Start Scale Succeed Nicole Higgins

When you are  approaching suppliers for your product business  what do they want from you. 
What are the red flags when deciding which suppliers to work with for your fashion brand or product start up. 
We answer these and much more in Ep 153 of start scale succeed I chat with Sheredene Rose Ex head of design for Monsoon and co-founder of Kappas India a supply and manufacturing company for fashion garments
Tips for Working with Suppliers:
   - Key questions to ask regarding product fit, social compliance, and ethical practices.sampling and MOQ 
   - Importance of early assessment of communication and payment terms.
Product Sampling Costs
   - Insight into factory sampling costs being typically two to three times the bulk cost price or FOB price.
Informed Design Choices:
   - Importance of hit rates in sampling and order placements.
   - Caution against offering too many options and mismatched quantities without market demand research.
*Market Intelligence & Supplier Relations:
   - Necessity for clarity, understanding of pricing, and strong relationships.
   - Warning against unrealistic expectations and frequent design changes.
Guest Sheredene Rose 
Sheredene shares her transition from a corporate design background to founding her own brands and a supply business in Delhi. Post-COVID, she and her partner Gagan pivoted from traditional retail to supporting online businesses, emphasizing the need for a clear product vision and well-thought presentation for success.
https://www.iislaandbird.com/shop/
www.kapaasindia.com
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/

I get it, as a product business owner Linked In may be the last plate you want to spin so it’s potentially not really on your to do list, but this weeks episode of Start scale succeed I chat with Laurie Macpherson on how you can unlock it’s potential and reach your ideal clients and market weather that's a retailer, a journalist or your DTC customer. 
Here are some of the topics we cover 
Power of Human Stories:
 Understand the importance of sharing personal stories and making human connections.
-Optimizing LinkedIn Profile
 Get tips on creating an engaging LinkedIn profile to attract the right connections.
Creating Authentic Content
Find out the best practices for posting on LinkedIn and how to mix personal and business updates effectively.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Discover the pitfalls to avoid in your LinkedIn strategy and how to personalize your approach.
Building Meaningful Relationships 
Learn strategies to build relationships with journalists and other key players without cold DMs.
 
Guest 
Laurie Macpherson  
https://go.lauriemacpherson.com/SignupforLinkedInguidanceandprompts
https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_laurie_macpherson/
www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemac
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/
Watch the full episode on You tube 
https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts
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/

Renee created a bootstrapped business with just £2500 which has grown into a renowned swimwear brand 
If you had said that you wanted to create a business that gave you the freedom to travel and create a nomadic lifestyle, a product business wouldn’t have been the top of my list but Renee has just done that. 
 
In this weeks episode we chat about
Rushing and Rapid Expansion Renee talks about the pitfalls of expanding too quickly and the mistakes that came from rushing important decisions.Challenges in International Markets  Insights into launching in different countries  differences in consumer behavior and trends that required unique marketing strategies.Stockholding and Product Suitability: Discussion on the importance of understanding stock needs and ensuring product suitability for different regions.Current Challenges The hurdles Ode & Rae  faces as it continues to grow, including managing influencer partnerships and finding the right fit for the team that is brought into the business Brand Perception and Key Styles: Realizing the importance of focusing on a few key styles rather than chasing trends continuously.Social Media Presence Renee's decision to distance herself from the brand's social media, and the reasons behind this choice including future business exit strategy and personal imposter syndrome. Investment Considerations  Her experiences with angel investment and the contemplation of further rounds, balancing external investment with her vision for the brand.
Guest
Renée Milner, Founder & CEO, ODE+ RAE
Renée is a visionary entrepreneur and the solo female founder of ODE + RAE, a female owned and led, luxury Swimwear and Ready-To-Wear brand, which she bootstrapped from the ground up in 2017. Through the ODE + RAE brand, Renée is committed to empowering women to feel confident and liberated, as well as inspire others to create a lifestyle that harmonises work and personal freedom.
Renée is passionate about freedom, personal growth, connection, happiness, and resilience; these values are the bedrock of her business philosophy. She advocates for maximising one's potential and living an inspired and authentic life, on your terms. 

 https://www.instagram.com/renee_rayy
https://odeandrae.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ODEANDRAE
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/
Watch the full episode on You tube 
https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts
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 wher

We all saw the numerous collaborations Barbie did before the movie launch from make up to Airbnb 
But many of you don’t have the Barbie budget or the clout of a million dollar movie behind you so how can you make a partnership work for you, why should you do a collab and how do you pitch to the brands you are interested in working with.  They are all of thing topics I'll be chatting with Natalia Chappel about in this episode 
Some of the key topics 
The Power of Partnerships and Collaborations Understanding Complementary Brands and Audiences The Benefits of Partnerships for Reach and Growth Finding the Right Partners: Dream Brands and Unexpected Collaborations Researching and Connecting with Potential Partners Pitching for Partnerships: Creating a Compelling Proposal Negotiating a Partnership Involving a Physical Product Considerations for Profit Split and Stock Management Optimal Marketing Timelines for Product Launches Key Takeaways    
Strategic Partnerships
   - Forming complementary partnerships can help expand a brand's reach and engage different audiences.
   - Clear objectives, understanding of the partner's branding, and aligning with the target customer are crucial.
   - Real-world examples of successful partnerships,
 
Executing Partnerships
   - The significance of clear agreements, expectations, marketing budget, and timelines.
   - The importance of GDPR compliance and transparent data-sharing agreements.
   - Creating excitement around product launches through well-timed marketing efforts and engaging events.
 
Handling Products and Stock
   - Recommendations on focusing on core products to reduce margin erosion.
   - Importance of clear agreements and margins when stocking products exclusively on a website.
 
Tips for Approaching Brands
   - Use social media platforms like LinkedIn to research and build relationships for partnerships.
   - Make pitches concise and highlight unique selling propositions to stand out.
   - Consider the partner’s tone of voice, customer base, and brand values.
 
Challenges and Timeframes
   - Understand that securing partnerships can take significant time, ranging from a few months to over a year.
   - Establish clear timelines, objectives, and deliverables from the start.
 
Guest Natalie Chappel 
 
 Digital Marketing Consultant and founder of Natalia Chappel Consultancy for lifestyle and fashion brands working with brands to scaling up revenue growth & accelerating traffic to site
improving channel mix that focuses on acquiring new customers 
improving retention rate & ensuring a healthy bottom line
www.nataliachappell.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nataliachappellco/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nataliachappell
 
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/
 
Watch the full episode on You tube 
https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts
 
 
Sponsor 
Neon Digital Clicks 
Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store? Want to do it without having to wear yet another hat

How do you inject more personality into your brand, help keep customers engaged and tell a story? One of those ways is by using stop motion in your creative socials, videos and reels. And today I'm chatting with Alice Loveday, founder of Loveday Social and the queen of Stop Motion. 
 
Highlights include 
 
- **Introduction to Stop Motion:
  - Definition and magical elements of stop motion.
  - Why it’s so engaging and valuable for marketing and sales.
 
- **Business Applications:
  - Distinguishing your brand and telling stories through stop motion.
  - Highlighting unique selling points (USPs) and product features.
  - The power of stop motion in social media and paid ads.
 
- **Common Misconceptions:
  - Debunking the myth that stop motion is time-consuming.
  - Tips for creating quick, effective stop motions using minimal equipment 
 
- **Practical Advice:**
  - Recommended apps: Life Lapse and Stop Motion Studio.
  - Top five must-have stop motion content types for product businesses.
  - Step-by-step process for coming up with stop motion content.

Guest Alice Loveday 
​​https://www.lovedaysocial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/loveday.social

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/
 
Watch the full episode on You tube 
https://www.youtube.com/@thebuyerandretailcoach/podcasts

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/

When was the last time you audited your website and looked at it from the point of view of a user? This weeks episode we chat all about increasing your website conversion and enhancing the experience of the user. 
Aime Cox from Studio Cotton is an  expert when it comes to crafting and designing websites  and shares their insights and tips on why your conversion may not be where it should be and what you can do about it. 
Some of the areas we talk about 
E-commerce Conversion Rates:**
   - Understand what makes a good conversion rate and why smaller businesses might achieve higher rates (around 3-3.5%).
User Experience (UX) and Product Descriptions:**
   - Listen to Amy’s golden advice on website optimization and the importance of regular SEO updates focusing on product descriptions and product collections.
**Audit and Optimize:**    - Learn about the importance of regularly auditing your website to identify issues hampering conversion rates. Amy also provides insightful advice on utilizing customer and press reviews to enhance product descriptions.
Guest 
Aime Cox founder 
Studio Cotton offer thoughtfully crafted website design and expertise for small businesses and podcasts 
https://studiocotton.co.uk/ 
https://www.instagram.com/studio.cotton/
 
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/