Listen in as Laura shares candid insights about manufacturing setbacks, profitability milestones, the realities of staying lean as a solo founder, and building a loyal community.

She also offers hands-on advice for fellow product business entrepreneurs about trusting your instincts, the value of data, and mastering the art of the slow, steady build. 

Some of the key topics they talk about are 

The Journey from Launch to Profitability

Laura discusses how her initial collections operated at a loss, the strategic decision to move manufacturing from the UK to Poland (and later to other countries), and achieving net profit covering her business’s long-term costs.

Pricing Strategy 

Why Laura reduced her price points (nearly 50% from original levels) and how that played into her brand’s position 

Building Community & Brand Loyalty

How sharing behind-the-scenes content, leveraging customer stories, and collaborating with diverse content creators have elevated The Shortlist’s brand and broadened its appeal.

https://www.instagram.com/theshortlistshop/

https://theshortlistshop.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraderricourt-theshortlist/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In this weeks episode of start scale succeed we are live from the retail revealed stage of the  Top Drawer Trade Fair 

I’m joined by Journalist and communications expert Priscilla Pollara and here are some of the key areas we chat about 

How PR has evolved (and what actually matters now)
Storytelling that connects—and converts
Where to focus your PR efforts for real visibility
Mistakes to avoid (and how to nail those press pitches)

Guest Priscilla Pollara 

https://www.instagram.com/priscillacomms/

https://toptrick.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-pollara-18802378/

Priscilla looks at every project with a journalist's eye and can help clients with all aspects of their PR and comms needs.

Priscilla is the founder of Top Trick, which  is the culmination of years spent in communications and journalism that leaves her quick-thinking, full of ideas, ultra-connected and able to speak the language that each side needs to hear in order to get things moving. 

Today, she is relied upon to deliver reputation management for large firms, PR for businesses that can include interior designers, artists, schools, accountants, among many others, and helps everyone find the right kind of PR for them, big, small, independent, new or otherwise.

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

With over 10 years’ experience writing for brands like Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, and Farfetch, Katie shares practical advice for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.

From defining the difference between brand voice and tone of voice, finding inspiration outside your industry, leveraging customer language, and incorporating SEO and AI tools,

Katie provides a expert tips and advice to  help you connect, stand out, and drive sales.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• What is Tone of Voice, and Why Does it Matter?
  Katie explains how your brand's tone of voice is the backbone of how you communicate with your customers and present your unique personality.

• Defining & Refining Your Brand Voice
  Learn how to use competitor research, customer reviews, and even Reddit forums to zero in on the language your ideal audience uses and what resonates with them.

• Brand Voice vs. Tone of Voice
  Katie clarifies the distinction: your brand voice is your core personality, while your tone adapts based on context and channel.

• Building a Word Bank & Banned Words List
  Discover why it’s essential to document not just the language you’ll use, but also the words and phrases to avoid for authenticity and consistency.

• Sourcing Inspiration Beyond Your Competitors
  Be inspired by everything from billboards to shampoo bottles — and learn how to borrow elements to create a voice that’s fresh and relatable.

• Utilizing AI as a Creative Partner
  Katie shares how AI can help clarify briefs and spark copywriting ideas, but shouldn’t do the heavy lifting for your final customer-facing content.y.

• When to Invest in Professional Copywriting
  Ideally, before launch, but it’s never too late to redefine your tone of voice and let it influence every element of your messaging—from website to product descriptions.

• SEO & AI Optimization musts
  Get tips on integrating keyword strategy for search engines and AI, avoiding duplicate content, and making each product description unique to boost discoverability and sales.

Guest 

Katie Ramsingh - The Fashion Copywriter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieramsingh/
https://www.katieramsingh.com/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Katy opens up about her journey from a personal struggle with thrush and sensitive skin to launching and  leading a fast-growing brand with retail partnerships at places like Boots, Sephora, and M&S, just three years after launching. 

She shares behind-the-scenes stories about breaking taboos, securing major retail deals, and her passion for changing conversations around women’s health. 

Katie also gets candid about what it takes to scale, the importance of building the right team, how authentic influencer relationships powered Luna Daily’s viral moments, and her commitment to fostering a healthy work culture.

Whether you’re launching your own brand or looking for real-world advice on business growth, Katy brings valuable tips, hard-won lessons, and true inspiration. 

Katy shares her founder story from the initial investment plan to get the business off the ground to launching in  M&S, Sephora and Boots in a record 3 years after Launch. 

We chat about 

Her funding and investment journey 

How she is using influencers to help with the growth of the brand. 

Innovation and Product development - focus on improving core products, and continuous innovation on where the gaps are in the industry but still staying true to their core values and mission. 

The Retail partnership with Sephora and launching in the US  and how that partnership  came about.

 Why she chose omni channel right from the beginning and how she secured deals with M&S and Boots and how they are building on those partnerships. 

Growing the team and her first hires in the business 

Company culture and living her brand values. 

Her defining moments so far with the brand and what's next for the business.

Guest Katy Cottam 

Founder Luna Daily 

https://www.instagram.com/luna_daily_official/

https://luna-daily.com/

https://www.instagram.com/katycottam/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Highlights include 

Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt in Entrepreneurs - accepting messy imperfect beginnings and anchoring throughs in truth versus fear 

 Low Self-Esteem in Business- Signs of low self-esteem for entrepreneurs

Difficult Conversations and Decision Avoidance- Impact of delayed or avoided difficult conversations on business health.  Building esteem around core values to navigate tough situations

Overwhelm and Burnout Among Founders -Recognizing signs of overwhelm Emotional red flags: resentment, snappiness, withdrawing from relationships Practical strategies for managing overwhelm

Addressing Anxiety in Entrepreneurial Life- Relationship between overwhelm and anxiety. Techniques for facing and reducing anxiety

Daily Habits for Mental Health and ResilienceFacing Common Entrepreneurial Fears

Guest Anna Mathur 

Psychotherapist and Author 

Passionate about taking therapy out of the therapy room Anna Mathur is widely celebrated for her accessible mental health advice and the light- bulb moments which she offers across her platforms. 

https://www.annamathur.com/

https://www.instagram.com/annamathur/

https://www.annamathur.com/the-toolkit/

https://www.annamathur.com/podcast/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

You’ll hear about common mistakes to avoid, trends shaping the future, and some and practical tips for leveraging colour psychology and  QR codes to engage your audience.

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about a brand refresh, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help your product pop off the shelf and into the hands of customers. 

We chat about 

• The Role of Packaging in Brand Success
• Process for Starting a Packaging Project 
• How Brands Can Stand Out with Packaging
• Common Packaging Mistakes 
• Defining Brand Personality
• Incorporating QR Codes on Packaging
• Emerging Packaging Trends
•  AI in Packaging and Design 
• Importance of In-Person Shelf Research
• Rebranding: When and Why to Revisit Brand Identity
  
  

Guest Claudia Costa -Rowse

Claudia is the founder of Freckle design studios  A pocket-sized studio, for small teams with big visions.

Freckle exists to support ambitious brands with creative that actually works - clear, collaborative, and built for where you are right now.

Claudia is a London-based branding and packaging specialist, with over 12 years experience helping brands grow in the food & drink, health & wellness, beauty and lifestyle sectors.

She is passionate about crafting brand identities that are rooted in strategy and full to the brim with personality.

https://www.freckledesign.studio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/freckledesign/

https://www.instagram.com/freckledesign.studio

https://www.freckledesign.studio/packagingchecklist

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Whether you’re considering your first trade show or just love hearing honest accounts of building a business, this episode is packed with actionable tips, candid moments, and encouragement for anyone ready to take the next step in scaling their product business 

Imogen shares 

• Why she chose Top Drawer as her first trade show 
• How she prepared and what she would have done differently
• The show itself, including Logistics & Costs.
•  What worked for her during the show and how she attracted visitors to her stand
•  After the show and how to maximise the experience 
• The Unexpected Challenges. 

Guest Imogen Partridge -

Imogen Partridge is a bespoke illustrator who took the leap into expanding her creative business after leaving her job last year. When illness forced her to pause, Imogen came to realize just how much her work depended on her personal involvement. Wanting to make her business more scalable and sustainable, she explored new avenues such as wholesale, a step she hesitated over for months. Inspired by seeing others succeed at trade shows, Imogen finally pushed herself to try by booking a stand at Top Drawer, believing that setting a deadline would give her the motivation to make it happen. Her journey is one of creativity, courage, and learning to balance personal artistry with new opportunities for growth.

https://www.topdrawer.co.uk/

 https://imogenpartridge.com/

https://www.instagram.com/imogen.partridge/

https://imogenpartridge.com/learnings-from-my-first-trade-show/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

You’ll learn about the best product categories to source from India, key cultural and communication considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and how on-the-ground trips can transform your sourcing journey.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Why Source from India?
2. Finding the Right Suppliers
3. Navigating Challenges
4. Cultural & Communication Insights

About the Guest Sara Collins 

Ethical production consultant 

With over 10 years of experience in developing and manufacturing products ethically, Sara  is now on a mission to help independent brands feel confident in their own ethical manufacturing journeys.

Over the years, Sara  has worked one-to-one with certified Fairtrade manufacturers around the world and has successfully brought numerous sustainable fashion, jewellery, and homeware products to the European market.

Sara offers help, advice, and support to independent business owners seeking to partner with social enterprises and local initiatives.

links 

India sourcing trip waitlist 

 https://mailchi.mp/f45756a30eb6/india-wait-list

https://www.instagram.com/saracollins.uk/

https://www.sarahelencollins.com/

About the Host 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

About the Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your e-commerce store? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIS and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Deryane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days in retail to establishing a successful multi-brand boutique.

Episode Highlights:

• Challenges and Triumphs: Discover the hurdles Deryane faced in securing funding and premises, and how she overcame misogyny in the early days of her venture.
• Business Evolution: Insights into how The Dressing Room has evolved with changing customer demands and the impact of offering a mix of affordable to aspirational brands.
• Cybercrime Ordeal: Deryane opens up about a significant challenge their online business faced due to a cyber attack and how they are navigating this setback.
• Customer Connection: Learn about the innovative ways Deryane maintains strong connections with customers through personalized services and events.
• Navigating discount culture: The prevalence of discount culture and events like Black Friday have reshaped the retail calendar. Deryane considers these challenges in her strategic planning, focusing on enhancing the in-store experience to counteract the pressure of discounting. By organizing events and collaborations,

Shop at the dressing room 

https://www.the-dressingroom.com/

Follow 

https://www.instagram.com/thedressingroomsocial/

Follow Deryane 

https://www.instagram.com/deryanetadd/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

They delve into the journey of launching and scaling their probiotic brand amidst challenges like the COVID-19 lockdowns. Inspired by personal experiences and the power of gut health, Leanne and Amy's entrepreneurial journey is one of passion, resilience, and innovation.

The Birth of Naked Biotics: Discover how a trip to South Africa and a unique formulation transformed Leanne and Amy’s perspective on gut health, leading them to create a brand that’s changing lives.

Challenges and Triumphs: Hear about the hurdles they faced launching during the pandemic, from adapting to an online environment to rebranding their product for better market alignment.

Insights on Gut Health: Leanne and Amy delve into the importance of maintaining a healthy gut and its surprising links to mental health, stress, and overall well-being.

Branding and Networking: Get tips on the importance of strong branding, staying persistent, and the power of networking from two entrepreneurs who've navigated their way through the world of business successfully.

Guests Founders Leanne & Amy Naked Biotics 

Amy and Leanne, friends and co-founders of Naked Biotics.  share a passion and interest in natural health and well-being. Both fully qualified yoga instructors with their  own yoga studio in London.

The Naked Biotics journey started in 2018 when a trip to South Africa led them to discover the fermented, live, liquid probiotic in its natural form.
Their mission is to educate people on the importance of gut health and make high quality probiotics accessible to as many people as possible. The journey is just beginning, and we would love you to join us.

https://nakedbiotics.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/nakedbiotics/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Understanding Authenticity: Becky explains how brands and founders can be authentic in their social media presence, and the relevance of authenticity to connect with audiences effectively.

2. Getting Comfortable with Sharing: Tips for social media users who hold back from sharing personal stories and experiences, along with strategies to build confidence and a positive mindset.

3. Defining Boundaries: How to establish personal boundaries on what to share online and being mindful of what aligns with the brand’s values.

4. Handling Negativity Online: Becky discusses how to manage negative comments and trolling on social media, the importance of focusing on positive interactions, and using platform features to maintain a healthy online environment.

5. Utilizing Social Media Features: An overview of the useful features on Instagram, such as practicing live sessions and limiting comments, to enhance user experience and manage audience interaction.

6. Viewers and Audience Engagement: Insights into why understanding the audience and considering why certain content matters are crucial for deciding what to post.

Guest Becci Mcevoy

Social Media Marketing and Content Strategy for amazing women owned businesses. Becci's  work helps them to simplify their content, show up and be heard on social media so that they can grow their business on social media without feeling overwhelmed

https://www.instagram.com/beheardsocials/

https://beheardsocials.com/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Highlights include 

🎙️ Personal Branding Power: Learn how to weave your personal story into your brand to create compelling narratives that connect with your audience. Pippa highlights the importance of sharing personal stories that align with your business goals without oversharing irrelevant details.

📰 Pitching to Journalists: Pippa offers brilliant advice on how to capture the attention of journalists by focusing on what makes your brand products unique. She emphasizes the importance of sharing your "why" and suggests looking for innovative ways to present your story.

🤝 PR Strategies Beyond Press: Did you know PR isn't just about getting featured in magazines? Explore other avenues like podcasts, panels, and brand collaborations that can boost your brand's visibility.

📊 Measuring PR Success: While traditional metrics might be elusive, Pippa talks about ways to track the impact of PR efforts. She shares examples of unexpected opportunities that arose from effective storytelling.

🛠️ Getting PR Ready: Find out what makes your brand ready for PR. Pippa stresses the significance of having a solid foundation—like good imagery, a functional website, and the right mindset.

Guest Pippa Goulden 

PR Expert 

https://www.instagram.com/pippa_the.pr.set/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pippa-goulden/

Pippa Goulden is the Founder of The PR Set and a small business PR expert. She is on a mission to help indie businesses and small brands learn how DIY PR 

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

We delve into the world of entrepreneurship with the inspiring story of Lucy, the founder of Acorn and Pip.

 Lucy has successfully run her family concept store, navigating the complexities of retail in challenging times. With nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and a thriving business model that includes a retail store, cafe, and an online presence, 

Lucy shares insights into the importance of community, innovation, and authentic customer service. Join us as we explore how Lucy has managed to keep her business resilient and profitable, overcoming obstacles such as the impact of COVID-19, Brexit, and economic pressures. 

Some of the key areas discussed are 

1.The Birth of Acorn and Pip: Lucy started Acorn and Pip as a pop-up store while on maternity leave, evolving into a family concept store with retail, hospitality, and online arms. 

1. Navigating Retail Challenges: Overcoming significant obstacles like Brexit and the post-COVID market crash, Lucy emphasises the importance of adapting and enhancing customer service. Her cafe became a lifesaver during tough times, highlighting the value of diverse revenue streams.
2. Community-Centric Approach: Lucy discusses the power of hosting events to engage and serve the community, creating a space that’s more than just a shop. Her strategy revolves around building relationships and providing a meaningful experience for customers.
3. Financial and Growth Strategies: She delves into the significance of financial planning, cash flow management, and creating an uplift strategy to boost sales, offering actionable advice for fellow business owners.
4. Coaching and Mentoring: Lucy also helps other entrepreneurs through her coaching initiative, sharing her knowledge on marketing, inventory control, and more, fostering a supportive community for business growth.

Lucy Haslam - Founder Family Concept store Acorn & Pip 

Acorn & Pip is a lifestyle brand that offers cherished customers more than just a product. They are devoted to creating a playful retail experience rooted in mindfulness and authenticity.

https://acornandpip.com/

https://www.instagram.com/acornandpip/

https://www.coachingwithlucy.co.uk/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Nicole Higgins is an award-winning retail consultant with over 20  years of experience in the  industry, having worked as a buyer  with blue-chip companies such as Primark and M&S across multi-product categories from Bras to Beauty 

 Her journey in the corporate world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and insights that she now dedicates to empowering startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey to growth, profit and scalability.

Nicole specialises in guiding businesses through the intricacies of start-up,  strategy, sourcing and product development. Her keen understanding of market dynamics allows her to provide tailored solutions that drive success in today's competitive landscape.

 Major television networks turn to her for her insights and guidance in retail programs. Her practical and results-oriented approach has made her a sought-after collaborator in the media industry, where she contributes her expertise to help shape compelling narratives for retail-focused content.

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In this week's episode of Start Scale Succeed  I chat with Liv & Daisy, the innovative founders behind Salad Days Market, a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the best of small businesses in London. 

With their unique backgrounds in fashion and retail, they share their journey from working in the fashion industry to creating their own dream events. 

They discuss the importance of craftsmanship, creativity, and passion in the brands they work with, and how they have successfully connected with a diverse customer base.

 From hosting successful events at iconic locations like Selfridges and the Shard to adapting to the ever-changing trends with agility, the duo highlights the power of resilience and community building in scaling a successful business. 

They also offer actionable insights and advice for small brands looking to exhibit at markets or run their own events, emphasizing the significance of preparation, customer engagement, and maintaining a clear vision. Join us as we delve into the world of markets and entrepreneurship, powered by the spirit of innovation and dedication to supporting small enterprises.

Tune in to hear their tips on selling and exhibiting at markets and much more 

Guests 

Daisy & Liv Tinker founders of the curated markets salad days 

Salad days Markets have become a beacon for shopping small, fostering positivity, community, and connection. 

They have hosted over 80 markets at London's most iconic landmarks, including Selfridges, Battersea Power Station, The Hoxton Hotel, Dulwich Picture Gallery, and The Shard. Collaborations with thousands of remarkable small businesses have been a hallmark of their success. Their achievements have been featured on the news, on the front page of a newspaper, and they have even received an award. It has been a remarkable few years.

And they are not stopping now! Salad days is on a mission to infuse this energy into the struggling world of retail, eagerly anticipating what the future holds

https://saladdaysmarket.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/saladdaysmarketlondon/

https://saladdaysmarket.co.uk/newsletter-signup

https://saladdayslondon.substack.com/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

For 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In todays episode of Start Scale Succeed I'm joined by Stephanie Weightman the founder of highlight crafts who started  to implement Live shopping in their business just 9 months ago and it has literally saved them from going under. 

Stephanie initially started slowly with Live shopping once a month but is now doing several campaigns a week turning over anything between £5K to £15K per session!

Episode Highlights:

• Live Shopping: The Game-Changer: Stephanie shares her incredible journey of reviving her business with live shopping after facing a near-disaster and how she was able to replace millions of lost revenue.  Discover how she managed to transition from traditional TV shopping to interactive digital platforms, securing her business's future and even expanding it.
• Simple Start, Monumental Growth: Learn from Stephanie's experience of starting small with live shopping—initially expecting modest numbers—and how she turned it into a significant revenue stream, now achieving up to £15,000 an hour in sales with 80% conversion rates. 
• Engagement & Community: Stephanie discusses the importance of direct customer engagement through live shopping. With interactive sessions, personable demonstrations, and dynamic product stories, she’s not only selling products but also building a loyal community.
• Innovative Strategies: Discover the methods that Stephanie and her team utilised—from themed shows to engaging live quizzes—that kept their audience coming back for more and even boosted their conversion rates to impressive levels.
• The Future of Shopping: As Stephanie declares, "Live shopping is the future," see why she believes this format is here to stay and how it can democratise the retail experience for brands and customers alike.

Stephanie’s story is a testament to resilience and innovation. If your business is pondering its next move or if you need inspiration on handling market shifts and challenges this episode is a must-listen.

Links 

https://sprii.io/

This weeks Guest 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-weightman/

https://www.instagram.com/highlightcrafts/

https://www.instagram.com/liveshoppingvip/

https://liveshopping.vip/

Stephanie Weightman is the Creative Director and one of the founders of Highlight Crafts Ltd. She has worked with big-name craft products and developed many new products over the years - including her own brands; Two Red Robins, Lemon Lane, My Craft Studio, Tattered Lace, Screen Sensation, and many more. Stephanie has taken newly developed product from zero to multi million pound turnover brands through her experiences in TV shopping.

Stephanie also started from scratch the award-winning Crafting Live shows, which run in various locations across the UK annually. Stephanie also appears at major shows and events and has written several books.

Her latest venture through Highlight Crafts and live shopping.VIP is in the world of social shopping, working closely with the most innovative and market leading facilitator Sprii. With this partnership Highlight crafts are quickly becoming recognised as social shopping super users.

Her achievements in the world of craft have seen her gain multiple awards year after year, including Best Overall Designer, Celebrity Crafter of the Year, and most recently, Designer of the Year for the third year running and Craft Influencer of the Year (2020

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Nicole Higgins is an award-winning retail consultant with over 20  years of experience in the  industry, having worked as a buyer  with blue-chip companies such as Primark and M&S across multi-product categories from Bras to Beauty 

 Her journey in the corporate world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and insights that she now dedicates to empowering startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey to growth, profit and scalability.

Nicole specialises in guiding businesses through the intricacies of start-up,  strategy, sourcing and product development. Her keen understanding of market dynamics allows her to provide tailored solutions that drive success in today's competitive landscape.

 Major television networks turn to her for her insights and guidance in retail programs. Her practical and results-oriented approach has made her a sought-after collaborator in the media industry, where she contributes her expertise to help shape compelling narratives for retail-focused content.

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Where you'll hear tips and advice from Multiple Subscription Box founder Lauren Prentice. 

Some of the areas we chat about are 

The importance of audience building before launch

How to structure pricing and commitment terms

Managing your churn rate 

Best practices for marketing and customer retention

Tips for managing logistics and fulfillment

If you want to find out more about the business box or work with Lauren then click the links below 

www.thebusinessbox.co.uk

https://thebusinessbox.co.uk/everything/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Listen to this week's episode to understand how your wardrobe choices influence your business success 

"Your wardrobe isn't clothes. It is the physical manifestation of your beliefs, your hopes, your fears, your dreams, all of the things that you think that you can be, that you can't be."

Tune into this weeks episode with Samantha The style editor, we chat about 

• Wardrobe as a Tool for Success: Samantha shares how your wardrobe is more than just clothes. It's the physical manifestation of your beliefs, dreams, and the stories you tell yourself. Discover how to transform your wardrobe into a tool that enhances your business success.
• Combining Mindset with Style: Learn about the concept of "enclothed  cognition" and how the energy you project in your clothes can influence your work performance. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling empowered and projecting confidence.
• Finding Gold in Your Closet: Samantha provides practical tips on purging your wardrobe of disempowering items and finding the hidden gems that make you feel like a boss.
• Visualization and Outcome: Hear how visualization aids in aligning your fashion choices with your professional goals, helping you stay on course to success with strategic styling.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Explore how understanding your personal style can help overcome imposter syndrome by allowing you to fully express and present yourself authentically.

Whether you're working from home or gearing up for a big meeting, these insights will help you harness the power of your wardrobe to advance your professional life.

Samantha Harmam The Style editor 

Samantha is the  secret weapon of some of the best-dressed women in your industry. Helping  female founders, leaders, and women in corporate elevate their style and magnetise their personal brand, so they get noticed and make more money.

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-harman-style-editor/

www.instagram.com/styleeditoruk

https://thestyleeditor.thrivecart.com/workify/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

The warning signs that led to closure 

The impact of rising costs and market changes 

Navigating the liquidation process 

Personal lessons learned from the experience 

Moving forward with a new business venture

Katie Brandon Byrne founded  Lil and Izzy, an award winning  childrenswear brand established  Pre-pandemic

Katie decided to close the doors on the brand in 2024 and has since retrained as a PT & Nutrition coach. 

https://www.instagram.com/ktb_coach/

https://www.instagram.com/talkburpeetome/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

eyeam is a community-driven wellness destination on a mission to align your skin with your mind, body, and spirit. 

Their mission is to bring healing into the world with targeted skincare, supplements and education.

While wellness has traditionally separated these fundamental pillars from one another and treated each in isolation, they  feel that true wellness is achieved when they are in harmony with one another. 

About the Founders 

Founded by Margo and Roxy Marrone, 

Roxy shares how her journey with Hormonal Acne, experience with integrative nutritional health and manifestation  and Margo's extensive experience as Cosmetic Formulator, Pharmacist, Homeopath and Energy Healer led to the creation of eyeam 

https://eyeamworld.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@healingwithroxy

https://www.instagram.com/healingwithroxy

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In Ep 171 of Start Scale Succeed Jasmine Wicks-Stephens shares the story behind the brand and how it's rapid expansion and success were met with financial and manufacturing challenges and despite backing from Dragons Den she decided to sell the business 

Faace was born out of Jasmine's extensive industry experience and her personal journey as a new mother

The brand aims to simplify skincare by focusing on lifestyle and hormonal factors, offering products that address specific skin concerns without unnecessary complexity

Jasmine's entrepreneurial journey has garnered attention, with Faace securing investment from prominent business figures on the TV show Dragons’ Den.

The brand experienced strong growth expanding to 23 countries and being stocked in many global retailers. However despite it’s potential, there were many challenges that faced the brand with Jasmine making the decision to sell in 2024. 

Connect with Jasmine on 

https://www.known-community.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jas_ws/

https://www.instagram.com/wearefaace/

https://femalefounder.substack.com/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Etsy has over 6 Million sellers and  about 400 million visitors to the platform each month 

So as a seller how do you get started and how do you  get seen. 

These are just some of the topics I’m going to be talking about with my guest Dylan Jahraus on todays episode of start scale succeed 

You can also watch the episode on You tube https://youtu.be/y5rxoH1P5lg

Highlights of the episode include 

• Getting started on the platform and where your focus needs to be. 

