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/

Follow Zoe Fox

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/

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

Instagram:

LinkedIn:

Double Dutch Drinks

Website:

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YouTube: /gettingtogro

LinkedIn: /zoe-fox-377033b0

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 

On episode 40 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Ivo Devereux - Co-founder of Sapling Spirits 🎙👂 😀

Sapling Spirits are the world’s first climate positive British-made spirits brand. They uses local ingredients to reduce transport emission, and the brand produces both Vodka and a London Dry Gin range and for every bottle sold a tree is planted. Sapling Spirits was co-founded by Ed Faulkner and Ivo Devereux after unveiling a gap in the market for sustainable drinks, their mission is threefold: creating best in class spirits, leading the way on sustainability and injecting some fun into the sustainability conversation.

They began by tree-planting projects in Scotland and really struggled to get volunteers from the local area and beyond. They decided to start a small music festival with cocktail bars and realised they could get a much bigger and more diverse group of people involved in sustainability by offering them something fun to do alongside it. They started planting a tree for every bottle at the bar so that their drinks fitted the ethos of the festival – that was where it all started!

To find out more, visit https://saplingspirits.com/

and follow them on Instagram @saplingspirits

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 39 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Sarah Wasserman - Director of Food for Mallow & Mildreds 🎙👂 😀

Sarah Wasserman AKA the Queen of vegan cooking!

Sarah moved to London to study art and supported herself by working as a chef. She came to Mildred’s when she was a student at the Royal Academy of Arts and gradually, the skills she learned in art school to develop and defend ideas married with her work in the kitchen.

She has gone up the ranks massively and has been a kitchen manager, head of pastry, head of central kitchen, development chef and author of two cookbooks with Mildred’s: mildreds the cookbook and mildreds vegan cookbook, in which she shares some of her ideas to help you create inventive plant-based food at home. Sarah’s passion and knowledge for plant based food is unparalleled, bringing you a unique, beautifully crafted menu which shapes the mallow experience.

“My favourite thing is when someone tells me they’ve brought a non-vegetarian person to the restaurant and that they couldn’t believe how much they enjoyed the food.”

To find out more, visit https://www.mildreds.co.uk/ and follow them on Instagram @mildredsresturants

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 

How do you take a brand from startup to industry leader?

Vince Lawson, CMO of Biotiful Gut Health, shares how he’s pioneering Biotiful Gut Health and making gut health more accessible to everyone.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of…

→ Launching and marketing health-focused brands
→ The science behind Kefir and natural probiotics
→ Strategies for building brand loyalty in competitive markets.

Plus, we explore the future of dairy, plant-based alternatives, and clean-label products.Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or health enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on branding, scaling, and the future of wellness.

Zoe Fox
 YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@gettingtogrowpodcast]
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/]

Vince Lawson, CMO of Biotiful Gut Health
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-lawson-015a93b/]Biotiful Gut Health
Website: [https://biotifulguthealth.com/]

On episode 38 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Helen Pattinson Co- Founder of Montezumas Chocolate🎙👂 😀 Helen along with her husband Simon started Montezuma’s in 2000 with only a kitchen sink sized machine, huge enthusiasm, spades of naivety and most importantly, a broad ideal to bring chocolate innovation to a boring and staid British chocolate market.  With the exception of that first machine, little has changed and the childish enthusiasm they shared exploring South America in 1999 largely wakes up them up every morning! Being lawyers turned self-taught chocolate makers has meant steep learning curves and often re-inventing the wheel but everything they do is carried out with a passion for creating chocolate they want to eat in an environment we enjoy.  What they certainly didn't train for or indeed expect in our wildest dreams was that a business started on a shoestring would become arguably Britain's most innovative chocolate brand with a reputation far bigger than our actual footprint! For a long time, it has been their dream to become Britain’s Greatest Little Chocolate company. By this they mean that everyone should be able to enjoy Montezuma’s chocolate so they should be available wherever you feel the need for chocolate! But they also treasure their entrepreneurial, values-led approach to business, encompassing short lines of communication inside and outside the business, accountability, independence and family values. Just because they are growing doesn’t mean they can’t hold on to these, in reality it means we hold on to them even tighter! To find out more, visit https://www.montezumas.co.uk/ and follow them on Instagram @montezumaschoc 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  #podcast #gettingtogrowpodcast #health #food #startup #entrepreneur

