Today I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with wife and husband duo Julia and Trevor Cash, co-founders and, respectively, Creative Director and Managing Director of Mad Beauty. Over the last 25 years Mad Beauty have been well recognised in the gift industry for trail blazing beauty products into the gift space. Their innovative and brand-protective approach to both their own brands and licensed products comes from a fascinating history that we hear all about in this episode. Enjoy!

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Julia Cash
  • Trevor Cash
  • Mad Beauty
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Mad Beauty
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

This episode we’re joined by James Arnold, CEO of Birchstone Markets. We’ve talked about finances before on this podcast, but this is our first foray into Foreign Exchange, one of three key services delivered by Birchstone. Get behind the scenes with James as we learn about how the company came to be formed in 2021, and the fantastic culture and ethos they’ve created in the business, plus how they’ve embraced technology to set themselves apart from the competition.

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • James Arnold
  • Birchstone Markets
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

This episode we hear from Oli Hills, founder of Nonsensical, an agency focussing on TikTok content creation and consultancy. TikTok is one of those platforms that so many people enjoy, and yet so many small businesses, particularly in gift, have yet to take advantage of. With the addition of TikTok shop now is the perfect time to hear from Oli, a true expert, and understand how to get started and make an impact with your products. Insightful and entertaining, as you’d expect!

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Oli Hills
  • Nonsensical
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Nonsensical
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

Today we’re joined by the inspirational Morena Fiore, founder of Kodes - designer, retailer and wholesaler of an amazing range of unique, handcrafted jewelry, including Gift of the Year finalist product, an aromatherapy essential oils diffuser bracelet. We learn all about the origins of Kodes and Morena’s hands-on, risk free approach to launching, marketing and growing her business. You’ll also enjoy a bit of a marketing tangent, as Morena and I tap into our marketing knowledge to give some great tips and advice for self-marketing your business.

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Morena Fiore
  • Kodes
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Kodes
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

In this episode we learn about a different aspect of financial services - financial planning and wealth advice. Andrew Snowball, soon-to-be Director of Greycoat Financial Services talks us through how they help business owner plan for the future, unlocking hopes and dreams for holidays, property, and legacy for their families. With a focus on lifestyle and wellbeing, this is a fantastic insight into how acting now can help you start your journey towards the kind of lifestyle you’ve always hoped for, rather than waiting for retirement.

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Andrew Snowball
  • Greycoat Financial
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
    • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

Today we’re joined by the amazing Aylish Ellwood, Trade Marketing Manager at Enesco. A true giant in our industry, the UK arm of Enesco are celebrating their 30th year in business in 2024! In this episode Aylish takes us through the history of Enesco, (and she was there for almost all of it!), we talk about marketing, trade shows, and of course we hear all about the fabulous Enesco gifts that made it through to the finals of the Gift of the Year awards!

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Aylish Ellwood
  • Enesco
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Enesco
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

In this episode we speak to Steve Harris, Director at Central Business Finance who tells us all about the history of the company and the opportunities available to businesses to raise finance to either proactively support growth or reactively help with cash flow and debts. A lot of small business owner don’t realise the amount of support out the options available to them to expedite growth, and Steve is the perfect person to talk to if you’d like to learn more.

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Steve Harris
  • Central Finance
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101

Today on the Gift-Cast we learn about a brand new area of the gift industry not yet covered in our previous 63 episodes - books as gifts! We welcome Lewis Dawson from the family-run business Bookspeed, one of the few UK companies specialising in the unique realm of selecting and wholesaling books specifically to the gift industry. We learn Bookspeed’s fascinating origin story, understand more about exactly how to go about selecting books that will sell well as gifts, as well as some insight into current trends in the industry.

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Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously know as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each episode you will meet a new key player from retail, supply, events and beyond, learning about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their relationship with the Giftware Association and/or the Gift of the Year awards.

The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest;
  • Lewis Dawson
  • Bookspeed
• Host;
  • The Gift-Cast (website)
  • The Giftware Association
  • Gift of the Year
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant
  • Marketing 101, Agency
• Instagram;
  • Bookspeed
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association
  • Alex Ryan
  • Marketing 101