Introducing Barry Darnell for this special mentor edition. He runs one of my favourite studios, Analogue. He also runs one of my favourite drinks brands &Soda. The studio started very humbly back in 2006 doing posters in Leeds for bars and record labels. Since then they've grown to work with the likes of Nickelodeon, MTV, Universal Records, Portobello Road Gin, Netflix and Coca Cola, always bringing their own attitude, non-conformity and playful charm to the table. More recently they've help...
Aug 05, 2021•46 min
Say hello to Hugo Tilmouth, co-founder of The Up, on a mission to upgrade every hospitality experience. Now you might not have heard of The Up, but I bet you've most likely used one of their products. Ever run out of battery in a pub or restaurant? That's Charged Up - their mobile charging power banks, allowing you to charge up on the go. Ever used the sanitisers on public transport? That's Cleaned Up - their mobile sanitiser stations, allowing you to clean up on the go. Ever used an app in a pu...
Jul 15, 2021•33 min
Say hey to Noor, founder of Kyoot - a super fun, super sustainably all organic, gluten-free, vegan chocolate brand. So Noor is pretty cool. She's a former chemical engineer with a lifelong chocolate obsession turned chocolate founder. Putting her skills in the lab to work in the kitchen. But it doesn't stop there she has a mad colourful style that comes to life through her brand. It's super energetic, whacky and a little bit hippy. A bit like her flavours - my personal favourite is the Vanilla Q...
Jun 23, 2021•30 min
Say hi to Hector Hughes. He co-founded Unplugged back in 2019, on a mission to get people off their phones, spending more time in nature. They're building a network of off-grid cabins and offline experiences across Europe. Their journey is underpinned by the belief that our constant screen time is putting a heavy cost on our productivity and wellbeing with traditional remedies like silent retreats being inaccessible and modern solutions like Headspace or Calm keeping us evermore dependent on our...
Jun 17, 2021•29 min
Introducing Anthony Rose. He founded Seed Legals back in 2016 - the world’s first legal automation platform for startup funding. They help founders start, raise and grow their business by providing them with all the legals they need to get going. They are now the largest closer of funding rounds in the UK, having helped launch over 20,000 UK startups to market. After having started, sold and invested in a number of businesses in his early career, Anthony got tired of the slow, arduous and expens...
Jun 11, 2021•44 min
Meet Will cofounder of L'Estrange London. What started out as a passion project to reimagine the humble hoodie has transformed into redefining modern menswear with their unique clothing system rooted in versatility. Originally stocked in the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Collette and Isetan in Japan, the pair crowdfunded £370k allowing them to drop out of traditional retail and go direct-to-consumer, moving beyond the hoodie into shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, trousers and quilts. Experimenting wi...
May 27, 2021•44 min
Say hi to Harriet, founder of Whisp, a crisp, light and 100% British hard seltzer. Ex-Bacardi and personal trainer by passion, Whisp launched September 2020 on a mission to provide a refreshing alternative for those who want to drink less but better. They even contain milk thistle to help tackle & support a healthy liver. But it hasn't been plane sailing for this plastic-free, plant-based and climate positive startup. They started off wanting to become the No1 brand at festivals and events. ...
May 12, 2021•28 min
Welcome Annie, co-founder of Bottleshot coffee, cold brew in a can. Since they started in August 2019 it's been a bit of a roller coaster. They were supported by Soho House but had various packaging partners and suppliers let them down, raised £750k but had to pitch twice as hard. Now things are looking up with stockings in Ocado and WHSmith on the horizon, as well as getting the founder of Halo Top, Doug Bouton, on board as a strategic investor. However, the big question is how big can cold bre...
May 01, 2021•38 min
Introducing Alex, founder of DROOL , a digital marketplace where you can buy prints from emerging artists. Born out of a human frustration looking to buy art for his flat. Alex, a graphic designer by trade, quickly uncovered a severe lack of representation and support for the breadth of hugely talented, early-career creatives out there. When he asked around, lots of people felt the same. So he decided to do something about it. In this episode we talk about supporting artists, the return of house...
Apr 22, 2021•29 min
Introducing Doug and Ellie, co-founders of Scratch , the 1st British Rum brand made from Scratch. Founded in 2016, this brother and sister-in-law duo, are on a mission to challenge the dusty old stereotypes of rum with something that is new, British and refreshing. Made in Hertfordshire, the pair have big ambitions. They want to do what Japanese whisky has done to the Scotch market. Starting out as a bit of an enigma but becoming wholly respected in its own right. While it is still relatively ea...
Apr 14, 2021•37 min
Meet Finn, co-founder & CMO of Pasta Evangelists , fresh pasta kits delivered to your door. Founded in 2016, they pride themselves on sourcing ingredients from small farmers and local growers in Italy. They went from selling 200 portions in their first year to more than 1 million 4 years later. Not bad. The disruption and growth caught the attention of Barilla, the world's biggest pasta company, who recently bought a majority stake in the London based recipe box business for a rumoured £40mn...
Apr 03, 2021•38 min
Meet Rob Wallis co-founder of Moth Drinks , 'top quality, classic cocktails in a can'. Listed in Waitrose, the range comes in four offerings: old fashioned, margarita, negroni and espresso martini, ready to take over hotel minibars across the country. Unlike most RTD cocktails, MOTH (Mix of Total Happiness) has serious depth. Each drink is a partnership of independent spirit working with the likes of Enemigo, Tarquins Gin and English Whisky Co. The design was crafted by Pentagram, who've celebra...
Mar 25, 2021•28 min
Say hello to JP. He founded Crosstown back in 2014... but what started out as an idea for a specialty coffee shop concept morphed into 15 stores, 10 food stalls, a hundred thousand followers and millions of delicious sourdough donuts sold. Mmmm. JP has gone on to launch Slerp. An Ecommerce solution for the hospitality sector. The technology allows restaurants to deliver their food on demand or nationwide. It's a bit like Deliveroo crossed with a Shopify, sitting in the background powering online...
Mar 10, 2021•48 min
Meet Ben, founder of Seedlip 'the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirits'. Started in 2014 and backed by Distill Ventures, they've pursued a smart tastemaker strategy going after the best bars and restaurants. Stocked in over 37 countries, they've gone onto launch their Aperitif range called Aecorn with more innovations on the way. Hats off to Ben for leading the way, proving people wrong and pioneering the unexpected.
Mar 04, 2021•48 min
Introducing Megan and Georgia, two sisters behind The Acai Girls , an all-day healthy eating concept inspired by their travels from around the world. With two independent kitchens across West London and Battersea, the pair have been serving up a selection for delicious, plant-based dishes through Deliveroo since the beginning lockdown. Megan, 28, has a background in marketing while Georgia, 26, has a background as model-turned-chef coming runner up in the BBC's Best Home Cook 2020, going on to g...
Feb 25, 2021•39 min
Introducing Will, co-founder of amie, 'wine created for friends, by friends'. It started back in April 2020, with fiancée Abbie and brought to life by friends such as Hermione, Jessica & Janine. Since then it's gone from lockdown innovation to social sensation, finding its way into the likes of Sheer Luxe and Conde Nast to Grazia and Bazaar, amassing over 11,000 followers on Instagram. But it doesn't stop there, Will is eyeing up a return to normality with his new Wine Tourism platform VIND,...
Feb 21, 2021•34 min
Lily Simpson founded Detox Kitchen back in 2012 aged 26. Over the last decade she has spearheaded the healthy food movement and built up a cult following both online and at their delis in central London, a well as delivering meals direct-to-consumer and being stocked in the likes of Selfridges and Planet Organic. The business has been described as 'The OG and best healthy food in London' with customers including Elle McPherson, Gwytheth Paltrow and Lily Allen. In this episode, we talk about turn...
Feb 09, 2021•36 min
Say hello to Emmett Shine founder of Pattern, a family of brands designed to help you enjoy daily life . At the moment, they have two brands, Equal Parts, a cookware brand. And Open Spaces, a homeware brand. Both are dope. But before he started Pattern, he ran Gin Lane. The agency who launched the who's who of DTC brands. Harry's, Recess, Sunday Goods, Haus, Hims, Hers, as well as working with the likes of Sweet Green, Warby Parker, Shake Shack, Smile Direct Club and Everlane. The list goes on. ...
Feb 04, 2021•42 min
Introducing Jess & Ben, founders of Bauce Brothers, 'the UK's best hot sauce club', on a mission to bring delicious, small-batch craft hot sauce to the masses. With craft hot sauce on the rise, especially in the UK. The business model is new and innovative and they are only at the beginning of their journey. Can they turn their side hustle into a full hustle? Listen.
Jan 27, 2021•36 min
Introducing ex professional footballer and old friend, Mike Doughty co-founder of Hylo Athletics, 'who are reinventing the running shoe'. Launched back in 2020, the brand is on a mission to reframe our relationship sport, pioneering performance and sustainability, as well as galvanising athletes for planet to support their cause. Brought to life by branding agency Otherway, the project has been two years in the making with umpteen iterations. It's early days for this young challenger but they ha...
Jan 17, 2021•32 min
Nikita and Akash, brother and sister duo behind Fable and Mane, a conscious and modern hair wellness brand inspired by the wisdom of India. Founded in 2019 the products are now stocked across Sephora in the US, Boots in the UK and Douglas in Germany. A combination of great storytelling, a great environmental cause (save the tigers) and great set of products. And with careers at Dior, Burberry, LVMH and Estee Lauder behind them, the future looks bright. Enjoy.
Jan 08, 2021•36 min
Say hello to Naomi Walkland. We were at Durham together. Now she's Director of Marketing for Bumble (EMEA) at the tender age of 28. Pretty impressive. In this episode we talk about how she worked her way up to such a senior level in just 2 years, the campaign's she's been involved with such as 'Black History Month' & 'Dating in 2020', and the rise of 'digital intimacy' which is massively on the up due to Covid. Not one to be missed.
Dec 06, 2020•30 min
Introducing Matija Pisk, co-founder of DRTY drinks, a hard seltzer brand made up of sparkling water, carb-free alcohol and natural fruit flavours. The pair were previously at drinks giant Diageo, have raised over £800k from Angel investors and are now well positioned to take the UK market by storm. But... they face fierce competition from newcomers big and small. Take a listen to get the insight scoop on how they plan to deal with their competitors.
Nov 04, 2020•35 min
Refillable household cleaning products on a mission to reduce our dependence on single use plastic. The pair just raised over £40k through kickstarter to launch their first round of products. Exciting times for this shiny new start-up.
Oct 21, 2020•31 min
Meet Alex & Theo, two coffee connoisseurs on a mission to make great coffee more accessible. Founded in 2016 and raised over £500k in funding, the duo have pivoted their business online. Now they super excited to take a new product to market that has the potential to take the espresso martini market by storm. Exciting times ahead. A story of hard work, hard graft and serious resilience.
Oct 07, 2020•43 min
Introducing Valentina Milanova She runs Daye, the female health research development company focusing on innovating organic and CBD infused tampons to aid cramp. It's pretty impressive. She's 25, originally from Bulgaria, has a BA and MA from the University of Buckingham (with first class honours), has worked for both Tech Stars and Founders Factory and recently raised $5.5m to take her company to the next level. Enjoy.
Sep 30, 2020•28 min
Say hello to Ayeshah. Founder of Mason Dixie, the frozen biscuit brand with nothing to hide, on a mission to bring clean, natural ingredients to the world of baked goods. Mason Dixie is now stocked in over 5000 stores across the states from Whole Foods to Giant Food, Shop Rite, Lidl - the list goes on. This is a story of hustle, grit and sheer determination.
Sep 23, 2020•43 min
Say hello to Meryl Singleton. She runs Small Fry, a digital studio focusing on the fun stuff on the internet. Besides having a great look and feel she has an impressive roster of clients: All Plants, Ugly Drinks, Edgard Cooper, Camden Brewery, Linda McCartney's, Moju, Pollen - the list goes on. In this episode we chat about her anti-agency stance, the benefits of starting client side and where the future of social is going? Not one to be missed.
Sep 10, 2020•40 min
Welcome Jeremy May. Him and his co-founder Lucy Wright, run Nice Drinks. Wine in a can. It's a thing. The pair kicked things off last, after both consulting in the Food and Bev industry. Jeremy was one of the early hires of popcorn success Propercorn and then went on to work for Vita Coco and Pip & Nut. The brand have gone from strength to strength. They are now stocked over 600 Sainsbury's stores, numerous bars and a growing number of hotels and chains. Enjoy.
Aug 26, 2020•45 min
Introducing Lamorna and Tamara, two sisters on a mission to transform the future of functional training for women. Having partnered up with Rheon Labs, the pair have been on a detailed two year R&D phase to create supportive apparel for women during functional training.
Aug 24, 2020•46 min
