The Small Business Retail Sessions

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. In episode six of the series, we're joined by Sol Escobar, founder of Give Your Best. Give Your Best is a "tech for good" social enterprise tackling clothing poverty and fashion waste through an innovative online platform and physical store. Launched during the 2020 lockdown, Give Your Best allows refugee women and other marginalised people to shop donated clothing for free – restoring not only their wardrobe but their dignity and agency too. Since then, the enterprise has grown into a thriving community-led organisation, combining digital tools, peer-to-peer giving, and inclusive retail experiences. In this episode, Sol shares her journey from humanitarian volunteer to award-winning founder, and explains how businesses of all sizes can take small, impactful steps toward more ethical and sustainable practices. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. In episode five of the series, we're joined by Jon Perks, small business director at EDF, one of the UK's largest energy suppliers. With over 25 years in the energy industry, Jon has guided thousands of businesses through energy challenges – from volatile markets to net zero ambitions. At EDF, his mission is simple: help small businesses grow by making smarter, more sustainable energy choices. In this episode, Jon breaks down the energy landscape for small businesses, sharing clear, practical advice on how to cut costs, improve efficiency and navigate change with confidence. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. Alice Mayor is a creative entrepreneur and founder of We Built This City and London Made Me – two pioneering platforms that have championed independent artists, designers and makers by putting them at the heart of the high street. From opening a central London souvenir store celebrating local creatives to partnering with the Mayor of London on a retail training programme, Alice has spent over a decade empowering creatives to build meaningful retail experiences. In this episode, Alice shares her journey from pop-up pioneer to retail mentor, and explains why supporting artists and independent makers is vital to the cultural and commercial future of the high street. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. In episode three of the series, we're joined by Mike Turner, co-founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co. Bird & Blend Tea Co. is a creative, purpose-led tea brand that has grown from humble beginnings in a bedroom to 25 UK high-street stores and an international online business. With co-founder Krisi Smith, Mike launched the business in 2012 with a mission to make tea fun, sustainable and community-driven. The brand is also a proud B Corp and a strong advocate for values-led business. In this episode, Mike shares the brand's journey from start-up to national retail success, the importance of customer experience and how sustainability, empowerment and gut instinct continue to shape the company's growth. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. In episode two of the series, we're joined by Aimee and Lily Barrett, the co-founders of Candid Studios. Sisters Aimee and Lily started self-portrait photography studio Candid in May 2023. Based in Westbourne Grove in London, the business is built around a simple but powerful concept: customers take their own professional-quality portraits in a private, feel-good environment. With a mission rooted in empowerment, self-expression and self-love, the Barretts have grown Candid into a community-driven brand that's transforming how people show up – in both personal and professional spaces. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF. This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability. In this first episode of the series, we're joined by Gbemi Okunlola, founder of Alonuko. Started in 2012, Alonuko is a world-renowned women's fashion brand celebrated for its iconic bridal designs, intricate embroideries and inclusivity. Gbemi's fashion journey began in her teenage years, and she's since grown Alonuko into a global name in luxury bridalwear, known for offering highly personalised and inclusive experiences for brides around the world. Here, Gbemi shares how her early passion for design evolved into founding Alonuko. She reflects on the value of in-person retail experiences and offers advice for building a global brand. Topics discussed in the episode: ----- Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/ To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the eighth and final episode in the series is Olly Tyler, owner of greetings card business, Shroot. Shroot creates eco-friendly, biodegradable cards that come with everything you need to grow microgreens, including the pot. It's a gift, card, experience and snack all in one. Olly didn't start the business, but bought it as a failing venture. He has since turned it into a great success, and has also purchased two other businesses; Kabloom and Bottle Farm. In the inspiring episode, Olly and Dan discuss topics including: Enterprise Nation memberBig thanks for tuning into series eight of the Small Business Sessions. Look out for series nine coming soon! ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the seventh episode is Saasha Celestial-One, co-founder of local sharing app Olio. The idea for Saasha's groundbreaking business came about when her business partner Tessa Clarke trawled the streets looking for someone who might be able to use her spare food when she was moving house. The two friends tested their solution in a WhatsApp group for neighbours in North London, and it's now an app used by millions around the world for finding what they need and sharing what they don't with local people. In an inspiring episode, Sasha and Dan discuss: ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the sixth episode is Jake Bucknall, co-founder of pizza business Dinner for One Hundred. Chef Jake started the company in South London in 2020 with his former tour guide friend Jacob as a dinner for 100 people. But then lockdown hit so they decided to sell pizzas outside Jacob's mum's house. The popularity was so great that they ran out of space and moved to a pop-up site. That has now been developed into a permanent pizzeria, alongside another bar, selling their pizzas in a central London pub and running four events a month. In the show, Dan and Josh discuss topics including ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fifth episode is Josh Kleiner, who runs sandwich shop chain Sandwich Sandwich with his dad Nick. The family business started with a small shop in Bristol in 2010 and now has three branches in the south west city. In 2023, the business was named Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year and won £100,000. This allowed the father and son team to open a flagship London store which is so popular that people queue for up to an hour to buy their lunch. The success of the business has also been helped by social media. Its famous giant sandwiches have gone viral many times, with TikTok influencer Kalani Ghost Hunter telling his three million followers that it was "one of the best things he has ever put in his mouth". In the show, Dan and Josh discuss: ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fourth episode is Elyssa Desai. Elyssa is a mindset expert, speaker and coach who guides business owners and others through their what am I doing with my life moments. A huge focus of her work is helping individuals to understand and reprogramme their mindset so they can confidently achieve their dreams. In the inspiring episode, Dan and Elyssa discuss topics including: ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the third episode is is Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean. Lynsey first joined Instagram in 2016 and posted an image of her newly clean floor with a bottle of product. Despite having only 40 followers, she got 190 likes and realised she was on to something. Within six months, Lynsey had 7,000 followers, started being paid by brands to promote their products and became the UK's first cleaning influencer. Nearly a million people now keep up to date with Lynsey's cleaning tips on social media, she has written several books, and she makes regular appearances on television shows including ITV's This Morning and Good Morning Britain. In the episode, Lynsey and Dan discuss topics including: ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the second episode is Clare Andrews, the home cook turned social media sensation who's known as the Air Fryer Angel. Clare's culinary journey began during the lockdowns of 2020 when she was gifted an air fryer. She began to explore the full potential of the popular kitchen gadget and shared her air fryer recipes on Instagram. Clare now has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, has published three bestselling cookbooks and has appeared on several air fryer-themed TV programmes. In the show, we discuss Clare's journey to becoming a social media influencer plus her tips for growing a following online, writing a book and attracting media coverage. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the first episode in the new series is entrepreneur and investor Richard Harpin. Richard is best known as founder of home assistance company, HomeServe, but his entrepreneurial journey began at an early age. That included selling rabbits at age 6, and running a fishing fly-tie company, which earnt him enough for the deposit on his first house. Richard grew HomeServe into a FTSE 100 listed business, with thousands of employees serving millions of customers around the world. In 2023 he sold it to Brookfield Asset Management for £4.1 billion. Richard has stayed on as chair of HomeServe EMEA. He also invests in other entrepreneurs via Growth Partner and in 2023, he acquired Business Leader, a platform and membership community supporting mid-sized firms. With Richard's huge entrepreneurial experience, this is a podcast you don't want to miss! ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the ninth and final episode in the current series is Steve Folland, a freelancer podcaster and video editor. With a long career in radio, Steve went freelance in 2013 and hasn't looked back! Alongside his work creating videos and podcasts for other people, he launched his own show, Being Freelance, in January 2015, followed by the Being Freelance vlog in 2016. Steve, who has been using Dropbox since 2013, also runs the Being Freelance community and is the co-host of Doing It For The Kids, a podcast for freelance parents which won gold for Best Business Podcast at the British Podcast Awards in 2021. In the show, Dan and Steve discuss topics including: Dropbox is the one place to keep life organised and keep work moving. Tools include Dropbox, File Request, Dropbox Replay and Dropbox Sign. Big thanks for tuning into series seven of the Small Business Sessions. Look out for series eight in January 2025! ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode eight is Stephen Lane, founder of entertainment memorabilia business Propstore. In the early 90s, movie lover Stephen began hunting for the props and costumes that were used to create his favourite films. His collecting hobby became a business in 1998 and more than 25 years later, Propstore has 70 employees in London and Los Angeles and more than 25,000 square feet of archived props and costumes. The business also turns over £35m despite Stephen having taken on no external investment. Since it started, Propstore has located and auctioned thousands of famous items to collectors around the world. Items include the lightsaber used by Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back, Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones Fedora, and guitars played on stage by the Gallagher brothers from Oasis. In an insights and advice packed episode, the entrepreneur discusses turning a love for movie props into an actual business, how he tracks down memorabilia to sell, reaching a £35m turnover despite taking on no external investment, establishing a business in the US, running a business during several economic downturns and lots more. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode six is Kat Pither, founder of eco-friendly yoga mats and accessories brand Yogi Bare. Kat first got into yoga while in rehab to deal with anxiety, PTSD and addiction. That love of the practice led her to becoming a yoga teacher, and she started Yogi Bare as a side project. During the brilliant conversation, Dan and Kat discuss using yoga to deal with mental health, starting a product business, encouraging a strong and supportive community around a business, building an ethical and sustainable company, growing a team and lots more. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode five is Erika Robinson, UK general manager at digital marketing platform Constant Contact, one of the partners of Enterprise Nation's business.connected programme. During her career, Erika has spent two decades working across strategy and finance for some of the UK's most recognisable brands, including financial software giant Intuit, and mental health company Headspace. Erika is also a small business owner herself so has an in-depth understanding of entrepreneurs' priorities and predicaments. In 2019, she founded Picnic, a play centre where children can learn about the world by acting out roles in everyday life, such as putting out a fire, delivering the post and serving customers in a shop. The business has employed over 30 people and welcomed 200,000 parents and children through its doors. In the show, we discuss Erika's tips for how to succeed with your digital marketing, her lessons from working in top companies, why she believes small businesses have several superpowers that big companies don't have and her experiences running her own small business. Constant Contact offers email and digital marketing tools that make it easy for your small business or nonprofit to get the attention and revenue it deserves. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode four is Dhruvin Patel, co-founder of blue light screen eye protector brand Ocushield. Whilst studying optometry at university, Dhruvin launched the initial development of his blue light filtering technology that make eyes healthier, improves sleep and boosts happiness. Since then, the business has grown into an international brand that has helped more than 300,000 eyes in over 147 countries. Ocushield also appeared an BBC TV's Dragons' Den and secured investment from Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani. The deal ended up not going through, but Ocushield went on to get £1m in funding, much more than they secured on the show. In the episode, Dhruvin discusses what happened on Dragons' Den, why the deal ended up not going through, how he raised more funding, his tips for accessing finance, managing relationships with investors and lots more. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox. Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode three is Jade Beason, founder of The Creator Project, who helps entrepreneurs to grow their online presence, multiply their income streams and create profitable businesses. Jade began her career in marketing and sponsorship, but quit corporate life in 2021. She used her eight years of experience to turn her YouTube channel into a six-figure business shortly after uploading her first video. In the show, we discuss switching from a side hustle to a full-time business, and how to grow a successful YouTube channel, plus Jade's tips for growing a subscription service and making the most of social media to power your entrepreneurial success. ----- The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology. To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast