The Unfounders

Mitch Lee
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Closing the door on my startup opened the door to more opportunities than I could have imagined. I’m proud to be an Unfounder, helping startups grow from day one. I’ve been both founder and Unfounder and now I want to share the stories no one hears; applauding the day one drivers behind brands. You don’t have to start the brand to be the reason it made it. Forget founder fairy tales. We’re here for the Unfounders. Real talk from the people who took the leap (and what they ’d tell you before you do).

  1. #87 - Zoe Fox - The Coconut Collab / Getting to Grow [Head of Business Development / Podcast Host]

    4 DAYS AGO

    #87 - Zoe Fox - The Coconut Collab / Getting to Grow [Head of Business Development / Podcast Host]

    This weeks guest is the effervescent Zoe Fox - Head of Business Development at The Coconut Collab and host of brilliant consumer brand podcast Getting to Grow. Well versed in brilliant conversations, it was nice to dig into all things Zoe, her motivations, passions, career history and of course all about her podcast. Zoe is full of energy, and equally full of wisdom. You're gonna love it! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup 01:33 Zoe Fox's Journey to Coconut Collaborative 06:00 Growth and Team Dynamics at Coconut Collaborative 08:31 Product Development and New Launches 09:47 Passion for Coconut Collaborative and Team Culture 10:53 Key Partnerships and Business Growth 13:01 Modeling Career Reflections 15:07 Starting the Podcast and Its Evolution 18:52 Themes from Conversations with Founders 20:05 Balancing Work and Personal Life 23:06 Embracing Chaos and Productivity 25:02 Motivation and Inspiration from Upbringing 28:23 Navigating Highs and Lows in Life 31:56 Future Aspirations and Goals 34:49 Advice for Aspiring Founders

    38 min
  2. #86 - Lawrence Moore - Oato [Commercial Director]

    26 APR

    #86 - Lawrence Moore - Oato [Commercial Director]

    Today's guest is Lawrence Moore - Commercial Director at Oato Lawrence shares insights from his extensive career in FMCG, from Belvoir Farms to Red Bull, and the innovative approach behind Oato's fresh oat milk. Discover lessons on brand building, manufacturing, and leadership in the competitive food and drink industry. If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:40 Transition to Retail and Unique Selling Proposition 15:27 Challenges and Successes in the Retail Space 22:11 Starting a Career in Sales 28:01 Growth and Management in the Drinks Industry 33:13 Building a Brand and Company Culture 43:15 Finding Balance and Personal Growth

    48 min
  3. #85 - Charlie Pugh Cordero - Foreva Farmers [Growth Lead]

    19 APR

    #85 - Charlie Pugh Cordero - Foreva Farmers [Growth Lead]

    This weeks guest is the brilliant Charlie Pugh Cordero - Growth Lead at Foreva Farmers. They are making quintessentially British drinks, crafted with 100% natural ingredients straight from their Herefordshire farm. The farm operates on renewable energy, ensuring that every can of Foreva Farmers' you enjoy leaves a minimal environmental footprint. I loved getting to hear about the brand from Charlie, and all about his career. He's a lovely guy - and this episode is a beauty, ENJOY! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Foreva Farmers and Charlie Pugh Cordero 03:39 Sustainability in Beverage Production 06:14 Charlie’s Journey to Foreva Farmers 08:59 Growth Strategies and Market Presence 11:55 Product Range and Innovations 14:21 Sales Challenges and Successes 17:11 Future Aspirations and Partnerships 19:59 Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals 22:31 Closing Thoughts and Personal Reflections

    31 min
  4. #84 - Lucy Williamson - STOCKED [Brand Manager]

    12 APR

    #84 - Lucy Williamson - STOCKED [Brand Manager]

