Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode seven of the series, we're joined by Rob Ely, co-founder of TOAST.

TOAST is a proudly independent chain of coffee shops launched in Essex in 2020.

Alongside his co-founders Daniel and Louis, Rob has grown TOAST from one quirky, toast-themed café into a people-first coffee brand with six thriving locations – and big ambitions for the future.

In this episode, Rob shares how TOAST has created a loyal customer base by delivering exceptional service, investing in its people and staying true to its values.

From lockdown pivots and brand lessons to the power of community and choosing the right high street locations, Rob talks candidly about the highs and lows of building an independent hospitality business that's genuinely built to last.

Topics discussed in the episode

• How TOAST evolved from a toast-themed concept into a coffee-led brand
• What Rob learned from launching just weeks before the first COVID lockdown
• Why a heartfelt social media post helped turn the tide in TOAST's early days
• The challenges of scaling while staying proudly independent
• Why location is critical – and how being "too far" from footfall can make or break a shop
• How TOAST empowers staff to shape the business and values people over profit
• Lessons from a failed expansion and how it reshaped their growth strategy
• The importance of operational consistency across several sites
• How TOAST supports its communities through its "Coffee for a Coffee" initiative
• What's next: refining the brand, expanding regionally and creating a new kind of coffee culture

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode six of the series, we're joined by Sol Escobar, founder of Give Your Best.

Give Your Best is a "tech for good" social enterprise tackling clothing poverty and fashion waste through an innovative online platform and physical store.

Launched during the 2020 lockdown, Give Your Best allows refugee women and other marginalised people to shop donated clothing for free – restoring not only their wardrobe but their dignity and agency too.

Since then, the enterprise has grown into a thriving community-led organisation, combining digital tools, peer-to-peer giving, and inclusive retail experiences.

In this episode, Sol shares her journey from humanitarian volunteer to award-winning founder, and explains how businesses of all sizes can take small, impactful steps toward more ethical and sustainable practices.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Give Your Best was born during lockdown and grew from a bedroom project into a national platform
• Why choice, dignity, and agency are central to ethical clothing donations
• How the platform works – like "Vinted for good" – allowing people to donate and shop for free
• The role of peer-to-peer giving in building empathy and community connection
• How the Islington store operates as a pay-it-forward space, mixing sales with free access for people in need
• Tackling fashion waste through upcycling, repair stations and brand partnerships
• The importance of trialling and testing before launching retail concepts
• What it means to build a social enterprise – and why it’s a different mindset from traditional business
• Advice for retail businesses looking to operate more sustainably or partner with impact-driven organisations
• Why slow growth, long-term thinking and collaboration are key to building a business for good

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode five of the series, we're joined by Jon Perks, small business director at EDF, one of the UK's largest energy suppliers.

With over 25 years in the energy industry, Jon has guided thousands of businesses through energy challenges – from volatile markets to net zero ambitions. At EDF, his mission is simple: help small businesses grow by making smarter, more sustainable energy choices.

In this episode, Jon breaks down the energy landscape for small businesses, sharing clear, practical advice on how to cut costs, improve efficiency and navigate change with confidence.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why energy is no longer a "set and forget" cost for small businesses
• The impact of rising energy prices on the retail sector
• Common pitfalls small businesses face with contracts and tariffs
• How smart meters and energy data help business owners take control
• The importance of employee engagement in reducing energy waste
• What drives fluctuations in global and UK energy prices
• How small businesses can future-proof with clean energy tech
• Why timing your energy use is increasingly important
• How EDF and Enterprise Nation are working together to provide free energy advice
• The future of the UK's energy system and what it means for small firms

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

Alice Mayor is a creative entrepreneur and founder of We Built This City and London Made Me – two pioneering platforms that have championed independent artists, designers and makers by putting them at the heart of the high street.

From opening a central London souvenir store celebrating local creatives to partnering with the Mayor of London on a retail training programme, Alice has spent over a decade empowering creatives to build meaningful retail experiences.

In this episode, Alice shares her journey from pop-up pioneer to retail mentor, and explains why supporting artists and independent makers is vital to the cultural and commercial future of the high street.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How We Built This City brought creativity to Carnaby Street
• Why independent makers deserve visibility in central retail spaces
• The power of storytelling in connecting customers with local products
• How London Made Me helps creatives learn, build and trade on the high street
• Advice for creatives looking to run a pop-up or try physical retail
• Why footfall data – and real customer insight – matters more than intuition
• The emotional and economic value of products with meaning and provenance
• The role of humour and accessibility in breaking down retail barriers
• How artists can turn retail into a workshop, event or community space
• The future of retail as collective, purpose-driven and deeply human

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode three of the series, we're joined by Mike Turner, co-founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Bird & Blend Tea Co. is a creative, purpose-led tea brand that has grown from humble beginnings in a bedroom to 25 UK high-street stores and an international online business.

With co-founder Krisi Smith, Mike launched the business in 2012 with a mission to make tea fun, sustainable and community-driven. The brand is also a proud B Corp and a strong advocate for values-led business.

In this episode, Mike shares the brand's journey from start-up to national retail success, the importance of customer experience and how sustainability, empowerment and gut instinct continue to shape the company's growth.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Bird & Blend grew from market stalls to 25 high-street shops
• The importance of testing, learning and taking calculated risks
• Creating memorable, experience-led retail environments
• Why empowered teams are at the heart of customer experience
• Building a business rooted in values, sustainability and community impact
• Becoming a B Corp and using it as a tool to guide better decision-making
• Balancing scale with purpose – growing at the right pace for the right reasons
• Navigating supply chain complexities and the realities of sustainable sourcing
• How staying true to your gut can lead to your best business decisions
• Advice for entrepreneurs who want to build mission-driven retail brands

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode two of the series, we're joined by Aimee and Lily Barrett, the co-founders of Candid Studios.

Sisters Aimee and Lily started self-portrait photography studio Candid in May 2023. Based in Westbourne Grove in London, the business is built around a simple but powerful concept: customers take their own professional-quality portraits in a private, feel-good environment.

With a mission rooted in empowerment, self-expression and self-love, the Barretts have grown Candid into a community-driven brand that's transforming how people show up – in both personal and professional spaces.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How a personal breakthrough inspired the concept for Candid Studios
• The sisters' transition from actors to first-time entrepreneurs
• Building a retail experience with community and emotion at its heart
• The role of social media and storytelling in driving early growth
• Creating an inclusive, accessible space where every client feels seen
• Expanding the business with help from angel investors and brand partnerships
• How they're navigating the challenges of running a high street studio
• The importance of showing up authentically as founders and leaders
• Plans to scale Candid beyond London and bring the experience to new locations
• The sisters' advice for anyone looking to launch a purpose-led brand

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In this first episode of the series, we're joined by Gbemi Okunlola, founder of Alonuko.

Started in 2012, Alonuko is a world-renowned women's fashion brand celebrated for its iconic bridal designs, intricate embroideries and inclusivity.

Gbemi's fashion journey began in her teenage years, and she's since grown Alonuko into a global name in luxury bridalwear, known for offering highly personalised and inclusive experiences for brides around the world.

Here, Gbemi shares how her early passion for design evolved into founding Alonuko. She reflects on the value of in-person retail experiences and offers advice for building a global brand.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Where Gbemi's passion for fashion and entrepreneurship began
• How Alonuko transitioned from a small custom-dress service into a luxury bridal brand
• Key turning points in the brand's growth, including viral success and celebrity exposure
• The importance of designing for inclusivity across skin tones, sizes and cultures
• Why a high-touch, personalised customer experience is central to Alonuko's approach
• The role of physical retail experiences in a digital age, especially in bridalwear
• Navigating international demand and building a global presence – particularly in the US

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the eighth and final episode in the series is Olly Tyler, owner of greetings card business, Shroot.

Shroot creates eco-friendly, biodegradable cards that come with everything you need to grow microgreens, including the pot. It's a gift, card, experience and snack all in one.

Olly didn't start the business, but bought it as a failing venture. He has since turned it into a great success, and has also purchased two other businesses; Kabloom and Bottle Farm. 

In the inspiring episode, Olly and Dan discuss topics including:

• Why Olly bought Shroot and his advice to others for buying a business
• How he turned a failing business into a success
• Oliver's advice for entrepreneurs struggling with their business
• Funding strategies for growing a business
• How being an Enterprise Nation member has benefitted Olly

Big thanks for tuning into series eight of the Small Business Sessions. Look out for series nine coming soon!

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 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the seventh episode is Saasha Celestial-One, co-founder of local sharing app Olio.

The idea for Saasha's groundbreaking business came about when her business partner Tessa Clarke trawled the streets looking for someone who might be able to use her spare food when she was moving house.

The two friends tested their solution in a WhatsApp group for neighbours in North London, and it's now an app used by millions around the world for finding what they need and sharing what they don't with local people.

In an inspiring episode, Sasha and Dan discuss:

• tips for growing a successful app
• how to use business to benefit the environment
• the UK as a good place to grow a technology company
• how Saasha funded the company
• running a business with a co-founder
• how to build partnerships with big organisations
• how businesses can continue to innovate

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 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the sixth episode is Jake Bucknall, co-founder of pizza business Dinner for One Hundred.

Chef Jake started the company in South London in 2020 with his former tour guide friend Jacob as a dinner for 100 people. 

But then lockdown hit so they decided to sell pizzas outside Jacob's mum's house. The popularity was so great that they ran out of space and moved to a pop-up site. 

That has now been developed into a permanent pizzeria, alongside another bar, selling their pizzas in a central London pub and running four events a month. 

In the show, Dan and Jake discuss topics including

• the impact of the pandemic
• tips for setting up a restaurant
• how to be successful at crowdfunding 
• the secrets to putting on a great event
• tips for business success

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 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast