Start Scale Succeed
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
Episodes
When should I start talking about my brand on socials? How soon should I build a community?
These are questions I'm often asked by brands that are starting and in EP 193 I'm chatting with Heather Chan co-founder of new brand Moonbow (where Traditional Chinese Medicine meets modern skincare)
The brand launched in March 2025 and the founders Heather & Dr. Felice Chan have been building the brand in public for the last 18 months.
...
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June 26, 2025 • 39 mins
Welcome to another episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast with your host, Nicole Higgins, the Buyer and Retail Coach. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Lauren Orlicky , co-founder of US Launchpad about the practicalities of launching your brand in the United States and how to do it the Easy Way
Episode Highlights:
- The Story Behind US LaunchpadLauren shares how her own e-commerce challenges inspired her to create US Launc...
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June 12, 2025 • 32 mins
In this weeks episode, Nicole brings back Laura, founder of The Shortlist—a premium petite fashion brand—for her third appearance on the podcast. Having followed Laura’s journey from launch to becoming a profitable business, Nicole dives deep into the milestones, challenges, and evolutionary steps that have shaped The Shortlist over the past four years.
Listen in as Laura shares candid insights about manufacturing setbacks, profit...
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Is conventional PR over?
In this weeks episode of start scale succeed we are live from the retail revealed stage of the Top Drawer Trade Fair
I’m joined by Journalist and communications expert Priscilla Pollara and here are some of the key areas we chat about
How PR has evolved (and what actually matters now)Storytelling that connects—and convertsWhere to focus your PR efforts for real visibilityMistakes to avoid (and how...
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Nicole sits down with expert fashion copywriter Katie Ramsingh to dive deep into the art and strategy of creating compelling copy and developing a distinctive tone of voice for your brand.
With over 10 years’ experience writing for brands like Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, and Farfetch, Katie shares practical advice for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.
From defining the difference between brand voice and tone of voice...
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On this episode of Start Scale Succeed,Nicole Higgins sits down with Katy Cottam, the founder of Luna Daily—a body care brand redefining skincare for women at every age and life stage.
Katy opens up about her journey from a personal struggle with thrush and sensitive skin to launching and leading a fast-growing brand with retail partnerships at places like Boots, Sephora, and M&S, just three years after launching.
She shares be...
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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 e...
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May 1, 2025 • 28 mins
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 leveragin...
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April 24, 2025 • 35 mins
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 a...
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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?
...
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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:
...
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This weeks episode of Start Scale Succeed Nicole is joined by Leanne and Amy, the dynamic co-founders of Naked Biotics.
They delve into the journey of launching and scaling their probiotic brand amidst challenges like the COVID-19 lockdowns. Inspired by personal experiences and the power of gut health, Leanne and Amy's entrepreneurial journey is one of passion, resilience, and innovation.
The Birth of Naked Biotics: Discover how ...
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March 20, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast, Nicole is joined by Becci McAvoy, founder of Be Heard Socials, to discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, particularly for brand founders. They delve into the challenges and fears of showing true selves online, tips to overcome these barriers, and the significance of personal boundaries in content sharing. Becky, a content strategy and social media marketing exper...
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March 15, 2025 • 28 mins
Pippa Goulden joins the Start Scale Succeed podcast to chat all thing PR for your small business and how you can DIY it and the steps you need to take to increase the visibility of you and your brand.
Highlights include
🎙️ Personal Branding Power: Learn how to weave your personal story into your brand to create compelling narratives that connect with your audience. Pippa highlights the importance of sharing personal stories th...
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March 6, 2025 • 34 mins
In this episode of the Start Scale Succeed podcast,
We delve into the world of entrepreneurship with the inspiring story of Lucy, the founder of Acorn and Pip.
Lucy has successfully run her family concept store, navigating the complexities of retail in challenging times. With nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and a thriving business model that includes a retail store, cafe, and an online presence,
Lucy shares insights into th...
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February 27, 2025 • 40 mins
Ep 178 Masters of the Market, Elevating Small Businesses with Salad Days Market founders Daisy & Liv Tinker
In this week's episode of Start Scale Succeed I chat with Liv & Daisy, the innovative founders behind Salad Days Market, a vibrant pop-up market showcasing the best of small businesses in London.
With their unique backgrounds in fashion and retail, they share their journey from working in the fashion industry to creatin...
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I'm all for anything that is going to make you more money in your business and connecting with your customers in an authentic way. Live shopping ticks those two boxes.
In todays episode of Start Scale Succeed I'm joined by Stephanie Weightman the founder of highlight crafts who started to implement Live shopping in their business just 9 months ago and it has literally saved them from going under.
Stephanie initially started sl...
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February 12, 2025 • 41 mins
Subscription box businesses are worth 1.8 billion in the UK and it's a growing market. So if you are considering starting one, adding one to your current business or need advice on how to make your existing one more profitable then listen to this weeks episode 176 of start scale succeed .
Where you'll hear tips and advice from Multiple Subscription Box founder Lauren Prentice.
Some of the areas we chat about are
The importan...
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February 7, 2025 • 36 mins
EP 175 How your style can create your success with Samantha Harman
Listen to this week's episode to understand how your wardrobe choices influence your business success
"Your wardrobe isn't clothes. It is the physical manifestation of your beliefs, your hopes, your fears, your dreams, all of the things that you think that you can be, that you can't be."
Tune into this weeks episode with Samantha The style editor, we chat about ...
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In this raw and honest episode, Katie Brandon Byrne shares the emotional journey of closing her award-winning children's wear brand, Lil and Izzy. From its successful beginnings to the final decision to liquidate, Katie discusses:
The warning signs that led to closure
The impact of rising costs and market changes
Navigating the liquidation process
Personal lessons learned from the experience
Moving forward with a new busin...
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