E99: Dragons' Den, unhinged outreach and creating the workplace of dreams with the founders of Cubbi

In this episode, Caroline Marshall interviews Olivia and Tanyka Davson, sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform. They share their journey from no-code MVP to national platform, navigating entrepreneurship during early motherhood, pitching on Dragon's Den, and building a mission-led business that supports new parents financially and emotionally.

Topics:

Building a no-code MVP during early motherhood

Securing brand partnerships and investment

Navigating pregnancy and entrepreneurship

The impact of AI tools on startup development

Chapters:

00:30 Introduction to Cubbi and Its Founders

01:58 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

04:36 Financial Challenges of Parenthood

07:15 Building a Business with No-Code Tools

12:51 The Experience of Pitching on Dragon's Den

15:35 Navigating Investment Challenges

19:44 Preparing for Dragon's Den

22:37 Navigating Maternity Leave as Entrepreneurs

27:28 Balancing Parenthood and Business

29:20 The Importance of Community Support for New Parents

33:21 Rediscovering Joy Amidst the Chaos

35:30 Connecting with Cubbi

Links:

Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

About Cubbi, Olivia and Tanyka Davson

Today we're welcoming Olivia and Tanyka Davison. They are sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform designed specifically for new and expecting parents. Cubbi works like a student discount or blue light card, but for the perinatal window, offering verified new parents discounts across baby, maternity, food, fashion, wellness, and everyday spending. From Boots and Nike to Tommy Tippie and free coffees at Boston Tea Party.

Cubbi now connects parents with over 200 brands at a time when income drops and costs rise. The idea came when Olivia's first baby was just eight weeks old, sleep deprived, pacing coffee shops with a crying newborn and feeling the financial pressure of maternity leave, she realized something. Why were new parents paying full price at one of the most expensive and vulnerable points in their life? She phoned her sister, Tanyka, and that conversation became Cubbi.

What started as a scrappy no-code MVP built by two sisters has grown into a national platform with thousands of downloads and investments secured in Dragon's Den. And in perhaps one of the most iconic Found-A-Mum moments we've seen on this podcast, Olivia pitched Cubbi to the Dragons at nine months pregnant, just a week before her planned C-section.

Cubbi's Links:

Website: https://www.cubbi.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubbiapp/

LinkedIn (Tanyka): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyka-davson-315766134/

LinkedIn (Olivia): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-davson-1998ab82/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubbi.uk/

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/