    Today's guest is Lucy Williamson, brand manager at STOCKED Now STOCKED make innovative meals in block format, with a passionate community of 'blockheads' and over 16,000 subscribers. I loved chatting to Lucy, you're gonna love it too! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stocked and Lucy's Role 04:00 The Unique Concept of Stocked Meals 06:47 Lucy’s Journey to Stocked 09:36 The Growth of Stocked and Team Dynamics 12:17 Out of Home Campaign: 'Nothing Cooler Than Frozen' 15:16 The Evolution of Frozen Food Perception 17:42 Lucy's Marketing Insights and Unilever Experience 20:29 Advice for Aspiring Marketers 29:10 Introduction to Challenger Brands and Team Impact 29:48 The Excitement of Shaping a Growing Brand 30:39 Challenges of Working in a Startup Environment 31:45 Balancing Multiple Roles and Overcoming Overwhelm 33:14 Team Bonding and Social Activities 34:55 Activities to Celebrate Wins and Team Insights 36:00 Deepening Role Understanding and Team Collaboration 36:58 Music as a Workday Companion 37:12 Upcoming Product Collaborations and Future Plans 38:45 Connecting with Stocks and Final Thoughts

    40 min
  5. #83 - Louis Bedwell - FMCG Industry Advisor

    5 APR

    #83 - Louis Bedwell - FMCG Industry Advisor

    Today's guest is my good friend Louis Bedwell. Louis has spent 10+ years on the inside of the food industry - running innovation programmes with major retailers, backing early-stage brands through an investment fund, and leading a senior membership community focused on climate and health strategy. His job is all about helping brands, retailers, and investors make better decisions about food, and he regularly posts great hot takes on LinkedIn. It's a slightly different one today - but super insightful, you're gonna love it! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Louis Bedwell and His Work 02:54 The Responsibility of the Food Industry 07:14 Building Relationships in the Food Sector 07:35 Early Influences and Career Path 09:53 The Power of Challenger Brands 11:51 Success Stories from Challenger Brands 14:27 Insights from Big Brands on Challenger Brands 17:11 Responsibility in the Food Industry 17:36 Collaborative Solutions in the Food Industry 18:57 Retailers and Challenger Brands: A Supportive Ecosystem 22:08 Emerging Trends in Food: Protein and Authenticity 26:25 Maximizing Brand Impact: Focus on What Matters 29:37 Resilience in the Food Sector: Navigating Challenges 33:08 Advice for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs 36:07 Future Goals: Funding and Innovation in Food

    37 min
  6. #82 - Ellen Whysall - Pukpip [Business Development Manager]

    29 MAR

    #82 - Ellen Whysall - Pukpip [Business Development Manager]

    This weeks guest is Ellen Whysall, Business Development Manager at Pukpip. A brand revolutionising frozen banana desserts. Discover insights on brand growth, product innovation, and navigating the food industry, perfect for aspiring food entrepreneurs and FMCG enthusiasts. If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ellen Whysall and Pukpip 02:39 The Origin Story of Pukpip and Zara Godfrey 03:34 Saving Bananas: Sustainability and Food Waste Reduction 04:46 Ellen's Journey into Food and Drink Industry 06:20 Team Structure and Remote Work at Pukpip 07:58 Industry Events and Networking in Food Sector 08:46 Growing Up Around Family Business and Entrepreneurial Inspiration 10:02 Early Career and Passion for Food and Events 11:47 Transition from Events to Food and Drink Entrepreneurship 12:42 Starting at Pukpip and Early Achievements 14:14 Lessons from Family and Entrepreneurial Role Models 15:24 Skills from Event Management Applied to Food Business 16:57 Market Trends in Frozen Snacking and Product Range 18:01 Favorite Pukpip Products and Flavours 19:32 Impact of Frozen Products on Dietary Inclusion 20:51 A Typical Week at Pukpip and Summer Plans 22:23 Upcoming Events, Sampling, and Trade Shows 23:47 Where to Find Pukpip products 24:18 Highlights and Proud Moments at Pukpip 26:55 Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned 28:32 Advice for Aspiring Food and Drink Entrepreneurs 30:15 The Power of Personal Branding and Industry Engagement 32:11 Future Plans and Exciting Developments for Pukpip 33:42 Recommended Brands and Innovations in Food Sector 34:54 Music as a Reflection of Career and Personality 35:09 Connecting with Ellen and Final Thoughts

    36 min
  7. #81 - Jess Wright - Caravan Coffee Roasters [Sales & Marketing Director]

    22 MAR

    #81 - Jess Wright - Caravan Coffee Roasters [Sales & Marketing Director]

    This weeks guest is Jess Wright - Sales and Marketing Director at Carvan Coffee Roasters. Jess has a fantastic career history, working for brands inlcuding Coca Cola, Emily Crisps, Camden Town Brewery, &Soda and many more! She now leads a team looking after the coffee side of the brilliant Caravan hospitality business. There's so much in this, Jess is full of energy and personality - I know you're gonna love it. Enjoy! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Meet Jess Wright: Career Journey and Role at Caravan Coffee Roasters 05:07 The Unique Culture at Caravan 11:36 Discovering Caravan and the Coffee Industry 13:37 A Day in the Life of a Sales and Marketing Director 16:14 Implementing Deep Work and Productivity Strategies 19:35 Early Aspirations and Career Beginnings 21:04 Educational Background and Initial Career Steps 22:42 Sales Experience at Coca-Cola 24:38 Transitioning to Startups and Unique Experiences 27:07 Working with Innovative Brands 30:51 Navigating Corporate Structures 32:42 Building Connections in the FMCG Community 36:30 Key Lessons from Career Experiences 38:25 Memorable Challenges and Resilience 41:05 Career Reflections and Future Outlook

    44 min
  8. #80 - Aidan Conry - Fearne & Rosie [Head of Sales]

    15 MAR

    #80 - Aidan Conry - Fearne & Rosie [Head of Sales]

    This week's guest is the brilliant Aidan Conry, Head of Sales at Fearne & Rosie - A jam brand proud to produce a range using double the fruit (70%) and half the sugar compared to most jam's in the market! Aidan shares insights into building a successful food brand, navigating retail partnerships, and the importance of authenticity and persistence in FMCG. From early days of being a buyer, to working for brands ever since - there's plenty of words of wisdom in this episode, enjoy! If you want to build a brand consumers love, you NEED to speak with my incredible sponsor ⁠Against Ordinary⁠ - the masterminds behind my gorgeous brand. They have a 5-Minute Brand Test to help you uncover what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where your untapped potential lies. Give the ⁠Brand Scorecard⁠ a go today! Don't forget to check out the ever growing ⁠⁠Unfounders Song Selection ⁠⁠playlist on Spotify.... it's WILD. Ps - Have you got a guest you'd love to hear from? Submit a guest request form on our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Intro by Free Flowin' from ⁠⁠⁠Uppbeat⁠⁠ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/nod-your-head Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Aidan Conry and Fearn & Rosie 03:07 The Story Behind Fearn & Rosie 04:25 Aidan's Journey to Fearn & Rosie 06:47 The Team and Work Culture at Fearn & Rosie 09:41 Aidan's Early Aspirations and Career Path 12:20 Training and Development at ASDA 14:42 Transitioning to the Plant-Based Sector 17:20 The Disruption of Oato and Mighty 20:09 Key Highlights and Success Stories 22:38 Challenges and Setbacks in the Industry 25:29 Future Plans for Fearn & Rosie 28:01 Advice for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs 30:29 Reflections on Career Progression 33:18 Aidan's Musical Anthem and Closing Thoughts

    41 min
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About

Closing the door on my startup opened the door to more opportunities than I could have imagined. I’m proud to be an Unfounder, helping startups grow from day one. I’ve been both founder and Unfounder and now I want to share the stories no one hears; applauding the day one drivers behind brands. You don’t have to start the brand to be the reason it made it. Forget founder fairy tales. We’re here for the Unfounders. Real talk from the people who took the leap (and what they ’d tell you before you do).

Information

  • Creator
    Mitch Lee
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Unfounders

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