Make it British Podcast (Kate Hills)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Make it British Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Apr 2024 | 293 – Save English Fine Cottons | 00:44:01 | |
This week I’m bringing some very sad news - that the UK’s only cotton spinning mill, English Fine Cottons, which brought cotton spinning back to Greater Manchester in 2018, has very sadly gone into administration. In case you don’t know about the history of English Fine Cottons, it was set up by the technical textile spinners Culimeta-Saveguard, who invested £4.8m of its own money, £2m of which was a loan from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to regenerate a former Victorian cotton mill and install new technology to create luxury yarn. A further £1m was awarded as a grant by the N Brown Textile Growth Programme. English Fine Cottons was the start of something very exciting in UK manufacturing, and for this to have happened is tragic. The collapse into administration is caused by the parent group Culimeta-Saveguard going down, and unfortunately that has taken the cotton spinning down with it. Something needs to be done to save our only cotton spinning mill, otherwise this is history repeating itself. So today's episode is a remastered version of a visit that I did to English Fine Cottons in 2019, along with an interview with Andy Ogden, who was the general manager at the time. | |||
| 20 May 2022 | 228 – How to Promote Your Business on YouTube – Linda De Ruiter | 00:39:28 | |
Linda De Ruiter is the founder of sustainable womenswear brand, The Slow Wardrobe. In this episode, we talk about Linda's business, The Slow Wardrobe, how she dresses women to feel more confident, and why she's chosen YouTube as the main marketing channel to drive sales for her business. If you find it difficult to get in front of the camera to market your products, then take a leaf out of Linda's book! She gives some great tips for how to produce video quickly and simply for YouTube, and how to repurpose those videos into other forms of content. Discover:
More about The Slow Wardrobe
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 22 Apr 2022 | 225 – Why Manufacturers Aren’t Getting Back to Your Emails | 00:11:26 | |
Make sure that manufacturers are getting back to your emails by avoiding these four common errors. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 05 Jul 2019 | 069 Live! – Small Batch Manufacturing | 00:54:01 | |
What's the best way of successfully manufacturing small quantities in the UK? In this episode, recorded at Make it British Live!, UK garment and textile manufacturers discuss how designers can work with UK manufacturers. Panellists are: David Williams (Stoll GB & Knit Design Centre) Diana Kakkar (MAES London) Adam Robertson (Kalopsia Collective) This episode was recorded at Make it British Live! This podcast is part of a series of talks which took place at Make it British Live! 2019. Shownotes: makeitbritish.co.uk/069 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 14 Jul 2020 | 126 – Simon Cotton, Johnstons of Elgin – Looking after Scotland’s oldest cashmere brand | 00:36:36 | |
Johnstons of Elgin is the largest textile manufacturer in the UK. The 223 year old company employs over 1,000 people and was the first to bring cashmere weaving to Scotland. Simon Cotton is the chief executive of Johnstons, and in this interview these are some of the points we cover:
Enjoy! Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 16 Jul 2021 | 188 – 10 things that make British-made businesses great | 00:23:21 | |
In this episode, I look back over the first 100 episodes of this show to find out what makes British-made businesses great. There are many common themes running through the last 100 episodes and that I’ve heard again and again from those I’ve interviewed. Here are the 10 things that make British-made businesses great: UK manufacturers are partners to the businesses they make for Katya Wildman (Ep 10), Sian Reekie (23), Tom Glover (72) Transparency is integral to their supply chain Jenny Holloway (21), Adam Robertson (51), Sophie Slater (94) Sustainability is at the forefront of everything they do Ian Maclean (14), Mick Cheema (31) They are finding different ways to reach the customer James Eden (2) Many of them are family businesses Edward Sexton (12), Martin Lowe (47), Peter Phillips (54), Lance Mitchell (55), Chris Woodford (88) Authenticity is important to them Simon Middleton (074) Craftsmanship is worth preserving Keith Hanshaw (6), Genevieve Sweeney (39), Kate Dawson (64), Jenny Holloway (21), Barbara Burton (70) Quality is at their core Andy Ogden (33), Tony Kelly (77), Joel Chudleigh (82), Richard Ince (96), Elaine Stewart (92) It’s not about the money Hebtroco (68), Heraldic Pottery (84) They wouldn’t manufacture anywhere else! Katherine Hooker (35), Tori Murphy (61) Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand | |||
| 02 Sep 2022 | 238 – How to Start a Clothing Brand for Less | 00:17:06 | |
Is it possible to launch a brand with just a few hundred pounds? We surveyed our Make it British members and they gave us the insights into how much it cost them to start-up a brand that is made in the UK, and what they spent their money on. This episode will be really useful for you not only if you are thinking of launching a clothing brand, but also if you already have an existing business and you want to keep a track of your costs. I give you tips and advice for how to keep those costs down. Discover:
Mentioned in this Episode YouTube Live - How to Start a Clothing Brand for Less Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 11 May 2021 | 169 – From make-up artist to product innovator – Phyllis Cohen, Face Lace | 00:50:58 | |
On today’s episode, we’re being joined by make-up artist Phyllis Cohen, who is also the founder of a business called Face Lace. Phyllis started her career as a make-up artist in the ‘80s during the New Romantic era when her illustrative make-up appeared in magazines such as i-D. She’s also worked her make-up magic on everyone from David Bowie and Lady Gaga to Zandra Rhodes. Phyllis is a great example of someone who had an idea for a product that no one had ever made before, and through sheer determination and meeting the right UK manufacturer at the right time she was able to get her idea to market. Her Face Lace is something to behold. If you have not come across Face Lace before, they are elaborate makeup designs that can be applied in a few seconds, look precise, symmetrical and stay perfect until they came off. The original designs looked like lace had been drawn onto the face, hence the name, but other pieces within the collection are encrusted with crystals, pearls and holographic materials. Of course, with every novel new product, there always follows the copycats. And Phyllis tells of the trouble she has had with counterfeits of her designs appearing which she has had to overcome. You can see some of Phyllis iconic work as a make-up artist here: Phyllis Cohen Make-up Archives Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 20 Jun 2024 | 299 – A Visit to Vagabond Bags | 00:16:50 | |
Join me on a tour round a factory! In this episode I'm chatting with Simon Michelson, owner of Vagabond Bags, a sewing factory in Swindon that makes cosmetic bags, shower caps and hot water bottle covers. Meet some of the people working in the factory, hear about the jobs they do and find out how many shower hats one person can make in a day. Spoiler - it's quite a lot! HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand. Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on making in the UK | |||
| 16 Apr 2021 | 162 – Fail to plan…plan to fail! | 00:12:12 | |
A range plan is an essential tool for any product business. Without it you are setting yourself up for failure. Yet many of the small businesses that I speak to that are developing products say they don’t have a range plan. Or they don’t even know what it is! So in this episode, I explain what a range plan is and why it’s a valuable tool for our business. And if you really feel like geeking out on why you should not offer your customers too much choice, take a look at this study I mention in this episode.
Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 14 Jan 2024 | FAQ: How Do I Approach A Manufacturer? | 00:06:05 | |
What are the secrets to getting a response from a manufacturer when you reach out to them? I explain how to word your approach and why you might not be getting a response. FURTHER RESOURCES How to get manufacturers to respond to your emails Why manufacturers aren't getting back to your emails HANDY LINKS | |||
| 05 Feb 2019 | 027 – Mat Booth, Both Barrels – The Importance of Collaboration | 00:40:07 | |
In this episode I chat to product designer Mat Booth, founder of accessory and luggage brand Both Barrels. Mat founded Both Barrels a few years ago when he realised that there was a gap in the market for a travel brand that was stylish, beautifully crafted and functional. He talks about his design and development process, and how he translated that to something that would work with his UK manufacturer. Mat has some very interesting points to make about how UK-made brands can collaborate to bring innovation, creativity and manufacturing together. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 07 Dec 2018 | 007 – The Best Place to Find a Manufacturer | 00:16:32 | |
Want to know the best place to find a UK Manufacturer? In this episode I discuss how you can find a UK manufacturer. I believe the best way to find a manufacturer that’s right for you, and your specific product, is at a trade show. Discover:
Details of the shows mentioned can be found at: makeitbritish.co.uk/007 Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 31 Mar 2020 | 113 – The History of Harris Tweed – Ruth Masson, Harris Tweed Hebrides | 00:27:46 | |
Harris Tweed cloth is renowned the world over. Woven entirely in the Outer Hebrides, using wool from the local sheep, you could say it was the ultimate sustainable fabric. In this episode Ruth Masson, Marketing Manager at Harris Tweed Hebrides, tells us all about the history of the cloth and what makes it so special. More about Harris Tweed Hebrides Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 21 Jul 2020 | 127 – Amy Fettis, AIM Athleisure – What is an MVP and why should you start with one? | 00:49:59 | |
Amy Fettis is the founder of fashion-led sportswear brand AIM Athleisure. When she first launched the brand she made all of the mistakes that many new businesses make - including developing a collection that was far too big, which killed her cashflow. She now uses the lessons she learnt from her own business to help others. Amy supports other brands on a private label basis to go from concept to sample and small batch production. Some of the points we cover in this interview:
More AIM Athleisure AIM Athleisure in the Make it British Directory Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 03 Mar 2020 | 109 – Protecting your design rights – Dids MacDonald OBE, ACID | 00:38:18 | |
On today's episode we're covering a topic that I know bothers a lot of you - how can you protect your designs from being copied. Dids MacDonald OBE has dedicated the last 20 years of her career in helping designers to protect their design ideas. Discover in this episode:
If you're interested in finding out more about how ACID can help your business go to acid.uk.com Our trade show: www.makeitbritishlive.com Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | 270 – Sustainability Insights for Small Businesses with Mark Shayler | 01:04:02 | |
Welcome to episode 270!In this episode I'm chatting with the fascinating Mark Shayler about all things sustainability. Mark is the author of You Can't Make Money From a Dead Planet, he consults with businesses big and small to help them do better when it comes to their environmental footprint, and he is one of the co founders of Reasons to be Cheerful, a platform for spreading good cheer and hope in a world that can sometimes feel bereft of both. We discuss the environmental cost per wear of a garment; why wool is such a great fibre; which is better - recycled polyester versus cotton ( the answer may surprise you); and what other fibres we could be growing in the UK to be more regenerative. About Mark ShaylerMark is a sustainability consultant, author of You Can't Make Money From A Dead Plant, and one of the founders of publishing and events company Reasons to be Cheerful. Buy Mark's Book - You Can't Make Money From A Dead Planet HANDY LINKS | |||
| 10 Dec 2021 | 207 – Celebrating the North of England’s Creativity, Charlotte Raffo | 00:45:25 | |
Charlotte Raffo is the founder of The Monkey Puzzle Tree, a homeware business that creates award-winning, artist designed fabrics and wallpapers with a twist and a conscience. Working with artists and designers to produce the most beautiful collection of products, The Monkey Puzzle Tree makes everything within a hundred mile radius of Leeds. The business has also recently won two awards for it’s design and innovation - a Guildmark for their cork wallpaper, and ‘Best in British Product Design’ award at the Brit List Awards. Discover:
More The Monkey Puzzle Tree The Monkey Puzzle Tree on Instagram The Monkey Puzzle Tree Website Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 25 Jun 2019 | 066 Live! – IP: The Basics & the B Word, Potter Clarkson | 00:45:06 | |
Want to understand more about protecting your designs? Potter Clarkson are Intellectual Property (IP) specialists, and in this talk, which was presented at Make it British Live!, Dave Holt and Sarah Talland present loads of really helpful information about protecting your design rights. If you develop any sort of brand or product and want to ensure that your designs are protected, this episode is for you! Discover:
For show notes and slides associated with this episode go to www.makeitbritish.co.uk/066 More about Potter Clarkson This podcast episode is part of a series of talks which took place at Make it British Live! 2019. Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing! Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 29 Jul 2022 | 233 – The One Thing You’re Probably Doing Wrong With Your Email Marketing | 00:16:40 | |
This episode is dedicated to those of you that put sending an email to your mailing list at the bottom of your to-do list! Discover:
Mentioned in this episode: Book: Do Open: How a simple email newsletter can transform your business by David Hieatt Add: podcast@makeitbritish.co.uk to your newsletter list Subscribe to the Make it British YouTube channel Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 28 Jun 2019 | 067 Live! – Craftsmanship versus Technology | 00:57:33 | |
How can technology help UK textile manufacturing become more viable? Our panellists discuss what innovations and technology are helping make UK textile manufacturing relevant for the 21st Century. Panellists are: Nick Keyte (Gieves & Hawkes) Professor Steven Russell (Future Fashion Factory) Mark Randle (Galaxius Systems) Andy Ogden (English Fine Cottons) This episode was recorded at Make it British Live! Some of the points discussed: – What technology is being used to make UK textile manufacturing more efficient – The importance of craftsmanship and skills – What modern garment manufacturing is (and isn't) – How we can attract more young people into the industry This podcast is part of a series of talks which took place at Make it British Live! 2019. For shownotes and images for this episode got to www.makeitbritish.co.uk/067 Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing! Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 21 Jun 2019 | 065 – Meet the Exhibitors from Make it British Live! | 00:27:45 | |
Join me as I walk you round the trade show floor at Make it British Live! Following on from the Review of Make it British Live! 2019 on Episode 061, this episode gives you the chance to meet some of the wonderful UK-made brands and manufacturers that were at our yearly event. Hear from fabric weavers, machinery suppliers, umbrella makers and carpet manufacturers. Many of our exhibitors are family businesses. Husband and wife. Sons and daughters. Fifth or sixth generation family businesses. If you missed the event you can catch up on it with the following episodes: 061 - Review of Make it British Live! 062 - Tori Murphy - How to get noticed by High-End retailers 063 - Fast or Slow Fashion - Which does the UK do best? 064 - Kate Dawson - How mass-customisation and Innovation are keeping skills alive 065 - Meet the Exhibitors from Make it British Live! Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 23 Jul 2021 | 190 – Why UK manufacturers don’t sample for free | 00:12:08 | |
Some people think manufacturers should do any initial work for no charge in order to pitch for your business. But that’s often not the case. In this episode, I explain why many UK manufacturers charge for sampling – and how that can be a good thing. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 13 Jul 2021 | 187 – How to make sales on live video – Lindsey James, Violet Flamingo | 00:40:36 | |
Today I’m chatting to Lindsey James, who is the founder of womenswear brand Violet Flamingo. Lindsey was making and selling bespoke clothing for her clients from her studio before covid hit. Finding herself with no way to reach customers during lockdown, she started to do regular Facebook live calls from her studio, talking to her customers just as she would do if they were visiting her in person. She soon found that the calls were a great way for her to continue serving her customers during lockdown. Lindsey has some great tips for anyone that says they don’t do live video! Discover:
More Lindsey James & Violet Flamingo Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 28 Oct 2022 | 246 – Made in London – Carmel King and Mark Brearley | 00:25:54 | |
There are around 4,000 manufacturers based in Greater London, making everything from bicycles, ballet shoes, military uniforms, neon signs, umbrellas, mannequins and paint. Photographer Carmel King and factory owner Mark Brearley have produced a stunning book showcasing 50 of the best manufacturers in London. In this interview I talk to them about London’s rich and diverse manufacturing heritage and how they selected their favourite factories to go into the book. Discover:
Mentioned in this Episode More Carmel King More Mark Brearley Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 02 Mar 2023 | 251 – Can You Sell Your Products without Using Social Media? | 00:25:42 | |
Welcome to Series 5!After taking a couple of months hiatus to focus on writing my book, I'm back with a brand new series. I'll be answering all of your most commonly asked questions about manufacturing, marketing and selling products that are made in the UK, and have some fantastic guests lined up for this series too. In this episode you'll hear a snippet from Selling Without Social - a workshop I ran recently, which covers all of the different ways that you can market and sell your UK-made products without using social media. You'll learn:
Selling Without SocialAn online workshop covering 140 different ways that you can market and sell your product-based business without using social media! Sign up at makeitbritish.co.uk/sws and you’ll also get a £10 discount as a podcast listener. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - A 6-month group programme for small businesses who want to manufacture and sell profitable UK-made products. Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 30 Jul 2020 | 128 – Why reshoring is more cost-effective – Rob Law MBE, Trunki | 00:49:05 | |
The Trunki needs little introduction; since its invention in 2006 over 4 million of the animal-shaped ride-on suitcases have been sold and it has become a design classic. What many people don't know is that the majority of the Trunkis have been made in the UK since 2012. Rob Law MBE is the founder of Trunki. He was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease which killed his twin sister at the age of 15. Rob’s illness, and the death of his sister, played a large part in his determination to make the absolute most of his life, and it is this determination that I am sure has helped to contribute a lot to the success of Trunki. What you'll discover in this episode: - Rob's background and design education - How the design of the Trunki came about - The false start the company had and how Rob overcame it - The challenges that Trunki had with manufacturing in China - Why Rob decided to reshore the production of a the Trunki to the UK - The Trunki's infamous Dragon's Den appearance - The importance of design and understanding your customer - Why you should iterate your ideas - How a mentor helped him learn essential business and leadership skills - The challenges of running your own factory About Trunki 65 Roses and a Trunki: Defying the Odds in Life and Business - Rob's Book I’d highly recommend reading Rob's inspiring book. It’s an amazing story, particularly inspiring if you are interested in UK manufacturing, which I know you are if you are listening to this podcast :) Magma Moulding- The Trunki factory Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | 284 – Repair Is The New Cool with Thami Schweichler, United Repair Centre | 00:34:36 | |
Welcome to Episode no.284!Circularity is the buzzword on everyone's lips right now. It's no wonder, when you hear that 350,000 tonnes of clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year. Something needs to be done to stop the mass-consumption that the UK in particularly seems to be pretty bad at! The United Repair Centre, a collaboration between outdoor brand Patagonia, social enterprise Makers Unite, and the Amsterdam Economic Board, is a much needed resource for the clothing industry. And they've opened one up in London! On this episode I chat with one of the United Repair Centre co-founders, Thami Schweichler. We chat about how the URC repair process has combined technology with sewing skills to make repair and circularity available to all, and how any brand can get involved in offering a repair service to their customers. ABOUT UNITED REPAIR CENTRE United Repair Centre Instagram HANDY LINKS British Brand Accelerator - My mentoring programme Kate's Sunday Journal - My newsletter Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 02 Sep 2020 | 133 – The future of trade shows | 00:27:33 | |
How do you feel about virtual trade shows? 2020 has certainly changed the way the whole world works and does business, but if you are in the business of developing or sourcing products, how does that look for you? I can’t see that long haul buying trips will be happening in the way they used to. Far too risky that the whole team might end up quarantined for weeks after they get back, or worse still stuck somewhere and unable to get back. And what does this mean for trade shows, which have been one of the main ways that ranges were selected, new brands were discovered and suppliers were found? In this episode, I look at how trade shows are changing and how that might affect your business. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 25 May 2021 | 173 – Launching an Organic Skincare Brand – Hannah Lovegrove | 00:32:33 | |
In an industry that is dominated by big brands, how can you stand out from the crowd and launch something new? In this episode, I chat to Hannah Lovegrove, co-founder of Lovegrove essentials, about what it takes to launch an organics skincare brand that is made in the UK. Hannah started her award-winning business in 2015 with her daughter Hayley. She has some great advice for how she has achieved such success by putting the customer first and ensuring the highest standards in everything that the company does. Discover:
More about Lovegrove Essentials Follow Lovegrove Essentials on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 14 Jan 2022 | 212 – Where to Source Deadstock Fabric – Deborah Lyons & Piarvé Wetshi | 00:38:09 | |
One of the biggest problems that many fashion firms face is how they can dispose of their deadstock fabric. At the same time, designers often have issues with sourcing materials in small quantities. In this episode, we meet Deborah Lyons and Piarvé Wetshi, the co-founders of Last Yarn, an online fabric marketplace that solves one of the fashion industry's biggest problems. Discover:
More Last Yarn Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 30 Jun 2020 | 124 – To Wholesale, or Not to Wholesale | 00:29:15 | |
Whether to wholesale is one of the biggest decisions that brands have to make, and it is often much more of a difficult decision for businesses that make in the UK as their cost price is often higher. Wholesale was the route that traditionally most brands went down if they wanted to build their profile quickly. But as retailer mark-ups have been increasing over the years, and more direct-to-consumer selling channels have been opening up, wholesaling is not the only way of increasing a brands reach and selling more products. In this episode I run through the pros and cons of wholesaling a British-made brand, as well as some of the alternatives for reaching new customers. Purchase our cost price calculator to see what wholesaling does for your margin. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 18 Jun 2019 | 064 Live! – Kate Dawson, The All in One Company | 00:38:02 | |
Kate Dawson is the founder of the All in One Company which celebrates its 10th year in 2019. In this inspiring and moving talk Kate tells of the highs and lows of founding the UK's original onesie company. Made entirely in the UK, in Kate's own factory in Northumberland, the customisable all-in-ones can be created by the customer using an online 3D builder, making each one unique. For show notes, slides and videos associated with this episode go to www.makeitbritish.co.uk/064 The All in One Company This podcast is part of a series of talks which took place at Make it British Live! 2019. Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing! Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 24 Mar 2020 | 112 – How you can help manufacturers at this difficult time | 00:12:44 | |
The number one concern for all manufacturers right now is how they are going to pay their staff. They need help to support the jobs of their workers and retain their skills otherwise they may be gone for ever. We have so few manufacturers that we really can’t afford to lose any more. What is left of our manufacturing base in the UK needs to be protected at all costs. We cannot afford to lose these skills. In this episode I look at ways in which you can support local manufacturers at this difficult time. Shownotes: www.makeitbritish.co.uk/112 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 18 Jun 2021 | 180 – LIVE: How to make more money making in the UK | 00:15:48 | |
This episode is a lesson to anyone that wants to make in the UK but is struggling to make their pricing work.YES, it is possible to have a thriving and sustainable brand that is made in the UK and be profitable. You just need to change the way you look at things. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 25 Feb 2020 | 108 – Lingerie Manufacturing in the UK – Steff McGrath, Something Wicked | 00:37:23 | |
In this episode I interview Steff McGrath, managing partner at lingerie brand Something Wicked. The collection is entirely made in the UK by Steff's team in Leeds, giving the brand the flexibility to make everything to order. She is now helping other brands to make luxury lingerie in Britain too. More about Something Wicked Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 22 Feb 2019 | 032 – Ethical Audit Committee Report on Sustainability in the UK Fashion Industry | 00:12:32 | |
This week the Government released the Ethical Audit Committee's report into sustainability of the UK fashion industry. The report raised the issue of the unethical practices of some manufacturers in Leicester that are giving ‘made in UK’ a bad name. The report has recommended that there is a more proactive approach to HMRC's enforcement of the national minimum wage in UK garment factories - this action cannot come quickly enough. Those that are operating under the law need to be stopped so that the ethical manufacturers in the UK can be given the opportunity to shine. You can view the full report here: Fixing Fashion: clothing consumption and sustainability (the part relating to UK manufacturing starts on page 15) You may also be interested in Episode 031 when I interviewed Mick Cheema, from Basic Premier, a garment manufacturer in Leicester. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 08 Jan 2019 | 017 – Get Set for Manufacturing Challenge: Day 2 | 00:09:37 | |
Can a manufacturer source materials for you? Whilst some manufacturers may be able to source raw materials for you, depending on the product, in reality most UK manufacturers won’t have the time or the resources to do so. On this episode I look at why this might be - and what you can do to overcome it.
This episode is the second in a series of 5 podcasts that accompany my Get Set for Manufacturing Challenge. Each episode will tackle one of the 5 key things that you need to consider if you want to start working with a a UK manufacturer. To take part in the challenge go to makeitbritish.co.uk/getset and I'll send you all the details. The show notes for this podcast along with a full transcript can be found at makeitbritish.co.uk/017
Get Set for manufacturing Challenge If you are looking to manufacture in the UK but don’t know where to start, join our Get Set for Manufacturing Challenge and be factory-ready in 5 days! Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing Website: makeitbritish.co.uk Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/katehills Instagram: @makeitbritish Twitter: @makeitbritish Facebook: facebook.com/makeitbritish Business Design Centre, London N1 Want to find out how your business can benefit from being at the show? Apply here
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| 07 Jan 2024 | FAQ: How Do I Go From Idea To Prototype? | 00:07:40 | |
Discover the essential steps to turn your idea into a successful prototype. Get practical advice on how to bring your concept to life efficiently and cost-effectively and how to common pitfalls. FURTHER RESOURCES 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer HANDY LINKS | |||
| 03 Sep 2019 | 082 – Joel Chudleigh, Made to Last – Product Longevity for Sustainability | 00:34:56 | |
Isn't it disappointing when you buy something you love and it then needs replacing? Joel Chudleigh wants to solve that problem, by helping people to slow down on their purchasing. His ethos is to buy something that is made to last and enjoy it for a long time. His online retail store, Made to Last, brings together some of the best and most durable products that are all made in the British Isles. Find out what drove Joel to launch his business, and how he sources the products for his store. Discover:
More about Made to Last Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 03 Jun 2022 | 230 – Taking a Break | 00:03:14 | |
We're taking a break from new podcast episodes for a while. Back soon! Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Make it British Newsletter | |||
| 07 May 2021 | 168 – How much does it cost to start a UK-made brand? | 00:19:03 | |
There are a lot of different costs involved in launching a brand. But in this episode, I break it down into four main segments: prototyping; stock; marketing and admin. I also advise on what the typical amount is that new businesses spend in getting their brand off the ground, and smart ways that you can reduce those costs. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 18 Feb 2020 | 107 – Silk Weaving in Suffolk – Laura Gore, Vanners | 00:33:18 | |
Vanners is one of the oldest textile businesses in the UK. They've been weaving silk since 1740, and moved their weaving business from London to Suffolk in the late 18th Century. In this interview I speak to Laura Gore, Vanners managing director, about what makes their business such a special UK manufacturer. Shownotes at www.makeitbritish.co.uk/107 More Vanners Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 09 Jan 2024 | FAQ: Can A Manufacturer Source My Fabric For Me? | 00:06:57 | |
You might think that having the factory source your fabric for you sounds like the easiest option, but that's not always the case. In this episode I explain what your options are when it comes to fabric sourcing, and why many UK clothing manufacturers operate on what is known as a CMT basis. FURTHER RESOURCES CMT or Full Service Manufacturer: What's the difference? 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer HANDY LINKS | |||
| 09 Jun 2020 | 122 – The Importance of Quality – Maria Grachvogel | 00:42:18 | |
London-based designer Maria Grachvogel is renowned for her clever use of cutting to flatter the female figure. In this interview Maria talks about why she has chosen to use more UK manufacturers for her collection, and how changing her business model has helped her to build closer relationships with her clients. She also discusses the importance of quality, and how buying less, of better quality would solve many of the sustainability issues with clothing and fashion. More Maria Grachvogel
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 14 Dec 2018 | 009 – How to Manufacture in the UK for Less | 00:15:36 | |
Do you think that manufacturing in the UK is more expensive? In this episode I dispel some of the myths around making in the UK being more pricey. Quite often it's down to not WHERE you manufacture, but WHAT you manufacture. Yes, the price of labour in the U.K. is higher than it is in many other countries, so products which are very labour intensive will have a higher cost price. But when you compare the cost price of a product made overseas, are you comparing eggs with eggs? There are lots of other factors to take into consideration, and if you do it right, making in the U.K. can be very cost effective. You also have to ask yourself - if a manufacturer is TOO cheap, then why is that? Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 02 Apr 2021 | 158 – What is a Critical Path and Why do You Need One? | 00:17:13 | |
Does the phrase critical path fill you with dread? Or make you jump for joy? When it comes to manufacturing a product a critical path is...critical! In this episode, I cover exactly what a critical path is and when and why you need one. You’ll also find out how to create one, and most importantly, keep it updated. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 25 Oct 2019 | 097 – 13 Factories in 3 Days! | 00:12:47 | |
It's so important to get out there and meet manufacturers if you are developing a product. In this episode I explain the reasons why you should be visiting factories, especially if you are making in the UK because they are on your doorstep. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 05 Nov 2019 | 100 – 10 Things that make British-made businesses great | 00:29:50 | |
In this episode I look back over the first 100 episodes of this show to find out what makes British-made businesses great. There are many common themes running running through the last 100 episodes and that I've heard again and again from those I've interviewed. Here are the 10 things that make British-made businesses great:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand | |||
| 06 Sep 2019 | 083 – Getting Your Product Pricing Right | 00:13:30 | |
It’s very difficult to raise your prices for a product after you have launched it or communicated it to your customers. So how you can make sure that you’ve got them right from the start? Whilst the common calculation for working out a selling price might be to take the cost price and double it, or triple it if you are planning to wholesale, there are so many other factors that come in to play when decided what your final selling price should be and making sure that you’ve got that cost right. In this episode discover the three things you can do to make sure you've got your product prices right and you charge what it's really worth. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 13 Oct 2020 | 139 – Launching a luxury British childrenswear brand – Rachael Attwood, Britannical | 00:35:39 | |
Rachel Attwood is the founder of luxury childrenswear brand Britannical, and a long-standing member of Make it British. The business started life making outwear for babies and was originally called The Great British Baby Company. The brand is known for its coats, which are now made for children up to 12 years old, and an adults line is in development too. Britannical is an ethical brand with a strong commitment to sustainability, using British wool cloth for their coats. The brand has developed a strong aesthetic which plays with the idea of Britishness but in a way that does not take itself too seriously! Discover:
More Britannical Britannical on Make it British Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer – Bonus Broadcast | 00:04:26 | |
Register for the masterclass > makeitbritish.co.uk/5steps | |||
| 16 Sep 2022 | 240 – 7 Proven Ways to Promote Your UK-Made Brand | 00:32:24 | |
UK-made goods have huge value both at home and abroad. Are you doing enough to shout about your own British-made brand? I'll be sharing my 7 foolproof tips you can action right now to sell your UK-made goods. Discover:
Mentioned in this Episode YouTube Live - 7 Proven Ways to Promote Your UK-Made Brand British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | FAQ: How Many Factories Should I Sample WIth? | 00:06:51 | |
Sampling with UK manufacturers can be quite a different ball game to sampling with manufacturers overseas. Here's why you might not want to sample with lots of different factories. FURTHER RESOURCES Quiz: Are you ready to work with a UK factory? HANDY LINKS | |||
| 02 Apr 2019 | 043 – Simon Middleton, Brand Advisor – How to Build a British-made Brand | 00:37:14 | |
What makes a great British brand? In this episode I chat to brand guru Simon Middleton about what makes an average brand stand out from an extraordinary one. Simon is my go-to authority on anything to do with creating a brand and telling brand stories - he's been voted one of the world's Top 30 branding professionals, and his book How to Build a Brand in 30 Days is a must-read for anyone who is launching a new business. Simon was the founder of British-made clothing brand Shackleton clothing, which he launched on Kickstarter and grew into a successful business stocked in stores worldwide. He has also advised the Harris Tweed Authority, and many other household names, on brand strategy. In this interview we discuss what makes a great British brand, and why he has coined the phrase 'contributive business' when referring to organisations that operate with authentic meaning and purpose.
