Managed

From mixing homemade hair oil in repurposed ketchup bottles in a student conservatory to becoming the UK’s 13th fastest-growing company, Lucie Macleod’s journey with Hair Syrup is anything but conventional. In this week’s episode of Managed, the 26-year-old founder shares the raw reality of building a viral, eight-figure haircare empire entirely bootstrapped. She takes us back to the early days of "Walter White-style" kitchen chemistry, explaining how a series of viral TikToks transformed her student side hustle into a global sensation that has defied the odds and rewritten the rules of beauty entrepreneurship.Beyond the viral moments, Lucie pulls back the curtain on the challenges that social media often glosses over. We dive into her controversial Dragon’s Den rejection, and how she turned that professional low into a masterclass in PR, along with her unfiltered take on why most retail expansions are a "vanity show" for online brands. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or just looking for the truth behind the glamour of scaling a business, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and why knowing your "why" is the ultimate competitive advantage.Managed is a podcast/digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

On this week’s episode of Managed, Hannah is joined by actress, entrepreneur and TV personality Juliet Mayhew as she pulls back the curtain on her extraordinary life.From her rural Australian roots to the prestigious stages of the West End and her recent move into the world of reality TV, Juliet shares the pivotal moments that have defined her career. She discusses the realities of the modern entertainment industry, the vital importance of work ethic, and how she navigates the complexities of being a working mother. Whether you're an aspiring creative or looking for hard-won business wisdom, Juliet’s real, "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" approach offers a refreshing perspective on balancing ambition with integrity. Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

This week on Managed, Hannah sat down with Verity Park, a multi-hyphenate founder and creator economy expert obsessed with building businesses for and with creators. Verity details her journey from managing Grace Beverley and launching TALA at Gleam Futures, to shutting down her DTC company to build tbh talent, an agency she organically grew by building a personal brand online She’s giving a behind the scenes look into her innovative ventures: tbh, Creator Accountant, and rostr, a new CRM solving the industry's transparency and organisational issues. We discuss the philosophy behind developing talent, the decision to give her team 10% of the business, and why she believes the future of talent management requires founders to embrace their personal brand (cue the LinkedIn ‘ragebait)’. This episode is perfect for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit who wants to know what it really takes to build a successful business and personal brand. Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

In this episode of Managed, Hannah is joined by Ellie Carlile, the founder of Byellie, a multi-million-pound beauty brand she launched in 2021 with just £2,000. She pulls back the curtain on the unfiltered reality of scaling a 100% bootstrapped company, from becoming the woman behind the viral 30 million-view TikTok brow product to the extreme highs and lows that followed.Ellie shares her most critical financial rule for founders and reveals the harsh truth about launching into retail with partners like Sephora and Boots. Plus, she opens up about the brutal five-year slump that forced her to cut her business in half, and the importance of asking for help.This episode is perfect for bootstrapped founders, product-based businesses, and young entrepreneurs who want the unfiltered truth on scaling a brand, managing crisis, and navigating the challenging financial realities of major retail.Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age.Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age.Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

This week on Managed, Hannah is dropping the glitz and glam to offer a candid, vulnerable look at the genuine ups and downs of running a growing agency. From a stressful move to a new central London office, talent and staff turnover, hiring for the next stage of the business, and growing to be ‘Boutique at Scale’, Hannah’s not holding back. Plus, she’s diving into the evolving industry, including what talent can expect from the transition from digital to TV. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur dealing with the highs and lows of running a business or anyone wanting a behind the scenes look into the creator economy. Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

Former JD YouTube lead and Archive House founder Chloe McCulloch reveals the journey of starting a disruptive YouTube agency and what it really takes for brands to build a successful presence on the channel. Chloe breaks down the critical difference between brand building and transactional ROI, using her time running JD's channel and their successful community turnouts (like shutting down the Trafford Centre) as proof. She also shares about the gender disparity in long-form content and how brands misuse talent by failing to distinguish between influencers, creators, and celebrities in their creative briefs. Pulling back the curtain on Archive House, Chloe is digging into her aggressive outreach strategy that’s landed her top clients within a couple of months, the difficulty of hiring niche YouTube talent, and why she turned down multiple investment offers to maintain control and size. It’s an episode full of practical insights and entrepreneurial tips that you won’t want to miss!Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

Mariam Musa joins Managed for a powerful conversation about building a career in the influencer industry — from starting YouTube at 17 to navigating fame, money, motherhood, and long-term success.She opens up about the reality of social media, dealing with criticism, making brands over £100K in sales, and why creators need to see themselves as businesses. They also unpack podcasting, industry pressure, audience expectations, and how motherhood impacts a woman’s career.An honest, insightful episode for creators, founders, and anyone building a personal brand in today’s digital world.Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com

What really happens after Love Island ends?In this episode of Managed, Shakira Khan sits down with her manager Emily Hibbert and Hannah to break down the reality of life after the villa — from overwhelming brand deals and choosing management to mental health, identity, and navigating fame.Shakira opens up about her experience growing up, speaking on racism, staying authentic online, and building a long-term career beyond reality TV. This is an honest look at the creator industry, influencer marketing, and what it actually takes to turn viral fame into something sustainable.00:00 Meet Shakira Khan & life after Love Island 03:00 Meeting 20+ agencies & choosing management 07:30 Red flags in talent agencies (what to avoid) 12:00 Building a real relationship with your manager 17:00 The reality of leaving the villa (mental health) 22:00 Speaking on racism & using your platform 27:00 How Shakira planned her brand deals before the show 32:00 Content creation, briefs & staying authentic 38:00 TV opportunities vs brand deals (what matters more) 44:00 Fame pressure, public scrutiny & mental resilience 52:00 Long-term strategy, money & building a career 58:30 Final advice: don’t rush, choose wisely Managed is a podcast/ digital show interviewing industry leaders across media, business, sports and more who found success at a young age. Hosted by talent agency owner Hannah Holland who founded HLD in 2019 at 24 years old, she has witnessed the struggles and less than Instagram-worthy realities of building a business to a 7 figure success at a young age. Follow Hannah Holland: https://www.instagram.com/hannahroseholland/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/managedpod/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@hldtalent2655TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@managedpodHLD TALENT: https://hldtalent.com