This episode wraps up our 'Startup to Standout' mini-series, presented in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this final episode, Jake joins Thomas and Gemma, the passionate duo behind ‘L'Hexagone Bistro Français’, a charming restaurant that celebrates the rich flavours of French cuisine right in the heart of Norwich. 

The couple chat about the journey that led them to open their doors in Norwich, from their love of French cuisine to the excitement and nerves of launching their own restaurant. They open up about the inspiration behind their brand and the courage it took to break into the restaurant scene together. They also discuss balancing the demands of parenting with running a bustling restaurant, along with the tough times they faced, especially when COVID-19 hit just as they were getting started. Thomas and Gemma share the valuable lessons they’ve learned, from weathering setbacks to finding the resilience to keep going, encouraging anyone with a business idea to take the leap if their vision is clear. 

Lloyds Bank is here to help businesses like L'Hexagone thrive. With guidance, funding, and personalised support, they empower entrepreneurs to take that leap, whether it's opening a new location or just starting out.

Jake is also joined by Elyn Corfield, CEO of Business and Commercial Banking at Lloyds, to reflect on the conversations he has had during this series and discuss the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in today’s business landscape. Elyn also talks about some of the initiatives Lloyds Bank offers to support founders through those challenging early years of business.

Watch this full episode on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvhbizyLiq0&t=1s

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This episode is part of our ‘Startup to Standout’ mini-series, brought to you in partnership with Lloyds Bank.

In this episode, Jake speaks with Rose Ovensehi, the founder of Flora & Curl, a natural hair care brand that focuses on plant-powered products for textured hair. They dive into the passion that drove Rose to create the business, sharing insights on cultivating a strong company culture, even in a remote work environment and ways to build long-term trust with customers.

Rose opens up about the inspiration behind Flora & Curl, the importance of pursuing what you love, and how she built trust with her customers.She shares tips on building a welcoming culture, maintaining personal connections during the pandemic, and the natural ingredients that set her products apart. Rose also offers practical advice for anyone looking to start their own business.

Lloyds Bank is helping businesses like Flora & Curl thrive, providing support and guidance on starting, managing, and growing a business.

Watch this full episode on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpanxkvJFws&t=20s

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This episode is part of our ‘Startup to Standout’ mini-series, brought to you in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this episode, Jake connects with entrepreneurs at Translate Culture, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow through innovative branding and cultural strategy. Together, they dive into the realities of running a business and share key lessons that can help startups navigate the challenging early stages of entrepreneurship.

Jake speaks with Mas Manima, founder of Translate Culture, who shares the inspiring story of how the company came to be. Mas opens up about the challenges of the early days, collaborating with entrepreneurs, and his mission to establish a value-driven organisation. Jake also chats with Translate Culture's team members, gaining insights into their roles, the sacrifices made, and the significance of taking risks to achieve success. They further discuss the importance of work relationships and the need to maintain strong company values.

Lloyds Bank offers the support and guidance needed to help entrepreneurs thrive. Whether you're just starting or scaling your business, Lloyds is committed to being a reliable partner in every way.

Watch this full episode on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLE-atPv04Q&t=8s

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Introducing the ‘Startup to Standout’ mini-series, brought to you in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this episode, Jake connects with business experts at Notpla to dig into the realities of entrepreneurship. Notpla is a cutting-edge company known for creating sustainable packaging solutions using seaweed, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

Notpla co-founder Pierre-Yves Paslier discusses with Jake the inspiration behind their seaweed-based products, showing how they benefit the environment. He shares insights into the challenges of the early years of building the business and what it was like during the initial phases. Jake also chats with Karlijn Sibbel about Notpla's innovative approach and their next big goal: tackling packaging problems with new water barrier technologies. Karlijn also offers valuable advice on fostering innovation in business and prioritising creative thinking.

Lloyds Bank’s purpose is to empower businesses with comprehensive support and guidance for starting, growing, and building a successful business. With their extensive expertise, Lloyds Bank is well-equipped to guide you on your business journey.

Watch this full episode on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFdJRiE6KA&t=35s

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.