If you are thinking that it's not possible that you can change your career, that it's too much of a risk, then today's podcast is definitely for you. Today Nicole is chatting on Start Scale Succeed with Emma Brankin, ex-lawyer and founder of the Jewellery Brand, Bauble Magpie. She decided to change everything and start her own business in her 40s. KEY TAKEAWAYS In her previous career, Emma found that she was banging her head against a glass ceiling feeling annoyed that people whom she perceived ...
Dec 08, 2022•42 min•Ep. 74
Today Nicole is joined by brand founder Lucy Jeffrey of Bare Kind, and we are going to talk about how she has grown her business on marketplaces, particularly Faire. So if you are interested in growing the wholesale side of your business, understanding marketplaces, how they operate, and what they look like, this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lucy started Bear Kind in 2018 while she was working for a bank at the time, so it very much started as a side hustle. When Bare Kind first started, sh...
Dec 01, 2022•46 min•Ep. 73
How do you grow your business? How do you budget your sales? And how do you create a strategy for your product business and what should you be looking at? If those are the questions you’re asking, then you’re in luck as today on Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Claire Morris of Retail with Clarity. Claire is here to help you plan your strategy and sales. KEY TAKEAWAYS You need to look at not just the sales you’ve made but the profit behind those sales, what is that as a margin per cent i...
Nov 24, 2022•39 min•Ep. 72
Today Nicole is joined by Sarah Collins, who is an ethical production consultant and who has for the last eight years been helping businesses source and develop ethically produced products. If you’re looking to make your fashion brand more ethical and sustainable, then this episode is perfect for you as Sarah will be sharing some really great tips on sourcing and bringing down that carbon footprint. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sarah has volunteered with The World Trade Organisation, helped women's enterprise ...
Nov 17, 2022•49 min•Ep. 71
Today on Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Lydia Howard, a footwear designer and developer who mentors those who want to start their own footwear brands. She’s been designing and developing shoes for 20 years and when she moved to Spain she decided to go out on her own and start her own business. KEY TAKEAWAYS When someone has a discovery call with Lydia about starting their own footwear brand they are often starting from different places, one might have an idea for a product, one might h...
Nov 10, 2022•29 min•Ep. 70
Today Nicole is joined by Kate Roath, founder of Wild Source, a beauty brand with ritual and meditation at its core, who are now stocked at Liberty and Harrods. Kate is here to tell her business story of going from working at her kitchen table to being stocked by massive retailers. Find out what drives her passion and why she was the perfect person to start this skincare brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kate started Wild Source in 2017 using her background in skincare and aromatherapy. She wanted to make so...
Nov 03, 2022•36 min•Ep. 69
Today Nicole is joined by Sarah Birchall, founder of the beautiful individual clothing brand Cub & Pudding. Cub & Pudding are a unisex family brand bringing happiness to your wardrobes with hand-drawn prints created just for you. Sarah is on Start Scale Succeed to tell you her story of starting her own kidswear business and how she evolved her brand to focus on the adult market to improve its growth potential. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sarah started Cub & Pudding after finding herself stuck in a...
Oct 27, 2022•40 min•Ep. 68
Today the tables are turned and I am the guest and my host is Vicki Weinburg. I was a guest on her podcast Bring Your Product Idea to Life and it was too juicy an episode not to share with you here. We chat about my top tips from developing and launching your brand, to how to grow and scale your business, and common mistakes to avoid. I share a range of excellent resources I know that you will want to investigate. Whether you are starting out, or looking to take the next step in your business, t...
Oct 20, 2022•38 min•Ep. 67
Are you in a position where you are looking for investment for your business to help you grow, scale or possibly survive? Today's Start Scale Succeed podcast is with Babs Jamieson founder of Jamieson Law, she joins Nicole to cover what you as a brand need to have in place to be investor ready. Babs has been a guest on the podcast in the past where she spoke about copywriting and trademarking, but today the topic is investments. KEY TAKEAWAYS Babs set up Jameson Law about three years ago now. Ori...
Oct 13, 2022•30 min•Ep. 66
Today Nicole is joined by Lillie Kaye, who is the founder of Pachee, a Children's Wear brand which recently won a double award at the Junior Design Awards. Pachee is a children's lifestyle brand aimed at promoting adventure and learning through creating different products that represent children's achievements and also that represent themselves and their individuality. Listen in to find out all about Lillie and her story, as well as some really great tips when it comes to starting to work in the...
