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What does it really take to build a brand from nothing — without shortcuts, safety nets or a perfect plan?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Brendon Manders, co-founder of Lumberjaxe, to unpack the raw, unfiltered journey from mobile barber to Dragon’s Den — and how a £100 idea turned into a nationally stocked food brand powered by family, grit and obsession.From sleeping in vans and making products in his mum’s kitchen to pitching in front of the Dragons and securing investment, this conversation reveals what brand-building actually looks like when you don’t come from money, marketing or manufacturing — and why community, belief and relentless execution mattered more than polish.Brendon opens up about:→ Starting before feeling “ready” — and why imperfection beats waiting→ The hidden grind behind Lumberjaxe: vans, festivals, kitchens and family labour→ Building a loyal community before even having a website→ Why obsession and hands-on work can’t be outsourced→ Learning business, marketing and manufacturing by doing — not planning→ What really happened behind the scenes on Dragon’s Den→ Earning opportunity through consistency, not luck→ Balancing ambition, family life and five kids while building a brand→ Why long-term belief matters more than overnight successIf you’ve ever wondered how brands are built without a playbook, what resilience really looks like behind the highlight reels, or why the hardest route often builds the strongest foundations, this episode pulls back the curtain on the reality of entrepreneurship — and what it truly takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.Zoe Fox (Host):https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Brendon Manders (Guest):https://www.instagram.com/brendonmanders/Lumberjaxe:https://www.instagram.com/lumberjaxefood/

What does it take to build a cult brand in a world obsessed with ads, awareness and shortcuts?In this episode of *Getting to Grow*, Zoe Fox sits down with **Wynter Karo**, founder of **Pimentæ**, to unpack how one of the UK’s fastest-growing tequila cocktail brands scaled without relying on traditional advertising — and why experience, focus and conviction mattered more than media spend.From a corporate career at IBM and Sky to building a tequila-first brand in one of the most competitive categories in food and drink, this conversation reveals how Wynter set out to change how people think about tequila — and how brands are actually built.Wynter opens up about:→ Why Pimentæ rejected “marketing awareness” in favour of revenue-led experiences→ Building a cult-like community through festivals, events and moments people remember→ The operational challenges of scaling across multiple formats and retail channels→ Why being famous for *one thing* beats trying to be everything→ Growing without big ad budgets — and what really convinces retailers and investors→ Navigating fundraising as a female founder in a tough VC climate→ Leaving corporate comfort behind to build something purpose-led→ Why modern brands win by making people *feel* something, not just selling a productIf you’ve ever wondered how brands grow without paid ads, how experience can outperform exposure, or why focus and long-term thinking still matter in a shortcuts-first world, this episode pulls back the curtain on the mindset, discipline and belief behind Pimentæ — and what it really takes to build a cult brand from the ground up.Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Wynter Karo Co-founder: Pimentae-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pimentaedrinks/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pimentae/?originalSubdomain=ukWebsite: https://www.pimentaedrinks.com/

What does it take to reinvent a dish the world loves, but has completely misunderstood?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Andrew McLeod, founder of Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, to unpack the obsessive, values-driven journey behind one of the UK’s most respected fresh pasta brands.From a maths graduate and former poker player with no restaurant experience, to building a cult following around slow-made, honest pasta, this conversation reveals how Andrew set out to fix what most people don’t even realise is broken — how pasta is made, served, and understood.Andrew opens up about:→ Why pasta became labelled “unhealthy” — and how modern shortcuts stripped it of quality and nutrition→ The hidden differences between mass-produced pasta and slow-dried, freshly made pasta→ Opening a first restaurant in London with no industry background and just £150k→ Serving two customers a night… and what those early failures taught him about resilience→ Why Emilia’s makes everything fresh, on-site, every day — even when it’s harder and more expensive→ Building a brand by educating customers, not copying competitors→ Expanding carefully without compromising quality, culture or values→ Why pasta isn’t the problem — how it’s made isIf you’ve ever questioned why pasta doesn’t make you feel the way it should, wondered how truly great food brands are built, or believed that doing things the hard way can still win in a shortcuts-first world, this episode pulls back the curtain on the craft, conviction and long-term thinking behind Emilia’s — and why pasta is more misunderstood than we think.Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Emilias Pasta:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliaspasta/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-macleod-pasta/

What does it take to reinvent a category everyone had written off as boring, dusty and impossible to fix? In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Luke Boase, the founder of Lucky Saint, to uncover the relentless, curious and quietly radical journey behind the UK’s fastest-growing alcohol-free beer. From a single spark of frustration with non-alcoholic options to building a brand served in 10,000+ venues, stocked in major supermarkets, and crowned the UK’s #1 alcohol-free beer, this conversation reveals the true story of disrupting an industry built on habit, heritage and “that’s just how beer is.” Luke opens up about:→ How a moment of curiosity became a two-year mission across six breweries and three countries→ Why alcohol-free beer was a “great proposition on paper” but completely broken in reality→ The surprising naming story behind Lucky Saint — and what it means to feel “a little bit saintly”→ Breaking into pubs, restaurants and retail without a playbook→ How the pandemic nearly wiped out the business… until online sales exploded overnight→ Why mindful drinking is becoming a movement, not a trend→ What building a B-Corp beer brand taught him about culture, conviction and long-term vision If you’ve ever wondered how a founder can reshape drinking culture, challenge decades of industry norms, and build a modern beer brand with purpose at its core, this episode pulls back the curtain on the movement redefining what it means to drink — and not drink — today. Connect: Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/zoefox96/ Getting To Grow: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/ Lucky Saint Website: https://luckysaint.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckysaintbeer/

What actually happens on your tongue when you take a bite? Why do some mangoes taste like flowers… and others taste like cheese? And how has truffle become the most overhyped, misunderstood flavour on every menu?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Olivia Abramson who is a product developer, flavour specialist and the woman behind some of the UK’s most loved juices, smoothies and snacks, to decode the science, psychology and pure magic of taste.From growing up obsessed with flavours to leading global recipe development for brands like Joe & The Juice, Olivia has spent years shaping what millions of people eat and drink every day. This conversation pulls apart the hidden world behind the foods we think we know.Olivia opens up about:→ Why taste isn’t a talent, it’s a trainable skill anyone can learn→ How she chooses ingredients like tasting 8 mango purees back to back→ The truth about truffle and why most of it isn’t even real→ How umami quietly became the flavour everyone’s suddenly obsessed with→ What actually makes junk food addictive and why carrots just can’t compete→ Why smell is 50% of flavour and how COVID changed the taste world→ The tiny details that make or break a product on the shelf→ How mindful eating can literally switch your brain out of stress modeIf you’ve ever wondered why supermarket sandwiches feel flat, why certain dishes hit differently, or how to elevate your palate without being a wine snob, this episode takes you inside the sensory universe that decides our cravings, habits and food memories, one bite at a time.Connect:Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/zoefox96/Getting To Grow: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/Olivia Abrahmsohn: https://www.instagram.com/tastebud.tickler/

What happens when two women discover that the products we trust most are built on lies — and plastic? In this live episode of Getting to Grow, host Zoe Fox sits down with the founders of Here We Flo, the bold, funny, feminist brand rewriting the rules of period care. From realizing that traditional pads are made of up to 90% plastic, to launching an unapologetically pink and planet-friendly alternative, this conversation reveals how a taboo turned into a movement. Born out of frustration and fueled by purpose, Here We Flo isn’t just about tampons — it’s about changing culture through courage, humor, and honesty. The founders open up about:→ Discovering the hidden truth behind mainstream period products→ Turning a taboo into a mission-driven brand loved worldwide→ How humor became their greatest weapon in breaking stigma→ Building a sustainable company that puts people before profit→ Why design and storytelling matter when tackling uncomfortable topics→ What it really takes to turn purpose into a business that grows If you’ve ever wondered how a small idea can challenge an entire industry — and how laughter, feminism, and truth can build a legacy — this episode will show you what modern rebellion looks like. Connect: Zoe Fox: / gettingtogrow/ zoe-fox-377033b0Here We Flo: https://www.instagram.com/hereweflo/ https://www.hereweflo.co/

What does it really take for a family name to outlive nations, generations, and empires? In this live episode of Getting to Grow, host Zoe Fox sits down with Arthur Edward Guinness — the 4th Earl of Iveagh — to explore the extraordinary 266‑year legacy behind Ireland’s most iconic brand.From one man’s 9,000‑year lease in 1759 to a dynasty that shaped philanthropy, culture, and global brewing, this conversation uncovers the never‑told human stories behind the Guinness name — the triumphs, the losses, and the values that built a brand into a legacy.Arthur opens up about:→ How the Guinness family turned a Dublin brewery into a global symbol→ The battles, both literal and personal, that shaped their fortune→ What it means to preserve heritage while leading in a changing world→ Why legacy matters more than ever in an era obsessed with speed→ The unseen role of the women who kept the Guinness story alive→ How the modern descendants carry tradition, philanthropy, and identity forwardIf you’ve ever wondered how legacy is crafted — not inherited — and what it really means to build something that lasts centuries, this episode pulls back the velvet curtain on one of the most enduring family stories of all time.Connect:Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Guinness:https://www.instagram.com/guinness/

What does it really take to build a brand that stands for something — not just sells something? In this live episode of Getting to Grow, host Zoe Fox brings together three powerhouse marketers from brands like BrewDog, Subway, Method, and The Coconut Collaborative to unpack the brutal truths behind building, scaling, and surviving in the modern FMCG world.From rebellious campaigns to full-blown flops, this episode dives deep into the real talk no one shares — what works, what backfires, and why your “next big idea” might actually be your biggest mistake.The panel reveals:→ The biggest brand fail that went viral for the wrong reasons — and the hard lessons learned→ Why knowing your “True North” matters more than any trend or hashtag→ How to stop “brand FOMO” and stay focused when everyone’s chasing viral moments→ The secret to scaling a small brand without losing your purpose→ How Method turned a cleaning product into a cult obsession (hint: rhubarb)→ Why real marketing starts with talking to your customers — not your competitors→ The new PR reality: fewer journalists, tighter budgets, and why brand utility wins over hypeIf you’ve ever wondered how challenger brands break through, how top marketers think under pressure, or what actually makes a campaign stick, this episode is your inside pass to the boardroom, the brainstorm, and the breakdowns.Connect:Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Sarah Warman:https://www.instagram.com/sarahfwarman/Holly Rix:https://www.instagram.com/hollyrix/We Are All Marketing:https://www.instagram.com/weareallmarketing/

What does it take to turn a city trading career and a kitchen obsession with activated snacks into a best-selling brand with viral reach? In this episode, Zoe Fox sits down with Cathy Moseley, founder of Boundless Snacks, to unpack Cathy’s journey from London trading floors to creating the UK’s go-to gut-friendly snack.Cathy reveals:→ Why leaving her six-figure city job was the scariest—and best—decision she ever made→ How she went from kitchen trials to supermarket shelves with no prior food industry experience→ The messy, relentless challenge of finding manufacturers, surviving setbacks, and getting those crucial first listings→ Her mission to make gut health accessible, tasty, and fun for everyone→ Real talk about resilience, team-building, and refusing to let early rejections define Boundless→ Navigating bold flavors, product innovation, and standing out in a crowded snack market→ Why the highs only matter because of the lows—and what keeps her going in the toughest timesIf you’re curious about food & drink innovation, challenger brands, entrepreneurship outside your comfort zone, or just love a founder’s wild leap, this episode delivers.What does it take to leave behind a six-figure career in city trading and turn a kitchen experiment into a viral, gut-health snack brand loved by millions? In this episode, Zoe Fox sits down with Cathy Moseley, founder of Boundless Snacks, to explore her journey from financial markets to the aisles of major supermarkets.Connect-Zoe Fox-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Cathy Moseley, Founder-Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-moseley-a549851b5/?originalSubdomain=ukBoundless-Website: https://weareboundless.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatboundless/

What does it take to turn a kitchen recipe for fiery ginger beer into a brand stocked in major retailers and beloved by customers? In this episode, Zoe Fox sits down with Will Englander, founder of The Root Co, to unpack Will’s journey from London management consultant to the driving force behind UK’s most exciting ginger-based beverage brand.Will reveals:→ How a life-threatening accident in Japan set him on a bold path to entrepreneurship→ Why “naivety” was his secret weapon in scaling manufacturing—from blender batches at home to supermarket shelves→ The messy, persistent hustle of field sales, brutal rejections, and winning first retail listings→ Navigating ingredient sourcing, developing a transparent supply chain, and the impact of B Corp certification→ Hard lessons in branding, recipe development, and learning to thrive on feedback→ The emotional drivers behind his leap—from job security to spending precious time with family→ Building a challenger drinks brand in a world dominated by sugary sodas and tight pub contractsIf you’re curious about food & drink innovation, startup resilience, the nuts and bolts of FMCG, or just love a mad founder’s story, this episode delivers.Connect:Zoe Fox:Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Will Englander, Co-Founder-Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/willenglander1/LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-englander-609ba8109/The Root Co:Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the.root.co/Website: https://rootcodrinks.co.uk/Hashtags: #gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodanddrink #drinks #gingerbeer #startup #entrepreneurship

