HOW TO START UP by FF&M Juliet Fallowfield

One of the most challenging aspects is knowing when the right time is to seek investment for your company. If too early your business may not be ready, however, if too late you may slow down its growth potential. 
In this episode, I speak with Jo Fairley, co-founder of the renowned chocolate company Green & Blacks. Jo co-founded the business in 1991 with her partner, Craig Sams, to create the world’s first organic chocolate and the UK’s first Fairtrade-marked product. In recognition of her entrepreneurial talent, Jo received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Studies from Kingston University. 
Jo is one of the UK’s leading female entrepreneurs and has been an inspiration to me throughout my whole career, originally in PR and now as someone who has started a business, so I was thrilled to speak to her about her investment experience and hear her advice on key considerations around the timing of raising investment. 


Jo’s advice: 
If your business grows quickly you may find your cash flow restricted so you will need investmentIf you are lucky, you may be able to play one potential investor off against anotherAvoid being in a situation where you are tempted to take the ‘wrong money’ because you are under pressureYou may need to keep your day job to finance growthBe prepared for investors to want to investigate every area of your business: your contracts, your financial details, your social media history - they will want to see every detailFinding the right investor can be a full-time jobYou must decide how much equity to give away; keep this as minimal as possibleBe aware that with an investor, you lose power and autonomyConsider crowd-funding as a source of revenue, rather than finding a single investorBe mentally fit for this challenge - your well-being is vital for your whole businessFF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &  Licence
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Approaching and meeting investors can be one of the most daunting aspects when growing a company. From knowing where to find the right ones to crafting your elevator pitch, there is a lot to consider. 
In this episode, I speak with Francesca Smith, founder of Frankie’s: a membership for businesswomen that helps them connect, collaborate and engage with finance. As an experienced strategic financial planner, Francesca is passionate about increasing the amount of investment provided to female founders by equipping them with the confidence they need to grow their businesses and demonstrate their value. 
With many founders wondering what to do first when pursuing investors, Frankie shares her advice on how to leverage your existing network, how to identify the right investors and why ‘people first’ is the best approach. 
Frankie’s advice:
Always aim to meet people naturally, by networking or joining a clubBe open to building a relationship through friendly conversation, sharing possible common ground.  Be interested, rather than interesting!Make sure you follow up promptlyIt’s not just about the financial investment, it’s about bringing on board someone who can contribute - so look for gaps in your skill sets and consider areas where you might need helpNever be afraid to reach out and ask for helpLinkedIn and free events can be a useful way to meet the right peopleMake sure your message is clear and concise and that you have a well-defined business planBe conscious of how much of your business you are prepared to give away to an investor; don’t be over-eager to surrender too much in the early daysAlways look at the investors’ track recordWhile you need someone on your wavelength who understands your aims, you also need someone who will challenge you and sometimes disagree with youThe best approach on meeting someone is to find common ground - or appeal to their imaginationAnticipate that finding the right investment could take a year and many pitches, so be tenaciousAlways trust your instincts; you need someone you know/trust/understand, who knows/trusts/understands you in returnFinally, it’s about the people first, then the money
Frankie has some great starter kits available too.
If you’d like to contact Frankie you can reach her via info@frankies.uk.net

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod. 
Support the show

With Barnardo's reporting that on average clothing items are only worn 7 times before they are thrown away, the fashion industry is clearly responsible for overproduction and excessive use of resources. However, many emerging brands are encouraging their customers to shop more mindfully to reduce their personal environmental impacts so I was keen to speak to an expert to find out more.
In this episode, I speak with the founder of the eponymous fashion brand Aoife McNamara who has always placed transparency at the centre of her business.  In contrast to fast fashion brands, she prioritises quality over quantity and encourages customers to care for their garments to make them last. 
Aoife shares advice on building an environmentally transparent fashion business and how important transparency and sustainability are to customers. 
Aoife’s advice: 
Sustainability means putting the planet, people and local materials firstBelieve in: earth logic not growth logicHave your “why” foremost in your mind and if you believe in this it will help you take the more difficult routeBe curious; have mentors/ a board of advisors; network; take courses; go to talksNever be ashamed to askInternship is a useful way to learn an industryWhen making decisions on sustainability you need to show responsibilitySupply chain transparency is vital; be honest with your customers (in fashion this means being honest about the fabric, the makers of the garment, its origin)Educate your consumers,  not to make a profit from them but for the sake of doing itMake each item you create as good as it can possibly beYou will never be perfect but as long as you try that’s the main thingIf you'd like to contact Aoife, you can reach her via aoife@aoifemcnamara.com or @aoife_ireland

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence
Support the show

When building a business from scratch, founders have an opportunity to consider the environmental impact of all their activities, including work travel. According to Statista research, 81% of global travellers believe sustainable travel is important, however, 43% of respondents to a Booking.com survey said they “never, rarely or sometimes” manage to travel in a sustainable way. 
In this episode, I speak with Rafael Museri and Daniel Rudasevski: the co-founders of Selina: the travel company combining beautifully designed accommodation with coworking, recreation, wellness and local experiences. Having founded their business in 2014, Rafael and Daniel aim to make more sustainable travel easier, particularly for founders, and support the local communities living and working near their properties. 
As a big fan of remote working and slow travel, I am determined to reduce my own environmental impact when travelling, so I was keen to hear from Rafael and Daniel on how founders can reduce the environmental impact of their travel as well as how companies can give back to the local communities in which they operate in.
Rafael’s advice: 
When you set up your business, be conscious of ESG from the outsetProfitability will come from this ESG awareness as customers will look out for itBe authentic and credible - customers require reassuranceBe realistic about what you can achieve as you may not be able to tick every box straight awayBuild a long-term plan; measure your achievements regularly; communicate them to your teamTake advice from impartial shareholders; small shareholders who have been with you from the start will have no conflict of interest (unlike bigger shareholders who may be looking for quicker profits)Always try to be prepared for dramatic shifts in the economyLove what you do; if you are 100% engaged it will show and be infectiousIf you’d like to contact Rafael or Selina please drop them a line at: 
FF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence
Support the show

When starting and scaling your business, it’s important to consider the impact of your supply chain on not only the planet but also people too. 88% of respondents to an OpenText survey said ‘they prioritise buying from companies that have ethical sourcing strategies in place’, while 64% of 18-24 year-olds surveyed said they would never buy from a company again if it were ‘accused of working with unethical suppliers’. 
In this episode, I speak with Emilie Holmes, founder of Good & Proper Tea, the tea brand committed to doing things properly. Having founded her business in 2012, Emilie has invested considerable time and money in making sure her business positively impacts the communities within her supply chain. Given how many consumers value companies who prioritise supply chain responsibility, Emilie continually reviews Good & Proper Tea’s own supply chain. 
With many companies wanting to better understand the implications of their suppliers’ actions, Emilie shares her advice on auditing a supply chain, supporting the communities you work with and achieving profitability more sustainably.  
Emilie’s advice:
At every step, consider what is the “right” thing to do, keeping in mind your environmental and social responsibilityAccept that “sustainability” can be complicated and means different things to different people; continually examine what is the right way to goBe honest and authenticAdmit to your ignorance when setting up a business and talk to as many people as possible in order to learnShare your own experience and use recommendations from other business ownersAccept that doing things right will take longer and cost moreIt’s hard to measure these credentials, although B Corp is great because it’s iterative and doesn’t allow you to gain certification and then rest on your laurelsInclude a sustainability roadmap in your business forecasting, and have an impact report in your year-end reportConsumers struggle to understand real sustainability, so be transparent and clear in all that you do and claim to doIf you are feeling overwhelmed, just take one job at a time
FF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence
Support the show

When starting a business, founders have the opportunity to start with a clean slate as well as start as they mean to go on. So the aim of this season is to share as much as we can on how businesses can start with ethical practice at their core. 
We’re all aware of how certain industries do a lot of damage. For example, fashion is responsible for 10% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions [BBC], however the second any business owners turn on a light, they have a responsibility to the planet. 
In this episode, I speak with Ginnie Chadwyck-Healy, founder of VCH Style. Ginnie is an environmentally conscious stylist and fashion writer, who champions considered consumption and a more mindful approach to purchasing products. The former Retail Editor of Vogue, now a contributor to The Telegraph and Grazia, Ginnie became self-employed to help guide her clients in purchasing fewer, higher-quality items and share her philosophy of shopping sustainably.  
Given brands and businesses are all keen to secure editorial press coverage, I was keen to speak to Ginnie about how we can pitch to her with information that she really wants to hear about, how to avoid greenwashing and some simple do’s and don’ts when it comes to sustainable PR messaging. 
Ginnie’s advice:
Leaders need to look at the salary split to ensure change Businesses that promote buy-back schemes and/or recycling of products are doing the right thingTransparency in all aspects of the company is vital; CEOs need a thorough knowledge of the whole production chainWhen pitching with a sustainable message don’t do it via Instagram DM, write an emailPitch emails need to be shortTailor your pitch - and get their name right!A sustained charity link-up can be impressiveStart as you mean to go onAvoid too much gifting; it’s expensive and usually wastefulIf you do gift, avoid extravagant packagingAvoid glossy press releases on expensive paperHave a business coach or mentor to offload ontoStructure your week (eg back-to-back meetings days, desk day)If you'd like to contact Ginnie you can reach her via https://www.vchstyle.com/contact

FF&M enables you to own your own PR. We also offer podcast production services.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2023 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.  Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on instagram @fallowfieldmason. 
Let us know how your start up journey is going or if you have any questions you would like us to discuss in future episodes. 
FF&M recommends: 
LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.Google Workspace is brilliant for small businessesBuzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directoryCanva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.For contracts check out Law Depot.MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link &
Support the show