Business Unusual

Vivien and Howard Wong, otherwise known as the sibling power duo and co-founders of the ice cream company Little Moons re-join Claudia on the podcast. Inspired by their family’s history of owning a bakery, they launched Little Moons in 2015 which sells traditional Japanese mochi ice-cream in a variety of flavours across several supermarkets in the UK and Europe. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength despite Brexit and Covid-19.The siblings join Claudia to talk about Little Moon’s dramatic growth through the app TikTok. They also discuss the dynamics of founding a business as partners and they even share an exclusive secret about a brand new flavour.Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

Taymoor Atighetchi, co-founder of online student newspaper The Tab, went on a papery adventure in 2015 to combine his love for stationery and art to launch a new business called Papier - a sustainable stationary company that specialises in creating a range of products such as notebooks, diaries and wedding invites.Expanding into the US market, Papier has gone from strength to strength and has recently celebrated reaching their 1 millionth customer.Taymoor and Claudia chatter about Papier’s three unique selling points – design, quality, and personalisation. Taymoor also discusses the importance of less talking and more doing and why passion is a better motive for starting up a business than pound signs. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here, Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

For years, Biochemist Farah Naz had struggled to find a foundation that matched her olive skin complexion. So in 2013 Farah combined her frustration with her talent for science and business to create a cometic line named EX1 Cosmetics. Since then, the brand has gone on to be named the number 1 world make-up brand for olive skin.Farah, who was awarded Business Woman of the year in 2018, now has an impressive range of products that are changing women’s lives around the world, including several A-list celebs. Claudia and Farah catch up on all things EX1 whilst discussing the value that can be found pushing boundaries, in failing and also having relentless faith in your concept. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

Ailbhe Keane was inspired at art college to focus her final project on bespoke wheel cover designs for her sister Izzy and her wheelchair. This project became the beginning of game changing disability fashion brand Izzy Wheels. With the company motto ‘if you can’t stand up, stand out’, Izzy Wheels is now worth millions and sells to over 50 countries around the world, helping young people personalise their wheelchairs. Ailbhe is the winner of 15 major awards, including being named as one of the leaders of tomorrow, a Forbes 30 under 30 honouree, and has also been featured in Vogue, Elle and Oprah's Magazine. Ailbhe and Claudia catch-up about social media shop windows and how an online video helped Izzy Wheels to grow and collaborate with brands such as Hello Kitty, Barbie and Disney. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

In 2016 Khalia Ismain launched Love Jamii, a discount card and discovery platform. Inspired by a trip to Kenya and the Swahili word for community (Jamii), the company holds supporting small black businesses, creatives and black culture at its centre and sells a whole range of products from Afro Haircare products to greeting cards.Moreover, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter Movement, Love Jamii is leading the way in increasing the profile of black businesses and continuing the conversation around racial inequality in business.Claudia talks to founder Khalia about the importance of supporting small businesses, throwing yourself into the deep end and harnessing the power of storytelling. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here  Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

App creator and mum Michelle Kennedy joins Claudia to discuss her app Peanut which was originally designed in 2017 to be a modern, innovative social network for new mums. Now in 2020, the app has an estimated 1.6 million users and has evolved into a feminine online community and safe space that supports women through a range of impactful life moments from relationships to fertility.  In this episode, Claudia and Michelle talk about the launch of Peanut Menopause and spotting the forgotten demographic. Michelle also shares tips on how to navigate female empowerment in the business world.   Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

At age 21, Steven Bartlett dropped out of university, packed his bags and set off around the world to create Social Chain, a social media marketing and ecommerce company worth an estimated $450 million. From there, Steven has gone on to become a Sunday Times best seller, a successful podcaster, and has even been inducted into Manchester City’s Hall of Fame. Steven joins Claudia to chat about leading the way in one of the world’s fastest moving sectors, knowing when to quit and becoming the youngest ever member of Dragons Den. We also hear about Steven’s new company Catena Capital and the importance of embracing insecurity. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here.Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

Whilst following her own personal journey moving away from fast fashion, Grace Beverly was frustrated to not be able to afford sustainable active ware in her twenties. Already the founder of fitness app, Shreddy, Grace spotted an exciting gap in the market and set about creating game changing brand TALA using her 1M+ followers on Instagram to grow the business. Grace talks to Claudia Winkelman about the importance of social media in launching the business (TALA took 10,000 orders on its first day). We hear about TALA’s ‘audience first’ approach to acquiring a customer base; and how, for TALA, sustainability isn’t just a matter of box-ticking and having a sustainability statement but a defining factor in every decision the business makes. Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.

Whilst searching the shelves of supermarkets for palm oil free peanut butter, entrepreneur Pip Murray sparked an idea to create delicious nut butter for her post run treats and breakfasts. Borrowing £5000 from her dad to buy a blender, plus interest, Pip & Nut was born.  Chief Squirrel Pip Murray speaks to Claudia Winkleman about creating a fun work culture that values balance and squirrel-based job titles, as well as how Pip & Nut is using it’s business as force for good by looking out for the environment and the local community.  Business Unusual is made in association with Vodafone Business’ V-Hub platform. V-Hub is here to help with free expert knowledge and guidance, and a constantly evolving range of tools and training. Click here to access online their library and knowledge centre, offering content, tools and insights to help small-medium businesses thrive online. Not only that, but you can access free support from expert business V-Hub advisers. This one-to-one digital support from a business V-Hub adviser can cover a range of topics from how to build an online presence to managing online security risks. Call 0808 005 7400 or visit here. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman. From Vodafone Business, produced by Listen Entertainment.