Shows
Start Scale SucceedEp 195 Scaling A Global Beauty And Wellness Brand, How Popmask grew 500% in one year
On this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole chats with Louisa Booth, the inspiring founder behind Pop Mask and Blushing LA.
Louisa shares her entrepreneurial journey from investment banking to bootstrapping and building a global beauty and wellness brand, now found in over 35,000 retail doors worldwide—including CVS, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Superdrug, and Boots.
Nicole and Louisa chat about:
The story behind Louisa’s first product, Pop Band (the hair ties that don’t damage hair), and her accidental pivot into the US market.
How Louisa...2025-07-171h 27
Start Scale SucceedEp 194 Ways To Use AI In Your Product Business With Dean JohnstonIn this value-packed episode, Nicole Higgins sits down with Dean Johnson—AI consultant, and experienced product business founder—to dive into the game-changing ways artificial intelligence is transforming product businesses.
Whether you're a founder at the start of your journey or running an established e-commerce brand, you’ll learn actionable strategies for using AI to streamline operations, save time, and scale efficiently without losing that crucial human connection.
Highlights include
Smart ways to use AI for inventory forecasting, automating reporting, customer service, and content creation
The strengths of custom ChatGPTs for more intuitive, tailored...2025-07-0326 minStart Scale SucceedEp 192 The Easy Way To Launch Into The US Market With Lauren OrlickyWelcome to another episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast with your host, Nicole Higgins, the Buyer and Retail Coach. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Lauren Orlicky , co-founder of US Launchpad about the practicalities of launching your brand in the United States and how to do it the Easy Way
Episode Highlights:
- The Story Behind US LaunchpadLauren shares how her own e-commerce challenges inspired her to create US Launchpad—a company dedicated to helping brands expand into the US market without the overwhelming red tape of officially setting up a US entity....2025-06-2639 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 191 The Path To Profit with Petite Fashion Brand The Shortlist founder Laura DerricourtIn this weeks episode, Nicole brings back Laura, founder of The Shortlist—a premium petite fashion brand—for her third appearance on the podcast. Having followed Laura’s journey from launch to becoming a profitable business, Nicole dives deep into the milestones, challenges, and evolutionary steps that have shaped The Shortlist over the past four years. Listen in as Laura shares candid insights about manufacturing setbacks, profitability milestones, the realities of staying lean as a solo founder, and building a loyal community. She also offers hands-on advice for fellow product business entrepreneurs about trusting your instin...2025-06-1232 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 189 Crafting tone of voice that sells and inspires with Katie Ramsingh - The Fashion CopywriterNicole sits down with expert fashion copywriter Katie Ramsingh to dive deep into the art and strategy of creating compelling copy and developing a distinctive tone of voice for your brand. With over 10 years’ experience writing for brands like Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, and Farfetch, Katie shares practical advice for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike. From defining the difference between brand voice and tone of voice, finding inspiration outside your industry, leveraging customer language, and incorporating SEO and AI tools, Katie provides a expert tips and advice to help you connect, stand out, and...2025-05-2224 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 188 Turning Personal Frustration Into a Thriving Skincare Brand: Katy Cottam Founder Luna DailyOn this episode of Start Scale Succeed,Nicole Higgins sits down with Katy Cottam, the founder of Luna Daily—a body care brand redefining skincare for women at every age and life stage. Katy opens up about her journey from a personal struggle with thrush and sensitive skin to launching and leading a fast-growing brand with retail partnerships at places like Boots, Sephora, and M&S, just three years after launching. She shares behind-the-scenes stories about breaking taboos, securing major retail deals, and her passion for changing conversations around women’s health. Katie also ge...2025-05-1547 min
Start Scale SucceedEP 187 Navigating Anxiety and Overwhelm: Practical Mental Health Tools for Entrepreneurs with Anna Mathur37% of entrepreneurs suffer from Anxiety and in this weeks Episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Psychotherapist and Author Anna Mathur we talk about Anxiety, overwhelm and mental health as an entrepreneur Highlights include Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt in Entrepreneurs - accepting messy imperfect beginnings and anchoring throughs in truth versus fear Low Self-Esteem in Business- Signs of low self-esteem for entrepreneurs Difficult Conversations and Decision Avoidance- Impact of delayed or avoided difficult conversations on business health. Building esteem around core values to navigate tough situations Overwh...2025-05-0839 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 185 Trade show Lessons, exhibiting at Top Drawer for the First time with Imogen PartridgeJoin us as Imogen shares her journey from interior designer to creative business owner, revealing why she chose to make wholesale and trade shows a new focus, the realities of prepping for her debut trade show at Top Drawer, a UK trade show and the practical lessons she learned along the way. Whether you’re considering your first trade show or just love hearing honest accounts of building a business, this episode is packed with actionable tips, candid moments, and encouragement for anyone ready to take the next step in scaling their product business Imogen shar...2025-04-2435 min
Start Scale SucceedEP 183 How Passion and Perseverance Shaped 20 Years of Retail Success for Deryane Tadd founder of The Dressing RoomNicole and Deryane delve into the reality of competing in a discount-driven market, strategies for driving sales, and the importance of focusing on exceptional customer service. For those considering starting a brick-and-mortar or e-commerce business, Deryane’s advice is invaluable. Deryane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days in retail to establishing a successful multi-brand boutique. Episode Highlights: Challenges and Triumphs: Discover the hurdles Deryane faced in securing funding and premises, and how she overcame misogyny in the early days of her venture. Business Evolution: Insights into how The Dressing Room has...2025-04-0334 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 182 Going for the Gut :Naked Biotics founders leanne and Amy chat about their start up journey so far and expanding into wholesaleThis weeks episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole is joined by Leanne and Amy, the dynamic co-founders of Naked Biotics. They delve into the journey of launching and scaling their probiotic brand amidst challenges like the COVID-19 lockdowns. Inspired by personal experiences and the power of gut health, Leanne and Amy's entrepreneurial journey is one of passion, resilience, and innovation. The Birth of Naked Biotics: Discover how a trip to South Africa and a unique formulation transformed Leanne and Amy’s perspective on gut health, leading them to create a brand that’s changing lives. 2025-03-2738 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 181 Balancing Personal Boundaries and Brand Authenticity with Becci McevoyIn this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast, Nicole is joined by Becci McAvoy, founder of Be Heard Socials, to discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, particularly for brand founders. They delve into the challenges and fears of showing true selves online, tips to overcome these barriers, and the significance of personal boundaries in content sharing. Becky, a content strategy and social media marketing expert, shares her journey and insights on building genuine connections with audiences while managing the pressures of social media engagement. Key Topics Discussed: Understanding Authenticity: Becky explains how br...2025-03-2025 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 180 Essential PR Strategies for Small Business Growth and Visibilitywith Pippa GouldenPippa Goulden joins the Start Scale Succeed podcast to chat all thing PR for your small business and how you can DIY it and the steps you need to take to increase the visibility of you and your brand. Highlights include 🎙️ Personal Branding Power: Learn how to weave your personal story into your brand to create compelling narratives that connect with your audience. Pippa highlights the importance of sharing personal stories that align with your business goals without oversharing irrelevant details. 