In today’s episode, we’re joined by Tom and Chris Hannaway, brothers and Co-Founders of alcohol-free beer brand Infinite Session.  With a passion for great tasting beer but a desire to incorporate some alcohol-free days into their lifestyle, Tom and Chris discovered a gap in the market for a vibrant and confident alcohol-free beer to enjoy during after-work drinks. 

Launched in 2018, Infinite Session beers are now stocked in leading UK retailers including Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods. The brand also launched exclusively into the US state of Wisconsin in March 2020. During the pandemic, Infinite Session launched a series of special-edition beers, including the ‘Stay Home’ beer from which all proceeds were donated to NHS Charities Together. 

Today they share advice on what to consider when expanding internationally as well as how to successfully work together as siblings. 

The Hannaways' advice: 

• Take time to think about what you disagree on and come back to it after some space
• Put boundaries in place and make sure you stick to them
• Get your messaging down first before worrying about the rest   
• Don’t focus too much on logo and web domain at the start  
• Really think about how you would explain your idea to others, think about The Granny Test, keep it really simple 
• Think about your product development but do tell people what you’re doing as well as you need the feedback
• Give your sales channels the same level of importance as product development  
• You can only do what you can do and be comfortable with that  
• Have hobbies outside of work to keep you passionate about your company 
• Know when to chat with each other, and when not to 
• Find your working rhythm together 
• You do have to work hard but build in breaks 
• Grow slow, try things on a smaller basis when you reach new markets to build your growth with a strong foundation   

You can contact Tom or Chris via Instagram or Twitter 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

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In this episode, we hear from Melissa Gauge, founder of virtual assistance firm SpareMyTime.  Melissa spent 15 years working in the City and, having two children to balance alongside work, soon found herself pulled in different directions with various professional and personal responsibilities. Determined to create a solution for other professionals in a similar position, Melissa founded SpareMyTime. Today, Melissa’s company provides busy entrepreneurs and executives with administration, bookkeeping and social media marketing services. 

Melissa shares her advice on how being a fully flexible service provider pays dividends, how VAs can free up vital time for entrepreneurs to focus on building their start-up and why sheer grit and determination are important factors to keep you going.

If you’d like to contact Melissa you can reach her via [email protected] or @sparemytime 

Melissa’s advice: 

• Know you can only do the best you can do, make this your core belief
• Be strong minded - if something’s not working, take a decision even if it's a hard one
• Always take care to listen - both to your team and your clients
• Build a community around your team; be understanding, fair and don’t jump to conclusions
• Find smart timekeeping software such as Harvest
• Aid faster book-keeping with Xero
• Cash flow is essential; always be aware of what you have, both to run the business and to live on
• Believe the compliments you are given to build your own self-confidence
• When pricing, look at other businesses to start with and keep changing as you grow the business
• Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth 
• Be patient and determined; keep going

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In this episode we hear from Hannah Aykroyd, Managing Director of the award-winning property advisory firm Aykroyd & Co. Hannah has many years’ experience advising high net worth private clients on prime London real estate transactions and now, four years into her own business, has clients ranging from private individuals, family offices, investors and developers, both domestic and international. 

Hannah shares with us her thoughts on the freedoms starting a company can afford, especially when it comes to also starting a family, and highlights the fundamental importance of bringing on a team as soon as possible.

Hannah’s advice: 

• Have a clear business plan and if possible take advice from a mentor
• Delegate: be clinical about using your time and if possible employ a PA to support you 
• Share ideas with other like-minded entrepreneurs
• Put trust in the team you’ve built 
• Be proactive in deepening learning and encourage the sharing of key information within the team 
• Have weekly team meetings and work collaboratively
• Good communication skills are vital in any business
• Maintain regular contact with clients by keeping them fully updated so they know everything is being handled
• Communicate efficiently with time poor clients: when emailing, have a clear call to action; when scheduling a call, update them with salient points so they’re prepared ahead of a very brief call 
• Find that work/life balance, put your out of office on and learn when to switch off
• Accept guidance and support
• Love what you do

If you'd like to contact Hannah you can reach her via [email protected] or LinkedIn.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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In this episode I chat to two entrepreneurs in the hospitality space, Duncan Stirling and Charlie Gilkes who founded Inception Group back in 2009. The company operates a group of unique bar, restaurant and club concepts in South West and central London.  As a long-standing fan of Maggie’s (as who doesn’t love a solid 80s soundtrack), I was really interested to learn how they’ve quickly built a multi-brand business but also how they weathered the unforeseen pandemic that potentially could have wiped out 12 years of hard work. 

The good news is they are continuing to grow, Maggie’s is still as popular as ever and they are both adamant now is as good a time as any to start up.

Charlie and Duncan’s advice: 

• When you take the leap into self-employment it’s hard at first but stick at it and it will be worthwhile
• Having a partner and fellow founder means you have consistent support
• Remember cash is king: try to put enough money aside for a rainy day
• Charlie believes in learning on the job, and says that being thrown in the deep end is the best way to learn practical skills;  Duncan, however, has found that working elsewhere has helped him hone his management skills
• Take time to build your business as it will be more sustainable in the long run
• Enjoy the work, grow slowly and steadily; and don’t over plan but keep an open mind as you can’t forecast how things will develop
• “Don’t be a busy fool” and spend time at the start on things like business cards, concentrate on clients and revenue 
• Enjoy your autonomy and freedom starting your own business affords you
• When recruiting, spend time with people before you hire them and recruit for the right attitude as skill sets can be taught 
• Always know who your customers are going to be. Spend time getting to really know your audience 
• Right now is always a good time to start a business, especially after a national crisis

If you'd like to contact Duncan or Charlie you can via  [email protected] or [email protected].

 
Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode we are joined by Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, Co-Founder & CEO of FLOWERBX and one of the UK’s most innovative entrepreneurs. Following a career of almost 20 years working for designer Tom Ford, Whitney then identified a market gap within the luxury sector that she set out to fill. She established FLOWERBX in London in 2015 and today Whitney’s company is the leading luxury flower service, having had clients such as Dior and Louis Vuitton, and is currently expanding across the United States. 

Having just announced an £8 million series A round of investment, Whitney shares advice on how to scale at pace but also why you should wait to find the right people to support your business. 

Whitney’s advice: 

• Surround yourself with a good team of supportive people who share your vision
• Know what you’re good at, and what you’re not
• Remember your responsibility to your shareholders
• Stay true to your vision and to the brand
• Accept you’ll make mistakes and move on
• “Fail fast” - if something, or someone, is not right then give up and move on, don’t waste time trying to make it work
• Don’t accept money from people you don’t feel are right - you will regret it
• A chairperson must share your vision, and be able to bring valuable experience
• Sustainability means no waste - set up rigorous standards at the outset.  Keep these at the centre of your business, even though it means taking the more difficult route
• Keep the people you employ motivated, and always invest in them
• You may be responsible for the failures in your business, but you can also relish the successes
• Brace yourself!  Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted

If you'd like to contact Whitney you can via Instagram.

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode we hear from Rae, Founder of her eponymous brand Rae Feather, a personalised luxury accessories, homeware and versatile resort wear brand. Having founded her company in 2013 following a career in luxury travel marketing, Rae’s brand draws extensively on her passion for travel however it was the monogrammed straw basket with which the brand was propelled to notoriety on Instagram. 

Named in 2018 as one of the Walpole ‘Brands of Tomorrow’, Rae places great emphasis on sustainability and ethical production and works with many Fair Trade and social enterprise companies to make a positive impact around the world. 

Rae shares with us why you shouldn’t be put off starting a second career no matter what age you are and that really knowing your business through and through stands you in good stead when it comes to growth. 

Rae’s advice: 

• Being older gives you confidence; it doesn’t mean you have to be invisible or frumpy
• It’s useful to try to see things from the point of view of younger people, however
• When marketing, take care not to be aggressive; take the time to build a following with patience
• It’s helpful if you are creative and flexible
• Make sure you enjoy working with a team; be present for them
• Don’t try to do things too fast; take it slowly and know your limitations
• Don’t employ anyone you wouldn’t want to have dinner with
• Don’t overthink things and take one day at a time
• Surround yourself with positive people and people you can trust; listen to them

If you’d like to contact Rae you can reach her via Instagram. 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

• Test your product to make sure it’s as good as it can possibly be at the outset
• Be objective about your product; just because you are enthusiastic about it does not mean it will necessarily be a commercial success.  So find the balance between objectivity and passion
• If your product is a) good and b) commercially viable, you will succeed in getting retail space
• When running a company, keep good structures in place: daily / weekly / quarterly meetings
• Interacting with colleagues on a daily basis - even via Zoom - is valuable
• Sustainability and inclusivity should be assumed and not be one of your key selling points, unless you're doing something groundbreaking 
• Always look for innovations to inspire you
• Trade shows are a great way to get feedback on your product plus they can reinforce your own belief in it

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode I’m joined by Olga Beck-Friis, Co-Founder and CEO of PocketLaw, a Swedish startup now launching in the UK to enable SMEs to take care of their own legal matters. 

Having co-founded PocketLaw with her oldest childhood friend, Kira Unger (CEO), Olga explains how she and Kira separate work from their personal friendship and how they manage this dynamic within a business environment. Olga also offers her insights into improving gender diversity within startups alongside her thoughts on the future digitisation and automation of professional services.

PocketLaw provides small businesses with contract automation and management, access to usually-expensive legal documentation, and on-demand consultation with real-life lawyers. 

Olga’s advice:

• Take care to communicate; always be transparent about how you feel
• Listen carefully to each other and be willing to change your mind
• When looking for a partner, look for someone with similar values and ambitions for the company, but with different skill sets / experiences / enthusiasms, so that you will complement each other
• Remember, sharing the pressure relieves it
• As for gender diversity, go for the best candidate but concentrate your search in the right places
• You don’t need to define yourself as a business leader by gender
• When starting out, take the business seriously; follow the same protocols as large companies and be just as professional and organised
• A new company is vulnerable; don’t underestimate its equity, and only offer it to full-time employees or to cash investors
• Try not to worry too much; it will take time to build the company, so be kind to yourself

If you’d like to contact Olga you can reach her via LinkedIn  or Twitter. 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode, we hear from James Pringle, Founder of Pringle Capital which has grown to become one of the UK’s most active angel networks. The Pringle Network has previously led raises in e-commerce, fintech and augmented reality startups, with James having become a leading figure within the UK tech space. 

We learn James’ advice for startups seeking investment from angel networks, his own experiences of launching a business and the challenges he has overcome on his entrepreneurial journey. 

James’ advice:

• “You’ve got to really want to do it” - but as long as you have energy and enthusiasm, go for it
• Never go into a meeting with anything that will shock or surprise people, because they will react and you will lose control of the meeting.  Make sure everyone is informed in advance and the meeting will be more constructive
• Concentrate on the basics: team, product and sales.  Worry about the admin later and don’t overcomplicate things.  Stay focussed.
• Administrative chores like tax returns are not that scary; you will be guided by HMRC
• Surround yourself with people who will celebrate your wins with you
• When managing people, concentrate on good communication at all levels
• Whether you need investment or not, putting together a 12-slide deck is a valuable exercise.  Air your pitch deck among friends/family/people in the industry as much as you can, and this will help you get a grasp of problems/solutions/market size/competition/business model etc.
• Keep the deck concise because this is more useful for a potential investor to make an informed decision about your product
• Speak to as many people as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions

If you’d like to contact James you can reach him via LinkedIn 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Today I am talking to Ben Ivey who, realising that successful people are not necessarily happy people, decided to work directly with entrepreneurs who might be feeling overwhelmed, in order to help them better manage their work-life balance, as well as succeed further in business.

Ben has spoken at over 200 events internationally on how to embrace living entrepreneurially via his company, The Entrepreneur Lifestyle for which he is founder and CEO.

Ben's advice:

• While it’s important to believe in what you are doing, remember to balance this with the need to market yourself and keep the cash coming in
• Pay attention to people you admire while understanding everyone will have failings.  “Understand the best of the best from different people”
• Set yourself small challenges and surprise yourself with what you will be able to achieve
• Be disciplined: carry through on your ambitions
• Focus on what you are good at, and delegate to others tasks you are less capable of
• Trust others and give them responsibility
• Establish boundaries in your personal life; give yourself time to relax and keep to a routine
• Don’t be too self-critical; it can be destructive and achieves nothing.  Be kind to yourself!

If you’d like to contact Ben you can reach him via [email protected]

• Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.
• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2021 founder of PR for startups advisory Fallow, Field & Mason. Edited by Renale Mathurin. MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show