Swim Against The Tide

In this inspiring discussion, Antonia Johnstone, the CEO and Re-Founder of Sign ofthe Times as she shares her journey from university economics student to leadingthe luxury resale marketplace in the UK.Discover how resilience, innovation, and strategic partnerships, including agroundbreaking deal with John Lewis, have driven her success in the sustainablefashion industry.Antonia shares her journey from building a small team at Timpanys, her first venturepost university, to acquiring and growing the market leader in this exciting sector.She discusses the importance of brand heritage, innovative growth strategies, andthe power of community and resilience in business success.The SATT Team :)#podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

Today we meet the fascinating, budding social entrepreneur Julian Warowioff, the UK MD of Lemonaid Beverages.He shares his inspiring journey from a desire to build a career on good foundations to being part of the senior leadership team of a successful global social enterprise brand.We discover insights on social business, branding, market entry strategies, and the importance of authenticity and design in building a beloved product.We find out how Julian and trusty suitcase hit the streets of Switzerland and the UK to build brand awareness and a retail footprint.Julian shares insights on leadership, work-life balance, company culture, and growth strategies, emphasising the importance of self-care, authentic branding, and strategic expansion.The SATT Team :)#podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

Barnaby Edwards didn't set out to be a farmer. After nearly two decades as a product designer, he found himself back on the Isle of Wight - and accidentally into the leadership of his wife's family business, The Garlic Farm.With no background in food, farming or hospitality, he did the only thing that made sense: admitted he knew nothing, listened hard, and got to work.In this episode, Barnaby talks about navigating a family business turnaround, transitioning the farm from conventional to certified organic, achieving B Corp status after a five-year journey, and why not knowing anything turned out to be his biggest competitive advantage.He also reflects on the emotional complexity of leading a business that carries generations of family history — and why, given everything, he'd do it all again without hesitation.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

I loved meeting Colette and hearing her story of how she developed, launched and grew the amazing skincare beauty brand The Inkey List with her co-founder Mark Curry.Colette is so open about her journey and why she feels she has enjoyed success. It is obvious hearing about her absolute focus on her customer’s needs and psyche when she develops a solution to their questions, always ensuring she is solving a real problem and helping people understand more about skincare.We discover insights on entrepreneurship, brand building, social media strategy, and the importance of authenticity and education in business, as well as the importance of declaring boundaries when working with your partner!The SATT Team :)#podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this fascinating episode Steve Henry goes glamping with Derry Green, the founder and creator of The Secret Garden Glamping company.Derry shares his inspiring journey from a lockdown project with his children to building a thriving glamping business with bookings for the next 18-months and a famous appearance on BBC1’s Dragons’ Den.He shares the interesting view that he is running a social media business, that happens to rent out glamping units. He includes insights into business growth, franchising, and the impact of social media. Derry explains how he discovered that embracing challenges and innovation can lead to extraordinary success.He discusses the importance of service, the evolution of the market, and lessons learned along the way, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and hospitality providers.The SATT Team :)#podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

This week we meet professional sportsman turned health businessman Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu as he shares his journey from being a football to becoming an entrepreneur in the functional beverage industry.He discusses the challenges he faced in his career with injuries and how he discovered a natural remedy that transformed his health with his father.This led to the creation of The Turmeric Company a brand focused on providing functional beverages that promote wellness and help others get the benefits of the product with inflammation.Thomas emphasises the importance of nutrition in health and shares inspiring customer testimonials that highlight the impact of his products.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this conversation, Lisa Donohue, Managing Director of Kerb Foods’ social enterprise arm, shares her journey from a marketing and PR background to leading the social enterprise focused on empowering individuals through food and hospitality.She discusses the unique business model of Kerb Foods, which combines street food, events, and social enterprise to support independent traders.Lisa elaborates on the coaching programs designed to help individuals from various backgrounds gain employment and start their own businesses in the hospitality sector.The conversation also touches on the importance of community, cultural diversity, and the future expansion plans for Kerb Foods, including their recent venture into Berlin.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this latest, engaging conversation on the Swim Against The Tide podcast, we meet Mike Turner the Founder and MD of the wonderful Bird & Blend Tea Company.He shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasising the importance of customer experience, resilience, and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.Mike discusses the brand's growth strategies, including crowdfunding and collaborations, while reflecting on his personal evolution as a leader. He finally highlights the significance of building a purpose-driven business and the future aspirations for Bird & Blend Tea.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this episode of the podcast, Jamie Grant, the Co-Founder and CEO of Carv, discusses the incredible journey of creating a digital ski coach that enhances your skiing techniques with real-time feedback.He shares insights into the evolution of the product, the challenges faced in entrepreneurship, and the importance of resilience and focus in building a successful business. He explains about how he built his unique team of co-founders to create a unique, market leading digital sports coaching device and app.Jamie also highlights the marketing strategies that have driven customer engagement and the future plans for expanding Carv’s reach in the skiing market and hopefully beyond.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this podcast episode, Mark Murphy shares his unexpected journey to becoming the co-founder and CEO of Burgerism, a food delivery brand that has gained a cult-like fandom with their customers.He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of team culture, and the evolution of the brand from delivery-only to a physical presence.Mark emphasises the significance of building a community of fans and the lessons learned throughout his journey, including the need for real resilience and self-confidence in the face of uncertainty to grow a brand from scratch.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this episode of the podcast episode we meet Dan Binks, the Managing Director of Liberation Foods, the first UK based Fairtrade nut and Community Interest Company that's owned by smallholder farmers around the world.We discuss Dan's unique career journey in the food industry, his educational background, and the importance of fair trade.Dan shares insights into his transition to Liberation Foods, coming from a technical food background, growing into a general management role and the company's focus on supporting smallholder farmers globally.The conversation highlights the significance of understanding the food supply chain, the global impact of food production and the operational challenges within the food industry.Dan finishes with some interesting advice he would give to his younger self.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

