Start Scale Succeed

The tables are turned this week where Nicole is chatting with Jacqui Ripley spilling the tea on what retailers want and what to include in your pitch deck and some other nuggets such as  ⭐️ Rookie mistakes brand owners can make including packaging⁠ ⭐️ How to grab a buyer's attention ⁠ ⭐️ The key information to put in a retail deck⁠ ⭐️ How to handle negotiation⁠ ⭐️ The importance of getting your pricing right from the get go⁠   Interviewer  Jacqui Ripley  Host Nicole Higgins  Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.  She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor  Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Connecting and engaging with your customer is key and one way to do this is through pop ups. This week’s guest is Matt Hopkins founder of the great brand exchange.   The Great Brand Exchange was founded in 2014 with two goals in mind. The first was to help small businesses grow and scale by giving them a route into retail. And the second was to bring exciting, unique, local products to major retailers enabling them to offer something different alongside their big-name brands.   On the podcast Matt chats about:  Consumer behaviour and trends and what consumers want from a brand  Shifts towards localism and the desire for brands that reflect consumers' core values. Importance of storytelling, authenticity, and personalized experiences in brand engagement. How pop-ups serve as a potent marketing tool. Benefits of temporary retail spaces from driving sales to engaging consumers. Pop-ups’ role in rapidly responding to trends and consumer demands. Setting Up a Successful Pop-Up**  Essential steps involved in preparing for a pop-up event. The importance of location, design, and storytelling in attracting and engaging customers. Strategies for creating impactful visual merchandising and product displays.  https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbrandexchange/ https://thegbexchange.com/ Host Nicole Higgins  Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.  She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor  Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

You are what you eat, well in this case you are what you put on your skin, inspired by superfoods and plant based ingredients Roshanne transitioned from a legal career into the beauty industry and founded The Glowcery.  Listen to hear how  Before Roshanne  even launched she had been sent a cease and desist from Chanel  How the brand launched and why it was successful from the beginning  How the Glowcery are marketing and growing their brands and standing out in every increasing competitive market What is working for them with influencer marketing  And why pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is key for your growth as an entrepreneur.    Guest  Roshanne Dorset founder of the The Glowcery From the court room to cosmetics  Roshanne's journey into holistic wellness began five years ago when she embraced a vegan lifestyle. Initially motivated by a desire to enhance her diet.  Roshanne experienced profound improvements in her overall health; her skin became clearer and her Roshanne was inspired to found "The Glowcery," a company dedicated to creating skincare products that align with the principles of a plant-based lifestyle, nourishing the skin as wholesomely as the foods she consumed. https://www.theglowceryshop.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theglowceryshop/   Host Nicole Higgins  Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S and Debenhams and now uses her expertise and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start and scale their product businesses and continues to work on projects with corporates to increase bottom line sales and profits.  She established her own business The Buyer And Retail Coach™ to help give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge to bring products to market. Her expertise covers many areas from product development to sourcing and strategy across multi-product categories The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

What’s a personal brand and how do you build one when you are also building your product business? This weeks episode Martha Keith founder of Martha Brook Stationery joins the start scale succeed podcast. Highlights include How & why you should show up as the founder to differentiate your brand The power of personal branding and debunking the current trend for faceless accounts The Do’s and Don’ts of personal branding How to create engaging content Developing the story of your brand

What to do when your product  business just isn’t working for you anymore?, this is where Kayley was a few months ago and she has reassessed and reflected on what she wants her brand and business to be and so she is pivoting and changing her business model.  In this episodes she shares her journey of how she started,  the challenges she has faced and why she is pivoting to move forward with podcast host Nicole Higgins  Some of the topics covered Building a Brand with a Unique Selling Proposition:** Learn about Kayleigh's strategic shift towards a brand with an "always-in-stock" component, annual color changes, and seasonal drops. Wholesale and Market Strategies:** Insight into Kayleigh’s plans to wholesale her brand, her preparation for trade shows, and why she chose to delay her participation to ensure brand readiness. The Emotional Journey of Entrepreneurship:** Kayleigh discusses overcoming her fear of failure, redefining what failure means, and the personal pride she takes in managing her business alongside motherhood. Strategic Pivots and Operational Changes:** Hear how Kayleigh handled challenges including subletting her store space, closing the playroom, and her plans to focus more on her own successful brand. Future Aspirations and Current Projects:** Get a sneak peek into the upcoming launch of Kayleigh's new brand and the winter collection planned for September/October.    Host Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

At some stage in your business journey you may look for  investment to help you  start or grow. This week in  ep 141 Luke Desmond joins the podcast to demystify investment and explain the investment landscape, who you should be approaching depending on what stage your business is at and the funds you are looking for.  Highlights of this episode include: Pitching to Investors: The value of a compelling story, clear data, and a precise ask in your pitch deck. Understand your business valuation and be prepared with all necessary documentation. Business Valuation: Factors influencing valuation and the differences between valuation methods based on profit or potential growth. Preparing for Investment: A walk-through of how to best get ready for investment, including having a well-organized pitch deck and data room for potential investors. Explaining Lifetime value  We delve into the components required to calculate a customer's lifetime value – average order value, frequency of purchases, and customer retention period – using a kidswear business as a case example. Client Acquisition Cost (CAC) Insight: Understanding CAC not only in terms of initial profit but over the longevity of client relationships and how it influences marketing budgets and investor relations. Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS): Luke breaks down these tax-relief schemes aimed at aiding investors who back risky startups. Investor Relations: Tips for aligning with the right investors – what to look for, what to ask, and how to establish mutual expectations for a fruitful partnership. Guest  Luke Desmond founder of crisp accountancy and fractional CFO has worked with businesses across a range of sectors but has specialist knowledge of technology, SaaS & E-commerce. He has helped businesses fine-tune original ideas & launch from day 1, raise seven figures and exit for eight figures.   founder and CEO of Crisp Accountancy, an accountancy firm that works with a range of businesses from Solopreneurs to Scale Up in a variety of different sectors. Luke works with businesses across a range of sectors but has a specialist knowledge of and passion for technology, SaaS & E-commerce. Through his work as Fractional CFO,  he helps businesses  fine-tune original ideas & launch from day 1, raise seven figures and exit for eight figures. He is on a mission to improve the financial understanding of business owners and I works closely with businesses to increase their profits and equip them with the necessary skills to master their finances and make better informed financial decisions. https://www.instagram.com/crispaccountancy/ https://crispaccountancy.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukedesmond/ https://www.lukedesmond.co.uk/ Host Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

This weeks episode Nicole chats about how  to build commercial ranges for your product business.  Nicole shares some of the mistakes she made whilst working as a buyer for major high street retailers and how you can create and develop products that are the right fit for your business  Focusing on people, the product and profit  Nicole breaks down actions to take when planning for the seasons ahead.    The Host  Nicole Higgins is a seasoned professional with over 18 years experience in the retail industry, having worked as a buyer  with blue-chip companies such as Primark and M&S across multi product categories from Bras to Beauty   Her journey in the corporate world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and insights that she now dedicates to empowering startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their journey to growth, profit  and scalability. Nicole specializes in guiding businesses through the intricacies of start up,  strategy, sourcing and  product development. Her keen understanding of market dynamics allows her to provide tailored solutions that drive success in today's competitive landscape.   Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsors  Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Using a distributor for your beauty or wellness  brand can catapult your growth.  In ep 139 of start scale succeed host Nicole Higgins chats with Catherine Collins about the practical tips for identifying and collaborating with the right distributor.  Catherine established a distribution agency in the middle east and now provides expert consultancy for beauty and wellness brands  This week some of the topics covered are  The pivotal role of distributors in a brand's expansion and the critical factors that determine when a brand is ready to work with a distributor. The financial mechanics of distributor partnerships, including the ideal margin rule for pricing  The distinction between the roles of distributors and agents in the growth of a brand, and what brands can expect from each. Characteristics of founders who steer their brands towards success, such as a growth mindset, resilience, and a purpose-driven approach to their business. An overview of current trends shaping the beauty industry, including consumer interest in scientifically-backed products and doctor-led brands.  Practical tips for identifying and collaborating with the right distributor, including questions to ask and strategies to foster a lasting and beneficial relationship.   Guest  Catherine Collins  Catherine’s career spans across multiple markets from building an international beauty distribution business in the Middle East to advising some of the world’s most well known beauty brands on their global strategy and working closely with high growth startups and connecting them with investors.  She has a deep understanding of international markets and how to scale a brand successfully and has worked with a variety of different retailers and distributors worldwide.  https://www.constellarconsultancy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/constellarconsultancy/ Host  Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

The retail market in the middle east is worth approx $80 billion dollars, but how do you break into that market as a brand and what do you need to consider  In this episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Abbie founder of base brands a brand strategy & consulting company based in Dubai about selling and launching in the Dubai market  Some of the areas discussed are:  Tips and advice for breaking into the market  from customers to logistics  What to consider culturally and shopping habits in Dubai  Trends & Market changes that are emerging in the middle east  Red tape and legislation  The mistakes the small businesses make when trying to sell in Dubai  The different types of retailers and expected payment terms    Guest  https://www.basebrandsco.com/ https://www.instagram.com/base.brands/ Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/   Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/

Recent closures of high street chains further highlights the challenges of bricks and mortar stores, but how are the new kids on the block building their businesses and creating a community.  This episode I chat with Cat Anderson founder of sustainable clothing store Treen a  vegan fashion retailer, offering a selection of style must-haves from a carefully selected group of brands that make a positive difference. Providing a killer wardrobe without Killing the planet.  This episode we chat about her start up journey, what she is doing to build the business and building relationships and becoming more than a retail brand and how she gets the community and her team  involved in the brand.  The sustainable initiatives that she has planned for the future and why they mean so much to her and the brand.  https://www.instagram.com/shoptreen_/ https://shoptreen.com/ Nicole Higgins  The Buyer and retail coach  Nicole Higgins Links  https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Neon Digital Clicks  Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat and become a digital marketing expert? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, THE paid-traffic partner for family and women’s e-commerce brands wanting to scale their stores from five figure to six figure months using Meta, Google and Klaviyo marketing services.   Neon is offering listeners a FREE scaling audit worth £3000!  So whether your sales have plateaued or you ’re looking for growth, this is a great opportunity to lift the lid on your biz and identify where the opportunities are hiding.  Head to scaleandglow.com to discover just how much revenue you could scale your store to this year.  https://scaleandglow.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/neondigitalclicks/