Captivate Podcasts

Bonus: How to Find a UK Manufacturer

Finding a UK manufacturer doesn’t have to be a challenge! In this bonus episode, I share the recording of my recent webinar, where I break down the 5 essential steps to finding your perfect manufacturing partner. What You’ll Learn in […]

a visit to vagabond bags

299 – A Visit to Vagabond Bags

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

the biggest mistake made by product businesses

297 – The Biggest Mistake Made by Product Businesses

The title says it all. Listen to find out what it is! 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

4 reasons not to make in the UK

295 – 4 Reasons NOT to Make in the UK

Regular listeners to this podcast will know that I am all about encouraging brands to manufacture locally. But in some cases, it might not make good sense to do so. In this episode I explain the 4 reasons why you

How to get people into your mailing list

294 – How to get people onto your mailing list

One of the questions that came up on one of our recent British Brand Accelerator group coaching calls was so good, I thought I’d bring it to you on the podcast this week. The question was about whether a small

Save English Fine Cottons

293 – Save English Fine Cottons

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

why you should visit your factory

288 – Why You Should Visit Your Factory

This week I’ve been in the Midlands visiting factories, which is always one of my favourite things to do. I’d planned to take my podcast mic with me and get an episode to you today with an interview with one

How to sell your products

287 – How To Sell Your Products

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

21 tips for building a great British brand

286 – 21 Tips for Building a Great British Brand

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

Wheres the best place to source fabrics

FAQ: Where’s The Best Place To Source Fabrics?

How to find fabrics, leathers and other raw materials for your brand, and avoid the most common mistake that many people make when sourcing fabric. FURTHER RESOURCES UK Fabric Mills on the Make it British website HANDY LINKS British Brand

How many factories should i sample with?

FAQ: How Many Factories Should I Sample WIth?

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

should i get my manufacturer to sign an nda

FAQ: Should I Get My Manufacturer To Sign An NDA?

A Non Disclosure Agreement is a legal document you might ask a manufacturer to sign in order to protect your designs. Find out what the pros and cons are of asking a manufacturer to sign an NDA, and what the

how do i approach a manufacturer

FAQ: How Do I Approach A Manufacturer?

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

how much does it cost to start a brand

FAQ: How Much Does It Cost To Start A Brand?

What are the main costs that you will incur to start a brand, and how can you save money by making your product in the UK? FURTHER RESOURCES 25 Hidden Costs of Starting a Brand How Much Does it Cost

how do i find the right manufacturer for my brand?

FAQ: How Do I Find The Right Manufacturer For My Brand?

Discover the best ways to the ideal UK manufacturers for your brand, and how to ensure that they get back to you every time. FURTHER RESOURCES Make it British Manufacturer Directory 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer How to

can a manufacturer source my fabric for me

FAQ: Can A Manufacturer Source My Fabric For Me?

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

how long does it take to launch a brand

FAQ: How long does it take to launch a brand?

Find out how long on average it might take to launch a brand and what the main variables are that will affect it. FURTHER RESOURCES 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer How to Start a UK Made Brand HANDY

how do i go from idea to prototype

FAQ: How Do I Go From Idea To Prototype?

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

Happy New Year

272 – Happy New Year! What’s coming in 2024?

Welcome to Episode 272 of the Make it British Podcast Starting off the new year with something a bit different. This episode explains everything. Looking out for my special FAQ series, starting on Monday 7th January. HANDY LINKS British Brand

Make it British Podcast

271 – 3 Things I Learnt This Year

Hello and Welcome to Episode 271! As 2023 draws to a close, and for my last podcast episode of the year, I reflect back on the 3 biggest lessons that I’ve learnt this year. I also want to say a

Laura Ward Exeat

268 – From Start-Up to Export Champion with Laura Ward from Exeat

In this episode, I am joined by Laura Ward, founder of the luxury British tennis brand Exeat.

Exeat is the UK’s most exported luxury tennis apparel brand, and Laura herself is the winner of many awards, including Global Startup of the Year. She’s also one of the government’s UK export champions, and the brand has been feature in Vogue, Forbes, The Financial Times, and Vanity Fair.

In this episode, she’s going to give you tips on how to export your brand globally and how she’s managed to get such amazing press in such a short space of time.

Make it British Podcast

264 – 12 Manufacturer Red Flags and How to Avoid Them

Welcome to Episode 264 of the Make it British Podcast! What are the red flags to watch out for when searching for a manufacturer, particularly if you’re starting your search on Google or another search engine? From misleading claims of

Make it British Podcast

262 – Nailing Your Pricing Strategy

Welcome to episode 262 of the Make it British Podcast! In this episode, l explore the factors that go into setting the perfect price, from understanding your customer and competitors to considering the cost of alternatives. Join me as we

Make it British Podcast

Series 6 Coming Soon!

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

5 Hidden Manufacturing Costs and How to Avoid Them - Make it British Podcast with Kate Hills

260 – 5 Hidden Manufacturing Costs and How to Avoid Them

In this episode I discuss some of the hidden costs of manufacturing, and offer tips on how to avoid them. Whether you’re starting a new brand, or growing an existing one, there’s typically five common areas where costs can spiral

258 - How Do You Define an ‘Ethical Factory’ Make it British Podcast with Kate Hills

258 – How Do You Define an ‘Ethical Factory’?

We get a lot of people contacting us at Make it British asking if we can put them in touch with a sustainable or ethical factory to make their brand. So in this episode I define ways in which a factory might meet this criteria.

I also talk about the launch of Primark’s new circular denim collection, which has had mixed reviews in the media, with many thinking it is greenwashing and an insult to small brands that are genuinely doing the right thing.

256 - The No.1 Reason That Product Businesses Fail Make it British Podcast with Kate Hills

256 – The No.1 Reason That Product Businesses Fail

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

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

Series 5 Coming Soon!

Hello and Welcome to Series 5 of the Make it British Podcast.  The new series is coming very soon. The first episode will be released on Friday 3rd March. In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a few

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

250 – 11 Ways to Grow a British Brand in 2023

Having worked with hundreds of British brands over the last few years, and speaking to them about what is working for them right now, and what they see working in 2023, here are 11 ideas you can use for growing

Make it British Podcast with Kate Hills - Episode 247 with Justine Tabak, Rosie Macpherson and Jack Millington

247 – Attracting Customers & Creating Raving Fans

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

Make it British Podcast 246 - Made in London - The Capital’s Hidden Factories and Workshops

246 – Made in London – Carmel King and Mark Brearley

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

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

245 – How to Plan Your Production

When it comes to manufacturing a product, planning is critical! In this episode, I cover exactly what you need to have prepared before going ahead with your production. You’ll also find out what a critical path is, why you need

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

243 – Pricing Your Products

This episode answers some of your most commonly asked questions about pricing.  Discover: 02:12 What markup do retailers add? 08:19 Should you raise your prices if the cost of your fabric and manufacturing has increased? 13:06 Should you lower your

242 - How this Childrenswear Designer Pivoted From Bespoke to Ready-to-Wear - Dawn Clarke, Dawn Clarke Designs_Make it British Podcast

242 – From Bespoke to Ready-to-Wear – Dawn Clarke

In this episode, I chat with childrenswear designer Dawn Clarke, who is a member of Make It British and a part of our British Brand Accelerator programme. Dawn tells us all about her journey going from making everything in-house and

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

240 – 7 Proven Ways to Promote Your UK-Made Brand

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:  03:01

Make it British Podcast Episode 249 - Customer Service Secrets

239 – Customer Service Secrets for British-Made Brands

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

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

238 – How to Start a Clothing Brand for Less

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

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

236 – How to Find a UK Manufacturer

Do you want to manufacture in the UK but factories keep giving your efforts the silent treatment? This one’s for you. In this episode, I share five actionable tips for things that you can do before you start to reach

235 - The Make it British Podcast Kate Hills with Emma Mathews, Graham Holbrook and Dr John Parkinson

235 – Spinning a Good Yarn

Find out about an exciting recycled cashmere collaboration between three UK businesses. Dr. John Parkinson from iinouiio, Graham Holbrook from Turtle Doves, and Emma Mathews from Socko, share how the project came about, the importance of making in the UK

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

232 – What is a Manufacturing Agreement?

When you get a product manufactured, most of the time everything will go as planned. But what about the odd occasion when it doesn’t? It’s always better to have thought about what could go wrong in advance, and make sure

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

231 – 6 Lessons we Learnt From Rebuilding our Website

We’re back! After a longer than planned hiatus, the Make it British Podcast has returned. And we’ll be back to our regular Friday episodes. This week I’m discussing what went wrong with the recent rebuild of the Make it British

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

230 – Taking a Break

We’re taking a break from new podcast episodes for a while. Back soon! Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Make it British Newsletter Follow on Instagram Connect with Kate on Linkedin British Brand Accelerator

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

227 – The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Manufacturer

If you have a limited budget to spend on product development and stock, the worst thing you can do is pick the wrong manufacturing partner. Here’s how to make sure that you don’t.   Discover: 06:00 The expensive mistakes brands make

226- The Make it British Podcast Kate Hills - Live Panel Discussion with 3 UK manufacturers

226 – Live Panel Discussion with 3 UK manufacturers

In this episode, recorded as an Instagram Live on Made in UK Day, I chat to three UK manufacturers: Karen and Neville Clokey from NC Lancaster, who make cushions in Lancashire Steff McGrath from Something Wicked, a UK-made lingerie brand

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

221 – 8 Tips for Selling to Retail Buyers

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. 

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

220 – What Do Consumers Really Think About Buying UK-Made Goods?

The results of our Made in UK survey are in! Find out what consumers really think about buying UK-made goods.    Read the full survey results here: https://makeitbritish.co.uk/buying-british/madeinuk-survey-2022/   Stay in Touch British Brand Accelerator – Find out how you can work

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

217 – You’re Invited to Made in UK Day

In this episode, I invite you to join us for our second Made in UK Day on 9th March 2022. Following the success of the inaugural Made in UK Day in 2021, the campaign is back this year to raise

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

216 – Should You Raise Your Prices?

The price of everything is going up at the moment – from fuel prices and taxes, to raw materials and shipping. But what does this mean for you if you have a business that makes in the UK? In this

213 The Make it British Podcast Kate Hills - Chris Kyriacou, Soma Sportswear

213 – How to Launch an Athleisure Brand Made in the UK

In this episode, I chat with Chris Kyriacou, founder of activewear brand Soma Sportswear. Chris contacted me in 2019, looking for help to find manufacturers to make his very unique athleisurewear. In this episode, Chris talks through the process of

Make it British Podcast Cover with Kate Hills 2023

210 – Reflecting on 2021

In this episode I reflect on how much things have changed over the past couple of years for us at Make it British, as I am sure they have for you. I also look at which of the 61 episodes

209 The Make it British Podcast Kate Hills - Shanna Bent

209 – Running a Brand Championing Diversity, Shanna Bent

Shanna Bent is the founder of the conscious fashion brand Maison Bent. Having previously worked with Alexander McQueen, Roland Mouret, Agent Provocateur, in 2019 Shanna set up her own luxury label, with a determination to bust the myth that black

The Make it British Podcast Cover 2023 with Kate Hills

208 – How to Plan For 2022

When you have a product-based business and you’re working with manufacturers, it’s important to have a plan in place. There’s no better time to do this than at the start of a new year. In this episode I give you