On episode 37 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Jack Brewitt Founder of 92 Degrees Coffee🎙👂 😀 Named after the optimum temperature for the extraction of espresso, 92 Degrees coffee opened its first roastery in Liverpool city centre in 2014 and its first coffee shop the following year! They have a strong vision of; UNITING EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE THROUGH OUR LOVE OF COFFEE Strictly small-batch, hand-roasted methods are employed to ensure each cup consistently brims with flavour and freshness, and only beans sourced from green coffee import partners are used. Jack began his work with 92 Degrees without huge financial backing and quickly realised a dream. The business has since gone from strength to strength, remaining agile throughout COVID to continue to expand. “92 degrees was founded by myself and 5 other people. At the time, I was working on a building site and someone who ran a tech business asked me to show him around the building. We got to the corner of Hope Street and he said we should build a shop there. So I said, “let’s do it!” “Six weeks later, we had a full business plan and six weeks after that, we opened our doors as a coffee shop. We had a total of six of us, as the two of us couldn’t afford it on our own. Another six weeks later, we all sat down and I knew how much our customers loved us and it was working well, so I suggested we build more shops – but everybody else said no.” What happened next?! Listen to the full episode to find out more! To find out more, visit 92degrees.coffee and follow them on Instagram @92degreesuk 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 36 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Andy Shovel Co- Founder of THIS 🎙👂 😀 Andy and Pete last job entailed selling tonnes (literally tonnes) of meat. Then they felt bad! Also, they felt like meat-alternatives weren’t realllllly for people who love the taste of meat. They felt, that they were for people who like sandals with socks (and the taste of sandals). So they’ve basically made food for themselves, but they now would love you to try it too because THIS™ is a game-changer – 100% plant-based, high in protein, waay lower in saturated fat than meat, yet FULL of flavour. THIS™ was founded in June 2019 by Andy Shovel and Pete Sharman as a plant-based food brand for meat-lovers. Following two years of extensive research and development with a team of world-leading food scientists and flavourists, they created hyper-realistic meat alternatives. The THIS™ Isn’t Chicken and THIS™ Isn’t Bacon product ranges are specifically designed to replicate the taste, texture and flavour of popular meat products but without any of the downsides (they’re high in protein, low in saturated fat and are GMO-free, carcinogen free, and nitrate free). THIS™ was listed by Kantar in the top 10 most valuable FMCG product launches of 2020. In under two years since launching, THIS™ has been stocked in over 8,900 retail distribution points (an annual growth rate of 633%) in all four of the UK’s major grocers. The products also feature in over 300 restaurants throughout the country (including Prezzo, Pho, and Honest Burgers). WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THIS BRAND! To find out more, visit this.co and follow them on Instagram @this.co 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 35 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Imme Ermgassen & Sam Steavenson - Founders of Botivo🎙👂 😀 They believe that everyday pleasures should be full of life and savoured; and that the most important moment of the day is when you clock out and ease into your evening. Whether it’s an evening enjoying amazing food with great friends or unwinding after a tough day's work, at Botivo they call this time 'the yellow hour'. We believe that everyone deserves a truly special drink to look forward to and that people are tired of compromising when they are not drinking. They made Botivo to challenge the idea that only alcohol makes delicious craft drinks. Great drinks are delicious, complex and multilayered. It is their fullness in taste that gives us pleasure. “I wanted to bring the true craft and depth of flavour we all see in the alcohol category, to the non alc category. This meant using real ingredients, no flavourings and low intervention techniques” Sam Paget Steavenson “When I tried Botivo it blew my mind, it was everything I wanted in a drink. I left my job and joined Sam. My friends still can’t get their head around the fact I am co-founder of a non-alcoholic aperitif brand... until they try it.” Imme Ermgassen To find out more, visit botivodrinks.com and follow them on Instagram @botivodrinks 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 

First thing is first... They are on a mission to spread positive energy through Matcha Green Tea. Marisa has ADHD & anxiety, and for years she suffered from the negative side effects of coffee and sugary energy drinks. The jitters, crashes, and heightened anxiety made her neurodiversity even harder to deal with! Then, she finally found the solution she had been looking for:MATCHA GREEN TEA. With the same amount of caffeine as a small coffee/typical energy drink, but without the jitters, crashes, or anxiety, matcha helped her feel her best self: 1. Energised for 2x as long without the comedown2. More focused and productive than ever3. Balanced in mood and no longer anxious Now, they want to help everyone feel your best self with PerfectTed matcha energy! The first UK-based energy drink to win a Great Taste Award, PerfectTed Matcha Energy Drinks are available in three unique flavour combinations, combining matcha green tea, lightly sparkling water and real fruit juice. The range includes: Matcha Green Tea Energy– Pear Ginger: This all-natural energy drink contains juicy pear with a satisfying zing of ginger Matcha Green Tea Energy – Apple Raspberry (Great Taste Award winner): Fresh-pressed green apples mixed with tart raspberries Matcha Green Tea Energy – Pineapple Yuzu: PerfectTed has blended citrusy yuzu with pineapple for a refreshing experience To find out more, visit perfectted.com and follow them on Instagram @perfecttedenergy 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 33 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Camilla Barnard Co- Founder of Rude Health 🎙👂 😀 If you thought breakfasts were boring, you can’t have heard of Rude Health! The mission began in 2005 with husband and wife team Camilla and Nick, and their determination to bring flavour and enjoyment to healthy eating. Always passionate about wholesome, homemade food, they became more scrutinous of shop-bought cereals after starting a family. Browsing the supermarket aisles, they noticed a clear divide between the healthy and the tasty, and that the ‘healthy’ options were often anything but. Offended by the ‘rabbit food’ nature of the truly healthy cereals, they dreamt up a huge goal – to create the world’s most exciting muesli. From their own kitchen table, they experimented with the most flavoursome fruits, crunchiest nuts and seeds, and smoothest grains, eventually concocting the tastiest combination of twenty-three perfect ingredients, each organically and sustainably farmed, nutritious and delicious. Proudly naming it ‘The Ultimate Muesli’ they boxed it up in recycled jars and shoe boxes to sell locally, and it wasn't long before it took off - even Nigella Lawson loved it. Camilla and Nick were so proud of their muesli that they used it in place of confetti at their wedding that year- something they wouldn't recommend due to the amount of guests leaving with oats in their hair! They are all about making the healthy choice as delicious as possible. And they have 23 great taste awards to prove it. To find out more, visit rudehealth.com and follow them on Instagram @rudehealth 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 32 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Charles and Thom Bradley - Founders of New Theory 🎙👂 😀 Ripping up the rule book and smashing down the walls around wine. New Theory looks to the old methods of winemaking but brings them into the now. Throwing raves instead of tastings and offering a fresh approach to branding, New Theory has tapped into new audiences and built a strong community.  This is wine-new. Welcome to a new sip. Bottle by bottle, New Theory is making great wine accessible to a new audience of rule breakers, misfits and outcasts. These sippers want a different approach to wine and they don’t want to be schooled in the process. New Theory is an attitude. Bottling that energy, they are standing out from the crowd. They don’t borrow from other wine brands. They look to lifestyle and culture movements, whilst focusing on the now. The New Theory brand reflects their mission to rip up the rule book. Showing there is a new way and ‘theory’ of doing things. To find out more, visit newtheory.com and follow them on Instagram @newtheorywine 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 31 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Fabian Clarke – Co-Founder of Quarter🎙👂 😀

OLD friends,
NEW purpose

Fabian and Rohan have been best pals for 22 years, so it was about time they went into business together! Fabian loves a cocktail after work, but as someone who needs to be up at the crack of dawn for marathon training, he wanted something a little lighter. Rohan was an All or Nothing drinker for many years, and now only drinks our light spirits, because good tasting cocktails don’t have to result in an hangover!

OUT WITH the old,
IN WITH the new

They believe traditional spirits were created for a different time. Quarter is a manifestation of today’s needs, and proves that spirits don’t have to be full-strength to taste delicious and give you an amazing buzz. They stick to the traditional methods and distill all of their spirits to the highest quality to give you that lip smacking cocktail experience you’re looking for.

To find out more, visit quarterproof.com and follow them on Instagram @quarterproof

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 30 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Segun Akinwoleola – Founder of The Gym Kitchen 🎙👂 😀 Segun Akinwoleola grew up in East London back in the days when it wasn’t as cool as it is now. Gangs, riots and poverty dominated everyday life, but there was one place where he and his friends could always have fun…the Gym! It is the enjoyment he experienced at the gym that has influenced Segun’s decision to go back to his roots. Having worked in FMCG for some major global companies he has become more aware of the role good food and nutrition plays in a balanced fitness regime, so he felt it was now the right time to launch The Gym Kitchen and to share his passion with you. The Gym Kitchen provides high protein, macro-counted for health conscious on-the-go individuals living and working in today’s ever more fast-paced society. Fuelled by his passion for change, Segun’s The Gym Kitchen range of food products and fitness advice will help set you apart from the rest. To find out more, visit thegymkitchen.com and follow them on Instagram @thegymkitchen 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 29 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Scott Chassels  – MD of FUEL 10K🎙👂 😀

FUEL10K makes FUEL for busy people. They have created great tasting, healthier, convenient breakfast to power you throughout the day. What’s with the 10K?

"The 10,000-hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell roughly says if you practice one skill for 10,000 hours, you'll have a good chance at becoming an expert at it." For some, it could be a long run. For them, it has become a philosophy. Malcolm Gladwell once wrote that if you want to become brilliant at anything, you need to practise for 10,000 hours. So whether it’s learning to code or dancing the cha-cha-cha you need to make every hour count. That’s why YOU start the day with FUEL10K.

Since certifying as a B CORP company in March 2021 they promise to strive towards the highest possible standards, transparency and accountability of verified social and environmental performance. They will balance purpose, quality and pride beyond just profit! AMAZING RIGHT? Give this one a listen!

To find out more, visit www.fuel10k.com and follow them on Instagram @fuel10k

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

In this episode, we dive into the journey of building Grubby, the challenges of scaling a food subscription business, and the unexpected pivots along the way. From dealing with the name controversy to navigating the complexities of forecasting, I share insights into what it really takes to grow a direct-to-consumer brand in the food industry. We also explore customer retention, the early struggles of launching during lockdown, and how we adapted to serve NHS workers during the pandemic. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a food industry enthusiast, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.

On episode 28 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Rachel Kettlewell  – Founder of Fearne & Rosie 🎙👂 😀 Say hello to Rachel - Fearne & Rosie’s Mum who launched our business in November 2019 in the rolling hills of Yorkshire. As an ex-teacher, Rachel is passionate about creating healthy change for children and families. She’s on a mission to reduce the amount of sugar consumed in households. That’s why she developed our range of reduced sugar jams because she wanted there to be readily available healthier, tastier, happier choices for children and their families. Meet Fearne & Rosie, who our delicious range of jams are named after. They’re Rachel's daughters and played a really important role in why Fearne & Rosie was launched. As a mother and teacher, Rachel wanted the berry best foods for her family and her girls. Fast forward a few years. Rachel is now squishing together natural fruits to make tasty, fruity jams with more fruit and less sugar for Fearne & Rosie and now George, her son, and most importantly, for you and your family! Fearne & Rosie's jams are 40% less sugar than the standard jams you’ll see across the U.K. They are around 70% fruit and importantly we use all natural ingredients and never ever use concentrate! To find out more, visit www.fearneandrosie.com and follow them on Instagram @fearne_and_rosie 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 27 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Paddy Cavanagh-Butler  – Co-Founder of Punchy Drinks 🎙👂 😀

Punchy is a premium low-calorie soft drinks, mixed with feel good flavours, all-natural ingredients and a splash of Vitamin D - to help you catch the sun all year round.

This is liquid sunshine!

Paddy had a little black book of ideas of different businesses to start but after reading an article about how the younger generation are steering away from alcohol consumption and thinking how the big brands were not really talking to the younger consumers, his idea of punchy in his black book came to life.

