What does it really take to scale an FMCG brand in today’s landscape, where retail is crowded, attention is fragmented, and growth can disappear as quickly as it arrives?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Charlie Knight, founder of Plugin Brands and co-founder of Diving Agency, to explore what modern brand building actually looks like behind the scenes. From helping take startup brands from inception to retail in under 18 months, to generating £1M in three months through TikTok Shop, Charlie shares the commercial realities of scaling in 2026.This conversation goes beyond surface-level growth stories and into the strategic decisions that determine whether a brand sustains momentum or gets delisted. From omnichannel thinking and TikTok Shop as the “new QVC,” to why so many founders scale too fast, this episode unpacks the tension between speed and sustainability.Charlie opens up about:• Building brands from zero to £1M+ and what that really requires• Why TikTok Shop is reshaping retail and direct-to-consumer growth• The dangers of entering major supermarkets too early• What sustainable rate of sale really means• Turning down clients when ROI doesn’t make sense• Giving founders tough feedback on product, pricing, and positioning• Why clarity of brand identity matters more than ever• The importance of going slow in order to scale properlyIf you’re a founder, brand builder, or commercial leader navigating FMCG in 2026, this episode offers a grounded, strategic look at how to grow with intention — and why lasting success isn’t built on hype, but on foundations that can withstand scale.Zoe Fox (Host):https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Charlie Knight:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmcgexpert/

What does it really take to build a brewery from scratch when you have no industry experience, no roadmap, and no safety net?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Louise Avery, founder of LA Brewery, to explore the deeply human story behind one of the UK’s most distinctive non-alcoholic drinks brands. From fermenting drinks at home and delivering bottles by bike to building a full-scale brewery and landing major retail partnerships, Louise shares what it truly means to follow intuition and build something before you feel ready.This conversation traces the journey from leaving a conventional career and returning to her roots, through years of experimentation, financial uncertainty, and self-doubt, to creating a brand grounded in craft, creativity, and purpose. It is an honest look at what happens when passion, persistence, and curiosity lead the way, even when the path is unclear.Louise opens up about:• Starting with no brewing experience and learning everything by doing• Building LA Brewery through experimentation, fermentation, and instinct• Delivering early products herself and growing without external validation• Overcoming impostor syndrome while pitching, scaling, and raising investment• Why naivety can be a hidden strength in the early stages of building a brand• Balancing creativity with commercial reality as the business grows• Staying true to values in an increasingly competitive and saturated market• Redefining success beyond speed, scale, and perfectionIf you are curious about how brands are really built behind the scenes, what resilience looks like when things are uncertain, or how trusting your instincts can shape a business with depth and integrity, this episode offers a powerful reminder that meaningful brands are rarely built by following a perfect plan, but by showing up, learning fast, and staying committed to the journey.Zoe Fox (Host):https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/LA Brewery:https://www.instagram.com/labrewery/https://labrewery.co.uk/

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 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/