Can an angel investor really know which startups will succeed? What does it actually take to raise money, build a great founder-investor relationship, and turn an early-stage business into something huge?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Nick Green, FMCG angel investor and former operator at companies including Deliveroo and Weezy, to discuss what it really takes to build, fund and scale a successful business.After starting out as an operator, Nick gradually began investing in early-stage startups, eventually backing over 100 companies and helping raise money for more than 120 businesses. His portfolio includes brands across FMCG, technology and consumer, giving him a unique perspective from both sides of the investment table.In this conversation, Nick shares the realities of angel investing, what investors actually look for in founders, how to create a pitch that stands out, why fundraising is ultimately a sales process, and the red flags that can make an investor walk away from a deal.He also discusses startup valuations, choosing the right investors, why a smaller investor can sometimes bring more value than a larger cheque, how founders should approach fundraising, and why overly confident financial forecasts can be a massive turnoff for investors.Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, investor or simply fascinated by startups and consumer brands, this episode is packed with practical lessons on fundraising, pitching, investing and building businesses that can scale.In this episode:How Nick Green went from startup operator to angel investorWhat it's like to back over 100 startupsHow Nick evaluates founders and investment opportunitiesWhat makes a founder genuinely investableThe three things investors look at in a pitch deckHow to build a deck that actually gets attentionWhy fundraising is ultimately a sales processHow founders should approach their fundraising strategyWhy the wrong investor can be dangerous for your businessHow to identify investor and founder red flagsWhy a smaller investor can sometimes be more valuable than a larger chequeHow early-stage startups should think about valuationWhy overvaluing your business can make you uninvestableThe importance of founder-investor relationshipsHow to leverage your investors' networksWhy eight-year financial forecasts can be a massive turnoffWhat founders should prepare before starting a funding roundHow to create momentum during a fundraiseLessons from investing in successful consumer brandsWhat makes a startup worth betting onIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, startups, angel investing, FMCG, consumer brands, branding, marketing, sales, fundraising, venture capital, investment or business growth, you'll enjoy this conversation.Follow Zoe FoxInstagram: Getting to Grow on InstagramLinkedIn: Zoe Fox on LinkedIn

Can a challenger brand reinvent rum? What does it really take to build a premium consumer brand in one of the world's biggest but most overlooked spirit categories?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with George Frost, founder of The Duppy Share, to discuss how he built one of the UK's fastest-growing independent rum brands by combining Caribbean heritage, exceptional product quality and world-class branding.After discovering the legendary story of "The Duppy Share" while travelling in Jamaica, George realised the rum category lacked a modern, exciting brand that reflected the vibrant culture behind the spirit. What began as an unexpected opportunity became The Duppy Share—a premium rum brand challenging industry giants through storytelling, design and relentless execution.In this conversation, George shares the realities of building a challenger drinks brand, raising investment, growing internationally, creating a distinctive brand identity, winning retail and hospitality partnerships, and why consistency is one of the most underrated advantages in business.Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, investor or simply fascinated by consumer brands, this episode is packed with practical lessons on branding, sales and building a business that lasts.**In this episode:*** How George Frost founded The Duppy Share* Building one of the UK's fastest-growing independent rum brands* Turning Caribbean folklore into a global brand* Why branding matters more than ever* Finding product-market fit in a mature industry* Building a premium consumer brand from scratch* The importance of storytelling in brand building* Raising investment and scaling a challenger business* Winning retail, hospitality and global distribution* Lessons from launching too early and learning the hard way* Why consistency beats constant change* Hunters vs farmers: mastering sales and partnerships* Building a business with the right people* Why saying "no" is often the biggest growth strategy* The future of premium rum and challenger consumer brandsIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, startups, branding, consumer products, FMCG, food & beverage, spirits, marketing, sales, fundraising, retail, DTC, hospitality or business growth, you'll enjoy this conversation.Follow Zoe FoxInstagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/](https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/)LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/)The Duppy Share:https://www.instagram.com/theduppyshare/https://www.theduppyshare.com/

Can underwear impact women's health? How do you build a disruptive DTC brand in one of the world's most overlooked product categories?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Oria & Amelie, co-founders of Underdays, to discuss how they built one of the UK's fastest-growing women's wellness brands by reinventing women's underwear.After meeting while working in the fashion industry, Oria & Amelie realised there was a huge gap in the market. While consumers were becoming increasingly conscious about clean beauty, wellness, skincare and activewear, almost nobody was talking about women's underwear or its role in women's health.What started as an idea shared over coffee became Underdays—a health-first underwear brand focused on comfort, intimate health, sustainable materials and building an authentic community.In this conversation, they share the reality of launching a startup during COVID-19, building a consumer brand from scratch, scaling an eCommerce business, creating a loyal customer base through influencer marketing, and growing a purpose-driven company in the competitive fashion and wellness industry.Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, startup operator, investor or simply interested in women's health and consumer brands, this episode is packed with practical lessons on building a modern business.In this episode:How Oria & Amelie founded UnderdaysBuilding one of the UK's fastest-growing women's wellness brandsWhy women's underwear deserves more attention in women's healthThe gap between fashion, wellness and intimate healthLaunching a startup during the COVID-19 pandemicBuilding a DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brand from scratchProduct development and creating health-first underwearWhy authenticity beats traditional influencer marketingHow micro-influencers outperform celebrity influencersGrowing through community, UGC and social mediaRaising investment and managing startup cash flowScaling a consumer product business profitablyRetail expansion and growing beyond eCommerceWhy purpose-driven brands win long termEntrepreneurship, resilience and lessons from building a startupThe future of women's wellness and health-first fashionIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, startups, consumer brands, DTC, eCommerce, influencer marketing, women founders, FMCG, fashion, wellness, women's health, branding, marketing, fundraising or business growth, you'll enjoy this conversation.Follow Zoe FoxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Underdays:https://www.instagram.com/theunderdays/https://theunderdays.com/

How do two reality TV stars build one of the UK's fastest-growing beer brands?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Harvey Armstrong and Sam Holmes, co-founders of Primetime Beer, to explore the realities of building a challenger drinks brand and the lessons they've learned scaling from an idea shared between friends to national supermarket shelves.Most people know Harvey and Sam from Made in Chelsea, but behind the TV appearances is a business that has secured listings in Tesco, Waitrose, M&S, Whole Foods and is now preparing to expand into the United States.Harvey and Sam share how a chance friendship turned into a business partnership, why they decided to reinvent beer for a more health-conscious generation, and what it really takes to build a consumer brand in one of the most competitive industries in the world.The conversation dives into product development, fundraising, retail expansion, brand building, founder relationships, startup resilience, and the realities of scaling a physical product business.Harvey and Sam open up about:• How a chance meeting led to the creation of Primetime Beer• Transitioning from Made in Chelsea into entrepreneurship• Why they wanted to build a healthier beer without compromising on taste• Spending over two years perfecting their first product• The realities of raising investment for a consumer brand• Why building a drinks business requires millions before becoming profitable• Securing retail listings in Waitrose, Tesco, M&S and Whole Foods• Expanding Primetime across pubs, festivals and major sporting venues• The importance of choosing strategic investors over simply raising capital• How complementary founder skill sets helped them scale the business• The terrifying moment their brewery went into administration before a major festival• Dealing with rejection, pressure and public perception as reality TV personalities• Building a founder-led brand through community and authenticity• Why saying no became one of the most valuable lessons in growing the business• The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship• Preparing to launch Primetime into the US market• The long-term vision for becoming the UK's leading better-for-you beer brandIf you're a founder, entrepreneur, consumer brand operator, marketer, investor, or someone interested in FMCG, retail, food & beverage, startup growth, fundraising, or building a business from scratch, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to create and scale a modern challenger brand.Zoe FoxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Prime Timehttps://www.instagram.com/primetimesessions/https://primetimebeers.com/

What does it really take to turn a homemade recipe into a nationally stocked food brand?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Giulia Berretti, founder of Sunny & Luna, to explore the realities of building a challenger food brand from scratch and the lessons she learned scaling from a kitchen experiment to supermarket shelves.Growing up in Italy, Giulia was surrounded by a culture that celebrated food. But after working in the fashion industry in New York and London, she experienced first-hand the negative attitudes towards carbs and traditional foods. During COVID, she combined her love of pasta and vegetables to create a product that could deliver real nutrition without sacrificing taste.Giulia shares how she went from making cauliflower gnocchi in her kitchen to pitching manufacturers across Italy, overcoming rejection, securing retail listings, and building a profitable food business in one of the UK's most competitive categories.The conversation dives into product development, manufacturing, retail expansion, startup funding, founder mindset, and the realities of scaling a physical product business.Giulia opens up about:• Why the fashion industry's relationship with food inspired Sunny & Luna• Creating a vegetable-packed pasta product during COVID• The challenges of turning a homemade recipe into a scalable product• Finding manufacturers and pitching an unproven idea• Why most founders spend too much time perfecting products• The importance of protecting margins from day one• Building partnerships with manufacturers and retailers• Launching in Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Selfridges, Ocado, and Sainsbury's• Why focus is one of the most important skills for founders• Managing rejection and uncertainty while growing a business• The differences between startup culture in Italy and the UK• Raising investment through friends, family, and angel investors• Becoming profitable while continuing to grow the brand• The challenges of hiring and building a small team• Why sampling remains one of the most effective marketing tools• The emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship• Learning when to say no to opportunities• Scaling a food brand without compromising product quality• What the future holds for Sunny & LunaIf you're a founder, entrepreneur, food brand operator, marketer, investor, or someone interested in FMCG, retail, consumer products, startup growth, or building a business from scratch, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to create a successful brand in a competitive market.Zoe Fox:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Sunny & Luna:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyandlunaeats/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunnyandluna/?originalSubdomain=uk

What happens when one of the world’s healthiest foods is trapped inside a broken system that’s pushing farmers out of business?For thousands of years, extra virgin olive oil has been a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its flavour, health benefits, and cultural significance. Yet behind every bottle sits a farming industry facing climate pressure, shrinking margins, labour shortages, and a generation of farmers being told to leave the profession entirely.In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Sarah Vachon, founder of Citizens of Soil, to explore the realities of the modern olive oil industry and how she's building a premium food brand designed to reward quality, sustainability, and the farmers behind it.Sarah shares how a career in sustainability led her to uncover major issues within agricultural supply chains, why she started paying olive growers significantly more than commodity prices, and how Citizens of Soil grew from supporting close family friends in Greece to becoming a premium olive oil brand stocked by Waitrose and loved by customers across the UK.The conversation dives into the economics of food production, the future of farming, climate challenges, startup growth, consumer education, and what really separates premium extra virgin olive oil from the products most people buy at the supermarket.Sarah opens up about:• Why farmers across the Mediterranean are leaving farming• The hidden problems inside the olive oil supply chain• Paying growers more than commodity market prices• What makes extra virgin olive oil different from regular olive oil• The health benefits of high-quality olive oil• Why the Mediterranean diet continues to outperform food trends• Climate change and its impact on farming communities• Building a premium brand in a commodity market• How Waitrose became a turning point for the business• The cash flow realities of scaling a physical product company• Why pricing too low can destroy a startup• The challenge of balancing sustainability and profitability• The emotional reality of working directly with small farmers• The business mistake that forced Citizens of Soil to fundraise• Losing an entire year's olive oil harvest due to a bottling error• The future of regenerative farming and food production• Expanding a purpose-driven brand into international marketsIf you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, food lover, investor, or someone interested in sustainability, consumer brands, agriculture, health, or the future of food systems, this episode offers a fascinating look into the challenges and opportunities behind one of the world's oldest industries.Zoe Fox:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/Citizens of Soil:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizensofsoil/Sarah Fulton Vachon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfulton/

What happens when an entire generation starts drinking less alcohol—but still wants the ritual, taste, and social experience of wine? For decades, the drinks industry has operated in extremes: full-strength alcohol on one side, alcohol-free alternatives on the other. But what if the real opportunity sits in the middle?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Gabriella Lamb, co-founder of 6% Wine, to unpack the rise of mid-strength alcohol and why she believes the future of drinking isn’t “all or nothing.” From risking their savings on 10,000 bottles to building a completely new category inside one of the world’s oldest industries, this conversation breaks down the reality of launching a consumer product in a market dominated by legacy wine brands and changing consumer habits.Gabriella shares how a simple date-night realization with her husband turned into a fast-growing startup, why most alcohol-free wines failed to hit the spot for her, and how they spent over two years experimenting across Europe to create a wine that still tastes premium—with half the alcohol.The conversation dives into the psychology behind moderation culture, the business mechanics of building a physical product brand, and why consumer behaviour around alcohol is changing faster than most companies realise.Gabriella opens up about:• Why 76% of consumers are moderating alcohol intake• The massive gap between full-strength wine and alcohol-free wine• Creating a completely new “mid-strength” wine category• Spending over two years developing the perfect flavour profile• Why wine producers initially thought the idea was crazy• Risking personal savings and ordering 10,000 bottles upfront• The reality of fundraising in today’s startup market• Why distribution matters more than having a great product• The future of moderation culture and “zebra striping”• Why younger consumers are changing the alcohol industry• The challenge of educating customers on mid-strength wine• Why perception is the biggest barrier in the wine industry• Building a premium consumer brand from scratch• The emotional reality of being a founder every single day• Why mid-strength alcohol could become the next major drinks movementIf you’re a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or someone interested in consumer psychology, startup growth, branding, or the future of modern drinking culture, this episode gives a raw look into what it really takes to build a disruptive product inside a traditional industry.Zoe Fox:Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/](https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/)LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/)6% Wine:Website: [https://6percent.wine/](https://6percent.wine/)Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/6percent.wine/](https://www.instagram.com/6percent.wine/)

What does it really take to build a premium consumer brand in one of the most crowded and competitive industries in the world? In a category dominated by legacy players, aggressive pricing, and massive distribution networks, most new brands never survive long enough to matter. But what happens when two brothers decide to challenge the drinks industry anyway—with no experience, no roadmap, and no understanding of how difficult distribution really is?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Louise and Bruce, founders of Sly Dog Rum, to unpack the brutal reality of building a premium drinks brand from scratch. From launching during lockdown while everything was shut, to spending over a year fighting for their first wholesaler listing, this conversation dives deep into the gap between creating a great product and actually getting people to buy it.The founders break down why product quality alone means nothing without sales, distribution, and relentless persistence—and why so many founders underestimate what it really takes to scale a physical consumer brand.Louise and Bruce open up about:• Why “great products” still fail in crowded markets• Launching Sly Dog Rum during lockdown with 10,000 bottles• The harsh reality of getting listed with wholesalers• Why distribution matters more than product• Building a premium brand in a category where “cheap sells”• The biggest mistakes they made early on• How naivety became their biggest startup advantage• Why cold outreach and in-person sales still work• Creating a premium spiced rum for normal consumers—not connoisseurs• The truth about startup stress, scaling, and cash flow• Why real-world activations beat traditional advertising• How they won World’s Best Spiced Rum• The challenge of competing against giant alcohol brands• Why branding needs to be simple, bold, and impossible to ignoreIf you’re a founder, creative entrepreneur, marketer, or anyone trying to build a brand in a saturated market, this episode breaks down the real mechanics behind selling physical products, building distribution, and surviving in an industry where most startups disappear.Zoe Fox:/ gettingtogrow/ zoe-fox-377033b0Sly Dog Rum:Website: [https://slydogrum.com/](https://slydogrum.com/)Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/slydogrum/](https://www.instagram.com/slydogrum/)

What does it really take to challenge a billion-dollar industry dominated by habit, branding, and deeply ingrained consumer behavior? In a market where energy drinks are often packed with artificial ingredients, high sugar, and aggressive marketing, most consumers know the downsides—yet still keep buying. But what if the problem isn’t demand for energy, but the way it’s being delivered?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Hub van Bockel, founder of Tenzing and former Head of Marketing at Red Bull, to explore how he’s rethinking the energy drink category from the ground up. After spending years building one of the world’s most iconic brands, Hub walked away to create a product that challenges the very foundations of the industry—focusing on natural ingredients, sustainable practices, and a fundamentally different approach to energy.This conversation dives into the gap between what consumers know and how they behave—unpacking why people continue to choose products they don’t fully trust, and how breaking habits is far harder than building something better.Hub van Bockel opens up about:• Why 80% of energy drink consumers are concerned about what they’re drinking• The real reason “better products” don’t automatically win• Leaving Red Bull after 8 years to build something different• How habit—not logic—drives most consumer decisions• Building Tenzing from scratch using natural ingredients and a new philosophy• Why naivety can be a founder’s biggest advantage• The importance of product clarity before brand storytelling• How community-driven marketing creates long-term loyalty• The harsh reality of competing against billion-dollar brands• Why distribution—not just product—is the real battleground• Turning a strong product into a repeat-purchase machineIf you’re a founder, creator, or entrepreneur looking to disrupt established markets, build a product people actually believe in, or understand the real mechanics behind consumer behavior, this episode breaks down what it truly takes to compete—and survive—in a category built on habit.Zoe Fox:/ gettingtogrow/ zoe-fox-377033b0Tenzing:Website: https://tenzingnaturalenergy.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenzingnaturalenergy/

What does it really take to fix a category that’s fundamentally broken? In an industry where cocktails are often slow, inconsistent, overpriced, and confusing, most consumers have simply accepted the experience as it is. But what if the problem isn’t the drink itself—but the way it’s delivered?In this episode of Getting to Grow, Zoe Fox sits down with Kuleen Khimasia, co-founder of Black Lines, to explore how he’s rebuilding the cocktail industry from the ground up. From launching one of the UK’s first draft cocktail businesses to creating a premium bottled range during COVID, Kuleen shares how Black Lines is challenging outdated perceptions and making high-quality cocktails more accessible, consistent, and scalable.This conversation dives into the gap between what consumers want and what the industry delivers—unpacking why cocktails have remained complicated and inconsistent for so long, and how a new approach to production, branding, and distribution is changing that.Kuleen Khimasia opens up about:• Why cocktails are “notoriously slow and confusing” for most consumers• The real problem with pre-batch drinks—and why most of them fail• Building Black Lines without external funding and staying profitable• Turning a COVID crisis into a major growth opportunity• The importance of brand, design, and perception in a “stuffy” category• Why consistency beats theatre in most hospitality environments• The operational reality of running a physical product business• How they scaled from draft kegs to bottles while controlling quality• Why they’ve avoided supermarkets—and what that means for growth• The future of cocktails and why pre-batch is only getting startedIf you’re a founder, creator, or entrepreneur interested in disrupting traditional industries, building a premium brand, or creating products that challenge consumer perception, this episode breaks down exactly how a clear insight—executed properly—can reshape an entire category.Zoe Fox:/ gettingtogrow/ zoe-fox-377033b0Black Lines: Website: https://blacklinesdrinks.com/instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklinesdrinks/Kuleen Khimasia:Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kuleen-khimasia-315ba893