The Gift-Cast

Today I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with wife and husband duo Julia and Trevor Cash, co-founders and, respectively, Creative Director and Managing Director of Mad Beauty. Over the last 25 years Mad Beauty have been well recognised in the gift industry for trail blazing beauty products into the gift space. Their innovative and brand-protective approach to both their own brands and license...

This episode we’re joined by James Arnold, CEO of Birchstone Markets. We’ve talked about finances before on this podcast, but this is our first foray into Foreign Exchange, one of three key services delivered by Birchstone. Get behind the scenes with James as we learn about how the company came to be formed in 2021, and the fantastic culture and ethos they’ve created in the business, plus how they...

This episode we hear from Oli Hills, founder of Nonsensical, an agency focussing on TikTok content creation and consultancy. TikTok is one of those platforms that so many people enjoy, and yet so many small businesses, particularly in gift, have yet to take advantage of. With the addition of TikTok shop now is the perfect time to hear from Oli, a true expert, and understand how to get started and...

Today we’re joined by the inspirational Morena Fiore, founder of Kodes - designer, retailer and wholesaler of an amazing range of unique, handcrafted jewelry, including Gift of the Year finalist product, an aromatherapy essential oils diffuser bracelet. We learn all about the origins of Kodes and Morena’s hands-on, risk free approach to launching, marketing and growing her business. You’ll also en...

In this episode we learn about a different aspect of financial services - financial planning and wealth advice. Andrew Snowball, soon-to-be Director of Greycoat Financial Services talks us through how they help business owner plan for the future, unlocking hopes and dreams for holidays, property, and legacy for their families. With a focus on lifestyle and wellbeing, this is a fantastic insight in...

Today we’re joined by the amazing Aylish Ellwood, Trade Marketing Manager at Enesco. A true giant in our industry, the UK arm of Enesco are celebrating their 30th year in business in 2024! In this episode Aylish takes us through the history of Enesco, (and she was there for almost all of it!), we talk about marketing, trade shows, and of course we hear all about the fabulous Enesco gifts that made...

In this episode we speak to Steve Harris, Director at Central Business Finance who tells us all about the history of the company and the opportunities available to businesses to raise finance to either proactively support growth or reactively help with cash flow and debts. A lot of small business owner don’t realise the amount of support out the options available to them to expedite growth, and St...

Today on the Gift-Cast we learn about a brand new area of the gift industry not yet covered in our previous 63 episodes - books as gifts! We welcome Lewis Dawson from the family-run business Bookspeed, one of the few UK companies specialising in the unique realm of selecting and wholesaling books specifically to the gift industry. We learn Bookspeed’s fascinating origin story, understand more abou...

This episode we have the pleasure of catching up with Lizzi Benger, Head of Marketing at Aspin - a company who provide incredible tools to help product design/supply companies get truly organised - tools like a Product Information Management system (PIM) and a Digital Asset Management system (DAM) to ensure that everyone has a ‘single place of truth’ when it comes to the information and assets ass...

In this episode we sit down with Julie Uherek, Vice President, Consumer Goods Fairs, Messe Frankfurt to explore the multifaceted world of exhibitions and trade events. We learn about the latest trends in the industry, the impact of digital technology, and effective marketing strategies to attract high attendance.  Julie also highlights how trade shows are pivotal in networking and community buildi...

In today’s episode we have the absolute pleasure of meeting Miranda Khadr, owner of Provide Finance. In a change to the usual guests, we’re introducing you to a supplier member of the Giftware Association - that being someone who provides services to our members, rather than being a product supplier, a retailer or an event manager within the gift trade. In this episode learn all about the amazing...

In this episode of the Product-Cast we meet the inspirational Rachel Wilkins who, after too many years in the corporate world of marketing, took the leap to take her side hustle and make it her own business. 2 years of saving up and Rachel was able to step out of her Paye role and become her own bsos, and the founder of Dinky Artist - taking children’s art and turning it into incredible giftware. ...

