Connie was inspired by childhood memories to create something different in the stale high street jewellery space. She's since built an iconic brand, beloved by an ever growing community of admirers and - importantly - customers.

💐 Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events possible.

Recorded at: Virgin StartUp Changemakers, Virgin HQ, London

Hosted by Natalie Pearce.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colette’s story is one of bold moves and big learnings. She shares how a failed pitch to ASOS taught her the power of selling the dream, how Reddit inspired The INKEY List’s entire approach, and what it really takes to scale a business at speed while staying true to your purpose.

From burnout and imposter syndrome to billion-view TikToks and retail deals with Sephora, Colette doesn’t hold back. This is a masterclass in building a brand with integrity, grit and heart.

Whether you’re a skincare obsessive, early-stage founder, or just someone who needs a reminder to back themselves – this one’s for you.

🎧 Subscribe now and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

💐 Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events possible.

Recorded at: Virgin StartUp Changemakers, Virgin HQ, London

Hosted by Natalie Pearce.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddie’s story starts with a milk float and a dream. From door-to-door sales and DIY Excel Gantt charts, to building a beloved household brand, his journey is anything but ordinary. He shares openly about the pressures of startup life, the power of simplicity, and how he’s finally stepping into the spotlight ten years on.

Whether you’re a founder, florist, or fan of floral joy, this conversation is full of lessons in resilience, creativity, and staying grounded while growing something special.

🎧 Subscribe now and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

💐 Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events possible.

Recorded at: Virgin StartUp Changemakers, Virgin HQ, London

Hosted by Natalie Pearce.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harriet shares how her entrepreneurial leap came after stepping away from a successful career in publishing and PR, seeking greater control and flexibility as a mother of four. Starting Biscuiteers in her husband’s catering kitchen, Harriet spotted a gap in the market for stylish, personalised gifts and turned it into a business now icing nearly three million biscuits each year.

Key insights include:

• The power of storytelling and organic PR in building a brand.
• How Harriet strategically leveraged corporate partnerships with global brands like Dior, Cartier, and Emma Bridgewater.
• Her experience navigating challenges in manufacturing, scaling operations, and managing multi-channel sales strategies.
• Advocacy for female founders through her initiative “Buy Women Built,” tackling systemic funding issues and championing women-led businesses.

Hosted by Natalie Pearce.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out how Simon went from homeless to selling his business for millions to PWC, and why he's dedicating his time to making other founders' dreams come true.

Hosted by Natalie Pearce.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a look at our lineup for our new podcast launching next week!

We’ve been behind the scenes with some of the UK’s boldest business minds - who all happen to be Virgin StartUp Mentors — David Abrahamovitch (GRIND), Pip Murray (Pip & Nut), Olivia Jenkins (D. Louise), Andy McNulty (Touch Stay), Abi Selby (Spabreaks.com), and Alex Partridge (UniLad & LADBible) — to talk growth, grit, and the power that mentoring has had on their startup successes. 

The first episode drops this Wednesday, featuring viral media pioneer and host of the ADHD Chatter podcast, Alex Partridge. Subscribe to our new feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tiwa's hosting our International Women's Day panel event alongside Grace Andrews and Michelle Feeney. Grab your ticket now at: https://www.virginstartup.org/events/leading-with-confidence-women-making-moves/

Follow Tiwa and Confident And Killing It on Instagram.

The brand Tiwa mentioned is Kai Collective: https://kaicollective.com/

The book and video Tiwa mentioned are by John Maxwell.

This podcast is produced for Virgin StartUp by Goldfish

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're going out with a bang though, with the co-founder of Too Good To Go, Jamie Crummie, who's helping millions of us reduce food waste with their tech platform built around a strong purpose.

See you in 2025 for more inspiring conversations with founders creating sustainable impact across the UK.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out how Olivia and co-founder Dan have build the UK's 4th fastest growing company, helping millions of people along their wellness journeys.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out more about Olivia here: https://www.instagram.com/oliviarubin/

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

The podcast is produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded at our 10th birthday celebrations in London, Holly sat down with eternal optimist and Ted Talk sensation, Simon Sinek, to recognise the impact that you as founders all have on our society. 

Holly and Simon break down the barriers to uncovering your purpose, and share stories of hope at a time we all need it the most. 🤞🏼

Here's to the next 10 years of helping purpose-driven founders start-up and thrive. 🎉

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pair discussed how all of us can shop better, and what it takes to build a business taking on the likes of Amazon.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ZINC VC changed the Venture Capital game when they launched their platform for purpose-first founders looking to partner with investors who shared their vision for a better world.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2017, best friends Farah Kabir and Dr Sarah Welsh were both equally frustrated with the limited variety and their experience in the condom and lube aisle.

They created HANX with the purpose to start a sex-positive and sustainable brand with gynae-backed sexual wellness products everyone would love, with no harsh chemicals.

Their attitude to challenge the status quo and misconceptions about our bodies is a step in the right direction to get rid of the days where you are left blushing at the till or embarrassed about buying sexual wellness and intimate health products.

After putting their life savings into this startup, their story is all about taking the leap and trusting your ambition. Join us in-person and online on 23rd August to meet co-founder Farah to ask her all the questions you want to know about starting up and challenging taboo subjects.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These words changed the life of Cemal Ezel, and consequently, thousands more. 

Former City trader Cemal founded Change Please to transform the lives of the homeless community by providing people experiencing homelessness a living wage job, housing, training and opportunities.

Visit https://changeplease.org/ to find out more about the Change Please mission.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From experimenting with home brewing and delivering beer on foot around Brixton to building a distinctive brand and eventually partnering with Heineken, Xochitl and Mike share the decisions behind Brixton Brewery’s growth. They explore starting a business with friends and partners, building deep roots in a local community, knowing when outside investment can help you scale and what it feels like to eventually step away from a business you've built.

Whether you're starting a food or drink business, building a community-led brand or considering investment and growth, this episode offers practical founder lessons on starting small, staying distinctive and finding the right partners for the next stage.

In this episode:

• Turning a shared interest into a viable business idea
• Starting a brewery without professional brewing experience
• Why Brixton became central to the brand rather than simply its location
• Building a distinctive identity in a crowded craft beer market
• Starting a business with friends and life partners
• Growing production when your original space can no longer keep up
• Deciding whether investment from a much larger company is right for you
• Maintaining your identity while working with a global partner
• Knowing when it is time for founders to step back from the business

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From testing sauces at farmers' markets and developing a new lower-alcohol spirits category to creating food experiences designed to spark joy, the panel shares different routes into the industry. They explore product development, finding your market, building a loyal community and navigating the realities of supply chains, rising costs and sustainability as a food and drink business grows.

Whether you're experimenting with your first recipe, preparing to launch a food or drink startup or working out how to take an existing product to the next stage, this episode offers practical founder lessons on testing, differentiating and scaling a brand in a crowded market.\

Featuring:

• Fabian Clark, co-founder of Quarter
• Dominique Woolf, founder of The Woolf’s Kitchen
• Andy Young, co-founder of Black Milk

In this episode:

• Finding a gap in a crowded food and drink market
• Testing your idea before investing heavily
• Developing products customers genuinely want
• Building a distinctive brand around more than the product
• Creating loyal customers and community
• Managing supply chains and rising ingredient costs
• Knowing when to outsource or bring in additional expertise
• Building sustainability into packaging and operations
• Staying resilient when economic conditions are outside your control

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From documenting their first jacket on Instagram to creating limited made-to-order batches that sell out in minutes, Becky and Huw share how transparency, community and an obsessive focus on quality shaped Paynter. They explore building in public, pricing, manufacturing, dealing with copycats and why they have resisted the pressure to pursue endless growth, even as demand has increased.

Whether you're building a fashion startup, developing a physical product or questioning the assumption that every successful business needs to scale as quickly as possible, this episode offers a different perspective on growth, customer loyalty and creating products designed to last.

In this episode:

• Building an audience before you have a finished product
• How customer input helped shape Paynter's first jackets
• Why Paynter chose limited, made-to-order production
• Creating scarcity without manufacturing marketing hype
• Turning transparency into customer trust and loyalty
• Building a premium brand without a big advertising budget
• Responding when other businesses copy your ideas
• Why growth does not always mean making and selling more
• Challenging fast fashion through quality, longevity and less waste

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From flexible working and founder wellbeing to psychological safety, transparency and hiring the right people, the panel explores what workplace culture actually looks like in practice. They share lessons from cultures that worked and those that didn't, discuss how founders can lead by example, and consider how much responsibility businesses should take for helping their teams work in ways that suit them.

Whether you're making your first hire, scaling a growing team or rethinking how your company works, this episode offers practical perspectives on creating a culture where people can do great work without sacrificing trust, flexibility or wellbeing.

Featuring:

• Molly Johnson-Jones, co-founder of Flexa
• Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged
• Jim Woods, co-founder of BetterSpace

In this episode:

• Building company culture intentionally from your first hires
• Why psychological safety matters in growing teams
• Hiring for values, humility and attitude as well as skills
• Flexible working and why different people work best in different ways
• How much transparency founders should share with their teams
• Supporting employee wellbeing without turning it into a workplace perk
• What founders can learn when company culture goes wrong
• Knowing when to hire slowly and when to act quickly if someone isn't the right fit

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From making her first nut butters at home and testing them at market stalls to crowdfunding, finding a manufacturer and winning supermarket listings, Pip shares the decisions that helped turn an early idea into a national brand. She also explores building a distinctive identity, managing cash flow, hiring the right people and why founders need to think carefully about scaling before chasing bigger distribution.

Whether you're developing a food or drink product, building a consumer brand or trying to take your startup into retail, this episode offers practical lessons on testing demand, building a brand people remember and growing without getting ahead of yourself.

In this episode:

• Finding a gap in a crowded food and drink market
• Testing your product with real customers before scaling
• Finding a manufacturer when you're an early-stage startup
• Crowdfunding and raising the money to launch
• Why distinctive branding matters from day one
• Getting into supermarkets and building distribution strategically
• Managing cash flow and the hidden costs of scaling a food brand
• Building a team and culture that can grow with the business
• Balancing commercial growth with sustainability and positive impact

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From building an audience organically and finding the right influencers to experimenting with TikTok, creating video and knowing when paid advertising is actually worth it, the panel shares what they've learned from building brands and communities online. They also explore why understanding your audience matters more than chasing followers, and how founders can create a realistic social media strategy with limited time and budget.

Whether you're starting from zero, struggling to grow engagement or wondering where to focus your limited marketing resources, this episode offers practical advice for using social media to build awareness, community and ultimately your business.

Featuring:

• Henry Connell, co-founder of The Uncommon
• Abi Oyepitan, co-founder of LIHA Beauty
• Corrie Jones, founder of Untapped Digital

In this episode:

• Building a social media strategy around business goals, not trends
• Choosing the right platforms for your customers
• Growing an audience without a huge advertising budget
• Working with influencers authentically and effectively
• Why video and short-form content can help startups reach new audiences
• Turning social media attention into customers and retail opportunities
• Knowing which social media metrics actually matter
• Creating content consistently without letting social media take over your business

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Launching a travel startup just before Covid hits. Being inspired by your daughter to launch a business which ends up landing Beyonce as a client. Going from a kitchen table blog to a multimillion pound business.

These are just some of the stories we've uncovered in our new startup podcast series; The Jump, hosted by Ben Keene.

Shedding light on inspiring tales from the world of startups in the UK, The Jump gets unrivalled access to founders to hear the stories behind the brands.

See virginstartup.org for more.

We're bringing you this podcast in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From crowdfunding a first product and bootstrapping from a bedroom to testing ideas door-to-door, the founders share how they got started with limited resources. They explore funding, pricing, digital marketing, building a community and working with co-founders, alongside why having a bigger purpose can help keep you moving when startup life gets difficult.

Whether you have an idea you haven't acted on yet, are testing your first product or are working out how to fund and grow an early-stage startup, this episode offers practical lessons from three founders building their businesses one step at a time.

Featuring:

• Jill Henry, co-founder of Meander Apparel
• Lysander Bickham, co-founder of Leo’s Box
• Rob Ford, co-founder of Box & Sprout

In this episode:

• Turning an initial idea into a product people will pay for
• Testing demand before investing heavily in your business
• Bootstrapping, Start Up Loans, crowdfunding and raising investment
• Finding the right pricing strategy for your product
• Building a community before pushing for the sale
• What works and doesn't work when marketing a startup online
• Building a healthy relationship with your co-founder
• Why purpose can keep founders moving through the difficult days

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan shares how his own experiences of insomnia and anxiety led him towards brain health and eventually to Heights, but this conversation goes much further than one startup story. From closing a previous venture after raising millions to deliberately rebuilding around stronger values, he reflects on startup culture, fundraising, product development, mental health and the difficult decisions founders have to make as they grow.

Whether you're navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship, building a team or trying to create a healthier relationship with your business, this episode offers a candid perspective on learning from failure, looking after yourself and building with greater intention the next time around.

In this episode:

• How insomnia and anxiety helped inspire the idea for Heights
• What raising £5.5 million and closing a previous startup taught Dan
• Why company values matter most when things get difficult
• Building an audience before you've finished building the product
• Knowing when venture capital is right for your business
• Why founders need to stop having all the answers
• The role of nutrition, gratitude and movement in founder wellbeing
• Building in public and being honest when growth gets difficult

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From embedding impact into your business model to attracting talent, securing investment and partnering with larger organisations, the conversation looks at what building a better business means in practice. The panel also explores B Corp, the Better Business Act, impact investing and why startups have an opportunity to tackle some of society's biggest social and environmental challenges.

Whether you're starting a purpose-led business, working out how to measure your impact or looking to make an existing company more responsible, this episode offers practical ideas for building positive impact into the foundations of your business.

Featuring:

• Holly Branson, Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin
• Chris Turner, B Corp leader and campaigner for the Better Business Act
• Dama Sathianathan, Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures
• Victoria Stoyanova, founder of the Institute of Belonging

In this episode:

• Why purpose and profit do not have to compete
• Building positive impact into your business from the beginning
• What B Corp can teach founders about better business
• How the Better Business Act aims to change the role of UK companies
• Finding funding for purpose-led and impact startups
• Building partnerships with larger organisations
• Why purpose can help attract talent, customers and investment
• Turning social and environmental problems into opportunities for innovation

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From clothes that grow with children and unwanted denim given a second life to technology helping brands understand their supply chains, the conversation explores sustainability through design, data and new business models. The panel discusses made-to-order fashion, materials, packaging, transparency and the challenge of changing consumer behaviour without losing sight of commercial realities.

Whether you're building a fashion brand, developing a physical product or trying to make your supply chain more sustainable, this episode offers practical perspectives on creating products designed to last and using startup innovation to challenge established ways of doing business.

Featuring:

• Arabella Turek, COO of Petit Pli
• Mandeep Soor, co-founder of Bendi
• Andrew and Elizaveta Bennett, founders of Arkdefo

In this episode:

• Designing products to last rather than be replaced
• Turning waste materials into new products
• The realities of building a made-to-order fashion business
• Understanding sustainability across complex supply chains
• Making packaging more sustainable and useful
• Why transparency and product storytelling can change customer behaviour
• How startups can tackle problems established businesses struggle to solve
• Balancing sustainability, affordability and commercial growth

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From spending years perfecting a product to testing ideas at market stalls, winning over restaurant chefs and securing supermarket listings, the founders share very different routes to building successful food and drink businesses. They discuss pricing, product development, branding, bootstrapping and why creating something people genuinely want has to come before chasing scale.

Whether you're developing your first food or drink product, trying to break into retail or working out how to scale an existing brand, this episode offers practical founder lessons on creating a standout product and building a business around it.

Featuring:

• Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip
• Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons
• Neil Potts, co-founder of The Vurger Co.

In this episode:

• Turning a food or drink idea into a viable business
• Knowing when your product is ready to launch
• Testing products and learning directly from customers
• Breaking into restaurants, retailers and supermarkets
• Pricing a product when you're creating something new
• Why strong branding needs an equally strong product
• Bootstrapping versus bringing in outside investment
• Building a bigger business without losing sight of its purpose

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From choosing the right platforms and creating content people actually want to engage with to working with influencers and turning followers into customers, the panel shares practical lessons from building brands and audiences online. They also discuss why consistency matters, how data can sharpen your social strategy and why authentic connection beats simply chasing follower numbers.

Whether you're launching your first social channels, struggling to turn engagement into sales or trying to build a loyal community around your brand, this episode offers practical advice for making social media work harder for your business.

Featuring:

• Montana Brown, founder of Swim Society
• Lucy Wright, co-founder of NICE
• Pilar Nalwimba, producer, presenter and podcaster

In this episode:

• Turning followers into customers and community
• Choosing the right social media platforms for your audience
• Why consistency matters more than simply posting more
• Creating content that offers value beyond selling your product
• Using data to understand what your audience responds to
• Working with influencers when you have a limited budget
• Why authenticity and direct customer conversations matter
• Protecting your wellbeing while building a business online

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From defining why your business exists to finding your audience and developing an authentic voice, the panel explores what makes a brand memorable beyond its logo or visual identity. They discuss founder-led storytelling, building a brand with limited resources, using social media to create community and why clarity and consistency matter more than trying to appeal to everyone.

Whether you're building a brand from scratch, struggling to communicate what makes your business different or looking for better ways to connect with customers, this episode offers practical ideas for turning your story into a genuine competitive advantage.

Featuring:

• James Hurst, Global Creative Director at Pinterest
• Alice Rhodes, co-founder of Depixym
• Corrie Jones, founder of Untapped Digital

In this episode:

• Why your founder story can be one of your strongest brand assets
• The six questions that can bring clarity to your brand
• Finding the right audience instead of trying to appeal to everyone
• Balancing the founder's voice with customer-led storytelling
• Building an authentic brand without a big budget
• Using social media to create community, not just broadcast content
• How to communicate during periods of uncertainty and change
• Why understanding your wider competition can sharpen your positioning

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From launching a skincare brand days before lockdown to turning a catering business into a model that also tackles food poverty, the founders share how they tested ideas, managed limited finances, found customers and adapted when plans went off course. They also discuss pricing, ecommerce, influencer marketing and why trusting your instincts matters when there is no obvious next step.

Whether you're sitting on a business idea, preparing to launch or trying to adapt an existing startup, this episode offers practical lessons on starting small, learning as you go and building momentum without waiting until everything feels perfect.

Featuring:

• Roshanne Dorsett, founder of The Glowcery
• Ayesha Pakravan, founder of The Plattery and Vital Meals
• Hannah Adams, founder of Pieces of the Puzzle

In this episode:

• Starting a business when the timing feels far from perfect
• Testing an idea without investing huge amounts upfront
• Managing personal finances while building a startup
• Pricing your product for profit, customers and future growth
• Using Instagram, influencers and ecommerce to find early customers
• Knowing when to trust advice and when to trust your instincts
• Turning setbacks into opportunities to adapt
• Protecting your energy and wellbeing while building a business

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From tying your identity to your startup to recognising the warning signs of burnout, the panel explores the pressures founders rarely talk about. They share their own experiences of failure, anxiety, grief and stepping back, alongside practical ways to protect your wellbeing, build resilience and create a support network when running a business feels lonely.

Whether you're starting a business, leading a growing team or finding it difficult to switch off from founder life, this episode offers a reminder that looking after yourself is part of building something sustainable.

Featuring:

• Pip Jamieson, founder of The Dots
• James Routledge, founder of Sanctus
• Sandra de Monte, founder of MindBerry

In this episode:

• Why your business should not become your entire identity
• Recognising the early warning signs of founder burnout
• Dealing with failure without seeing yourself as a failure
• The relationship between entrepreneurship, anxiety and uncertainty
• Why founders need people they can be vulnerable with
• Setting boundaries and learning when to switch off
• Building a team that supports rather than drains you
• Why looking after your mental health is part of running a business

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From purpose-led business and changing consumer expectations to sustainability, technology and entirely new ways of working, the conversation looks beyond short-term trends to explore the forces reshaping entrepreneurship. The panel discusses why profit and positive impact do not need to compete, how collaboration can create change at scale, and why founders should think much further into the future while taking practical action today.

Whether you're developing a new business idea, rethinking your business model or considering the long-term impact you want your company to have, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on building businesses that are ready for what comes next.

Featuring:

• Tracey Follows, futurist and founder of Futuremade
• Bruce Walker, CEO and co-founder of FutureX
• James Ghaffari, B Corp and sustainable business expert

In this episode:

• The trends shaping the future of entrepreneurship
• Why purpose and profit can strengthen each other
• Building a business around people, planet and long-term value
• How technology could reshape where and how we work
• Why collaboration can be more powerful than competition
• Making sustainability part of your business as you grow
• Why founders should think beyond the traditional five-year plan
• Turning a long-term vision into action today

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From building startups around demanding careers to navigating money, confidence and the pressure to create the perfect product, the founders share what pushed them to make the leap. They also discuss finding the right support, learning new skills on the job and why committing to your idea can fundamentally change the way you think about your business.

Whether you're growing a side hustle, considering becoming a full-time founder or trying to work out whether your business is ready for the next step, this episode offers practical perspectives on making the transition without waiting for a perfect moment.

Featuring:

• Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, co-founders of AKT
• Daisy Tinker, co-founder of A South London Makers Market
• Steph Giordano, founder of Baked by Steph

In this episode:

• How to know when you're ready to quit the day job
• Moving from side hustle to full-time founder
• Why waiting for the perfect product can hold you back
• Managing your personal finances before making the leap
• Building confidence when your professional identity changes
• Finding mentors, advisers and people you can trust
• Learning to understand cash flow and the numbers behind your business
• Protecting your wellbeing while building something on the side

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded during the uncertainty of 2020, the conversation feels remarkably relevant for anyone considering starting up in a changing market. From testing an idea before taking the leap to protecting cash, finding a co-founder and raising investment, the panel explores how founders can make decisions when there is no crystal ball and why periods of disruption can create opportunities for new businesses.

Whether you're sitting on a business idea, wondering if market conditions are right or trying to navigate uncertainty as an early-stage founder, this episode offers practical perspectives on starting small, managing risk and knowing when to move.

Featuring:

• Lucas London, co-founder of Lick
• Gabriela Hersham, co-founder of Huckletree
• Lucy Standing, occupational psychologist and founder of Brave Starts

In this episode:

• Is there ever a perfect time to start a business?
• Testing an idea before making the leap
• Spotting opportunities created by changing markets
• Managing uncertainty and founder anxiety
• Why protecting cash and runway matters
• Raising investment when market conditions are difficult
• What to look for in the right co-founder
• Why starting small can help reduce risk

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susie shares how selling homemade body scrubs at Greenwich Market as a teenager grew into Tropic Skincare, and the lessons she learned along the way about pricing, selling, building trust and creating a community of ambassadors. She also explores why passion needs to evolve into purpose as a business grows, and why bigger does not automatically mean better.