• Why your etsy sales may be declining and what to do to course correct. 

• Where to find trends and new ideas for etsy products 

• Getting started on the platform and where your focus needs to be.

• How to attract your etsy customers to your own social platforms and then website. 

• What types of businesses and business models are working right now 

Guest Bio 

Dylan Jahraus is a multi-six figure Etsy seller. With a  background in corporate e-commerce for companies like Zappos and Zulily. Her expertise was buying, product development, pricing strategy, planning and forecasting. Now she sells on Etsy, Amazon and Shopify. She helps other Etsy sellers and prospective Etsy sellers build the financial freedom that they dream of. 

https://www.instagram.com/dylanjahraus/

https://dylanjahraus.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeO8Gmc2B-3G2fgcFnRR4Xw

Get your FREE 16-step checklist to grow your shop!

You'll receive a checklist with 16 profitable action steps to implement daily in your shop to scale your revenue!

https://dylanjahraus.mykajabi.com/pl/2147677557

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

"Building Your Brand: Visibility Strategies with Anna Jones 

What's your why? sometimes this can be a difficult question to answer but one I think is key to understand before you start showing up as the face of your brand. 

My guest this week Anna Jones - Visibility expert helped make this more accessible by asking yourself what is the impact that you want your product to have on your customer. What do you want it to do for them, this goes much deeper than the features and the benefits of the products. 

In this week's episode of Start Scale Succeed I chat with Anna about how you can be more visible in your brand and some of the areas to understand before you do that. 

Some of the topics we chat about are 

• Building brand recognition 

• Prioritizing direct customer interactions

• Effective use of social media and email marketing for improved visibility and engagement.

• Creating a strategic marketing plan 

• Developing a mission and vision that truly reflect your "why" and value proposition.

Anna brings a wealth of experience from her time managing flagship stores for notable brands like M&S and Topshop to forming her marketing agency in Chicago. Having experienced a confidence crisis herself, Anna now dedicates her efforts to helping female entrepreneurs gain visibility and confidence in their businesses.

https://www.yourajency.com/anna-jones-visibility-expert

https://subscribepage.io/subscribe-to-your-ajency-newsletter

https://www.instagram.com/yourajency/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Some of the areas we chat about are 

 Challenges of UK Manufacturing in an industry that is disappearing & her dreams and plans of revitalising the UK knitwear industry.

 What Genevieve learnt from stepping away from the Fashion Norms when running a fashion business.The power of staying true to your business brand values. 

Building community through social media and how it has scaled with in-person at her studio in Hertfordshire.

 Being sustainable at the core whilst growing.

Key highlights including 

Launching a Brand:
The pivotal moments and challenges that led Genevieve to start her own knitwear brand.

Sustainability Practices:
Genevieve’s approach to sustainable manufacturing, including ethical sourcing, minimizing waste, and making timeless pieces.

UK Knitwear Industry:
The evolution of the industry over the past decade and the current landscape for UK-based manufacturers.

Business Milestones:
The significance of being stocked at Fortnum & Mason and the recent expansion to a new studio in Hertfordshire.

Community Engagement:
How Genevieve engages with her local community through her studio, including workshops and tours.

Challenges and Aspirations:

Current challenges such as seasonality and future plans for creating a micro-factory and offering apprenticeships.

Advice for Entrepreneurs:
Genevieve shares valuable advice for those looking to start their own brands, emphasizing resourcefulness and creativity.

https://www.genevievesweeney.com/

https://www.instagram.com/genevievesweeney/

Genevieve Sweeney is committed to preserving and revitalising this corner of the industry. Working with hand-selected mills and factories around the UK, GS is driving British manufacturing forward by embracing innovation whilst also celebrating tradition; keeping time-honoured craftsmanship relevant and capturing the beautiful, refined touch of the artisan. Her signature yarn blends evoke a unique and contemporary mood, while limited batches promise unrivalled originality, lasting quality and attention to detail.

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In this inspiring episode, Nicole Higgins sits down with Ruby Raut, the founder of Wuka, a sustainable period product brand on a mission to eradicate period shame and combat period poverty. Join us as Ruby shares her journey from a small village in Nepal to leading a game-changing brand in the UK. With insights into funding, product innovation, and the importance of building a community, this episode is packed with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in sustainable solutions.

Key Highlights:

Product Market Fit 

How Ruby initially tested the idea and discovered that there was a market need for the product, and how they continue to test and innovate, making period underwear accessible to all. Explore the diverse applications of Wuka's period underwear, from comfort for new moms and women experiencing perimenopause to suitability for children with sensory issues.

Community Building & Kickstart 

Ruby stresses the importance of community, sharing the organic reach and PR strategies that led to their successful Kickstarter campaign, including a pivotal feature on BBC's front page.

Getting into retail 

How product innovation meant they were able to grow their  retail presence, currently in  stores like Boots,  Morrisons, Sainsburys, Ocado  and their plans for further expansion.

The Growth of the brand 

How resilience, networking and hiring the right teams has helped move the brand forward 

Ruby's Advice for Entrepreneurs. 

Tips and strategies for new product business founders, including starting lean, proving product value, and building a competent team.

https://wuka.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/wukawear/

Guest Bio 

Ruby Raut

Ruby, Environmental Scientist and listed in the 2019 Top Women in Femtech, grew up in Nepal, which inspires her work in making menstruation positive, taboo-free and environmentally-friendly.

“When studying for my Environmental Science degree, I discovered that more than 200,000 tonnes of tampons and pads were sent to UK landfills every year, contributing to the mounting tide of plastic pollution. This was my ‘lightbulb moment’. I knew something had to change about the way we handled menstruation.” - Ruby Raut, Founder & CEO

Ruby grew up in Nepal, where shame about periods was widespread. Nachune is the Nepalese word for period which basically translates as 'untouchable'. When she started her period, she experienced a form of Chapaudi, now illegal in Nepal.

During menstruation, she was sent to her aunt's house and wasn't allowed to go out in the sun, look at men, or touch plants - as it was believed that she would kill them - just because she was having a period.

Like other girls, she was given old sari rags to use for the bleeding, which happened to be reusable and eco-friendly, but not hygienic. They weren't leak-proof nor comfortable, and didn't work for her when she played sports!

When she arrived in the UK, she was astonished by the wide range of menstrual products available on the shelves, but quickly realised that most of them were neither comfortable nor leak-proof, and they certainly were not eco-friendly. So it became Ruby mission to replace plastic-riddled disposable pads & tampons with the world’s most comfortable and sustainable period underwear.

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

In Ep 167 Nicole Chats with Dr Lauren Breese experienced Clinical Psychologist and founder of & Psychology and Co-founder of The neurodiversity practice along with other co-founders Dr. Siobhan Higgins and Dr Jo Muelller 

Together, they explore ADHD symptoms, varying diagnoses and tips and strategies for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs. 

Lauren discusses why awareness and reduced stigma have led to more adult ADHD diagnoses, rather than an increase in cases. They touch on the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD, particularly concerning reproductive cycles, and the dual responsibilities of entrepreneurship and family.

Listeners will gain valuable tips for managing ADHD through mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and practical strategies for maintaining focus and organisation. Lauren and Nicole also address workplace inclusivity, emphasising the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiverse employees.

Some of the key areas discussed are 

Understanding ADHD

ADHD and Burnout

Coping Strategies

Mindfulness and Emotional Awareness

Harnessing ADHD 

Seeking Help

Assessments and Support

Inclusivity in the workplace for those diagnosed with ADHD

Guest Links 

Dr Lauren Breese

https://andpsychology.com/about

https://www.theneurodiversitypractice.com/

Neuro Diversity in the Work place - checklist 

https://www.theneurodiversitypractice.com/neuroinclusivity-checklist

Neuro Diversity for Parents https://www.theneurodiversitypractice.com/book-list-parents

Host 

Nicole Higgins  has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

💡Listen to the start scale succeed podcast  here for more tips to help you start and scale your product business 

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/start-scale-succeed-podcast/

🔥 DON'T FORGET to follow me on instagram from lots more tips https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

Watch on you tube 

https://youtu.be/03Z8KkF18VE

To help you navigate this competitive landscape, I'm chatting with Anna Frapwell founder of Neon Digital Clicks and sponsor of the podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the scene, these expert tips are sure to help you crush your sales goals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. It's Never Too Late to Prepare Anna emphasises that even if you feel behind, it's never too late to start prepping for Black Friday. Whether it’s building your audience or strategising your ads, every bit of effort counts.

2. Understand Your Goals Before diving in, be clear about what you want to achieve. Is it clearing stock, acquiring new customers, or boosting lifetime customer value? Your goals will shape your strategy.

3. Customer Retention Ensure your Black Friday customers stick around by enhancing their post-purchase experience. Excellent customer service and targeted email marketing can turn one-time buyers into loyal fans.

4. Ad Strategy Insights Anna provides a treasure trove of advice on maximising your ad spend while navigating the competitive Black Friday landscape. From clear messaging to vibrant visuals, discover what works best.

5. Post-Purchase Strategy The sales don’t end with Black Friday. Utilise customer loyalty programs and nurtured email campaigns to keep the momentum going through the holiday season.

I’ve created a FREE Checklist & Guide for you to action before during & after Black Friday

https://nicolehigginsthebuyerandretailcoach.lpages.co/black-fridayplanner/

Your black Friday Checklist PDF

HOST BIO

Nicole Higgins has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

First off I want to say participating in Black Friday may not be right for you, you might not have enough margin or stock or  it may not sit right from a sustainability or mass consumption point of view but if you have decided to join the countless brands that will be discounting over BFCM (Black Friday Cyber Monday) Then this episode is for you where I will share tips and tactics to help you before during and after Black Friday.  

Some of the areas I chat about today 

Setting Clear Goals & KPI’s for Black Friday 

How to Plan your promotions and what promotions work. 

Optimizing your website and email marketing. 

Black Friday can be a whirlwind, but with the right preparation and strategies, it’s a huge opportunity for your business. Focus on planning ahead, executing smoothly during the rush, and following up afterward to keep the momentum going. 

I’ve created a FREE Checklist & Guide for you to action before during & after Black Friday 

https://nicolehigginsthebuyerandretailcoach.lpages.co/black-fridayplanner/

Your black FRiday Checklist PDF 

Host 

Nicole Higgins  has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

Some of the areas we chat about 

Why Marketing Strategies Often Feel Overwhelming (00:03:16):

• The pitfalls of jargon-filled advice and the importance of understanding the core elements of a strategy.
• Marketing strategy simplified: plan with an end goal in mind.

Three Steps to Building a Marketing Strategy (00:05:28):

• Clarity
  : Determine your marketing goals, brand identity, and target audience.
• Planning
  : Decide where and how to show up online, and create relevant content.
• Implementation
  : Establish processes, timelines, and methods to execute and measure your strategy.

Setting Financial and Personal Goals (00:07:40):

• Integrating financial targets and personal lifestyle goals into your overall marketing strategy.
• Using marketing as a tool to achieve both business success and personal fulfilment.

Standing Out and Connecting with Consumers (00:12:13):

• Understanding what makes your brand unique through customer feedback and storytelling.
• Case studies of successful product businesses, like Partner in Wine and Pearl Cosmetics.

Identifying and Understanding Your Target Audience (00:17:35):

• The difference between demographic and psychographic targeting.
• The importance of constant learning and adapting based on consumer behaviour and feedback.

Reviewing and Adjusting Your Marketing Strategy (00:20:13):

• The right intervals for evaluating and tweaking your marketing strategy.

Buy the digital Marketing Handbook 

https://amzn.eu/d/iNK80CV

Find out more about Alice Benham 

https://www.alicebenham.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/alice_benham/

https://www.alicebenham.co.uk/about

Host 

Nicole Higgins  has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

https://glowwithus.neondigitalclicks.co.uk/runway-to-results-page681429

I recently had the pleasure of recording this episode Live on the stage at Top Drawer and it was so great to get the interaction and questions from the audience, (you can watch the full episode on You tube on the link below)

We chatted about growing your business on Instagram,  and connecting with your customers along with driving sales on the Instagram platform. 

For real tangible advice hear how you can 

Create "bingeable"  content that leaves followers coming back for more 

Understand what content pillars are and how to use them effectively for your brand 

What trends are working now on Instagram 

 Understand what strategies are most effective for driving growth and sales

 Give value to your audience and what that actually looks like in practice. 

Include storytelling in your business.

Adapt to the changing algorithm to enhance your  content's reach and visibility

Guest 

Martha Keith. Founder, Martha Brook and Business Secrets Club

Martha is the founder and CEO of award-winning stationery brand Martha Brook. After her own experiences growing a business, she now helps and advises other entrepreneurs and start-ups. She is a member of the British Library Advisory Council and is Ambassador for their Business & IP Centre. In 2024 she founded Business Secrets Club, growing it to a community of 50K in six months. Last year she was awarded Consumer Goods Businesswomen of the Year at the Great British Businesswomen Awards.

https://www.instagram.com/marthabrookldn

https://www.instagram.com/businesssecretsclub/

https://www.businesssecretsclub.com/

https://www.marthabrook.com/

Nicole Higgins has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams. She now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?

This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

https://glowwithus.neondigitalclicks.co.uk/runway-to-results-page681429

Holly has just released her new book Find your confidence (see link below) 

She shares tips and tactics to help build and create confidence in several different situations 

Areas we chat about in the podcast are 

Building Confidence:

Combining external body language techniques with internal mindset work.

'Fake it till you make it' approach while working on internal self-esteem.

Developing self-belief through continued efforts and tools.

Visualization and Scripting:

Regular practice of visualization, especially before bed.

Importance of scripting for public speaking and confidence in various scenarios.

Anchoring Techniques:

Methods like pressing fingers together to reinforce positivity and reduce anxiety, particularly effective for public speaking.

Real-life Examples and Practical Tips:

Holly shares her TED Talk experience and the role of visualization and anchoring in overcoming last-minute challenges.

Handling Anxiety and Mindset Shifts:

Techniques like breathwork, meditation, physical exercise, and EFT tapping for managing anxiety.

Recognizing and challenging limiting beliefs through positive affirmations and real-time interventions.

Setting Boundaries:

Differentiating personal and business boundaries to maintain balance.

Assertiveness in boundary enforcement to avoid passive or aggressive behaviours.

Appearance and Self-Image:

Addressing internalized critical messaging about appearance affecting public confidence.

Striving for a balanced and authentic online presence.

Moving from self-critique to neutrality and acceptance.

Self-Compassion and Overcoming Negative Thoughts:

Importance of challenging negative, fear-based stories and reframing failures with compassionate self-talk.

Techniques for real-time thought interruption and adjusting self-perception.

Guest Bio 

Holly Matthews 

Holly is a qualified Life Coach, NLP practitioner, hypnotherapist and Intuitive Psychology Coach. She has coached thousands of people across the world (across all walks of life, from Mums on the school run to Brit winning pop stars).

Her debut book The Happy Me Project- A no nonsense guide to self development won Health and Wellbeing Magazines best wellbeing book of 2022 and hit number #1 on Amazon the day it released.

Holly’s relatable and raw approach to self development has her teaching people how to feel ‘more happy and less crappy’ in a way that reaches those that never thought ‘self development’ would be for them.

 Www.iamhollymatthews.com 

Buy Find your Confidence  https://amzn.eu/d/09gFk3Hy 

Host 

Nicole Higgins  has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Areas we chat about

Approaching Black Friday and deciding on your sales & promotional strategy for the quarter

Reviewing  what worked the previous year, testing and warming up your email list

Key Metrics to track and how they might be slightly different this time of year.

Reviewing your segmentation

Frequency and timing of emails

Post Black Friday & Christmas strategies 

Emerging trends in Email Marketing

Emailing on Christmas Day what works and what doesn't

Retaining new customers gained during the Christmas season and transforming them into loyal repeat buyers

Guest Bio

Hannah Spicer is a Klayviyo  email marketing expert having worked with Premium and Luxury ecommerce brands on email marketing from 2005. With 20 years experience consulting & supporting businesses in the fashion beauty and lifestyle sector to maximise their own email marketing

Listen to Hannah previous episode https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mastering-email-marketing-for-your-business-with/id1577771045?i=1000647463616

https://www.instagram.com/hannahspicer_consulting/

https://www.hspicerconsulting.com/

Host

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Benefits of Using Manychat

    - Mel breaks down what Manychat is and its compliance with Meta, highlighting its approval and the rules to abide by.

Use Cases and Examples

    - Nicole and Mel discuss successful use cases of Manychat, including Instagram Live events and story mentions that drive engagement and increase sales.

Components of a Chat Funnel:

    - Key components are discussed, such as personalization, the importance of re-engagement and pivoting conversations to maintain customer interest.

Integration with Existing Strategies

    - Mel provides insights on how to integrate Manychat with your existing marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and conversion rates.

Analytics and Measuring Success

    - The importance of analytics in Manychat and how brands can track the effectiveness of their chat funnels to optimize their strategies.

Preparing for High-Traffic Seasons:

    - Mel discusses the importance of list-building and strategic planning using Manychat, especially heading into high-traffic sales periods like Black Friday.

Guest Mel Eilers  

The “Manychat queen” – Mel Eilers is a Manychat Messenger Expert and Agency Partner who works with coaches, personal brands and retailers to help them maximise their sales and leads from Instagram, all whilst freeing up the to-do list and saving time in the DMs.

Mel helps brands personalise their connection with followers through Manychat automations, helping to boost reach and engagement, leading to higher conversion rates through a seamless customer journey.

She has shared the online stage with Amy Porterfield and Michael Hyatt at the Rise Above Summit; spoken on the Chat Marketing Podcast and also delivered various masterclasses and webinars.

Mel is recognised as a go-to expert for Manychat, building automations for clients such as online business coach Teresa Heath-Waring, mentoring site Photography Farm and the Resilient Retail Coach, Catherine Erdly.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/socially_sound/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieeilers/

Website: www.sociallysound.co.uk

Email: mel@sociallysound.co.uk

Freebie: Manychat Starter Kit - https://sociallysound.thrivecart.com/ig-chat-funnels-starter-kit/

NEW: Manychat Beta Course

https://sociallysound.thrivecart.com/manychat-ig-accelerator/

Host 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Join us as Danielle reveals her journey of raising over £20,000 in just over 30 days through crowdfunding.  Discover how she turned her idea, stemming from co-working meetups and the need for recommended workspaces for women, into a successfully funded project.

In this episode, we unpack the essentials of launching a crowdfunding campaign, including setting precise funding targets, choosing the right crowdfunding model, and crafting a strategic marketing plan. 

Danielle provides insights into 

Her top tips for crowdfunding 

The importance of mindset and positivity 

Setting funding targets 

Planning the campaign. 

Post campaign  

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner looking to explore crowdfunding, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you achieve your fundraising goals. 

Guest 

Danielle Wallington is the founder of Flck here a coworking and community app, she is a  business mentor  &  tech founder 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-wallington-22a13234/ 

https://www.instagram.com/flock_here

/https://www.instagram.com/danielle_wallington_/

Host 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Head to www.runwaytoresults.com to get the journey started and prepare your business for take-off!

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

We chat about 

Brand Identity:

   - The importance of knowing what your brand is and is not.

Pricing and Regulations:

   - Accurate product pricing to reflect true labour.

   - Heavy regulation in the candle industry, emphasizing the need for knowledgeable operational staff.

Market Insights

  Trends in fragrance demand in Europe focusing on natural and herbal scents.

   - The consumer’s growing awareness and preference for branded experiences.

Business Challenges

   - The high cost and extended timeframes in product development.

   - Challenges of gaining traction in a saturated market.

   - Importance of a strong wholesale network and investment in branding and marketing.

Operational Tips:

   - Necessity for a solid operational person to navigate complex regulations.

   - Tactical approaches towards creating a commercial product range.

Guest Samantha Johnson 

Retail CMO turned manufacturing Managing Director and co founder 

Bringing making home to the North West of England via artisan production 

Samantha manufactures interiors products, homewares and candles on a bespoke, private label and branded basis. 

https://www.avalonhome.co.uk

/https://pintailcandles.co.uk/ 

Host 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. 

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Head to www.runwaytoresults.com to get the journey started and prepare your business for take-off!

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

To get the Free guide check out the Link below or DM me the word Xmas on Instagram at the buyer and retail coach

Download the FREE Plannning your Q4 Guide here

https://nicolehigginsthebuyerandretailcoach.lpages.co/q4checklist/

Here are some of the steps I talk about in the guide and podcast

⭐ **Reflect and Refine:** Discover how to review and reflect on your past Q4 performance, utilizing lessons learned to shape a more successful strategy this year.

⭐ **Inventory Excellence:** Tips for selecting and stocking the right products, including the magic Pareto rule of having 80% of your revenue come from 20% of your stock.

⭐ **Price Point Strategy:** Understanding the Good, Better, and Best price points to cater to your diverse customer base effectively.

⭐ **Operational Efficiency:** From warehouse setup to customer service templates, get your logistics aligned for a seamless holiday season.

⭐ **Marketing Mastery:** Techniques to drive traffic, increase your average order value, and keep your audience engaged and shopping.

I've  also created a comprehensive Q4 planning guide to accompany this episode! This guide serves as a checklist to keep you on track and ensure nothing gets overlooked as you prep for the busiest time of the year.

Host

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

Download the FREE Plannning your Q4 Guide here

https://nicolehigginsthebuyerandretailcoach.lpages.co/q4checklist/

Host Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

Head to www.runwaytoresults.com to get the journey started and prepare your business for take-off!

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

We discuss the myth that summer is a downtime for sales and emphasize the importance of not stopping marketing efforts during this time. 

Elle advises planning ahead, updating the website, and utilizing email marketing to stay visible and engage customers. 

We  also discuss the use of apps like JudgeMe, ReferralCandy, and Gorgias to streamline processes and improve customer service. Elle shares her expertise and offers valuable tips for Shopify e-commerce owners.

- Plan ahead and schedule content, even if you're taking some time off. Prepare emails and website updates in advance.

- Maintain email frequency to stay visible. Continue sending 1 email per week.

- Make emails short, sweet, and shoppable. Showcase products and make it easy to click through.

- Check your automated flows are seasonal and working properly.

- Use apps like Judge.me for reviews and Referral Candy for customer referrals.

- Consider outsourcing customer service to a VA to handle inquiries while you're away.

Most importantly, don't go silent over summer! With some planning, you can keep revenue coming in and set yourself up for a successful Q4.

Guest Elle Williamson 

https://www.theecommerceassistant.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theecommerceassistant/

- Judge.me: https://apps.shopify.com/judgeme

- Referral Candy: https://apps.shopify.com/referralcandy

- Gorgias: https://apps.shopify.com/gorgias

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Steph chats about her journey as a business owner from first hires to investment with everything else in between, 

We chat about 

The growth of the brand ⁠

The Importance of Multiple Revenue Streams⁠

Marketing Challenges in a Noisy Space⁠

Building a Strong and Supportive Team⁠

Balancing the Needs of the Team and the Business⁠

Balancing Work and Family⁠

Staying Focused and Motivated⁠

Stephs advice for those starting a business Starting a Business⁠

⁠Steph Douglas 

https://www.dontbuyherflowers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/steph_dontbuyherflowers/

https://www.instagram.com/dontbuyherflowers/

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

💡Listen to the start scale succeed podcast  here for more tips to help you start and scale your product business 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/start-scale-succeed/id1577771045

🔥 DON'T FORGET to follow me on instagram from lots more tips https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

❤️ Enjoyed this video? Subscribe to our  you tube channel and hit the notification bell to never miss a new video — and let us know what how-tos you’d like to see next in the comments!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmiMajoKec

Sign up to the newsletter and get support straight to your inbox https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

What are the red flags when deciding which suppliers to work with for your fashion brand or product start up. 

We answer these and much more in Ep 153 of start scale succeed I chat with Sheredene Rose Ex head of design for Monsoon and co-founder of Kappas India a supply and manufacturing company for fashion garments

Tips for Working with Suppliers:

   - Key questions to ask regarding product fit, social compliance, and ethical practices.sampling and MOQ 

   - Importance of early assessment of communication and payment terms.

Product Sampling Costs

   - Insight into factory sampling costs being typically two to three times the bulk cost price or FOB price.

Informed Design Choices:

   - Importance of hit rates in sampling and order placements.

   - Caution against offering too many options and mismatched quantities without market demand research.

*Market Intelligence & Supplier Relations:

   - Necessity for clarity, understanding of pricing, and strong relationships.

   - Warning against unrealistic expectations and frequent design changes.

Guest Sheredene Rose 

Sheredene shares her transition from a corporate design background to founding her own brands and a supply business in Delhi. Post-COVID, she and her partner Gagan pivoted from traditional retail to supporting online businesses, emphasizing the need for a clear product vision and well-thought presentation for success.

https://www.iislaandbird.com/shop/

www.kapaasindia.com

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Here are some of the topics we cover 

Power of Human Stories:

 Understand the importance of sharing personal stories and making human connections.

-Optimizing LinkedIn Profile

 Get tips on creating an engaging LinkedIn profile to attract the right connections.

Creating Authentic Content

Find out the best practices for posting on LinkedIn and how to mix personal and business updates effectively.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Discover the pitfalls to avoid in your LinkedIn strategy and how to personalize your approach.

Building Meaningful Relationships 

Learn strategies to build relationships with journalists and other key players without cold DMs.

Guest 

Laurie Macpherson  

https://go.lauriemacpherson.com/SignupforLinkedInguidanceandprompts

https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/

https://www.instagram.com/_laurie_macpherson/

www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemac

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Watch the full episode on You tube 

https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

If you had said that you wanted to create a business that gave you the freedom to travel and create a nomadic lifestyle, a product business wouldn’t have been the top of my list but Renee has just done that. 

In this weeks episode we chat about

Rushing and Rapid Expansion Renee talks about the pitfalls of expanding too quickly and the mistakes that came from rushing important decisions.

Challenges in International Markets  Insights into launching in different countries  differences in consumer behavior and trends that required unique marketing strategies.

Stockholding and Product Suitability: Discussion on the importance of understanding stock needs and ensuring product suitability for different regions.

Current Challenges The hurdles Ode & Rae  faces as it continues to grow, including managing influencer partnerships and finding the right fit for the team that is brought into the business

Brand Perception and Key Styles: Realizing the importance of focusing on a few key styles rather than chasing trends continuously.

Social Media Presence Renee's decision to distance herself from the brand's social media, and the reasons behind this choice including future business exit strategy and personal imposter syndrome.

Investment Considerations  Her experiences with angel investment and the contemplation of further rounds, balancing external investment with her vision for the brand.

Guest

Renée Milner, Founder & CEO, ODE+ RAE

Renée is a visionary entrepreneur and the solo female founder of ODE + RAE, a female owned and led, luxury Swimwear and Ready-To-Wear brand, which she bootstrapped from the ground up in 2017. Through the ODE + RAE brand, Renée is committed to empowering women to feel confident and liberated, as well as inspire others to create a lifestyle that harmonises work and personal freedom.

Renée is passionate about freedom, personal growth, connection, happiness, and resilience; these values are the bedrock of her business philosophy. She advocates for maximising one's potential and living an inspired and authentic life, on your terms. 

 https://www.instagram.com/renee_rayy

https://odeandrae.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ODEANDRAE

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Watch the full episode on You tube 

https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

But many of you don’t have the Barbie budget or the clout of a million dollar movie behind you so how can you make a partnership work for you, why should you do a collab and how do you pitch to the brands you are interested in working with.  They are all of thing topics I'll be chatting with Natalia Chappel about in this episode 

Some of the key topics 

• The Power of Partnerships and Collaborations
• Understanding Complementary Brands and Audiences
• The Benefits of Partnerships for Reach and Growth
• Finding the Right Partners: Dream Brands and Unexpected Collaborations
• Researching and Connecting with Potential Partners
• Pitching for Partnerships: Creating a Compelling Proposal
• Negotiating a Partnership Involving a Physical Product
• Considerations for Profit Split and Stock Management
• Optimal Marketing Timelines for Product Launches

Key Takeaways    

Strategic Partnerships

   - Forming complementary partnerships can help expand a brand's reach and engage different audiences.

   - Clear objectives, understanding of the partner's branding, and aligning with the target customer are crucial.

   - Real-world examples of successful partnerships,

Executing Partnerships

   - The significance of clear agreements, expectations, marketing budget, and timelines.

   - The importance of GDPR compliance and transparent data-sharing agreements.

   - Creating excitement around product launches through well-timed marketing efforts and engaging events.

Handling Products and Stock

   - Recommendations on focusing on core products to reduce margin erosion.

   - Importance of clear agreements and margins when stocking products exclusively on a website.

Tips for Approaching Brands

   - Use social media platforms like LinkedIn to research and build relationships for partnerships.

   - Make pitches concise and highlight unique selling propositions to stand out.

   - Consider the partner’s tone of voice, customer base, and brand values.

Challenges and Timeframes

   - Understand that securing partnerships can take significant time, ranging from a few months to over a year.

   - Establish clear timelines, objectives, and deliverables from the start.

Guest Natalie Chappel 

 Digital Marketing Consultant and founder of Natalia Chappel Consultancy for lifestyle and fashion brands working with brands to scaling up revenue growth & accelerating traffic to site

improving channel mix that focuses on acquiring new customers 

improving retention rate & ensuring a healthy bottom line

www.nataliachappell.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/nataliachappellco/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nataliachappell

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Watch the full episode on You tube 

https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Highlights include 

- **Introduction to Stop Motion:

  - Definition and magical elements of stop motion.

  - Why it’s so engaging and valuable for marketing and sales.

- **Business Applications:

  - Distinguishing your brand and telling stories through stop motion.

  - Highlighting unique selling points (USPs) and product features.

  - The power of stop motion in social media and paid ads.

- **Common Misconceptions:

  - Debunking the myth that stop motion is time-consuming.

  - Tips for creating quick, effective stop motions using minimal equipment 

- **Practical Advice:**

  - Recommended apps: Life Lapse and Stop Motion Studio.

  - Top five must-have stop motion content types for product businesses.

  - Step-by-step process for coming up with stop motion content.

Guest Alice Loveday 

​​https://www.lovedaysocial.com/

https://www.instagram.com/loveday.social

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Watch the full episode on You tube 

https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Aime Cox from Studio Cotton is an  expert when it comes to crafting and designing websites  and shares their insights and tips on why your conversion may not be where it should be and what you can do about it. 

Some of the areas we talk about 

E-commerce Conversion Rates:**

   - Understand what makes a good conversion rate and why smaller businesses might achieve higher rates (around 3-3.5%).

User Experience (UX) and Product Descriptions:**

   - Listen to Amy’s golden advice on website optimization and the importance of regular SEO updates focusing on product descriptions and product collections.

1. **Audit and Optimize:**

   - Learn about the importance of regularly auditing your website to identify issues hampering conversion rates. Amy also provides insightful advice on utilizing customer and press reviews to enhance product descriptions.

Guest 

Aime Cox founder 

Studio Cotton offer thoughtfully crafted website design and expertise for small businesses and podcasts 

https://studiocotton.co.uk/ 

https://www.instagram.com/studio.cotton/

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Pitching to journalists and how to engage with them and how to find the right ones for your brand & products. 

Creating the story the journalist wants to hear and feature

Collaborating with aligned brands to boost your visibility and leverage audiences 

Engaging customers through compelling stories and what that looks like and how to craft them. 

Understanding your unique Value proposition 

Guest bio 

With a background rooted in newspapers, Priscilla Pollara brings a unique perspective to problem-solving in the world of PR and communications. This distinct approach is the cornerstone of their firm, Top Trick, which is the culmination of years of experience in communications, journalism, reputation management, and branding.

Priscillas journalistic eye allows them  to view every project through a distinct lens, ensuring thorough and insightful strategies that set their clients apart in a crowded marketplace.

https://toptrick.co.uk/collections/courses

https://toptrick.co.uk/

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

⭐️ Rookie mistakes brand owners can make including packaging⁠

⭐️ How to grab a buyer's attention ⁠

⭐️ The key information to put in a retail deck⁠

⭐️ How to handle negotiation⁠

⭐️ The importance of getting your pricing right from the get go⁠

Interviewer 

Jacqui Ripley 

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

This week’s guest is Matt Hopkins founder of the great brand exchange.  

The Great Brand Exchange was founded in 2014 with two goals in mind. The first was to help small businesses grow and scale by giving them a route into retail. And the second was to bring exciting, unique, local products to major retailers enabling them to offer something different alongside their big-name brands.

On the podcast Matt chats about: 

• Consumer behaviour and trends and what consumers want from a brand 
• Shifts towards localism and the desire for brands that reflect consumers' core values.
• Importance of storytelling, authenticity, and personalized experiences in brand engagement.

How pop-ups serve as a potent marketing tool.

• Benefits of temporary retail spaces from driving sales to engaging consumers.
• Pop-ups’ role in rapidly responding to trends and consumer demands.

Setting Up a Successful Pop-Up** 

• Essential steps involved in preparing for a pop-up event.
• The importance of location, design, and storytelling in attracting and engaging customers.
• Strategies for creating impactful visual merchandising and product displays. 

https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbrandexchange/

https://thegbexchange.com/

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Listen to hear how 

Before Roshanne  even launched she had been sent a cease and desist from Chanel 

How the brand launched and why it was successful from the beginning 

How the Glowcery are marketing and growing their brands and standing out in every increasing competitive market

What is working for them with influencer marketing 

And why pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is key for your growth as an entrepreneur. 

Guest 

Roshanne Dorset founder of the The Glowcery

From the court room to cosmetics 

Roshanne's journey into holistic wellness began five years ago when she embraced a vegan lifestyle. Initially motivated by a desire to enhance her diet. 

Roshanne experienced profound improvements in her overall health; her skin became clearer and her Roshanne was inspired to found "The Glowcery," a company dedicated to creating skincare products that align with the principles of a plant-based lifestyle, nourishing the skin as wholesomely as the foods she consumed.

https://www.theglowceryshop.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theglowceryshop/

Host Nicole Higgins 

Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits. 

She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

In this episodes she shares her journey of how she started,  the challenges she has faced and why she is pivoting to move forward with podcast host Nicole Higgins 

Some of the topics covered

Building a Brand with a Unique Selling Proposition:** Learn about Kayleigh's strategic shift towards a brand with an "always-in-stock" component, annual color changes, and seasonal drops.

Wholesale and Market Strategies:** Insight into Kayleigh’s plans to wholesale her brand, her preparation for trade shows, and why she chose to delay her participation to ensure brand readiness.

The Emotional Journey of Entrepreneurship:** Kayleigh discusses overcoming her fear of failure, redefining what failure means, and the personal pride she takes in managing her business alongside motherhood.

Strategic Pivots and Operational Changes:** Hear how Kayleigh handled challenges including subletting her store space, closing the playroom, and her plans to focus more on her own successful brand.

Future Aspirations and Current Projects:** Get a sneak peek into the upcoming launch of Kayleigh's new brand and the winter collection planned for September/October. 

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Highlights of this episode include:

Pitching to Investors: The value of a compelling story, clear data, and a precise ask in your pitch deck. Understand your business valuation and be prepared with all necessary documentation.

Business Valuation: Factors influencing valuation and the differences between valuation methods based on profit or potential growth.

Preparing for Investment: A walk-through of how to best get ready for investment, including having a well-organized pitch deck and data room for potential investors.

Explaining Lifetime value  We delve into the components required to calculate a customer's lifetime value – average order value, frequency of purchases, and customer retention period – using a kidswear business as a case example.

Client Acquisition Cost (CAC) Insight: Understanding CAC not only in terms of initial profit but over the longevity of client relationships and how it influences marketing budgets and investor relations.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS): Luke breaks down these tax-relief schemes aimed at aiding investors who back risky startups.

Investor Relations: Tips for aligning with the right investors – what to look for, what to ask, and how to establish mutual expectations for a fruitful partnership.

Guest 

Luke Desmond founder of crisp accountancy and fractional CFO has worked with businesses across a range of sectors but has specialist knowledge of technology, SaaS & E-commerce. He has helped businesses fine-tune original ideas & launch from day 1, raise seven figures and exit for eight figures.

founder and CEO of Crisp Accountancy, an accountancy firm that works with a range of businesses from Solopreneurs to Scale Up in a variety of different sectors.

Luke works with businesses across a range of sectors but has a specialist knowledge of and passion for technology, SaaS & E-commerce.

Through his work as Fractional CFO,  he helps businesses  fine-tune original ideas & launch from day 1, raise seven figures and exit for eight figures. He is on a mission to improve the financial understanding of business owners and I works closely with businesses to increase their profits and equip them with the necessary skills to master their finances and make better informed financial decisions.

https://www.instagram.com/crispaccountancy/

https://crispaccountancy.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukedesmond/

https://www.lukedesmond.co.uk/

Host Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Nicole shares some of the mistakes she made whilst working as a buyer for major high street retailers and how you can create and develop products that are the right fit for your business 

Focusing on people, the product and profit  Nicole breaks down actions to take when planning for the seasons ahead. 

The Host 

Nicole Higgins is a seasoned professional with over 18 years experience in the retail industry, having worked as a buyer  with blue-chip companies such as Primark and M&S across multi product categories from Bras to Beauty 

 Her journey in the corporate world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and insights that she now dedicates to empowering startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey to growth, profit  and scalability.

Nicole specializes in guiding businesses through the intricacies of start up,  strategy, sourcing and  product development. Her keen understanding of market dynamics allows her to provide tailored solutions that drive success in today's competitive landscape.

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsors 

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

In ep 139 of start scale succeed host Nicole Higgins chats with Catherine Collins about the practical tips for identifying and collaborating with the right distributor. 

Catherine established a distribution agency in the middle east and now provides expert consultancy for beauty and wellness brands 

This week some of the topics covered are 

• The pivotal role of distributors in a brand's expansion and the critical factors that determine when a brand is ready to work with a distributor.
• The financial mechanics of distributor partnerships, including the ideal margin rule for pricing 
• The distinction between the roles of distributors and agents in the growth of a brand, and what brands can expect from each.
• Characteristics of founders who steer their brands towards success, such as a growth mindset, resilience, and a purpose-driven approach to their business.
• An overview of current trends shaping the beauty industry, including consumer interest in scientifically-backed products and doctor-led brands.
•  Practical tips for identifying and collaborating with the right distributor, including questions to ask and strategies to foster a lasting and beneficial relationship.

Guest 

Catherine Collins 

Catherine’s career spans across multiple markets from building an international beauty distribution business in the Middle East to advising some of the world’s most well known beauty brands on their global strategy and working closely with high growth startups and connecting them with investors.  She has a deep understanding of international markets and how to scale a brand successfully and has worked with a variety of different retailers and distributors worldwide. 

https://www.constellarconsultancy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/constellarconsultancy/

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

In this episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Abbie founder of base brands a brand strategy & consulting company based in Dubai about selling and launching in the Dubai market 

Some of the areas discussed are: 

• Tips and advice for breaking into the market  from customers to logistics 
• What to consider culturally and shopping habits in Dubai 
• Trends & Market changes that are emerging in the middle east 
• Red tape and legislation 
• The mistakes the small businesses make when trying to sell in Dubai 
• The different types of retailers and expected payment terms 

Guest 

https://www.basebrandsco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/base.brands/

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

This episode I chat with Cat Anderson founder of sustainable clothing store Treen a  vegan fashion retailer, offering a selection of style must-haves from a carefully selected group of brands that make a positive difference. Providing a killer wardrobe without Killing the planet. 

This episode we chat about her start up journey, what she is doing to build the business and building relationships and becoming more than a retail brand and how she gets the community and her team  involved in the brand. 

The sustainable initiatives that she has planned for the future and why they mean so much to her and the brand. 

https://www.instagram.com/shoptreen_/

https://shoptreen.com/

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Using stories to connect and sell is key to help you business grow. Ep 136 is with creative content consultant May Castillo our key focus today is How to sell in your stories. 

Some of the topics we chat about are: 

1. "Fearless Selling" - Overcome the emotional barriers to confidently sell your products or services.
2. "Sales Foundations" - Understand essential sales strategies before utilizing Instagram stories to sell.
3. "Consumer Shifts" - Adapt to changes in consumer behavior favoring stories and messaging over feeds and reels.
4. "Story Sequencing" - Craft a compelling narrative throughout the day to engage viewers and lead them to purchase.
5. "Client Transformations" - Use client stories to show the impact of your product, enhancing its value proposition.
6. "Storytelling Mastery" - Maintain a logical sequence in storytelling; start with a problem and end with a solution.
7. "Creative Sales" - Infuse creativity in sales through gamification and customer involvement for better engagement.
8. "Avoid Mistakes" - Ensure context, relevance, and storytelling flow to avoid common storytelling pitfalls.
9. "Profile Optimization" - Create a strong profile with strategic pinned posts to attract and retain followers.
10. "SMS Engagement" - Utilize SMS marketing sparingly to build personal connections and boost engagement.

Guest 

May Castillo 

https://www.instagram.com/talktomay/ 

https://www.talktomay.com/10commandmentsofigstories

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

This week in the start scale succeed podcast I chat with Hannah Spicer email marketing expert 

During the podcast, Hannah shares valuable insights on:

- Mistakes businesses make with their emails

- Building effective retention and win-back email flows

- Optimizing open and click-through rates

- Creating engaging and successful email campaigns

- And much more!

If you're new to email marketing or looking to enhance your current strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Gain practical advice and actionable tips straight from an industry expert.

Guest Hannah Spicer 

 https://www.instagram.com/hannahspicer_consulting/

https://www.hspicerconsulting.com/

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Listeners will gain practical tips for conducting effective surveys, testing product viability, and maintaining a collaborative approach with customers. Whether you're an established business or an entrepreneur just starting out, this episode offers actionable strategies to enhance your relationship with your customers and fuel business growth.

Buy Katies’ Book Do penguins eat peaches  book 

https://www.productjungle.co.uk/about

https://www.instagram.com/productjungle/

Guest Bio 

Katie Tucker is an inspirational product leader with over twelve years’ experience in leading teams and delivering stand-out digital products and services. She is also a writer, author of the Amazon bestselling book Do Penguins Eat Peaches? and a speaker.

In 2020, she set-up Product Jungle. A boutique consultancy with bite - using tools and hacks from the world of big tech to help small businesses and social enterprises embrace customer problems and build products and services that sell. 

After starting her career in the fast-paced world of commodity markets, working her way up from business reporter to managing editor and overseeing the daily product and digital delivery of ten B2B publications, she worked for a successful FTSE 100 company for over ten years, inspiring teams, setting product strategies and delivering transformational digital products with a clear focus on user needs.

In 2018, she made the bold move to quit the corporate 9-5 to travel the world for ten months with her family, a life-changing experience which led to renewed sense of purpose. Product Jungle was born out of a passion of demystifying big tech practices.   

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Revolutionizing the bridal industry with the “airbnb” of bridal rentals. 

I chat with co-founder Ella Gaskell about PS Bridal Rental,  a rental and resale platform. 

Celebrity Stylist Ella partnered with Zoe Jervoise Graham 

to start the business after establishing during covid that there was a definite gap in the market for the idea 

We discuss about how the idea came to life and how networking and tech accelerator programmes helped the business happen and move forward. 

The  Unique features and services that  P.S. Bridal Rental's  offerings, including at-home try-ons, reversible alterations, and the recent addition of a resale service for wedding dresses.

The Future ambitions of the business- Get an exclusive glimpse into P.S. Bridal Rental's global expansion plans and its mission to cater to diverse cultures and traditions in the wedding space.

P.S. Bridal Rental is not just a business; it's a game-changer in the wedding industry, empowering brides to embrace sustainable and affordable options without compromising on their dream attire.

https://www.instagram.com/psbridalrental

https://psbridal.co.uk/

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Chars’ aim is to reduce the overwhelm of content creation for small business owners 

The episode guides both new and existing businesses on reassessing scattered content and aligning it with both brand values and audience interests 

Char Dixon https://www.loudmouthcontent.com/

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

In this weeks episode of Start scale succeed (ep 131) I chat with Sophie Cafolla founder of stock & Co a stunning children’s lifestyle brand on how the brand has evolved over the years and why bricks and mortar is key to their growth. 

Sophie shares great insight and tips that will really help and inspire you in you business and on your journey.

Listen to hear how:

Sophie Embraced Failure Using early setbacks as learning opportunities to improve business strategies and product offerings

How they rebranded so that they could strategically expand and diversify the business

How understanding the numbers and the financials were key to help navigate growth and plan feedback 

How listening to buyer feedback and acting quickly helped Sophie get stocked in their first wholesale account nationwide 

Guest links 

www.WonderCru.com 

Www.stork-co.com 

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Nikki shares her insights on why 65% of high-potential businesses fail due to co-founder fallout and offers valuable advice on nurturing successful partnerships. 

From identifying tensions within the business to the importance of open communication, Nikki provides practical tips and real-life examples to help co-founders navigate the complexities of their relationships. 

www.nickicoe.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-coe

https://www.nickicoe.com/7questions

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

In this workshop style episode host Nicole Higgins takes listeners through a comprehensive guide on setting strategic business goals for future success. Drawing from her extensive experience in corporate strategy and entrepreneurship, Nicole outlines the importance of setting goals and the actionable steps necessary to achieve them.

Split into 3 parts Reflections, Review and Plan 

Reflection

- Nicole encourages listeners to reflect on their experiences in 2023, both personally and professionally.

- Listeners are prompted to think about what worked, what didn't work, and how they felt throughout the year.

- A focus on professional growth, personal well-being, and business performance is central to this reflection.

Review

A deeper dive into the lessons learnt in your business, your strengths and weaknesses, turnover, sales & marketing results. Identifying opportunities for growth. 

Planning and Goal Setting

Planning S.M.A.R.T Goals 

- Listeners are prompted to consider three key areas of focus for their business and align their goals with the broader mission and vision of their company.

- The episode concludes with a focus on establishing sales targets and key business objectives for the next 90 days, ensuring a clear plan for success.

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

These are some of the topics I chat about with Ness, founder of the find boutique in this weeks podcast episode.

The experience of rebranding, handling business setbacks, including a social media hack, which meant she lost all her followers and had to start from scratch. 

The strategy behind weekly drops, engaging customers through live sessions, and the shift to smaller, more profitable fashion events.

Ness's learning curve in the industry, her focus on what works for marketing, and her thoughts on expanding to platforms like TikTok.

Connect with Ness and the Find Boutique:

thefindboutique.co.uk 

https://www.facebook.com/thefindbou/ 

https://www.instagram.com/findbou/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thefindbou 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thefindbou/ 

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

These variables are something I discuss with TV fashion stylist turned Founder  Judy Gilroy creator of  home organisation brand @clossy who shares her journey of why after thinking about two other business previously she bit the bullet and started her own product business alongside a successful tv and styling career and family life. 

Some of the areas we chat about 

- The birth of Clossy and Judy's inspiration to create a home organization brand

- Overcoming self-doubt and finding the courage to pursue her business ideas

- The challenges of finding the right suppliers and creating a cohesive product range

- The highs and lows of the business journey, from website development to digital marketing

- The strategic decision to distance herself from being the face of the brand and working with influencers

- The success of Clossy's influencer marketing and the ongoing refinement of digital marketing

- Judy's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the importance of taking the leap

Judy Gilroy is the founder of Clossy a Home organisation brand for the house proud not house perfect. She is also a well established TV and fashion stylist. 

https://clossy.co/

https://www.instagram.com/clossyco/

https://www.instagram.com/judygilroy/

Host 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

I'd never seen anything like it and it made me look more at experiential marketing, what it was and how it works. 
Connecting with your consumers and creating a memorable experience is key to help building your brand.

This week in the Start Scale Succeed podcast I dive more into that with my chat with Katie Peake founder of backlash creative THE agency for experiential marketing specialising in fashion & beauty pop ups and events. 

Katie shares the story and ideas behind her favourite pop up the agency did this  year for Pandora in front of tower bridge and other clients such as the beautie Pie warehouse experience. 

Other areas we talk about are:

What are the advantages of using experiential marketing?
What you need to be clear on before you start your project? 
Understanding what you want to achieve for example is it a new demographic you want to attract, build brand awareness or increase sales. 
How Katie goes about creating a strong theme and idea. 
What's going on in experiential marketing in 2024!

You can get in touch with Katie and the backlash team on the links below:

Guest Katie Peake 
https://www.backlash.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/backlashcreative/

See some of the backlash projects here:
https://www.backlash.co.uk/showreel

Host 
Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 
Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 
Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/
https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

In this weeks episode of Start Scale Succeed, I chat with founder Karen Saul who started her ethical and sustainable brand brand Good Wash Day mid lockdown in her 50's.

Good wash day is a organic cotton jersey towel ethically sourced to eliminate the frizz that standard towels can cause. Kind to all hair types. Karen shares about the twists and turns of her start up journey, the costs and research that went into the brand at the beginning:

How her branding and investing in the visuals right from the beginning has paid off. 
How shout outs from authentic influencers have helped drive sales and what she has learnt from. 
Where she is spending her time and energy on in her business and what is getting results.

Guest 
https://www.instagram.com/goodwashday/
https://www.goodwashday.com/

Host 
Nicole Higgins 
The Buyer and retail coach 
Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Sonal shares her start up story and the initial research that went into the brand along with why she wanted to become a B-corp and takes us through that journey, explaining what exactly a B-corp is and advise to those that are going through that experience or are thinking of starting it. 

She discusses how it has changed their business operations, product sourcing and This is silks continual commitment to improvement, sustainability and growing an ethical business. 

Guest links 
https://www.instagram.com/thisissilk/
https://thisissilk.com/

Host 
Nicole Higgins 
The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Today's episode is a must-listen for every small business owner and entrepreneur looking for sustainable strategies to boost client engagement and sales without the burnout. 

Special guest Sara Dalrymple , a renowned sales trainer and mentor, who brings a treasure trove of practical advice from her new book 'More Sales, Please.' Dive into the heart of service-led selling, the power of storytelling, and how just 30 minutes a day can transform your business. 

Get ready to take notes as we uncover the secrets to consistent sales growth, genuine client connections, and the emotionally-driven world of successful marketing. Don't forget to reach out to Sara for more insights on 'Selling on Stories' and to preorder her book that's changing the game for small businesses everywhere. Here's a peek at what we're unpacking today!

- The art of service before selling: How prioritizing your clients' needs leads to easier sales decisions. 

- Comfortable self-promotion: Finding the best medium, whether it's videos or writing, to communicate your business value. 

- Engagement without exhaustion: The fine balance of keeping your audience interested while avoiding burnout. 

- Skills that sell: Why promoting, marketing, and selling are the backbone of business success. 

- Size doesn't matter: Why a smaller audience can be just as effective as a large one in achieving sales. 

- Embracing authenticity: The shift in social media towards real content and personal connections. 

- More Sales, Please: A preview of Cara's new book and her 30-minute promotion model for consistent sales. 

- The Selling on Stories cheat sheet: Cara's tool for engaging and converting audiences at different interest levels. 

- The psychological power of storytelling: How emotional connections drive buying decisions. 

- Overcoming the mindset block: Tips to boost your confidence in selling and to focus on your audience. 

- Sales-focused motivation: A discussion on the true goals behind starting a business. 

Sara Darlymple 

Sales stories cheat sheet 
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/634824528c93e14e464b926b

Website 
https://saradalrymple.co.uk/

Order Sara's book: More sales Please 
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/more-sales-please-how-to-promote-your-small-business-online-achieve-consistent-sales-and-grow-without-the-grind-dalrymple-sara-dalrymple/7392853?ean=9781788604659

Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/saleswithsara/

Host 
Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 
Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/
https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

This is one of the topics I'm talking to Cara the founder of snoozeshade  on ep 122 of Start Scale Succeed.

Cara Sayer, founder of Snooze Shade,  shares  her gripping journey of battling corporate giants and protecting her invention. With her blend of personal anecdotes and business acumen, Cara divulged how she dealt with a big retailer replicating her product in  Aldi  sparking her plight for IP rights and leading to extensive media coverage.

She enlightened us about unregistered design rights, the importance of trademarks, and the complexities of safeguarding one's product internationally.

We cover a LOT in this episode but here's just a snippet

• We talk about how she took on the large retailers when they infringed her designs and copyright and continues to do so.
• How to protect your designs
• Focusing on the profit rather than the turnover
• A close look at wholesale and distribution
• International trading into multiple countries.
• Challenges she faced as an entrepreneur
• Growing the brand and next steps.

Guest

Cara Sayer - Snoozeshade founder

https://www.snoozeshade.com/

https://www.instagram.com/snoozeshade/

Host

Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services. 

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!

So whether your sales have plateaued or you

’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Whether you're starting fresh or in need of a content refresh, this episode provides practical advice to help you elevate your content and stop the scroll.

Key Points:

- Defining your unique brand voice and identifying what sets you apart from the competition

- Confidently delivering your message and creating content with conviction

- The importance of having a content plan and understanding the purpose behind each piece of content

- Avoiding comparison with competitors and focusing on your own goals and journey

- Tips for batching content and streamlining the creation process

- How to approach content creation for a fresh start or to refresh an existing account

Guest: Georgia Williams

- Founder of Ray of Social "Canva Queen"

- Experienced in social media marketing and content strategy

- Passionate about helping business owners create compelling and eye-catching content without the faff.

Guest links

Georgia Williams

www.rayofsocial.com

www.instagram.com/rayofsocial

www.linkedin.com/in/georgiawilliamsrayofsocial/

Host

Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services. 

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Some of the key takeaways are:

• Partner with someone with complementary skills to grow your business organically. For example, Donna's celebrity connections and makeup artistry experience complemented Sarah's web development and branding skills. Together, they were able to achieve more than they could have on their own.
• Bigger isn’t always better, Donna May London have prioritized being stocked in boutique lifestyle stores over larger chains, because they do an exceptional job of presenting their products and connecting with their customers 
• Social media has been instrumental in the brand’s success - Google, Facebook, newsletters, Instagram, YouTube tutorials & TikTok have helped them attract customers. An 8K private Facebook group has been invaluable for market research as well as fostering a thriving community.
• The website is king.  Sarah & Donna recommend investing heavily in a quality website & suggest aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to use & update it themselves.
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask ‘stupid questions’ in order to learn what you need to know for your business.
• Create your own financial path. Not all businesses need outside funding or investment. Donna May London have prioritized self-funding to maintain the buzz and agility of their business.
• If your business is turning over six figures, consider investing in a fulfillment center. It can be a big leap forward, but it's worth it for the increased dynamism, efficiency and scalability.

Donna May London 
Links
Donna May London Website
Donna May London Facebook
Donna May London Pinterest
Donna May London TikTok

Nicole Higgins 
Links 
Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach 
Nicole Higgins Links 
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 
Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/
https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Harvey Fairburn is the founder of Fairburn Fitness and a high-performance coach who specializes in helping business owners elevate their personal standards and improve their performance in their businesses. 

His passion for this work stems from his own personal journey, having experienced the detrimental effects of neglecting self-care and focusing solely on his business. Harvey shares the methods you can use to create a rich, fulfilling business and life.

Some of the key takeaways are:

• Audit your energy to work out which tasks bring joy or drain your energy. Environment plays a role in energy levels, so it's important to consider the space you work in and the people you interact with.
• Set boundaries with clients and create designated times for communication to prevent them from consuming all your energy.
• Discipline is important and comes from having a clear vision of what you want in life and being willing to sacrifice for it.
• Movement breaks and healthy practices can help create more energy and productivity.
• Life and business are interlinked, energize your life and your business will benefit as well.

Harvey Fairburn
Links
Fairburn Fitness Website
Harvey Fairburn Instagram
Harvey Fairburn Facebook

Nicole Higgins 
Links 
Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 
Nicole Higgins Links 
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 
Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/
https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Jenni Retourné is the founder of independent, natural skincare brand, Willowberry. Join us as we dive deep into Jenni's journey of starting her own beauty brand, the challenges she faced, and the incredible success she has achieved. From formulating her signature products at her kitchen table to forging partnerships with key retailers, Jenni's story is nothing short of inspiring.

Some of the key takeaways are:

• How challenging the narrative on how to sell beauty products, and focusing on making her customers feel good set Willowberry apart as a brand.
• The power of approaching manufacturers face to face to build relationships vs relying on phone calls and emails that don’t get answered
• Attending PR and Press Events enabled Jenni to build connections in person with journalists, and give them her products to try. This made the brand much more memorable compared to just being another product that lands on their desk.
• You don’t need to say yes to everything. Jenni has carefully steered a path so she is only stocked in stores and websites that fit with her brand identity, such as Anthropologie.
• The importance of self belief, determination and tenacity when building a business

Jenni Retourné

Links

Willowberry Website

Willowberry Instagram

Willowberry Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniretourne/

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services. 

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

For this week’s episode I am joined by Anna Frapwell, the founder of Neon Digital Clicks and an industry expert with 20 years of digital marketing experience. Anna shares her invaluable insights on when to consider investing in digital marketing, how to decide if an agency is the right fit for your goals, and potential red flags to look out for. 

Some of the key takeaways are:

• Building Solid Foundations: Before investing in paid advertising and scaling your business, it's crucial to have solid foundations in place. Investing in ads can expose previously unknown cracks or issues, providing an opportunity to fix them and successfully scale your business.  We look at what your solid foundations should be. 
• Assessing Agency Fit: When considering an agency, take into account their ability to achieve your goals, as well as chemistry and trust. Ask questions about their team, distinguishing between juniors and specialists, to ensure expertise aligns with your needs. Look for testimonials and case studies and what type of product businesses they work with. Are they a similar fit to yours or are they spraying and praying! 
• Red Flags to Watch Out For: Be cautious of agencies that don't ask probing questions during calls. It's important to gain knowledge about what needs to be done, and an agency that skips this step may not have your best interests at heart. 
• What the key questions are to ask the agency 

Anna Frapwell
Links
https://scaleandglow.com/
https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annafrapwell/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Nicole Higgins
The Buyer and Retail Coach 
Links 
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 
Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

I’m joined by Shauna Corr, an EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) expert. EFT is a relatively new therapy, but it is quickly gaining popularity due to its simplicity, effectiveness, 

EFT combines Chinese acupuncture with modern talking therapy. Shauna helps people address their issues by tapping on certain parts of the body while discussing their concerns. 

Despite some initial skepticism surrounding this method, it has been scientifically proven to be effective. We discuss how business owners can use this technique to boost performance, set boundaries, remove money blocks, gain focus, and more in their business.

Some of the key takeaways are:

• By preventing the logical brain from entering flight or fight mode during times of stress, EFT helps sustain clear thinking and reasoning. The technique keeps the logical brain online longer, even in stressful situations.
• To build your own self-confidence and tackle anxiety about public speaking and presentations, EFT can be an effective technique.
• EFT helps reduce the impact of daily stressors on our bodies and immune system. It can also improve sleep and boost physical wellbeing.
• Working through blocks such as issues around money, fear of setting prices, and asking for payment can also be achieved through EFT.
• Clinical studies show the effectiveness of tapping on reducing stress, with trial groups including American war veterans with PTSD.

Shauna Corr 

Links

https://www.instagram.com/tappingintosuccess/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-o-callaghan-corr-0b9916203/

Nicole Higgins 

Links 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Slowly, establishing her business through etsy, not on the high street and DTC, We are debunking the overnight success myth and focusing on real stories, real business , real life 

Her innovative floating bedside tables began to take off with sales initially coming from Etsy,  Sallie shares how she reimagined the product to drive more sales adapting her business to the changing consumer landscape

Some of the key takeaways are:

• Getting validation for your business can give you more confidence and motivation. 
• Starting a business with one product is possible, and diversifying with variations of that product can be a smart growth strategy.
• If copycats emerge, take immediate action. 
• Explore marketing solutions such as blogging, & PR so you are not solely reliant on social media.
• Showing up on social media as an introvert 
• Knowing when to expand - Using a fullfilment center meant Sallie could expand her business faster and increase her income. 

Links 

Sallie King 

https://www.instagram.com/miss.sallieking/

https://www.instagram.com/urbansize_home

https://urbansize.co.uk/

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Neon Digital Clicks 

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.  

Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000! 

So whether your sales have plateaued or you’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding. 

Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year. 

https://scaleandglow.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/neon-digital-clicks/about/

Lucy Haslam is the founder of children's lifestyle brand Acorn & Pip, a bricks and mortar store & cafe established in West Yorkshire with a thriving online presence.  Established over 5 years ago with the customer, mindfulness and authenticity at its core. 

In this episode, Lucy shares her Q4 retail checklist so that you can make the most of the last quarter of the year and goes through her tips focusing on sales, logistics, operations and marketing.  Lucy now also works with SME founders through her coaching business and shares her inside tips and secrets to help them build their own successful business. 

Some of the key takeaways are:

Engaging beyond the sales

How to maximise your marketing efforts 

Practical strategies for success 

Evaluating and planning for the business both before and after q4.

Lucy Haslam 

https://www.instagram.com/acornandpip/

https://www.instagram.com/acornandpip/

https://start.coachingwithlucy.co.uk/checkout-q4-retail-checklist

https://acornandpip.com/

Nicole Higgins 

Links 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

This weeks podcast episode with Aiza Cheung founder of Sudio Coya we chat about rebranding and signs that Your business may need a branding overhaul.

Some of the areas we chatted about are

How does branding play a role in attracting your target audience and positioning your products?

What are some triggers that indicate it may be time for a rebrand?

What are some signs that your branding is not standing out in the market?

How does a shift in products or target market affect the need for rebranding?

When should entrepreneurs start prioritising branding, especially if they are starting out on a lean budget?

How can rebranding help a business move to the next level, such as getting into retailers?

What are some small, refreshing changes that can be made to a brand without a complete overhaul?

Aiza Founder of Studio Coya has worked with large and smaller brands for over 15 years on branding and brand strategy. Her passion is to help businesses strategically craft their branding. One that stands out and speaks to the right audience.

Website: studiocoya.com

Instagram: instagram.com/studiocoya

Free quiz: studiocoya.com/quiz

Brand Recipe: studiocoya.com/brand-recipe

Links

Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Currently, Problogroup is in its ninth year and has achieved global recognition, selling in over 850 different countries. 

Rebecca decided to venture into a new business and launched Sleep London. Drawing from her experiences with Problo , she implemented the lessons learned and saw tremendous growth and success in a shorter period of time. 

Just like its predecessor, Sleep London has also expanded globally, reaching customers from all around the world.

Rebecca's achievements with her brands have inspired her to support and teach others how to replicate her success. 

She has started tapping into her knowledge and expertise to guide and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing her proven strategies and methods. With a passion for helping others, Rebecca is determined to empower individuals to achieve their goals and create thriving businesses of their own.

In this episode we chat about 

Starting Imperfectly and Evolving: Rebecca encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to just start and not wait for a perfect product or plan. She emphasises the value of getting feedback, making necessary changes along the way, and not spending years in pursuit of perfection.

Identifying Market Opportunities: Despite challenges in the UK market, Rebecca saw potential in the Middle East, where the supply chain was less affected. She successfully launched her brand, Sleep, targeting prestigious retailers like Bloomingdale's and Sephora in the Middle East, and later expanded to the UK.

Embracing Manifestation with Action: Rebecca initially had doubts about manifestation but learned its power through a conversation with a spiritual friend. She realised that manifestation involves visualising goals and taking concrete action towards achieving them. Hard work is essential for manifestation to come to fruition.

Leveraging Opportunities and Branding: Rebecca's business, initially aimed at selling on eBay, changed its trajectory when well-known figures like Cassie Lomas and Colleen Rooney expressed interest. This allowed her to focus on product branding and packaging, highlighting the importance of getting the product in front of the ideal customer consistently.

Rebecca Mccann 
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamccann___/
https://sales.rebeccamccann.com/sleigh-the-season/
https://www.problogroup.com/
https://sleeplondoninc.com/

Nicole Higgins
The Buyer and retail coach
Nicole Higgins Links 
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Some of the topics shared on this weeks episode are 

- Importance of authenticity on TikTok

- The value of behind-the-scenes content on TikTok

- How TikTok's less curated platform benefits small businesses

- Adding value to TikTok content through humor or education

- Using comments to engage with viewers and drive more engagement

- Tips on saving time with TikTok, including drafts and pre-recorded content

- Where to start with a TikTok strategy

Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thecreativehandle_/

Nicole Higgins 

The buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins 

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

This weeks episode of start scale succeed I chat with Jeroo Doodhmal founder of a sustainable childrenswear footwear brand on how she secured over 400k of grant funding to develop her brand Pip and Henry.

Jeroo shares her insights into where to find grants and how to apply,

These are some of her top tips listen to episode 110 to find out more.

1. Research and prioritize grants that align with your specific business needs and objectives. Different grants have different focuses and criteria, so it's important to find the ones that best match your goals.
2. Seek feedback and advice from others who have successfully applied for and won grants. Connecting with individuals who have gone through the grant application process can provide valuable insights and tips for improving your own application.
3. Be persistent and apply to multiple grants. The competition for grants can be tough, so increasing your odds of success by applying to multiple grants is recommended. The feedback and evaluation from each application can also help you refine and improve future applications.
4. Utilize customer insights and data to strengthen your grant application. Providing data, statistics, customer testimonials, and evidence of customer research can bolster your claims and assertions in the application.
5. Demonstrate progress and effective use of previous grant funding. Grant bodies are more likely to provide additional funding if they see evidence of progress and effective utilization of previous grants. Showcasing incremental gains and building upon previous funding achievements can increase your chances of securing further funding.

Pip & Henry

Founder Jeroo Doodhmal

https://pipandhenry.com/

https://www.instagram.com/pip_and_henry/

Nicole Higgins

The buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Unless you’ve been  living under a rock you’ll would’ve seen the marketing efforts from pink wrapped houses in the hollywood hills to clothing collaborations with Primark 

But as a small business or a start up you won’t have the same kind of budgets to promote your brand or your launch. 

But what can you do. 

Today I’m joined by Steven Moffat of organic publicity who played a part in the UK launch of Barbie and he is going to share his top tips on what marketing you can do when you are launching and how to really connect and create experiences for your target market. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Establish your elevator pitch that connects with your audience. 

Engage people's imaginations: Find creative ways to capture the attention of your target audience, even on a limited budget.

• Persistence is key: Stay motivated and continue promoting your product or service, even if the initial results are slow. Building momentum and generating buzz are crucial for success.
• Provide continuous updates: Keep the conversation and interest going by providing information about upcoming episodes or releases. This helps maintain engagement with your audience.
• Target the right audience: It's important to target your marketing efforts to the specific audience that is most likely to be interested in your product or service. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and tailor your content to the right market segment.
• Branding and storytelling: Create a narrative arc and find creative ways to communicate your message. Focus on branding elements that tie back to your elevator pitch and make your product easily identifiable. Tell the story of your product or service in an emotionally connecting way to build brand awareness.
• Provide value to customers: Instead of just selling to them, focus on providing value and benefits to your customers. User-generated content that is emotionally driven can be more effective in marketing than brand claims.
• Think creatively: Even if your product or service seems dry or straightforward, there is always a creative way to represent and communicate it. Use techniques like the "apple test" and the "keyhole test" to uncover emotional layers and hidden meanings behind your product.
• Have a global mindset: Consider how your product or business can be positioned in the market on a global scale, even if you don't have an international marketing team. Think about how to make the overall view of your product or business specific to certain key targets or markets.

Overall, the key is to engage people's imaginations, stay persistent, target the right audience, tell a compelling story, provide value, think creatively, and have a global mindset in your launch strategy.

CONTACT METHOD
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/steven-moffett-8832a3
Https://www.organic-marketing.co.uk

• Ask the right questions when narrowing down potential suppliers. Background information, minimum order quantity, and an understanding of their requirements are important factors to consider. 
• Consider where you want your products to be manufactured. Manufacturing in the UK offers benefits like smaller quantity purchase, ease of logistics, and the ability to visit factories. However, labor costs are higher. 
• Calculate your product price based on factors such as fabric, labor, trims, packaging, shipping, and logistics. 
• So whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode is a must-listen to help you navigate the complex world of sourcing suppliers and pricing your products.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Buyer and retail coach 

Nicole Higgins Links 

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

3/ Building up momentum and showcasing positive feedback can generate interest and desire in potential customers. Approach sales from a point of service, adding a call to action to everything and taking the emotion out of selling. It's about creating value for both parties. 

4/ Personalize your interactions with customers by using their names when messaging them. This creates a sense of being seen, heard, and respected. Connecting with your audience on an emotional, human level is crucial for building lasting relationships. 

5/ To create a personal connection, consider sending voice notes. Not only does it lead to immediate responses, but it also helps build an emotional bond with customers. Sharing personal experiences and emotions allows customers to see themselves in you and builds trust. 

6/ People don't only follow for a nice product, but also to connect with the person behind it. Using DMs and voice notes creates a conversation-like atmosphere that helps build relationships. Showcasing your personality helps customers relate to you and your brand. 

7/ Your product should solve a problem or provide pleasure for your customers. They buy based on the perception of great value, desirability, or a cheap price. Don't compete solely on price, but strategically discount to attract customers. 

8/ Highlight the unique value and desirability of your product compared to competitors. Providing detailed information about your product's features and benefits can help attract customer interest. Remember to show your face in videos to build desirability and accelerate the customer journey. 

9/ Clear communication and guiding customers are crucial. People often like being told what to do, so provide reasons for your customers to stay engaged. You play the role of a traffic signaler, guiding them through their journey and creating a smooth experience. 

Recommendations
Words that sell 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Words-that-Sell-Revised-Expanded/dp/0071467858/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JMPTUZOXOHN5&keywords=words+that+sell&qid=1690318903&sprefix=words+that+sell%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1

How to be a bad ass at making money
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=how+to+be+a+badass+at+making+money&crid=1Q660YM579ZU&sprefix=how+to+be+a+badda%2Caps%2C91&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_16

Oversubscribed 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oversubscribed-How-People-Lining-Business/dp/0857088254/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AQG2XYZW83EZ&keywords=oversubscribed+daniel+priestley&qid=1690318863&sprefix=oversubscrib%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1

Nicole Higgins Links 
https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/
https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Elizabeth Stiles
https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethstilesuk/

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Nicki thought that her launch in October 2020 couldn’t have been a worse time, but the opposite was true as people were looking for feel good inspiring stories. They naturally wanted to know about this Irish, sustainable, female led brand.
• Before the brand launched, Nicki spent 6 months posting mood boards as part of her brand storytelling journey and secretly hiding her shoes in the background of Instagram posts.
• Nicki Hoyne is the name of the brand because the brand is Nicki Hoyne, it has her passion and personality in its DNA. As a founder this allows you to just let the brand be an extension of your personality and that helps sell the story.
• One of the things Nicki found the hardest was the design drawings, this is why she likes to surround herself with people who are talented at what they do. She brought in someone who she can explain the designs to and they make the technical drawings.
• Nicki Hoyne is handmade in Spain by master craftspeople. All materials are sourced as close as possible to the factory. Their factories are Leather Working Group (LWG) certified and their recycled materials are certified Global Recycled Standard.
• Nicki’s biggest pieces of advice are that nobody cares what you’re doing, just go for it, got for it today! Why are you waiting? Get that plan together, get that budget together and start 6 months before you need to.

BEST MOMENTS

‘If you lived your life backwards it would all make perfect sense’

‘It’s all about timing selling a business’

‘I would love to work with other people, I’m working alone so much of the time’

‘Surround yourself with people who are better than you at the things you’re bad at’

‘What I’d say to anyone is to aim beyond where you think you should’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Nicki Hoyne

Nicki Hoyne (@nickihoynecollection) • Instagram photos and videos

Nicki Hoyne (@nickihoyne) • Instagram photos and videos

ABOUT THE GUEST

Nicki Hoyne launched her first collection of crossbody camera bags in October 2020. She followed in 2021 with her footwear collection.

Nicki is nominated as “One To Watch” at the Drapers Sustainability Awards 2023. She has been nominated as an Image Businesswoman Of The Year in 2023 & 2022. She won Irish Design Institute’s Rising Star 2021 and Runner Up in the Design & Craft Council Of Ireland (DCCI)’s Irish Business Design Challenge 2021. Nicki Hoyne has been stocked at Brown Thomas CREATE in Dublin and in Los Angeles, New York & London.

Nicki previously founded award winning online accessories store, My Shining Armour in 2014. It shipped to over 40 countries and appeared in Vogue, Cosmopolitan & Grazia.  She is a TedxTalk speaker and had her own successful podcast, The Hero Podcast sharing inspiring stories.

Nicki is passionate about creating meaningful fashion accessories that are fun, unique and comfortable. She wants to inspire you to celebrate and cherish fashion, not just consume it and throw it away.  She created her collection to bring you fun, quality designs with a conscience. We celebrate individuality, vibrancy and a passion for well made, slow fashion products. She hopes to one day have a fully sustainable fashion brand.

ABOUT THE HOST

Buying & retail expert Nicole Higgins spent the last 18 years working for companies such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and Asda, sourcing & developing products from all over the world, building strategies for blue chip businesses, and increasing bottom line sales and profit, adding over £40 million in incremental business to the bottom line.

Nicole now uses that experience and works as a consultant and coach for entrepreneurs and small to medium sized business owners, helping them start and scale their product businesses as The Buyer And Retail Coach (TM)

Join the Start Scale Succeed waitlist. How to start & scale a product business. A 12 Week programme: thebuyerandretailcoach.com/startscalesucceedwaitlist

CONTACT METHOD

Website http://www.thebuyerandretailcoach.com

IG https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

Link to my blog https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

TikTok www.tiktok.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk

Email nicole@thebuyerandretailcoach.com

Newsletter https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Book a call with me https://thebuyerandretailcoachltd.as.me/discoverycall

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The HELLO TIME Planner offers a practical and intuitive solution for organising your daily life. Its thoughtful layout allows for effortless management of tasks, work schedules, family commitments, to-do lists, notes, goals, and ideas. With its minimal design and adaptable structure, the planner provides ample space to declutter your thoughts, maintain your schedule, store information, jot down reminders, brainstorm ideas, and find clarity.
• A lot of us are spending our time not doing the things we love, we’re often in auto pilot. We have about 4000 weeks on this earth so people need to be organised to avoid wasting that time. That’s how HELLO TIME came about, Sam wanted to start a stationery brand that was more than just that, one that helped people and businesses manage their time better.
• One thing that was important to Sam when launching her brand was that the planner itself was made in the UK and was high quality. She had seen a lot of bright pink planners that didn’t look professional and weren't items you’d be proud of. Having manufacturing in the UK allowed her to keep the quality high while also being sustainable and supporting other local businesses.
• Wholesale can be scary because you have to sell a lot more due to the lower margins, but equally to build a business and a brand you need more people to know about it and you do that by getting the product out there. Not every product needs to go wholesale, be selective about which ones you choose.

BEST MOMENTS

‘After a time of helping others successfully build their brands, I decided to put myself on the other side of the fence’
‘I want to turn it into a brand that helps other people with running their business’
‘You’ve got everything you need to plan in there, that’s its USP’
‘I make use of every millimetre on the page so you can use that space’
‘There’s no perfect time, at some point you’ve got to jump’

 EPISODE RESOURCES

HELLO TIME Planner & Time Gifting Stationery
Undated Planners & Time Saving Stationery (@hellotimeplanner) • Instagram photos and videos

ABOUT THE GUEST
Sam Smith is an experienced creative and branding specialist with over 27 years of design expertise. As the founder of HELLO TIME and creator of the HELLO TIME Planner, she has worked with various industries, from motorbikes to groceries, collaborating with multinational start-ups and small businesses alike.

With a focus on branding for print, digital, and environmental platforms, Sam has partnered with renowned brands like Virgin, Chinawhite, Mars, and McDonald's. Her approach combines creativity and brand-savvy strategies to deliver tangible commercial results.

After supporting others in building successful brands, Sam founded HELLO TIME following a period of burnout. Today, HELLO TIME continues to thrive under her leadership, marking four years of progress.

ABOUT THE HOST
Buying & retail expert Nicole Higgins spent the last 18 years working for companies such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and Asda, sourcing & developing products from all over the world, building strategies for blue chip businesses, and increasing bottom line sales and profit, adding over £40 million in incremental business to the bottom line.

Nicole now uses that experience and works as a consultant and coach for entrepreneurs and small to medium sized business owners, helping them start and scale their product businesses as The Buyer And Retail Coach (TM)

Join the Start Scale Succeed waitlist. How to start & scale a product business. A 12 Week programme:  thebuyerandretailcoach.com/startscalesucceedwaitlist

CONTACT METHOD
Website http://www.thebuyerandretailcoach.com
IG https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/
Link to my blog https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/
TikTok www.tiktok.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk
Email nicole@thebuyerandretailcoach.com
Newsletter https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Book a call with me https://thebuyerandretailcoachltd.as.me/discoverycall