エピソード

  • Freja Bone Broth: The Right Investors + The Right Team + The Golden Ratio
    2025/05/28

    Because your business is only as strong as your team - it really shouldn’t be this hard — but it is...So let’s make it a little easier!

    Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at just how HARD it is for founders to find the right people for their business.

    • There are fewer applicants than there used to be for roles in sales and marketing in CPG businesses
    • It's even tougher to find that magic mix of mindset, experience and soft skills— as well as someone who genuinely fits your culture and values.
    • And the process? It's a lot: search, connect, schedule, first interviews, follow-ups, feedback loops — all while juggling a scaling business — and you STILL might not end up with the right person.

    It struck me that so many of the incredible guests on Brand Growth Heroes have shared absolute gold when it comes to building teams — how they hire, how they lead, and what they’ve learned when it all goes wrong.

    So the brilliant crew at MKJ Ignite - Billy, Paul and Immy, have gone through the Brand Growth Heroes archives and handpicked some snippets from the founders of your favourite challenger brands (think Olipop, Freja Bone Broth, Child's Farm, Perfect Ted and Tony's Chocolonely), pulling out the best people insights.

    And as a result....BGH SHORTS: The People Series was born!

    • Short 5 min episodes.
    • Golden nuggets.
    • Actionable insights

    Every 2 weeks, we’ll drop a new 5-minute clip - so don't forget to HIT FOLLOW!


    If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!

    Connect with Billy Maddock on LinkedIn

    Connect with Immy Southwell on LinkedIn

    Connect with Paul Jones on LinkedIn

    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on LinkedIn


    続きを読む 一部表示
    8 分
  • Matcha Millions: How Perfect Ted has scaled to £30+ Million
    2025/05/21
    If you’ve ever wondered how to transform a niche idea into a mainstream success, this episode is for you.In this special live recording, host Fiona Fitz heads to London to catch up with two friends from the Perfect Ted team: Marisa Poster, one of the brand’s three co-founders, and Shani Higgs, their brilliant Head of Sales.Since their last appearance on Brand Growth Heroes, Perfect Ted has seen phenomenal growth, hitting a revenue run rate of nearly £40 million. And they’re just getting started.In this latest episode, Fiona dives into the strategies behind Perfect Ted’s rise—from cracking the UK mass market with matcha, to becoming one of the top five importers of matcha globally. Listeners will also hear about their recent global partnership with Oatly, the launch of their new flavoured matcha latte in a can, and what it really takes to scale a challenger brand at speed.Marisa and Shani also share fresh insights from their recent trip to Japan, what it’s like growing a fast-moving team, and the biggest lessons they’ve learned along the way. You’ll get the entire scoop.Stay tuned until the end. Fiona shares about her visit to Perfect Ted’s new offices, located in none other than Steven Bartlett’s HQ!Useful Links:Connect with Marisa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-poster/Connect With Shani on LinkedInConnect with Perfect Ted on LinkedInPerfect Ted websitePerfect Ted Instagram=============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    41 分
  • Golden Nugget: What Career Makes a Great Future Entrepreneur? Freddy Ward, Co-founder of Wild Deo
    2025/05/14

    What kind of career helps to make a great future entrepreneur? In this week's Golden Nugget, you can hear all about the career trajectory of Freddy Ward, co-founder of Wild Deo, before he took the leap into 'founderdom'.

    With it's recent sale to Unilver for a reported £235M, Freddy and Charlie Bowes-Lyons certainly had what it took to build a business that scaled to £60M pre-sale.

    Thanks again to MKJ Ignite for bringing us BGH SHORTS: The People Series!

    Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at just how HARD it is for founders to find the right people for their business.

    • There are fewer applicants than there used to be for roles in sales and marketing in CPG businesses
    • It's even tougher to find that magic mix of mindset, experience and soft skills— as well as someone who genuinely fits your culture and values.
    • And the process? It's a lot: search, connect, schedule, first interviews, follow-ups, feedback loops — all while juggling a scaling business — and you STILL might not end up with the right person.

    It struck me that so many of the incredible guests on Brand Growth Heroes have shared absolute gold when it comes to building teams — how they hire, how they lead, and what they’ve learned when it all goes wrong.

    So the brilliant crew at MKJ Ignite - Billy, Paul and Immy, have gone through the Brand Growth Heroes archives and handpicked some snippets from the founders of your favourite challenger brands (think Olipop, Child's Farm, Perfect Ted and Tony's Chocolonely), pulling out the best people insights.

    And as a result....BGH SHORTS: The People Series was born!

    • Short 5 min episodes.
    • Golden nuggets.
    • Actionable insights

    Every 2 weeks, we’ll drop a new 5-minute clip - so don't forget to HIT FOLLOW!

    Because your business is only as strong as your team.

    It really shouldn’t be this hard — but it is.

    So let’s make it a little easier!

    If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!

    Connect with Billy Maddock on LinkedIn

    Connect with Immy Southwell on LinkedIn

    Connect with Paul Jones on LinkedIn

    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on LinkedIn


    Have a listen and don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can collect all the tips, stories, and real-world advice to lighten the load.

    Thanks again to MKJ Ignite for bringing us BGH SHORTS: The People Series

    #brandgrowthheroes #mkjignite #people #foundergrowth #leadership #scaling #foodanddrink #consumerbrands #startuplife

    続きを読む 一部表示
    6 分
  • Why Multi-Million Pound Supplements Brand Tonic Health is Leading with Content with Founder Sunna Van Kampen
    2025/05/07
    What if the best way to grow your brand wasn't just about selling, but about educating, empowering, and building real trust with your audience?In this latest episode of Brand Growth Heroes, Fiona Fitz is joined by Sunna van Kampen, the founder of Tonic Health, the UK’s fastest-growing vitamin brand. With a run rate of £6M and growing exponentially, Tonic Health is revolutionising the supplement industry, calling out low-dose, sugar-laden vitamins and replacing them with high-potency, plant-based alternatives that actually work.But here’s what’s really fascinating: Sunna didn’t just build a vitamin business, he has built a content machine that has amassed millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, regularly hitting 50M+ organic views per month. His short, sharp, educational videos don’t just sell vitamins; they get people talking, thinking, and making better health choices.In this conversation, Sunna reveals:*How he built a market-leading brand from scratch (despite launching just as COVID shut down retail).*The power of content-first brand building—and why he ignored investors who told him to stop.*The myths and misinformation in the vitamin industry—and why most supplements don’t work.*What’s next for Tonic Health as they scale at lightning speed?- Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about vitamins, content, and brand growth. Useful links:Tonic Health WebsiteConnect with Sunna on LinkedInConnect with Tonic Health on LinkedInInstagram=============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A BIG/SMALL favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS. (04:12) - Fiona - Tonic Health - Audio - Main.1
    続きを読む 一部表示
    51 分
  • Golden Nugget: Why Founders Must Convince People To Do Unreasonable Sh1t! (David Lester, Olipop)
    2025/05/01

    Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at just how HARD it is for founders to find the right people for their business.

    • There are fewer applicants than there used to be for roles in sales and marketing in CPG businesses
    • It's even tougher to find that magic mix of mindset, experience and soft skills— as well as someone who genuinely fits your culture and values.
    • And the process? It's a lot: search, connect, schedule, first interviews, follow-ups, feedback loops — all while juggling a scaling business — and you STILL might not end up with the right person.

    It struck me that so many of the incredible guests on Brand Growth Heroes have shared absolute gold when it comes to building teams — how they hire, how they lead, and what they’ve learned when it all goes wrong.

    So the brilliant crew at MKJ Ignite - Billy, Paul and Immy, have gone through the Brand Growth Heroes archives and handpicked some snippets from the founders of your favourite challenger brands (think Olipop, Child's Farm, Perfect Ted and Tony's Chocolonely), pulling out the best people insights.

    And as a result....BGH SHORTS: The People Series was born!

    • Short 5 min episodes.
    • Golden nuggets.
    • Actionable insights

    Every 2 weeks, we’ll drop a new 5-minute clip - so don't forget to HIT FOLLOW!

    Because your business is only as strong as your team.

    It really shouldn’t be this hard — but it is.

    So let’s make it a little easier!

    👋 If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!

    Connect with Billy Maddock on Linkedin

    Connect with Immy Southwell on Linkedin

    Connect with Paul Jones on Linkedin


    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on Linkedin


    Have a listen and don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can collect all the tips, stories, and real-world advice to lighten the load.

    Thanks again to MKJ Ignite for bringing us BGH SHORTS: The People Series

    #brandgrowthheroes #mkjignite #people #foundergrowth #leadership #scaling #foodanddrink #consumerbrands #startuplife

    続きを読む 一部表示
    9 分
  • The Secret Ingredient in Bold Bean Co.'s Category Defining Growth
    2025/04/29

    Host Fiona Fitz is joined by two powerhouse co-founders, Amelia Christie-Miller and Ed Whelpton from one of the most recent but well-loved UK challenger brands food - Bold Bean Co. What started as a mission to make people obsessed with beans has become one of the most exciting new category-creating brands in the UK.

    In this episode, we’re getting behind the scenes on how they've driven growth: from designing a new category to TV appearances on Dragon's Den and This Morning (UK), the importance of traditional PR as well as seeding their product with the best chefs in the UK.

    We also spend time talking about how they're creating something truly different with their people, team and culture.

    The huge news is that Bold Bean Co is launching their first-ever co-branded product with Yotam Ottolenghi as we go live, take a listen and hear how it all happened!

    If you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand that truly stands for something, scale without losing focus, and get people talking about your product in a way that creates real demand—this one is for you.

    Useful Links:

    Bold Bean Co website

    Bold Bean Co LinkedIn

    Connect with Ed Whelpton on LinkedIn

    Connect with Amelia Christie-Miller on LinkedIn

    =============================================================

    Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm

    =============================================================

    If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.

    But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.

    And that starts with the right legal partner.

    So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.

    With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.

    Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.

    If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!

    ==============================================

    A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review? This small gesture from you means the world to us and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.

    Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

    Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

    Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.



    続きを読む 一部表示
    47 分
  • Golden Nugget: Why Staff is THE Hardest Thing You Will Do (Joanna Jensen, Founder Child's Farm)
    2025/04/15

    Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at just how HARD it is for founders to find the right people for their business.

    • There are fewer applicants than there used to be for roles in sales and marketing in CPG businesses
    • It's even tougher to find that magic mix of mindset, experience and soft skills— as well as someone who genuinely fits your culture and values.
    • And the process? It's a lot: search, connect, schedule, first interviews, follow-ups, feedback loops — all while juggling a scaling business — and you STILL might not end up with the right person.

    It struck me that so many of the incredible guests on Brand Growth Heroes have shared absolute gold when it comes to building teams — how they hire, how they lead, and what they’ve learned when it all goes wrong.

    So the brilliant crew at MKJ Ignite - Billy, Paul and Immy, have gone through the Brand Growth Heroes archives and handpicked some snippets from the founders of your favourite challenger brands (think Olipop, Child's Farm, Perfect Ted and Tony's Chocolonely), pulling out the best people insights.

    And as a result....BGH SHORTS: The People Series was born!

    • Short 5 min episodes.
    • Golden nuggets.
    • Actionable insights

    Every 2 weeks, we’ll drop a new 5-minute clip - so don't forget to HIT FOLLOW!

    Because your business is only as strong as your team.

    It really shouldn’t be this hard — but it is.

    So let’s make it a little easier!

    👋 If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!

    Connect with Billy Maddock on Linkedin

    Connect with Immy Southwell on Linkedin

    Connect with Paul Jones on Linkedin


    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on Linkedin

    Have a listen and don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can collect all the tips, stories, and real-world advice to lighten the load.

    Thanks again to MKJ Ignite for bringing us BGH SHORTS: The People Series

    #brandgrowthheroes #mkjignite #people #foundergrowth #leadership #scaling #foodanddrink #consumerbrands #startuplife

    続きを読む 一部表示
    7 分
  • The Exit Playbook: Secrets to Selling your Brand (from a CPG Investment Banker)
    2025/04/09
    If you're the founder of a scaling brand, you've likely thought about selling your business. But when should you start preparing, and how do you find the right buyer?In this episode, we discuss mergers and acquisitions with Charles Lanceley, Managing Director of Alantra's consumer team. Alantra is a leading investment bank specialising in consumer brands. Charles has worked on major deals, including Fuel 10K, Strong Roots, and Grenade, and shares what makes a brand valuable—from strong financials to a compelling investment story.He explains why building a business solely to sell is a mistake and how focusing too much on an exit can hurt your chances of achieving a great one. You’ll learn why being ‘for sale’ is never ideal, how the best deals happen behind the scenes, and why top M&A advisors don’t just find buyers—they already know who’s in the market.We also cover common founder mistakes, like underestimating due diligence and not preparing for the workload of an exit. Charles highlights how an advisor can ease this process, letting founders stay focused on running their business—because if performance dips, so does the deal’s value.Finally, we discuss how private equity and trade buyers view businesses differently, the impact of market cycles, and why the best way to maximise your exit is to build a brand buyers can’t ignore. Whether you're considering selling soon or just want to create a lasting brand, this episode is packed with essential insights. Enjoy!Useful links:Connect with Charles on LinkedInLearn more about Alantra ========================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=========================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!=========================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    49 分