Advertise on podcast: How To Start Up by FF&M

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 certificationWe 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 atmosphereOur customers need good value/good quality product/good design; we need a good place to workFrom the outset we intended to make this product in a good way; we need the team to be happyWe consider each other and make allowances for each other’s personal needsWe had great mentors who gave us an education in producing and marketing somethingIt’s important to keep talking to each other - sharing both the good things and the problemsIt’s also useful to network and meet other foundersAlways look around and consider other brands and the competitionTake your time choosing your partners and have a strong partnership agreement in placeStart marketing your product through the right outlets; be selectiveEvery so often take a break with your partners away from the business and discuss long-term plansAlways put the team before the productFF&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 [email protected] 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

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 consumerAim high and don’t compromiseYou need your consumer to come back a second timeOnce convinced, your customers will spread the word and be your best advertisementTrust is everythingTrade events can be useful if you choose very specific onesA 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 goldAlways put quality before everything elseFF&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 [email protected] 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

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 ambitionBuild credibility early, partnerships with trusted brands created momentum before mass awarenessInvestment creates pressure to scale, but chasing growth too broadly can pull you away from your coreFocus is a growth strategy, cutting revenue generating products and markets can accelerate long term performanceSay no more as you grow, shifting from a yes culture to disciplined decision making is key to scaling wellNail your home market first, global expansion only works if your core business is strong and stableFF&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 [email protected] 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

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 salonsHow long-form podcasting creates deeper connection than short-form social mediaThe realities of podcast growth, sponsorship, and productionHow podcasting has strengthened her broader business ecosystemOvercoming imposter syndrome as a founderThe importance of understanding your numbers and planning properly when starting a businessWhy founders should “just start” - even without certaintyFF&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 [email protected] 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

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 egoRespect work ethic above allAlign on values and definition of successCreate physical and psychological boundariesTrust is the operating systemLet go before you burn outProtect the relationship deliberatelySay no as you growFF&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 [email protected] 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

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 communityIt’s a good idea to share the process - whatever you are producingBe consistent about what you share - so your followers know what to expectSharing builds trustBe honest: your personal brand is your brandA social media manager will enable you to produce more content and reach more platformsNo need to be too polished; be genuine and don’t over-curateSometimes reveal the bad as well as the goodDon’t allow negative content from others to touch youIf 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 [email protected] 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

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 assetYour performance will affect the whole teamYour health is vital: try keeping a one-month food/energy logKnow that protein is fuelUnderstand your needs and proactively manage your mind/food/exercisePrioritise and be disciplined about doing what you can in these areasTry having a mentor, like a sports coach, to help you keep improvingBeing self-employed is both the hardest the most rewarding way of workingFibre (we should all be having 30 gm a day) affects mood, energy and immune systemsFemale founders have to accept they are cyclical, and that ageing affects oestrogen levelsIf in any doubt have your hormone levels checkedMagnesium aids good sleepTry to speak to other foundersKnow that constant comparison via social media is simply destructive - try breaks from itRhian 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 [email protected] or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason.  FF&M recommends:  LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva 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

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 contactsFind your gap in the market, but most of all love what you doEntrepreneurship can be lonely; ideally have someone to share the decision-making process withTry to surround yourself with with advisors (accountants, lawyers perhaps) who can act as mentorsThere are many mentorship programmes availableBCorp is a force for good and will be a guiding influence on your employeesKindness and sympathy are vital leadership qualitiesLead in a way your team will respectUnderstand 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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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

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 [email protected] 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