Virgin StartUp Changemakers

It's #WorldEntrepreneurshipDay - and what better way to celebrate than listening to our latest podcast featuring an exclusive conversation between Holly Branson and Simon Sinek. 🌎💬

Recorded at our 10th birthday celebrations in London, Holly sat down with eternal optimist and Ted Talk sensation, Simon Sinek, to recognise the impact that you as founders all have on our society. 

Holly and Simon break down the barriers to uncovering your purpose, and share stories of hope at a time we all need it the most. 🤞🏼

Here's to the next 10 years of helping purpose-driven founders start-up and thrive. 🎉

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Changemakers is back! This week we hear from David Abrahamovitch, CEO and founder of cult coffee brand Grind. Find out how David turned an old phone shop in Soho into 11 coffee shop-come-cocktail bars, a home-delivery empire, and even a contract with British Airways.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Changemakers is back! This week we hear from Will Pearson, AKA The Bottle Guy, on why a trip to Malaysia led to him co-founding Ocean Bottle to help clean up our seas.

Are you a new or aspiring founder? Our Community has launched, providing a new home for founders in the UK. Explore membership options here.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Host Natalie Pearce was joined by Chance Marshall, therapist and co-founder of mental healthcare startup Self Space.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Host Natalie Pearce was joined by Varun Bhanot, co-founder of AI workout tech startup, MAGIC AI.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Host Natalie Pearce was joined by Brian Walmsley, co-founder of sustainable homeware brand ReBorn.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Host Natalie Pearce was joined by Hugo Douglas-Deane and Thomas Panton, co-founders of home of buying better, Canopey.

The pair discussed how all of us can shop better, and what it takes to build a business taking on the likes of Amazon.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is Ella Goldner, co-founder of ZINC VC.

ZINC VC changed the Venture Capital game when they launched their platform for purpose-first founders looking to partner with investors who shared their vision for a better world.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Produced by Goldfish for Virgin StartUp.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Natalie met the changemaker championing unapologetic sexual and intimate health for everyone.

In 2017, best friends Farah Kabir and Dr Sarah Welsh were both equally frustrated with the limited variety and their experience in the condom and lube aisle.

They created HANX with the purpose to start a sex-positive and sustainable brand with gynae-backed sexual wellness products everyone would love, with no harsh chemicals.

Their attitude to challenge the status quo and misconceptions about our bodies is a step in the right direction to get rid of the days where you are left blushing at the till or embarrassed about buying sexual wellness and intimate health products.

After putting their life savings into this startup, their story is all about taking the leap and trusting your ambition. Join us in-person and online on 23rd August to meet co-founder Farah to ask her all the questions you want to know about starting up and challenging taboo subjects.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive. You can access Start Up Loan funding and free Business Advice to get your new business off the ground.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Natalie interviews Alex Wright, the co-founder behind DASH, the drinks brand reducing waste and making delicious drinks at the same time.

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ben Keene interviews Dan Kieran, co-founder of Unbound and now author, most recently of Do Start - How to create and run a business (that doesn't run you).

Apologies for the sound quality in this episode, we had some tech problems on the night. We'll do better next time.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Keep your change, I want change please”

These words changed the life of Cemal Ezel, and consequently, thousands more. 

Former City trader Cemal founded Change Please to transform the lives of the homeless community by providing people experiencing homelessness a living wage job, housing, training and opportunities.

Visit https://changeplease.org/ to find out more about the Change Please mission.

Visit www.virginstartup.org to find out about how you can start-up and thrive.

Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders everywhere.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-founder relationships can make or break a business. Whether it’s overcoming challenges or celebrating success together, the common goal to pursue your shared passion is what keeps founders going.

At this special In Conversation With MeetUp, our host Ben Keene joins Brixton Brewery co-founders Mike Ross and Xochitl Benjamin to uncover how their chance encounter at the pub brewed up a successful business.

The pair will discuss how having no experience in brewing beer or business didn’t stop them from starting up and how they managed to grow an iconic beer brand in south London.

If you’re building a food and drink brand, this candid chat will give you insights from their own launch to show you what steps could help your journey.

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money , we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #funding #bootstrapping #crowdfunding #startuploans

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The food and drink industry is very crowded, so how do you get customers to reach for your products and get on the shelves in the first place?

From rumbling up recipes to picking the perfect brand name, our panel of award-winning food and drink founders give you a taste on what life is really like starting and scaling up.

In this MeetUp, our host Ben Keene has a feast of fantastic founder stories, insights and advice for up and coming startup leaders.

Featuring:

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in August 2022. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money , we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #funding #foodanddrink #foodiefounders

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet the founders behind a cult brand revolutionising the fashion industry, one garment at a time.

Paynter Jackets began as an experiment over a long-distance relationship. The first jacket they ever produced sold out in 86 seconds, so as experiments go, this wasn't too bad.

Becky Thomas and her husband Huw Thomas, created an innovative clothing brand by taking the traditional models of the fashion industry and turning them on their head.

Today, if you want to get your hands on a Paynter piece, you'll have to be nimble-thumbed on release day and hit that refresh button.

This isn't some marketing trick, or a celebrity-endorsed must-have, the simple but poignant ethos behind Paynter is that they only produce a strictly limited run of each of the pieces they sell every year.

In a world of over-consumption and fast fashion, Paynter are showing you can be be slow, limited, and still create a thriving business.

Thanks to our partnership with Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions, they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#sustainability #fashion #virgin #virginmoney

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As a founder, how do you stay true to your values and find partners and staff who share them? How do you help new team members create new working cultures which compliment yours? And what do you do when this goes wrong? 

Without its people, our businesses aren’t anything. As founders of new startups, you’re the beating heart and soul of your business, and how you build it will reflect your culture, values, practices and design. 

At our MeetUp we met 3 founders to talk about how they create and maintain their company culture as they grow.

Featuring:

Molly Johnson-Jones from Flexa Careers

Hector Hughes from Unplugged

Jim Woods from Betterspace UK

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in May 2022.

Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginmoney #team #culture

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multi-award winning founder, Pip Murray, joins Virgin StartUp for an evening of conversation to crack open the secret to creating a successful food brand.

This is a recording of an interview which took place in March 2022. To get your ticket to our next MeetUp, visit virginstartup.org/events.

We welcomed self-confessed ‘head squirrel’ Pip to our digital MeetUp stage to find out more about her mouthwatering nut butter brand, Pip & Nut, that has taken the UK shelves by storm.

With a craving for less processed ingredients and no palm oil free options, Pip guided us through her journey from experimenting in her kitchen to becoming the fastest-growing nut butter brand in the UK. She gives us a behind the scenes look into the reality of being a founder, what the challenges were and how she overcame them, plus why finding a gap in the market was key to her success.

Our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, uncovered Pip’s secrets to creating a brand filled with personality backed by conscious values that are consistent throughout the business. Together they discuss why connecting with your audience is just as important as making a killer product.

If you’re looking to crack this industry, don’t skip this recap!

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #foodanddrinkbrands #foodscaleups #pipmurrray #pipandnut

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How can you make social media work for your startup?

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in April 2022. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

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If you’re building a startup then you already know that your social media game needs to be on point.

But in the days of 15 minute news cycles, influencers and saturated feeds, how can founders use social media in a way that works for them?

To grow your brands, reach new customers and build communities, our panel of seasoned social strategists and brand-building founders will uncover the secrets to smashing social media for your business, and what mistakes first-time founders should avoid.

Featuring:

Corrie Jones, founder of Untapped Digital

Henry Connell, co-founder of The Uncommon

Abi Oyepitan, co-founder of LIHA Beauty

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #socialmedia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're bringing you the final episode of our exclusive series,The Jump, available wherever you get your podcasts.

The final episode of Series 1! Meet Cemal Ezel, the inspirational founder ofChange Please, who went from City trader to changing the lives of homeless people one cup of coffee at a time. In this episode we find out what inspired Cemal to create change, and how he ended up sat next to George and Amal Clooney on Necker Island, being mentored by one Richard Branson.

See virginstartup.org for more.

We're bringing you this podcast in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

The Jump is produced by Goldfish Studio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We interrupt your MeetUps so bring you an exciting new series from Virgin StartUp and give you exclusive access to the first episode. *click here to subscribe to the new feed to hear the rest of the series*

Launching a travel startup just before Covid hits. Being inspired by your daughter to launch a business which ends up landing Beyonce as a client. Going from a kitchen table blog to a multimillion pound business.

These are just some of the stories we've uncovered in our new startup podcast series; The Jump, hosted by Ben Keene.

Shedding light on inspiring tales from the world of startups in the UK, The Jump gets unrivalled access to founders to hear the stories behind the brands.

See virginstartup.org for more.

The Jump is produced by Goldfish Studio.

We're bringing you this podcast in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to start a business in 2022

Will this be the year you startup?

There has never been a better time to start a business. Amidst the challenges of the past 2 years, a record number of new startups have flourished.

Virgin StartUp helped thousands to fund, start and grow the businesses they're passionate about - and now we want to help you.

If you're thinking of starting or growing a business in 2022, then you won't want to miss our first MeetUp of the year.

Start 2022 as you mean to go on. It's time to startup.

Who’s on our panel?

Rob Ford co-founder of Tooting-based plant business Box and Sprout, a digital-first plant business and growing a community of green-fingered Londoners who are on a mission to help anyone create their dream garden, without the fuss.

Jill Henry, co-founder of Meander Apparel, a Scottish clothing brand specialising in sustainable, versatile, technical clothing for everyday stylish adventures. Jill started Meander with her husband Steve after organizing a charity cycle from London to Paris and struggled to find performance clothing that was comfortable for cycling and stylish enough to be worn off the bike. Since its launch in 2018, Meander Apparel has been spotted on Sir Richard Branson, fashion designer Henry Holland and Olympic cycling gold-medallist Callum Skinner. Sustainability is at the heart of their brand, and they are proud members of 1% for the planet, carbon neutral and 95% of their cuts are 95% are made from natural or recycled materials.

Lysander Bickham, Co-Founder and CEO of Leo’s Box, Leo’s box is an Eco-friendly members club. Where customers are able to have access to a number of products hand-picked by Leo's Box, at a reduced price. Lysander chose to apply for B Corp as a priority making him the youngest B Corp CEO ever. 

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We were thrilled to be joined at our December MeetUp for an in-depth and unfiltered conversation with Heights founder and podcasting legend, Dan Murray-Serter.

Dan is a multi-award winning serial founder, who has talked openly about failure and overcoming mental health challenges, including suffering from depression, burnout, anxiety and insomnia. Dan co-founded braincare supplements company, Heights, and is the host of one of the UK's most popular podcasts, Secret Leaders.

Thanks to our friends at Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo and want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. They provide a full range of founder friendly products and services to help people at every stage of their business journey.

Visit https://www.virginstartup.org to find out how Virgin StartUp can help you startup and thrive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in November 2021. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

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To celebrate the launch ofVirgin StartUpsigning up to the Better Business Act, our November MeetUp focussed on how we can all build better businesses and have a positive impact on society and the environment.

The drive towards more conscientious business has never been stronger, with consumers and investors looking for more purposeful brands to engage with. We know the world is changing, and that fundamentally, businesses need to change with it. But how?

The potential for creating lasting impact is great, surpassed only by the urgency to act. In this MeetUp, our guests explain how founders can start and scale businesses which go beyond greenwashing and create a purposeful yet profitable business.

Plus, Holly Branson, Virgin’s Chief Purpose and Vision Officer, also joins us for a Q&A about purpose-led businesses and how the Better Business Act will make an impact.

Featuring:

Victoria Stoyanova, founder of the Institute of Belonging

Chris Turner, Campaign Director of the Better Business Act

Dama Sathianathan, Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events, delivered in partnership with Virgin Money, are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Virgin Money is here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #socialmedia #onlinecommunities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With a shift in consumer attitude and a focus on sustainability, being a fashion brand today comes with new challenges and more scrutiny. In an industry known for using natural resources and encouraging waste and consumption, we pulled together founders who are leading the change in the industry and creating innovative, cleaner, greener and longer lasting solutions.

Covering everything from production, supply chains and packaging, watch to find out how you can do it in your own startup too.

Our panelists reflect on their own experiences in the industry, and how they’ve innovated to create planet-friendly products that don’t cost the earth and have longer lifespans.

If you’re building a business for our changing world, find out how to create real impact and build a sustainable startup.

Featuring:

Arabella Turek, COO of Petit Pli

Mandeep Soor, co-founder of Bendi

Andrew and Elizaveta Bennett, founders of Arkdefo

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events, delivered in partnership with Virgin Money, are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Virgin Money is here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Branson, founder of trailblazing drinks brand Seedlip, leads the lineup of our MeetUp on how to start and scale a food and drink brand, supported by Virgin Money. 

Food and drink startups are becoming ever more popular. The appeal and relevance of great products in the foodie world means more and more founders are vying for consumer attention and supermarket shelf space. In a saturated market, how do you stand out? And if you manage to break through, how do you grow your business and operations to ensure you can keep your customers happy? Join Virgin StartUp in July as we find out how to start and scale a food and drink brand at our next MeetUp.

Ben Branson - no relation to Richard, but clearly sharing the same entrepreneurial gene - started the category-defining Seedlip: the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs drinks brand. Not satisfied with being the non-alcoholic alternative to traditional spirits, Ben set out to create an aspirational brand which people would want to experience regardless of whether they were looking for something alcoholic or not. Touted as one of the Top 50 most influential people in food and drink by The Telegraph, Ben has racked up extensive knowledge on the food and drink sphere, which he’s excited to share with founders at our MeetUp. 

Joining Ben is Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, which, after launching in 2010, went viral on TikTok and Instagram during the pandemic after rebranding in 2018.

Our final speaker is co-founder and COO of The Vurger Co., Neil Potts. Vegan comfort food is now big news, but Neil’s one the pioneers you have to thank for it.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Social media is no longer just a trend that founders have to follow, it’s a key marketing channel for any business. As a small and new startup, how do you stand out?

And if you manage to build strong connections, how do you keep your content relevant and exciting to continue making customers happy and stay loyal to your brand?

Our social media experts dive into their own experiences online and how they used their platforms to create successful foundations for their businesses through social media, plus what techniques they used to manage it to accelerate their growth and get results.

Featuring:

Montana Brown, influencer and founder of Swim Society

Lucy Wright, co-founder of Nice Drinks

Pilar Nalwimba, producer, presenter and podcaster

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events, delivered in partnership with Virgin Money, are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at

virginstartup.org

Virgin Money is here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #socialmedia #onlinecommunities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to put yourself at the heart of your brand.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in August 2020. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

It’s time to tell the story of narrative in business. Featuring James Hurst, Global Head of Creative at Pinterest, we want to help you tell your brand story.

The brands you love all have a story behind them. Think of 16-year-old Richard Branson launching Student magazine, and every chapter that has followed. Our favourite brands mean something to us because we have a shared narrative with them - we’ve joined their journey and have invited them to be part of ours.

At this MeetUp we find out why putting founding stories at the heart of your brand give a startup a bigger edge over the competition, and how can you tell your story through your brand, and build an engaged customer base.

Our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, spoke to our expert panelists to find out how your story can cut through the noise and reach a new audience.

Featuring:

James Hurst, Global Creative Director Pinterest

Alice Rhodes, co-founder of disruptive beauty brand, Depixym

Corrie Jones, founder at social media agency, Untapped Digital

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #virginmoney #ukbusiness #startups

#virgin #virginstartup #ukbusiness #startups #branding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in February 2021. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

In the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a challenging time to start a business. But in challenging times, opportunities arise for founders wanting to make a difference. Opportunities to fix problems, innovate, adapt and grow.

If you’re thinking of starting up, or are working hard to pivot your business, this MeetUp is for you.

Our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, spoke to three lockdown entrepreneurs to set out a clear plan of action for would-be founders contemplating starting up, and established founders looking to pivot.

Featuring:

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money , we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #lockdown #coronavirus

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in November 2020. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Being a startup founder can be vitalising, rewarding, and ultimately fulfilling - but the job comes with incredible responsibility, long hours, isolation and stress. We all need support in managing our mental wellbeing - and this starts with an honest conversation about it.

At this MeetUp, our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, spoke honestly with our panellists about their experience balancing their well-being with flourishing founder careers.

Featuring:

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from @Virgin Money , we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #mentalhealth #worklifebalance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in September 2020. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Starting a business means taking on risk and creating value – but the nature of this value - and crucially why we create it – is fundamentally changing. At this Virgin StartUp MeetUp, we explored the role that small business might play in the future.

The world has seemingly changed overnight, encompassing all areas of how we do business, how we live and how we work. But how many of the changes we’re experiencing were already on the cards before the pandemic? What trends in our social lives, the climate, technology and consumerism were already in motion, and will continue long into the next decade?

Joining host Ben Keene, founder of Rebel Book Club and Virgin StartUp mentor, on the panel:

We took a look into the coming decade and beyond, to try and chart our predictions for what comes next. What comes next for founders, for consumers, for business and for the planet.

As we uncovered at our recent MeetUps, business “success” is being redefined in front of our eyes. The ways consumers behave and respond to brands has evolved, and brands which show inauthenticity or maligned interests will be exposed at lightning speed online. Traditional business models which have been relied upon for decades are starting to look stale; the rise of adblocking software and decline of outdoor advertising are forcing brands big and small to vie for consumer attention elsewhere on social media and new audio formats.

Sustainability has become not only a watchword for societies at large, but a sign of intent in consumers. Younger generations have grown to not only seek sustainable products and brands, but openly state that they are willing to pay more for them. A Forbes report notes that 62 % of Generation Z, who will begin entering the workforce this year, prefer to buy from sustainable brands, on par with our findings for Millennials.

If purpose is going to be at the heart of the future of business, what does this mean for how we, as founders, design startups, brands and companies which can thrive?

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #futurism #sustainability #BCorp

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in March 2021. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Are you thinking of packing in the day job and going full-time on your startup? How do you know when the right time to go all-in is? It’s time to find out.

Whilst there’s no ‘perfect time’ to quit the day job and go it alone, what are the options when your startup is gaining traction, and how do you find the confidence in yourself and your business to take the leap?

At this MeetUp, our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, spoke to our panellists to find out exactly how they went full-time with their startups to hopefully inspire you to do the same.

Featuring:

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #founder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp which took place in June 2020. To get your ticket for our next MeetUp please visit virginstartup.org/events

Since 2020, the world of business has been dealing with unprecedented levels of uncertainty. But does that mean we should wait until things feel more stable before getting a startup off the ground?

This MeetUp explored what we can learn from businesses that started up in previous recessions, what new opportunities there might be now, and whether there is ever a ‘right time’ to start a business.

Our host, Virgin StartUp Business Advisor and founder of Rebel Cook Club, Ben Keene, was joined by three founders to find out if not now, then when to start up.

On the panel:

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org.

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #virginmoney #ukbusiness #startups #coronavirus

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ben meets Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma!

Susie was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, and Tropic Skincare was one of the fastest growing UK companies in 2018. Find out how she got here, and her advice for founders just starting out.

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in April 2021. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

Do you want to build a business that has impact? If so, you’ve landed on the right podcast.

At this MeetUp, our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, spoke to our expert panellists to uncover how you can build a business which can make a positive impact on society.

Featuring:

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events, delivered in partnership with Virgin Money, are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #founder #sustainability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a recording of the Virgin StartUp MeetUp that took place in May 2021. Get your tickets to our next MeetUp from virginstartup.org/events.

For 50 years, Virgin has built business after business off the back of an irresistible brand - and at this MeetUp, we uncovered what it takes to build a brand that people love.

Maybe you’re at the start of your founder journey and are seeking some inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. Or you know what you want, but aren’t sure how to get there. It could be that you’re thinking about rebranding your business, but you don’t know where to begin.

Our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, quizzed our panellists on exactly how they built knockout brands, so you can build yours too.

Featuring:

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Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events, delivered in partnership with Virgin Money, are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

#virgin #virginstartup #startups #branding #sustainability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global thought leader, unshakeable optimist, founder and best-selling author, Simon Sinek, joins Virgin StartUp for an evening of conversation. You’ll want to listen to the end for a surprise guest who joined us on stage!

This is a recording of an interview which took place in September 2020. To get your ticket to our next MeetUp, visit virginstartup.org/events.

In a rare and intimate setting, we welcomed Simon to our digital MeetUp stage to find out his ‘why’. 28 million people have tuned in to watch Simon’s TED Talk, the third most popular TED Talk of all time, based on his sell-out book, Start With Why. His thinking has inspired countless founders to build businesses that hold purpose at their core.

Our host, Virgin StartUp advisor and founder of Rebel Book Club, Ben Keene, uncovered Simon’s insights on how to build and lead effective teams, what drives consumer behaviour, and why we should all feel optimistic about the future of business.

Virgin StartUp helps founders and future founders start and grow the businesses they’re passionate about. Our monthly MeetUp events are for founders to access invaluable advice and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. Find out more at virginstartup.org

Thanks to the support from Virgin Money, we’re able to make our MeetUp events free to attend, providing thousands of early-stage founders with the support they need to start and scale businesses in the UK.

Virgin Money are here to disrupt the status quo. They want everyone to have a much happier relationship with money. Through their brilliant colleagues, inspiring spaces and digital solutions they are doing everything they can to offer a life more Virgin. They provide a full range of banking products and services to help founders at every stage of their business journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.