Whether you're starting your first business, building a consumer brand or deciding how quickly to scale, this conversation offers practical founder lessons on sustainable growth, customer trust and staying focused on why your business exists.

In this episode:

• Turning a homemade skincare product into a business
• What selling face-to-face taught Susie about customers
• Pricing your product with confidence from day one
• Building trust in a competitive consumer market
• Growing a powerful ambassador community through word of mouth
• Why purpose can make difficult business decisions easier
• Building sustainability into products and packaging
• Why founders should focus on profit, not vanity growth

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From tackling food waste and changing the way we consume fashion to measuring impact and navigating B Corp certification, the conversation explores what it really means to build a purpose-led business. The panel discusses why impact works best when it is part of the business model from the start, how to balance sustainability with commercial realities, and the role founders can play in changing customer behaviour.

Whether you're starting a sustainable business, defining your impact strategy or looking for ways to make purpose and profit work together, this episode offers practical lessons for building a business that creates meaningful change.

Featuring:

• Emilie Vanpoperinghe, co-founder of Oddbox
• Eshita Kabra-Davies, founder of By Rotation
• Richard Johnson, sustainability and business innovation expert

In this episode:

• Building positive impact into your business model from day one
• How Oddbox turned food waste into a scalable business opportunity
• How By Rotation is using the sharing economy to rethink fashion consumption
• Measuring the impact that genuinely matters to your business
• B Corp certification and when it makes sense for startups
• Finding suppliers and partners that share your values
• Balancing sustainability with the commercial realities of startup growth
• When founders should move from entrepreneurship into activism

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From finding a distinctive voice and defining what your business stands for to testing ideas with real customers, the conversation goes beyond logos and visual identity to explore brand purpose, personality, storytelling and customer experience. The panel also shares the reality behind campaigns that worked, ideas that didn’t, building brands on limited budgets and knowing when to listen to feedback and when to stand your ground.

Whether you’re launching a startup, developing your brand strategy or trying to stand out in a crowded market, this episode offers practical lessons for building a distinctive brand that can grow beyond its founders.

Featuring:

• Celia Pool, co-founder of DAME
• Nathan Perry, co-founder of Denzel’s
• Tom Tapper, CEO and co-founder of Nice and Serious

In this episode:

• What a brand really is beyond logos and visual identity
• Finding your purpose, personality and distinctive voice
• Building a strong brand without a big startup budget
• Knowing which customer feedback to act on
• Testing ideas quickly rather than chasing perfection
• What successful and unsuccessful campaigns can teach you
• Building sustainability and values into your brand
• Creating a brand that can grow beyond its founder

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live during the pandemic, this wide-ranging conversation explores how founders can lead through uncertainty, build resilient businesses, inspire teams and stay optimistic when everything around them is changing.

Simon shares practical advice on customer-first thinking, creativity during crisis, building businesses with purpose and why strong relationships matter more than ever. The conversation also includes audience questions from founders and a surprise appearance from Sir Richard Branson.

Whether you're starting a business, leading a team or navigating uncertainty, this episode offers timeless lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship and building organisations that put people first.

In this episode:

• Why businesses should put customers before themselves
• Leadership lessons for founders navigating uncertainty
• Building resilient businesses during times of crisis
• The difference between optimism and positivity
• How to build trust, culture and stronger teams
• Why purpose drives long-term business success
• Audience questions from Virgin StartUp founders
• A surprise appearance from Sir Richard Branson 

Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about.

Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business.

Looking to start or grow your own business?

Find out more at virginstartup.org

Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.