UNBOXED – Details, episodes & analysis

Biscuiteers founder Harriet Hastings joins Connie Nam for a fascinating insight on how to leverage the power of PR. 

In this episode, Harriet explains how her iced biscuits company is really a design business, why PR is the most cost-effective strategy to tell your brand story and she offers her top tips if you’re thinking of crowdfunding. 

Plus, she shares a critical mistake she made about funding which is key for any early-stage founder to hear, so you don’t do it too.  

Follow @biscuiteersltd

To keep up with the podcast, follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

This episode is sponsored by Payhawk.

Schedule a demo using the link above and be sure to tell them you came from Astrid & Miyu podcast to receive 20% off.

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Astrid & Miyu founder, Connie Nam kicks off the new season with a special Q&A answering your question on how to build a successful consumer brand.

Listen to find out how to find manufacturers, where to find effective market data and how to create highly anticipated cult products – like A&M’s own Advent Calendar.

Plus, Connie shares her thoughts on the pros and cons of selling direct to consumers vs retailers, what’s more important: product or brand and what are the 3 elements of creating a cult brand.

To keep up with the podcast, follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

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Co-founder of Little Moons, Vivien Wong, joins Connie Nam to discuss the journey of transforming a small family bakery into a viral sensation. 

Vivienne explains the catalyst that led her to leave the corporate world to start a mochi ice cream business, the initial scepticism they faced due and the overwhelming demand that followed their TikTok fame during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Plus, Vivienne shares how they navigated going viral with no product in the country, the impact of growing the workforce 5 times over within a year and the surprising challenges of scaling rapidly.

Follow @littlemoonsmochi

To keep up with the podcast, follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

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In the second edition of the Start-Up Clinic, Connie Nam invites two new early-stage founders so they can get advice on the pressing issues of their business. 

Founder of body-skin care brand, Sarah Sklaventis is first with her questions about how to find new customers when the cost of acquisition is so high. Connie offers advice on building awareness and why TikTok is integral to new businesses. 

Next, Sooji Im is the founder of a tea brand that offers naturally sourced tea from small farms in Korea. She’s wondering if her brand story is too personal, and how to reach a larger audience while still staying true to herself. 

If you’re a business founder and want to appear on the next start up clinic, DM us at @unboxed_founderconfidential

Follow Sarah’s business @messiahandeve and follow Sooji’s business @be_oom_ and @cha_oom_

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Varley co-founder Lara Mead joins Connie Nam to share tips on how to execute your vision to harbour success. 

Laura explains how she slowly developed strategy after the start-up days, the biggest difference between US and European customers and why she doesn’t like to make decisions based off data. 

Plus, she shares why raising investment is like dating (and why it’s awful!) and offers advice on enjoying the early founder journey.

Follow @meadlara and @varley

To keep up with the podcast, follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

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In the first edition of our Start-Up Clinic, Connie Nam has invited two early-stage founders to the podcast to get advice and ask their burning questions. 

First up, Lili Sinclair-Williams, creator of a wellbeing stationary brand wants to know about cash flow. Connie answers her questions about when to find investment, what to spend it on and whether or not it’s the right time.

Next, Cuca, founder of a hair accessories brand, has a burning question about personal brand. Connie offers her advice on whether or not the founder must get in front of the camera and how to balance life when things start scaling. 

If you’re a business founder and want to appear on the next start up clinic, DM us at @unboxed_founderconfidential

Follow Lili’s business @lswmindcards and Cuca’s business @hellocarlottalondon

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Heather Elkington is a leadership and management expert and joins Connie Nam to share her invaluable expertise. 

Heather explains how in her mid-twenties, she helped grow and sell a business for millions of pounds, the most common mistakes first-time managers make and why you should aim to grow your business slowly. 

Plus, she shares her number one piece of advice for start-up founders, her top tips for motivating your time and how to hire the right people.

Follow Heather @leadershipheather, @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

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Connie Nam is once again joined by her CMO and first hire, Sarah Hrywnak to discuss the next step in her founding story – the scale up period. 

Connie and Sarah discuss the difference between a start up and a scale up, learning how to hire the right people and the 2 incremental things you need to do as a manager. 

Plus, Connie explains the strength culture she introduced to Astrid & Miyu, Sarah reveals a moment where she wishes she’d trusted her instincts and they explain who you need to hire and when. 

Follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @connienam and @astridandmiyu

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Founder and CEO of Never Fully Dressed, Lucy Aylen joins Connie Nam to unbox her founding story this week. 

Lucy describes the intricacies of building a fashion brand before social media in the markets of London, why she was resistant to being the face of the brand and the struggles of being a boss.

Plus, she explains why physical stores are a great marketing piece, breaking into the US and why you shouldn’t put pressure on the end goal.

Follow @unboxed_founderconfidential, @neverfullydressed and @lucyaylen7

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Richard Harpin sold his business, Home Serve, for 4 billion pounds. Yet he believes if he’d just done 8 things differently he could have grown better and quicker. 

In this episode, he joins Connie Nam to share his 8 secrets he wishes he knew before building his business. 

He explains how to lock down your dream mentor, how to accept losing control when you’re hiring your replacement and why you should be copying other businesses to benefit yours. 

Follow @richard_harpin and @unboxed_founderconfidential

You can find the 8 Serects here, and check out businessleader.co.uk

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