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 06 Apr 2023 | 256 – The No.1 Reason That Product Businesses Fail | 00:12:42 | |
Do you know what the no.1 reason is that product businesses fail? It's not legal problems, it's not finance problems, it's not even marketing problems. In this episode, you'll find out what it is, and how to avoid it. You'll learn:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - A 6-month group programme for small businesses who want to manufacture and sell profitable UK-made products. Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. Enjoyed this podcast? I also have a private podcast called 'British Brand Bedrock'. The British Brand Bedrock private podcast feed answers more than 30 of your most commonly asked questions on starting and growing a British-made Brand. Subscribe to British Brand Bedrock here Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 30 Apr 2021 | 166 – 12 Questions to ask a new manufacturer | 00:19:12 | |
Choosing a manufacturer is one of the most important decisions you can make in the development of your products, so it’s important to find the right one. When you are assessing whether a manufacturer is a good fit for you there are certain questions that you should ask them. Some of these questions you may want to ask over the phone initially, in order to narrow down your choice, but others, such as those about price, are best approached in a face to face situation. In this episode, I cover some of the key questions you should ask a manufacturer to get to know them better. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 14 Mar 2024 | 290 – From the archive: Why UK Manufacturing is More Sustainable with Christopher Nieper OBE | 00:36:03 | |
Christopher Nieper OBE is the managing director of David Nieper, a womenswear business in Alfreton in Derbyshire. The firm was set up by Christopher's parents sixty years ago and is now one of the most vertical textile operations in the UK. Christopher recently invested in state-of-the-art digital printing equipment so that the factory can print it's own fabric onsite. David Nieper already prints all their own catalogues and produce their own knitwear in house, alongside the garment production. In this episode you can hear about the research Christopher commissioned from Nottingham university looking at the greenhouse gas emissions produced to make clothing at the David Nieper factory in Derbyshire. The study then compared these findings to the emissions produced by making garments in China, Turkey and Bangladesh and then shipping them to the UK. It makes for very interesting insights into how making in the UK can be quantified as more sustainable. A big advocate for slow fashion, Christopher has also found that his customers keep and wear his clothes 10 times longer than average. Listen to this episode to discover:
This episode is the recording of a talk that Christopher did at Make it British Live! Online event in October 2020. About David Nieper Watch my Instagram reel showing behind the scenes at the David Nieper factory. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand | |||
| 13 Aug 2019 | 077 – Tony Kelly, Firmin & Sons – The Queen’s Button Maker | 01:07:25 | |
Join me on a factory tour around the Her Majesty The Queen's button maker. Established in 1655, Firmin & Sons are the oldest, privately-owned manufacturing company in the UK. At their prestigious metalworks in Birmingham they make not only buttons, but also ceremonial armour, helmets and other accoutrements. Firmin & Sons' sales manager, Tony Kelly, takes us on a tour to discover the rich heritage of a manufacturing firm that has held a Royal Warrant since the reign of George II. Discover:
More about Firmin & Sons Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 10 Aug 2021 | 195 – Made in Britain Starts Here – Andy Ogden | 00:41:47 | |
One of our epidode's from the very first series that is well worth a revisit is this one with Andy Ogden at English Fine Cottons. Greater Manchester was once known as cottonopolis because it was the home to the world’s cotton yarn and fabric production during the industrial revolution. At the turn of the Twentieth Century, there were 9,000 people employed in the cotton industry in Ashton-under-Lyne, operating 2 million spindles. But after years of decline, the last commercial cotton spinning mill in the UK closed. Three years ago a company called Culimeta-Saveguard, who had been spinning technical fibres in Dunkenfield on the outskirts of Manchester decided to bring cotton spinning back to the UK. English Fine Cottons now supplies well-known designer brands and high street retailers with cotton yarn that is used in bedding, shirts and outerwear. I took a tour around the mill back in 2018 and chatted with Andy Ogden, General Manager of English Fine Cottons. In this interview, you’ll hear all about how English Fine Cottons came about, and how they are closing one of the broken loops in the UK’s fragmented textile supply chain. More about English Fine Cottons My visit to Tower Mill when it was still a building site in 2016 Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 04 Oct 2019 | 091 – Britwashing. What is it? and how to avoid it | 00:18:32 | |
You've probably heard of greenwashing? But how about Britwashing? This episode tells you everything you need to know about what Britwashing is, and how to spot it. Sadly becoming all too common amongst brands and retailers trying to sell products for their own commercial gain under false pretences, I also call this 'fake it British'. There are several ways to spot it, and in this episode I uncover what they are. If you enjoy this episode you might also like these: 036 - What can be labelled as made in the UK? 043 - Should I use made in Britain or made in the UK? Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 04 May 2021 | 167 – Building a Business With Your Customer in Mind – Rowena Howie | 00:40:39 | |
Rowena Howie’s Revival Retro store in central London is a destination shop for fans of her flattering dresses and stylish accessories. In this episode we chat about how Rowena has pivoted her business to online whilst the shop has been closed; how the government could help independent retailers; and how she puts the customer at the heart of everything she does. She’s also got some great advice for any small business that is thinking of working with influencers. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 11 Nov 2022 | 247 – Attracting Customers & Creating Raving Fans | 00:37:21 | |
How do you attract the right peoplt to your brand, and keep them coming back for more? In this excerpt from one of the sessions at the Make it British Virtual Forum, you'll hear the ways in which three successful business founders are marketing their brands - and some of the tips they share may surprise you! My guests are Justine Tabak, from womenswear brand Justine Tabak; Jack Millington, from leathergoods brand Billy Tannery and Rosie Macpherson, from dog travel brand Where's Winnie. Discover:
Enjoyed this Episode Get Access to the full video recording of this session and all of the other sessions from the Make it British Virtual Forum. More Justine Tabak More Where's Winnie More Billy Tannery Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 07 Jan 2020 | 101 – Nine Manufacturing Trends for 2020 and Beyond | 00:31:00 | |
What will 2020 hold for UK manufacturing? In the first episode of the year, and the new series, I look at some of the trends that I think will impact manufacturing in the coming 12 months. What's changed since this time last year? And what is the single biggest thing that will impact UK manufacturers and brands that make in the UK? Listen to this episode to hear my predictions - and let me know if you think I've missed anything out! Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 05 Apr 2019 | 044 – What To Do When Manufacturing Goes Wrong | 00:15:22 | |
Unfortunately, mistakes can, and do, happen in manufacturing, but there are ways to avoid it. In this episode we look at:
If you are struggling to find and work with UK manufacturers I can help. Sign up for my Get Set for Manufacturing course here Show notes for this podcast can be found here: www.makeitbritish.co.uk/044
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 21 Jan 2020 | 103 – What does a manufacturer include in a cost price? | 00:18:46 | |
What does a manufacturer include - and NOT include - in a cost price? In this episode I breakdown what you can expect a manufacturer to take into account when they quote you a price. And how to make sure that there a no nasty surprises when you get your final bill. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos.
