Make it British Podcast
Kate Hills is on a one-woman mission to save UK manufacturing. In this podcast she shines the light on British brands and manufacturers, and goes behind the scenes of their businesses. With tips, hints and tricks to help you manufacture in the UK and buy British. Never has there been a more critical time to get behind 'made in Britain'.
Episodes
Kate's Sunday Journal 21 June 26: Scottish Textiles Tour
Subscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/applyManufacturers Mentioned:woolkind.comcaledoniahosiery.comjohnstonsofelgin.comhalleystevensons.co.ukkcmanufacturing.co.ukaeroleatherclothing.c
Kate’s Sunday Journal 14th June 26 – Marketing with zero budget
Apply to come to the next free Q&ASubscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
From Burberry to British Wool with Frankie Davies, Charl Knitwear
Hello and welcome to episode 323 of the Make it British Podcast. I'm back with another episode in my Women in Wool series, this time chatting to knitwear designer Frankie Davies from Charl Knitwear.Frankie spent years designing knitwear for Burberry and Benetton and has spent much of her career inside knitwear factories, so it was only ever a matter of time before she founded her own brand. In thi
Kate’s Sunday Journal 7 June 26: How Many Products is Too Many?
Apply to come to the next free Q&ASubscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
Kate’s Sunday Journal 31 May 26: Britwashing
Read this emailSubscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
Kate’s Sunday Journal 24 May 26: A Visit to Manufacturers in Ayrshire
Read this emailSubscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
Kate’s Sunday Journal 17 May 26: UK-made T-shirts
Read this emailSubscribe to Kate's Sunday Journal 🧡🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply
Weaving Wool in Yorkshire with Laura Watts at Marton Mills
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Laura Watts, managing director of Marton Mills, 3rd generation family weaving business based in Otley, Yorkshire.Marton Mills was founded in 1931 and has built its reputation on uniform fabric - supplying school wear, military contracts for the Navy and the RAF, and fabric for the King's Coronation.Now, alongside its core uniform work, Mar
A Visit to Laxtons Spinning Mill with Carly Smith & Rochelle Tracey
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I visited Laxtons Yarns in Baildon, Yorkshire, a fourth generation family spinning mill that is now employee-owned.I was given a full tour of the mill floor by commercial director Carly Smith and national accounts manager Rochelle Tracey, before sitting down with them to talk about British wool, the future of the business and the exciting relaunch of th
For the Love of Knitting with Genevieve Sweeney
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I take a trip to the beautiful Essex countryside to visit knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney in her micro factory, where she designs, programmes, knits, and finishes her collection in house.We talk about the realities of owning your own industrial knitting machine - from learning to keep the yarn and machine happy, to breaking needles in tears and comi
5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer
🚀 Ready to create a British-made product business that's built to last? Without faffing about, wasting wads of cash, or struggling with unreliable factories. Apply for the British Brand Accelerator: makeitbritish.co.uk/apply In this episode I'm sharing the recording of a recent webinar I ran - 5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer.Learn my signature 5 Step Factory Readiness Method™ which has helped
The Great British Wool Revival with Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys, Fashion Roundtable
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys from Fashion Roundtable.Harriet is the project lead for The Great British Wool Revival and is also working with the King's Foundation on an event in May 2026 to promote the use of British wool.If you're a designer, maker or brand wanting to work with British wool but not sure where to start, the Great British Wool
Building a British Tweed Tailoring Label in Yorkshire with Isabelle Randall
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Isabelle Randall, a fashion designer and tailor based in Scarborough, Yorkshire, who has been running her own label for over 21 years.Isabelle works in British tweeds and wool fabrics, making everything bespoke in her atelier. We talk about the Yorkshire mills she loves working with, her tailoring process, and why her bespoke approach keep
How British Wool Helps Brands Source Local Fibre with Louisa Knapp, British Wool
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Louisa Knapp, Marketing Executive at British Wool.Based in Bradford, British Wool operates as a farmers' cooperative that collects, grades, and auctions fleece for around 35,000 sheep farmers across the UK. Whether you’re a designer wondering how to source British wool or you’re just curious about what happens to a fleece after it’s sheare
The Reality of Running a Knitwear Micro Factory with Kate Stalker from OUBAS Knitwear
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Kate Stalker, founder of OUBAS Knitwear.Kate runs a knitwear micro factory in the Lake District, where she designs and manufactures fully fashioned knitwear using natural fibres, including British wool. After studying knitwear at Winchester School of Art, she returned to Cumbria and started the business with a single hand flat knitting mac
Launching a Brand with Traceable British Wool with Dee McGilvray, CLÒ FOLD
In this first episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Dee McGilvray, founder of CLÒ FOLD.Dee has launched a womenswear brand built entirely around 100 percent British traceable wool. In just five months, alongside a full time job, she has taken an idea rooted in farming and the British countryside and turned it into a finished product made entirely in the UK.Her first piece is a wool gi
Series 8 Trailer: Women in Wool
Series 8 of the Make it British podcast is here!After many of you asked, “Where’s the podcast gone?”, it's coming back with a brand-new themed series: Women in Wool.Over the past few months, I've been recording interviews behind the scenes. As the conversations unfolded, a clear thread emerged. Every guest was a woman. And every one of them was working with the same fibre - Wool.This new series sh
BONUS: The 3 Part Framework for Developing Profitable UK-Made Products
🚀 Want to join British Brand Accelerator? Apply here: makeitbritish.co.uk/applyGot a question before applying?DM me on Instagram: @makeitbritish
SOS: Stop Wasting Time Contacting the Wrong Factories 🏭
Not all factories are created equal!And if you’re contacting 20 different manufacturers hoping one will say yes — you're doing it the hard way.In this episode of MANUFACTURING SOS, I’m talking about one of the most common mistakes I see when people start looking for a UK manufacturer: assuming every factory can make every kind of product.You’ll learn why factory specialisms matter, how MOQs and ca
SOS: Why Ordering Too Much Stock is a Costly Mistake
In this episode in the MANUFACTURING SOS series, I’m breaking down why placing a big order with your manufacturer, especially on your first production run with them, can be a costly mistake.You’ll learn why it’s always smarter to treat your first production run as a test, how to avoid tying up all your money in stock, and how to respond when a manufacturer insists on high MOQs.If you’re at the st
SOS: What’s the REAL Cost of Skipping Tech Packs? 📐
Think tech packs are optional? Or that your manufacturer can just "sort it for you"?Think again.In this episode of Manufacturing SOS, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you don’t have a proper tech pack, and why skipping this step is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.You’ll learn why a tech pack is your blueprint, not just a boring admin task, and how trying to wing it will
SOS: Never ask a factory for the price until you do THIS 💷
What UK Manufacturers Really Think When You Ask About PriceIf the first thing you ask a factory is “How much?” — you’re not alone.But it might explain why you’re not getting the response you hoped for.In this episode of Manufacturing SOS, I’m unpacking what actually happens when you lead with price, and why it’s one of the fastest ways to put off the best manufacturers.You’ll learn how to work bac
SOS: Why UK Manufacturers are Ghosting You 👻
If your inbox is full of unanswered emails to factories, it's not personal. It's a sign you're making critical mistakes that scream 'newbie'.In this first episode in this special series MANUFACTURING SOS I’m diving into one of the most common frustrations I hear from founders - that they've contacted manufacturers and no one got back to them.Sound familiar?Before you assume UK manufacturers are ju
Introducing Manufacturing SOS
Brand New Mini Series Coming Soon: Manufacturing SOSAfter a year-long hiatus, the Make It British Podcast is coming back!Series 7 is currently in the works, but while you wait, I’ve got something special for you…Introducing a brand new mini series called Manufacturing SOS.This special series is for anyone who’s starting or scaling a clothing, accessories or homeware brand and wants to get their pr
Bonus: How to Find a UK Manufacturer
Finding a UK manufacturer doesn’t have to be a challenge!In this bonus episode, I share the recording of my recent webinar, where I break down the 5 essential steps to finding your perfect manufacturing partner.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why manufacturers don’t respond to emails—and how to fix it.The biggest mistakes small businesses make when looking for a factory.How to prepare before rea
300 - Words of wisdom from UK manufacturers featured on this show
Welcome to episode 300!Celebrating the 300th episode of this podcast I look back at some of the amazing guests that I've had on this show from the world of UK fashion and textile manufacturing. Manufacturers that have shared their stories, their challenges, and their successes with us.Episodes / Manufacturers featured in this episode:Episode 102 - David Collinge | John Spencer TextilesEpisode 005
299 – A Visit to Vagabond Bags
Join me on a tour round a factory!In this episode I'm chatting with Simon Michelson, owner of Vagabond Bags, a sewing factory in Swindon that makes cosmetic bags, shower caps and hot water bottle covers.Meet some of the people working in the factory, hear about the jobs they do and find out how many shower hats one person can make in a day. Spoiler - it's quite a lot!HANDY LINKSBritish Brand Accel
298 – What’s going on with UK manufacturers? [with special guests]
I'm joined today by 3 amazing people that work tirelessly in the UK fashion and textile industry.You may have seen in the press recently that several high profile brands have been affected by the close of Matches, but did you know about the knock on affect that has had on the UK manufacturers?I also heard yesterday the sad news that the Mackintosh factory in Lancashire is closing. What the heck is
297 – The Biggest Mistake Made by Product Businesses
The title says it all. Listen to find out what it is!HANDY LINKSBritish Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand.Newsletter - Subscribe for a weekly dose of inspiration and advice on making in the UKMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramMentioned in this episode:British Brand Accelerator
296 – Behind the Scenes at KC Manufacturing with Adam Robertson and Nina Falk
Join me on a visit to KC Manufacturing (previously Kalopsia Collective) in Dumferline, Scotland to meet with husband and wife team Adam Robertson and Nina Falk.KC Manufacturing is a social enterprise specialising in small batch manufacturing.Discover:How Adam & Nina met and ended up setting up their business.What it's like to run a factory together as husband and wife.Why 'made in Scotland' is
295 – 4 Reasons NOT to Make in the UK
Regular listeners to this podcast will know that I am all about encouraging brands to manufacture locally. But in some cases, it might not make good sense to do so.In this episode I explain the 4 reasons why you might NOT want to make in the UK.Want my advice on whether your product should or could be made here? Reach out to my with a direct message on Instagram @makeitbritish hereHANDY LINKSBriti
294 – How to get people onto your mailing list
One of the questions that came up on one of our recent British Brand Accelerator group coaching calls was so good, I thought I'd bring it to you on the podcast this week.The question was about whether a small business that makes in the UK should be offering a discount when someone opts in to their newsletter, and whether this strategy works.It opened a whole discussion amongst the group about the
293 – Save English Fine Cottons
This week I’m bringing some very sad news - that the UK’s only cotton spinning mill, English Fine Cottons, which brought cotton spinning back to Greater Manchester in 2018, has very sadly gone into administration.In case you don’t know about the history of English Fine Cottons, it was set up by the technical textile spinners Culimeta-Saveguard, who invested £4.8m of its own money, £2m of whic
292 – Reviving the UK Button Making Industry with Courtney & Co Button Makers
Today's guests are Andrea and David Courtney from Courtney & Co buttonmakersBack in 2012 I was contacted by someone who was trying to save the UK’s last remaining horn button maker - Grove & Sons. He was looking for investors to buy up the machinery and pattern books from the business so that the art of natural button making in the UK was not lost.Well it turns out that the investor that t
291 – Micro Factories & Supply on Demand: UK Manufacturing at its Best
This episode celebrates 15 years since I registered the domain makeitbritish.co.uk and busts some of the myths about UK manufacturing.You'll find out:Why I started Make it British and why I'm such a firm believer in UK manufacturing.The current UK manufacturing landscape.How the UK fashion and textile industry is made up of 1,000s of micro factories.How many garment factories there really are in t
290 – From the archive: Why UK Manufacturing is More Sustainable with Christopher Nieper OBE
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. Christopher recently invested in state-of-the-art digital printing equipment so that the factory can print it's own fabric onsite. David Nieper already pr
289 – Creating Adaptive Clothing with Caron McLuckie from Bealies Adaptive Wear
In this episode of the Make it British podcast, Karen McCluckie, the director of Bealies Adaptive Wear, shares her inspiring journey of creating adaptive clothing for wheelchair users and disabled individuals.Motivated by her son's disability and the lack of suitable clothing options in the market, Karen embarked on a mission to design stylish and functional joggers tailored to the needs of wheelc
288 – Why You Should Visit Your Factory
This week I’ve been in the Midlands visiting factories, which is always one of my favourite things to do.I’d planned to take my podcast mic with me and get an episode to you today with an interview with one of the manufacturers, but sadly I was in such a rush when I set off early Sunday morning that I left my mic behind!So on today’s episode instead I'm discussing one of the amazing factories I we
287 – How To Sell Your Products
Today's episode is all about selling and sales, and how it's closely linked to product development.A lot of creative business owners say that they aren't any good at selling, so the natural tendency is to drop their prices or default back to making more products.I'm going to give you a different way of looking at sales, so that selling doesn't make you feel like a used car salesman.Mentioned in th
286 – 21 Tips for Building a Great British Brand
Hear from 21 business founders as they give their tips on starting and growing a British-made brand.These snippets were taken from 21 different guest interviews on this podcast.If you want to listen to the full episodes you can find them as follows:Ep.142 Julie Deane, Cambridge Satchel CompanyEp.076 Jack Millington, Billy TanneryEp.143 Kath Whitworth, Celtic & CoEp. 41 Paul Smithers, Halycon B
285 – I Never Looked at Manufacturing Anywhere Else with Catherine Bedford, Dashel Cycle Helmets
On today’s episode I’m chatting with Catherine Bedford, founder of Dashel Cycle HelmetsCatherine had the idea for an innovative and stylish cycle helmet whilst watching the London 2012 Olympics. She set about creating her vision, and it took 5 years to develop and launch the Dashel helmet. All Dashel helmets are made in the UK, and in this episode Catherine talks about:How she set about developing
284 – Repair Is The New Cool with Thami Schweichler, United Repair Centre
Welcome to Episode no.284!Circularity is the buzzword on everyone's lips right now. It's no wonder, when you hear that 350,000 tonnes of clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year. Something needs to be done to stop the mass-consumption that the UK in particularly seems to be pretty bad at!The United Repair Centre, a collaboration between outdoor brand Patagonia, social enterprise Makers Unite
283 – Tackling Textile Waste as a Slow Fashion Designer with Lydia Bolton
Today's guest is Lydia Bolton, a slow fashion designer tackling textile waste by upcycling unwanted fabrics and garments and turning them into one-off pieces.As well as having her own label, Lydia also teaches others how to upcycle with workshops that she runs and in her partnerships with big brands such as Lidl, Nike, Adidas and Lime bikes.We chat about:How Lydia started out in fashion and textil
FAQ: Where’s The Best Place To Source Fabrics?
How to find fabrics, leathers and other raw materials for your brand, and avoid the most common mistake that many people make when sourcing fabric.FURTHER RESOURCESUK Fabric Mills on the Make it British websiteHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: How Many Factories Should I Sample WIth?
Sampling with UK manufacturers can be quite a different ball game to sampling with manufacturers overseas. Here's why you might not want to sample with lots of different factories.FURTHER RESOURCESQuiz: Are you ready to work with a UK factory? HANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagram
FAQ: Do I Really Need To Provide The Factory With A Tech Pack?
Tempted to skip this step? Find out why that might be a bad idea, and how having a tech pack can save you money in the long run.FURTHER RESOURCESTech Pack BundleQuiz: Are you ready to work with a UK factory? HANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: Should I Get My Manufacturer To Sign An NDA?
A Non Disclosure Agreement is a legal document you might ask a manufacturer to sign in order to protect your designs.Find out what the pros and cons are of asking a manufacturer to sign an NDA, and what the alternatives are.FURTHER RESOURCESHow to find a UK manufacturerHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: How Do I Approach A Manufacturer?
What are the secrets to getting a response from a manufacturer when you reach out to them? I explain how to word your approach and why you might not be getting a response.FURTHER RESOURCESHow to get manufacturers to respond to your emailsHow to find a UK manufacturerWhy manufacturers aren't getting back to your emailsHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate T
FAQ: How Much Does It Cost To Start A Brand?
What are the main costs that you will incur to start a brand, and how can you save money by making your product in the UK?FURTHER RESOURCES25 Hidden Costs of Starting a BrandHow Much Does it Cost to Start a UK-Made Fashion Brand?How to Start a UK Made BrandHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: How Do I Find The Right Manufacturer For My Brand?
Discover the best ways to the ideal UK manufacturers for your brand, and how to ensure that they get back to you every time.FURTHER RESOURCESMake it British Manufacturer Directory5 Steps to Finding a UK ManufacturerHow to Start a UK Made BrandHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: Can A Manufacturer Source My Fabric For Me?
You might think that having the factory source your fabric for you sounds like the easiest option, but that's not always the case.In this episode I explain what your options are when it comes to fabric sourcing, and why many UK clothing manufacturers operate on what is known as a CMT basis.FURTHER RESOURCESCMT or Full Service Manufacturer: What's the difference?5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer
FAQ: How long does it take to launch a brand?
Find out how long on average it might take to launch a brand and what the main variables are that will affect it.FURTHER RESOURCES5 Steps to Finding a UK ManufacturerHow to Start a UK Made BrandHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
FAQ: How Do I Go From Idea To Prototype?
Discover the essential steps to turn your idea into a successful prototype.Get practical advice on how to bring your concept to life efficiently and cost-effectively and how to common pitfalls.FURTHER RESOURCES5 Steps to Finding a UK ManufacturerHow to Start a UK Made BrandHANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
272 – Happy New Year! What’s coming in 2024?
Welcome to Episode 272 of the Make it British PodcastStarting off the new year with something a bit different. This episode explains everything.Looking out for my special FAQ series, starting on Monday 7th January.HANDY LINKSBritish Brand AcceleratorMake it British WebsiteYouTubeInstagramRate This Podcast
271 – 3 Things I Learnt This Year
Hello and Welcome to Episode 271!As 2023 draws to a close, and for my last podcast episode of the year, I reflect back on the 3 biggest lessons that I've learnt this year.I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has listened to this podcast over the last 12 months. I cannot believe I am now at episode 271!The Make it British Podcast will be back on 5th January 2024.See you then!MENT
270 – Sustainability Insights for Small Businesses with Mark Shayler
Welcome to episode 270!In this episode I'm chatting with the fascinating Mark Shayler about all things sustainability.Mark is the author of You Can't Make Money From a Dead Planet, he consults with businesses big and small to help them do better when it comes to their environmental footprint, and he is one of the co founders of Reasons to be Cheerful, a platform for spreading good cheer and hope i
269 – Stop Winging it & Have Your Best Year Ever!
Hello and welcome to episode 269 of the Make it British podcast!At the time of recording this we are just a month away from the start of 2024, and that can only mean one thing - time to start planning!If that idea fills you with dread, because you are a 'wing it and see' type of person, maybe next year needs to start a little differently.In this episode I give you tips on how to stop winging it an
268 – From Start-Up to Export Champion with Laura Ward from Exeat
Welcome to Episode 268 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode, I am joined by Laura Ward, founder of the luxury British tennis brand Exeat.Exeat is the UK's most exported luxury tennis apparel brand, and Laura herself is the winner of many awards, including Global Startup of the&nb
267 – Insights from my Houses of Parliament meeting with the APPG for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion
Welcome to episode 267 of the Make It British Podcast!In this episode, I share my recent experiences at the All Party Parliamentary Group for ethics and sustainability in fashion at the Houses of Parliament, organised by Fashion Roundtable.You can hear the full speech that I gave on the importance of localism, transparency, and ethical practices in the fashion industry. In which I highlighted the
266 – The Business-Transforming Benefits of Investing in Yourself
Welcome to Episode 266 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode I discuss how and why investing in your own personal development can dramatically transform your business. I share insights from my own personal development journey and provide valuable advice on how investing in yourself can make a massive difference to your business growth.We'll explore the risks of not investing in yourself,
265 – Mastering the Art of Selling at Pop-ups with Pip Chawner, Philippa London
Welcome to Episode 265 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode I'm chatting with Pip Chawner, who is the founder of womenswear brand Philippa London.Pip has got some fantastic tips to share about her experiences of setting up her brand; some of the challenges she's had along the way, including a bit of a tricky experience with a manufacturer in India; and how she has had great success selli
264 – 12 Manufacturer Red Flags and How to Avoid Them
Welcome to Episode 264 of the Make it British Podcast!What are the red flags to watch out for when searching for a manufacturer, particularly if you're starting your search on Google or another search engine?From misleading claims of being a UK manufacturer to refusing to sign NDAs and the importance of visiting the factory floor. In this episode I provide valuable tips on how to spot these red fl
263 – The Joy of Partnering with UK Manufacturers with Clare Winton, Grow Wild Outdoorwear
Welcome to Episode 263 of the Make it British Podcast!Today I'm chatting to Clare Winton from Grow Wild Outdoorwear, a new brand for women in pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood.Clare had the idea to develop her maternity brand three years ago, and started, as many start-ups do, by searching Google to find a manufacturer. This led her to a frustrating two years trying to develop her colle
262 – Nailing Your Pricing Strategy
Welcome to episode 262 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode, l explore the factors that go into setting the perfect price, from understanding your customer and competitors to considering the cost of alternatives.Join me as we unravel the secrets behind pricing strategies for product-based businesses that make in the UK. Get ready to gain invaluable insights and advice to help you nail yo
261 - When is the Right Time to Make Big Changes in Your Business?
Welcome to episode 261 of the Make It British Podcast!In this episode, you get the lowdown on why I ended up taking a 6 month break from podcasting. And why I've decided to make some big changes in my business.There's also some valuable advice on knowing when it's time to make changes in your own business, and the questions you need to ask yourself before you do so.HANDY LINKS🚀 British Brand Accel
Series 6 Coming Soon!
Hello and welcome to Series 6 of the Make it British podcast. After a 6 month break the Make it British Podcast is coming back! The first episode will be released on Friday 6th October 2023.I have so much to fill you in on! Thanks to everyone that has requested more podcast episodes. It wasn't until I stopped doing them that I truly realised how much everyone loved and missed them.A lot has c
260 – 5 Hidden Manufacturing Costs and How to Avoid Them
In this episode I discuss some of the hidden costs of manufacturing, and offer tips on how to avoid them.Whether you're starting a new brand, or growing an existing one, there's typically five common areas where costs can spiral out of control, but the good thing is, they are all easily avoidable.Topics covered in this episode:The five hidden costs in UK manufacturing and how to avoid themHow you
259 - The Impact of Brexit on Small Businesses in the UK Textile Industry - Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable
In this episode I'm joined by Tamara Cincik, founder of think tank Fashion Roundtable to discuss the impact of Brexit on small UK textile businesses. We delve into the challenges of supporting and promoting heritage brands, the need for trade associations to refocus their agendas, and the importance of heritage manufacturing in the textile industry. The conversation includes a discussion of the pl
258 – How Do You Define an ‘Ethical Factory’?
We get a lot of people contacting us at Make it British asking if we can put them in touch with a sustainable or ethical factory to make their brand. So in this episode I define ways in which a factory might meet this criteria.I also talk about the launch of Primark's new circular denim collection, which has had mixed reviews in the media, with many thinking it is greenwashing and an insult to sma
257 – From the Archives: Labour Behind the Label Call out BooHoo for Using Unethical Garment Factories
24th April 2023 marks the ten year anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,000 workers and injured 2,500 more.To mark the occasion, I look back on this episode of the podcast with Dominique Muller from Labour Behind the Label, in which we discuss the issues around fast fashion, and what effect it has had on the Leicester textile industr
256 – The No.1 Reason That Product Businesses Fail
Do you know what the no.1 reason is that product businesses fail? It's not legal problems, it's not finance problems, it's not even marketing problems. In this episode, you'll find out what it is, and how to avoid it.You'll learn:Why everything starts with the customer [03:47]The reasons why getting your target customer right will help your business [06:09]How knowing your ideal customer can help
255 – What can Bentley Motors teach British-made brands about selling in a downturn?
Download my Selling Price > Profit Calculator that goes with this episode here.Recently Bentley Motors announced their financial results for 2022, which revealed they'd had their best year ever. This is a luxury car brand, made in the UK, having a phenomenal year during a cost of living crisis.In this episode I discuss what small business can learn from Bentley's recent success, especially when
254 -From Idea to Product: Print-on-Demand with Contrado
If you love factories, then today I have a little treat for you, as we are going on a factory tour with Contrado, who are a print on demand company.Contrado are a truly impressive UK manufacturer. They not only print fabric, leather and other surfaces like glass and pottery, in their huge facility in West London, but they also stitch bags, clothing and accessories from their printed fabrics, and e
253 – 9 Job Skills that UK-Brand Owners Need to Have
When you run a UK-made brand you need to wear a lot of different hats!In this episode we explore all of the different jobs you need to do and the skills you need to have, on top of producing fantastic products.You'll learn:Why being the chief executive officer of your business is your first title [03:08]How managing marketing content plays a vital role in running a business [05:47]Why you need to
252 – Behind the Scenes of Lingerie Manufacturing with Maxine Wells
On today’s episode I am chatting to Maxine Wells, who is the founder of Intimate Apparel Samples, a small lingerie studio in North West London.Getting lingerie made in the UK can be challenging. Whilst the UK once had thousands of machinists making underwear for the likes of Marks & Spencers, sadly there are only now only a handful of lingerie manufacturers left in the UK.I took a trip to
251 – Can You Sell Your Products without Using Social Media?
Welcome to Series 5!After taking a couple of months hiatus to focus on writing my book, I'm back with a brand new series.I'll be answering all of your most commonly asked questions about manufacturing, marketing and selling products that are made in the UK, and have some fantastic guests lined up for this series too.In this episode you'll hear a snippet from Selling Without Social - a workshop I r
Series 5 Coming Soon!
Hello and Welcome to Series 5 of the Make it British Podcast. The new series is coming very soon. The first episode will be released on Friday 3rd March.In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a few things we have coming up, that if you are a listener of this podcast you will probably be really interested to hear about.Selling Without SocialAn online workshop that I will be host
250 – 11 Ways to Grow a British Brand in 2023
Having worked with hundreds of British brands over the last few years, and speaking to them about what is working for them right now, and what they see working in 2023, here are 11 ideas you can use for growing your British brand in 2023.Discover:02:31 Why being a small business means you're in a great position right now05:12 The 11 ways that you can grow your brand in 202329:35 How joining Britis
249 – Luxury Silk Scarves Celebrating the Art of Science – Siwan Oldham, By Biology
Meet Siwan Oldham, the founder of ByBiology, a business that is giving to scientific research by creating the most beautiful luxury silk scarves. Siwan talks about how her business idea came about, the reason she decided to manufacturer in the UK, and her journey so far in building the brand. Discover:03:59 What Siwan's background is and how the idea for her business came about05:10 Why Siwan knew
248 – For the Love of Wool with Sarah Turner, Little Beau Sheep
Sarah Turner is the founder of Little Beau Sheep, a brand that celebrates the best of British wool through a unique range of hand-made laundry and body care products.Flying the flag for British wool, the Yorkshire-based entrepreneur came up with the idea of eco-friendly laundry balls to help families save money on washing. In this interview we chat all about how British wool has influenced Sarah a
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