Getting to Grow – Détails, épisodes et analyse

From indulgent desserts to gut-friendly yoghurts, James Averdick has launched some of the UK’s most loved food brands — including GU, Coconut Collaborative, and now Spooners!

In this episode, we dive into…

→ James’ journey of founding multiple successful food businesses→ His thoughts on brand-building in the FMCG world→ What it takes to create products that truly connect with people

He shares lessons from growing GU into a premium dessert powerhouse, navigating sustainability with Coconut Collaborative, and why Spooners might just be his boldest move yet.

Whether you’re building a CPG brand, curious about the food startup space, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at launching hit products — this one’s packed with insight!

James Averdieck, Founder of GU, Coconut Collaborative, and Spooners

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jim_averdieck/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-averdieck-333b45b5/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrow

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What does it take to shake up the premium drinks industry?

Raissa de Haas, co-founder of Double Dutch Drinks, shares how she and her twin sister, Joyce de Haas, built a brand that’s redefining mixers with bold flavors and innovation.

In this episode, we dive into…

→ The journey of launching Double Dutch,

→ Challenges of scaling in a competitive market, and

→ Strategies behind building a strong brand.

Plus, we explore innovation in the drinks industry and what’s next for premium mixers.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, the drinks industry, or building a standout brand, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Raissa de Haas, Co-Founder of Double Dutch Drinks

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LinkedIn:

Double Dutch Drinks

Website:

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Ed Foy, co-founder of Press, shares his journey before starting the company and how the concept of cold-pressed juice came about.

He discusses the process of making cold-pressed juice and the importance of flavour and nutrition.

Ed also talks about the challenges and lessons learned in starting and growing the business, including the importance of choosing the right location and the struggles of being a small business owner.

He talks about the importance of partnerships and leveraging brand names, as well as the challenges of selling to retailers and diversifying the product range. Ed emphasises the focus on health, natural ingredients, and customer service. He also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights some of her favourite food brands.

Keywords

Press, cold-pressed juice, journey, flavor, nutrition, challenges, small business, Press London, cold-pressed juice, partnerships, brand names, selling to retailers, diversification, health, natural ingredients, customer service, advice for entrepreneurs, favourite food brands

Takeaways

• Cold-pressed juice is made by chilling the fruit and vegetables, then crushing and blending them without generating heat, resulting in a more nutritionally valuable and flavourful product.
• Choosing the right location is crucial for the success of a retail business.
• Starting a business requires perseverance and the ability to adapt to challenges.
• The journey of entrepreneurship can be tough, but it can also lead to personal growth and resilience. Partnerships with established brands can provide leverage and exposure for a growing business.
• Selling to retailers and diversifying the product range are important strategies for growth.
• Health, natural ingredients, and customer service are key priorities for Press London.
• Entrepreneurs should consider the size of the market, profit margins, and the expertise of their team when starting a new business.
• The Challenges of Starting and Growing a Small Business

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram & if you like the episode then please do give it 5 stars!




Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

Join me as I dive into the inspiring journey of Lucy Busk, co-founder of Nice Wines! From her early days in the on-the-go breakfast industry to the exciting launch of Nice Wines, Lucy shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, offering a candid look at the challenges of getting the sales wheel turning and navigating the constant firefighting that comes with building a business from the ground up.

Lucy takes us behind the scenes of disrupting the wine industry, revealing how she and her team have crafted a brand that’s not only inclusive and fun but also functional. With a keen eye for branding—like the iconic pink boiler suits worn by the Nice Wines team, which I LOVE—she demonstrates the power of creating a strong, recognisable identity.

As a working mom and female founder in the traditionally male-dominated wine industry, Lucy opens up about the unique challenges she’s faced and the triumphs she’s achieved along the way. She emphasises the importance of building a supportive, values-driven team that prioritises direct feedback, agility, and employee well-being.

In this episode, Lucy also shares the growth strategies that have propelled Nice Wines forward, from expanding product offerings to entering new markets. She discusses the pressing need for sustainability and diversity in the wine industry, imparting valuable lessons she’s learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey.

Tune in to discover how Lucy Busk is shaking up the wine world with innovation, passion, and an unwavering commitment to her brand’s vision.

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram & if you like the episode then please do give it 5 stars!

Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

Olly Hiscocks, was a young optimistic olive lover who wanted to rejuvenate the world of olives with new flavours, colour and character. He began marinating olives in his kitchen (to his parents' dismay) and selling them at farmers markets. People loved them, in fact they loved them so much he decided to pivot away from my path to becoming a doctor and focus on olives (to his parents' dismay again!). His brother Sam, and close friend, Yingdee, decided to join forces with him for the journey. And the HMS Olive set sail… Olly shares his journey of starting a food brand and the importance of taste and innovation in the health and wellness space. He discusses the success of his olives and pretzels, the challenges of getting listed with retailers, and the power of branding and marketing. Olly also talks about future trends in the industry and gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Takeaways Focus on taste and quality in the health and wellness space Start with an MVP and get feedback from consumers Don't be afraid to outsource and delegate tasks Stay true to your brand and find a point of difference Keep an eye on future trends and be open to innovation Take risks and learn from mistakes Build a strong digital presence and align it with real-life marketing efforts Embrace the power of branding and create a feel-good experience Consider the merging of health and food in unique ways Don't hold on to too much responsibility, learn to delegate Enjoy the journey and have fun with your brand

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram & if you like the episode then please do give it 5 stars!

Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

Oli, Alex and Johnny from These Days Sprits discuss their journey in creating a wine-based spritz brand, wanting to reframe and redefine the spritz category, making it more accessible and approachable. They focused on creating a brand identity that is colourful, fun, and uses normal words! (Alcohol can be stuffy!)

They wanted to bring spritz into the craft beer space and serve it on tap to drive consideration and make it more desirable. They also talk about the challenges of production and the importance of having a brand home, which is their bar, to validate their idea and showcase the spritz experience.

The conversation revolves around the challenges and successes of launching a spritz brand and the importance of creating a unique and accessible drinking experience.

They discuss the validation they received from customers and the need to break the perception that spritz is only a summer drink. They also touch on the importance of marketing, collaboration, and sustainability. The future plans include expanding distribution, opening more bars, and focusing on spritz on tap.

Takeaways

• These Days Sprits aims to reframe and redefine the spritz category, making it more accessible and approachable.
• They focus on creating a brand identity that is colourful, fun, and uses normal words.
• Serving spritz on tap helps drive consideration and make it more desirable.
• Having a brand home, their bar, allows them to validate their idea and showcase the spritz experience.
• Production has been a challenge, but they have brought it in-house to have more control. The founders received validation for their spritz brand from customers who enjoyed the drink, even those who wouldn't typically drink spritz.
• Breaking the perception that spritz is only a summer drink is a challenge they face, but they are determined to make spritz more accessible and fit into the space between beer and cocktails.
• Marketing and collaboration are important aspects of building a brand, and the founders emphasize the value of talking to people and utilizing networks.
• Sustainability is a priority for the founders, and having control over the production process allows them to minimize waste and focus on the team and culture.
• The future plans include expanding distribution, opening more bars, and ultimately becoming the brand that represents spritz on tap.

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram & if you like the episode then please do give it 5 stars!

Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

Annie, co-founder of Spoon Cereals, shares the story of how the brand started and grew in the FMCG industry. The conversation covers topics such as the early days of the brand, the challenges of scaling production, differentiation in a competitive market, brand values and mission, working with retailers, and the power of partnerships and collaborations. In this conversation, Annie discusses the development of their new product, ManiLife granola, and the importance of working closely with ingredient suppliers.

She also shares her experiences as a female founder and the challenges she has faced. Annie highlights the significance of building a strong community and engaging with customers for product development. She also reveals future plans for Spoon, including expanding into new flavours and categories, and exploring international markets.

Takeaways

• Spoon Cereals was Annie's first entry into the food industry and gave her an opportunity to work in the FMCG sector.
• The brand started with the idea of creating a food service offering for breakfast, but evolved into a granola brand through pop-ups and direct customer feedback.
• Spoon Cereal differentiates itself by using high-quality ingredients, reducing sugar content, and focusing on taste.
• The brand's mission is to make breakfast better by offering tasty and healthier options, while also being mindful of sustainability.
• Working with retailers and getting listings can be challenging, but the support and exposure from Dragon's Den helped Spoon Cereal grow.
• Partnerships and collaborations with other brands can be a powerful way to expand reach and offer unique products to customers. Working closely with ingredient suppliers is crucial for developing high-quality products.
• Female founders may face challenges in male-dominated industries, but support and opportunities for women entrepreneurs are increasing.
• Engaging with customers and building a strong community is essential for product development and brand growth.
• Spoon Cereals has plans to expand into new flavours and categories, as well as explore international markets.

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram!

Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

Eoin Keenan, founder of Goodrays, shares his journey in the CBD and medical cannabis industry and the development of his brand. He discusses the importance of sleep and mental wellbeing, as well as the need for science-backed CBD products. Keenan emphasizes the value of building a community around the brand and creating spaces and events for education and support. He also talks about the challenges of entering the CBD market and differentiating his products from competitors. The development of Goodrays's CBD drinks is highlighted, with a focus on unique flavour and accessible pricing. In this conversation, We discuss the confusion and misconceptions surrounding CBD and its differences from marijuana.

Takeaways

• CBD can have a positive impact on sleep and mental wellbeing.
• Building a community around a brand is important for long-term success.
• Entering the CBD market can be challenging due to regulatory issues and misconceptions.
• Differentiation from competitors can be achieved through science-backed products and unique flavours.
• CBD drinks offer an accessible and enjoyable way to consume CBD. CBD is often misunderstood and confused with marijuana, but it does not have the psychoactive effects and can provide benefits for anxiety and sleep issues.
• Hemp has a long history and has been used for food, medicine, and building materials. It has the potential to be a sustainable crop.
• The CBD industry faces challenges due to regulations and the need for transparency and sustainability in the supply chain.
• The future of CBD includes a shift towards well-being and functional products in supermarkets and bars/restaurants.
• Starting a brand requires taking risks and overcoming self-doubt, but it is important to give it a try and seek support from others.

Please follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram!

Season 3 kindly sponsored by

• The Coconut Collaborative, https://coconutco.co.uk/
• Sam Lawrence Recruitment, https://lawrencerecruitment.com/
• Sweet Thyme Foods, https://www.sweetthymefoods.co.uk/

On episode 42 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Harry Mayhew - Co-founder of Ember Snacks🎙👂 😀

Jack and Harry are two brothers who grew up mucking in on the family farm in Suffolk. Raised on real nutrition and hearty meals, they wouldn’t have their biltong any other way.

When they founded their snack company Ember, one thing was for sure: factory farming was giving meat a bad name, and they wanted that to change.

Having both competed in triathlons such as Ironman, they soon realised that biltong made for a great snack during training. But with these air-dried strips of beef and other meats originating in South African countries, the selection on offer in the UK was seriously lacking.

Using their farming experience, and desire to create a product that's healthy, and good for the planet, they launched their range of British biltong.

To find out more at visit  www.embersnacks.com

and follow them on Instagram @embersnacks

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a like and a review as it really helps support what I do.

Make sure to follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram

See you guys next time!

Zoe

On episode 40 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Jon Walsh - Co-founder and CEO of Bio & Me 🎙👂 😀

Founded by Dr Megan Rossi (The Gut Health Doctor) and Jon Walsh, Bio&Me is the UK’s first dedicated gut health food brand backed by credible science.

Bio&Me brings clarity and credibility to the world of gut health and is the only brand that carries the prestigious ‘Good for your Gut’ health claim, due to the EFSA-approved ingredients used!

With a focus on Delicious Diversity, in November 2019 Bio&Me launched its first range of gut-loving granolas containing 15 of your recommended 30 weekly diverse plant-based foods and prebiotic* fibres to help your mighty microbes thrive.  Following on from the success of the granolas, the brand launched its gut-loving porridges and muesli in January 2021, further establishing its credibility in the cereals’ aisle.  With a passion for creating accessible, great tasting, natural gut-health products, recent product launches from Bio&Me sees the brand in a strong position in the chilled category with its range of four, delicious prebiotic* gut-loving yoghurts, containing over 700 billion live and active cultures and the on-the-go market, with their ‘just add water’ plant-based porridge pots.  After all, they’re on a mission to help make looking after your gut deliciously easy!

To find out more at visit  www.bioandme.co.uk

and follow them on Instagram @bioandmeuk

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a like and a review as it really helps support what I do. 

Make sure to follow @gettingtogrow on Instagram

See you guys next time!

Zoe