Ben Fennell has spent his whole career learning and developing as a leader from those around him. Whether that was his early days in London agencies, to working across every market and culture in Asia, to then meeting some of the biggest sports stars in the world and hearing what drives them succeed.In this conversation he shares his journey from aspiring rugby player to becoming the CEO of The Growth House, reflecting on his experiences at BBH and the lessons learned in leadership, team dynamics, and client relationships. He discusses the importance of cultural understanding in advertising, the challenges of starting a new business, and the insights gained from writing a book on high-performance teams with Will Greenwood called World Class.The conversation emphasises the significance of communication, collaboration, and building strong relationships in both business and personal growth.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this episode of Swim Against the Tide we meet Chris Miller who shares his bold journey from finance to the forefront of the hospitality industry.As the founder of White Rabbit Projects, Chris discusses taking calculated risks, supporting early-stage restaurateurs, and innovating in wellness and hospitality.He dives into the challenges of expanding into new markets, the constant pressures of the restaurant industry, and why customer experience is at the heart of every successful concept.With a focus on hard work, collaboration, and following his passion, Chris offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, culinary innovators, and anyone seeking to build a meaningful business in hospitality.He ends by sharing how he has just built the biggest communal sauna in the UK.The SATT Team :)#podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this open and frank conversation, Kostas Sfaltos shares his fascinating journey from a modest upbringing in Greece to becoming the Managing Director of luxury hotels in London.He discusses the pivotal moments in his career, including his Greek military service, which taught him valuable leadership lessons and the importance to building deep relationships that last for life.Kostas emphasizes the importance of listening to team members and guests, creating a positive culture, and the role of coaching in enhancing his leadership effectiveness as he continues to develop in his role. He reflects on his current role at Maybourne and the achievements of his team, including The Emory Hotel being recognised in the world's 50 best hotels.The conversation concludes with insights on the future of luxury hospitality and some sage advice to his younger self.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

This week our conversation explores the journey of a fashion executive from young designer, to launching online phenomenon Boohoo to becoming Group Executive Director at Debenham.com.With Carol Kane, the Co-Founder of Boohoo we delve into the evolution of fast fashion (and its true meaning), marketing strategies in e-commerce, and the challenges faced during the IPO process. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding market trends, the role of storytelling in branding, and the impact of acquisitions on business growth.Carol emphasises the significance of personalisation in retail, the reintroduction of designer labels, and the future of retail through pop-up stores and new channels to the customer. Finally, she shares lessons in leadership and the value of mentorship, along with the need for a strong consumer connection in today's market.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

In this week’s episode of Swim Against the Tide with Steve Henry, Will Lankston—Managing Director of Timpson Direct—shares his remarkable journey from working school holiday shifts in Timpson shops to leading one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions.Will reveals the people-first philosophy behind Timpson’s success, including its unconventional hiring approach that prioritises personality over experience and its famous “upside down management” culture.He explains why employee happiness directly fuels business growth, how mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, and what social responsibility looks like in practice through Timpson’s longstanding commitment to employing ex-offenders.Will also explores the future of Timpson Direct, the importance of personal development, and his advice for young professionals eager to build meaningful careers.The SATT Team :) #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship