People Doing Things

Introducing Henry Hales. He founded SIRPLUS, the relaxed tailoring brand born from surplus fabrics with a vision to create clothes that are worn more, last longer and adapt to the seasons.

What started off as turning excess shirt fabric into upmarket boxer shorts back in 2010, has transformed into a British menswear staple offering a whole host of product lines, from shirts and knitwear, to outerwear, loungewear, and smart suiting that's ideal for weddings and parties. Now with over six stores in the likes of Notting Hill, Chelsea, Marylebone, Piccadilly, Islington and Bank - they've come a long way from selling colourful underwear in Spitalfields market.

But with tailoring on the decline, and a plethora of menswear brands for dapper gents to choose from you'd be forgiven for thinking where the opportunity really lies. Is it in the price point? The location? The marketing? The mission or the brand? Maybe it comes down to knowing his audience really well. Building a brand for himself and others like him who like to dress well but don't wear a suit to work everyday.

Perhaps it comes from a generous dose of naivety. Not hailing from the fashion world but the property world having studied real estate at university. Being less influenced by what you read in the papers and instead focusing on trusting your gut instinct.

This combination of trusting his nose, a strong eye for spotting an opportunity and working with the planet in mind has led him to launch Tu Pak. A fulfilment business that cares about the planet and your brand - using his learnings and connections from one world to influence another.

In this episode we talk about dressing the dapper in deadstock, the power of naivety and how one business can inspire another.

Enjoy.

Introducing Freddy Manduca. He founded Newfoundland, one of the UK's leading providers of diagnostic tests and medical devices, on a mission to make self-testing accessible across a myriad of health concerns.

What started as a desperate race to provide the UK with enough Covid tests has pivoted into a business predicated on the idea of convenient and affordable self diagnosis for the people. This enables people to skip lengthy wait times with overcrowded and under-resourced NHS but also not pay the often extortionate amounts with private doctors - filling a valuable middle ground.

Through Newfoundland, people can now put their health in their own hands without having to pay the premium. It means you can test yourself for things like HIV, UTIs, menopause and prostate health through to things like thyroid, bowel health, kidney health as well as iron and vitamin deficiencies. Not only does this negate some potentially awkward conversations at the clinics but with rapid self-test technology you can find out in minutes not days - sparing you any angst.

With telehealth brands like Thriva, Hertility, Hims, Supply Life all on the rise, we are entering a new era of healthcare, where we can keep track of our health without relying primarily on a doctor. However, while many of these brands charge you £100 for the privilege, Newfoundland are democratising tests for a tenth of the price.

In this episode we talk about the crazy War Dogs adventure that led to them supplying 91 million Covid-19 lateral flow tests, the underworld behind covid events and where healthcare trends are taking us.

Listen in.

Introducing Laura Jardine Paterson. Founder of Concat, the first digital-led company by all refugee and female developers based in Lebanon. It's one of the most ethnographically rich businesses I've come across in a long time. A sign of the times in a way that is positive, progressive and profound.

Take every single stereotype about web development; male-dominated, tech-focused, for profit, based in the West - then do the opposite. That's what Concat is. Predominantly female, human-centric, working with refugees, based in the Middle East - on a mission to create top quality websites for international clients, whilst providing sustainable employment for talented, marginalised developers. And so far they're doing a pretty good job. 15 empowered developers, 80% female team members & 70+ happy clients - with many more on the horizon. Zain.

Now, what I love about Concat is that it's a smart innovative solution to a real world problem. They're not trying to sell us more things we don't really need. They're connecting hungry and ambitious people with opportunities that are beneficial for them and their partners. And what started out as a chance encounter in Lebanon, when Laura met two talented refugee developers - has morphed into an intrinsically good business with real purpose at its core.

In this episode we talk about the tangible problems they are solving, what it's actually like on the ground in Lebanon at the moment and how she is planning to exponentially scale up the business.

Enjoy.

Say hello to Mark and Gyve. They founded Suri, the world's sleekest electric toothbrush, equal parts stylish as it is sustainable. Founded in 2021, they decided to re-engineer the toothbrush from the head down, when they learned that over 4 billion toothbrushes are chucked away globally each year. That's a lot of plastic, enough to stretch around the circumference of the globe, end to end, 17 times. Turns out it's harder than they thought.

So what's their thesis on getting people to ditch other toothbrushes in favour of theirs. It's a trifecta of design, performance and sustainability. Firstly, it must look the part - something you'd be proud to place in your bathroom. Secondly, it has to be as good as, if not better than your current electric toothbrush. Think speed, power and battery life. Thirdly, it must be as sustainable as possible. Both in terms of how it's created, using plant based materials but also in how you repair it or dispose of the heads. Ultimately, every part of the experience must feel like an upgrade.

And for me it certainly doesn't disappoint. It's turned brushing your teeth from a chore into a moment of luxury, becoming a point of envy for my girlfriend who's still stuck with her Oral B.

In this episode we talk about the journey so far, the vision for the future and the biggest surprises along the way.

Say hi to Gabriel Bean. Him and his business partner Bryn Ferris, launched Grounded in 2020 and are the most natural plant-based protein drink out there. Listed in the likes of Whole Foods, Selfridges and Planet Organic - they are on a mission to make the cleanest protein shakes on the planet, using only real ingredients straight from the ground. Turns out it's harder than you think.

Thing is, when you start a brand your ideals quickly have to face up to business realities. 'I want my [insert underloved F&B brand] to be the most sustainable, delicious, ethical, affordable product in the world'. 'Ah that's going to cost WHAT!?! per unit. No one's going to pay for that. I guess we'll have to cut some corners or start again to get the price down'.

But Gabriel ain't cut from the same cloth as the rest of us. His guiding mantra - 'don't compromise on anything'. Half mad scientist, half charming-down-to-earth-founder - he wears his obsessive tendencies with style. And it seems to be working. They are now the best selling protein shake in Wholefoods and Planet Organic (outselling Huel and many others) and the No.1 Dairy-free protein shake on Amazon.

Why is this? Well their m*lkshakes (with an asterisk instead of the i) hit all the right notes: high protein, vegan, no dairy - free from gluten, soya, nuts & GMOs. They also taste and look damn good with Chocolate and Mint Chocolate options online and on shelf. They join a playful army of function-first brands reinventing categories with higher protein and lower sugar alternatives with flair, authenticity and personality.

In this episode we tuck in to the challenges and realities of starting a F&B brand, what 'no compromise' really looks like and why blurring the lines of m*lkshakes with protein is perfect for a new generation who like their lines blurred.

Enjoy.

Introducing Tom Finn & Kristoffer Sølling. They're the founders and directors of Regular Practice - one of my favourite up & coming branding agencies and one of It's Nice That's One's To Watch. Based of Broadway Market in London's Hackney.

Despite working with big businesses like Fred Perry, Tom Dixon, Acne Studios and Tom's - their specialism comes from variety - working across multiple categories and life stages. From fashion and art, to F&B, hospitality, tech and beauty - using the learnings from one category to push boundaries in the next. Rejecting convention in favour of innovation.

They've also worked for and with a number of People Doing Things alumni including Mob Kitchen on Peckish, their app for real foodies and Juiced, their talent agency. As well as travel guide, Step and a soon to be released rebrand for social media agency Spin Brands with more in the pipeline. What I particularly value and respect is their ability to combine top-class design rigour with a youthful energy and expression.

Hailing from the art world, not the agency world - Tom & Kristoffer have fought hard to earn a seat at the branding table; bringing a sense of hard work, humility and a generous dose of underdog spirit to all they do. Reflected in their eponymous namesake - Regular Practice.

In this episode we reflect on how they've got to where they are today, the type of agency they are trying to build and how artificial intelligence and technology is changing how we create and interact with the brands of tomorrow.

If you don't know your dielines from your wireframes then this ones for you.

Enjoy.

Welcome Jack Chaplin. He founded Padel Shift, a builder and operator of Padel tennis sites around the UK. They currently have 2 sites with several more on the way. Their remit: to get more people playing the game that's taking the world by storm.

So what is Padel and why is it the fastest growing sport in Europe? Padel is a squash-tennis hybrid racket sport, which is almost always played as doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and metallic mesh walls. The beauty lies in both its rules and its ergonomics.

Two padel courts with four people per court can fit into one full size tennis court. Meaning 8 people can play at one time instead of 2 or 4 people. With rising populations and an increasing demand on urban planning it not only makes commercial sense but spatial sense too. It's also far more accessible and safer than tennis or squash.

The back and side walls make it a game of placement and precision over power and speed.

Underarm serves mean less double faults. Smaller courts make it faster and more dynamic. So whether you're a beginner or a pro you can have a cracking game either way. Jack's promise. 'Give me 15 mins on court and I'll turn you from a sceptic into a padel addict'.

In this episode we talk about Jack's internal need to be all-in to give it his all, the race to establish themselves as a major competitor with new players popping up every other day and whether this sport is a passing fad or a permanent fixture.

Enjoy.

Say hi to Nico Willson on the show today. He co-founded Futsol. A lifestyle destination for football lovers. They sell sophisticated football apparel for on and off the pitch.

Despite football being the most universal sports in the world. A sport where no matter where you are you can drop a ball and have a kickabout with someone - no matter your background, race, language or gender. But it's a game that's lost some of its charm - embroiled in over-commercialisation and at times, corruption. From dodgy world cup contracts to share price signings. A fight against racism to diva managers and gross invasions of privacy on the public stage. Distracting us from the soul of the sport.

Futsol are deliberately swimming against the cultural tide of the sport. Inviting us to fall back in love with this beautiful game through a range of nostalgic capsule collections often collaborating with photographers and graphic designers. But their ambitions are not limited to product alone. They want to become the 'Rapha of Football' with club houses and community pitches of their own in the not too distant future.

In this episode we talk about the journalistic origins of the brand, what football is missing and their vision for the future beyond product into experiences and community.

Enjoy.

Welcoming Ally Fekaiki on the show today. He's the founder of the world's largest employee wellness platform - Juno. A global platform that gives employees flexible access to meaningful benefits all in one place.

Table football, subsidised cafes, monthly pizza. The reality is that workplace perks are anything but. On the whole they are top down initiatives, a percentage of revenue, a line marked 'culture' on the company P&L spreadsheet. Sweeping generalisations that neither employee or CFO particularly look forward to.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Juno takes the stress away from companies increasingly becoming less centralised, putting it in the hands of the employees - enabling them to choose from a wide range of perks from foodie fridge fills to digital detoxes, nutritional advice to house plants. And with $8mn raised to date the working world is very much their oyster.

In this episode we talk about what company culture is headed, what companies need to do to stay ahead of shifting tides and Ally's own mantras for getting the balance right.

Say hello to Louise Macnab. She's the international attorney turned gut health campaigner - starting a movement with her brand Jerms - an all-in-one Gut Health support with Probiotics, Prebiotics, Digestive Enzymes & Organic Superfoods.

Working hard and under high pressure as a corporate lawyer in New York and Brussels, Louise started experiencing burnout and chronic stress induced gut issues like SIBO, leaky gut, chronic fatigue and anxiety.

In search of a solution, she uncovered the vital role gut health has on our overall health. Bacteria in our guts, as she soon discovered, has a huge impact on our bodies and daily wellbeing. And while the gut microbiome is one 2023's hot topics, there's a dearth of eye-catching brands out there making the space accessible yet desirable.

In this episode we talk about facing burnout, finding salvation in bacteria and how she's using her brand to spread the word.