The Unfounders – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the FIRST episode of The Unfounders.

I knew I had to kick the series off with a bang, and who better than the boy in green taking over LinkedIn - ⁠Max Jones⁠.

Max is a Sales Exec aka Energy Spreader over at Perfect Ted - THE fastest growing natural energy brand in the UK (as if they need any introduction).

I LOVED speaking to Max, he's so full of infectious energy (obviously) and we unwrapped all sorts of gold in this conversation.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠here⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠here⁠.

Max's other awesome instagram ⁠@TheMulletSociety

Welcome to The Unfounders,

Unwrapping Employee Stories In the Startup World

Teams Make Brands - Not Just Founders

I’m here to shine a spotlight on the often unsung heroes.

The Unfounders is dedicated to amplifying the narratives of those unseen in the startup realm.

Join us in celebrating the heartbeat of entrepreneurial success.

The people behind the people behind the brand.

Hosted by Mitch Lee

In this weeks episode, Mitch sits down to chat with the brilliant ⁠Nicole Allison⁠ - Head of Sales at ⁠Boundless⁠.

With a degree in Contemporary Theatre & Performing Arts, what made her make the switch to selling delicious gut friendly snacks?

We dive into her time at Redbull, AG Barr and the transition from a corporate and 'being a number' to truly becoming part of a brand and making a difference.

I LOVED this episode - there is so much value to be found and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Craig Jackson is Head of Foodservice at Wildfarmed and an absolute legend!

Since we met on a panel this year at the Bread & Jam Food Service Summit, we've struck up a great friendship and I'm constantly learning from him.

In this episode we dive into Craigs time at Wildfarmed, reflecting on lessons and learnings from previous experience at Lyreco, SG World, Tchibo, Coffee World and Minor Figures.

He's been smashing it in the foodservice world winning listing in Bidfood, Brakes and major National brands up and down the country.

There is SO much value in this episode! Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Today's guest is Ben Nagy - Head of Out of Home & Wholesale at Flawsome Drinks.

We dive into his passion for the health and fitness space, leading to working for all sorts of great brands such as The Collectiv, For Goodness Shakes, MOJU, Plenish, Savse & more.

Ben has had an incredible impact already in his time at Flawsome, winning foodservice listings left right and centre.

He's a force in the space - and does it all with a smile. I love chatting and hearing his journey, I hope you do too!

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Todays guest is Ruth Fittock Managing Partner at Tomorrow Brands who focus on helping purpose-driven brands of tomorrow launch & succeed in the UK.

Ruth has a whole host of experience in a number of brilliant brands including Vitamin Water, Popchips and Simply Roasted - as well as being a Virgin Startup Mentor and advisor at Bold Bean Co.

After helping launch and run Vitamin Water's field marketing actives in the UK, Ruth went on to join as a founding member and Senior Marketing Manager in the UK arm of Popchips.

Taking this love of bagged salty snacks, Ruth helped launch the incredible game-changing HFSS compliant crisp brand Simply Roasted as Marketing Director.

We dive into al these experiences and more - this is one not to miss! Ruth is a super knowledgable, brilliant force in the FMCG space and it was great chatting.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Andy Allen is an absolute powerhouse in the FMCG industry and a brilliant ambassador for challenger brands too.

From launching & selling his own brand of premium pork scratchings with Snaffling Pig. To leading and advising in brands such as Biffs, Oggs, Willicroft, Olly's and so many more.

Andy has been instrumental in the creation of Bidfood Open Doors Program and now sits as an Entrepreneur in Residence in the company a few days a week.

We dive into that whole process, why it's important, what it means, how it even came about plus so much more.

There is A LOT of value in this episode - I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

In this episode, I sit down with Nadine Maggi , whose career journey is anything but typical.

After 5 years in the armed forces, she kicked off her HR career at Hallmark, starting as a filing administrator and working her way up to International HR Director.

From there, she jumped into the food and drink world, taking on roles as HR Director and transitioning to Managing Director at Hain Celestial.

After a family-focused year off, Nadine found herself drawn to the ethics and mission of Sweet Freedom and made the move.

We chat about her bold transition from HR to MD, what it’s like going from managing thousands of employees to under 10, and everything in between.

Nadine is refreshingly open, honest, and vulnerable

This is one you won’t want to miss.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Today I am joined by the brilliant Jack Simmonds, former Director at Hisbe (How It Should Be) and now Head of Operations & Finance at Gamely.

From working in the finance world at Bank of England and Deutsche Bank, Jack joined the team at Innocent which clearly left a lasting impression.

His next move was to Nestle, however missing that challenger buzz and energy, when the chance to join a social enterprise with two amazing founders at HISBE came his way, he took the leap (and pay cut).

This led to an amazing 10 year stint in a truly amazing ethical, award winning independent retailer. Sadly however earlier this year it went into administration.

We dug into all sorts of areas in this conversation, from doing work for good, the culture and mindset instilled at Innocent, to why games are so important to help us connect in away from the digital world.

Jack is so lovely, and this conversation was pure joy.

Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

New Intro Jingle Credits to All Good Folks - Free Flowin' from Uppbeat

Today I am joined by not one, but two wonderful guests! Marking Director Adam Joe Parker and Sales Director Emma King aka 'Refounders' at Ocean Saver.

We discuss what the term Refounder actually means, why it was important to distinguish and how it's helped bring a new life and personality into the Ocean Saver brand. (As well as those fishy puns!)

And why the oceans need saving - and how Ocean Saver are doing this, challenging the major brands in the space (and calling out the greenwashing too!)

With Adam we discuss the differences between working at big P&G brands like Oral B, to small exciting challenger brand Parla.

Plus Emma's journey from Kiddylicious to the team at Ocean Saver and SO much more.

Adam & Emma are a dynamic duo! Thanks for tuning in and let me know what you thought of this episode ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or in the comments below!

Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from?

Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

New Intro Jingle Credits to All Good Folks - Free Flowin' from Uppbeat