Welcome to The Busi-ness Podcast!

Prior to launching cult stationery brand Papier in 2015, Taymoor Atighetchi started his business journey as an antiques dealer on Portobello Road Market. During his time at university, Taymoor then co-founded student news outlet The Tab, which is where his love for building brands began. Combining a love for art, design and beautiful stationery with a desire to create a brand that would define its category from day one, Papier was born. 6 years later, Papier has surpassed 1million customers and has some seriously exciting projects in the pipeline, including further product development and expansion into the US, to reach even more paper people. 

Taymoor sat down with me to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being a solo founder, retaining company culture and combating communication issues as a business grows. We spoke about understanding when and where to raise capital and accepting that not everybody will buy into your vision. Taymoor explained why Papier was never going to be a side hustle and how sustainability was part business model from day one. We talked about defining your own success and why the best piece of advice he’s ever received is to stop talking and just get on with it. I loved chatting to Taymoor about his business journey, which definitely isn’t linear. He’s such a compelling founder. I really believe in his brand mission + I hope you do too.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Brand and retail expert Millie Kendall co-founded the British Beauty Council in 2018, on the back of an impressive 20 year career. Having been instrumental in the success of brands such as L’Occitane and Aveda, launching her own cosmetics brand Ruby and Millie, running her own PR and Communications agency and receiving an MBE for her services to the cosmetic industry, Millie launched the British Beauty Council with a mission to support and champion the best interests of the British beauty industry. 

Despite being the epitome of busy, Millie sat down to chat with me about being a storyteller and why talking and listening to people is integral to creating the best ideas. We discussed how social media has transformed the beauty and wellness industry, why doing something well doesn’t necessarily mean that it was easy and why we should always sleep on important decisions. Millie spoke candidly about the effects of politics on business, having the right intentions when starting out and how the British Beauty Council is future-proofing the beauty and wellness industry. It was so interesting to chat to Millie and listen to the insights and experiences from her exceptional career.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Jessica Mason launched bedding and sleepwear brand Piglet in 2017, following an impressive career in marketing and PR, working with global brands such as Nike, Rayban + Aesop. Born out of Jessica's desire for high-quality basics in her home that were both cosy and beautiful, Piglet started small, but has since grown rapidly. Jessica chatted to me about having the opportunity to look under the hood, and see what really excites customers. We talked about learning the ropes on other people’s checkbooks, how to spot a gap in the market, and how unrealistic versions of home life spurred her on to create Piglet. We talked about how to avoid being sucked into the Instagram perception of what a founder should look and act like, the practical steps that Jessica took to launch the business, + why her first employee was her mum. Jessica currently lives in New York, having moved there to support the growth of the business. Her perspective is refreshingly normal and unfrilly, and I hope you enjoy listening to her business journey

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Welcome to The Busi-ness Podcast.

When Pip Black made the move from advertising to launch cult fitness studio chain Frame with co-founder Joan Murphy in 2009, their mission was simple: to stop exercise feeling like a chore and put the fun back in fitness. Stemming from the desire for commitment free exercise that was actually enjoyable, Pip and Joan dedicated themselves to creating a fitness concept that would fit seamlessly into people's day-to-day lives, catering to both their mood and body and encouraging a better frame of mind. 12 years later, the brand boasts 7 studios across London, over 50 different classes and a dedicated community of FRAMERS across the UK.

Pip and I discussed having absolute dedication to your brand mission and values, believing wholeheartedly in what you do and being confident in the knowledge that things don't always go to plan. Pip spoke candidly about social media anxiety and why Frame is bringing the feel good factor online, the unrealistic allure of entrepreneurialism and how the past 18 months has impacted women in business. Pip is a hugely successful entrepreneur and I hope you are able to take some learnings from her inspiring story.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Jess Schuring grew up in Germany, lived in LA and founded Heartcore, a dynamic blend of Pilates, Yoga, dance and movement, in London. Bringing inspiration from the sunshine state, Heartcore strives to create a better way for people to create balance in their bodies and minds and now boasts 7 studios across the city and a dedicated global community. We chatted about why fitness shouldn’t be scary and how Heartcore has inspired so many by leading with the heart. Jess talks candidly about wasting money, accepting and understanding why not everyone is on the journey with you and why building a business can be lonely at times. She talks passionately of the importance of being open about our mental health, particularly in light of the past couple of years, and making mindfulness more accessible.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Will Woodhams was appointed CEO of luxury, invitation-only bookmakers Fitzdares in 2018, entering the betting industry after a succession of marketing and advisory roles in fashion, luxury goods and high-end brands. Will, who is a real hero of mine, took the time to catch up with me on his 20 year career. We talked about the importance of presenting a more realistic viewpoint of running a business, including winging it, the smoke and mirrors in business and having the confidence to counteract feelings of fraudulence. Will chatted to me about our new obsession with young entrepreneurs and why they should prioritise their personal lives more. Will’s approach to business is refreshing, citing the importance of adaptability and agility, being able to take a call from anywhere, including a jet ski and simple, getting the fuck on.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Daniel Price founded My 1st Years with close friend Jonny Sitton in 2011, after struggling to find a meaningful gift for a friend’s newborn baby. Cue a set of personalised baby shoes made by the duo, which both delighted their friends and sparked requests from friends and family across the globe and My 1st Years was born. A decade later, the business is worth well over £20 million. But despite being the number one personalised children’s gift brand and loved by celebrities, after overcoming the challenges of Covid the brand faced a devastating setback after a fire destroyed their head office and distribution centre. 

Since speaking to Daniel, and after four months of being unable to take orders, My 1st Years is back in business, with a new look and new products and a fantastic attitude. We talk winging it, important hires and running a business with your best friend. I hope you enjoy listening to this inspirational story.

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Welcome to the Busi-ness Podcast.

Maggie Bolger launched B_together, a design-led, intergenerational family club and neighbourhood destination, following her exit as Co-founder and Creative Director of her first family club venture, Maggie & Rose. B_Together is a progressive thought leader of early childhood education, has family focused interior design and a superior members club. Maggie is a mum on a mission, raising 4 children of her own. We chatted believing in your product, the importance of good investors, mum guilt, unhelpful advice, and the balancing act of raising a family and building a business.

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Welcome to Season 2 of the Busi-Ness Podcast.

Ben Lebus is the founder and director of MOB Kitchen and a number one best-selling author with over five published books. Having taken the social media world by storm with his one minute how to make recipe videos, Ben launched MOB Kitchen to show how cooking healthy, delicious food is easy, affordable and fun.

We talked about how to work out which social media platforms to focus on, how quickly things change, why you always have to be five steps ahead, what innovation looks like in this category and how to run the business remotely in COVID. When I recorded this with Ben, he was keen to move office, which he has now done in real life. The business is growing, the team is expanding and Ben isn't slowing down. Having captured the student market, MOB Kitchen is set for growth and I'm sure this exciting business journey will inspire you.

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Welcome to Season 2 of the Busi-Ness Podcast.

Jeremy May and Lucy Wright founded NICE Wines to create Wine For Whenever, For The Wins, The Woes and Why Nots. The co-founders talked about their working dynamic, why they love real time, honest feedback, how their best investments have been in their team, and how they look for character over skill set. We chatted about competition, why staying on Instagram has its merits, the challenges of the category and the opportunities for them, and of course, how to raise money, and where to get it from. You likely will have seen NICE in a supermarket, a picnic basket or in a magazine, as the brand continues to dominate across the UK.

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