The Small Business Sessions

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

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 fifth episode is Josh Kleiner, who runs sandwich shop chain Sandwich Sandwich with his dad Nick.

The family business started with a small shop in Bristol in 2010 and now has three branches in the south west city.

In 2023, the business was named Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year and won £100,000. This allowed the father and son team to open a flagship London store which is so popular that people queue for up to an hour to buy their lunch.

The success of the business has also been helped by social media. Its famous giant sandwiches have gone viral many times, with TikTok influencer Kalani Ghost Hunter telling his three million followers that it was "one of the best things he has ever put in his mouth".

In the show, Dan and Josh discuss:

• how the business has grown from the first small shop
• the reasons behind its popularity on social media
• the impact the social media buzz has had on the business
• opening a flagship branch in London
• his advice for running a high street business
• his 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

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 fourth episode is Elyssa Desai.

Elyssa is a mindset expert, speaker and coach who guides business owners and others through their what am I doing with my life moments. A huge focus of her work is helping individuals to understand and reprogramme their mindset so they can confidently achieve their dreams.

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

• How to manage imposter syndrome as a business owner
• Dealing with burnout
• How being an Enterprise Nation adviser has helped her business
• Starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Tips for podcasting

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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 third episode is is Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean.

Lynsey first joined Instagram in 2016 and posted an image of her newly clean floor with a bottle of product. Despite having only 40 followers, she got 190 likes and realised she was on to something. 

Within six months, Lynsey had 7,000 followers, started being paid by brands to promote their products and became the UK's first cleaning influencer. 

Nearly a million people now keep up to date with Lynsey's cleaning tips on social media, she has written several books, and she makes regular appearances on television shows including ITV's This Morning and Good Morning Britain. 

In the episode, Lynsey and Dan discuss topics including:

• becoming a social media influencer
• how to grow a following online 
• negotiating influencer deals with brands
• building a career as a TV expert 
• the power of Facebook groups
• managing a work/life balance

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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