Oct 05, 2022•23 min•Ep. 65
We have all in our life experienced great leaders, the ones you have looked up to that really pulled a team together and made you feel valued and really knew how to get the best from the team and individuals as part of that team. Unfortunately we have probably experienced those managers, because I can’t really call them leaders, where you felt like you were just a number and that when working they made you really question your own self worth and ability. Today I chatted with Anna Woods, a leader...
Sep 29, 2022•32 min•Ep. 64
How are sales in your business right now? If they could be better and you want to know how to improve them, then you’ll love today’s guest Vee Roberts. Vee is a sales and marketing expert who is going to be talking through her top tips to improve your sales and understand why you may be struggling in the first place. KEY TAKEAWAYS When it comes to social media, it takes a long time to create reels, especially ones involving the latest trends. A lot of product businesses are now making 15 to 30 s...
Sep 21, 2022•29 min•Ep. 63
When was the last time you checked how your website is converting? Are you sticking your head in the ground when it comes to SEO not really sure what it's about and how you can make more sales and be seen by more customers? Then tune into today's podcast episode with Pamela Rae Welsh from Worsley creative. We talk about why SEO matters and what are the main pillars of SEO. We also cover the customer journey and depending on your product type how you can help your customer through your content an...
Sep 14, 2022•26 min•Ep. 62
How does it feel when you’re at a crossroads with your business? Do you look for investment, continue as you are, or even fold the business? That’s the topic of discussion this week on Start Scale Succeed as Nicole is joined by Nicky from Wilder Ones, who is at that crossroads with her business right now. KEY TAKEAWAYS Wilder Ones started as a unisex childrens clothing company and then launched some women’s wear which really took off. It got to the point where children’s clothing wasn’t scaling ...
Sep 08, 2022•32 min•Ep. 61
September always feels like a fresh start, and that is what I feel some people need with instagram right now, a fresh start or a new lease on their socials and their approach to instagram. So if you are feeling a bit lost with instagram this episode will help you regain that focus and that motivation. Join myself Nicole and this week's guest, content coach and instagram trainer, Sarah Richards as we discuss how to refocus on instagram and get your motivation back. KEY TAKEAWAYS Once every six mo...
Aug 31, 2022•35 min•Ep. 60
This week’s guest is founder of Empwr Botanics, a CBD and wellness brand, Natalie Meredith. Natalie joins Nicole on Start Scale Succeed to talk about how her personal journey and experience lead her to creating this brand. Find out about the benefits of CBD and the challenges Natlaie has faced going from working in property to starting her own business. KEY TAKEAWAYS In 2018 Natalie was diagnosed with restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, a common condition of the nervous s...
Aug 24, 2022•38 min•Ep. 59
Dreaming of starting your own fashion business? This week's episode of Start Scale Succeed is a recording of an Instagram live with Sinead Kearns from Arlo Blue. Tracy and Sinead chat about the why and the how of starting the brand and what made her go for it. Moving from a side hustle to the main focus, the challenges she faced and how she reacted and decisions she made. Listen in to find out about growing organically, Sinead’s future plans for the brand as well as advice and tips for those sta...
Aug 18, 2022•30 min•Ep. 58
Are you hiding from the numbers in your business or not sure how you should manage your stocks and the numbers that really matter in your business? Then today's Start Scale Succeed episode is for you. Nicole is chatting with Sarah from Flourish Retail, merchandising expert who has over 20 years experience working for retailers like ASOS, River Island and Debenhams. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are two aspects to sales, firstly your total sales which would be what you’ve sold in a period. Then your net sa...
Aug 10, 2022•32 min•Ep. 57
How do you manifest the life that you want? Today’s episode is a recording of an Instagram live where Nicole chatted with Chloe Slade, a manifestation and mindset coach and founder of Vibe and Flow. Some of the topics we covered include what is manifestation, how and where you should start. If you're a product business what kinds of affirmations and thoughts may help you in your business. What daily habits can you include to help raise your vibrations and increase the momentum in your life. And ...
Aug 04, 2022•30 min•Ep. 56
Half Baked London is a beautiful sustainable swimwear brand and today on Start scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by founder Kim Fraser. Find out all about Kim’s story, how she pushes through her challenges, and what’s next for the brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kim doesn’t have a background in fashion and decided to start the brand when she found that when she was travelling she was struggling to find swimwear that she could afford, was good quality, and made her feel good. She started from scratch doing al...