Punchy is here to chat to young customers while being a no and low brand offering something different. They see soft drinks in a different light. It's a matter of taste - and good taste means they don't cut corners. Their low calorie soft drinks are here to support your immune system. They charge each can with your daily Vitamin D to enjoy alongside a balanced diet.

Their sun drenched soft drinks pack a powerful punch with flavours Blood Orange, Cucumber Yuzu & Rosemary and Peach, Ginger & Chai.

Fancy finding out more? visit punchydrinks.com and follow them on Instagram @punchydrinks

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 26 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Rob Wallis – Founder of MOTH 🎙👂 😀

Moth are all about good cocktails, company and conversation. Thats why they make the best cocktails in a can, so that special mix can happen anywhere!

MOTH do one thing really really well - Cocktails in a can. They are all about doing loving what you make and making what you love.

For maximum togetherness. Because great friends deserve great drinks. And great drinks are easy. They cost what they’re worth, not what they want. They go where they’re needed, in handbags - or pockets. And the good times follow. Because they believe cocktails are for everyone. Their drinks are made to be enjoyed wherever, however, with whoever. Picnic blankets or poker tables, tuxes or trackies. They'll do us and you do you.

It all began pre-covid, they had a specialist brand of cocktails in glass bottles selling to high end retailers such as Selfridges. They soon realised this wasn't scalable and thats where MOTH was born, cocktails in a can! They are immensely picky about what goes in their cans, every sip is important and as with every ingredient, every word counts & every detail speaks.

To find out more, visit mothdrinks.com and follow them on Instagram @mothdrinks

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 25 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Amelia Christie-Miller – Founder of Bold Bean Co 🎙👂 😀 BOLD BEAN CO’S journey started in a basement flat in Madrid…where Amelia, hungover and lazy began eating beans out of a Jar. She was shocked at how delicious they were, that is where Bold Bean Co was born! Their mission now: We’re here to make you obsessed with beans. Each bean variety is suited to different growing conditions; they source their beans from the best possible climate for each one this means they have flavour sourcing. All their beans are heirloom...AKA ancient varieties of beans which priorities flavour over yield, literally making them MAGIC BEANS. Amelia realised that BEANS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD, someone just needs to start spreading the gospel. To find out more, visit boldbeanco.com and follow them on Instagram @boldbeanco. 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 24 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Tom Watkins – Founder of MIGHTY 🎙 😀

MIGHTY was founded by brothers, Tom and Nick, in 2018 to shake up the market with a more nutritious and sustainable plant-based milk. Now one of the biggest independent family-run plant milk businesses in the UK, their mission is to switch one million people to plant milk. Thanks to a unique blend of peas and fermented oats for a milk like taste, the MIGHTY range of dairy free milks is growing (in popularity and choice) all the time.

What do you mean by Mighty you may ask? Well for them, that’s a simple one. MIGHTY M.LK is big on flavour, amazing nutrition and contains no Dairy, Nuts or Soy. MIGHTY has way more protein and calcium than regular plant milk, and Split Peas have a tiny carbon footprint so it’s super sustainable too.

MIGHTY is now available in more than 5,000 stores in 12 different countries across the UK, Europe and Asia – and they are just kicking off. Every day, more and more people are waking up to the tastiest, healthiest and most sustainable MIGHTY M.LK.

To find out more, visit mightydrinks.com and follow them on Instagram @get_mighty

 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 23 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Joe Moruzzi – Founder of Pleese

Cheesecakes were being made for friends & family events by Joe. At the end of 2016 Pleesecakes was an idea on a pad, turning into an Instagram page by January 2017.

With the kind support of Joe Wicks and a shout out, Pleesecakes birth was fairly monumental and they were thrust into the lime light of social media. Pleesecakes signed with Madeleine Milburn in March and suddenly they were now about to become authors three months from launch. They made an appearance on ITV This Morning with Phil & Holly as part of 2017 ‘hot food trends’ and also had the privilege of making a cake on behalf of Mcvities for The Queen!

In 2021 they revolutionised the frozen dessert market by creating the Worlds First Scoopable Frozen Cheesecake, launching with named tubs Charlie, Lily-Rose and Bonnie & Clyde to now having listings in major retailers such as COOP. There is so much more in store for Pleese, they are just at the beginning so have a listen to find out what went on behind the scenes and all the lessons they learnt!

To find out more, visit pleesecakes.com and follow them on Instagram @pleese

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 22 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Tom & Gaz - Founders of Holy Moly.

At Holy Moly they believe in helping people eat better. They are on a mission to bring the world dips that taste great and make you feel good, by doing things the right way, not the easy way.

If you want plant-based, no nasties or gluten-free, then Holy Moly’s a godsend. Imagine all the convenience of ‘shop-bought’ with the wholesome deliciousness of ‘home-made’.

In their products, convenience, taste and the finest natural ingredients all come together sustainably. So you can choose guilt-free, delicious and nutritious. There’s no need to compromise. That’s the miracle of Holy Moly.

From tastebud-tingling salsa to creamy, yummy guacamole, they are taking the dips aisle by storm. Their ever-growing range of plant-based products that are simply - naturally good and taste heavenly!

To find out more, visit holymolydips.com and follow them on Instagram @holymolydips

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 21 of Getting To Grow, I sat down with Jacopo Cordero Di Vonzo - Founder of Remeo Gelato

Remeo was founded in 2014 when Jacopo and Filippo were heading to a dinner party on Portobello Road. Like any authentic Italian, they wanted to bring some top-quality Gelato as a gift because a great Gelato makes your taste buds happy, uplifts your mood and never makes your stomach cry! 

Easy enough, they thought…

Unfortunately, their mission was a little more complicated than they initially envisioned. Jacopo and Filippo couldn’t find authentic Italian Gelato in the gelaterias, let alone on the shelves of any good supermarkets. At that moment, the idea was born. They decided to create a Gelato brand that could reflect the experience of today’s finest Italian Gelato and the pleasure that comes with it, without any artificial additives, solely 100% natural ingredients. Thereupon, the name of this beautiful creation was decided; Remeo.

I spoke to Jacapo about how his passion for Remeo fuelled his desire to bring something truly unique to market in the infamous face cream pot!

To find out more, visit remeogelato.com and follow them on Instagram @remeogelato.

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 21 of Getting to Grow, I sat down with Henry Milroy, founder of Pan-n-Ice. 

Pan-n-Ice was founded in 2015 when Henry was travelling in Thailand with a friend. Instantly in awe of this amazing concept of making rolled ice cream, they decided to bring it back home to the UK!

What started out as just two friends travelling around the UK doing ice cream catering for small events, has now grown into a well established global ice roll brand, ready to take on the world. Pan-n-Ice have operated in prestigious locations such as Harvey Nichols, Bicester Village, Topshop Oxford Street all the way to large scale events in New York City and Abu Dhabi and today also now have two permanent parlours in Westfield London and Selfridges Manchester.

Since the brand has grown in demand over the years, they recently launched their new exciting DIY ice roll kits that allow you to make your very own rolled ice cream from the comfort of your own home! Entertain your children, create endless rolled ice cream flavours or have a perfect date night with your other half!

To find out more, visit pan-n-ice.co.uk and make sure to follow them on Instagram @pan_n_ice

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

Welcome back to episode 20 of Getting to Grow! This week we were joined by Sasha Watkins and Alex Brooks, co-founders of Field Doctor. Field Doctor offer chef made frozen meals, delivered to your door. 

The deliciously healthy meals are crafted in a Somerset kitchen by dietitian Sasha and Michelin-trained chef, Matt Williamson. Using ingredients from sustainably-focused producers, the food is packed with flavour, nutrients and health benefits, then flash-frozen to lock-in its goodness.

Field Doctor have a simple, but big goal. To create amazing tasting food that can boost your health and leaves the planet in a better place than when we started. One meal at a time.

To find out more, visit fielddoctor.co.uk and make sure to follow them on Instagram @fielddoctoruk 

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

Cafe Pod, a UK-based coffee company, was co-founded by Peter Grainger and his colleagues in 2011. Grainger's inspiration for the company came during a trip to Cape Town, where he recognized the cultural significance of coffee and the potential for high-quality coffee pods in the UK market. He, along with two friends from his previous job, identified a gap for Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules, leading to the establishment of Cafe Pod to offer a better coffee experience at home. Zoe Fox: https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/ Find Peter on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafepod_peter/ Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-grainger-86162612/ Website: https://www.cafepod.com/

Welcome back to another episode of Getting to Grow! On episode #19 I was joined by Duncan O'Brien, founder of Dalstons. 

Dalston's was born in 2012 and it started in the most vibrant and eclectic of East London homes. The iconic Passing Clouds nightclub in Dalston – a hub of spoken word, reggae, gypsy swing and everything in between – was the birthplace of, well, Dalston’s.

It was there that Duncan started mashing and blending the first bottles of Dalston’s Cola by hand in a tiny kitchen to sell at the venue as its alternative to mainstream soft drinks. But his journey to the drinks industry goes back even further – in the bar car of an Orient Express train riding around the west coast of Scotland.

Just three months after joining the Orient Express as a bartender, Duncan was called into the on-board kitchen as emergency cover and soon found himself wearing chef whites permanently. Making the shift from food preparation to drink-making was an interesting progression for Duncan, but fast forward to 2012 and  Duncan was making and bottling his colas out of tiny kitchens in East London. The inspiration behind Dalston Cola? “The pure and simple underdog mentality of going up against Coca Cola; an enormous and established company.”

Dalstons outgrew their first brew-yard, waved goodbye, and moved to a larger space in 2016. In 2016 Duncan called in a little help from co-founder, Dan Broughton and industry turned pro investor Giles Brook in order to take on the big drinks biz head on. The business started accelerating and thanks to a brand refresh and some awesome new flavours – their sodas went pop!

Currently you can find Dalstons in the likes of Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Whole Foods and many more including independents.

To find out more, visit dalstons.com and make sure to follow them on Instagram @drinkdalstons

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

On Episode 18 of Getting to Grow, we spoke to Emily Tout, co-founder of Mighty slice.

Mighty Slice was founded in the summer of 2021 by Emily Tout and Jamie Cumming, to provide protein snacks for dessert lovers. Combining a sweet-tooth with her love of fitness, Emily would often experiment in her kitchen with protein powders, coming up with innovative ways to incorporate them into homemade desserts like cheesecakes and apple crumbles, transforming these much-loved desserts into delicious post-workout snacks.

After noticing rising trends on social media of people taking time to bake, decorate and enjoy their protein oats and snacks, the pair realised that the current protein industry, geared towards extreme convenience and on the go functionality, might not always paint the entire picture of consumer demand. Sometimes, people want a moment to sit, pause and enjoy in such a busy world.

