Swim Against The Tide

In this conversation, Lisa Donohue, Managing Director of Kerb Foods’ social enterprise arm, shares her journey from a marketing and PR background to leading the social enterprise focused on empowering individuals through food and hospitality.

She discusses the unique business model of Kerb Foods, which combines street food, events, and social enterprise to support independent traders.

Lisa elaborates on the coaching programs designed to help individuals from various backgrounds gain employment and start their own businesses in the hospitality sector.

The conversation also touches on the importance of community, cultural diversity, and the future expansion plans for Kerb Foods, including their recent venture into Berlin.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this latest, engaging conversation on the Swim Against The Tide podcast, we meet Mike Turner the Founder and MD of the wonderful Bird & Blend Tea Company.

He shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the importance of customer experience, resilience, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike discusses the brand's growth strategies, including crowdfunding and collaborations, while reflecting on his personal evolution as a leader. 

He finally highlights the significance of building a purpose-driven business and the future aspirations for Bird & Blend Tea.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this episode of the podcast, Jamie Grant, the Co-Founder and CEO of Carv, discusses the incredible journey of creating a digital ski coach that enhances your skiing techniques with real-time feedback.

He shares insights into the evolution of the product, the challenges faced in entrepreneurship, and the importance of resilience and focus in building a successful business. He explains about how he built his unique team of co-founders to create a unique, market leading digital sports coaching device and app.

Jamie also highlights the marketing strategies that have driven customer engagement and the future plans for expanding Carv’s reach in the skiing market and hopefully beyond.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this podcast episode, Mark Murphy shares his unexpected journey to becoming the co-founder and CEO of Burgerism, a food delivery brand that has gained a cult-like fandom with their customers.

He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of team culture, and the evolution of the brand from delivery-only to a physical presence.

Mark emphasises the significance of building a community of fans and the lessons learned throughout his journey, including the need for real resilience and self-confidence in the face of uncertainty to grow a brand from scratch.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this episode of the podcast episode we meet Dan Binks, the Managing Director of Liberation Foods, the first UK based Fairtrade nut and Community Interest Company that's owned by smallholder farmers around the world.

We discuss Dan's unique career journey in the food industry, his educational background, and the importance of fair trade.

Dan shares insights into his transition to Liberation Foods, coming from a technical food background, growing into a general management role and the company's focus on supporting smallholder farmers globally.

The conversation highlights the significance of understanding the food supply chain, the global impact of food production and the operational challenges within the food industry.

Dan finishes with some interesting advice he would give to his younger self.

The SATT Team :) 

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Ben Fennell has spent his whole career learning and developing as a leader from those around him. Whether that was his early days in London agencies, to working across every market and culture in Asia, to then meeting some of the biggest sports stars in the world and hearing what drives them succeed.

In this conversation he shares his journey from aspiring rugby player to becoming the CEO of The Growth House, reflecting on his experiences at BBH and the lessons learned in leadership, team dynamics, and client relationships. 

He discusses the importance of cultural understanding in advertising, the challenges of starting a new business, and the insights gained from writing a book on high-performance teams with Will Greenwood called World Class.

The conversation emphasises the significance of communication, collaboration, and building strong relationships in both business and personal growth.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this episode of Swim Against the Tide we meet Chris Miller who shares his bold journey from finance to the forefront of the hospitality industry.

As the founder of White Rabbit Projects, Chris discusses taking calculated risks, supporting early-stage restaurateurs, and innovating in wellness and hospitality.

He dives into the challenges of expanding into new markets, the constant pressures of the restaurant industry, and why customer experience is at the heart of every successful concept.

With a focus on hard work, collaboration, and following his passion, Chris offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, culinary innovators, and anyone seeking to build a meaningful business in hospitality.

He ends by sharing how he has just built the biggest communal sauna in the UK.

The SATT Team :)

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In this open and frank conversation, Kostas Sfaltos shares his fascinating journey from a modest upbringing in Greece to becoming the Managing Director of luxury hotels in London.

He discusses the pivotal moments in his career, including his Greek military service, which taught him valuable leadership lessons and the importance to building deep relationships that last for life.

Kostas emphasizes the importance of listening to team members and guests, creating a positive culture, and the role of coaching in enhancing his leadership effectiveness as he continues to develop in his role. 

He reflects on his current role at Maybourne and the achievements of his team, including The Emory Hotel being recognised in the world's 50 best hotels.

The conversation concludes with insights on the future of luxury hospitality and some sage advice to his younger self.

The SATT Team :) 

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This week our conversation explores the journey of a fashion executive from young designer, to launching online phenomenon Boohoo to becoming Group Executive Director at Debenham.com.

With Carol Kane, the Co-Founder of Boohoo we delve into the evolution of fast fashion (and its true meaning), marketing strategies in e-commerce, and the challenges faced during the IPO process. 

The discussion highlights the importance of understanding market trends, the role of storytelling in branding, and the impact of acquisitions on business growth.

Carol emphasises the significance of personalisation in retail, the reintroduction of designer labels, and the future of retail through pop-up stores and new channels to the customer. 

Finally, she shares lessons in leadership and the value of mentorship, along with the need for a strong consumer connection in today's market.

The SATT Team :) 

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In this week’s episode of Swim Against the Tide with Steve Henry, Will Lankston—Managing Director of Timpson Direct—shares his remarkable journey from working school holiday shifts in Timpson shops to leading one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions.

Will reveals the people-first philosophy behind Timpson’s success, including its unconventional hiring approach that prioritises personality over experience and its famous “upside down management” culture.

He explains why employee happiness directly fuels business growth, how mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, and what social responsibility looks like in practice through Timpson’s longstanding commitment to employing ex-offenders.

Will also explores the future of Timpson Direct, the importance of personal development, and his advice for young professionals eager to build meaningful careers.

The SATT Team :) 

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