How do you scale a handmade product business without compromising the craftsmanship that makes it special? In this episode of How To Start Up, Juliet speaks to Molly Mahon about scaling production, finding the right manufacturing partners and expanding internationally while staying true to your brand.

Molly started block printing at her kitchen table and has spent the last decade building an international interiors brand. Today, she works with skilled craftspeople in India, has collaborated with brands including Estée Lauder and generates 40% of her sales in the US.

In this episode:
(00:00) How Molly turned her passion for block printing into a business
(03:30) Scaling handmade production without compromising craftsmanship
(04:10) How to find the right manufacturing partners without losing quality
(11:00) How to establish brand values that guide business decisions
(15:45) Expanding into the US: why success doesn't automatically translate
(17:25) Choosing brand collaborations and knowing when to say no

Find out more:
Website: mollymahon.com
Instagram: @mollymahonblockprinting

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
https://www.fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on Instagram @fallowfieldmason

MUSIC CREDIT: Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

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What if the way you're running your business isn't actually working for you? In this episode, Juliet speaks to Amanda Perry about building a business with ADHD, recognising the signs of burnout and finding ways of working that suit your brain rather than following conventional business advice.

Amanda is the founder of Brain First and author of Brain First Business. After 18 years in business, including growing her marketing agency SOUP from five to 40 employees during the pandemic, her ADHD diagnosis prompted her to rethink how she worked and what success really meant to her.

In this episode:
(02:00) How an ADHD diagnosis changed Amanda's approach to business
(06:30) Recognising the early warning signs of burnout
(09:00) Why conventional business advice might not work for ADHD founders
(12:15) Understanding your ADHD strengths, motivation and hyperfocus
(16:20) Why ADHD can make planning ahead and protecting your future self difficult
(21:30) How to decide what to delegate and when to bring in support
(29:40) Rethinking what business success really looks like

Find out more:
Amanda's website: amandaperry.co.uk
Instagram: @amandaperry
Book: Brain First Business by Amanda Perry
Brain First: brainfirst.co
Workplace Accreditation: brainfirst.co/accreditation

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
https://www.fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on Instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT: Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show

How do you know if customers will actually buy your product before you launch? Juliet talks to Froot Pops founder Ana Martins about testing an idea with real customers, spotting genuine demand and knowing when you have enough proof to scale.

Ana first tested Froot Pops through Pantree, her existing self-service retail business. Today, Froot Pops manufactures from its own facility in London, is stocked by major retailers including Ocado, Morrisons and Tesco, and has raised £1.1 million in external investment.

In this episode:
(02:00) How to spot the first signs that your idea has commercial potential
(06:00) How to test a product with real customers before you launch
(07:00) What does genuine customer demand actually look like?
(10:00) Testing your pricing and product before you scale
(12:00) What you only learn once your product is in customers' hands
(20:00) How to stay focused on your business when facing competition
(21:00) When is it time to raise investment to grow your business?

Find out more:
Instagram: @wearefrootpops

FF&M enables you to own your own PR & produces podcasts.
https://www.fallowfieldmason.com

Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

Email us at hello@fallowfieldmason.com or DM us on Instagram @fallowfieldmason.

MUSIC CREDIT: Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.

Text us your questions for future founders. Plus we'd love to get your feedback, text in via Fan Mail

Support the show