Mighty Slice’s desserts invite you to ‘take a slice out of your day’ to recharge and enjoy a delicious protein snack, the kind you genuinely look forward to after your workout. Containing over 18g of protein per slice, these desserts truly are ‘mighty’ and are disrupting the protein industry, one slice at a time. With flavours such as Banoffee Pie and Mixed Berry Cheesecake, Mighty Slice transform your favourite desserts into the post-workout snacks of dreams, creating an experience with each mouthful.

To find out more, visit mightyslice.co.uk and make sure to follow them on Instagram @mightyslice_

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

In this week’s episode, Zoe was joined by Duncan Keith, co-founder of Days Brewing.

Days, founded by Duncan Keith and Mike Gammell in early 2020, creates its authentically 0.0% abv beers by combining locally sourced Scottish water and malt barley with a unique alcohol-free brewing process. With their backgrounds in consumer goods, the pair had a realisation that their relationship with alcohol had totally transformed over the years, but their love for beer remained with its unique ability to bring people together. 

What they realised, is that beer didn't necessarily need to equal alcohol. Could they take all the great things about beer- refreshment, flavour and sociability and remove the side effects that aren’t always welcome?  They shared the idea with friends and realised the potential for a refreshing beer that works with you, not against you, is enormous. And that is what Days is all about. For those who love great beer and all it brings, but are tired of side effects from holding them back. Duncan and Mike like to think of it as the natural evolution of beer. Brewed for modern consumers and mindsets.

We spoke to Duncan about the purpose behind how he and Mike came to start Days, why it’s alcohol free and much more.

To find out more, visit daysbrewing.com and make sure to follow them on Instagram @daysbrewing

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

Welcome back to Getting to Grow! We are super excited for Season 2 and have some amazing founders to come on the podcast over the next 6 months! 

To kick us off, we spoke to Josh Puddle, Co-Founder of Momo Kombucha.   

Founders Josh & Lisa Puddle first came across kombucha on a trip to New York back in 2016. Lisa had been reading about Gut Health and had heard that kombucha was fantastic for bringing the gut and the body back into balance as it promotes and maintains a healthy digestive function. By the end of the trip they were hooked and were noticing positive changes that they felt were related to the kombucha - they had more energy and felt less bloated.

Back in London, Josh & Lisa wanted to continue feeding our kombucha cravings. They decided to start brewing their own and the idea for MOMO was born. From day one they have brewed each batch in a small glass jar and always will. This is the 'old-fashioned way to brew' and the 'only way to produce the highest quality kombucha'.

We spoke to Josh about all things kombucha, gut health and how a children's book was the inspiration behind the name Momo. 

To get 15% off your next order on Momo's website use the code GROW15!

PS - apologies for the poor audio quality, a mixture of a faulty microphone and a sore throat from Zoe!

To find out more, visit momo-kombucha.com and make sure to follow them on Instagram @momokombucha

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe

On the final episode of the first series (!) of Getting to Grow, we were joined by Joe Hill, co-founder of One Planet Pizza, a brand creating delicious pizzas that don’t harm the planet.

Together with his Dad Mike, Joe created One Planet Pizza out of a passion to make mouth-watering pizzas that are great for you and the planet. They call it 'pizza with purpose'. In 2014, Mike and Joe started making their own plant-based pizzas at home, experimenting with ingredients and plant-based cheezes. Mike & Joe noticed that plant-based frozen pizzas just weren’t up to scratch. Wanting to create a go-to plant-based alternative to their much-loved freezer staple, they started One Planet Pizza from Mike’s garage using their family recipe. 

Local success led One Planet Pizza to become the UK’s first plant-based business to crowdfund, reaching their goal thanks to investors from all over Europe. Roll on a few years and One Planet Pizza are one of the leading plant-based pizza brands in the UK with huge plans for the future. And its not just about the pizza. As well as being vegan, One Planet plant 1 tree for every 50 pizzas and use recyclable materials where possible.

You can now find their delicious (and sustainable) range of plant-based pizzas across over 500 outlets in the UK including Wholefoods and Booths as well as online on Ocado or their D2C website.

We spoke to Joe about how a night in the pub led to the humble beginnings of the brand, the scaling up process and why taste is so important.

To find out more, visit www.oneplanetpizza.com and make sure to follow them on Instagram @oneplanetpizza

If you enjoyed this episode please be sure to leave a like, share or a review as it really helps support what we do.

See you guys next time!

Zoe & Sam

This week Zoe and Sam were joined by Grayson Hart, founder of Pure Sport, a CBD based brand aiming to deliver the highest quality products to their customers.

Pure Sport CBD was created out of a real athlete’s yearning for healthy, safe, and legal alternatives to deal with pain relief. Following a string of knee injuries, Glasgow Warriors’ scrum-half Grayson Hart was seeking an effective remedy to his constant joint pain. Even though he received quality physio treatment at the club, there was no noticeable improvement of his excruciating condition.

Naturally, all of the prescriptive drugs he used produced various adverse effects on his mind and body: he felt lethargic, unmotivated, and also suffered from disrupted sleep. In light of this wholly negative impact on his body, he began to search for natural alternatives to his growing problem.

After CBD (cannabidiol) and its benefits were widely recognised within the United States, but not so much in the UK, Grayson was eager to try it out. The CBD had a transformative effect as it allowed him to completely come off pain killers and continue with his career unimpeded. Grayson put his head together with teammate Adam Ashe and the two decided to try and create the world’s most trusted and effective CBD products and be a brand that created a community that helped raise awareness on the benefits of natural alternatives to optimise the lives of people from all walks of life.

We spoke to Grayson about his journey from pro athlete to founder of a fastly growing start-up.

To find out more about Pure Sport, visit www.puresportcbd.com and make sure you follow them on Instagram @puresportcbd

Make sure you follow, like and subscribe to Getting to Grow on whatever platform you listen on as it really helps support what we do!

See you guys next time!

Zoe and Sam

On episode 13 of Getting to Grow, we were delighted to be joined by Adam Sopher, Co-founder of Joe & Seph's. Joe & Seph's are a family business that launched in 2010 with a mission to produce the best-tasting popcorn in the world. 

Adam's Dad Joseph used to take regular trips to the USA, each time returning with flavoured popcorn as gifts for friends and family. Realising there was nothing quite like this in the UK, he wondered if he could make my own flavoured popcorn, but even better. Joseph began by air-popping the corn and coating it in a smooth caramel made from fresh butter rather than what was the standard British way of popping it in an oil and sugar mix.

He then discovered that by using 100% natural ingredients and a unique "flavour-sequencing" process they could lock in flavours so that they flourished on the palate at different intervals as you're eating the popcorn. After many burnt pans and late night tasting sessions in the family kitchen, together with his wife and Adam, they took their popcorn to a food show in 2010 where it sold out in just two days. Shortly after, they achieved their first prestigious retail listing and...Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn was born.

Today, Joe & Seph's can be found all across the UK in multiple outlets and have a range of over 50 flavours of popcorn, 10 caramel sauces and are proud to have won over 40 Great Taste Awards!

We spoke to Adam about what it's like working in a family business, how the pandemic affected them and what a day to day looks like as a founder of an FMCG brand.

To find out more, visit www.joeandsephs.co.uk and make sure you follow them on Instagram @joeandseph 

Make sure you follow, like and subscribe to Getting to Grow on whatever platform you listen on as it really helps support what we do!

See you guys next time!

Zoe and Sam

This episode we were delighted to be joined by Neil and Rachel, founders of vegan fast-food restaurant and brand, The Vurger Co.

Co-founder Neil suffered with debilitating stomach issues and no doctor or test could pin-point the cause. With a big birthday impending, Rachel & Neil took the time to travel to California and discovered a whole new wave of plant-based living! The amazing tastes and textures were like nothing they had experienced and certainly weren’t available in London at the time in 2016.

Settling back into their day to day lives, they couldn’t believe how restricted their diet became. They couldn’t access great fresh vegan food packed with so many awesome textures. So immediately, they knew that there was an incredible opportunity to create a brand that made vegetables the main event, in fun, interesting and fresh new ways.

The Vurger Co started as a small market stall back in 2016 just to test their concept and gain that initial immediate feedback! Having quickly realised that their customers wanted the full experience from them, Neil & Rachel developed from market stall to events, pop ups, festivals and progressed to crowdfunding their first ever restaurant in Shoreditch in March 2018. Today they operate 4 restaurants in London, Manchester and Brighton as well as some delicious sauces that are now available in retail.

We spoke to Rachel & Neil about how the trip to California changed the way they thought about food, they’re humble beginnings as a market stall in 2016, and the effects the pandemic had on their business.

If you enjoyed this episode please remember to share, like subscribe and all of that good stuff as it really supports what we do.

Make sure you follow The Vurger Co on Instagram - @thevurgerco

& follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

This week we were joined by Caspar Rose, CEO of the UK's #1 bespoke nutrition brand, Fresh Fitness Food.

Fresh Fitness Food was founded by Jared Williams, to try and solve the age-old problem of how to eat healthy, consistently and well with little time to do any of the preparation that usually goes with it.

From what started in a 'pokey' Notting Hill flat, Fresh Fitness Food is now the UK's number 1 bespoke nutrition brand, helping each of their customers eat nutritious food, every single day to transform the lives of the time poor.

Fresh Fitness food aims to deliver the ultimate convenience, direct to your door. Their in house nutritionists and experts crate highly personalised plans to give you structure and consistency to make your goals, whatever they may be, achievable. 

We spoke to Caspar about growing up in Byron Bay, cheffing at Michelin Star restaurants and how he became CEO of a rapidly growing start up.

To find out more about Fresh Fitness Food please visit: www.freshfitnessfood.com & be sure to follow them on Instagram @freshfitnessfood

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

This week we were joined by James Edmunds, MD of TRIP, the UK’s leading premium CBD brand. 

TRIP was created to share a bit of calm in the everyday chaos. CBD experiences that are just as enjoyable to taste as the feeling after. Products with amazing flavour that leave you more productive, less stressed and more you.

Founders Dan and Liv discovered CBD in 2018 when weeks before Dan and Liv's wedding, Dan was injured playing football and needed knee surgery - nightmare. Told he wouldn’t be able to walk down the aisle, they tried everything. He discovered CBD oils were a real game changer - he finally found some calm and got a good night's sleep at last. Against the odds, Dan made an incredible recovery and was by all accounts the last man standing on the dancefloor!

They then started using CBD oils for those smaller everyday stresses...loving the results but hating the bitter taste.  They're passion for CBD grew, eventually leaving careers in finance, law and sales to launch TRIP. Since launching in 2019, TRIP have grown to become the UK’s leading premium CBD brand. 

We spoke to James about the misconceptions around CBD products, how they became known as the Queen’s CBD brand and why word of mouth is so important.

