Untold: Behind the Scenes in the UK Food & Drink Industry

Live episode recorded from Bread and Jam 2023. 

We go behind the scenes with three unbelievable business leaders in the FMCG space. 

We speak about: 

A must attend event for food and drink founders whatever stage of the journey! Use code Untold30 for 30% off tickets. 

Bread and Jam is a feast of information. An electric buzz, a room filled with belief and opportunity! Some of the greatest heads in the FMCG startup world all together in festival over 2 days. it really is not to be missed. 

Join me in a captivating conversation with Nick, where he shares the remarkable tale of his entrepreneurial journey with Teo, co-founder. It all started when they met at the White Rabbit Pub in Oxford. Nick worked as a barman, and Teo's exceptional pizza-making skills caught his attention. Together, they saw an untapped market for vegan and free-from versions of Teo's irresistible pizzas.

Scaling their idea rapidly, Nick and Teo faced the monumental task of establishing and managing their own factory. Overcoming numerous obstacles, their unwavering commitment and determination drove them forward. Nick reveals the daunting challenge of competing against major brands for shelf space. Their story exemplifies the importance of resilience in navigating the evolving FMCG landscape, while remaining true to your values.

Throughout the conversation, Nick discusses the challenges of being a founder and the difficulty of switching off from the demands of running a business. He stresses the benefits of staying deeply connected to the brand, in enabling proactive problem-solving, while acknowledging the toll this can take on personal well-being.

Discrimination and determination, confronting inequality in the world of FMCG 

Listen to an eye-opening episode of *Untold podcast with the remarkable Segun Akinwoleola, founder of The Gym Kitchen. Segun's story shed light on the discrimination he's faced as a black entrepreneur, both in meetings with supermarkets and while seeking funding for his business. He emphasised the urgent need for a level playing field in the FMCG industry.

Segun's journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the challenges that black entrepreneurs navigate daily. By sharing his experiences, Segun sparked a crucial dialogue about the inequalities in the entrepreneurial world. He's pushing for change, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of background.

You won't want to miss this eye-opening and inspiring episode of the *Untold podcast. Segun's story will inspire you to take action in working towards a more equitable future for all entrepreneurs.

Join us as we delve into the world of wine and entrepreneurship with the incredible Jeremy May, co-founder of Nice Wine.

Jeremy shares his invaluable insights on how to overcome obstacles, including the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover the power of honesty in effectively communicating with investors during uncertain times.

Jeremy also emphasises the importance of embracing feedback as a love language for growth. Find out how this unique approach has played a pivotal role in Nice Wine's success and discover how you can apply it to your own entrepreneurial journey.

You won't want to miss Jeremy's discussion on their recent fundraising round. He shares how Nice Wine, as an 80% female-run and 40% female-owned company, actively encouraged women to become their next investors.

This episode of Untold was an extraordinary challenge, as I had the opportunity to interview an exceptional founder who also happens to be a dear friend of mine.

David's candidness during our conversation was truly remarkable, as he openly shared how the unwavering determination to keep his business thriving during trying times, was deeply rooted in the profound grief he experienced during his young adult life.

I am immensely grateful to David for bringing such raw and genuine emotion to our discussion, making it a truly powerful experience that I know will resonate with others.

Leaving his secure job as an electrician, Adam Lyons pursued his passion for food, setting up a restaurant in York that specialised in mouth-watering vegan fried chicken. His plans were derailed by the pandemic, forcing the closure of his restaurant and placing his staff on furlough. However, Adam saw an opportunity amidst the challenges.

Recognising the unwavering demand for his vegan fried chicken, Adam transformed the restaurant into a factory to deliver his creations directly to customers. Partnering with Matthew Glover, they embarked on a journey to build an activist Vegan brand with a mission to make a real impact. 

By embracing change, and with the support of his team, Adam’s grit and determination enabled him to learn on the job and build a brilliant company in an industry he knew nothing about when he started out.  

Stu, the founder of ManiLife, escaped his accountancy job and moved to Argentina where he discovered his love for peanut butter. He took a leap of faith and started his own peanut butter business, ManiLife, which still uses peanuts sourced from the same estate today!

Stu speaks openly about how his drive and passion soon became an overwhelming compulsion, ultimately leading to burn-out. He reflects on the warning signs that we often ignore and how he was able to take time out to reset.  

Carl started Wholegood wholesale from an old disused bakery bootstrapped to 32 million. Carl opens up about his journey, why he stepped down from the CEO role, how the business doubled during covid and how he continues to find it difficult to switch off! 

Meenesh took an idea from a food trolley to being stocked in major retail distribution in the UK. We discuss the Multiple challenges that hit at once, how you actually close a business, dealing with a crippling health diagnosis and the magic of meditation! It's brave, inspiring and I was honoured to have a friend and fellow business owner on Untold.