys, round table events, membership clubs and education around your product are all useful ways both to build this community and to promote your brand
When you are starting up, an entrepreneurship community of similar founders can be a great support, and will cover many different aspects of business
There is also your existing community of friends, family, perhaps mentors - be open with this group, share your anxieties and pay attention to the feedback
Take one step at a time
Take the leap, listen to the feedback and build

If you’d like to contact SKINDAYS, you can reach them at diana@skindays.com or gemma@skindays.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Jenn McGarrigle, Mica Janiv & Aisling Connaughton: the co-founders of sustainability consultancy CYD Connects. With extensive backgrounds in beauty, technology and sustainability, the team came together in 2019 to help other founders and businesses become more sustainable and benefit a wider group of societal stakeholders other than just shareholders.

As experts in becoming B Corp certified, Jenn, Mica and Aisling share practical advice on how to achieve B-Corp certification and how every business has the potential to be a force for good.

CYD Connects advice:

Before you can make public statements about your company you need to explore the background internally; be the first to ask the tricky questions
Remember that consumers can now ask questions directly thanks to social media
Sustainability (the UN definition) means meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Remember sustainability is an essential not a luxury
The three pillars of sustainability are:
- The environment
- Societal imperatives like gender equality/black lives matter/mental health
- The economy and how we make money.
All three are essential and need to be balanced with each other
B Corp expects a legal commitment
You can download B Impact Assessment to measure and track your performance; there are online tools to measure your impact (use of energy, carbon footprint)
When starting up, having a plan to be sustainable from the outset will make you more efficient in the long run
Simple steps to accreditation: complete your impact assessment; then if you score over 80 points, you will join a queue; then you await verification (this will depend on the type of business you are)
Verification will give you enormous self-assurance and confidence which will help you build your business
And remember to share the experience you have gained doing this, with other founders

The 15 commitments to conscious leadership book: https://conscious.is/15-commitments

CYD Connects can be reached at jenn@cydconnects.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR - contact us to find out more. Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

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In this episode, we hear from Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience and the Head of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford as well as the author of Life Time which explains how our body clocks work. Through his work, Russell has made great advances in our understanding of how the circadian rhythm is generated and how it suffers under societal pressures, ageing and disease.

Russell explains why a good night’s sleep is so important, as well as what ‘good’ means to an individual, plus how to balance your sleep schedule with building your business.
Russell’s advice:

Sleep is a fundamental need, not a luxury
Lack of sleep can cause:
fluctuations in mood
a negative bias
loss of empathy
an inclination to take unnecessary risks
the use of stimulants and sedatives (which affect natural sleep patterns)
In the long term lack of sleep also leads to:
altered immune response
vulnerability to cardiovascular disease
type 2 diabetes
obesity due to eating carelessly
depression and psychosis
Learn how much sleep you need as an individual, and keep to it regularly
Don’t change habits at weekends as this will throw you off
If you take a nap, keep it to 20 minutes - any longer will encroach on your night’s sleep
If you wake in the night:
simply read a favourite book and stay relaxed
don’t look at the clock
Don’t exercise too vigorously before bed (raised body temperature defers sleep)

If you’d like to contact Russell, you can reach him at X

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode, we hear from Hamish Mackay-Lewis, founder of a leadership facilitating and life coaching company. Through his work, Hamish supports individuals to step into leadership roles as well as working with teams to support their growth.

Hamish shares his advice on how to understand your imposter syndrome, explains why it is actually an experience rather than a syndrome and some simple things you as a founder can do to manage those sometimes sabotaging thoughts that can come into your head when going out on your own.

Hamish’s advice:

Impostor experience is very common: feelings of inadequacy which can come and go
One advantage of these feelings is that you will prepare thoroughly and be highly motivated
The disadvantage however can be feeling constantly anxious, doubting yourself
It’s important to celebrate yourself, not to constantly compare yourself with others
Don’t set yourself unreasonable goals
Observe your thoughts; if you are noticing self-doubt, check in with others to get an objective opinion about your achievements - and trust their opinions
Recognise where this self-doubt stems from (often from childhood) and come to terms with this
Don’t bury the sadness / frustration / nerves; learn to accept and understand these uncomfortable feelings. Face up to what is causing them
Consciously choose your response to life; practise daily to be in the moment
Understand what is important about your business, its bigger purpose, quite apart from any financial rewards
Keep a diary to record your satisfactions and frustrations and be attentive to what gives you energy and joy
Be kind to yourself; remembering you are not alone with these feelings can give you resilience
Accept that you will always have nagging doubts and may never feel good enough; and at the same time recognise that you are, of course, perfectly good enough!

If you'd like to contact Hamish you can reach him via hamish@hamishmackaylewis.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode, we hear from Le’Nise Brothers, a leading nutritionist and yoga teacher specialising in women’s health, hormones and the menstrual cycle. Le’Nise develops nutritional programmes through her Eat Love Move consultancy to empower and educate women to understand their bodies and advocate for better healthcare.

Le’Nise’s first book, You Can Have A Better Period, was released in March 2022 and she also hosts the Period Story podcast, breaking taboos around menstrual health, hormones, perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

In today’s episode, Le’Nise shares her advice on working to the rhythms of your body and harnessing the power of the four stages of the menstrual cycle to benefit you both professionally and personally.

Le’Nise’s Advice:

Recognise your tiredness when you are using sugar and caffeine throughout the day as a prop, and when you no longer feel excited about what you do
Respect your body and its energy levels; don’t feel guilty about taking breaks (these can be productive in terms of ideas)
Be aware of your menstrual cycle and plan your diary accordingly; when you have your period this is a time for slowing down a little, being more analytical and insightful
When you are ovulating, you will be more energetic/confident/sociable; this is a time for negotiating and dealing with people
Be disciplined about good sleep habits; your body needs to anticipate sleep and wind down for it. You may need a little more when having your period
Pay attention to your diet. During a period you will need more iron which is a great source of energy so eat red meat if you can, and boost your Vitamin C intake. To counteract stress you need magnesium (in for example dark chocolate) sodium (in salt) and potassium (in bananas, coconut water)
Monitor your menstrual cycle and note if it is being affected by external stresses; understanding this can help you guard against too much stress
Understanding your cycle gives you power!

If you’d like to contact Le'Nise, you can reach her at lenise@eatlovemove.com

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode, we hear from Nina Nesdoly, founder of Workplace Clarity. As a workplace stress and burnout prevention consultant, Nina draws on her management and neuroscience background to deliver workshops and training courses to help her clients overcome workplace stress, prevent burnout and improve their workplace performance.

Nina shares her advice on maintaining a work/life balance, identifying stress triggers and techniques for relieving stress.

Nina's advice:

Burnout happens when demands exceed resources; build your own resources by outsourcing the things you’re less good at to experts, thus reducing the demands on yourself
Set realistic expectations and don’t set goals for yourself that depend on you being superhuman or neglecting rest
Schedule in buffer time (to give yourself a break if you are unwell) and have an emergency budget (to give yourself a break if there’s a crisis)
Three stress triggers are:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Dealing with unpredictable/unfamiliar situations
- Social evaluative threats
Look for the positives: turn threats into something you can be excited about, and move away from the negative thoughts to focus consciously on what makes you happy
When establishing work-life balance, set boundaries between the two. Try blocking notifications when not working
When seeking to de-stress, remember social connections and community can be supportive; ‘social buffering’ is when oxytocin (produced by social interaction) helps fight stress
As a sole founder you have no-one to moderate you, so check in on yourself.
Remember your own brain is your harshest critic.
To summarise, the six causes of burnout are:
- workload
- lack of community
- lack of control
- mismatch of values (if you are working for a company whose ideals you don’t share)
- a sense of unfairness in the processes operating around you
- absence of reward

If you’d like to contact Nina, you can reach her at contact@workplaceclarity.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for our future guests.
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 enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & licence

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In this episode, we hear from physio and PT, Tim Blakey, creator of PRIME BODY, the affordable personal fitness training app that helps you progress and learn as you go. Born from his own health and fitness challenges and overcoming training injuries, Tim combines corrective work with strength training to optimise body composition and combat body betrayal.

Tim shares his perspective on why founder mobility is so important to incorporate from the beginning, why to prioritise resistance training over cardio and why it can actually be a great investment in your overall business to look after your mobility.

Tim’s advice:

Physical health helps not only mental health, but business health too - if you are well you will be more productive
Posture is important, affects how you look, feel and can prevent injury; but more important than posture is movement
If you are deskbound, make sure you build movement in all through the day
A meeting between two people can take place on a walk
Movement can produce ideas
Even five minutes’ movement is better than none
Mobilisation before a walk or a run will help
Fitness is not vanity - it is good for stress management
Even if your day is unstructured, find time for exercise - it doesn’t really matter when
Put strength before cardio: muscular-skeletal strength is the most important thing
Sleep is important, and caffeine will affect the quality of that sleep
When travelling, don’t make it an excuse not to exercise; therabands can be helpful
Encourage your team to use a gym/order nutritious takeaway meals/try cold water daily dips
Exercising can be a good way of networking with different groups of people
Celebrate the small wins when exercising
Take an interest in your own body! Learn about it, examine the mind/muscle connection

Follow this link for a video on tips and tricks. If you’d like to contact Tim, you can reach him at contact@primebody.co.uk

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for our future guests.
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 enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & licence

Support the show

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Today we hear from Jenna Hope, registered nutritionist and founder of Jenna Hope Nutrition. Working with businesses and individuals, Jenna helps implement beneficial nutrition strategies, through a combination of talks, presentations and workshops, to improve people’s well being, productivity, sleep, stress management and mental health.

Today, Jenna shares her advice on the most common nutritional issues that founders can face and how to incorporate healthy eating routines into your working day.

Jenna Hope’s Advice:

Eat mindfully. Pay attention to eating your food which will help it to be digested properly, allow nutrients to be fully absorbed into the body and make you feel more satisfied
Reduce your reliance on caffeine, which can make you feel more stressed, affect your sleep and seduce you into consuming more sugar
Diet / exercise / sleep: these are all important and interrelated
Try to make three better dietary choices each day!
Eat more probiotics (yoghurt, kefir etc.) and prebiotics (onions, leeks, bananas, chickpeas etc.)
Hydration: make sure you keep up with water, using an app if necessary to remind you. It can often be the cause of you feeling hungry
Try to have 70g of protein per day (important for skin/hair/brain/hormone production) and try to make sure that 50% of what is on your plate is veg or fruit
If you’re snacking, make sure it’s protein or fibre - this makes you feel fuller (try oatcakes + cream cheese/nuts/hummus/yoghurt/roasted chickpeas/a boiled egg)
Research quick meals in your local supermarket so that when you’re in a hurry you know exactly where to go and make the right choice. Also batch cook when you have the time
Spices and herbs are not just good for you, they make food more exciting; it’s important to enjoy your food
If you eat breakfast make sure it’s healthy - what you have is as important as whether you have it
It’s a good idea to have your evening meal fairly early because sleep is more difficult if you are digesting; if you have to eat late, make it a light meal
‘The Optimum Nutrition Bible’ by Patrick Holford is a classic on the subject

If you’d like to contact Jenna, you can reach her at jennahope@jennahopenutrition.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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

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In this episode, we hear from Jamie Clements, founder of The Breath Space. By using breathing techniques to overcome anxiety and panic attacks, Jamie discovered the extensive benefits of breathwork for improving physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Having trained in many modalities of breathing, Jamie now shares his techniques to help others accelerate their healing and personal growth as part of his business.

Today Jamie introduces us to the many benefits of breathwork and shares his advice on why founders and business owners should be encouraged to build a strong wellness routine around a busy schedule.

Jamie's advice:

Particularly for a founder, but for employees too, physical/mental/emotional health is essential
Breathing can be a window onto your mental state; check in with it during the day to assess how you are. Schedule moments e.g. between meetings, in a taxi - for yourself, breathing breaks when you can check how you’re doing
It’s possible to shift your mental and emotional state by using simple breathing exercises; conscious breath control can quickly and effectively regulate your nervous system
By being aware of how you are breathing, you can avoid dysfunctional breathing patterns e.g. allowing quick and shallow breathing, which triggers stress, to become habitual
If you are a busy high-achiever, it’s important to avoid burnout; take short breaks to breathe consciously (always a longer exhale than inhale) and you will optimise your performance and increase stamina

If you’d like to contact Jamie, you can reach him at jamie@thebreathspace.co.uk

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode we hear from Matt Johnson, TV presenter and Founder of The Checkin, an online space to connect people to mental health specialists as well as the mindfulness book, The Checkin Journal.

Given today is blue Monday we thought it particularly important to kick off our new season with a focus on mental health. Matt shares his personal advice on how founders can manage theirs as well as why it is so important to be aware of it too.

Matt Johnson's advice:

Make boundaries to reserve time for yourself, especially if you work alone. Time for mindfulness/breathing exercises/journal-writing/peace
When establishing boundaries, assess your needs and wants; put yourself first for a change
In order to work as well as you can, you must look after your health; always take mental health very seriously
Prevention of mental ill-health is better than cure
Check in with how you feel and work out why
Value your time: to be alone, to be with other people and to be in nature
Accept that there will always be peaks and troughs
Let go of expectations and be curious about what will happen next

If you’d like to contact Matt you can reach him via The Checkin @thecheckin.co on Instagram

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode hear from Akash and Nikita Mehta, siblings and Co-Founders of renowned Ayurvedic haircare brand Fable & Mane. Inspired by their grandparents and the rich history of Indian beauty practices, they set out just over two years ago to share the rituals their family grew up with.

In this episode, Akash and Nikita share their advice why they wanted to incorporate charity as a key pillar of a business model from the get go, how they define and manage success and why purpose is paramount when starting a business.

Akash and Nikita's advice:

Branding/creating a name/building a concept all takes time - don’t rush this stage
Make every product as perfect as possible before launching it
Don’t be afraid of failure; learn from it
Spend time on yourself; start with taking care of your health in whatever way is best for you
Try to have a purpose for your business apart from making money; this benefits both your customers and your team
Experiment with social media
Don’t be afraid; problems can always be surmounted

If you’d like to contact Akash or Nikita, you can reach them at

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

Support the show

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In this episode we hear from Inge Theron, founder and creative director of FACEGYM: the wellness brand pioneering the non-invasive facial workout. After 11 years as the Financial Times’ Wellbeing, Beauty & Spa writer, Inge became aware of the increasingly invasive nature of cosmetic procedures. Following extensive research, Inge founded FACEGYM to help people age confidently.

Having provided over 200,000 workouts at 11 global studios, Inge shares her advice on how to build a brand at pace, what she would go back and do again when it comes to process and structure and why people and trust are everything when starting a business.

Inga's advice:

Before you plunge in, be clear about the culture of your business, set your mission statements
You are nothing without a good team around you
You need good execution as well as a good idea
Take professional advice on your branding
Trust others and listen to experienced experts
Focus on your intention and don’t give up - persevere
Accept that the early excitement will fade and you just have to keep going
If you transition from service to product, be careful; customers know you for one thing
Remain authentic
Take your customers with you by including them in focus groups etc.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Louise Olsen & Stephen Ormandy, co-founders and creative directors of Dinosaur Designs, the Australian luxury homeware and jewellery studio. Founding their business in 1985, Louise and Stephen began by selling their creations at Sydney’s markets where they both attended art school. Since then, Dinosaur Designs has grown to become one of Australia’s most renowned design studios and expanded internationally.

Louise and Stephen share with us their advice on how they have built an internationally recognisable brand, why growing slowly is important for company culture and why looking after your team first is the No. 1 priority when running a successful business.

Louise and Stephen's advice:

When forming a partnership, bear in mind the stresses that building a business can bring
Use lawyers and accountants to set up a firm basis
Listen to those experienced in your area
Keep within your capacity and grow slowly
Look after your staff; remember it’s a collaboration
Manage stress in whatever way suits you best
Retain a student mentality and keep learning
Success will give you the courage to take risks; creation leads to creation
Don’t rush decisions; allow them to percolate
Learn from your failures
Be determined and take the plunge

If you’d like to contact Stephen or Louise you can reach them on via this link

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this epsidoe we’re joined by Sheena Bhattessa, founder of Citizen Femme: the luxury travel guide for women and one of the UK’s leading travel publications. Born from Sheena’s love of travelling and growing up within the hotel industry, Citizen Femme curates the ultimate in travel, style, culture and beauty. Alongside her role with Citizen Femme, Sheena also works as both an actor and producer.

Today Sheena shares her advice on the importance of your team around you, adapting your business as it grows and knowing your own strengths.

Sheena's advice:

Analyse your data and produce what people want to consume
Write contracts carefully to avoid disappointment
Have a team around you who share your vision
Try to employ people better than you
Make sure you maintain your brand identity
Ensure more money comes in than goes out
When pricing, don’t undervalue yourself
Don’t fear failure

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we’re joined by Katie Lopes and Nicola Piercy, co-founders of the sustainable underwear brand Stripe & Stare. Frustrated by the lack of comfortable yet sustainably sourced options, Katie and Nicola sought to create underwear, loungewear and sleepwear for the sustainable shopper who doesn’t want to compromise when it comes to style & comfort.

Katie and Nicola share their advice today on why building in sustainability at the beginning will make life easier when you scale and how to tackle the VC process as female founders.

Advice:

When starting, pay attention to feedback; focus groups are valuable
If you mean to be sustainable, go for external verification of your credentials; going through the B-Corp process is a lot of work, but a B-corp leader can help a lot with this and it is worth the work
Stick to your founding principles
Only work with people you like and trust absolutely
Co-founders who work well together tend to be opposites and have complementary skills
Influencers, podcast sponsors and product gifting are all useful ways to gain publicity and customer loyalty
When considering data, the important analytics to weigh up are customer acquisition costs and lifetime loyalty
Angel investors can be invaluable initially; when looking for venture capital take your time to find the right investor. Going for bank-funded venture capital can be less stressful and more predictable. It’s also a lot of work but a growth partner who has expertise will be a great help
When starting out, do your research thoroughly
Female founders tend to be more accurate in their predictions which can make it difficult to find a backer; persevere!

If you’d like to contact Katie and Nicola you can reach them on katie@stripeandstare.com and nicola@stripeandstare.comHead over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Stephanie Melodia, founder of Bloom, an award-winning marketing agency for tech scale-ups. Since starting her business in November 2017, Stephanie has been named one of the UK’s Top 20 Most Influential Female Founders. Stephanie talks about her motivation for starting a business, balancing ambition with enjoyment of your work and shares important advice on curating a business proposal and pitching to VCs.

Stephanie's Advice:

Consider and learn from the bad practice of others as well as the good
Balance ambition with mindfulness and contentment - to avoid needless stress
Delegate; you are not indispensable
Be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses
When planning your day, know yourself and when you are at your most productive
If you need to reject an invitation, be polite but firm
When pitching don’t let yourself feel subordinate; remember your value and what you have to offer
Always communicate, at every stage; present your vision succinctly
Don’t listen to anyone else; go for it!

If you’d like to contact Stephanie, you can reach out atstephanie@bloomltd.co.ukHead over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Mariella Tandy, founder of fine jewellery brand, Alemdara as well as executive retail editor of Country & Townhouse magazine.

Alemdara was founded in 2015, inspired by a bracelet given to her by her Turkish mother-in-law who insisted she needed to wear it during her first pregnancy. Today she shares her advice on how she always knew she would be a founder, why failing is good and why your gut feeling is key at all times.

Mariella’s advice:

You can always change things about your business
Don’t be afraid to launch your brand and adapt it as you progress and gain more exposure, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just get going
Always ask questions, people are happy to give advice
Outsource if you don't know something to ensure work is done to a high standard
Be comfortable with trying things out; not everything is going to work out, but you have to be at peace with that
Be up for failing. It is always better to have tried something and for it to fail than to not try at all; there is no shame in failure and you will always learn from it
Try and block out external critics and focus on moving forward with your vision
Be sure of your product and keep assessing the market
Use an email marketing strategy to keep in touch with your customers
Trust your gut feeling

If you’d like to contact Mariella, you can reach her on Mariella@alemdara.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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Today we’re joined by Wizz Selvey, Founder & CEO of luxury brand and retail consultancy WIZZ&CO. As a former Head of Beauty at Selfridges and Director of Cowshed Beauty and Soho Home, Wizz has accumulated an extraordinary understanding of the luxury retail landscape from her 15 years of industry experience.

Through WIZZ&CO, she shares with clients what works and what doesn’t when scaling luxury direct-to-consumer brands and what to consider when planning omnichannel retail strategies.

Wizz kindly offers insights into the importance of placing your customer at the centre of all decisions you make and what to consider when devising a clear retail strategy.

Wizz’s Advice

Surround yourself with networks of people who are also entrepreneurs
Define your USP and identify your market
Look at consumer trends to find the gap in the market
Create strict boundaries with yourself
Find time to sit with yourself: try yoga or meditation to help find that balance between work and your personal time
Plan your week in advance; highlighting what key things are going to move your business forward
Break down projects into more manageable chunks
Don’t listen to the advice of too many different people
Try a morning routine to set yourself up, possibly including exercise
Carry a small To Do list with you - small so you are able to complete it
Make sure you are connecting with your customer emotively rather than just through facts
Free resources mentioned:
Free retail and consumer trend webinar to future-proof your business -https://wizzandco.activehosted.com/f/1
Hype your brand masterclass for independent brands “Learn how to create a disruptive brand to get your customers raving about you” https://www.wizzandcollective.com/
The ultimate guide to finding your USP https://www.wizzandco.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-finding-your-usp

If you'd like to contact Wizz, you can reach her at wizz@wizzandco.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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Today we’re joined by Maxine Laceby, co-founder of premium liquid collagen brand Absolute Collagen. Having launched her business in May 2017 at the age of 49, following a period of 25 years as a full-time mum, Maxine scaled her brand from kitchen-table startup to a multi-million pound brand within two years.

Maxine has created one of the UK’s fastest-growing direct-to-consumer brands while managing both ADHD and dyslexia. Today she shares her advice for new entrepreneurs on building a business later in life and her insights into managing exponential growth within an e-commerce business.

Maxine’s advice:

Remember to be your authentic self, don’t attempt to imitate others
Be honest about what you don’t know
Employ people who you think are morally good; though it sounds naive, those are the people you will want to surround yourself with on a daily basis and represent your company
It takes a lot of courage when you've started a business to delegate and hand over the reins to somebody that you think is capable, but it is important to realise when someone else can do a certain job better than you can
Your brand must represent you; don’t be false
When you have complete faith in your product, then have the courage to showcase it
Make the time to network with like-minded people
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; do not leave a meeting until you understand everything or else that time would have been wasted
Have fun with your business

If you’d like to contact Maxine, you can reach out at absolutecollagen@b-theagency.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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Today we hear from Sadie Reid, founder of digital health and wellness magazine Hip & Healthy and co-founder of women’s sustainable luxury loungewear brand Luxe + Hardy. Having previously worked at Condé Nast Traveller magazines, Sadie founded Hip & Healthy in January 2012 to inspire readers to be the best version of themselves. Now regarded as the UK’s premier online health and wellbeing platform, Sadie also went on to co-found luxury loungewear brand Luxe + Hardy in July 2018. Sadie shares her advice on how to define success and how to take care of yourself too.

Sadie’s advice:

Accept failure as part your day-to-day life in business; failure is inevitable and instructive
Don’t worry about failing publicly: no-one’s looking
Don’t doubt yourself
Don’t try to do too much too soon, focus on one thing and do it really well
Success is being able to achieve work/life balance and personal happiness
Don’t underestimate the importance of supporting your team at the beginning
Flexi-working is helpful and healthy for everyone
Don’t answer emails in a hurry because you may miss something and have to spend time amending them later
It’s essential to nourish your body and drink enough water to avoid burnout; sleep is obviously important too
Recognise when you’ve been working hard and don’t be afraid to take your foot off the pedal; reward yourself with proper holidays

If you’d like to contact Sadie, you can reach her at sadie.reid@hipandhealthy.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Belinda Everingham, founder and CEO of Australian natural products brand Bondi Wash. Founded in 2013, as a natural alternative to chemical-laden products that continually caused her headaches, Belinda began experimenting with essential oils and Australian botanicals in her kitchen and soon decided to leave her management consulting career behind to take the leap to start Bondi Wash.

Belinda shares with us her advice on how to fight your corner when a huge competitor doesn’t play ball, more details on trademarking and why there is always a silver lining to any crisis in a startup.

Belinda’s advice:

Do you research when it comes to trademarking
Get your brand name right early on
Check for global trademarking
Seek legal advice that can support your business
Focus on doing one thing at a time really well
Trust your gut feeling when it comes to listening to advice
Get good at hiring
Mistakes will always have a silver lining
Practicse the Pareto principle - focus 80% of your energy on 20% of the most important things
Financial success is important but only because it gives you the freedom to do more with your brand’s journey
Be aware of what you’re trying to achieve and conscious of how to enjoy the business
Get pricing right early on, as it's not easy to change
Ask for honest feedback and listen to everyone who is keen to offer it
Different parts of the business will need your attention at different times
A part of your business will always be in crisis but investing the time in solutions is always worth it for the long run

If you’d like to contact Belinda you can her reach on hello@bondiwash.com.au

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited and managed by Milun Haggipavlou.

FF&M recommends:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we’re joined by Geordie Mackay-Lewis and Jimmy Carroll, co-founders of bespoke travel and yachting company, Pelorus. Taking a unique approach to business, rooted in the core values gained from their military careers, Geordie and Jimmy speak on how the pandemic allowed them to slow down and build, the importance of recruiting a dependable team and the impact that advisory boards have had on the growth of their business.

Geordie & Jimmy’s advice:

It’s crucial to have a good team; a tough recruitment process pays off
Go for people with entrepreneurial flair; trust and empower them to act alone
Welcome mistakes as you will all learn from them; conduct regular reviews so that lessons are learnt
We give our staff time off to devote to conservation work
We also encourage them to get out of the office (although some prefer office routines); be flexible about this
Staff benefits should be aligned to the ethos of the company
Be prepared for crises
Spend as much time acquiring clients as you do staff
An advisory board can be invaluable, manned by those with useful experience in different fields. If appropriate, they can become stakeholders in the company - although many will be happy to give you free advice
Private investors may want a say in how the company is run
Building a brand identity is important and worth taking time over - vital when you come to sell the company
Finally, stick at it - it will be worth the risk

If you'd like to contact Jimmy or Geordie you can reach them on: Geordie@pelorusx.com and Jimmy@pelorusx.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Edited by Milun Haggipavlou. Recorded & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Ben Watkiss, co-founder of British backpack and holdall brand Stubble & Co. Founded in March 2017 with his wife Victoria, Stubble & Co blends functionality and performance to create durable bags that are perfect for any occasion.

Following a consultancy career of over 10 years, it was on a holiday in the Philippines that Ben and Victoria decided it was time to follow their passion and build a brand of their own. Having been consistently let down by bags whilst travelling the world with work and personal adventures, they saw a gap in the market for an aspirational yet affordable option that could be trusted and put customers first.

Ben shares with us his advice on why clearly defining your brand with a long-term view is so important and why going via the kickstarter route can be a great way to get going with your business.

Ben's advice:

Be sure there’s a market and a need for your product
Be sure you can reach that market
If you go the crowd funding route it’s very public, so:
Be brave and get off to a good start
- Make sure your product is as good as it possibly can be
- Make sure the way you present the product is as clear as it can be
- Reach as many people as you can, identify everyone possible to drive awareness
If you have done as much as you can, then you can be proud of the outcome, whatever happens
Having launched, be ready to make changes if necessary
Always be open to feedback, your customers’ opinions are crucial (Typeform is a useful tool which makes surveys user-friendly)
Try to maintain personal contact with your customers
If you’re thinking of starting, start - but start relatively small
Always look hard at the data to drive efficiencies and improvements
Follow your instincts
You will never have enough time, but recruit people you can trust and look after them
There will always be problems, but the successful companies are the ones which solve their problems effectively

If you’d like to hear more from Ben, you can reach him via ben@stubbleandco.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Melissa Hobson, a self-employed specialist copywriter and PR consultant working with for-purpose organisations. Driven by her passion for marine conservation, Melissa pursued self-employment in February 2021 to support organisations that are making a positive difference to the oceans, the planet and people’s lives.

Melissa shares with us her advice for founders seeking to avoid greenwashing and authentically implement environmentally-friendly processes within their businesses.

Melissa’s advice:

Putting your own needs first will often lead to the best results for your business and clients
Never mislead or exaggerate
Think about sustainability from a consumer perspective; check the Green Claims Code to ensure none of your claims could be misinterpreted
Setting stringent standards will encourage potential clients to raise their own
Have a purpose/mission-led business to really enjoy your work
In the interests of work/life balance, create boundaries for yourself; for example I always have an ‘out of office’ on to limit the amount of time I spend on email and to filter out unnecessary communications
Connect with other sole traders when you need inspiration or advice
Charge a fee for people who would like to ‘pick your brains’ as your time is valuable
Utilise Zoom to manage your time and only attend face to face events that truly add value to your business
Immediately set tax aside when you receive an invoice to avoid hassle further down the line
Don’t be afraid to be honest about parts of your business you wish were more successful
Keep a log of all the small green things you do that make a difference; you’d be surprised by how they add up

If you’d like to contact Melissa you can reach her on melliehobson@gmail.com
Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Rhiannon Lambert BSc MSc RNutr, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists and the founder of Rhitrition and Rhitrition+. Rhiannon founded Rhitrition in 2016 which has become a renowned Harley Street clinic specialising in weight management and sports nutrition.

Alongside her first business, Rhiannon launched Rhitrition+ in March 2021 to pioneer a scientific, food-first approach to supplements and wellbeing. Rhiannon is a Sunday Times best selling author and also hosts the ‘Food for Thought’ podcast to help listeners enhance their health and improve their wellbeing.

Rhiannon shares with us her advice on the differences of running the two businesses as well as how to put boundaries in place to protect the work-life balance

Rhiannon’s advice:

Know your strengths and know when to delegate tasks
Offer work experience to people when you’re starting out
Manage your expectations of team members
Set boundaries for everyone to manage their mental health.
Provide your staff with a work phone to help them separate work and personal lives
To get reinspired have a conversation with a friend or do something for you
You can’t perform well if you don’t have fuel in the tank
People are not overnight successes, it takes a lot of graft but it’s worth it

If you’d like to contact Rhiannon you can reach on rhiannon@rhitrition.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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Today we’re joined by Suzanne Duckett, founder of Onolla: The Natural Health and Beauty Edit, a concept store and experience platform which blends nature, science, beauty and wellness allowing you to put people as well as products in your cart.

As a renowned author and former health, beauty and spa editor for the likes of Tatler, Cosmopolitan and Good Housekeeping, Suzanne identified how many people had become disconnected with nature. Setting out to solve this, Suzanne launched Onolla in 2020 as a platform to foster a synergy between nature and urban city dwellers through a curated range of science-led, natural health and beauty products, practices & practitioners. Today, Onolla delights clients in person at their London store in Barnes and online, as well as their newly launched concierge service.

Suzanne shares with us her experience transitioning into entrepreneurship from a journalism career and why good health and wellbeing is so vital for those embarking on entrepreneurial journeys.

Suzanne’s advice:

Use your toolkit of self-care and well-being practices to help discover what’s going to make you thrive.
Using a timetable to block your time can reduce stress
Tune into nature when it comes to making business suggestions. Read
Organise your meetings around the full moon because that's when people are much more open and up for talking.
Incorporate meditation into your working day.
Know the difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is often generated in the mind and triggered by the need to, whereas inspiration is something that comes from your spirit and it really gets you excited.
Everyone you need is on your phone right now.
You know so much more than you think you do.

If want to personalise a more natural, flowing way of living and working. Book a 1-1 with Suzanne.

Suzanne’s recommendations:

Shift is the desktop app for streamlining your accounts, apps, and workflows.
The E-Myth: teaches us the difference between working on your business and working in your business.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

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In today’s episode we’re joined by Alex Noonan and Sarah Humphries, co-founders of Sydney-based beauty market research agency The Review Works. Following media, marketing and PR careers of nearly two decades each, Alex and Sarah decided to pursue the path of joint entrepreneurship during the pandemic whilst continuing to lead their existing independent media agencies.

Alex and Sarah share with us their advice on starting a new company while simultaneously running another, how to approach it professionally rather than personally, and how trust and transparency are vital attributes to have as a business owner.

Alex & Sarah’s advice:

Starting a partnership is very different from setting up on your own: always be pragmatic and businesslike
Remember to discuss issues frankly with each other; tackle things head on
Don’t take things personally; if you have a disagreement, be respectful of each other
A big advantage of a partnership is that you can support each other (with time off etc.) and take things in turn
Make the most of bouncing ideas off each other
Always know when to outsource - know what you do well and stick to that
Contracting is better than paying salaries - at first anyway - and takes away pressure
When employing people, ensure you are providing a nice place to work
You owe it to your staff to be honest about your goals
If you are running two businesses concurrently, make sure to give the second business its own schedule and its own time
When running your own business, you will surprise yourself at the different skills you will be able to master

If you’d like to contact Alex or Sarah you can reach them on alex@thecontentworks.com.au and sarah@shapr.com.au

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Olivia DeRamus, Founder and CEO of Communia: a social networking app empowering women, transgender and non-binary individuals to share experiences, seek advice and make new connections.

Olivia created Communia after surviving a serious sexual assault. Through the social network, Olivia now facilitates a community to support those who have overcome similar situations on topics including mental health and wellbeing.

Olivia shares with us her advice on defining your vision and audience at the outset of your startup journey and the importance of clarifying the legal aspects of your startup.

Olivia’s advice:

Start off with a clear vision of your goals
Don’t be afraid to start, but also don’t be afraid to take your time to formulate your aims thoroughly
Outsource if necessary and, when beginning, network with freelancers rather than employ full-timers
Use a good small business lawyer to check out your trademark among other things
Structuring your day will make you more productive and also help keep you calm
Instagram and LinkedIn are useful ways to find staff
Make sure you market your business to new talent as its competitive
If you need refreshing mentally, try a change of scene, change your surroundings, exercise, take a break
When making requests of others, remember they have needs and deadlines too, with which you may be able to help

If you’d like to contact Olivia you can reach her via olivia@restlessnetwork.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from co-founders Perdie Alder, CEO, & Margaret Anne Coyle, COO, of Spice Startups, the funding and liquidity platform for tech startups founded in 2020.

Spice provides tech founders with the tools and resources required to effectively raise investment for their ventures. And their second venture is also set to launch this month - Hot Bed is a place for the ecosystem’s best startups to get funding and liquidity, pillared around relevant content, accountability and community.

Perdie and MA share with us their advice on how to bring in revenue quickly while supporting your ultimate business idea and why it's important to have really worked with a co-founder before committing to starting up together.

MA and Perdie’s advice:

Speak to everyone who shows an interest in what you have to offer
You need a cash flow from the start, so adapt what you do for clients - if they want consulting, this will help you get to know them - respond to their demands
Understand your customers and their needs - build them what they want
Listen to the challenges experienced by clients - this will help you tailor what you offer
Build relationships with clients
If in a partnership, divide the work, don’t duplicate it
Co-founders ideally should have worked together already
Co-founders should share the same values, and attitudes to money
Because founding a company is hard work, you will need passion and conviction; don’t think it’s an easy option which simply gives you freedom
Take advice from other founders who understand
Enjoy your autonomy and influence
Have someone near you who will show you your weaknesses and help you look out for pitfalls

If you’d like to contact Perdie or MA you can reach them perdie@spicestartups.com on and margaretanne@spicestartups.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Alice Edwards, founder of Memo Press: a bespoke plastic free stationery brand based in London. Founded in October 2020, Memo was born out of a vision to make stationery both beautiful and accessible in equal measure.

Following her successful career as the jewellery editor for Tatler, Sunday Times STYLE and LUXX magazines, Alice now writes in an equally beautiful but very different way.. delighting clients with stationery which is all personalised by her own hand.

Alice shares with us her experience on trademarking and why there is now better time to start than now.

Alice's advice:

The autonomy self-employment gives you offers huge advantages to parents
Self-criticism is a useful quality when you are your own boss
Being well-organised and motivated is also vital
Recognise your weaknesses and delegate to someone more skilled in those areas
Play to your strengths
The community of startups is one in which advice is readily shared; don’t hesitate to ask for help. Similarly, be ready to share if you can help others
You’ll be surprised which suppliers will be helpful - don’t hesitate to ask
You are bound to make mistakes; learn from them
You’ll surprise yourself at what you can achieve
When starting out, investigate resources and support geared for startups (eg. the Prince’s Trust) for business plan models, etc.
When choosing a trademark, one word is harder to copyright; choose two.
Filing for a trademark should be done before anything else so you can avoid unpicking it later
Know what time of day suits you best for different activities and plan accordingly
Use mentors, official or unofficial to inspire you

If you’d like to contact Alice you can reach via: alice@memopress.co.uk

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 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 businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva 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 & Licence

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Today we have not one, but five, guests!

Hannah, Ellie, Ria, Lucianne and Camilla are the founders and members of the hybrid e-commerce consultancy collective A Few Great Women. With a wealth of previous career experience working with renowned brands including Harvey Nichols, Kurt Geiger and Stella McCartney, the team identified that start-up e-commerce businesses could benefit from a unique combination of the flexibility of freelance consultants powered by the collective dynamism of an in-house team.

Today, A Few Great Women offers a range of services for e-commerce businesses including website development, digital strategy, branding and email marketing. They share with us their experiences of founding a collective and why five heads are better than one.

Advice:

Manage day-to-day running by using helpful apps like Notion
Structure weekly tasks - Monday.com useful
Outsource those things you’re less good at
Connect with others, time spent catching up with colleagues is always constructive
Always ask for feedback; even knockbacks are a useful learning tool
When pricing, be confident; a fair price guarantees good work. Don’t doubt this
When self-employed, take breaks and never feel guilty about them!
Understand your limits: say no to a client if the fit isn’t right, and if necessary make a client wait
Self-employment is particularly good for women a) because employers are not good at offering flexibility, and b) because women are so often limited by the glass ceiling
Be confident in what you know, your experience and your value
Keep going with an annual appraisal, even if it’s private and personal
Go with your instincts
Have faith in yourself

If you’d like to contact any of the A Few Great Women you can reach them on hello@afewgreatwomen.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.
FF&M enables you to own your own PR.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Today this episode we’re joined by Carol Han Pyle, founder and CEO of sustainable candle brand NETTE which she launched in December 2020 and has already won Harper’s Bazaar Candle of the Year award.

This is Carol’s second business venture, having also launched digital agency CA Creative following a career working with leading luxury lifestyle magazines. Carol shares why now is the perfect time for entrepreneurs to start and her insights into when and how to source external partners.

Carol's advice:

Brand awareness is key - if you are a product-based business this is crucial
Spending time building a reputation initially is more important than sales
A following on Instagram will speed the growth of your business
PR can be an enormous help, getting the word out about your product in the appropriate press
Take advantage of the speed remote meetings can offer during and post the pandemic
Take the leap: too much preparation could deter you
Be careful about your supply chain to avoid unnecessary delays
Starting investments can vary hugely; there is now right or wrong budget to start with
There is a lot you can do for yourself to saves costs, however know the areas you need to pay for support on
Be prepared to learn a lot about a lot
Concentrate on your area of expertise and delegate or externalist the things you aren’t expert in
It’s a great time to start a brand because there’s a lot of support available (mentorship programmes, venture capital funds)

If you’d like to contact Carol you can reach her via hi@nettenyc.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In today’s episode, we’re joined by Tom and Chris Hannaway, brothers and Co-Founders of alcohol-free beer brand Infinite Session. With a passion for great tasting beer but a desire to incorporate some alcohol-free days into their lifestyle, Tom and Chris discovered a gap in the market for a vibrant and confident alcohol-free beer to enjoy during after-work drinks.

