People Doing Things

By Ed LittleSociety & Culture Business Entrepreneurship

People Doing Things episodes

May 12, 2021 Whisp - Harriet Cuming
Say hi to Harriet, founder of Whisp, a crisp, light and 100% British hard seltzer. Ex-Bacardi and personal trainer by passion, Whisp launched September 2020 on a mission to provide a refreshing alternative for those who want to drink less but better. They even contain milk thistle to help tackle & support a healthy liver. But it hasn't been plane sailing for this plastic-free, plant-based and climate positive startup. They started off wanting to become the No1 brand at festivals and events. Covid put an end to that ambition. She started off with a business partner to help pave the way. He ended up taking her and her investors for a ride, nearly ending up in court. They're started growing authentically and independently but it's getting harder with brands like Coca Cola entering the category with big marketing budgets. What does the future have in store for Whisp?
28 min
May 01, 2021 Bottleshot - Annie Mitchell
Welcome Annie, co-founder of Bottleshot coffee, cold brew in a can. Since they started in August 2019 it's been a bit of a roller coaster. They were supported by Soho House but had various packaging partners and suppliers let them down, raised £750k but had to pitch twice as hard. Now things are looking up with stockings in Ocado and WHSmith on the horizon, as well as getting the founder of Halo Top, Doug Bouton, on board as a strategic investor. However, the big question is how big can cold brew get in the UK? We know how popular it is in the US. And we know how addicted to coffee we are in the UK, with the nation drinking up to 95 million cups a day - but cold brew still seems fairly ahead of the curve. In this episode we talk about the potential for growth, the power of resilience and recruiting the right partners (and investors). Enjoy.
38 min
April 22, 2021 DROOL Art - Alex Liepman
Introducing Alex, founder of DROOL, a digital marketplace where you can buy prints from emerging artists. Born out of a human frustration looking to buy art for his flat. Alex, a graphic designer by trade, quickly uncovered a severe lack of representation and support for the breadth of hugely talented, early-career creatives out there. When he asked around, lots of people felt the same. So he decided to do something about it. In this episode we talk about supporting artists, the return of house pride and their special business model. Enjoy.
29 min
April 14, 2021 Scratch Rum - Doug & Ellie
Introducing Doug and Ellie, co-founders of Scratch, the 1st British Rum brand made from Scratch. Founded in 2016, this brother and sister-in-law duo, are on a mission to challenge the dusty old stereotypes of rum with something that is new, British and refreshing. Made in Hertfordshire, the pair have big ambitions. They want to do what Japanese whisky has done to the Scotch market. Starting out as a bit of an enigma but becoming wholly respected in its own right. While it is still relatively early days for Scratch, they have already won 2 taste awards and are doing their bit to move the scene forward. In this episode we talk about the growing world of craft rum, breaking conventions in look, taste and feel, as well as exploring how big this market could become. Enjoy.
37 min
April 03, 2021 Pasta Evangelists - Finn Lagun
Meet Finn, co-founder & CMO of Pasta Evangelists, fresh pasta kits delivered to your door. Founded in 2016, they pride themselves on sourcing ingredients from small farmers and local growers in Italy. They went from selling 200 portions in their first year to more than 1 million 4 years later. Not bad. The disruption and growth caught the attention of Barilla, the world's biggest pasta company, who recently bought a majority stake in the London based recipe box business for a rumoured £40mn. With the home kit category expected to grow to $9bn by 2025 and a big multinational backer behind them, expect more growth, expansion and innovation from the UK's most loved pasta maker. In this episode we talk about taking pasta to new heights, what acquisition really means and delve into the delicious story so far.
38 min
March 25, 2021 MOTH Drinks - Rob Wallis
Meet Rob Wallis co-founder of Moth Drinks, 'top quality, classic cocktails in a can'. Listed in Waitrose, the range comes in four offerings: old fashioned, margarita, negroni and espresso martini, ready to take over hotel minibars across the country.

Unlike most RTD cocktails, MOTH (Mix of Total Happiness) has serious depth. Each drink is a partnership of independent spirit working with the likes of Enemigo, Tarquins Gin and English Whisky Co. The design was crafted by Pentagram, who've celebrated the often misunderstood and mysterious 'butterflies of the night'. It stands out and helps us reimagine what RTD cocktails can be. In this episode we talk about working with Pentagram, the switching up cocktail game and rewriting the rules of premium. Enjoy.
28 min
March 10, 2021 Crosstown - JP Then
Say hello to JP. He founded Crosstown back in 2014... but what started out as an idea for a specialty coffee shop concept morphed into 15 stores, 10 food stalls, a hundred thousand followers and millions of delicious sourdough donuts sold. Mmmm. JP has gone on to launch Slerp. An Ecommerce solution for the hospitality sector. The technology allows restaurants to deliver their food on demand or nationwide. It's a bit like Deliveroo crossed with a Shopify, sitting in the background powering online ordering, meaning brands can have a direct relationship with their customer base and control their settings. In this episode we talk about repping the food culture, the tips for aspiring founders and delicious donuts. Enjoy.
48 min
March 04, 2021 Seedlip - Ben Branson
Meet Ben, founder of Seedlip 'the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirits'. Started in 2014 and backed by Distill Ventures, they've pursued a smart tastemaker strategy going after the best bars and restaurants. Stocked in over 37 countries, they've gone onto launch their Aperitif range called Aecorn with more innovations on the way. Hats off to Ben for leading the way, proving people wrong and pioneering the unexpected.
48 min
February 25, 2021 The Açai Girls - Megan & Georgia
Introducing Megan and Georgia, two sisters behind The Acai Girls, an all-day healthy eating concept inspired by their travels from around the world. With two independent kitchens across West London and Battersea, the pair have been serving up a selection for delicious, plant-based dishes through Deliveroo since the beginning lockdown.
Megan, 28, has a background in marketing while Georgia, 26, has a background as model-turned-chef coming runner up in the BBC's Best Home Cook 2020, going on to graduate culinary school with her Cordon Bleu. In this episode we talk about the rise of 'influencer kitchens', the need for more escapism, switching it up on Deliveroo and our relationships with food. Enjoy.
39 min
February 21, 2021 Amie - Will Sandbach
Introducing Will, co-founder of amie, 'wine created for friends, by friends'. It started back in April 2020, with fiancée Abbie and brought to life by friends such as Hermione, Jessica & Janine. Since then it's gone from lockdown innovation to social sensation, finding its way into the likes of Sheer Luxe and Conde Nast to Grazia and Bazaar, amassing over 11,000 followers on Instagram. But it doesn't stop there, Will is eyeing up a return to normality with his new Wine Tourism platform VIND, which helps you find and experience the world's best wineries. It's a bit like a AirBnB for wine experiences. If you're into wine then it's well worth a browse. In this episode we talk about acting quick and smart, the power of friendship and where the future of wine is going. Enjoy.
35 min

About People Doing Things

From the publisher's feed

'People Doing Things' is a podcast series celebrating and inspiring the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Hosted by Ed Little a brand strategist and founder who runs his own branding agency called Roleplay,…