EP 187 Navigating Anxiety and Overwhelm: Practical Mental Health Tools for Entrepreneurs with Anna Mathur
37% of entrepreneurs suffer from Anxiety and in this weeks Episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole chats with Psychotherapist and Author Anna Mathur we talk about Anxiety, overwhelm and mental health as an entrepreneur Highlights include Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt in Entrepreneurs - accepting messy imperfect beginnings and anchoring throughs in truth versus fear Low Self-Esteem in Business- Signs of low self-esteem for entrepreneurs Difficult Conversations and Decision Avoidance- Impact of delayed or avoided difficult conversations on business health. Building esteem around core values to navigate tough situations Overwhelm and Burnout Among Founders -Recognizing signs of overwhelm Emotional red flags: resentment, snappiness, withdrawing from relationships Practical strategies for managing overwhelm Addressing Anxiety in Entrepreneurial Life- Relationship between overwhelm and anxiety. Techniques for facing and reducing anxiety Daily Habits for Mental Health and ResilienceFacing Common Entrepreneurial Fears Guest Anna Mathur Psychotherapist and Author Passionate about taking therapy out of the therapy room Anna Mathur is widely celebrated for her accessible mental health advice and the light- bulb moments which she offers across her platforms. https://www.annamathur.com/ https://www.instagram.com/annamathur/ https://www.annamathur.com/the-toolkit/ https://www.annamathur.com/podcast/ Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
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Ep 186 Packaging and Branding tips for product business with Claudia Costa- Rowse
Claudia shares her journey from marketing to design, the challenges early-stage brands face with packaging, and her expert advice on how founders can communicate their brand’s personality, maximize every inch of packaging real estate, and strike the right balance between standing out and fitting in with category norms. You’ll hear about common mistakes to avoid, trends shaping the future, and some and practical tips for leveraging colour psychology and QR codes to engage your audience. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about a brand refresh, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help your product pop off the shelf and into the hands of customers. We chat about The Role of Packaging in Brand Success Process for Starting a Packaging Project How Brands Can Stand Out with Packaging Common Packaging Mistakes Defining Brand Personality Incorporating QR Codes on Packaging Emerging Packaging Trends AI in Packaging and Design Importance of In-Person Shelf Research Rebranding: When and Why to Revisit Brand Identity Guest Claudia Costa -Rowse Claudia is the founder of Freckle design studios A pocket-sized studio, for small teams with big visions. Freckle exists to support ambitious brands with creative that actually works - clear, collaborative, and built for where you are right now. Claudia is a London-based branding and packaging specialist, with over 12 years experience helping brands grow in the food & drink, health & wellness, beauty and lifestyle sectors. She is passionate about crafting brand identities that are rooted in strategy and full to the brim with personality. https://www.freckledesign.studio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/freckledesign/ https://www.instagram.com/freckledesign.studio https://www.freckledesign.studio/packagingchecklist Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
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Ep 185 Trade show Lessons, exhibiting at Top Drawer for the First time with Imogen Partridge
Join us as Imogen shares her journey from interior designer to creative business owner, revealing why she chose to make wholesale and trade shows a new focus, the realities of prepping for her debut trade show at Top Drawer, a UK trade show and the practical lessons she learned along the way. Whether you’re considering your first trade show or just love hearing honest accounts of building a business, this episode is packed with actionable tips, candid moments, and encouragement for anyone ready to take the next step in scaling their product business Imogen shares Why she chose Top Drawer as her first trade show How she prepared and what she would have done differently The show itself, including Logistics & Costs. What worked for her during the show and how she attracted visitors to her stand After the show and how to maximise the experience The Unexpected Challenges. Guest Imogen Partridge - Imogen Partridge is a bespoke illustrator who took the leap into expanding her creative business after leaving her job last year. When illness forced her to pause, Imogen came to realize just how much her work depended on her personal involvement. Wanting to make her business more scalable and sustainable, she explored new avenues such as wholesale, a step she hesitated over for months. Inspired by seeing others succeed at trade shows, Imogen finally pushed herself to try by booking a stand at Top Drawer, believing that setting a deadline would give her the motivation to make it happen. Her journey is one of creativity, courage, and learning to balance personal artistry with new opportunities for growth. https://www.topdrawer.co.uk/ https://imogenpartridge.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imogen.partridge/ https://imogenpartridge.com/learnings-from-my-first-trade-show/ Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
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Ep 184 Sourcing products from India the how and the what with Sara Collins Ethical production consultant
This episode is packed with practical advice for founders and brand owners looking to start or scale their product-based businesses—especially those considering India for production. You’ll learn about the best product categories to source from India, key cultural and communication considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and how on-the-ground trips can transform your sourcing journey. Key Topics & Takeaways Why Source from India? Finding the Right Suppliers Navigating Challenges Cultural & Communication Insights About the Guest Sara Collins Ethical production consultant With over 10 years of experience in developing and manufacturing products ethically, Sara is now on a mission to help independent brands feel confident in their own ethical manufacturing journeys. Over the years, Sara has worked one-to-one with certified Fairtrade manufacturers around the world and has successfully brought numerous sustainable fashion, jewellery, and homeware products to the European market. Sara offers help, advice, and support to independent business owners seeking to partner with social enterprises and local initiatives. links India sourcing trip waitlist https://mailchi.mp/f45756a30eb6/india-wait-list https://www.instagram.com/saracollins.uk/ https://www.sarahelencollins.com/ About the Host The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ About the Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your e-commerce store? This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIS and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
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EP 183 How Passion and Perseverance Shaped 20 Years of Retail Success for Deryane Tadd founder of The Dressing Room
Nicole and Deryane delve into the reality of competing in a discount-driven market, strategies for driving sales, and the importance of focusing on exceptional customer service. For those considering starting a brick-and-mortar or e-commerce business, Deryane’s advice is invaluable. Deryane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days in retail to establishing a successful multi-brand boutique. Episode Highlights: Challenges and Triumphs: Discover the hurdles Deryane faced in securing funding and premises, and how she overcame misogyny in the early days of her venture. Business Evolution: Insights into how The Dressing Room has evolved with changing customer demands and the impact of offering a mix of affordable to aspirational brands. Cybercrime Ordeal: Deryane opens up about a significant challenge their online business faced due to a cyber attack and how they are navigating this setback. Customer Connection: Learn about the innovative ways Deryane maintains strong connections with customers through personalized services and events. Navigating discount culture: The prevalence of discount culture and events like Black Friday have reshaped the retail calendar. Deryane considers these challenges in her strategic planning, focusing on enhancing the in-store experience to counteract the pressure of discounting. By organizing events and collaborations, Shop at the dressing room https://www.the-dressingroom.com/ Follow https://www.instagram.com/thedressingroomsocial/ Follow Deryane https://www.instagram.com/deryanetadd/ Host Nicole Higgins The Buyer and retail coach Nicole Higgins Links https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/ https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/ Sponsor Neon Digital Clicks Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns. Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of. Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition. At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth. If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck. https://runwaytoresults.com/ https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/
Want to start, scale and succeed in your product business? Buying & retail expert Nicole Higgins spent the last 18 years working for companies such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and Asda, building strategies for blue chip businesses, and increasing bottom line sales and profit. In this weekly business podcast, Nicole is here to empower you to "start, scale and succeed" by providing you with inspiration, motivation and insight from entrepreneurs and experts to help you in the retail industry.This podcast includes tips, tactics and conversations that you can learn from and implement into your own business, from start up entrepreneurs that have just launched to multi million pound businesses. With tips from experts and how to’s to help your business grow to enable you to live the life you crave. From side hustle to stock market and everything in between.Start listening and subscribe now