Start Scale Succeed

Your Black Friday 2026 game plan: what's changed, and what to do now

Whether you've got your Black Friday plan nailed or haven't started yet, this solo episode is for you. I've spent years in buying offices at Primark, M&S and George at Asda, and I've seen my fair share of Black Fridays. In this episode I go through what's different in 2026, how to plan offers that protect your profit, and what to do once the weekend's over.

🎁 Free download: Black Friday Offer & Profit Planner. Put in your cost price, retail price, nor...

Katie shares her Rocks, Pebbles and Sand planning framework and the email frequency to build up to before Black Friday. She also covers the benchmarks worth tracking, four types of email that sell at full margin without a discount code, and a simple Instagram giveaway that moves your followers onto your email list. If you sell products online and want this Christmas to be your best yet, watch this before you plan another email. In this episode: How often to email in the run-up to Black Friday: add one extra send a week, building to two or three emails...

From Spray Tanner to Global Beauty Brand: Jules Von Hepp on Building Isle of Paradise, Showing Up and Knowing When to Leave Jules Von Hep spent 10 years as a celebrity spray tanner. His clients included Strictly Come Dancing, the red carpet and Vogue. Then he spotted a gap no one was filling. The result was Isle of Paradise, a colour-correcting self-tan brand that went into Superdrug and Boots and then out to Sephora in the US and Australia. In this episode, Jules tells Nicole how a founder with no product-development background built a global brand by leaning on his...

It’s one of the most crowded times of the year, and your customers are more distracted than ever. So how do you get them to stop scrolling and actually buy?

In this live recording of Start, Scale, Succeed, I’m joined by two paid media experts. Aggie Moroney is founder of White bee Digital, a paid social agency that scales e-commerce brands through Meta, Pinterest and TikTok ads and runs a CPD-accredited course on Meta ads. Anna Frappwell is founder of Neon Digital Clicks, a profit-first agency that scales kids, baby and women’s fashion brands throug...

How much stock should you actually be holding? With Anna Youngson of Majury Merchandising Stock and cash flow can catch out any product business, whether you're turning over £100k or £1m. This week I'm joined by Anna Youngson, merchandising and retail consultant and founder of Majury Merchandising.

Anna spent 20 years in-house in corporate retail, including eight years at Topshop and, most recently, head of department at a kidswear brand. She works across own label, wholesale, marketplace and branded stock. We get into the numbers that tell you how much stock to hold, how to spot a pr...

In this episode, Nicole and Hannah discuss the evolving trends in Christmas marketing, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer behavior and emotional connections to the holiday season.

They explore how retailers can leverage nostalgia, storytelling, and immersive experiences to engage customers effectively.

Hannah introduces the 'Three P's' —Purpose, Personalization, and Provenance as essential elements for businesses to consider in their strategies. The conversation also highlights the significance of creating memorable retail experiences, whether in physical stores or online, to foster customer loyalty and drive sales during the festive season.

Takeaways

Ch...

On this episode of Start Scale Succeed, Nicole chats with Louisa Booth, the inspiring founder behind Pop Mask and Blushing LA.

Louisa shares her entrepreneurial journey from investment banking to bootstrapping and building a global beauty and wellness brand, now found in over 35,000 retail doors worldwide—including CVS, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Superdrug, and Boots.

Nicole and Louisa chat about:

The story behind Louisa’s first product, Pop Band (the hair ties that don’t damage hair), and her accidental pivot into the US market.

How Louisa...

In this value-packed episode, Nicole Higgins sits down with Dean Johnson—AI consultant, and experienced product business founder—to dive into the game-changing ways artificial intelligence is transforming product businesses. 

Whether you're a founder at the start of your journey or running an established e-commerce brand, you’ll learn actionable strategies for using AI to streamline operations, save time, and scale efficiently without losing that crucial human connection.

Highlights include 

The strengths of custom ChatGPTs for more intuitive, tailored...

Welcome to another episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast with your host, Nicole Higgins, the Buyer and Retail Coach. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Lauren Orlicky , co-founder of US Launchpad about the practicalities of launching your brand in the United States and how to do it the Easy Way

Episode Highlights:

- The Story Behind US LaunchpadLauren shares how her own e-commerce challenges inspired her to create US Launchpad—a company dedicated to helping brands expand into the US market without the overwhelming red tape of officially setting up a US entity.

When should I start talking about my brand on socials? How soon should I build a community?

 These are questions I'm often asked by brands that are starting and in EP 193 I'm chatting with Heather Chan co-founder of new brand Moonbow (where Traditional Chinese Medicine meets modern skincare)

The brand launched in March 2025 and the founders Heather & Dr. Felice Chan have been building the brand in public for the last 18 months. 

. In this episode Heather shares her insights into 

Building a skincare brand from scratch

Importance of founder visibility on...

In this weeks episode, Nicole brings back Laura, founder of The Shortlist—a premium petite fashion brand—for her third appearance on the podcast. Having followed Laura’s journey from launch to becoming a profitable business, Nicole dives deep into the milestones, challenges, and evolutionary steps that have shaped The Shortlist over the past four years.

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 instin...

Is conventional PR over? 

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://ww...

Nicole sits down with expert fashion copywriter Katie Ramsingh to dive deep into the art and strategy of creating compelling copy and developing a distinctive tone of voice for your brand.

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...

On this episode of Start Scale Succeed,Nicole Higgins sits down with Katy Cottam, the founder of Luna Daily—a body care brand redefining skincare for women at every age and life stage.

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 ge...

37% of entrepreneurs suffer from Anxiety and in this weeks Episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Psychotherapist and Author Anna Mathur we talk about Anxiety, overwhelm and mental health as an entrepreneur 

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

Overwh...

Claudia shares her journey from marketing to design, the challenges early-stage brands face with packaging, and her expert advice on how founders can communicate their brand’s personality, maximize every inch of packaging real estate, and strike the right balance between standing out and fitting in with category norms. 

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...

Join us as Imogen shares her journey from interior designer to creative business owner, revealing why she chose to make wholesale and trade shows a new focus, the realities of prepping for her debut trade show at Top Drawer, a UK trade show and the practical lessons she learned along the way. 

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 shar...

This episode is packed with practical advice for founders and brand owners looking to start or scale their product-based businesses—especially those considering India for production. 

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

About the Guest Sara Collins 

Ethical production consultant 

With over 10 years of experience in developing and manufacturing products ethical...

Nicole and Deryane delve into the reality of competing in a discount-driven market, strategies for driving sales, and the importance of focusing on exceptional customer service. For those considering starting a brick-and-mortar or e-commerce business, Deryane’s advice is invaluable.

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

Episode Highlights:

This weeks episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole is joined by Leanne and Amy, the dynamic co-founders of Naked Biotics.

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.

In this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast, Nicole  is joined by Becci McAvoy, founder of Be Heard Socials, to discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, particularly for brand founders. They delve into the challenges and fears of showing true selves online, tips to overcome these barriers, and the significance of personal boundaries in content sharing. Becky, a content strategy and social media marketing expert, shares her journey and insights on building genuine connections with audiences while managing the pressures of social media engagement.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding Authenticity: Becky explains how br...

Pippa Goulden joins the Start Scale Succeed podcast to chat all thing PR for your small business and how you can DIY it and the steps you need to take to increase the visibility of you and your brand. 

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...

In this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast,

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 ob...

Ep 178 Masters of the Market,  Elevating Small Businesses with Salad Days Market founders Daisy & Liv Tinker 

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...

I'm all for anything that is going to make you more money in your business and connecting with your customers in an authentic way. Live shopping ticks those two boxes. 

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!

Subscription box businesses are worth 1.8 billion in the UK and it's a growing market.  So if you are considering starting one, adding one to your current business or need advice on how to make your existing one more profitable then listen to this weeks episode 176 of start scale succeed . 

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 

Bes...

EP 175 How your style can create your success with Samantha Harman

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 

In this raw and honest episode, Katie Brandon Byrne shares the emotional journey of closing her award-winning children's wear brand, Lil and Izzy. From its successful beginnings to the final decision to liquidate, Katie discusses:

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 doo...

Join me as I chat with co- founder Roxy Marrone where she shares how her own skincare journey with hormonal acne led to the creation of the brand. 

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. 

Join Jasmine & Nicole  for an open and honest conversation about starting and growing a brand, securing investment and the process of finding a buyer for the business.

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 life...

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. 

"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 prod...

Todays episode of start scale succeed Nicole is Joined by UK knitwear designer and brand founder Genevieve Sweeney 

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 sustai...

Innovating Period Care with Ruby Raut of Wuka

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...

Approximately 29% of entrepreneurs are neurodivergent, revealing a strong link between neurodiversity and entrepreneurial drive. 

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 rep...

With Black Friday just around the corner, I know you're probably gearing up for one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

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 Fr...

Live shopping is set to hit £5 billion in the UK by 2025 with fashion and beauty being the key categories. But what converts and why should it be part of your marketing strategy. In todays episode of Podcast Start Scale Succeed I'm joined by Macdara Duncan International Director of Live Shopping Platform Sprii. https://sprii.io/

Key Highlights to help you understand what works in Live Shopping are below 

Authenticity in Content

MacDara emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity in live streams, presenting an in-store experience that feels real and unpolished to viewers.

...

Ultimate Black Friday Strategy: How Brands Can Maximize Sales Before, During, and After

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.  

So...

I'm all for advice that is  easy to understand and implement and was delighted to chat with Alice Benham author of the recently released The Digital Marketing Handbook for this weeks podcast 

Some of the areas we chat about 

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

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

How about growing to 50K followers in 6 months, well that's just what this weeks guest did Martha Keith Founder of stationery brand Martha Brook London and her new account Business Secrets Club where Martha shares great tips and advice for small businesses particularly focusing on social media. 

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 b...