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| 03 Oct 2023 | Series 6 Coming Soon! | 00:03:30 | |
Hello and welcome to Series 6 of the Make it British podcast.After a 6 month break the Make it British Podcast is coming back! The first episode will be released on Friday 6th October 2023.I have so much to fill you in on! Thanks to everyone that has requested more podcast episodes. It wasn't until I stopped doing them that I truly realised how much everyone loved and missed them. A lot has changed at Make it British since I last recorded an episode of the podcast. And it's been so long since I recorded one that I almost forgot how to do it! But I've dusted the old mic off and will be bringing you an episode weekly (usually on a Friday) for the foreseeable future. In the new series I'll be sharing tons of tips and advice for making in the UK, and getting into the nitty gritty of running a small business that is made in Britain. With lots of special guests who have been there, done it and are wearing the British-made T-shirt to prove it! You'll also hear from UK manufacturers in the fashion and textile sector and there'll also be a few surprise guests from other sectors sharing useful advice that I think you'll want to hear. Some of the episodes will also be recorded as videos and shared on my YouTube channel. So if you want to make sure that you don't miss an episode, subscribe to the Make it British podcast in your favourite podcast app and also over on YouTube. In the meantime, you can find a whole back catalogue of over 260 episodes of this podcast on my website at makeitbritish.co.uk/podcast or in the app that you are listening to this in now. And if you want to contact me about anything you hear on the podcast please drop me an email to kate@katehills.me that way your message will go into my VIP folder. Thank you so much for listening to this little trailer. And I look forward to bringing you series 6 of the Make it British podcast! www.makeitbritish.co.uk | |||
| 30 Jul 2019 | 075 Live! – Paul Alger MBE, UKFT | 00:34:08 | |
Made Here, Sold Everywhere The UK imports considerably more fashion and textiles than it exports. But the UK Fashion & Textile Association are aiming to address that. Paul Alger is Director of International Business at the UKFT. Over the last 30 years Paul has helped thousands of fashion and textile designers and brands to export their products. He was recently awarded an MBE for his services to exports in the UK fashion industry. In this talk, which Paul gave at Make it British Live!, he covers everything you need to know about exporting your British-made brand, including:
If you want to learn how to export with success then Paul Alger is the go-to person to help you. More about UKFT Shownotes and slides from Paul's presentation can be found at www.makeitbritish.co.uk/075 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 24 Sep 2019 | 088 – A Visit to a Footwear Factory – Crown Northampton | 00:39:15 | |
Join me on a tour round Crown Northampton's footwear factory In this episode I chat to Chris Woodford, owner of Chancery Footwear, the factory which makes the Crown Northampton collection, and Mark Higgs, brand manager for Crown Northampton. Launched only a couple of years ago, Crown Northampton is quite different to the other shoemakers in the famous footwear town. Instead of making the traditional Goodyear-welted shoes which the region is known for, Crown's signature product is a leather sneaker. Hear how Chris has completely reinvented the family business, which was founded by his great-grandfather in the early 1900s, to create a growing made in England footwear brand for the 21st century. Already very successful in Japan, Chris and Mark have big plans for the future of the Crown Northampton brand.
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 24 Aug 2021 | 199 – 11 tips for starting a UK-made brand | 00:18:18 | |
Starting any business can be tough - especially one that involves making products! Whether you are just about start a brand, or you've already launched and it's not quite going to plan, here are 11 tips that will help ensure success. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 09 Sep 2022 | 239 – Customer Service Secrets for British-Made Brands | 00:43:02 | |
Want to know how to create a loyal following and keep happy customers coming back for more? Kate Barker (Lime Tree Design), Sue Longmore (Maude and Fox) and Linda de Ruiter (The Slow Wardrobe) share the customer service secrets that have grown their product businesses. Discover:
Mentioned in this Episode YouTube Live - Customer Service Secrets for British-Made Brands British Brand Accelerator - Apply now and find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 30 Apr 2019 | 051 – Adam Robertson, Kalopsia Collective – Small Batch Manufacturing | 00:34:54 | |
Kalopsia Collective is a social enterprise run by Adam Robertson and his wife Nina Falk. They do small batch manufacturing for designers and printmakers and in a simple and transparent way. Their aim is to create a sustainable alternative to traditional production systems using their assemble manufacturing method, thereby minimising waste and environmental impact with the added benefits of small minimum orders orders and lower materials costs. Kalopsia Collective are finalists in this year’s Made in Scotland awards. In this interview Adam discusses:
More about Kalopsia Collective Kalopsia Collective are exhibiting at Make it British Live! Meet them there on 29 & 30 May at Business Design Centre, London. Mentioned in this podcast: Registering as a Community Interest Company School for Social Entrepreneurs Shownotes: www.makeitbritish.co.uk/051 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 16 Jun 2020 | 123 – A pivotal time for UK retail | 00:15:47 | |
It’s back to business this week for many retailers - but how will shopping change post-lockdown? And what effect will this have on businesses that manufacture locally? Whilst some people are rushing out hoping to secure a bargain on the seasonal stock that retailers are trying to shift before the summer ends, many others will be slightly more reticent about heading out to busy high streets and shopping centres. Lockdown has created a sense of community and of supporting local businesses. This presents a great opportunity for small businesses and favours those that manufacture locally as consumers turn their back on imported goods. I think we’ll start to see high streets change and become much more focused around community and independent shops. It’s an interesting time. If you're a UK-made business you're in a great position right now as we go through this time of extraordinary change. In this episode I offer advice for how locally made businesses can make the most of this big change in consumer buying behaviour. Holly Tucker's Open Letter to British Shoppers Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 18 Mar 2022 | 221 – 8 Tips for Selling to Retail Buyers | 00:24:22 | |
Do you want to wholesale your UK-made brand, but don't know where to start? Is this episode we look at some of the potential pitfalls, and I give you my top 8 tips for success when selling to retail buyers. Discover:
Further listening: 124 - To Wholesale, or Not to Wholesale 062 - Live! – Tori Murphy – How to get noticed by high-end retailers Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 26 May 2020 | 120 – The Bespoke English Shirt Maker – Emma Willis, Emma Willis London | 00:36:44 | |
Emma Willis founded her shirt making business in 1989. She has had a shop on London's famous Jermyn Street for over twenty years and all of her bespoke and ready to wear shirts are made in England. The Emma Willis Factory in Gloucestershire has a team of dedicated seamstresses and cutters and she runs a successful apprenticeship programme which is helping to develop the next generation of shirtmakers. In this interview Emma tells the story of how her shirt business came about, and how she has seen the shirt making industry change over the last two decades. More about Emma Willis Emma Willis London on Instagram
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 02 Nov 2023 | 265 – Mastering the Art of Selling at Pop-ups with Pip Chawner, Philippa London | 00:37:06 | |
Welcome to Episode 265 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode I'm chatting with Pip Chawner, who is the founder of womenswear brand Philippa London. Pip has got some fantastic tips to share about her experiences of setting up her brand; some of the challenges she's had along the way, including a bit of a tricky experience with a manufacturer in India; and how she has had great success selling her products at pop-ups and live events. So if you've ever thought about doing a live event, but you're a little bit nervous about how to do it and how to sell at these events, then Pip has got some great advice for you. ABOUT PIP CHAWNER Pip Chawner is the founder of Philippa London, a luxury brand, sustainably and ethically sourced within the UK. Pip previously worked for many years in sourcing and production for Nichole Farhi, French Connection and Gap Inc in London and San Francisco. HANDY LINKS Mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 06 Oct 2020 | 138 – You don’t have to be a b*tch to succeed in fashion with Elizabeth Stiles | 00:42:30 | |
Elizabeth Stiles is a straight-talking fashion buyer turned small business consultant. She helps fashion brands with their marketing, manufacturing and mindset, and has worked with clients such as Lucy & Yak and Olivia Rose. Discover:
Mentioned in this episode: Film: Greed: Steve Coogan - about a billionaire fashion tycoon who runs a chain of high street stores that use cheap labour in low-cost countries Book: That will never work: The birth of Netflix by the first CEO and co-founder Mark Randolph More Elizabeth Stiles Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 01 Jun 2020 | 121 – An update on PPE | 00:17:26 | |
We've had two pieces of good news this week so I thought I'd share them with you in this episode. The first is that the government has now officially placed orders with UK manufacturers for millions of pieces of PPE. And the second is that the Fashion Roundtable's campaign to get garment and textile roles onto the Shortage Occupation List has progressed to the next stage. Further listening Ep 114 - PPE - Can we make it in the UK? Ep 116 - Where are we on PPE? Ep 104 - How can we solve the skills issue post-Brexit with Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable Ep 002 - Interview with James Eden, Private White VC Further Reading A letter to Boris about PPE More Make it British Make it British Directory - search for brands and manufacturers that make in the UK Find a UK Manufacturer - ways we can help you find your perfect manufacturing partner Make it British Live! - our trade show
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| 11 Jun 2019 | 062 Live! – Tori Murphy – How to get Noticed by High End Retailers | 00:31:56 | |
Tori Murphy trained in textiles at the Royal College of Art and established her home textiles brands in 2012. Starting with just 12 metres of fabrics to produce a few cushions, she now manufactures 8,000m of fabric a year, with a growing reputation for quality, modern fabrics and homeware, manufactured in a traditional way and all 100% woven and made in England. Her brand is stocked worldwide, including in Harrods and Heals in the UK. She has also collaborated with global brands such as Jo Malone and Estee Lauder. Tori's advice in this podcast includes:
Tori Murphy Website Tori Murphy on Instagram This podcast is part of a series of talks which took place at Make it British Live! 2019. Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing!
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 23 Apr 2021 | 164 – 8 Things to look out for when visiting a manufacturer | 00:11:26 | |
When you go to visit any manufacturer for the first time it’s your opportunity to find out exactly how they operate. The more factories you visit the more you come to learn what makes a good fit for you and your business. But there are several key aspects to a well-run factory that you can look out for that should help to inform your decision as to whether you’re in a good place. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 15 Feb 2024 | 286 – 21 Tips for Building a Great British Brand | 00:23:35 | |
Hear from 21 business founders as they give their tips on starting and growing a British-made brand. These snippets were taken from 21 different guest interviews on this podcast. If you want to listen to the full episodes you can find them as follows: Ep.142 Julie Deane, Cambridge Satchel Company Ep.076 Jack Millington, Billy Tannery Ep.143 Kath Whitworth, Celtic & Co Ep. 41 Paul Smithers, Halycon Blue Ep 179 Rebecca J Mills Ep 171 Rich Keegan & Linda Souto Maior, Usual Objections Ep 23 Sian Reekie, Hettie Co Ep 78 Katie Walker Furniture Ep 27 Matt Booth, Both Barrells Ep 139 Rachael Attwood, Britannical Ep 108 Steff McGrath, Something Wicked Ep 82 Joel, Chudleigh, Made to Last Ep 96 Richard Ince, James Ince & Sons Umbrellas Ep 120 Emma Willis Ep 39 Genevieve Sweeney Ep 129 Samanth Brooke, Waring Brooke Ep 88 Chris Woodford, Crown Northampton Ep 141 Emma Mathews, Socko Ep 153 Gillian Tusting, Tusting | |||
| 27 Oct 2020 | 141 – How to darn socks…and other ways to have a more sustainable wardrobe – Emma Mathews, Socko | 00:37:05 | |
Emma Mathews is the founder of sustainable sock brand Socko and the author of 'How to quit fast fashion; 100 expert tips for a sustainable wardrobe' In this episode, she talks about how she went from a career in advertising to launching a sock business, and why we should all learn the lost art of darning socks. Discover: - How Emma found her manufacturer and learnt the process of industrial sock manufacturing - Why the most sustainable clothes are the ones you already own - Why we should all learn the lost art of darning - How to darn your socks - it's a lot easier than you think! - How socks fit into the circular economy More about Emma Socko Emma's book - How to quit fast fashion: 100 expert tips for a sustainable wardrobe Shownotes www.makeitbritish.co.uk/141 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 23 Apr 2019 | 049 – Bianca Elgar – How to Choose the Right Manufacturer | 00:27:15 | |
Bianca Elgar is a print designer, and founder and creative director of the Bianca Elgar brand. I first met Bianca not long after I founded Make it British, when she came to me looking with help to develop her first fashion collection using her prints. Her business has now evolved from a capsule collection of clothing to a lifestyle brand, using her designs to create statement pieces for interiors and lifestyle. In this interview Bianca talks about how when a good design and great manufacturing come together it creates alchemy - which is a great way of looking at it! She explains why it's so important to find the right manufacturer, and advice on how to choose the perfect one. Some of the topics discussed: - Transitioning from screen print to digital print - Evolving a business from one product area to a new one - Tips on how to choose the right manufacturer - Creating heirloom pieces
Bianca Elgar Lifestyle Products Show notes: www.makeitbritish.co.uk/049 Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 11 Jun 2021 | 178 – The real reason you aren’t making any money with your UK-made business | 00:10:54 | |
I get contacted all the time by people looking for ‘more affordable’ UK manufacturers. They’re not making any money in their business and they believe it’s all the manufacturer’s fault because their prices are too high.
But when I dig a little deeper, often I find that there are other parts of the business that need to be addressed first in order for them to make any money. So before you decide to jump ship from your current manufacturer, let’s ask a few questions and see what else might need to be changed first... Apply for my live private training “The 3-part framework for developing profitable UK-made products with ease” - katehills.co.uk/framework Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 22 Feb 2024 | 287 – How To Sell Your Products | 00:12:11 | |
Today's episode is all about selling and sales, and how it's closely linked to product development. A lot of creative business owners say that they aren't any good at selling, so the natural tendency is to drop their prices or default back to making more products. I'm going to give you a different way of looking at sales, so that selling doesn't make you feel like a used car salesman. | |||
| 26 Nov 2019 | BONUS: 6 Reasons why UK-made gifts are more sustainable | 00:09:51 | |
Have you bought your Christmas gifts yet? Well, if you haven't, stop right there. Before you get bombarded by all the Black Friday deals, listen to this episode of the Make it British podcast and find out why buying a British made Christmas gift is more sustainable. This is a bonus Christmas episode. Series 2 of the Make it British Podcast starts in January. Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don't miss it! | |||
| 25 Nov 2022 | 249 – Luxury Silk Scarves Celebrating the Art of Science – Siwan Oldham, By Biology | 00:25:27 | |
Meet Siwan Oldham, the founder of ByBiology, a business that is giving to scientific research by creating the most beautiful luxury silk scarves. Siwan talks about how her business idea came about, the reason she decided to manufacturer in the UK, and her journey so far in building the brand. Discover:
More By Biology
Mentioned in this Episode British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Luxury Silk Scarves Celebrating the Art of Science - Watch on YouTube Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 10 May 2019 | 054 – Peter Philips, Abbey England – Growing the UK Leather and Saddlery Industry | 00:29:49 | |
In this episode I interview Peter Philips of Abbey England about his family business based in Walsall - the heart of the saddlery industry. Peter gives some great insights, not just into the leather and saddlery industry, but into the UK manufacturing and supply industry in general. There's no other company quite like Abbey England. Originally set-up to supply the equestrian industry they have diversified over the years by taking on manufacturing businesses, who may otherwise have ceased trading or moved offshore; including a foundry, rubber moulding plant and leather finishers. Abbey England are now a one-stop shop for all things involved in leather goods, supplying a diverse range of markets from fashion to the marine industry. In this interview Peter discusses:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | 292 – Reviving the UK Button Making Industry with Courtney & Co Button Makers | 00:31:34 | |
Today's guests are Andrea and David Courtney from Courtney & Co buttonmakersBack in 2012 I was contacted by someone who was trying to save the UK’s last remaining horn button maker - Grove & Sons. He was looking for investors to buy up the machinery and pattern books from the business so that the art of natural button making in the UK was not lost. Well it turns out that the investor that this guy eventually found was someone called David Courtney, who saw an ad to buy the machinery and patterns, and decided that he wanted to help. But things are never as easy as the seem, and this initial investment took David Courtney down a very long and winding path to bring button making back to the UK. Over a decade later and David Courtney now has an amazing button-making factory in the Cotswolds, with state of the art machinery, producing buttons from 3 different types of materials. He’s also enlisted his lovely wife Andrea to head the factory up, and they now supply the most beautiful buttons to brands and designers wanting an authentic UK-made button, still made using the original patterns that David saved from Grove & Sons. This interview was recorded onsite in their factory in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, and Andrea and David recount the full tale of how Courtney & Co buttons got to where they are today. About Courtney & Co FURTHER RESOURCES Quiz: Are you ready to work with a UK factory? HANDY LINKS | |||
| 04 Jun 2019 | 060 – Diana Kakkar, MAES London – High End Product Development in the Fashion Industry | 00:34:23 | |
Diana Kakkar runs a high end, small batch manufacturing unit in East London. She works with some well-known fashion designers as well as start-ups, helping them to produce their collections. Diana has some great tips for anyone wanting to understand about fashion manufacturing in small quantities. In this episode discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 30 Mar 2021 | 157 – Tapping into Deadstock Materials – Dessy Tsolova | 00:37:28 | |
How can you find deadstock materials for your brand? In this episode, Dessy from Fashion Insiders & Co and I discuss some of the challenges of starting a fashion brand, including one of the biggest challenges of all, which is how to find raw materials in small quantities. Dessy has recently launched a platform call My Factori which hosts online pop-up sales selling raw materials that designers may otherwise not have access to. It also solves a problem for the manufacturers that have cash tied up in raw materials sitting in their factories that they can’t use. Discover:
More about Dessy Tsolova and Fashion Insiders & Co Fashion Insiders & Co website MyFactori website Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 22 Oct 2019 | 096 – A visit to an umbrella factory – Richard Ince, James Ince & Sons | 00:30:46 | |
Take a tour round a traditional East End umbrella factory with me as we visit James Ince & Sons. Richard Ince is the sixth generation of a family business which was founded 215 years ago. East London was once the centre for umbrella making in the UK due to its proximity to the City of London where many of them were sold. Find out about the history of umbrella making in the UK and how they are made as we take a walk around a (rather noisy) umbrella factory. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 23 Mar 2021 | 155 – Creating change in the UK fashion industry – Lee Akpareva | 00:43:04 | |
Lee Akpareva is a fashion designer, tailor and technology consultant. He's also creative director of Never Fade, a fashion store and creative space on Old Compton Street in London. We chat about collaborations within the fashion industry, helping new designers get a head start, and how blockchain and technology are impacting the fashion industry and manufacturing. Discover:
More about Lee Akpareva
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 25 Dec 2018 | 012 – Edward Sexton, Glencroft Countrywear – Why we Support the Independent Retailers | 00:28:33 | |
Today I am interviewing Edward Sexton from Glencroft Countrywear, a company that have been members of Make it British from the very early days. Glencroft is a family business selling British wool and sheepskin products, as well as traditional country wear such as tweed hats. The business was started by Edward’s father, Richard Sexton, who still to this day trims all of the sheepskin rugs himself by hand. Discover - Why it's important to support local independent stores. - Why testing a product before it is launched is so important - Advice on how to source manufacturers Glencroft Countrywear Trustworthy British Clothing established North Yorkshire 1987 Retail: www.glencroftcountrywear.co.uk Trade: www.glencroftwholesale.co.uk Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 28 Dec 2018 | 013 – 10 Mistakes People Make When Starting a Brand Made in the UK | 00:22:09 | |
Are you thinking of starting a brand that is made in the UK, or developing a new product? In this episode I cover the 10 mistakes that people make when launching a new product, and give tips on how to avoid them. Subscribe to this podcast – and support UK manufacturing Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 07 Mar 2024 | 289 – Creating Adaptive Clothing with Caron McLuckie from Bealies Adaptive Wear | 00:30:45 | |
In this episode of the Make it British podcast, Karen McCluckie, the director of Bealies Adaptive Wear, shares her inspiring journey of creating adaptive clothing for wheelchair users and disabled individuals. Motivated by her son's disability and the lack of suitable clothing options in the market, Karen embarked on a mission to design stylish and functional joggers tailored to the needs of wheelchair users. From the initial idea to overcoming challenges and securing funding, Karen discusses the process of bringing her innovative designs to the market while juggling her role as a social worker. With a commitment to UK manufacturing and a vision for expanding her product range, Karen's story highlights the power of innovation and determination in creating inclusive fashion solutions. About Caron McCluckie | |||
| 01 Dec 2020 | 146 – LIVE: No Black Friday | 00:23:33 | |
This is a recording of an Instagram live that I did on the last Friday in November. A day often referred to in the retail calendar as Black Friday. I discussed why the heavy discounting from many stores at this time of year are not really deals at all, and why many UK-made brands don't do heavy discounting. Discover: - The tricks big retailers use on Black Friday - Why most UK-made brands don't take part in these 'deal days' - Some of the other ways that small businesses are 'giving back' instead of doing deals. I refer to the BBC article 'Most Black Friday products were 'same price or cheaper' beforehand. Work with me - find out how we can work together to build your British-made brand Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 08 Jun 2021 | 177 – A guide to digital textile printing – Debbie McKeegan, Texintel | 00:56:19 | |
Debbie McKeegan has over 30 years experience in textile printing - specifically digital printing. She is the founder of TexIntel, a platform that provides fantastic knowledge and advice to the digital print industry and also the host of the Texintel podcast. In this episode Debbie answers all your burning questions about digital printing. So if you find fabric printing, particularly digital fabric printing, confusing and frustrating, this episode will help to address many of your questions. Discover:
Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 05 Mar 2019 | 035 – Katherine Hooker – Creating the Perfect Coat | 00:36:58 | |
Katherine Hooker started her business with one garment and has been perfecting it ever since In this episode designer Katherine Hooker tells the story of how she took a garment from her wardrobe that she loved, and turned it into a successful business. Part of that success has been due to Katherine's dedication to craftsmanship and creating a perfect fit. In this interview she talks about how she found her manufacturer and what that partnership means to her today. Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator - Find out how you can work with me to build your British-made brand Join Make it British - become a member of our community and promote your business in our directory or UK-made brands and manufacturers Make it British on YouTube - subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch many of the podcast episodes as videos. | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | FAQ: Do I Really Need To Provide The Factory With A Tech Pack? | 00:05:25 | |
Tempted to skip this step? Find out why that might be a bad idea, and how having a tech pack can save you money in the long run. FURTHER RESOURCES Quiz: Are you ready to work with a UK factory? HANDY LINKS | |||