Here we are with the latest instalment of the beautiful Prod-Cast, and this time we're joined by Stacey McNeill of Fox Under The Moon - a progressive brand focussed on mental health and wellbeing, and ALSO the winner of the People's Choice Gift Of The Year award! We learn about Stacey's music side-hustle (find her on Spotify), her life on the road, and, of course, about her fantasti...

Join us as we learn about one of the most progressive and exciting trade shows in the gift industry - the Brand Licensing shows! In this episode we speak to Ella Haynes who is Event Director at Brand Licensing Europe which is part of Informer Markets, a giant of a company who put on hundreds of events each year! ----------------------- Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you...

We have a fascinating episode for you today as we learn all about the incredibly important work of the Genesis Initiative - a group made up of the leaders of 117 different trade associations across a huge variety of industries and trades who have a direct influence on the Government. We speak to two Directors of the Genesis Initiative, Adam Tyler who is Head of the Financial Intermediary and Broke...

This week we're joined by Stephen Illingworth, Commercial Director of Widdop & Co. Join us as we learn about this incredible 140 year old company and it's family-run heritage. We learn about its origins  in fine clocks and jewellery, its war efforts in WW2 through to blazing a trail in the race to export from China back in the 1970's. In this fascinating episode Stephen bares al...

This week we're joined by Zoë Bonser, Portfolio Director, Retail Division at Clarion Events, meaning she's responsible for the delivery for 30+ retail and home exhibitions around the world each year including the hugely popular Top Drawer, London and Home & Gift, Harrogate. Join us as we learn all about Zoë's journey into the world of event management, hear about Clarion's...

We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards!  Featuring; Big Potato Games Cotton & Grey Home County Company Made Happy Metal Motif Professor Puzzle Check out parts 2 & 3 of this special three-part episode for loads more interviews from the buzzing hub...

We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards!  Featuring; Fizz Creations Fox Under The Moon Gin Etc. Global Journey Mclaggan Mugs Nemesis Now Check out parts 1 & 3 of this special three-part episode for loads more interviews from the buzzing hub of the gift...

We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards!  Featuring; Chris Workman (Giftware Association) Crumble & Core Ian Downes (Gift of the Year judge) Letterbox Love Nicole Elders Rainbow Designs Widdop Wild Olive Wilsow (2022 3x times winners!) Check out parts...

With Spring Fair only just appearing in our rearview mirrors we grab two wonderful prod-cast veterans to tell us all about the return of this industry favourite trade show as well as some exciting changes to the Gift of the Year awards. Therese Oertenblad is the owner of Small Business Collaborative and Louise Welsby is the owner of Buy From creative agency AND they are both regular judges in the...

This week we're joined by Michael Apter, owner of one of Scotlands' best-known card and gift stores, Paper Tiger. Join us as we learn about the 40-year-old history of Paper Tiger, how they discover and meet new suppliers, and how they plan to celebrate 2022, the Chinese year of the Tiger with a huge fundraising campaign. ----------------------- Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-C...

This week we are joined by a product developer in a very unique position! Linda Goodchild is right on the cusp of placing her first ever order of her first ever product - The Healthcare Companion. Join us as we learn all about the inspiration behind the product, Linda's 4 year journey to bring it to market, and some sound advice for anyone who's thinking about developing their first ever...

In this episode we're joined by an iconic business within the gift industry, the wonderful Kikkerland and the Country Manager for the UK, Andy McLellan. Join us as Andy tells us how he, a Scot, ended up living in Norway working for Kikkerland. He pulls back the curtain on what it's like working for Kikkerland, how C19 has affected their business, and all about their amazing altruistic ac...

This episode is going to be super-useful for the majority of our listeners as our guest, Stuart Lorimer, an independent consultant specialising in Online Marketplaces, helps us understand about both B2C and B2B marketplaces, how to use them, how they can benefit us, and what to expect when signing up - commission, subscriptions fees and much much more. If you're struggling to get on board wit...