To find out more about TRIP please visit: www.drink-trip.com & be sure to follow them on Instagram @trip.drinks

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

In this episode, Juliet Barrat, co-founder of Grenade, shares the incredible journey of turning a bold idea into a game-changing name in sports nutrition. From their early vision of being the “Red Bull of Sports Nutrition” to navigating tough moments like having just £27 in the bank, Juliet gives a behind-the-scenes look at the determination, creativity, and grit it takes to succeed. She talks about the importance of timing, the power of standout packaging, and how delivering a phenomenal product built Grenade’s reputation as a leader in the industry.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a fan of success stories, or someone curious about what sets challenger brands apart, this episode is packed with insights. Juliet discusses why they avoided protein bars initially, how their unique grenade-shaped container became a symbol of innovation, and the role of gut instinct in decision-making. With stories of experimenting with products on military friends and landing unexpected shelf placements in major retailers, it's a fascinating conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons of building a business that disrupted an entire market.

Zoe Fox:

https://www.instagram.com/gettingtogrow/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-fox-377033b0/

Sponsored by:

- Sam Lawrence Recruitment: Personalized recruitment solutions for finding the right opportunities and team members.

- We Are All Marketing: Results-driven marketing and storytelling strategies to help businesses grow.

- The Coconut Collaborative: Delicious plant-based, dairy-free treats, including creamy yogurts and indulgent desserts.

This week, we spoke to Rob Martineau, co-founder of Tribe.

Together with his co-founders Guy and Tom, Tribe are on a mission to lead a revolution in performance nutrition by trusting nature.

In 2013, the trio ran 39 marathons in 30 days as part of 'Run for Love' — raising close to £250,000 for a charity aiming to bring an end to child trafficking. The epic journey took them from Ukraine to Croatia, taking in nine countries in Eastern Europe along the way. Roughly 250 people joined them at various stages of the journey but Martineau, Hacking, and Stancliffe were the only ones to complete the whole run.

Fuelled by their passion for running, they looked at the market for sports nutrition, and noticed that most of the products they themselves and millions of others of runners were consuming, weren't going down as well as they should.

Off the back of Run for Love, Rob, Guy and Tom came up with the idea for a running supplement startup called Tribe. Several years later Tribe are now one of the leading plant-based nutrition brands, using natural ingredients to give their customers energy and protein-packed, everyday performance and snacking goodness.

We spoke to Rob about how their passion for running fuelled their desire to ditch the day jobs and start the brand, the importance of community and how it all started with a homemade trail mix.

To find out more about TRIBE please visit: www.wearetribe.co & be sure to follow them on Instagram @the_tribe_way 

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

In this episode, we spoke to Charlie Thuillier, Founder of delicious (but healthy!) ice cream brand, Oppo Brothers.

It all started with a land kite surfing record attempt in Brazil. During the trip, whilst having to forage along coastlines for things to eat, Charlie and his brother Harry stumbled upon some amazingly delicious & nutritious food.

Then came 'that' moment where they posed themselves the question: 'Why couldn’t all food be like that? What if you could indulge in sweet treats, without having loads of sugar and nasty additives?'

10 years later, Oppo is becoming a household name in the UK and beyond with its 'healthy ice cream'.

Charlie & Harry are on a mission to create the world's best ice cream and won't stop until they taste better than regular full fat-full sugar ice cream; remain natural and low calorie; and are fully carbon neutral with significantly reduced impact on the planet.

We spoke to Charlie about how they didn't take no for an answer when others told them they couldn't do it, how they feel about competitors and how its not just about making money when you start a business.

To find out more about Oppo please visit: www.oppobrothers.com & be sure to follow them on Instagram @oppobrothers

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

This episode we spoke to Stu Macdonald, founder of delicious peanut butter brand, ManiLife.

ManiLife was born in Summer 2015 when 45 friends came together to make 4000 jars of peanut butter, one jar at a time. 

Why ManiLife? Mani means peanut or groundnut in Argentine Spanish, where they source all their peanuts from. And life because they're all about making people happy and believe their products to be life-changingly-lip-smackingly delicious!

Many years and jars later, ManiLife can now be found on the shelves of Sainsburys & Waitrose, 100s of independents, your online baskets and your favourite meal kit delivery boxes.

We spoke to Stu about how his travels gave him his idea, how a mistake turned into a best selling product and his plans to change the perception of the category.

To find out more about ManiLife please visit: mani-life.com & be sure to follow them on Instagram @manilife_

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe

This episode we spoke to Matt Godfroy, founder of SunFresh Produce and their DTC fresh box brand, Pikt. 

Pikt was born from Matt’s  frustration of a broken system; Matt wanted to see a platform designed for everyone and driven by choice with values far beyond the current providers. Matt formed a business called SunFresh Produce back in 2011, with the sole focus to source the best Organic Fruits and Vegetables locally and globally from his +25 years of knowledge. SunFresh Produce still supplies the leading UK supermarkets with organic fruits, vegetables and salads, but Matt knew with his team they could disrupt the system positively with a direct relationship.

Doing right for everyone – from their 'rockstar' team, farmers and growers, to customers, everyone is treated with respect and valued. Pikt are proudly independent and family-owned making them unique in the fresh produce sector, as there are only a handful of businesses who are dedicated to Organic Fresh Produce and true specialists at what they do, all governed by their B-Corp and Soil Association certification.

We spoke to Matt about all things fresh, including being a purpose led business and how they reacted to the pandemic as a relatively new business.

To find out more about Pikt please visit: piktfresh.com

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

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @gettingtogrow

See you guys next time!

Sam & Zoe