Jul 28, 2022•26 min•Ep. 55
Have you thought about selling your brand on Amazon, or maybe you’re already on there but not getting the sales you want. With over 2 million brands listed on the platform, how can you stand out and make sure your products are visible and taking the sales that you want. This week's guest on Start Scale Succeed is going to be able to answer those questions and more. Vicki Weinberg is an expert on helping brands grow and sell on Amazon. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are some products which you cannot sell o...
Jul 20, 2022•39 min•Ep. 54
Born from an idea whilst searching for the best mascara to use to an app now with 80,000 products and 17,000 brands. Beauty Buddy was created by two sisters Wendy & Tracy and today Nicole chats with co founder Wendy Slattery on how they have created what they call the “Trip advisor” for beauty products, where consumers who have used the brands whether they love it or hate it they rate it. Which allows consumers and brands to get real feedback from real people. They discuss the initial resear...
Jul 14, 2022•39 min•Ep. 53
How can you create that connection with your customer that will help sales? On today's Start Scale Succeed podcast, Nicole is joined by copywriter Emma Griffin, who is going to share her top tips for creating copy that connects and converts. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emma works with coaches, consultants and small business owners, she specialises in website copy, sales and launch copy, email marketing, and tone of voice support. Emma’s top five tips for creating good copy are: Make it about your customer. Do...
Jul 06, 2022•24 min•Ep. 52
As consumers we’re all trying to be more conscious and buy and shop in a more sustainable way. An increased number of brands are looking at products in a more innovative way, one of those brands is Billi London the world's first biodegradable hosiery brand. Today Nicole is joined by Billi London co-founder Sophie to find out more about this eco-friendly brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS After ripping a pair of tights while she was getting ready for work, Sophie threw the old pair in the bin and went to get n...
Jun 29, 2022•36 min•Ep. 51
How do you grow a beauty brand? In today's podcast I am chatting with beauty expert Faye Speedie, founder of new platform The Brand Book and founder of Beauty Bulb. The Brand Book is a trade show - without the show, where beauty brands can link with retailers and buyers and showcase their products digitally and make amazing connections. With several years in the industry Faye and I chat about: the issues both brands and beauty buyers are having right now. What brands can do to help them grow the...
Jun 23, 2022•33 min•Ep. 50
Louise has been in the skin health and beauty industry for 26 years from a Saturday girl in a beauty salon to launching her own brand, Louise Thomas Skincare. Louise joins Nicole this week on Start Scale Succeed to talk about her journey from developing a skin condition, making skincare formulas for other people, to finally going out on her own and making her name a brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Louise is actually quite thankful that she developed bad acne. She thought it would be the end of her career b...
Jun 15, 2022•35 min•Ep. 49
How are you feeling about your social media? Should you be on Tik Tok, Instagram? Are you feeling a bit deflated and confused? What should you be doing? This week on Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is talking to Abby from Dirty Work Digital, a social media marketing expert. So if you want to know how to get visible on Instagram and engage with your audience then this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS After being made redundant during lockdown, Abby found people coming to her for social media and mar...
Jun 08, 2022•44 min•Ep. 48
Today Nicole is joined by Jen Fuller, founder of award winning childrenswear brand Etta Loves. The brand started off in 2017 with a range of muslins that stimulate the sensory development of babies visual and cognitive development. Etta Loves is now an award winning brand with stock in Selfridges among other retailers. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jen had the idea for Etta Loves when she noticed her daughter, Etta was feeding better and for longer when she was wearing certain clothes. This got her interested i...
Jun 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 47
Pop up shops are one of the key ways to attract a new audience and increase the awareness and exposure to your brand. Today Nicole is joined by David Blakely, business & store development director of Sooks, which provides access to flexible and affordable digitally connected spaces in the UK and around the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Have a clear objective – what are you trying to achieve with your pop-up shop? Budget – How much are you able or willing to spend on a pop-up shop in order achieve tho...
May 25, 2022•32 min•Ep. 46
Today Nicole is joined by serial entrepreneur Hayley Southwood, founder of Southwood Social, Southwood Living, a lifestyle & interiors ecommerce business and Hayley has just recently created a beautiful events space that can be hired in the Norfolk area. KEY TAKEAWAYS Hayley opened her very first Ice Cream business in 2002 but when her mum was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer her world turned upside down. A year after she sadly passed away in a moment of madness, Hayley bought an old ice...
May 18, 2022•40 min•Ep. 45
