Épisodes

  • Grenade's £200M Exit to Mondalez: Juliet Barratt Co-Founder of Grenade LIVE On Stage

    Grenade's £200M Exit to Mondalez: Juliet Barratt Co-Founder of Grenade LIVE On Stage
    Aug 14 2025
    This is one of our favourite interviews EVER! In this very special LIVE edition of Brand Growth Heroes, recorded at Bread & Jam Fest 2025, Fiona Fitz sits down in front of a live audience with the absolutely brilliant and hilariously honest Juliet Barratt, co-founder of the category-defining sports nutrition brand, Grenade. Juliet shares the fab story of how she and then-partner Al Barrett took Grenade from the back of a big night out in Birmingham to the shelves of Tesco, WHSmith and petrol stations across the UK, and ultimately to a £200M exit to Mondelez - without ever compromising on what made them different.If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, PLEASE could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review, AND share it with a fellow founder - it could help them too!The conversation covers so much - from how branding (and “weirdness!”) can be a superpower, to the moment they realised their “retire-on-a-beach” plan was delusional, to driving a tank into BodyPower Expo (yes, really) to get noticed by GNC. Juliet also opens up about how being “all in” meant no days off for four years, about hiring people who weren’t “knobs,” and about what it really felt like when the money landed in her bank account after the deal closed, and interestingly, why it WASN'T the moment of glory people imagine!She also shares her views on today's funding-obsessed food and drink ecosystem, and why she believes too many founders are chasing other people’s stories instead of writing their own.Wait for it...Juliet also shares her (perhaps controversial?!) views on the 'female founder' movement - we'd love to know what you think (if you're listening on Spotify, you can comment below!)Juliet’s energy is infectious, her insight razor-sharp, and her advice unmissable for any challenger brand founder.And yes, we talk about the Oreo bar. (Don’t eat five a day. Just… don’t.) PS: Don’t miss the audience questions at the end. Golden nuggets tsunami! Enjoy.Useful links:Connect with Juliet Barratt on LinkedInFollow Grenade on LinkedInMore about Bread & Jam FestivalFollow Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedInConnect with BGH host Fiona Fitz on LinkedIn============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
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    49 min
  • How Tonic Health Built a Team to Scale

    How Tonic Health Built a Team to Scale
    Aug 6 2025

    From Solo Hustle to Remote Rocketship: How Tonic Health Built a Team to Scale

    In this 5-minute power-packed short, handpicked by MKJ Ignite, we hear how Sunna Van Kampen, founder of Tonic Health scaled from a solo founder to a fully-fledged team—all while navigating the chaos of COVID.


    Hear how Tonic health built their TEAM and CULTURE:


    - Hiring a full leadership team across ops, finance, sales, marketing & growth

    - Building a remote-first culture from necessity (and stuck with it)

    - Balancing speed with values as the team expanded

    - Codifying culture to keep pace with rapid growth

    Handpicked by the team at UK CPG recruitment specialist MKJ Ignite, this SHORT 5-minute golden nugget is packed with insight into what it really takes to scale and what you need to survive as a team while doing it.

    Don’t forget to hit follow for more bite-sized founder wisdom every 2 weeks.


    If you're wondering whether you need help finding the right people or would like some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy from the MKJ Ignite team here!


    Connect with Billy Maddock


    Connect with Immy Southwell


    Connect with Paul Jones
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    5 min
  • How Bio & Me Grew 15X in 4 Years - Without Losing Their Gut Instinct!

    How Bio & Me Grew 15X in 4 Years - Without Losing Their Gut Instinct!
    Jul 29 2025
    Bio & Me is one of the UK’s fastest-growing gut health food brands, co-founded by one of Fiona's former bosses at Nestle UK - Jon Walsh, and leading gut health expert Dr. Megan Rossi. Built on a brand platform that teaches us that consuming loads of different plants each week = better gut health, their award-winning range of granolas, porridges, and kefir yoghurts is now stocked nationwide.In this latest episode, Fiona reconnects with Jon, four years after he first appeared on Brand Growth Heroes, when Bio & Me was hitting £1M in sales. Today? They’re doing £15–£20M annually.You'll learn about: The real growth journey: from founder hustle to scaling a national brandWhy great strategy means nothing without killer executionHow to balance taste vs. health in both product and communicationWhy Jon still answers customer emails himselfWhat it takes to win with retailers as a challenger brandThe magic that happens when you listen to your team and your shoppersJon shares candid insights into what it takes to grow a purpose-led food brand in today’s competitive market, without losing your soul or your edge.Useful Links Bio & Me websiteFollow Dr. Megan Rossi on Instagram: @theguthealthdoctorConnect with Jon on LinkedInFollow Bio & Me on LinkedInMention: Eddie Yoon – co-founder of Category Pirates============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
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    49 min
  • Why Olipop's Co-Founder Dynamic WORKS

    Why Olipop's Co-Founder Dynamic WORKS
    Jul 24 2025

    In this episode of BGH SHORTS: The People Series, the team at MKJ Ignite have hand-picked this SHORT 5-minute golden nugget packed with insight into what it really takes to scale and what you need to survive as a team while doing it.

    David Lester, co-founder of Olipop gives us insight into the human side of the co-founder relationship behind OLIPOP’s explosive growth - growing from an unlikely partnership to a half-billion-dollar brand.

    Hear how:

    • Two very different co-founders turned past failures into this incredible success
    • A mission-driven mindset can become the ultimate competitive advantage
    • Staying aligned (without killing each other) is half the battle!

    Don’t forget to hit follow for more bite-sized founder wisdom every 2 weeks.


    And...if you're wondering whether or not you need help to find the right people, or would like to ask for some advice, why not take half an hour to discuss it over a no-obligation call with Billy from the MKJ Ignite team team here!

    Because your business is only as strong as your team.

    It really shouldn’t be this hard — but it is.

    So let’s make it a little easier!

    Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly frustrated at just HOW HARD it is for founders to find the right people for their business.

    • There are fewer applicants than there used to be for roles in sales and marketing in CPG businesses
    • It's even tougher to find that magic mix of mindset, experience and soft skills— as well as someone who genuinely fits your culture and values.
    • And the process? It's a lot: search, connect, schedule, first interviews, follow-ups, feedback loops — all while juggling a scaling business — and you STILL might not end up with the right person.

    It struck me that so many of the incredible guests on Brand Growth Heroes have shared absolute gold when it comes to building teams — how they hire, how they lead, and what they’ve learned when it all goes wrong.

    So the brilliant crew at MKJ Ignite - Billy, Paul and Immy, have gone through the Brand Growth Heroes archives and handpicked some snippets from the founders of your favourite challenger brands (think Olipop, Child's Farm, Perfect Ted and Tony's Chocolonely), pulling out the best people insights.

    And as a result....BGH SHORTS: The People Series was born!

    • Short 5 min episodes.
    • Golden nuggets.
    • Actionable insights

    Every 2 weeks, we’ll drop a new 5-minute clip - so don't forget to HIT FOLLOW!

    👋 If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!


    Connect with Billy Maddock

    Connect with Immy Southwell

    Connect with Paul Jones


    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on Linkedin


    Have a listen and don't forget to hit FOLLOW so you can collect all the tips, stories, and real-world advice to lighten the load.

    Thanks again to MKJ Ignite for bringing us BGH SHORTS: The People Series
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    5 min
  • Brand Alchemy: The £Multi Million Formula for Challenger Brand Success, with big fish Perry Haydn-Taylor

    Brand Alchemy: The £Multi Million Formula for Challenger Brand Success, with big fish Perry Haydn-Taylor
    Jul 16 2025
    In this episode of Brand Growth Heroes, Fiona Fitz is joined by one of the most influential figures in UK brand building over the last 30 years: the incredible Perry Haydn-Taylor, the creative mind behind one of the most famous brand consultancies in the business big fish®.Fiona first met Perry in 2006 during her time heading up Gü France, and this conversation is full of the same sharp insight, warmth, and strategic clarity that made their early boardroom chats unforgettable.With a client list that includes some of the UK’s most beloved challenger brands - think Gü, Charlie Bigham’s, Dorset Cereals, Clipper Teas, Sipsmith, Tyrrells, St. Pierre, Freddy’s Flowers, sofa.com, and more! Perry and his team at big fish® have consistently helped founders transform big ideas into commercially successful, category-defining businesses.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the most successful founders are “restless in pursuit of better”The Power of Three framework: clarity × focus × effort = sustainable growthHow to articulate your unfair advantage and make the right choice the easy oneThe role of charisma and storytelling in building buy-in from investors, retailers, and consumersHow Big Fish has reframed entire categories — from tea and chocolate to salad and flowersWhy hiring, values, and strategic simplicity are key to scaling wellThis is a candid and insightful deep dive into what matters when building a brand, not just design and packaging, but conviction, focus, and a deep understanding of your customer.If you’re navigating the messy middle of your growth journey, this episode is packed with practical frameworks and fresh perspective.Useful Links:big fish websiteConnect with Perry on LinkedInConnect with big fish on LinkedIn============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
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    46 min
  • The Grocer Gold WINNERS Bold Bean Co: The People Power Behind the Beans!

    The Grocer Gold WINNERS Bold Bean Co: The People Power Behind the Beans!
    Jul 10 2025

    Last night, Amelia Christie-Miller won THE GROCER GOLD ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2025!!

    We're so proud of you, Ed and your team, and honoured to have supported you right from the very start of your journey!!

    Amelia makes the point that this win is not just hers, but that "it belongs to every single person who believed in the bean revolution:
    🏆 The Bold Bean Co | B Corp™ team who've hustled relentlessly to get us into 1000+ stocking points
    🏆 My co-founder Ed Whelpton, who I eventually managed to persuade to join me on this mad journey and has transformed the business and experience for me.
    🏆 Our investors who backed beans when everyone else said "you'll never disrupt Heinz" or “commodity category brands won’t work”.
    🏆 The bean champs who clear our shelves at Waitrose & Partners and send our cookbooks to their friends!
    🏆 The retailers who gave shelf space to a crazy idea about premium jarred legumes."
    (Amelia Christie-Miller, LinkedIn)

    So, in this week’s power-packed Brand Growth Heroes SHORT, Fiona chats with Ed Whelpton and Amelia Christie-Miller, the visionary co-founders of Bold Bean Co., about one of the most complicated but most critical challenges in early-stage FMCG brands: getting the right people into the business.