📰 Pitching to Journalists: Pippa offers brilliant advice on how to capture the attention...2025-03-1528 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 179 Overcoming retail challenges with Acorn & Pip Founder Lucy HaslamIn this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast, We delve into the world of entrepreneurship with the inspiring story of Lucy, the founder of Acorn and Pip. Lucy has successfully run her family concept store, navigating the complexities of retail in challenging times. With nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and a thriving business model that includes a retail store, cafe, and an online presence, Lucy shares insights into the importance of community, innovation, and authentic customer service. Join us as we explore how Lucy has managed to keep her business resilient and profitable, overcoming ob...2025-03-0634 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 178 Masters of the Market, Elevating Small Businesses with Salad Days Market founders Daisy & Liv TinkerEp 178 Masters of the Market, Elevating Small Businesses with Salad Days Market founders Daisy & Liv Tinker In this week's episode of Start Scale Succeed I chat with Liv & Daisy, the innovative founders behind Salad Days Market, a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the best of small businesses in London. With their unique backgrounds in fashion and retail, they share their journey from working in the fashion industry to creating their own dream events. They discuss the importance of craftsmanship, creativity, and passion in the brands they work with, and how they have successfully connected with...2025-02-2740 min
Start Scale Succeedep 176 Building a successful subscription box business with Lauren PrenticeSubscription box businesses are worth 1.8 billion in the UK and it's a growing market. So if you are considering starting one, adding one to your current business or need advice on how to make your existing one more profitable then listen to this weeks episode 176 of start scale succeed . Where you'll hear tips and advice from Multiple Subscription Box founder Lauren Prentice. Some of the areas we chat about are The importance of audience building before launch How to structure pricing and commitment terms Managing your churn rate Bes...2025-02-1341 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 175 How your style can create your success with Samantha Harman The Style EditorEP 175 How your style can create your success with Samantha Harman Listen to this week's episode to understand how your wardrobe choices influence your business success "Your wardrobe isn't clothes. It is the physical manifestation of your beliefs, your hopes, your fears, your dreams, all of the things that you think that you can be, that you can't be." Tune into this weeks episode with Samantha The style editor, we chat about
Wardrobe as a Tool for Success: Samantha shares how your wardrobe is more than just clothes. It's the physical manifestation of...2025-02-0736 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 174 Beyond the highlight reel - The True Story of closing a brand and liquidation with Katie Brandon Bryne Lil & Izzy FounderIn this raw and honest episode, Katie Brandon Byrne shares the emotional journey of closing her award-winning children's wear brand, Lil and Izzy. From its successful beginnings to the final decision to liquidate, Katie discusses: The warning signs that led to closure The impact of rising costs and market changes Navigating the liquidation process Personal lessons learned from the experience Moving forward with a new business venture Katie Brandon Byrne founded Lil and Izzy, an award winning childrenswear brand established Pre-pandemic Katie decided to close the doo...2025-01-3146 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 173 Aligning Mind, Body, and Skin: The Vision Behind eyeam Skincare with co- founder Roxy MarroneJoin me as I chat with co- founder Roxy Marrone where she shares how her own skincare journey with hormonal acne led to the creation of the brand. eyeam is a community-driven wellness destination on a mission to align your skin with your mind, body, and spirit. Their mission is to bring healing into the world with targeted skincare, supplements and education. While wellness has traditionally separated these fundamental pillars from one another and treated each in isolation, they feel that true wellness is achieved when they are in harmony with one another. 2025-01-2440 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 172 Building Faace, From Global Expansion to Dragons Den to selling the business with Founder Jasmine Wicks StephensJoin Jasmine & Nicole for an open and honest conversation about starting and growing a brand, securing investment and the process of finding a buyer for the business. In Ep 171 of Start Scale Succeed Jasmine Wicks-Stephens shares the story behind the brand and how it's rapid expansion and success were met with financial and manufacturing challenges and despite backing from Dragons Den she decided to sell the business Faace was born out of Jasmine's extensive industry experience and her personal journey as a new mother The brand aims to simplify skincare by focusing on life...2025-01-1736 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 171 Starting & Growing on Etsy with Etsy Expert Dylan Jahraus Etsy has over 6 Million sellers and about 400 million visitors to the platform each month So as a seller how do you get started and how do you get seen. These are just some of the topics I’m going to be talking about with my guest Dylan Jahraus on todays episode of start scale succeed You can also watch the episode on You tube https://youtu.be/y5rxoH1P5lg Highlights of the episode include Getting started on the platform and where your focus needs to be. ...2024-12-2029 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 170 Building your Brand visibility strategies with Anna Jones "Building Your Brand: Visibility Strategies with Anna Jones What's your why? sometimes this can be a difficult question to answer but one I think is key to understand before you start showing up as the face of your brand. My guest this week Anna Jones - Visibility expert helped make this more accessible by asking yourself what is the impact that you want your product to have on your customer. What do you want it to do for them, this goes much deeper than the features and the benefits of the prod...2024-12-1234 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 169 Revitalising the UK knitwear industry with Brand Founder and Designer Genevieve SweeneyTodays episode of start scale succeed Nicole is Joined by UK knitwear designer and brand founder Genevieve Sweeney Some of the areas we chat about are Challenges of UK Manufacturing in an industry that is disappearing & her dreams and plans of revitalising the UK knitwear industry. What Genevieve learnt from stepping away from the Fashion Norms when running a fashion business.The power of staying true to your business brand values. Building community through social media and how it has scaled with in-person at her studio in Hertfordshire. Being sustai...2024-12-0524 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 168. From Kickstarter Launch to UK Retail Giants with Ruby Raut founder of period pant brand WUKAInnovating Period Care with Ruby Raut of Wuka In this inspiring episode, Nicole Higgins sits down with Ruby Raut, the founder of Wuka, a sustainable period product brand on a mission to eradicate period shame and combat period poverty. Join us as Ruby shares her journey from a small village in Nepal to leading a game-changing brand in the UK. With insights into funding, product innovation, and the importance of building a community, this episode is packed with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in sustainable solutions. Key Highlights: Product Market...2024-11-2143 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 167 Navigating ADHD: Tips and Strategies for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lauren BreeseApproximately 29% of entrepreneurs are neurodivergent, revealing a strong link between neurodiversity and entrepreneurial drive. In Ep 167 Nicole Chats with Dr Lauren Breese experienced Clinical Psychologist and founder of & Psychology and Co-founder of The neurodiversity practice along with other co-founders Dr. Siobhan Higgins and Dr Jo Muelller Together, they explore ADHD symptoms, varying diagnoses and tips and strategies for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs. Lauren discusses why awareness and reduced stigma have led to more adult ADHD diagnoses, rather than an increase in cases. They touch on the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD, particularly concerning rep...2024-11-1538 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 166 - Mastering Your Black Friday Ad StrategyWith Black Friday just around the corner, I know you're probably gearing up for one of the biggest shopping events of the year. To help you navigate this competitive landscape, I'm chatting with Anna Frapwell founder of Neon Digital Clicks and sponsor of the podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the scene, these expert tips are sure to help you crush your sales goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. It's Never Too Late to Prepare Anna emphasises that even if you feel behind, it's never too late to start prepping for Black Fr...2024-11-0728 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 165 Boost your retail business with Live ShoppingLive shopping is set to hit £5 billion in the UK by 2025 with fashion and beauty being the key categories. But what converts and why should it be part of your marketing strategy. In todays episode of Podcast Start Scale Succeed I'm joined by Macdara Duncan International Director of Live Shopping Platform Sprii. https://sprii.io/ Key Highlights to help you understand what works in Live Shopping are below Authenticity in Content MacDara emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity in live streams, presenting an in-store experience that feels real and unpolished to viewers. ...2024-10-2835 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 164 - Black Friday checklist - Before, during & AfterUltimate Black Friday Strategy: How Brands Can Maximize Sales Before, During, and After First off I want to say participating in Black Friday may not be right for you, you might not have enough margin or stock or it may not sit right from a sustainability or mass consumption point of view but if you have decided to join the countless brands that will be discounting over BFCM (Black Friday Cyber Monday) Then this episode is for you where I will share tips and tactics to help you before during and after Black Friday. So...2024-10-1715 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 163 - Simplifying your Marketing Strategy with Alice BenhamI'm all for advice that is easy to understand and implement and was delighted to chat with Alice Benham author of the recently released The Digital Marketing Handbook for this weeks podcast Some of the areas we chat about Why Marketing Strategies Often Feel Overwhelming (00:03:16): The pitfalls of jargon-filled advice and the importance of understanding the core elements of a strategy. Marketing strategy simplified: plan with an end goal in mind. Three Steps to Building a Marketing Strategy (00:05:28): Clarity: Determine your marketing goals, brand identity, and target audience. Planning: Decide whe...2024-10-1127 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 162 Growing Your Brand on Instagram Live Recording with Martha KeithHow about growing to 50K followers in 6 months, well that's just what this weeks guest did Martha Keith Founder of stationery brand Martha Brook London and her new account Business Secrets Club where Martha shares great tips and advice for small businesses particularly focusing on social media. I recently had the pleasure of recording this episode Live on the stage at Top Drawer and it was so great to get the interaction and questions from the audience, (you can watch the full episode on You tube on the link below) We chatted about growing your b...2024-10-0348 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 161 Navigating Self Doubt & Lack of Confidence with Holly MatthewsAnxiety, Self-doubt and lack of confidence are all things as business founders we can experience. Today’s episode of start scale succeed I chat with Life Coach, published Author & NLP Practitioner Holly Matthews about Finding your Confidence. Holly has just released her new book Find your confidence (see link below) She shares tips and tactics to help build and create confidence in several different situations Areas we chat about in the podcast are Building Confidence: Combining external body language techniques with internal mindset work. 'Fake it till you make...2024-09-261h 05
Start Scale SucceedEp 160 - Optimizing Your q4 email Campaigns for Maximum Impact with Hannah SpicerIf you are a product business up to 70% of your yearly turnover can come during Q4, I chat with previous Guest Hannah Spicer on how you can ensure you are getting the most out of your emails to drive your sales. Areas we chat about Approaching Black Friday and deciding on your sales & promotional strategy for the quarter Reviewing what worked the previous year, testing and warming up your email list Key Metrics to track and how they might be slightly different this time of year. Reviewing your segmentation2024-09-1928 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 159 Using chat funnels to grow your product businessRemoving friction and making it easier for your customers to buy is key if you have a product business. This weeks episode I chat with Mel Eilers a Many chat expert where we talk about Chat funnels and why you should be using them and how they can benefit your business Benefits of Using Manychat - Mel breaks down what Manychat is and its compliance with Meta, highlighting its approval and the rules to abide by. Use Cases and Examples - Nicole and Mel discuss successful use cases of Manychat, inc...2024-09-0527 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 158 - How to crowdfund for your business with Danielle WallingtonToday's episode of start scale succeed delves into the intriguing world of crowdfunding with our special guest, Danielle Wallington, the visionary founder of Flock here, Join us as Danielle reveals her journey of raising over £20,000 in just over 30 days through crowdfunding. Discover how she turned her idea, stemming from co-working meetups and the need for recommended workspaces for women, into a successfully funded project. In this episode, we unpack the essentials of launching a crowdfunding campaign, including setting precise funding targets, choosing the right crowdfunding model, and crafting a strategic marketing plan. Danielle prov...2024-08-2932 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 157 - How to Build a Successful Candle Brand with Samantha Johnson Pintail Candles and Avalon HomeWith a low barrier to entry candle brands are an easy product to get started with as a business, but should you? and what do you need to make it a success, I chat with Samantha Johnson who tells it how it is in the candle industry what works and what doesn't and what you need to know. We chat about Brand Identity: - The importance of knowing what your brand is and is not. Pricing and Regulations: - Accurate product pricing to reflect true labour. - Heavy regul...2024-08-2241 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 156 - Planning Q4 & Xmas for your retail businessDepending on your product type between 25-50% of your turnover can come from Q4 (Oct- Dec) and I want you to have the best sales this year and to help get you more organised and reduce the overwhelm I've created a helpful guide and a detailed podcast taking you through steps that I would have used during my time working as a buyer for companies like M&S & Primark. To get the Free guide check out the Link below or DM me the word Xmas on Instagram at the buyer and retail coach Download the F...2024-08-1524 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 152 - Unlock the Potential of LinkedIn with Laurie MacPhersonI get it, as a product business owner Linked In may be the last plate you want to spin so it’s potentially not really on your to do list, but this weeks episode of Start scale succeed I chat with Laurie Macpherson on how you can unlock it’s potential and reach your ideal clients and market weather that's a retailer, a journalist or your DTC customer. Here are some of the topics we cover Power of Human Stories: Understand the importance of sharing personal stories and making human connections. -Optimi...2024-07-1839 min
Start Scale SucceedEp149 - Using stop motion to engage your customers with Alice LovedayHow do you inject more personality into your brand, help keep customers engaged and tell a story? One of those ways is by using stop motion in your creative socials, videos and reels. And today I'm chatting with Alice Loveday, founder of Loveday Social and the queen of Stop Motion. Highlights include - **Introduction to Stop Motion: - Definition and magical elements of stop motion. - Why it’s so engaging and valuable for marketing and sales. - **Business Applications: - Distinguishin...2024-06-2027 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 148 - How To Increase Conversion on Your Ecommerce Website with Aime Cox founder Studio CottonWhen was the last time you audited your website and looked at it from the point of view of a user? This weeks episode we chat all about increasing your website conversion and enhancing the experience of the user. Aime Cox from Studio Cotton is an expert when it comes to crafting and designing websites and shares their insights and tips on why your conversion may not be where it should be and what you can do about it. Some of the areas we talk about E-commerce Conversion Rates:** - Understand what mak...2024-06-1331 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 147 - How To Stand Out in a Crowded Market with Journalist & Communications Expert Priscilla PollaraCommunications expert, journalist and PR guru Priscilla Pollara joins the start scale succeed podcast to chat Pitching to journalists and how to engage with them and how to find the right ones for your brand & products. Creating the story the journalist wants to hear and feature Collaborating with aligned brands to boost your visibility and leverage audiences Engaging customers through compelling stories and what that looks like and how to craft them. Understanding your unique Value proposition Guest bio With a background rooted in newspapers, Prisci...2024-06-0639 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 146 - What Do Retailers Want From Your Brand?The tables are turned this week where Nicole is chatting with Jacqui Ripley spilling the tea on what retailers want and what to include in your pitch deck and some other nuggets such as ⭐️ Rookie mistakes brand owners can make including packaging ⭐️ How to grab a buyer's attention ⭐️ The key information to put in a retail deck ⭐️ How to handle negotiation ⭐️ The importance of getting your pricing right from the get go Interviewer Jacqui Ripley Host Nicole Higgins Nicole has worked as a buyer and...2024-05-2339 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 145 - The Power of the Pop-up with the Great Brand Exchange founder Matt HopkinsConnecting and engaging with your customer is key and one way to do this is through pop ups. This week’s guest is Matt Hopkins founder of the great brand exchange. The Great Brand Exchange was founded in 2014 with two goals in mind. The first was to help small businesses grow and scale by giving them a route into retail. And the second was to bring exciting, unique, local products to major retailers enabling them to offer something different alongside their big-name brands. On the podcast Matt chats about: Consumer behavi...2024-05-1629 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 144 - From Superfoods to Super Skin with The Glowcery Founder Roshanne DorsettYou are what you eat, well in this case you are what you put on your skin, inspired by superfoods and plant based ingredients Roshanne transitioned from a legal career into the beauty industry and founded The Glowcery. Listen to hear how Before Roshanne even launched she had been sent a cease and desist from Chanel How the brand launched and why it was successful from the beginning How the Glowcery are marketing and growing their brands and standing out in every increasing competitive market What is working for them...2024-05-0927 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 143 - Building a personal brand with Martha Brook founder Martha KeithWhat’s a personal brand and how do you build one when you are also building your product business? This weeks episode Martha Keith founder of Martha Brook Stationery joins the start scale succeed podcast and we chat about how you can make your brand stand out with personal branding, sharing your story and bringing your community on the journey. Highlights include How & why you should show up as the founder to differentiate your brand The power of personal branding and debunking the current trend for faceless accounts The Do’s an...2024-05-0333 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 142 - Pivoting When Your Business Isn’t Working For You with Mini & Moi FounderWhat to do when your product business just isn’t working for you anymore?, this is where Kayley was a few months ago and she has reassessed and reflected on what she wants her brand and business to be and so she is pivoting and changing her business model. In this episodes she shares her journey of how she started, the challenges she has faced and why she is pivoting to move forward with podcast host Nicole Higgins Some of the topics covered Building a Brand with a Unique Selling Proposition:** Learn about Kaylei...2024-04-2632 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 141 - What Investors Are Looking For In Your Business with Luke Desmond -Crisp AccountancyAt some stage in your business journey you may look for investment to help you start or grow. This week in ep 141 Luke Desmond joins the podcast to demystify investment and explain the investment landscape, who you should be approaching depending on what stage your business is at and the funds you are looking for. Highlights of this episode include: Pitching to Investors: The value of a compelling story, clear data, and a precise ask in your pitch deck. Understand your business valuation and be prepared with all necessary documentation. Business Valuation: Factors infl...2024-04-1842 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 140 - Building Commercial Ranges for Your Product BusinessThis weeks episode Nicole chats about how to build commercial ranges for your product business. Nicole shares some of the mistakes she made whilst working as a buyer for major high street retailers and how you can create and develop products that are the right fit for your business Focusing on people, the product and profit Nicole breaks down actions to take when planning for the seasons ahead. The Host Nicole Higgins is a seasoned professional with over 18 years experience in the retail industry, having worked as a buyer with blu...2024-04-1127 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 139 - What You Need to Know About Distribution for Your Beauty Brand with Catherine CollinsUsing a distributor for your beauty or wellness brand can catapult your growth. In ep 139 of start scale succeed host Nicole Higgins chats with Catherine Collins about the practical tips for identifying and collaborating with the right distributor. Catherine established a distribution agency in the middle east and now provides expert consultancy for beauty and wellness brands This week some of the topics covered are The pivotal role of distributors in a brand's expansion and the critical factors that determine when a brand is ready to work with a distributor. The financial mecha...2024-04-0427 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 138 - Breaking into the Dubai market with Abbie Founder Base BrandsThe retail market in the middle east is worth approx $80 billion dollars, but how do you break into that market as a brand and what do you need to consider In this episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Abbie founder of base brands a brand strategy & consulting company based in Dubai about selling and launching in the Dubai market Some of the areas discussed are: Tips and advice for breaking into the market from customers to logistics What to consider culturally and shopping habits in Dubai Trends & Market changes that are emerging in the...2024-03-2829 min
Start Scale SucceedEp - 137 Building a Sustainable Bricks & Mortar Business with Cat Anderson founder of TreenRecent closures of high street chains further highlights the challenges of bricks and mortar stores, but how are the new kids on the block building their businesses and creating a community. This episode I chat with Cat Anderson founder of sustainable clothing store Treen a vegan fashion retailer, offering a selection of style must-haves from a carefully selected group of brands that make a positive difference. Providing a killer wardrobe without Killing the planet. This episode we chat about her start up journey, what she is doing to build the business and building relationships and bec...2024-03-2237 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 136 - The Secret to Selling in Instagram Stories with May CastilloAre you using your stories to their full potential? Using stories to connect and sell is key to help you business grow. Ep 136 is with creative content consultant May Castillo our key focus today is How to sell in your stories. Some of the topics we chat about are: "Fearless Selling" - Overcome the emotional barriers to confidently sell your products or services. "Sales Foundations" - Understand essential sales strategies before utilizing Instagram stories to sell. "Consumer Shifts" - Adapt to changes in consumer behavior favoring stories and messaging over feeds and reels. "Story Seq...2024-03-0731 min
Start Scale SucceedMastering Email Marketing for your business with Hannah SpicerOn average 35-40% of your turnover in your product business should come from your email marketing. If you're not quite reaching that target then this episode is for you. This week in the start scale succeed podcast I chat with Hannah Spicer email marketing expert During the podcast, Hannah shares valuable insights on: - Mistakes businesses make with their emails - Building effective retention and win-back email flows - Optimizing open and click-through rates - Creating engaging and successful email campaigns - And much more!...2024-02-2922 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 134 - The Secrets To Understanding Customer NeedsIn this episode of Start Scale Succeed host Nicole Higgins is joined by guest Katie Tucker, author of "Do penguins eat peaches and founder of Product Jungle. Together, they delve into the essential topic of understanding customers and how businesses can leverage this understanding to thrive. Katie provides invaluable insights into market research, customer discovery, and the importance of aligning with customer values. Listeners will gain practical tips for conducting effective surveys, testing product viability, and maintaining a collaborative approach with customers. Whether you're an established business or an entrepreneur just starting out, this episode offers actionable s...2024-02-2326 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 133 - The Airbnb of the Bridal Industry: PS Bridal RentalThe UK wedding industry is worth £14 billion and this weeks’ Guest is definitely having their slice of the pie. Revolutionizing the bridal industry with the “airbnb” of bridal rentals. I chat with co-founder Ella Gaskell about PS Bridal Rental, a rental and resale platform. Celebrity Stylist Ella partnered with Zoe Jervoise Graham to start the business after establishing during covid that there was a definite gap in the market for the idea We discuss about how the idea came to life and how networking and tech accelerator programmes helped the business...2024-02-1521 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 132 - What are Content Pillars and How to Use Them with Char DixonContent pillars - a term we often hear talked about in relation to social media and creating content but what are they? how many should you have? and how do you establish what they are, In this episode Nicole chats with Char Dixon ex head of marketing for Dune and New Look (to name a few ) and founder of loud mouth content. Chars’ aim is to reduce the overwhelm of content creation for small business owners The episode guides both new and existing businesses on reassessing scattered content and aligning it with both brand...2024-02-0828 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 131 - Why Bricks & Mortar Is Still Key To Brand Growth For Stork & Co Founder Sophie CafollaFrom running home on her lunch break to post orders to now owning a bricks and mortar store, a thriving online business and co-founding a ladies fashion brand. In this weeks episode of Start scale succeed (ep 131) I chat with Sophie Cafolla founder of stock & Co a stunning children’s lifestyle brand on how the brand has evolved over the years and why bricks and mortar is key to their growth. Sophie shares great insight and tips that will really help and inspire you in you business and on your journey. Listen to hear...2024-02-0132 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 130 - Building Successful Business PartnershipsIn this episode, we sit down with Nikki Coe, a branding expert and business coach specializing in working with co-founders. Nikki shares her insights on why 65% of high-potential businesses fail due to co-founder fallout and offers valuable advice on nurturing successful partnerships. From identifying tensions within the business to the importance of open communication, Nikki provides practical tips and real-life examples to help co-founders navigate the complexities of their relationships. www.nickicoe.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-coe https://www.nickicoe.com/7questions Host ...2024-01-2527 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 129 - Setting Goals for SuccessGoals aren’t just for January. In this workshop style episode host Nicole Higgins takes listeners through a comprehensive guide on setting strategic business goals for future success. Drawing from her extensive experience in corporate strategy and entrepreneurship, Nicole outlines the importance of setting goals and the actionable steps necessary to achieve them. Split into 3 parts Reflections, Review and Plan Reflection - Nicole encourages listeners to reflect on their experiences in 2023, both personally and professionally. - Listeners are prompted to think about what worked, what didn't work, and how they...2024-01-1922 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 128 - Resilience, Rebrand and ReinventionResilience, Rebrand and Reinvention. These are some of the topics I chat about with Ness, founder of the find boutique in this weeks podcast episode. The experience of rebranding, handling business setbacks, including a social media hack, which meant she lost all her followers and had to start from scratch. The strategy behind weekly drops, engaging customers through live sessions, and the shift to smaller, more profitable fashion events. Ness's learning curve in the industry, her focus on what works for marketing, and her thoughts on expanding to platforms like TikTok....2024-01-1229 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 127 - From Stylist to Founder: How & Why Judy Gilroy Started Clossy, a Home Organization BrandI’m often asked how long it takes to start a product business and the answer is how long is a piece of string as there are so many variables at play. These variables are something I discuss with TV fashion stylist turned Founder Judy Gilroy creator of home organisation brand @clossy who shares her journey of why after thinking about two other business previously she bit the bullet and started her own product business alongside a successful tv and styling career and family life. Some of the areas we chat about - The bir...2024-01-0423 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 126 - Building a Memorable Brand Through Experiential Marketing: Tips from Katie PeakeHands up if you remember the Barbie Launch extravaganza? I'd never seen anything like it and it made me look more at experiential marketing, what it was and how it works. Connecting with your consumers and creating a memorable experience is key to help building your brand. This week in the Start Scale Succeed podcast I dive more into that with my chat with Katie Peake founder of backlash creative THE agency for experiential marketing specialising in fashion & beauty pop ups and events. Katie shares the story and ideas behind her favourite po...2023-12-2841 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 125 - Starting An Ethical, Sustainable BrandIt's never too late to start your business. In this weeks episode of Start Scale Succeed, I chat with founder Karen Saul who started her ethical and sustainable brand brand Good Wash Day mid lockdown in her 50's. Good wash day is a organic cotton jersey towel ethically sourced to eliminate the frizz that standard towels can cause. Kind to all hair types. Karen shares about the twists and turns of her start up journey, the costs and research that went into the brand at the beginning: How her branding and investing in th...2023-12-2128 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 124 - Becoming a B-corpFrom Barrister to Beauty brand to B-Corp This weeks episode of the start scale succeed podcast we are chatting all about becoming a B-corp with This is silk founder Sonal Keay who during her legal career began a side hustle focused on the benefits of silk in skincare based on her own skincare needs and problems which then flourished and became her main focus and business Sonal shares her start up story and the initial research that went into the brand along with why she wanted to become a B-corp and takes us through that journey, explaining...2023-12-1430 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 123 - Leveraging your social media to make more sales with Sales expert Sara DalrympleDo you find selling easy? and are you using your socials to sell as much as you could. If you answered no to both of those questions then this episode is for you. Today's episode is a must-listen for every small business owner and entrepreneur looking for sustainable strategies to boost client engagement and sales without the burnout. Special guest Sara Dalrymple , a renowned sales trainer and mentor, who brings a treasure trove of practical advice from her new book 'More Sales, Please.' Dive into the heart of service-led selling, the power of storytelling, an...2023-12-0735 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 122 - When the big retailers copy your design - what's next? with Snoozeshade founder Cara SayerOne of the challenges that a small business can be faced with is when a larger retailer with bottomless pockets blatantly rips off your designs. This is one of the topics I'm talking to Cara the founder of snoozeshade on ep 122 of Start Scale Succeed. Cara Sayer, founder of Snooze Shade, shares her gripping journey of battling corporate giants and protecting her invention. With her blend of personal anecdotes and business acumen, Cara divulged how she dealt with a big retailer replicating her product in Aldi sparking her plight for IP rights and leading to extens...2023-11-3057 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 121 - Stopping the Scroll with your Content with Content Expert Georgia WilliamsIn this episode, host Nicole Higgins sits down with Georgia Williams, founder of Ray of Social and Canva Queen, to discuss how to create content that captures attention and stands out from the competition. Georgia shares valuable tips on finding your unique voice, showcasing confidence, outsourcing tasks, and creating a content plan with a purpose. Whether you're starting fresh or in need of a content refresh, this episode provides practical advice to help you elevate your content and stop the scroll. Key Points: - Defining your unique brand voice and identifying w...2023-11-2316 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 120 - Growing Your Brand As A Partnership with Donna May Clitheroe and Sarah Spence of Donna May LondonBuilding a business on your own can be tiring and overwhelming, as you have to wear many hats and juggle all the tasks. Experienced Make Up Artist Donna May Clitheroe founded Donna May London in 2017, creating embroidered make up bags. Rapid growth led Donna to partner with Sarah Spence, her website and brand designer. Together they have taken the business from strength to strength, expanding their customer base, introducing several new products and expanding more into wholesale Some of the key takeaways are: Partner with someone with complementary skills to grow your business organically. For example, D...2023-11-1637 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 119 - How Your Fitness Can Affect The Performance Of Your Business with Harvey FairburnHow can you boost your personal performance in business and life? Elevate yourself, and you will make better decisions, have more energy and more to give. Harvey Fairburn is the founder of Fairburn Fitness and a high-performance coach who specializes in helping business owners elevate their personal standards and improve their performance in their businesses. His passion for this work stems from his own personal journey, having experienced the detrimental effects of neglecting self-care and focusing solely on his business. Harvey shares the methods you can use to create a rich, fulfilling business and life.2023-11-0933 min
Start Scale SucceedEp116 - Shauna Corr Unlocking Your Potential: How EFT Tapping Can Help Business Owners ThriveIn this week’s episode we are diving into an alternative tool you can use to help you thrive in business, and manage stress. I’m joined by Shauna Corr, an EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) expert. EFT is a relatively new therapy, but it is quickly gaining popularity due to its simplicity, effectiveness, EFT combines Chinese acupuncture with modern talking therapy. Shauna helps people address their issues by tapping on certain parts of the body while discussing their concerns. Despite some initial skepticism surrounding this method, it has been scientifically proven to be effectiv...2023-10-1934 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 114 - How You Can Smash Your Q4 with Lucy HaslamWant to smash your Q4 in your product business without feeling drained come January! Lucy Haslam is the founder of children's lifestyle brand Acorn & Pip, a bricks and mortar store & cafe established in West Yorkshire with a thriving online presence. Established over 5 years ago with the customer, mindfulness and authenticity at its core. In this episode, Lucy shares her Q4 retail checklist so that you can make the most of the last quarter of the year and goes through her tips focusing on sales, logistics, operations and marketing. Lucy now also works with SME founders thro...2023-10-0543 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 113 - When You Should Rebrand Your Product BusinessIf you have been in business a few years now then you might be thinking should I rebrand? Or perhaps you started your brand on a shoe string and it doesn't really fit anymore with where you want to take the brand and your business. This weeks podcast episode with Aiza Cheung founder of Sudio Coya we chat about rebranding and signs that Your business may need a branding overhaul. Some of the areas we chatted about are How does branding play a role in attracting your target audience and positioning your products?2023-09-2826 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 112 - From Call Center to 7 Figure Entrepreneur Rebecca McCannTodays Guest Rebecca McCann Founder of Pro blo group and sleep london, her mantra is say yes and make it happen and grabs every opportunity. Rebecca was inspired by her love of a blow-dry and a broken hair brush. With a vision to create a product range that was luxury yet affordable, Currently, Problogroup is in its ninth year and has achieved global recognition, selling in over 850 different countries. Rebecca decided to venture into a new business and launched Sleep London. Drawing from her experiences with Problo , she implemented the lessons learned and saw tremendous gro...2023-09-2148 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 111 - Unleashing the Power of TikTok: Actionable Tips to Grow Your Account with The Creative HandleEimer Kelly from The Creative Handle, a social media marketing expert, will be sharing her insights on what's working on TikTok and how to make the most of the platform Some of the topics shared on this weeks episode are - Importance of authenticity on TikTok - The value of behind-the-scenes content on TikTok - How TikTok's less curated platform benefits small businesses - Adding value to TikTok content through humor or education - Using comments to engage with viewers and drive more eng...2023-08-2423 min
Start Scale SucceedEp110 - How Pip & Henry founder secured over £400K in Grant funding for their business.Financing your dream brand can sometimes feel like a mammoth task This weeks episode of start scale succeed I chat with Jeroo Doodhmal founder of a sustainable childrenswear footwear brand on how she secured over 400k of grant funding to develop her brand Pip and Henry. Jeroo shares her insights into where to find grants and how to apply, These are some of her top tips listen to episode 110 to find out more. Research and prioritize grants that align with your specific business needs and objectives. Different grants have different focuses and...2023-08-1718 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 88 - Tips For Your Pre Launch Content Strategy With Nicole GiordanoToday, host Nicole is joined by Nicole Giordano, founder of StartUp FASHION, an online community and business resource helping independent startup fashion designers around the world to take action, make progress, and reach their entrepreneurial goals. Nicole Giordano is on Start Scale Succeed this week to talk all about your pre-launch content strategy. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of Nicole Giordano’s top tips for your pre-launch strategy is to embrace the idea that you have to start the marketing process way before you have anything to sell. She sees people with their heads down in product development and...2023-03-1645 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 85 - Using Pinterest to Grow Your Product Business With Rachel WaringToday Nicole is joined by Rachel Waring, a creative consultant to talk all about Pinterest and how to make it work for you. Listen in for some really useful tips on what you can be doing differently on Pinterest, how the strategy differs from Instagrams, content repurposing, and most importantly how you can use it to grow your product business. KEY TAKEAWAYS The first place you should start when using Pinterest is knowing why people are there. Stop treating it like Instagram and start treating it like Google. It has social elements but is also a s...2023-02-2345 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 83 - From Lawyer to Co-Founder of Skincare Brand By Sarah LondonOn today's podcast Nicole is joined by one of the cofounders of By Sarah London, a UK based B Corp skincare brand that was founded by Sarah and today’s guest Lauren to help stressed and sensitive skins, an idea that was born on the back of Laurens cancer diagnosis and subsequent own personal skincare difficulties. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sarah first developed natural skincare to restore and repair her sister's sensitive, fragile skin when she was recovering from an aggressive form of leukaemia, with only a 20% chance of survival. After a life-saving stem cell transplant from Sarah, the...2023-02-0922 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 80 - Turning Browsers into Buyers on your Website with Elle WilliamsonThere's been a lot of doom and gloom about retail recently, and one of the most important things that you need to do is change your browsers into buyers. That’s what today’s guest Elle Williamson, the E-commerce assistant, is here to do. Elle joins Nicole on Start Scale Succeed to help you convert traffic into sales. KEY TAKEAWAYS Elle created the e-commerce assistant to help busy small business owners learn how to create great Shopify websites and use Klaviyo for their email marketing. She does that with a mix of training, one-to-one, consul...2023-01-1940 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 77 - From Designing for Dior to creating her own accessories brand Peelo, with brand founder Julie PeeloToday Nicole is joined by Julie Peelo, founder of the Irish contemporary bag and accessories line Peelo. Julie has worked with designers such as Dior, Marni and John Galliano, creating and overseeing their handbag divisions. In 2020 during the pandemic, she launched her own brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Julie left her good job in Ireland to move to Italy to pursue her dream. Without speaking a work of Italian, she rented a sofa to stay on and hit the streets to hand out her CV to all the top brands. She eventually found work with Marni with her o...2022-12-2835 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 76 - Creating a Brand With Joanna Kay And What You Need to KnowIn this week's episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole is joined by Joanna K, founder of JK Creative Company, which is a branding, marketing and digital company that helps you with your business. Joanna is here to give you advice on branding, creating a brand, and re-branding. KEY TAKEAWAYS When it comes to branding Joanna likes to take a big picture approach and work backwards to reverse engineer the brand. She asks her clients where they want to be in 5 or 10 years and keeps that goal in mind when branding. Questions you need to ask yourself ar...2022-12-2225 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 75 – A Lesson in Resilience & Determination - From Bankruptcy to Successful Coach with Charlotte PridmoreToday Nicole is joined by Charlotte Pridmore, life coach, NLP practitioner and timeline therapy practitioner. They’re going to be covering a variety of topics from money, mindset, success, bankruptcy, and future goals. Listen in to Start Scale Succeed to hear Charlotte's story of going from bankruptcy to being a successful coach, a real lesson in resilience and determination. KEY TAKEAWAYS Charlotte had been in London for 10 years working in corporate, had a relationship, and had bought a house. Life was set until she left her partner six months after having their first child. She suddenly we...2022-12-1558 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 74 – Starting Your Own Business in Your 40s with Jewellery Founder Emma Brankin of Bauble MagpieIf 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 as being far less talented and able than her were b...2022-12-0842 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 70 - Creating a Footwear Brand With Designer and Brand Mentor Lydia Howard of Footwear Design InsightToday 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 have a factory and wants to make the mos...2022-11-1028 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 57 – What Numbers do You Need to Know in Your Retail Business With Sarah from Flourish RetailAre 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 sales, which includes returns. Returns are an important number for...2022-08-1131 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 47– From Start Up to Selfridges With Childrenswear Brand Etta LovesToday 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 in what babies find visually interesting. The first piece of outsourcing Jen did...2022-06-0235 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 40 - Starting a Lean Fashion Business With Leigh UnwinTrue testament to starting a lean fashion business is Leigh Unwin, founder of The Style Attic which as the name suggests, did actually start in her attic in 2015 to fit around the needs of her family. This Start Scale Succeed episode is a recording of an Instagram live Nicole did with Leigh. Some of the topics discussed are: Starting a business around the needs of a family. Juggling a side hustle, full time job and family. Running the business through word of mouth and Facebook in the early days. Overcoming obstacles. And engaging customers through being authentic, honest and...2022-04-1427 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 27 - How to be Sustainable in Your Design Process With Lottie WoodsFashion Designer and Creative Consultant Lottie Woods joins Nicole on this week’s Start Scale Succeed to discuss what to ask a designer when deciding which designer to work with. What a designer will need from you. Find out about the most common mistakes people make when starting out. How to be sustainable in your design process and thinking about sustainability throughout the whole process and at the end of a garment's life. KEY TAKEAWAYS When you’re thinking of starting a clothing brand, you should have your brand vision ready before speaking to a desig...2022-01-1334 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 26 - Starting small and testing the market with Jane Aspel founder of jewellery brand emma by janeFrom Dragon’s Den to her own start up. Jewellery designer Jane Aspel from ‘Emma By Jane’ joins Nicole on Start Scale Succeed to talk about sourcing and funding, and starting a business. Some of the topics covered are investment, exporting, the creative process, and so much more. Find out about small testing the market and then going for it. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jane forgot about accounting for customs fees when she made her first jewellery order so was left having to change her pricing plans. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from...2022-01-0630 min
Start Scale SucceedEp 25 - Building a business, investment & wholesale with Dragons Den Hannah Saunders founder of children swear skincare brand toddleHannah Saunders has gone from the RAF to starting her own children’s skin care brand ‘Toddle’, and recently receiving funding from Steven Bartlett & Deborah Meadon . After finding that there wasn’t anything on the market suitable for under 3 with chapped lips, she decided to start her own business to solve that problem. Hannah joins Nicole on this week’s Start Scale Succeed to tell not just her business journey, but her personal journey too. KEY TAKEAWAYS Hannah took the transferable skills she learned in the RAF such as project management and the confidence to undertak...2021-12-3027 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 23 – Holding on to Your Vision & Trusting Your Instinct with Emmy Pugh from Sunday & SoulToday's podcast episode is a recording of an Instagram live with Emmy from Sunday and Soul who are a casual wear brand Inspired by sunny places, with comfort, joy, and confidence at its heart. Join Emmy and host Nicole as they chat about how Emmy went from a marketing career to establishing her own successful fashion brand during a pandemic, the highs and the lows and tips for those wanting to follow in her footsteps. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emmy's biggest piece of advice is that you will make mistakes but you’ll learn quickly and mov...2021-12-1638 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 11 - How and Why to Differentiate Your Product - Speaking with Anna Frapwell, founder of Neon DigitalIn this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Anna Frapwell, founder of Neon Digital. Find out all about Facebook ads, and what you need to have in place as a product business before you even think about spending money on advertising. KEY TAKEAWAYS Anna asks her potential clients some key questions before working with them. Have you got a product that is proven? Does it sell in some way without marketing? Are you active on your social media channels? Do you know who your audience is, and why do they need y...2021-09-2334 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 10 - Claire Winter – Why Storytelling is so Important to use in your PR and Content AudioIn this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Claire Winter, a trainer, coach and host of the Cracking Content podcast. Claire helps coaches, creatives, and product-based businesses to amplify their message through storytelling, content and PR, so they can make a bigger impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Stories are twenty-two times more memorable than facts. And sixty-two percent of conversations involve stories. It’s the way we communicate as people so you should use it in your content. The best storytellers use the structure of Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero’s Journey’. Storytelling engages your audienc...2021-09-1624 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 9 - Laura Nolan Horgan – Business, Family, Life & ResilienceIn this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Laura Nolan Horgan founder of interiors and lifestyle business LNH Edit. Hear all about how Laura went from having life changing surgery to putting herself and her family first, all while setting up her own business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Nicole thought she had hit a wall when the tabletop design scene blew up just as she was getting into it. She had her fabrics and designs all ready but felt that she had missed the boat. It was only when she posted about it on Instagram...2021-09-0938 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 8 - Top 5 Mistakes Online Businesses Make and How To Avoid Them - with Jason NelsonIn this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole is joined by Jason Nelson, digital retail expert and holistic e-commerce consultant. This is a must listen for anyone with an online retail store. Find out how to grow your online sales, optimise SEO, and create a better customer experience on your website. KEY TAKEAWAYS Only ten percent of small businesses succeed within their first year. Make sure you choose the right platform. Squarespace or Wordpress are great but require fine tuning and every time you grow, you’ll have to spend time configuring your website to adapt to...2021-09-0245 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 7 - Laura Briggs, founder of petite brand, The Shortlist, on how to pre-launchIn the episode this week, Nicole is joined by Laura Briggs founder of petite clothing wear brand The shortlist. This is a recording of an Instagram live where Laura talked about leaving her recruitment business and starting a new British made clothing brand. Find out about UK manufacture, the high of going viral early on and lows having to change designers half way through the collection. KEY TAKEAWAYS Laura’s advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business is to decide where you want to get to, decide how you’re going to get there, and...2021-08-2627 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 5 - From House of Fraser to The Apprentice House - with Pamela LairdIn this episode, Nicole is in discussion with Pamela Laird, Beauty Entrepreneur and Previous UK Apprentice candidate. Pamela Tells us about how she went from working in a salon as a teenager to creating her own beauty brand Moxi Loves. Learn about why her bestselling product had to be discontinued and how Pamela ended up in Lord Sugar’s boardroom. She talks about Her vision for waterless beauty and what personal & professional success look like to her. KEY TAKEAWAYS Launching a bespoke product requires a large order from manufacturers as opposed to the...2021-08-1227 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 4 - Get Yourself And Your Product Business Ready For ChristmasIn the summer, thoughts often turn to holidays and warm evenings, but could now be the perfect time to consider your Christmas strategy? In this episode, Nicole talks about why you should be thinking about your Christmas goals, and how best to prepare yourself, and your product business so as to make the most of the busiest shopping period of the year... KEY TAKEAWAYS On average, sales from December tend to make up around 30% of most business's revenue - more if you sell seasonal items. Think about last year's best-selling items and consider whether...2021-08-0510 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 3 - Building A Kids Lifestyle Brand And Taking The Leap - with Lucy HaslamIn this episode, Nicole is in discussion with Lucy Haslam, founder of children’s-wear retailer, Acorn and Pip, who are celebrating five years in business. Lucy discusses the ways in which she took her business from a market stall in Manchester while working as a teacher, to going full-time with the business and taking operations online in 2020. Lucy also talks about the way her brand has evolved, along with practical advice on the steps she has taken to create the brand that Acorn and Pip is today. KEY TAKEAWAYS Making the leap between employment an...2021-07-2945 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 2 - Insight From EntrepreneursIn this episode, Nicole offers some of the most valuable insights she’s gained from her own journey in business, as well as from those in the top tier of the business world. It’s a practical, insightful guide through some of the finest business wisdom out there, including what to do when you hit a slow period, the importance of preparation, and why you should take action as soon as possible! KEY TAKEAWAYS Always do your research! Making sure you’re prepared from the outset can save you time and money, as well as maximise your p...2021-07-2911 min
Start Scale SucceedEpisode 1 - Creating A Subscription Model Empire - with Moira FullerIn this episode, Nicole talks to Moira Fuller, founder of Craftiosity, a specialist in helping people to establish and grow their subscription box business, and the author of ‘The £100k Subscription Box Masterclass’. Moira talks about how she grew her business from the kitchen table to a six-figure concern, why you should always follow your instincts when it comes to business, and the secrets behind how to build a successful subscription model for your business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes it takes trial and error to find our place in the business world. Never assume that you c...2021-07-2939 min
Start Scale SucceedStart, Scale and Succeed Your Retail Business with Nicole HigginsWant to start, scale and succeed in your product business? This weekly business podcast is here to empower you to do just that by providing you with inspiration, motivation and insight from entrepreneurs and experts to help you in the retail industry. This podcast includes tips, tactics and conversations that you can learn from and implement into your own business - from start-up entrepreneurs that have just launched, to multi million pound businesses. With tips from experts and how to’s to help your business grow to enable you to live the life you crave. From side hus...2021-07-2902 min