Make it British Podcast

When it comes to working out your selling prices, one of the biggest mistakes people make is getting their margin and mark-up all mixed up! It’s easily done as the two words are pretty similar. But it can be a costly mistake to make if you get it wrong. In this episode, I explain what the difference is between a margin and a mark-up, and what percentages you should be aiming for depending on how y...

On today’s episode, we’re being joined by make-up artist Phyllis Cohen, who is also the founder of a business called Face Lace. Phyllis started her career as a make-up artist in the ‘80s during the New Romantic era when her illustrative make-up appeared in magazines such as i-D. She’s also worked her make-up magic on everyone from David Bowie and Lady Gaga to Zandra Rhodes. Phyllis is a great exam...

There are a lot of different costs involved in launching a brand. But in this episode, I break it down into four main segments: prototyping; stock; marketing and admin. I also advise on what the typical amount is that new businesses spend in getting their brand off the ground, and smart ways that you can reduce those costs. Discover: The new ‘Made in UK’ Award introduced by The Great British Entre...

Rowena Howie’s Revival Retro store in central London is a destination shop for fans of her flattering dresses and stylish accessories. In this episode we chat about how Rowena has pivoted her business to online whilst the shop has been closed; how the government could help independent retailers; and how she puts the customer at the heart of everything she does. She’s also got some great advice for...

Choosing a manufacturer is one of the most important decisions you can make in the development of your products, so it’s important to find the right one. When you are assessing whether a manufacturer is a good fit for you there are certain questions that you should ask them. Some of these questions you may want to ask over the phone initially, in order to narrow down your choice, but others, such...

Today I’m chatting to UK garment manufacturer Jenny Holloway who I first featured on this show on episode 21 back in January 2019. Jenny runs Fashion Enter, a social enterprise that makes 1,000s of garments every week in their North London factory.  Fashion Enter also runs a training academy teaching people the essential skills needed to work in fashion production and recently set up another...

When you go to visit any manufacturer for the first time it’s your opportunity to find out exactly how they operate. The more factories you visit the more you come to learn what makes a good fit for you and your business. But there are several key aspects to a well-run factory that you can look out for that should help to inform your decision as to whether you’re in a good place. Discover: Why vis...

Data and digital are drastically changing how we all shop and the way that products are made. In this conversation recorded at Make it British Live! Online, a panel of digital experts from within the fashion industry discuss the importance of data for businesses both large and small, and how it can initiate much more personalised conversations with customers. The panel is chaired by Jodi Muter-Ham...

A range plan is an essential tool for any product business. Without it you are setting yourself up for failure. Yet many of the small businesses that I speak to that are developing products say they don’t have a range plan. Or they don’t even know what it is! So in this episode, I explain what a range plan is and why it’s a valuable tool for our business. And if you really feel like geeking out on...

John Elliott MBE founded Ebac nearly 50 years ago. The company has also sold 1.5 million dehumidifiers over the years and is the only manufacturer of washing machines in the UK. John is very passionate about UK manufacturing and his thoughts on the UK Government, the supermarkets and Which? make for entertaining listening.  Discover:  How John left school at 15 with no qualifications and...

If you want to launch a clothing label should you get your first samples made by a seamstress or should you go straight to working with a factory? In this episode, I cover the pros and cons of both so that you can make the decision for yourself as to which you think is best for your business. Discover: How a seamstress can translate your ideas into an initial prototype 02:32 Why you should start w...

How Rachel Bowditch discovered a gap in the market and turned it into a thriving business with loyal fans. Alice Bow became an overnight sensation when it was reported that the Duchess of Cambridge was a big fan. Rachel discusses how she rapidly grew her business overnight by bringing her manufacturing in house.  She also has some great tips about how to protect your brand's IP, as well as ho...

Does the phrase critical path fill you with dread? Or make you jump for joy? When it comes to manufacturing a product a critical path is...critical! In this episode, I cover exactly what a critical path is and when and why you need one. You’ll also find out how to create one, and most importantly, keep it updated. Discover: What is a critical path? 01:23 Examples of when you would need a critical...

How can you find deadstock materials for your brand?  In this episode, Dessy from Fashion Insiders & Co and I discuss some of the challenges of starting a fashion brand, including one of the biggest challenges of all, which is how to find raw materials in small quantities.  Dessy has recently launched a platform call My Factori which hosts online pop-up sales selling raw materials th...

If you're struggling to find a UK manufacturer there's usually one of five reasons why you can't find one. In this episode, I explain what those five situations are. And give you suggestions for how to have more success in finding your ideal manufacturing partner. Discover: Why more people are looking for UK manufacturers now 00:45 Questions I ask when someone says they can't find a manufacturer 0...

Lee Akpareva is a fashion designer, tailor and technology consultant.  He's also creative director of Never Fade, a fashion store and creative space on Old Compton Street in London. We chat about collaborations within the fashion industry, helping new designers get a head start, and how blockchain and technology are impacting the fashion industry and manufacturing. Discover: About Lee and his...

Should you use Made in UK or Made in Britain? And what's the difference? A few people have asked why we chose to call the awareness campaign Made in UK Day and not Made in Britain Day. United Kingdon, Great Britain, The British Isles...it can be very confusing trying to get your head around all the different ways you can describe the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In this episo...

What does it mean to be a UK leather bag business in 2021? Today I’m chatting with Gillian Tusting from English heritage leathergoods brand Tusting. Gillian shares the story of how the family business, founded in 1875, evolved from a small tannery to a thriving part of the UK's leathergoods industry. She describes the craftsmanship that goes into the making of their leather bags, and how collabora...

If you manufacture a product in the UK, selling your product for too low a price could be detrimental to your brand. And putting your prices up could actually increase your sales! If you prices are too low, especially if you make in the UK, your customers may think there is something wrong. This applies not just for brands, but for UK manufacturers too. In this episode I look at the reasons why th...

Welcome to series 3 of the Make it British podcast! On the 10th anniversary of the founding of Make it British I take a look back at some of my milestones over the last decade. How have perceptions of UK manufacturing changed in that time? To celebrate 10 years of Make it British we have launched Made in UK Day on 9 March 2021. Find out more at madeinukday.co.uk Stay in Touch British Brand Acceler...

Made in UK Day is taking place on 9 March 2021. In this episode, I explain why I've started an awareness day for UK makers, and how you can get involved! Follow #madeinukday on social media to keep up to date with the campaign. Find out more at madeinukday.co.uk Mentioned in this episode: British Brand Accelerator

What will 2021 hold for businesses that make in the UK? In the last episode of 2020, and the last of series two, I look at some of the trends that I think will impact businesses that make in the UK in the coming 12 months. Listen to this episode to hear my predictions - and let me know if you think I've missed anything out! Here are my 11 trends for UK manufacturing and British-made brands in 2021...

Today's episode is part one in a two part series where I'll be looking back on our year in 2020 and then looking forward to 2021. There is no doubt that 2020 has brought its share of challenges for everyone, but I am not going to dwell too much on the negative today. Instead, I take a look at what positives have come out of this most unusual year. Discover: How virtual events and meet-ups have bee...

UK-made goods have huge value both at home and abroad. If you have a UK-made brand are you doing enough to shout about it? In this episode, I share my 7 foolproof tips you can action right now to shine a light on the products that you make. Discover: What you can do to make your brand stand out from the brands that make overseas How you can have great provenance without being a heritage brand with...

Catherine Erdly is the founder of The Resilient Retail Club . She has a background in retail as a merchandiser for some of the best-known High Street retailers but now works exclusively with independent retailers and small businesses. In this episode, we discuss what went wrong at Debenhams and Arcadia, how the buying model of the big retailers is now becoming less relevant, and how now is a good...