What It Takes with Olly Fawcett

Olly Fawcett
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What does it take to build something? What does building something take from you? In this podcast, we speak with the founders and owners of some of the most incredible brands and businesses to find out the truth about what it takes to build a brand from the ground up, and as founders what going through that process teaches you. Olly Fawcett is the founder of 303, a creative performance marketing agency working with premium brands. Over the last 10 years, he has spent time inside some amazing brands as they have grown and now is sharing those insights through What It Takes.

  1. MAR 9

    How I Built AllSaints From Scratch | Stuart Trevor (Founder Story)

    Stuart Trevor is the founder of AllSaints and one of the most influential figures in British fashion. In this episode of What It Takes with Olly Fawcett, Stuart shares the extraordinary story behind building AllSaints into a global fashion brand, his early career designing for Reiss, and why he walked away from the company at its peak.From growing up on a council estate in Dundee to dressing some of the biggest rock bands in the world, Stuart reveals the creative mindset that drove his success and how ADHD, risk-taking and instinct helped shape his career.We also explore the realities of the fashion industry, the rise of fast fashion, and why Stuart is now building a new sustainable brand that produces no new clothes, using only upcycled garments.This is a fascinating conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and what it really takes to build a global brand.00:00 Stuart Trevor Interview – Building AllSaints, Reiss & Sustainable Fashion01:28 Growing Up in Dundee & First Fashion Experiments05:28 David Bowie, Punk Culture & Early Style Inspiration09:38 ADHD, School Struggles & Creative Thinking13:54 Discovering Fashion College by Accident18:24 Learning Tailoring & Entering the Fashion Industry21:48 Winning the Paul Smith Competition & Early Recognition26:01 Getting His Break at Reiss31:01 Designing Menswear at Reiss at Age 1835:54 Why Stuart Trevor Left Reiss39:47 Founding AllSaints & The Brand Name Story45:10 The First AllSaints Collection in Paris49:55 Building the AllSaints Retail Concept53:55 Why AllSaints Became a Cult Fashion Brand58:21 Dressing Rock Stars & Peak AllSaints Years1:02:22 Why Stuart Trevor Left AllSaints in 20071:07:37 Building Bolongaro Trevor1:12:56 How Fashion Changed in the 2010s1:17:37 Fast Fashion, Waste & Industry Problems1:23:04 Creating a Brand That Produces No New Clothes1:27:54 Upcycling & The Future of Sustainable Fashion1:31:53 Advice for Young Fashion Founders1:34:37 What’s Next for Stuart Trevor

    1h 36m

  2. FEB 23

    From Banker to Stand-Up Comedian: The Story Behind the Success of Eshaan Akbar

    From Bollywood dance choreographer… to HSBC speechwriter… to one of the sharpest comics in the UK.Eshaan Akbar breaks down what stand-up actually teaches you: reading rooms, earning trust, surviving bad gigs, and why “bombing” is often an audience warm-up problem (his words… 😅).If you’ve ever felt like you’re starting late, pivoting careers, or trying to build confidence in rooms that weren’t made for you, this one lands.Chapters 00:00 Who is Eshaan Akbar?01:20 The pre-comedy life04:26 Why comedy started (a course, not a dream)05:51 Family, immigrant pressure, and dad’s support08:16 First open mic, March 201409:13 Mum’s sudden death + comedy becoming a lifeline14:27 Therapy 10 years later + what finally made him face it19:19 The grind years: unpaid gigs, long drives, learning every room29:24 Kings Lynn: the gig that turned ugly 41:38 How he writes: no scripts, built on-stage + reading rooms46:19 Crowd work, social media, and comedy’s new era58:32 Opening for Mickey Flanagan + the O2 arena realityFollow Eshaan: https://www.instagram.com/eshaanakbar/Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 20m
  3. Tricks To Having a Consistently Creative Mind - Ben Hanlin

    04/02/2025

    Tricks To Having a Consistently Creative Mind - Ben Hanlin

    In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with magician, TV presenter, and content creator Ben Hanlin to explore the magic behind creativity. From his journey breaking into the entertainment industry to starring in Tricked and captivating audiences worldwide, Ben shares the highs, the challenges, and the secrets that have fuelled his success. He also reveals practical tricks for unlocking creativity—whether you're a performer, entrepreneur, or just looking to bring more originality into your work. Follow Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hanlin-66508b142/ https://www.instagram.com/benhanlin/https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin?lang=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 33m
  4. Starting a Market Leading Premium Brand from a Shed - Raissa De Hass

    03/26/2025

    Starting a Market Leading Premium Brand from a Shed - Raissa De Hass

    In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Raissa de Haas, the dynamic co-founder of Double Dutch Drinks, a brand that's taken the beverage industry by storm with its premium mixers. Raissa shares the incredible journey of how she and her twin sister, Joyce, started their business from scratch, turning a passion for craft cocktails into an award-winning drinks company. Raissa opens up about the challenges they faced as young entrepreneurs in a competitive market, from securing initial funding to scaling production while maintaining quality. She reveals the key moments that shaped their success, including building relationships with top-tier bartenders and creating a distinctive brand identity in a crowded space. Raissa also delves into what it truly takes to run a thriving drinks brand. From leading with innovation to staying resilient in the face of setbacks, she shares her top strategies for scaling sustainably, fostering a strong company culture, and continuing to push boundaries in the drinks industry. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or curious about the secrets behind building a globally recognised brand, this episode is filled with actionable insights on what it takes to succeed. Follow Raissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raissa-de-haas-02740a61/ https://www.instagram.com/doubledutchdrinks/?hl=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 1m
  5. Claire Williams: What It REALLY Takes To Run Williams F1

    02/06/2025

    Claire Williams: What It REALLY Takes To Run Williams F1

    Williams F1 is a team full of history and success. They have also had their own struggles in their time as a business and as a Formula 1 team. When Claire Williams took over the team, she had some incredible success with the team in 2014/15, but as new regulations came into play, she was hit with many challenges. So what does it take to drive a Formula 1 team forward, in the hard times and the good times? Follow Claire: https://www.instagram.com/clairewilliams_official/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairewilliamsofficial/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 45m
  6. 20 Years of Trial and Error to Find Success – Adam Byatt

    01/20/2025

    20 Years of Trial and Error to Find Success – Adam Byatt

    Adam has been through every challenge that chefs might have to go through, in order to find the level of success they are trying to hunt for. In this episode, Adam shares his journey of growing from Apprentice to Head Chef, to now operating 6 separate locations at the highest level. I learn't so much about sacrifice and dedication in this episode, and it was amazing to hear some of the day to day challenges that Adam overcame to get to each new stage of his career. Follow Adam: https://www.instagram.com/adambyatt/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/trinityclapham/?hl=en https://trinityrestaurant.co.uk/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 49m
  7. How Her Condé Nast Experience Powered Lucy Cleland's Magazine Triumph

    01/13/2025

    How Her Condé Nast Experience Powered Lucy Cleland's Magazine Triumph

    Lucy started her publishing career at Conté Nast after landing her first role in their new client focussed publication department. After becoming bored of the lack of challenges Condé provided her she found her self on a ranch in America trying to write while living a peaceful life. Fast forward a few years, and just before the 2008 global economic crash, she launched a a magazine with her now husband, that is still running today, so how did she do it? Follow Lucy and Country & Town House: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-cleland/ https://www.instagram.com/countryandtownhouse/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@UCiE95hXklR6uGGDYL4ddHWw Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

    1h 17m
  8. Finding Success with a Chaotic Creative Mind - Martyn Odell

    12/23/2024

    Finding Success with a Chaotic Creative Mind - Martyn Odell

    Martyn Odell has had one of the most interesting careers that we have had on the show. From being the lead in a live nudity comedy show as a 20 year old, to working inside Joe Wick's Bodycoach business, and now taking on the global issue of food waste. There isn't much that Martyn hasn't yet done! But how can someone like Martyn achieve so much, and continue to balance the scales of life, work and pure passion? We tried to find out. Follow Marytn: https://www.youtube.com/@UC2qIX8cVL5LY0ZqTz7BjMNg https://www.tiktok.com/@lagomchef https://www.instagram.com/lagomchef/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

    1h 42m
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About

What does it take to build something? What does building something take from you? In this podcast, we speak with the founders and owners of some of the most incredible brands and businesses to find out the truth about what it takes to build a brand from the ground up, and as founders what going through that process teaches you. Olly Fawcett is the founder of 303, a creative performance marketing agency working with premium brands. Over the last 10 years, he has spent time inside some amazing brands as they have grown and now is sharing those insights through What It Takes.

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