{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/665f2584aa134f0012248c29/6a327d36883f9289e904ffcf?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Seams Impossible: How Nadine Merabi built a £40m fashion brand","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/665f2584aa134f0012248c29/1781693667361-d6895c29-2207-4e1b-aeda-6edb93197985.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Manchester-based Nadine Merabi played Hockey professionally for England, bought a £250 sewing machine from Argos and taught herself how to sew. With no formal training she sold a collection to Selfridges and from there she stitched together a £40 million luxury fashion business. She talks candidly with host Sir Richard Harpin about the resilience needed to build a business from scratch —the only thing standing in entrepreneurs’ way is themselves. Merabi pivoted during covid into a Darcie pyjama line, which was worn by celebrities and still makes up a significant proportion of sales, but she draws the line at loungewear. She reveals why growing 800% in a year was her biggest mistake and what it taught her about culture and leadership. And her why her mantra has shifted from <em>\"pressure makes diamonds\"</em> to <em>\"planning makes profit\". </em>Also, she explains how her decision to hire a CEO frees her up to focus on what she does best: giving women confidence.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Subscribe to the Business Leader Podcast and sign up to our free weekly newsletter at <a href=\"https://www.businessleader.co.uk/newsletters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">businessleader.co.uk/newsletters</a></p>","author_name":"Business Leader "}