{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/612f97acc68da9001203e9e6/686502eccc507bdab6816dfe?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Changemakers: Harriet Hastings","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/612f97acc68da9001203e9e6/1751450241857-e8096370-85ee-4724-a816-83f04ae0e6c1.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Host Natalie Pearce sits down with Harriet Hastings, the innovative founder of Biscuiteers—a luxury biscuit-gifting brand that transformed the food gifting space.</p><p><br></p><p>Harriet shares how her entrepreneurial leap came after stepping away from a successful career in publishing and PR, seeking greater control and flexibility as a mother of four. Starting Biscuiteers in her husband’s catering kitchen, Harriet spotted a gap in the market for stylish, personalised gifts and turned it into a business now icing nearly three million biscuits each year.</p><p><br></p><p>Key insights include:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>The power of storytelling and organic PR in building a brand.</li><li>How Harriet strategically leveraged corporate partnerships with global brands like Dior, Cartier, and Emma Bridgewater.</li><li>Her experience navigating challenges in manufacturing, scaling operations, and managing multi-channel sales strategies.</li><li>Advocacy for female founders through her initiative “Buy Women Built,” tackling systemic funding issues and championing women-led businesses.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Hosted by<a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/natjpearce/?originalSubdomain=uk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Natalie Pearce.</a></p><p><br></p><p>Visit <a href=\"https://open.acast.com/www.virginstartup.org\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.virginstartup.org</a> 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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Thanks to <a href=\"https://uk.virginmoney.com/business/current-accounts/m-account-for-business/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Virgin Money</a> for making these events free for founders everywhere.</p><p><br></p><p>The podcast is produced by <a href=\"https://www.wearegoldfish.com/studio/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Goldfish</a> for Virgin StartUp.</p>","author_name":"Virgin StartUp"}