Launched in 2018, Infinite Session beers are now stocked in leading UK retailers including Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods. The brand also launched exclusively into the US state of Wisconsin in March 2020. During the pandemic, Infinite Session launched a series of special-edition beers, including the ‘Stay Home’ beer from which all proceeds were donated to NHS Charities Together.

Today they share advice on what to consider when expanding internationally as well as how to successfully work together as siblings.

The Hannaways' advice:

Take time to think about what you disagree on and come back to it after some space
Put boundaries in place and make sure you stick to them
Get your messaging down first before worrying about the rest
Don’t focus too much on logo and web domain at the start
Really think about how you would explain your idea to others, think about The Granny Test, keep it really simple
Think about your product development but do tell people what you’re doing as well as you need the feedback
Give your sales channels the same level of importance as product development
You can only do what you can do and be comfortable with that
Have hobbies outside of work to keep you passionate about your company
Know when to chat with each other, and when not to
Find your working rhythm together
You do have to work hard but build in breaks
Grow slow, try things on a smaller basis when you reach new markets to build your growth with a strong foundation

You can contact Tom or Chris via Instagram or Twitter Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Melissa Gauge, founder of virtual assistance firm SpareMyTime. Melissa spent 15 years working in the City and, having two children to balance alongside work, soon found herself pulled in different directions with various professional and personal responsibilities. Determined to create a solution for other professionals in a similar position, Melissa founded SpareMyTime. Today, Melissa’s company provides busy entrepreneurs and executives with administration, bookkeeping and social media marketing services.

Melissa shares her advice on how being a fully flexible service provider pays dividends, how VAs can free up vital time for entrepreneurs to focus on building their start-up and why sheer grit and determination are important factors to keep you going.

If you’d like to contact Melissa you can reach her via info@sparemytime.com or @sparemytime

Melissa’s advice:

Know you can only do the best you can do, make this your core belief
Be strong minded - if something’s not working, take a decision even if it's a hard one
Always take care to listen - both to your team and your clients
Build a community around your team; be understanding, fair and don’t jump to conclusions
Find smart timekeeping software such as Harvest
Aid faster book-keeping with Xero
Cash flow is essential; always be aware of what you have, both to run the business and to live on
Believe the compliments you are given to build your own self-confidence
When pricing, look at other businesses to start with and keep changing as you grow the business
Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth
Be patient and determined; keep going

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Hannah Aykroyd, Managing Director of the award-winning property advisory firm Aykroyd & Co. Hannah has many years’ experience advising high net worth private clients on prime London real estate transactions and now, four years into her own business, has clients ranging from private individuals, family offices, investors and developers, both domestic and international.

Hannah shares with us her thoughts on the freedoms starting a company can afford, especially when it comes to also starting a family, and highlights the fundamental importance of bringing on a team as soon as possible.

Hannah’s advice:

Have a clear business plan and if possible take advice from a mentor
Delegate: be clinical about using your time and if possible employ a PA to support you
Share ideas with other like-minded entrepreneurs
Put trust in the team you’ve built
Be proactive in deepening learning and encourage the sharing of key information within the team
Have weekly team meetings and work collaboratively
Good communication skills are vital in any business
Maintain regular contact with clients by keeping them fully updated so they know everything is being handled
Communicate efficiently with time poor clients: when emailing, have a clear call to action; when scheduling a call, update them with salient points so they’re prepared ahead of a very brief call
Find that work/life balance, put your out of office on and learn when to switch off
Accept guidance and support
Love what you do

If you'd like to contact Hannah you can reach her via ha@aykroydco.com or LinkedIn.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode I chat to two entrepreneurs in the hospitality space, Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes who founded Inception Group back in 2009. The company operates a group of unique bar, restaurant and club concepts in South West and central London. As a long-standing fan of Maggie’s (as who doesn’t love a solid 80s soundtrack), I was really interested to learn how they’ve quickly built a multi-brand business but also how they weathered the unforeseen pandemic that potentially could have wiped out 12 years of hard work.

The good news is they are continuing to grow, Maggie’s is still as popular as ever and they are both adamant now is as good a time as any to start up.

Charlie and Duncan’s advice:

When you take the leap into self-employment it’s hard at first but stick at it and it will be worthwhile
Having a partner and fellow founder means you have consistent support
Remember cash is king: try to put enough money aside for a rainy day
Charlie believes in learning on the job, and says that being thrown in the deep end is the best way to learn practical skills; Duncan, however, has found that working elsewhere has helped him hone his management skills
Take time to build your business as it will be more sustainable in the long run
Enjoy the work, grow slowly and steadily; and don’t over plan but keep an open mind as you can’t forecast how things will develop
“Don’t be a busy fool” and spend time at the start on things like business cards, concentrate on clients and revenue
Enjoy your autonomy and freedom starting your own business affords you
When recruiting, spend time with people before you hire them and recruit for the right attitude as skill sets can be taught
Always know who your customers are going to be. Spend time getting to really know your audience
Right now is always a good time to start a business, especially after a national crisis

If you'd like to contact Duncan or Charlie you can via duncan@inception-group.com or charlie@inception-group.com.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we are joined by Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, Co-Founder & CEO of FLOWERBX and one of the UK’s most innovative entrepreneurs. Following a career of almost 20 years working for designer Tom Ford, Whitney then identified a market gap within the luxury sector that she set out to fill. She established FLOWERBX in London in 2015 and today Whitney’s company is the leading luxury flower service, having had clients such as Dior and Louis Vuitton, and is currently expanding across the United States.

Having just announced an £8 million series A round of investment, Whitney shares advice on how to scale at pace but also why you should wait to find the right people to support your business.

Whitney’s advice:

Surround yourself with a good team of supportive people who share your vision
Know what you’re good at, and what you’re not
Remember your responsibility to your shareholders
Stay true to your vision and to the brand
Accept you’ll make mistakes and move on
“Fail fast” - if something, or someone, is not right then give up and move on, don’t waste time trying to make it work
Don’t accept money from people you don’t feel are right - you will regret it
A chairperson must share your vision, and be able to bring valuable experience
Sustainability means no waste - set up rigorous standards at the outset. Keep these at the centre of your business, even though it means taking the more difficult route
Keep the people you employ motivated, and always invest in them
You may be responsible for the failures in your business, but you can also relish the successes
Brace yourself! Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted

If you'd like to contact Whitney you can via Instagram.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Rae, Founder of her eponymous brand Rae Feather, a personalised luxury accessories, homeware and versatile resort wear brand. Having founded her company in 2013 following a career in luxury travel marketing, Rae’s brand draws extensively on her passion for travel however it was the monogrammed straw basket with which the brand was propelled to notoriety on Instagram.

Named in 2018 as one of the Walpole ‘Brands of Tomorrow’, Rae places great emphasis on sustainability and ethical production and works with many Fair Trade and social enterprise companies to make a positive impact around the world.

Rae shares with us why you shouldn’t be put off starting a second career no matter what age you are and that really knowing your business through and through stands you in good stead when it comes to growth.

Rae’s advice:

Being older gives you confidence; it doesn’t mean you have to be invisible or frumpy
It’s useful to try to see things from the point of view of younger people, however
When marketing, take care not to be aggressive; take the time to build a following with patience
It’s helpful if you are creative and flexible
Make sure you enjoy working with a team; be present for them
Don’t try to do things too fast; take it slowly and know your limitations
Don’t employ anyone you wouldn’t want to have dinner with
Don’t overthink things and take one day at a time
Surround yourself with positive people and people you can trust; listen to them

If you’d like to contact Rae you can reach her viaInstagram.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Tom Mercer, Founder of MOMA Foods. Tom started his company in 2005 from a London railway arch, which remains its HQ to this day, with a mission of ‘making oats more awesome’.

Disappointed by the lack of convenient and healthy breakfast choices for his morning commute he decided to solve this gap in the market and began selling oats from a makeshift stall in Waterloo station. Today, as one of the fastest-growing young food brands in the UK, MOMA now produces a range of 21 premium products stocked in leading supermarkets.

Tom shares with us his advice on knowing when is the right time to leave full-time employment to commit 100% to your startup and tips for securing shelf space in UK supermarkets and online retailers.

Tom’s advice:

Test your product to make sure it’s as good as it can possibly be at the outset
Be objective about your product; just because you are enthusiastic about it does not mean it will necessarily be a commercial success. So find the balance between objectivity and passion
If your product is a) good and b) commercially viable, you will succeed in getting retail space
When running a company, keep good structures in place: daily / weekly / quarterly meetings
Interacting with colleagues on a daily basis - even via Zoom - is valuable
Sustainability and inclusivity should be assumed and not be one of your key selling points, unless you're doing something groundbreaking
Always look for innovations to inspire you
Trade shows are a great way to get feedback on your product plus they can reinforce your own belief in it

If you’d like to contact Tom you can reach him via LinkedIn .

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode I’m joined by Olga Beck-Friis, Co-Founder and CEO of PocketLaw, a Swedish startup now launching in the UK to enable SMEs to take care of their own legal matters.

Having co-founded PocketLaw with her oldest childhood friend, Kira Unger (CEO), Olga explains how she and Kira separate work from their personal friendship and how they manage this dynamic within a business environment. Olga also offers her insights into improving gender diversity within startups alongside her thoughts on the future digitisation and automation of professional services.

PocketLaw provides small businesses with contract automation and management, access to usually-expensive legal documentation, and on-demand consultation with real-life lawyers.

Olga’s advice:

Take care to communicate; always be transparent about how you feel
Listen carefully to each other and be willing to change your mind
When looking for a partner, look for someone with similar values and ambitions for the company, but with different skill sets / experiences / enthusiasms, so that you will complement each other
Remember, sharing the pressure relieves it
As for gender diversity, go for the best candidate but concentrate your search in the right places
You don’t need to define yourself as a business leader by gender
When starting out, take the business seriously; follow the same protocols as large companies and be just as professional and organised
A new company is vulnerable; don’t underestimate its equity, and only offer it to full-time employees or to cash investors
Try not to worry too much; it will take time to build the company, so be kind to yourself

If you’d like to contact Olga you can reach her via LinkedIn or Twitter.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from James Pringle, Founder of Pringle Capital which has grown to become one of the UK’s most active angel networks. The Pringle Network has previously led raises in e-commerce, fintech and augmented reality startups, with James having become a leading figure within the UK tech space.

We learn James’ advice for startups seeking investment from angel networks, his own experiences of launching a business and the challenges he has overcome on his entrepreneurial journey.

James’ advice:

“You’ve got to really want to do it” - but as long as you have energy and enthusiasm, go for it
Never go into a meeting with anything that will shock or surprise people, because they will react and you will lose control of the meeting. Make sure everyone is informed in advance and the meeting will be more constructive
Concentrate on the basics: team, product and sales. Worry about the admin later and don’t overcomplicate things. Stay focussed.
Administrative chores like tax returns are not that scary; you will be guided by HMRC
Surround yourself with people who will celebrate your wins with you
When managing people, concentrate on good communication at all levels
Whether you need investment or not, putting together a 12-slide deck is a valuable exercise. Air your pitch deck among friends/family/people in the industry as much as you can, and this will help you get a grasp of problems/solutions/market size/competition/business model etc.
Keep the deck concise because this is more useful for a potential investor to make an informed decision about your product
Speak to as many people as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions

If you’d like to contact James you can reach him via LinkedIn

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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Today I am talking to Ben Ivey who, realising that successful people are not necessarily happy people, decided to work directly with entrepreneurs who might be feeling overwhelmed, in order to help them better manage their work-life balance, as well as succeed further in business.

Ben has spoken at over 200 events internationally on how to embrace living entrepreneurially via his company, The Entrepreneur Lifestyle for which he is founder and CEO.

Ben's advice:

While it’s important to believe in what you are doing, remember to balance this with the need to market yourself and keep the cash coming in
Pay attention to people you admire while understanding everyone will have failings. “Understand the best of the best from different people”
Set yourself small challenges and surprise yourself with what you will be able to achieve
Be disciplined: carry through on your ambitions
Focus on what you are good at, and delegate to others tasks you are less capable of
Trust others and give them responsibility
Establish boundaries in your personal life; give yourself time to relax and keep to a routine
Don’t be too self-critical; it can be destructive and achieves nothing. Be kind to yourself!

If you’d like to contact Ben you can reach him via hello@Ben-ivey.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Romanie Thomas who founded Juggle, the digital platform for companies to find, onboard, pay and manage experienced yet flexible professionals.

Romanie kept coming up against the same problem in her industry. Witnessing the lack of flexible senior roles was preventing talented professionals from reentering the workforce, so she decided to leave her role in executive search to solve this problem and found Juggle. Four years on, her company makes it possible for companies to hire outstanding professional talent in just a few clicks.

Romanie shares advice on how important it is for founders to prioritise and own the recruitment process of their teams and continue to keep it really close even when the company scales and how putting self care first ensures that her professional self is in the strongest position to succeed.

Romanie’s advice:

When starting out, only take investment money from those you trust and respect; don’t just take it because it’s offered
Try to build a group of like-minded founders around you for advice
Always listen to your own instincts
Hiring people can be tricky; be rigorous in your procedures and don’t assume it’s easy
Prioritise hiring and fund-raising; a good product will follow on
Accept you can’t do it all; focus on one thing at a time so you can do it well
Take care of yourself; food and exercise are vital and your well-being is vital to the company
When fund-raising, make sure you have good legal advice
Take care of your team if you have one; you will find this rewarding
Don’t put awkward things off but tackle them head on; be truthful early
Aim high in your daily routine; if you can manage ten calls every morning it will soon become a habit

If you’d like to contact Romanie you can reach her via romanie@juggle.jobs

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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This week we hear from Helena Murphy, theCo-Founder and Managing Partner of Raising Partners.After receiving poor financial advice and having to wind up her first business, Helena experienced stress which greatly impacted her physical health.

Helena subsequently established Raising Partners to support other early-stage entrepreneurs in raising investment and avoid the pitfalls she had previously encountered. Working with companies in sectors ranging from technology to healthcare, and consumer retail to renewable energy, Raising Partners seeks investment opportunities with companies positively impacting both people and the planet.

Helena’s advice:

Begin with the very best financial model possible: numbers are the foundation of your business
Don’t delegate all the finance - understand it yourself.
Be aware of the cash flow, look ahead, so that you operate from a position of strength and knowledge rather than trying to catch up when it’s too late
Your accountant should be someone who not only deals with book-keeping/accounts/VAT/systems etc, but someone who acts as a finance director and can take a strategic look at your company’s progress, who understands the different stages of a company’s growth and can help you take the long view
Never underestimate common sense
Also never underestimate your capabilities
Be firm with your boundaries
When pricing, put a value on experience as much as on time
Spend time judging the cultural fit of a client, as this will reflect on your company

If you’d like to contact Helena you can reach her via helena@raisingpartners.com or Twitter.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Laura Tenison MBE, the Founder and CEO of JoJo Maman Bébé . As a Certified B Corporation, the company has committed itself to evaluate a “triple bottom line”, putting people and the planet above profit.

Laura started her company in 1993 from her London flat-share, following on from an almost fatal accident whilst living in France. Having brought Breton-inspired clothing to the maternity market, today, JoJo Maman Bébé is widely considered the foremost maternity wear and baby clothing retailer in the UK, while also setting a great example for new founders to follow.

Advice:

Have a sense of responsibility for your team.
Be seen to be hard-working.
If you can be B Corp certified your customers will trust you and it will challenge you to make your company better and improve your business ethos.
Allow your employees some autonomy so that they can make mistakes and learn; delegating is important.
Brand consistency through all channels is vital for a successful company.
As the CEO, work out how to switch off.

If you’d like to contact Laura you can via Twitter or Instagram.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Kenyan-born, Bristol-based Audrey Migot-Adholla who founded jewellery brand Yala Jewellery in 2017. Named after the village in Kenya where her grandmother lived, the brand focuses on creating as little impact on the planet as possible.

I wanted to speak to Audrey about why the mission behind her brand is so important to her plus ask for advice on what new founders should consider when planning to do the right thing by the planet when starting a company with a view to becoming B Corporation Certified in the future.

Audrey's advice:

Think hard before turning a hobby into a business - it’s a big step
Don’t underestimate how hard it is; expect to take some time before showing a profit
Research your industry thoroughly; you will need to find the sweet spot between being true to your vision and producing a product people will want to buy
When you set up, go to B Corp for guidance on sustainability in every area of your business; you will have to keep records and it will be exacting but they will help you. Better to start by trying to match their high standards than try to retrofit your company’s systems later.
With B Corp, you will have to recertify every three years
Also helpful with ideas on sustainability are Oxfam, the Ethical Trading Initiative and Progress out of Poverty
If you are employing artisans to make your product, trust them to quote a fair price and be prepared to pay deposits in advance to help them source materials
Get to know them as individuals, foster trust
Invest in an accountant at the start, even if you think you can’t afford one
Later, when you can afford to, start to delegate because you can’t do everything yourself

You can reach Audrey via audrey@yalajewellery.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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A lot of people in previous episodes have talked about how bringing talent into their businesses has been a game-changer, not only for revenue but for morale as well.

In this mini-series I wanted to cover more practical advice, the ‘I don’t know what I don’t know’. In this episode, we hear from Will Davies, co-founder of HBD Partners as he not only works in recruitment but has also brought people into his business on PAYE. Will offers practical advice on how to tackle this very important area of starting a company.

Advice:

Before employing anyone make sure you have budgeted for at least six months of their salary
The advantage of employing a contractor is more flexibility - but the downside is they may have other jobs at the same time, so will be less focused on your business
Full-time employees involve more paperwork for the employer however are more cost-efficient
Take time to find the right person. A good first step is to write your company’s handbook, write a contract, identify exactly your company’s ethos and what sort of person will be a good fit.
An employee handbook, together with a contract and an offer letter, will help the employee with their expectations so they can start work with confidence and clarity
When interviewing, do not to be swayed by personality; if you need experience, then that is what to look for
An employer must be sure the candidate has eligibility to work in the UK; they must either have a British passport, or a working visa, or settled status. Go to the government website for advice on this
Check their notice period in their current job and consider whether you can wait
Check whether or not they currently have a hands-off clause which could hamper them when working for you
Check their references. You are entitled to ask the previous employer a few character questions, although they are not obliged to answer them
You will need to build a HR file, containing their signed contract, GDPR statement and bank details Make sure before the candidate starts that you have the necessary equipment so they can start right away
You will need to budget for National Insurance and pension contributions (as well as a possible one-off recruitment fee)
You may want to consider Employment Liability Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance
If your employee is going to work from home make their targets clear
Endeavour to have a good relationship with your employees, take time to get to know them

You can reach Will via will@hbdpartners.co.uk

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Edited by Renale Mathurin. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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When a founder is starting a business, they know that at some point they're going to have to tell other people what they’re doing and why, in order to reach their prospective clients and customers. Word of mouth is key. However, to reach further afield, marketing and communications will strengthen the launch, brand building and SEO. As part of the marketing mix, I find that PR is often considered but rarely embraced to its full potential - and often left to the last minute when it is too late.

I started Fallow, Field & Mason in order to combat the wariness that founders have of PR, coach them to own the function in-house and help them to understand what value it can bring to their search result rankings. As this mini-series is a more practical ‘how to’ it felt like the right place to speak about my day job, so I invited a fellow PR professional to discuss the topic.

In this episode I chat to Katya Zemtsova who runs her own marketing, media relations and project management company, Elephant, who set up and develop businesses in Russia, the CIS and the UK. She shares insights on why storytelling is so important and how it can support SEO, as well as common mistakes and misunderstandings business owners are guilty of when it comes to PR.

Katya’s advice:

PR, or public relations, already exists in all of your communications, it is simply spreading public awareness, so your word of mouth is also considered as PR
Words matter, they feed search engines (SEO)
Securing editorial content can not only build brand awareness but feed your search rankings
When starting out, use a professional copywriter to deliver high quality text as the written word is key
Remember to take into account lead times for the press, and think ahead with a three month lead time as a minimum
Public Relations is the means to secure editorial (not advertising!) in publications, however it is also speaker opportunities, awards, newsletters etc. too
Founders are always the best storytellers where their own brand is concerned so it is best to embrace this and conquer your fear of speaking to the press
Ensure you know how best to approach the press, when and with the right messaging
Be strategic in your approach with the media, make sure the publications are of high quality so when you’re searched, you’re affiliated with the right environment for your business
Be patient; it takes time to build relationships plus the press need time to research, write and pitch to their editors too

You can reach Katya via Katya@elephant.uk.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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As this mini-series is a more practical ‘how to’ I wanted to speak to an experienced investor to help understand not only the jargon surrounding this area but key points to consider when seeking investment as a startup.

In this episode we hear from Costas Kalisperas, founder of In Tune Executive Coaching. Costas is well placed to talk on this given his extensive and diverse advisory experience across law, investment banking, private equity as well as angel investing. He now helps executives reach their next set of goals and ambitions through his executive coaching company. Please don't hesitate to contact Coastas: costask@intune-exec.com

Costas’ advice:

When looking for investors, a starting point can be friends/family or crowdfunding
There are ‘angel’ lists and associations of individuals with capital too
A unicorn is a privately-owned startup valued at £1 billion or more
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offers tax incentives to high net worth individuals to invest in smaller businesses
When looking for investment, if you are a product-based enterprise you need a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype to show what you can do. If you are a service-based enterprise, you will need a website and evidence of experience in the field. Either way, assess the minimum amount you need to be able to show an investor what you can do.
- Be clear about your proposition and why your experience qualifies you
- Pre-empt the obvious questions and demonstrate how you are better than your competitors
The main thing when looking for an investor is finding someone you can trust: focus on the individual, not the company. Look for accreditation in your advisors as much as in your investors
Try to assess where you’ll rank in their portfolio; better to be part of a smaller portfolio because you will benefit from more attention
Think hard about what fees you will be charged / how much equity in your company they will want / how much control they will want
Concentrate on the immediate steps while keeping faith with your long-term vision, prioritise customer acquisition above all
Always learn from your experience and be humble enough to pivot in order to build
Bear in mind the reason most startups fail is not because they are a bad idea, but simply because they have run out of capital. Think ahead about funding
Start building networks and relationships with people who take an interest in your business long before you may need to raise capital
Remember accepting investment is a moral responsibility

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason
Edited by Emma Dewhurst and recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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As this mini-series is a more practical ‘how to’, I wanted to speak to someone who has a great deal of experience in creating an ethical and sustainable business. In this episode, we hear from artist jeweller Ute Decker who simultaneously started her eponymous brand creating unique and limited edition sculptural jewellery, while researching and sharing what she had discovered around creating an ethical company. This research culminated into a site now run by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths called Ethical Making.

For someone thinking of starting up a company with ethical credentials, Ute makes some very strong points. She explains that terms like ‘sustainable’ and ‘responsibly sourced’ are overworked terms and are not necessarily truthful. She emphasises that, to be ethical, we must start by being truthful and accurate in what we claim.

Ute’s advice:

Set up the company right from the start with a view to sustainability
Start by looking at the ethical consumer
Always be specific and precise in what you claim, otherwise it’s meaningless
Be truthful: avoid “greenwash”, ie. claims that can’t be substantiated
“Fairtrade” (whatever product it applies to) is a protected term, as is “environmentally friendly” (whereas “sustainable” and “ethical” are often misused)
Choose a green energy supplier from the start (rather than promising to offset the carbon footprint)
Choose green banking
Check out the Social Development Goals of the United Nations, and EthicalMaking.org
Look at what the big corporations are doing in this area
Always consider the unintended consequences of your decisions
Know your sources and check the certifications
Being “sustainable” can never be perfectly realised; but you can work towards it
Giving a percentage to charity does not compensate for unsustainable practices
Remember the consumer is powerful and will ask questions

Ethical Metal Smith
Chicago Responsible Jewellery Conference.com
Jewellery Industry Summit
Art InitiativesB Corp

You can contact Ute via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and studio@utedecker.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
Links:

LastPass the password-keeping site.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva for creating all the social media assets

Thank you for listening. I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast as it helps others find it.
Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, Fallow, Field & Mason
Edited by Emma Dewhurst. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link &

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Starting a company can be a daunting challenge and many people have a fear around 'I don't know what I don't know'. In this episode of the mini-series of HSTU we cover the legalities of starting a company with Helen Gerrard who left her career as a city lawyer for the French Alps where she now continues her legal work as a partner for Ignition, a law firm that specialises in supporting startups and their growth, and also co-founded SnowDrone with her husband.

Helen shares advice on how and when new founders should approach the legalities of starting a company and that with the right support it isn’t daunting. I was really keen to speak to Helen as she is not only a lawyer supporting startups but an entrepreneur herself. In addition, she has mastered the work-life balance, a good example of which is using time on ski lifts for her conference calls.

Helen's advice:

Obtain legal advice asap when setting up a company, as it can be expensive & time-consuming to rectify mistakes
When you are a director of a company, remember you have fiduciary duties towards the company
Information at Companies House needs to be correct from both the accounting and legal perspectives
You may well need help managing legal aspects like the Confirmation Statement
Rather than simply use the Model Articles allocated by Companies House, it may be better to have a lawyer create bespoke Articles of Association for your company
A lawyer can help streamline the complicated preemption process when issuing shares through equity
Employees can be incentivised with a series of milestones and targets culminating perhaps in share options
Manage your share capital by starting with a small nominal amount per share
As soon as you can, put a shareholders’ agreement in place
You may need professional help drafting documents, for example board minutes
Look for a law firm regulated by SRA which has insurance and professional indemnity cover. Also seek out lawyers who have an understanding of your business
Your budget will obviously vary according to your needs: you may need a template of a non-disclosure agreement / articles of association / shareholders’ agreement / corporate authorisations / a template of an employment agreement which includes an IP assignment
Plan to devote some time every month to look ahead at your legal needs

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
Links:

LastPass the password-keeping site.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva for creating all the social media assets

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement & reassurance that you’re on the right track. Edited by Emma Dewhurst. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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The one piece of advice every How To Start Up guest has shared unanimously is to find a good accountant. In this episode, we hear from Chartered Accountant Laurie Borlace on what founders should consider when starting a business from an accounting perspective and what to ask accountants when trying to find the right one for their business.

Laurie qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and has over 12 years of experience. Full disclosure: Laurie is Fallow, Field & Mason’s accountant and I can highly recommend his firm RedBrick Accounting, as they specialise in startups, SME’s and contractors. Laurie has built his business through referrals and personal recommendations so has no need for a website however you'll be able to contact him via: hello@redbrickaccounting.com

Laurie's advice:

Be sure you can finance yourself when starting out
If you’re not good on personal finances, then you will definitely need an accountant to support you
Know your numbers inside out when you are planning
Remember an accountant will deal with the admin, so you have more time to grow your business and add value
An accountant will need to know all the details about your revenue, expenses, strategy & vision for the business
It’s probably wise to choose a Chartered Accountant (who will be properly insured)
Having an accountant will give you peace of mind as he/she will examine everything in detail and make sure you comply with all HMRC’s requirements
When you’re budgeting, remember to include your wage, tax and accountant's fee
Be aware of regulatory dates e.g. when your financial year is, or that tax is due nine months after the end of your accounting year
Self-assessment means that the first year, you pay tax in arrears, but from then on tax must be paid in advance, which makes the end of the first year expensive
Finally, believe in yourself

N.B. Since the interview, the higher rate tax threshold has risen to £50,270 for 2021-22.

A brief summary of the different types of legal setup and how it can affect tax/NI
Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
Contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement & reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Edited by Emma Dewhurst. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Liza Urla, business consultant, founder of jewellery destination GEMOLOGUE and author of the book GEMOLOGUE: Street Jewellery Styles & Styling Tips. Liza left her management consulting career to start her business in 2009 when she saw an opportunity for jewellery to be shared digitally and hasn’t looked back. Her current GEM business world includes GEM Kreatives, GEM Photo School and GEM Maison and the Financial Times, among other publications, has written about her as a jewellery influencer and blogger.

Liza shares advice on time management and the need to stay on top of new trends; she emphasises the importance of understanding many different areas of business simultaneously but also how to keep on top of that too.

Liza’s advice:

Decide at the start whether you are the right partner for yourself, or whether you need to partner up with someone
At the beginning, focus on what is most important to the business
Make friends: keep talking to others, and listen to honest feedback with an open mind
Make time to learn from others and develop new relationships
Stay on top of new trends: remember you need to be able to manage many different aspects of business
When it comes to time management, a personal daily list of priorities is a great help or a tool such as https://quire.io
Enjoy learning: before you outsource, teach yourself how a thing is done
When it comes to pricing, place a value on your time/knowledge/experience
When you are considering new business, be open to the possibility that it is NOT for you
Stay true to your instincts and allow yourself to work on what you love
Remember some failure is essential and you will learn from it
Take care to handle social media with caution
Enjoy the process of problem-solving
Structure your day and use your most productive time of day to advantage

Liza can be contacted via info@gemologue.com as well as Instagram:
Gemologue, GEMKreatives, GEMphotoshcool, JewelleryCuration

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Edited by Emma Dewhurst and recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Brett Putter who believes that the culture of a company is crucial to its success. He calls it the missing link. Brett is an expert in this field and is consulted by global companies and leaders to help design, develop and build high-performing cultures.

Brett shares advice on when to start working on your own company’s culture, why to consider building your company with a remote first mindset and why finding support and structure in the day to day is crucial.

Brett is the CEO of CultureGene , a culture leadership software and services platform. In 2018 he published his first book, Culture Decks Decoded and his second book Own Your Culture: How to Define, Embed and Manage your Company Culture in September 2020.

Advice:

Research your chosen field as thoroughly as you can; become not just an expert, but THE expert
Demonstrate your knowledge so that you become completely trusted
Don’t be too hard on yourself, remember your successes
In order to adapt to the pandemic, build with a remote-first mindset
Be patient
Sell as enthusiastically as you can
Value your mistakes as good experience
Get the rhythm right between work and family
Be structured, to get the most out of your day
Treat every short-term relationship as if it’s going to be a long-term one
Most important: install company culture into your business from the very start

Brett can be contacted on brett@culturegene.ai or via his website

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Edited by Emma Dewhurst. Recorded, edited and published by Juliet Fallowfield in 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Martine Thomassen who through studying how to be an entrepreneur in her education years, gained the foundations to then launch her own business when she was ready. Having been a digital marketer as well as an artist, she has now launched her own coaching business specialising in helping female entrepreneurs overcome their limiting beliefs, which is just one area among many that she helps clients to conquer.

Martine talks through the differences between mentors and coaches, how to work with that inner critic that can sometimes do so much damage in our every day and how to really master personal energy levels.

Martine’s advice:

Try! You fail in advance if you don’t try
Recognise and acknowledge your feelings, then choose to think more empowering thoughts that will serve you better
Remember that enthusiasm will show, just as negativity will
Win or learn, failure can be instructive and useful
Pay attention to your feelings and care for them; they need to be looked after
Take proper time off and have complete breaks from work
Keep learning - listen to podcasts can be inspirational while you exercise or do any task
Schedule your time and consciously focus on income-producing work
Believe in yourself, in your client, in your product - if you don’t, you won’t be convincing when it comes to pricing
If you are female, organise your work around your cycle and those weeks when you have more energy
Recognise your achievements, congratulate yourself even on the small wins
Self-trust, keep your word to yourself - if you trust yourself this will in turn boost your self-confidence
Surround yourself with like-minded people as well as those who are one step ahead to help support you

If you’d like to contact Martine, she can be reach via her website or martine@martinethomassen.com as well as Intagram or her podcast.Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future FF&M guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded and produced by Juliet Fallowfield, edited by Emma Dewhurst in 2021. Music credit: Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Lisa Song Sutton who is a successful entrepreneur, real estate investor, former Miss Nevada United States and former Congressional candidate for Nevada’s 4th District and has been named a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum and a Top 10 Social Entrepreneur to Watch.

Lisa shares advice on how to manage your time properly, how hard work can out way talent in the long run and why not to talk yourself out just doing it!

Lisa’s advice:

Instead of worrying about whether you have the necessary talent, remember you have complete control of your own work ethic and can work as hard as anybody
You may feel more comfortable if you keep the day job until you are financially secure
Be courageous and believe in yourself, especially when you’re a female founder. Do not talk yourself out launching a company
Don’t take failures personally; keep pushing through as all failures will teach you too
Trust your partners and your inner circle; build friendships with those who will become mentors. A mentor doesn’t have to be through an official program
Learn from your failures; use them to improve what you do and see them as a teachable moment
Expect to work extremely hard when you start. Be disciplined and ok with this
Accept that you are accountable and make sure you know every area of your company inside out
Use all available technology and tools in order to help you streamline your processes
Schedule your time to use it efficiently, including your down time. It will help you be aware of where your time is being spent
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and to seek help

If you'd like to contact Lisa she can be reached via LinkedIn or Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Lisa's TED Talk link.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future FF&M guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded and produced by Juliet Fallowfield, edited by Emma Dewhurst in 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Amanda McKenna who, as a former co-founder and Board Director of two self-started digital agencies, shares how feeling like she didn't belong in entrepreneurship affected her confidence, how people who don't fit the entrepreneurial stereotype will experience this more acutely and ways we can all tackle this head on.

In Amanda’s TED Talk she refers to the Allison Rose review and the extraordinary statistic that there are 1.1 million missing female-founded businesses in the U.K. That is £250 billion of value could be added to the economy if women started and scaled businesses to the same extent as men.

Amanda’s advice:

When you’re starting out, do the scariest thing; the sense of achievement will give you resilience and confidence
Challenge yourself to write your business plan in detail
Sound board with people who work differently to you
When you make a business plan, plan for your own self-care in tandem
Think early on about what you want to get out of this, for yourself
Imposter syndrome is prevalent with entrepreneurs, plan how to manage this. Getting a coach could be a solution
Keep focussed on the bigger picture
Always find time to talk to people in and around your sector for inspiration
Make sure the people you employ share your beliefs and aims for the business
Allow employees to be good at what they do; don’t try to control everything, give people space

If you'd like to contact Amanda she can be reached via LinkedIn or on Twitter @AmandaMcKenna_

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded and produce by Juliet Fallowfield, edited by Emma Dewhurst in 2021.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Dora Palfi, founder of Imagilabs, the all-female founded Stockholm-based startup that aims to make coding more accessible to teenage girls.

Dora shares how being determined to solve a problem she had identified, ended up in her creating her business idea. She also shares strategies around how to measure your own success as it is important to get job satisfaction and validation for your work when you’re boss-less.

Dora’s advice:

Asking for help is a strength not a weakness
Consult other founders, including ones who are just a little further on than you are
Re-read your old notes; it’s not just about new knowledge
If you really want to solve a problem, you’ll find a way; you’ve done it before and you’ll do it again
Allow yourself to make mistakes; learn from them and move on
To keep inspired, remain passionate about the problems you set out to solve; to be problem-focussed is motivating
Always keep your eyes on your mission
Being part of a strong team will give you support that can be invaluable
Enjoy your responsibility and lead by example
Being self-employed means you have to evaluate your own work, so make a framework, set goals and hold yourself accountable
Good communication is vital: don’t make assumptions that your teams or clients have heard what you’re trying to say
Find your own style
Be prepared to adapt; what works for a while may need to change
Test your product with target users so that you can get feedback
If you’re not embarrassed about your product at launch, you’ve launched too late
Be open about what you do; being secretive won’t help you progress and it is unlikely someone will steal your idea

You can reach Dora on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
https://imagilabs.com/

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited by Juliet Fallowfield in December 2020 & published in January 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Zoe Evans and Nick Rusling who have both started and run their own separate and successful companies, while also enjoying a happy 17 years of marriage and two young children. They share their perspectives on how they manage the stresses and strains of self-employment while supporting each other within the family too.

Zoe runs Style PR focussing on brand amplification and storytelling. Nick runs the Human Race, the UK’s principal mass participation sports event organiser across running, cycling and triathlons and is also the Chairman of the two point six challenge.

Zoe & Nick’s advice:

Empathetic communication will build the foundations of any successful relationship
Take your time, don’t rush decisions
Take care when recruiting
Always explain yourself to your client in their terms, avoid industry jargon.
As being self-employed inevitably means you’ll start out being quite solitary, offer to go in to the client’s office or join meetings as it’ll benefit you both
Be tenacious, never give up
Don’t take it personally if your emails etc aren’t answered as quickly as they would be if you worked for a larger company
On pricing, know your industry and your worth. Trust your instincts and don’t let commentary from others weigh you down
Value your time and learn to say no
Remember every mistake teaches you something new
Accept that being self-employed will not be a smooth path & embrace the roller coaster
Be brave, give things a go and enjoy it
Create a safety net of a few people you trust, people you can consult if there’s a problem
At the end of the day make a list of three things to do the next day - and make sure you do at least one of them before you start anything else
Action conquers fear
Know that if it’s scheduled, it happens

You can reach Zoe on zoe@stylepr.co.uk and Nick on nick.rusling@humanrace.co.uk
Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, hosted and produce by Juliet Fallowfield in December 2020, edited by Emma Dewhurst and published in January 2021. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from writer, editor and brand consultant Robin Swithinbank. Robin has been an employee, an employer and is now a sole trader, so could be said to understand the world of work from all angles. He reminds us that work doesn’t and shouldn’t define us in however we chose to do it.

Robin's advice includes:

The entrepreneurial spirit can sometimes mean you’re impatient - before taking a decision, slow down and take that extra breath to think things through
Recognise the tension between wanting to get things done and thinking things through
If you’re entering into a business partnership, it is advisable to learn your strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the relationship. Executive coaches can be a very beneficial business investment.
Being self-employed comes with a myriad of different responsibilities you need to be aware of
Know yourself - if you find leadership difficult, you may be more productive as a sole trader
Respect the different ways in which you can learn about yourself and your abilities
When it comes to pricing, know your own value
Don’t be afraid of trying something new and if you have a good idea, go for it
Try not to procrastinate, be efficient with your time
Remember the fragile things are: family, health, friends and spirit. Work is robust and will bounce without causing lasting damage
Create your own priority tree and make sure you work out what you value above work
Set aside an uninterrupted hour or more every day with no social media or email - this will make you far more productive
Be ok with walking away from your business or role if you know you’re better placed working in a different way

If you’d like to contact Robin, he can be reached on robinswithinbank@gmail.com

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company as it helps other people find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, hosted and produced by Juliet Fallowfield in December 2020, edited by Emma Dewhurst & published in January 2021.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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From forming his own startup at 18 and most recently Co-Founding memmo, today’s guest. Gustav Lundberg Toresson, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 board member and a born entrepreneur.

memmo is a platform where the likes of Sven-Göran Eriksson or Carole Baskin can record personalised video greetings for your own friends or family. With over 50,000 greetings to date, anything from proposals to pep-talks have already been shared.

Gustav shares his enthusiasm for the idea that an entrepreneur can - from their initial vision - follow any path she or he likes to turn that vision into a business and why sleep isn’t a waste of time.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too!

Gustav's advice:

Embrace uncertainty; you don’t need all the answers at once, you will find them along the way
You will have many opportunities; the important thing is to prioritise
Focus on your core offering and try not to be distracted
Being disturbed by your phone or email distracts you for longer than you realise
Make sure you have a well thought out product-to-market fit
Be relevant; be aware of local differences in each of your target markets
Sleep can definitely help with creativity, smart thinking and efficiency
Try structuring your days so that you cluster meetings on certain days and keep other days free to concentrate alone
Think about what makes you happy and what makes you anxious; try to interpret things in a positive light, and build on the positives so that you stay upbeat
As an entrepreneur, you can go in any direction you like as there are no rules or right answers
The exciting thing about being self-employed is that you can have a vision and act on it
Try not to let stress drain you; learn ways of dealing with it, including having a mentor

If you’d like to contact Gustav, he can be reached on gustav@memmo.me
Plus you can find memmo on Facebook and Instagram.
The book Why we sleep by Matthew Walker is also available here.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020 as it helps other people find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

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In this episode we hear from Paul Weeden who is the first How To Start Up guest to have not only started a company (at the age of 24) but also to have successfully sold it too.

Paul recognises that being your own boss is not as straightforward as it sounds: as it grows, so do your responsibilities. Having sold his business, he is now salaried again and is able to offer an interesting perspective on both employment options, especially amidst a pandemic which has changed employee freedoms forever.

Paul can be reached on paul@teamweeden.comHead over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

Paul’s advice:

Harness apprenticeships where possible if you’re starting out young
Maximise your previous work experience
Allow it to help determine your focus for your company’s aim
Look for clients among people you already know and make sure you tell them what you’re up to
Make sure you are always paid on time, ideally in advance
Don’t undersell yourself
Don’t be shy about referring to your company as ‘we’ not ‘I’
Always be clear and focussed about what you have to offer. It’ll help clients know quickly if you’re a good fit
When you are quoting for a job, make sure you understand what the client’s needs are and what problems they need solving: understand your customer
Know that you must trust your team, and if you don’t, then make the necessary changes
When you’re growing a business, get used to the cycle of ‘storming, norming, performing’
Keep in mind you may need external senior support if you’re the company’s sole shareholder
Maintain transparent communications with your team
In a crisis, always look for the opportunity as with risk also comes reward

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020 as it helps others to find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, hosted & produced by Juliet Fallowfield and edited by Emma Dewhurst in December 2020. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Geoffrey Kent, who not only founded world renowned luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, but is also credited with creating experiential travel as a concept. I have long admired A&K for being leaders in sustainability across environmental, economic and social responsibilities.

Geoffrey shares his stories and experiences as an entrepreneur of nearly 60 years’ experience, including a foray into space travel and why delivering a business, service or product that no one else does is paramount for success as an entrepreneur.

Geoffrey founded A&K in Africa in 1962 with little more than a refrigerated ex-Army truck, and the best tents money could buy with the motto ‘off-the-beaten-track safaris’. Nearly six decades later, with Geoffrey still at the helm. If you’d like to get in touch with Geoffrey you can contact his team via info@abercrombiekent.co.uk or A&K plus his book ‘Safari’ is also available.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too!

Geoffrey’s advice:

Have passion, as you need to love what you do: dedication and hard work are what it takes
Never give up, always aim to be Number One
Come up with something new, something that no one else offers
Give your clients all your time and attention
Listen to and learn from others; it helps to take notes
Expect a long working day, and try to start each new day ‘driven’
Think through your decisions, write them down and consider them carefully to make sure they are the right ones
Turn your lifestyle into your business, not the other way around
Plan a business cycle and commit to the years it’ll take
Always put yourself into the shoes of your stakeholders so you know what they really want
Be exacting with your due diligence
Accept that you’re responsible for the company if you’re self employed and that you are ‘the last one in the room’
Never send an angry email; draft it, save it and think about it again the next day

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020 as it helps other people find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

Safari: A Memoir of a Worldwide Travel Pioneer

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In this episode we hear from Pip Durell, founder of shirt brand With Nothing Underneath. She had the brainwave of creating a brand with a focused and particular look, one that is “cool, elegant, ethical and affordable” and she has gone on to do exactly that. She speaks about fashion fatigue, what it really means to create a brand that is genuinely sustainable and how educating herself, as well as her customers, is paramount.

WNU was created to make the perfect everyday boyfriend shirt. Designed in London, inspired by men's tailoring adjusted for women; WNU offers an affordable boyfriend shirt - a casual luxury with scrupulous detail using the highest quality materials.

If you’d like to leave an audio question for future guests, head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note.

Pip’s advice:

Behave ethically towards your team as well as your customers, and anyone in your pipeline
Ensure your brand ‘lives up to its chat’ and that your green credentials are honest
Remember people are happy to offer you advice if you ask for it, you don’t have to know them personally in order to ask
Take advantage of good podcasts offering advice that can support you
Follow your own work ethic and don’t be distracted by others’ claims about long working hours
Always keep an eye on other brands, but then re-centre yourself, remember who you are and where you are going with your own brand
Try not to let competitor pricing dictate your decisions, simply stick to your own standards
Delegate if you can, but never expect to switch off completely
Try not to worry too much, it won’t help you nor will it change the outcomes

If you'd like to contact Pip and learn more about With Nothing Underneath, she can be reached on Pip@withnothingunderneath.com or via Instagram .

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020 as it helps other people find it.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Bahar Etminan who, having been faced with bankruptcy during the global financial crisis, speaks from the heart as a seasoned entrepreneur. Bahar values hard work and self belief and reminds us that there’s no shame in accepting help. She talks about how setting up a business is like being in love: if you’ve done it once you can do it again.

Rescu is a daily destination for those who want to be their own success story. The Rescu universe is all about discovering the new, no-spin reviews, in-depth articles and truly expert advice from the brightest thinkers, doers and achievers in the business. Rescu’s world class experts and curated content will guide you to raise your game on style, substance and success.

I'd love to hear any questions you have for future guests, please leave a voice note via Speakpipe.

Bahar’s advice:

Be courageous and believe in yourself
Make an audit of all your assets and abilities
Recognise that people love to help others
Work out a specific target and just head for it
Be energised: momentum brings its own momentum
Get quality legal / accounting / insurance advice, sooner not later and budget properly for this
Always do your research before pitching, know your audience
Invest in building trust in the people around you
Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by competition on social media
Keep your goal in sight and focus on what you’re good at
Give yourself permission to close your business whenever you please. Do what is right for you

If you’d like to contact Bahar she can be reached at bahar@rescu.com.au and @rescu.com.au in Instagram.

Links:

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices.
Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
For contracts check out Law Depot.

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, hosted & published by Juliet Fallowfield and edited by Emma Dewhurst in September 2020. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Awon Golding who arrived in London in 2009 having left her life in Hong Kong to pursue her ambition to be a milliner. She talks through what she has learnt about balancing being a creative that also has to run a commercial business as well as where she seeks inspiration from.

Awon Golding Millinery is an award-winning brand specialising in fun and fresh made-to-order special occasion hats and bridal headpieces for modern women. As well as regularly featuring in international fashion publications, Awon’s ability to meld femininity with wearability has brought her a loyal following of global style icons. Awon Golding Millinery counts Lady Gaga and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex amongst her clients. And most recently Kylie Minogue sported a custom-made lily headpiece to celebrate her new album DISCO’s release.

You can contact Awon Info@awongolding.com or via Instagram

Awon’s advice:

Be as skilled as you can be in your chosen field before you start
If you are a creative, be sure to learn commercial skills too, however uninspiring you may find them
Try to find the balance between your particular skill and the price you put upon it (don’t knock yourself out spending too long creating something if this is going to result in an unrealistic and unaffordable item)
Keep talking to other experts in your field, study and learn from their processes
Always be open to learning more even when you’re years into your trade
Keep a passion for what you do, because this is infectious and will feed through to your client too
Know your market and your competitors
Trust your employees. If you bring someone in, trust your decision and their talent too
Build up personal relationships with your suppliers as not only will it build a better relationship, but there will be economies of scale too that will benefit your business
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and always try to keep a sense of perspective
Try to find something outside your immediate business that also inspires you. If you can blend the two, even better.

Links

Haute Dogs calendar or via Instagram
Google Workspace
LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform . Their support team is second to none.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, hosted & published by Juliet Fallowfield and edited by Emma Dewhurst in September 2020. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link &

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In this episode we hear from Nick Bridle, who having retired from the military, founded Belstone Dart International, a risk management consultancy in 2017. Nick explains the importance of getting a client to pay for your product or service as soon as possible, as you need to qualify the concept commercially... because until that happens, it doesn’t really matter how pretty your logo is. He also talks about how being new to the playing field can mean you’re a target for bullying tactics from the more established players, but that is ok as it means you’re a genuine threat.

Belstone Dart is a consultancy specialising in providing advice and support for those entering or operating in challenging markets. info@belstonedart.com

Nick's advice:

Be aware of your communication and leadership skills when it comes to stakeholders
Know which strengths you can take from your previous roles and where you may need to improve certain skills
Always do what you say you’re going to do
Always be reliable and responsive when you’re a start up; get back to your clients straight away and make it easy for them to hire you
In the beginning, ask people for advice and garner opinions on your business idea
Write a business plan to get you in the right mindset
Look at your financial projections and costs, know that you’ll reduce the former and increase the latter
You just need to start doing it and the rest will follow
At the start, get a paying client to see if your idea is viable. Someone paying you is essential to prove your concept works in reality - it almost doesn’t matter how much, you just need an actual transaction to start with
Accept that things take longer than you might expect and map that into your plan; it can take months to win business
You’ll work a lot harder when self-employed but you’ll have flexibility as well
With pricing, work out what your costs actually are and what margin is fair. By pricing yourself fairly within the market and being able to justify your pricing clearly, you’ll win more business in the long run
If you don’t have to take on a business partner, don’t. If you do, be really sure you trust that person absolutely. Question the ratio of ownership as 50/50 can lead to a stalemate if things go wrong
Accept even small clients as you never know where they might lead
Growth through word of mouth is the most effective way to grow your business quickly

Links

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices. Affiliate link here .
Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets.

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link &

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In this episode we hear from Georgina Coke who founded By Georgie in 2015. George explains how, having been made redundant, she took a step she would never have anticipated. Prompted by friends she took the plunge to set up on her own and six years later she has no regrets, saying redundancy was the best thing that could have happened to her. She is the 100% owner of a company which connects luxury travel companies to a select group of destination management companies.

By Georgie represents a select few destination management companies and boutique lodges in the UK and European market. You can contact George on georgina@bygeorgie.comr

Georgina is also a founding member of The Conscious Travel Foundation, a social enterprise established to unite and educate owner-operated travel businesses and promote travel as a force for good, raising funds for grass-roots charity projects around the world.

George’s advice includes:

Redundancy is an opportunity; once you’re over the shock that is
Practical first steps include registering your company, set up the business bank account and find an accountant
Speak to a range of people you trust, both for practical advice and for emotional support
Delegate to experts: don’t try to do it all yourself, but allow those more experienced to do the jobs you dislike as you’ll get a better return
Make sure you take time off, break up the day and ensure you take holiday
Plan your day so nothing gets forgotten; two meetings a day is enough
Observe your work/life balance consistently in order to get it right
Relish your autonomy and the flexibility it gives you

Links

Amanda McKenna's Ted Talk
The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship
LastPass offer a free of charge service which I've been using. This post is unpaid however there is an affiliate link you can use here should you want to support the podcast.
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform . Their support team is second to none.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets.

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories too and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Uwern Jong, Experientialist in Chief and co-founder of OutThere magazine. He talks about why being on your own clock enables a whole new autonomy in how you work, why adopting the slow road may be more rewarding in the end, and why taking time away from work can have a big impact.
Uwern can be contacted at: uwern@outtheremagazine.com

For those who have not yet discovered it, OutThere is an award-winning luxury and experiential travel inspiration journal rooted in diversity, discovery and discernment. OutThere specialises in curating opinion-leading content, from in-depth, first person essays on the world’s most amazing experiences – taking our readers on journeys that extend beyond the mainstream – to celebrating global cultural expressions and the people responsible for making the OutThere world so unique.

Uwern’s advice includes:

Learn to appreciate slow travel
Why the full, possibly long and quite hard journey you take is worth every step in your learning
Networking is essential especially at the start: don’t forget to tell people what you're up to, get the word out and don’t be shy
Do ask friends for help, as they may have the experience to point you in a quicker/better direction
Enjoy being on your own clock
If you find your income is irregular, try to take the long view
You can do more than you think you can and you will surprise yourself
Make sure you find a balance outside work, you need to have things to talk about that are not work related. Learn to switch off
Trust yourself at the beginning, don’t waste time worrying about things, just solve them and have confidence in yourself
Remember brand development is as important as the day to day business
Big picture thinking is key, focus on:
- Creativity. Innovation. Stewardship. Resilience
Identify what people need, even if it’s only a small group of people

Links

LastPass offer a free of charge service which I've been using. This post is unpaid however there is an affiliate link you can use here should you want to support the podcast.
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform . Their support team is second to none.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets.

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories too and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020. Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode I speak with Will Davies, Co-founder and Director of HBD Partners. He shares invaluable advice on the importance of legally protecting your business from the start, also how to manage the pressures and responsibilities of being a new business owner and what steps you can take to look after your teams remotely.

HBD Partners is a specialist recruitment consultancy operating within the Hospitality, Leisure and Travel sectors. We focus on middle to senior management positions and work in partnership with our clients in a consultative manner and with the highest integrity. Will can be contacted here: will@hbdpartners.co.uk

Will’s advice:

Have confidence in your brand and believe in what you do
Map out a topline business plan and include the company ethos and culture you’d like to aim for
Reevaluate and update it continually as your business grows
If you are a partnership, draft a shareholders’ agreement as soon as possible, to protect the business in case of unforeseen disagreements or disasters in the future
Partner with a good accountant who will help you run the business efficiently
Be prepared to diversify your business offering should the market require it
Leave a healthy percentage of cash in the business at all times
Make sure your employees are fully engaged and feel valued at all times
Set a clear direction and framework for your teams in order to deliver back to the business
Always thoroughly research suppliers before committing to any long term business
Do not be fearful of the unknown

Will’s recommended accountant is Vince Dalaimo Tax Assist Southwark Bridge Road and web marketing company: MBJ London.

Links

LastPass the password keeping site that syncs between devices. They offer a free of charge service which I've been using. This post is unpaid however there is an affiliate link you can use here should you want to support the podcast.
I use Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory to create this podcast series as well as their super simple hosting platform . Their support team is second to none too.
Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.

Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your own startup stories and please do let me know if you have any questions for future guests as well: hello@fallowfieldmason.com
I would also be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & Licence

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In this episode we hear from Hugo Chance, founder of Chance Capital. He shares his recommendation about asking advice from your nearest and dearest is not always the best strategy, and maintains that sticking to your pricing structure and building your support network from the start is paramount.

Chance Capital is a corporate advisory firm that assists early stage private companies with business planning, pitch preparation, legal services and more specifically their capital raising requirements. With an experienced team of advisors, the team at Chance Capital are well positioned to connect growing private businesses with their strategic network of HNW, Family Office, institutional equity and debt financing investors. Chance Capital always seeks to co-invest on each transaction. Contact hugo@chancecapital.co.uk also hear at Talk VC

Hugo’s advice includes:

Learn what you’re personally, not just professionally, wanting to achieve by running your own business.
Success isn’t just about the bottom financial line. It can be freedom and independence too. Learn what you really value in being self employed.
Mapping out what you’re aiming for at the end will really help plan the journey in order to get there.
Put as much preparation into your business as you can; this includes talking to as many people as possible, including other entrepreneurs, to get advice (& they don’t have to be from the same industry either).
When updating your records with new contacts, note a distinctive aspect of the meeting to ensure you remember where you met and what you talked about.
Know you’ll have to be flexible when it comes to time and task management.
Don’t be a busy fool. Ensure you’re efficiently busy, given you’ll be spinning so many plates.
Every meeting or call should be necessary, beneficial and have a clear delineated follow up.
Learn from every mistake.
Be resolute in what you charge and know why you’re worth it.
Late payments can be frustrating. Protect yourself contractually and ensure payments are transparent. This applies to you too.
Continue to talk to people in your industry, as often as you can, in order to keep motivated and in touch with your market.

Thank you for listening, I welcome your feedback at hello@fallowfieldmason.com
I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory, Fallow, Field & Mason, the How To Start Up podcast hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & License

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In this episode I speak with Quintin Clover about how he started up Kanallan. Founded six years ago, Kanallan facilitates tailored independent humanitarian projects for clients to help the most impoverished and neglected people and communities around the world. Using Kanallan’s established and trusted global network, they ensure direct giving with 100% transparency. Please do get in touch with Quintin if you’d like to find out more about the charity sector or how you could support via Just Giving.

Quintin can be reached at: quintin@kanallan.com as well as via Instagram.

Quintin’s advice includes:

How to ask for money and fund-raise significantly
Always be open to new experiences
You never know where communicating with everyone, at any event, may lead
Trusting your gut feeling about what direction to go in
How sometimes it comes from facing the hardest areas of life to show you your purpose
What it feels like to effect change
How to structure your day and find balance
How to structure your business to make it simple for your stakeholders
Why going above and beyond for clients builds trust for the long term
Why managing tight budgets actually delivers far more in the long run
Why sitting at your laptop doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily working efficiently

Thank you for listening, I welcome your feedback at hello@fallowfieldmason.com
I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory, Fallow, Field & Mason, the How To Start Up podcast hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.
Link & License

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Today I speak to Tom Fallowfield, founder of Ugli Web Design. As my brother, he was one of the first people I spoke to about my redundancy. His comment, ‘If you work that hard for other people, why don’t you work that hard for yourself?’ was enough for me to head to Companies House registration page. Here he shares tried & tested experience on pricing, proposals & passwords.

Ugli assists SME clients in adopting internet & e-commerce technologies to find the opportunities in this weird new world which we’ve all suddenly landed in: tom@ugli.hk

Tom’s advice:

There is nothing to be afraid of when becoming self employed
Your work ethic can be far stronger for yourself than when working for others
Know your pricing and don’t be too cheap
Always put yourself in the customer’s shoes, price yourself by value. Think about what value it has to them rather than the cost to you
Always know why you’re different to the competition & price yourself accordingly
Don’t win the work at all costs: you’ll be on the back foot, the client will treat you accordingly & it will become hard to earn your workload well
Always ask for feedback, especially on the declined proposals
The proposal just needs to satisfy the task at hand, it is to win the business & get the client to the next stage, nothing more
Draft your website content before briefing a web designer - it’ll save you time & money. Live with it for a little while before contracting it out
Why password security is so important given how many people are trying to hack sites all the time. Do not use dictionary words
Why SEO is important to get right to win new business. Inbound links to your content will get promoted
Website text (not just images) is vital for SEO, but don’t overdo the keywords. "Keyword stuffing" will get you penalised
Google/Facebook Ads (PPC) is an alternative to SEO: rapid results but can be expensive
Delegating is important, delegate anything you don't love doing
Hiring people dramatically changes your business immediately. Making these decisions upfront and quickly needn't be scary either and you (probably) won’t regret it

Links

LastPassthe password keeping site that syncs between phone & desktop. They offer a free of charge service which I've been using. This post is unpaid however there is an affiliate link you can use here should you want to support the podcast.
Ali Reid is still running Turtle Media in HK
The cheesy American consulting book Tom mentioned is available here

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track. Feedback welcome: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & License

Million Dollar Consulting: The Professional's Guide to Growing a Practice, Fifth Edition

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In this episode we hear from Steve Johnson, founder of Forager Funds. Having been self-employed for over twenty years Steve shares advice on how to manage working with a business partner who is first and foremost a friend, why your stakeholders aren't just your clients and that it is critical to learn about how to do recruitment really well in order to be successful.

About Forager: With approximately $315 million of funds under management and a focus on long-term investing, Forager Funds is a unique Australian funds management company. Now with a ten-year track record, Forager is a sustainable business but remains nimble enough to invest in smaller listed companies not accessible to many investment managers. The company is majority owned by staff and Forager’s external shareholders support the desire to place performance before revenue. That means capping the size of funds before too much money becomes an impediment. We use our small size, long experience and long-term investment approach to generate our investors above market returns.

admin@foragerfunds.com
Twitter: @ForagerSteve

Steve’s advice includes:

You don’t need a full plan in place in order to start a company.
Know your core values and what makes you happy in terms of working out what your business could be.
Be flexible and open to opportunities.
When starting a business with a friend you’ll need to know from the start what the balance and priority is between friendship and the business.
Why it’s just as important to envisage how success - as well as failure - could have a bearing on your future.
Regularly re-evaluate the structure of your business in order to ensure that you’re all getting what you want out of it.
It’s not just your clients who are the stakeholders - it’s your staff and your shareholders as well as yourself.
Learn what you are good at. Be honest at what you’re not good at. Then work out a way to compensate for those areas as that’s more efficient than trying to change yourself.
Always be truthful with clients as it’ll help manage long term expectations. Work out who is the best person to run the company at its different stages; this may not always be you.
Take the time to learn about recruitment. Then make good recruitment decisions. Or bring in an expert to support you on this.

Thank you for listening. Please do share your feedback, as well as your own start up stories, to hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track. Feedback welcome: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & License

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In this episode we hear from Anna Fernandez, founder of IZAPA Beauty. She talks through the hows and whys of her ambition to start up her own brand after leaving her marketing director role with CHANEL. She shares why being a small fish isn’t always the worst thing to be, how moving to a new country has been a major source of inspiration and says her approach of being ‘always on’ actually gives her far more freedom than a salaried job.

Anna Fernandez, Founder of IZAPA Beauty
anna@izapabeauty.com
https://www.instagram.com/izapaofficial/

At the heart of the brand are unique fine fragrances that give life to IZAPA’s range for the hands, body, and home. These fragrances take the customer on a sensorial journey, inspired by the stories and landscapes that evoke Anna’s encounters in Mexico.

Anna’s advice includes:

Take time to absorb your surroundings, formulate your story and found your brand in something real and authentic
Execution is key, but storytelling is paramount in order to succeed
Get to know people in your environment, as you’ll be inspired, as well as finding potential collaborators and a local support network
Time can be a true luxury and enable you to achieve the work/life balance you’re after
Be prepared to do the follow up with third parties and don’t be disheartened by the chase
Leaving a big brand behind you doesn’t mean you’ll lose your real identity
If you’re ready to launch earlier than you think, be ok to let your company out in the world; just go for it
Success isn’t just about the bottom financial line. Celebrate each and every win as you go and do look back on what you’ve already achieved as it’ll encourage you to keep going forward
Learn what areas you’re strong in and what you might eventually have to delegate

Thank you for listening. Please do share your feedback, as well as your own start up stories, to hello@fallowfieldmason.com

I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Links

LastPassthe password keeping site that syncs between phone & desktop. They offer a free of charge service which I've been using. This post is unpaid however there is an affiliate link you can use here should you want to support the podcast.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track. Feedback welcome: hello@fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in September 2020.
MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & License

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In this episode we hear from Harry Anscombe, founder of Beagle Media, who create TV documentary series for the likes of BBC2 and Discovery channels and who are celebrating ten years this year. He shares advice on how important it is to get a mentor from the start, why people and processes are as important as the product and generally just how to behave.

Harry Anscombe, CEO, Beagle: An independent production company making leading TV documentaries and comms content. harryanscombe@beaglemedia.co.uk

Harry’s advice includes:

Get a mentor from day one. Meet someone you click with, enable them to invest in the business too so there is a commitment from both sides, and be ok with constructive criticism - you will absolutely need to hear what you’re doing wrong.
The best advice he was ever given was to work hard and don’t be a dick. You can turn people down in a gracious way.
Be prepared to be ‘always on’, know that you’ll have to be ok with the fact that what you’re doing will never feel enough.
Ensure you create some discipline around work boundaries.
You need to have real passion for what you do. You really need that belief in what you do to do well.
If possible, have a financial buffer to start with to help with the initial hurdles in starting a company.
The hardest thing about running a company is around people; ensure you seek the right advice when it comes to managing difficult situations and conversations with clients and colleagues.
Learn how to delegate, empower your team to do a great job and free yourself up to grow the business.
Surround yourself with people who are better than you.
Success is more than just the bottom line, it can come from developing teams and having a balanced life too, but ultimately you do need to create an income.
When you run your own business, you get to know yourself really well so recognise when you’re most efficient and structure your days accordingly.
The relationships with people plus the process are more important than the end product you’re producing. Long term relationships and trust are what really matter.
When it comes to pricing, a triangle of budget v. how nice a client is v. how long term the relationship could be helps to make an informed decision. Always aim for two out of three.

Thank you for listening, I welcome your feedback at hello@fallowfieldmason.com
I would be delighted if you could rate, review and share this podcast with anyone else who may be starting a company in 2020.

Hosted by Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason, How To Start Up hopes to bring you confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield in October 2020.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3787-funk-game-loop License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Are you starting a company from scratch and aren’t really sure of what to do first? Great news!

In HOW TO START UP by FF&M you’ll hear interviews with a broad mix of people who have all successfully started, run and even sold, their own businesses or company. They share not only professional but personal experiences and valuable lessons on what we should be doing now, next or never when starting a company.

We are in the eye of a storm that is now becoming a ‘new normal’. An uncharted territory where many skilled people are facing unemployment and are rethinking how to earn their income. Values are recalibrating, missions are shifting and purposes are set to become clearer.

We are also experiencing an overwhelming surge in willingness to support others. It is in that spirit I wanted to collate and curate all the advice being so kindly offered to me, as I step into my own new world of starting a company.

Hosted by me, Juliet Fallowfield, founder of PR advisory for startups www.fallowfieldmason.com this podcast hopes to bring you, the founder, confidence, encouragement and reassurance that you’re on the right track.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your question via a voice note for future guests of the podcast, plus we’d love to hear your feedback and startup stories too.
Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or @fallowfieldmason on Instagram.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. Link & License

HOW TO START UP by FF&M: Recent Episodes

Juliet Fallowfield