From indulgent desserts to gut-friendly yoghurts, James Averdick has launched some of the UK’s most loved food brands — including GU, Coconut Collaborative, and now Spooners!

In this episode, we dive into…

→ James’ journey of founding multiple successful food businesses→ His thoughts on brand-building in the FMCG world→ What it takes to create products that truly connect with people

He shares lessons from growing GU into a premium dessert powerhouse, navigating sustainability with Coconut Collaborative, and why Spooners might just be his boldest move yet.

Whether you’re building a CPG brand, curious about the food startup space, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at launching hit products — this one’s packed with insight!

James Averdieck, Founder of GU, Coconut Collaborative, and Spooners

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jim_averdieck/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-averdieck-333b45b5/

Follow Zoe Fox

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/

What does it take to shake up the premium drinks industry?

Raissa de Haas, co-founder of Double Dutch Drinks, shares how she and her twin sister, Joyce de Haas, built a brand that’s redefining mixers with bold flavors and innovation.

In this episode, we dive into…

→ The journey of launching Double Dutch,

→ Challenges of scaling in a competitive market, and

→ Strategies behind building a strong brand.

Plus, we explore innovation in the drinks industry and what’s next for premium mixers.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, the drinks industry, or building a standout brand, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Raissa de Haas, Co-Founder of Double Dutch Drinks

Instagram:

LinkedIn:

Double Dutch Drinks

Website:

Follow Zoe Fox

YouTube: /gettingtogro

LinkedIn: /zoe-fox-377033b0

How do you take a brand from startup to industry leader?

Vince Lawson, CMO of Biotiful Gut Health, shares how he’s pioneering Biotiful Gut Health and making gut health more accessible to everyone.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of…

→ Launching and marketing health-focused brands
→ The science behind Kefir and natural probiotics
→ Strategies for building brand loyalty in competitive markets.

Plus, we explore the future of dairy, plant-based alternatives, and clean-label products.Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or health enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on branding, scaling, and the future of wellness.

Zoe Fox
 YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrowpodcast]
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/]

Vince Lawson, CMO of Biotiful Gut Health
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-lawson-015a93b/]Biotiful Gut Health
Website: [https://biotifulguthealth.com/]

In this episode, we dive into the journey of building Grubby, the challenges of scaling a food subscription business, and the unexpected pivots along the way. From dealing with the name controversy to navigating the complexities of forecasting, I share insights into what it really takes to grow a direct-to-consumer brand in the food industry.

Cafe Pod, a UK-based coffee company, was co-founded by Peter Grainger and his colleagues in 2011. Grainger's inspiration for the company came during a trip to Cape Town, where he recognized the cultural significance of coffee and the potential for high-quality coffee pods in the UK market. He, along with two friends from his previous job, identified a gap for Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules, leading to the establishment of Cafe Pod to offer a better coffee experience at home.

In this episode, Juliet Barrat, co-founder of Grenade, shares the incredible journey of turning a bold idea into a game-changing name in sports nutrition. From their early vision of being the “Red Bull of Sports Nutrition” to navigating tough moments like having just £27 in the bank, Juliet gives a behind-the-scenes look at the determination, creativity, and grit it takes to succeed. She talks about the importance of timing, the power of standout packaging, and how delivering a phenomenal product built Grenade’s reputation as a leader in the industry.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a fan of success stories, or someone curious about what sets challenger brands apart, this episode is packed with insights. Juliet discusses why they avoided protein bars initially, how their unique grenade-shaped container became a symbol of innovation, and the role of gut instinct in decision-making. With stories of experimenting with products on military friends and landing unexpected shelf placements in major retailers, it's a fascinating conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons of building a business that disrupted an entire market.

Zoe Fox:

https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/

Sponsored by:

- Sam Lawrence Recruitment: Personalized recruitment solutions for finding the right opportunities and team members.

- We Are All Marketing: Results-driven marketing and storytelling strategies to help businesses grow.

- The Coconut Collaborative: Delicious plant-based, dairy-free treats, including creamy yogurts and indulgent desserts.

In this episode I talk to Will & Abbie Sandbach of Amie Wines! We dive into the biggest challenges of juggling time while running a business. From managing production mishaps to balancing an e-commerce store, marketing, events, and creating new product ranges—it’s a wild ride! 🏃‍♂️💼

Zoe Fox:

Join us for an insightful discussion on scaling your brand from $5 to 50 Million with some amazing industry leaders. Featuring success stories from:

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of branding and marketing with Mark Allen, the founder of Lunchbox and the man behind the "Getting to Grow" branding. We cover a lot of exciting topics in this mini-pod!

- The difference between brand strategy and brand identity

- Mistakes brand owners often make and how to avoid them

- The importance of building a community for a brand, and when it's not the best focus

- The differences between B2C and B2B branding, and where the biggest opportunities lie

- Mark's dream brand to work on and the excitement around brand revivals

Timestamps:

00:55 - The man behind Getting To Grow

03:56 - Mark's origin story

09:02 - Brand Strategy vs Brand Identity

11:06 - Balancing Brand Marketing vs Performance Marketing

13:00 - Mistakes brand owners make

14:26 - How important is a community for a brand?

15:59 - Why run clubs are popping up everywhere?

17:20 - Do some industries need to focus on brand more than others?

18:42 - Dream brand Mark would like to work with?

This insightful conversation covered a wide range of branding and marketing concepts, providing valuable insights for businesses of all sizes looking to stand out and connect with their audience.

Find Mark on socials:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-allen-a4a3249a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markallennn/

Looking for branding work, reach out to his agency Lunchbox!

Lunchbox: https://www.lunchboxbranding.com

Keep up to date with my shenanigans and live events (there's one every month!!): https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/

I post about marketing weekly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/

Until next time!

-zf