Honest conversations with the people building British-made brands. Hear how they started, the challenges they’ve faced, and what it really takes to grow a product-based business in the UK.
What does it mean to be a UK leather bag business in 2021? Today I’m chatting with Gillian Tusting from English heritage leathergoods brand Tusting. Gillian shares the story of how the family business, founded in 1875, evolved from a […]
How do UK manufacturers and brands compete with huge overseas factories and the likes of Black Friday discounting? In this episode, I revisit an interview I did back in 2018 which is still very relevant today. It’s a ‘no holds
Based in Cornwall in the South West of England, Celtic & Co is the original sheepskin boot company. Kath Whitworth and her husband Nick bought the business 30 years ago and trademarked the UGG boot in the UK. In this
Julie Deane OBE, set up the Cambridge Satchel Company in 2008 with £600 and went on to make it a global, multi-million pound business. But behind the success story, there was a lot of hard work, including having to set
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
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.
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
Davinder Madaher has been a textile and print designer in the fashion and homeware industry for 30 years. In this episode, he talks about his career – from working in print studios in New York to high street retailers in
Putnams is an award-winning homeware manufacturer based in Plymouth, Devon. The business was started over 40 years ago by Hedley Putnams’ parents, and he and his sister Bubbles now run the business. Hedley had no intention of working in the
In this episode, I introduce you to Jack Scott, the co-founder of Dash Water, a British brand with great provenance. Dash water uses only misshapen fruit and veg to flavour its water – produce that would otherwise go to waste