    From accidental brilliance to strategic investment, Ed and Amelia reveal:

    • Why external advice is underrated
    • Hiring a fractional Head of People (yep, early!)
    • Ditching the office for a ‘connectivity budget’
    • What truly modern leadership looks like

    Whether you’re scaling a team or just starting to hire, this is your short, sharp insight hit.


    This BGH Short is part of our people series, hand-picked by the brilliant team at MKJ Ignite – the FMCG recruitment experts helping challenger brands grow with the right people in the right roles. This short is full of practical people insights. Billy, Paul, and Immy have combed through the Brand Growth Heroes archives to bring you the most valuable founder wisdom on hiring and scaling teams that thrive.

    A new 5-7 minute episode drops every two weeks, so make sure to HIT FOLLOW and don’t miss the next one.

    If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!


    Connect with Billy Maddock on LinkedIn


    Connect with Immy Southwell on LinkedIn


    Connect with Paul Jones on LinkedIn


    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram


    Connect with MKJ Ignite on LinkedIn
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    8 min
  • From Addiction & ADHD -> Creating A Billion Dollar Category - Josh White, Founder Cano Water

    From Addiction & ADHD -> Creating A Billion Dollar Category - Josh White, Founder Cano Water
    Jul 2 2025
    Sometimes the most the powerful challenger brand stories are also stories of struggle, survival, overcoming personal battles and inspiring strength and resilience.In this episode of Brand Growth Heroes, Fiona sits down with Josh White, co-founder of Cano Water, a brand that’s not only challenging the status quo of the bottled water industry but also reshaping it entirely.It all started with a question: Why are there so many plastic bottles in the sea AND why are we still drinking water from plastic bottles when cans are infinitely recyclable?What followed was a radical mission to reduce plastic waste. In the process, Cano Water helped create an entirely new sustainable category, which is now worth over a billion dollars.But behind the brand is a much deeper story.In this raw and intimate conversation, Josh opens up to Fiona Fitz about growing up with ADHD, his battle with addiction from a young age, and how his personal struggles became the driving force behind his purpose. He shares what it’s really like building a fast-growing challenger brand when the industry doesn’t want you to win, the loneliness of leadership, and the resilience it takes to prove people wrong.We explore how CanO Water came to define a new category in sustainability and what it takes to create real change in an industry that often resists disruption. Josh opens up about the early days—what it felt like to be laughed at by retailers and ignored by investors—and the moment it all changed thanks to an unexpected catalyst.We dive into how ADHD has shaped Josh’s journey as a founder, both as a challenge and as a superpower, and the emotional toll of leading a mission-led business when the pressure never lets up. And as a new Dad, Josh speaks candidly about fatherhood, the guilt that comes with trying to balance family and work, and the legacy he wants to build, not just as an entrepreneur, but as a parent.This is a conversation that will stick with you.Useful Links:Cano Water websiteConnect with Josh on LinkedInInstagram & Facebook & TikTok=============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes’ podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don’t forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we’re delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.
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    41 min
  • The Perfect Ted People Strategy: Building the Rocket Ship While It’s Flying

    The Perfect Ted People Strategy: Building the Rocket Ship While It’s Flying
    Jun 25 2025

    In just 5 mins, get your dose of insight and inspiration from Perfect Ted's co-founder Marisa Poster, and their brilliant Head of Sales, Shani Higgs!

    From the early grind of cold emails and constant rejection through post-Dragons’ Den momentum to scaling a £ 30M+ brand with just a 30-strong team, Marisa and Shani open up about how they’re building a really special team culture, as well as the global 'Matcha Movement'.

    Hear how Perfect Ted has become a magnet for kind, passionate, hardworking people:

    • Why hiring for both skills and values matters now more than ever
    • The power of team culture and shared belief in scaling fast
    • Why is it the easiest sales job you’ll ever have at Perfect Ted?
    • How networking and saying yes can change everything
    • Why does working with people you genuinely like make all the difference?


    Hand-picked by the brilliant team at MKJ Ignite

    – THE FMCG recruitment experts helping challenger brands grow with the right people in the right roles – this short is full of practical people insights. Billy, Paul, and Immy have combed through the Brand Growth Heroes archives to bring you the most valuable founder wisdom on hiring and scaling teams that thrive.


    A new 5-minute episode drops every two weeks — so make sure to HIT FOLLOW and don’t miss the next one.


    If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can book a no-obligation call with Billy - or anyone on the team - here!


    Connect with Billy Maddock on LinkedIn


    Connect with Immy Southwell on LinkedIn


    Connect with Paul Jones on LinkedIn

    Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

    Connect with MKJ Ignite on LinkedIn
    Voir plus Voir moins
    10 min