What does it take to turn bubbling jars of kombucha into a supermarket success story?In this episode, Emma Thackray shares her journey — from running Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the UK, to discovering fermented foods in America, and finally co-founding Hip Pop, one of the UK’s fastest-growing gut health drinks brands.She talks about scrappy beginnings (literally selling cans out of her car), raising millions of pounds in investment, and the wild reality of scaling a challenger brand into Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and beyond.We also cover…→ What happens when everything goes wrong on moving day→ Why flavour — not fads — drives Hip Pop’s success→ How Emma raised investment without a background in FMCG→ The lessons from rebranding for mass market growthIf you’re into food & drink, startups, or the behind-the-scenes of building a modern brand — you’ll love this one.Zoe Fox:https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Emma Thackray, Co-Founder--Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmathackray/Drink Hip Pop:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drink.hip.pop/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrinkHipPopWebsite: https://drinkhippop.com/#gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodanddrink #drinks #hippop #kombucha #startup #entrepreneurship

He was selling tea from his uni bedroom…Now it’s a multi-million-pound brand with shops across the UK.Mike Turner co-founded Bird & Blend Tea Co. to shake up the tea industry—creating a brand people wanted to be part of, not just shop fromBut building a values-led brand came with hard choices:→ Saying no to investors who didn’t “get it”→ Scaling without compromising creativity→ And figuring out how to lead a team when you never planned to be a “boss”In this episode, we dive into the scrappy early days, Mike’s obsession with community, and how he & his co-founder Krisi turned tea into a movement.Whether you're scaling a business or just love a good founder story—this one’s for you.Zoe Fox—YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrowpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Mike Turner, Co-Founder —LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeajturner/Bird & Blend Tea Co—Website: https://www.birdandblendtea.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdandblendtea#gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodandbeverage #tea #bird&blendtea #bird&blend #hotbeverage

Jens Knoop turned a childhood memory into one of the UK’s most beloved luxury chocolate drinks — Knoops. Here’s how he did it… In this episode, we dive into the journey of building Knoops from a single idea into a nationwide brand. He shares the creative process behind developing over 20 different chocolate percentages, talks about maintaining quality while scaling, and reflects on how his German roots shaped the brand’s vision. You'll also hear about the challenges of the chocolate industry, brand expansion, and Jens’ philosophy of "chocolate happiness." If you love food branding, founder stories, or premium product strategy — this one's packed with real gems. Jens Knoop — Founder of Knoops: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoopschocolate/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-knoop-1a15a446/ Knoops Chocolate: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoopschocolate/ Website: https://knoops.co.uk Zoe Fox YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrowpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/ #gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodandbeverage #chocolate #jensknoop #knoops #hotchocolate #darkchocolate #gourmetchocolate #craftchocolate

What does it take to become one of the most influential voices in the drinks industry? In this episode, Dawn Davies shares her wild journey — from running legendary fine dining spots with no experience, to becoming the head buyer at The Whisky Exchange. She talks about curating spirits from across the globe, making million-pound decisions, and why she’ll always back brands that stand for something. We also cover…→ Industry myths→ How consumer tastes are shifting→ What it takes to earn shelf space today If you're into drinks, branding, or the business of taste — you’ll love this one. Dawn Davies, Head Buyer at The Whisky Exchange Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawndaviesmw/ The Whisky Exchange Website: https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskyexchange/ Follow Zoe Fox YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/ #gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodandbeverage #alcohol #thewhiskeyexchange #whiskeyexchange #wine #spirits #beer #drinks #dawndavies

In this episode, we dive into the story of Better Nature and how co-founder Elin Roberts helped bring tempeh to the masses. From early-stage experiments to landing on Tesco’s shelves, Elin shares the behind-the-scenes of building a purpose-driven food brand in an industry dominated by big players.We cover what it takes to educate customers about something new, how to stand out in the alt-protein space, and why tempeh might just be the future of plant-based eating.If you're passionate about food, sustainability, or building something that matters, this one’s for you.Elin Roberts, Co-Founder of Better NatureInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elin.mari/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinmroberts/Better NatureInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/betternaturetempeh/Website: https://betternaturetempeh.co/Follow Zoe FoxYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrowLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/#gettingtogrow #gettingtogrowpodcast #fmcg #foodandbeverage #tempeh #plantbased #betternature #betternaturetempeh