Brand Growth Heroes

We are thrilled to welcome back Irish entrepreneur Gary Lavin, the founder of VITHIT Drinks. VITHIT is brand that’s seen incredible growth in recent years, establishing itself as a leader in the vitamin water in the UK and Ireland. With an £80 million run-rate in 2025, and multiple international markets, VITHIT is now a global player to be reckoned with.

But, like so many others, the real story here lies in founder Gary's relentless journey - one that that transformed a small idea into a business that knocked global brands such as Vitamin Water from off their perch in the UK, in the space of just a few years.

And Gary Lavin isn’t just a guest; he’s one of Fiona’s oldest friends in business. He joins us to share his story of resilience, taking on industry giants, navigating new markets, and building a brand with a laser focus on innovation and grit.

And if you’re interested in hearing more, we’ve just re-released our first interview with Gary from four years ago as a companion to this episode. So, if you’re listening now, consider this episode, part two of the VITHIT story! LINK PART ONE 

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, PLEASE click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and leave a review. You don't want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Useful links:

Website

Gary's LinkedIn

VITHIT LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION. You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to keep learning from the founders of challenger brands who are thinking differently about growth.

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Mini MBA here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

VITHIT: This episode is the first in a 2-part series where we dive deep into the journey of the leading vitamin water in the UK and Ireland, through the eyes of its Irish founder, Gary Lavin.

VITHIT is a brand close to my heart, because the branding was designed by my truly talented brother and best friend, Dave of Dave Fitz Design, a boutique brand design agency in Dublin.

VITHIT is a great example of a winning brand that has taken it's time to learn, grow and get to a category leadership position, but where it hasn't happened over night, and there have been plenty of challenges overcome along the way.

In this episode recorded a few years ago, you'll learn Gary's secrets to getting the brand to 30 million pounds in sales through his tenacity and hands-on approach, and in the next episode - which will be released straight after this one - we catch up with Gary in real time (November 2024) to find out how he's managed to hit a run-rate of £80m in global sales for 2025! 

Ever been embarrassed at the till buying condoms?! 
This week, Fiona Fitz is joined by Farah Kabir and Sarah Welsh, the brilliant duo behind HANX, a scaling challenger brand in the sexual wellness category.
Farah and Sarah turned an awkward personal experience into a market-leading company by spotting a glaring gap in the female-focused sexual health market. They've now built a brand that, although it started in condoms, has evolved to support women throughout all stages of their lives, addressing the various ways that women's bodies change and show up at different ages.

They're securing distribution in major retailers like Boots, Tesco, and Sainsbury's and are even making waves in the U.S. with Urban Outfitters.

HANX is evolving beyond just being a condom brand—it's becoming a comprehensive women's health and wellness brand.

So why not see how it's done in a category that might be very different from the one you operate in?  

Note: Sarah was moving between locations during the recording, so you might notice video and sound quality changes throughout the episode.

By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION.

You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!

Useful links

HANX website

HANX LinkedIn

Farah Kabir LinkedIn

Sarah Welsh LinkedIn

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

We're thrilled to welcome back Fuel 10k founder Barney Mauleverer for his third appearance on Brand Growth Heroes. 

Barney's just wrapped up an incredible 13-year journey with Fuel 10K, and he's here to chat about the grit and patience it takes to build and sell a company. Trust us, if you're a founder facing your own hurdles, you'll want to tune in for this one!

Barney's story shows that success isn't always about sprinting to the finish line. Sometimes, it's more like running a marathon. Every experience, good or bad, plays a part in the big picture. His journey is super-inspiring for founders out there, reminding us that there is something to learn from every experience - even the not-so-glamorous stuff like factory floor checks!

But wait, there's more! Barney's also spilling the beans on his latest venture. He's just launched the 'FUTURE OF FOOD competition, a cool competition for entrepreneurs who are shaping what we'll be eating tomorrow (unusually, it's free to enter and attend).

The final round will be held on November 26th at the stunning venue: The Royal Geographic Society - 16 finalists pitch to win in front of food industry luminaries, with an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, buyers and journalists. I'm lucky enough to be a judge on the day, so come and say hello!

Thank you, Barney, for shining a light on the future of the industry/market/how we will feed ourselves. We hope you enjoy this episode and will join us on the 23rd November - register to attend here!

By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION.

You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!

Useful links/info:

Future Food Competition info here

Register to attend here

Barney’s LinkedIn

The Future of Food Competition is a free, fully inclusive, not-for-profit event. Amidst significant global changes and rapidly evolving megatrends, this challenge shines a spotlight on opportunities and issues in the food industry. By encouraging debate, entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking, we seek to drive progress and positive change. We hope this event becomes a regular highlight in the calendar for everyone passionate about investing in food entrepreneurship.

Here's the running order:

12am – Attendees arrive and network

12.45 – Doors shut

13.00 – Setting the scene...

• Mike Berners-Lee – author of There Is No Planet B and How Bad Are Bananas & passionate expert in Carbon Footprinting.
• Pen Hadow – Arctic record-breaker and conservationist dedicated to protecting the seas and its wildlife.
• Kevin Dorren is an AI enthusiast and shifting populations specialist.

14.30 - All attendees circulate the Pitch Tables

15.30 - Judges preside & with a Popular Vote, and select 3 of the best

• Miranda Ballard from NielsenIQ uses case study data to explain how entrepreneurial endeavour can impact big business.

16.00 – 3 top finalists invited to pitch in the iconic Ondaatje Theatre + Q&A

16.45 – Judges & Popular Vote (Strictly style!) Gold, Silver, Bronze are announced & prizes awarded

17.00 - It’s a wrap!

Future Food Competition info here

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane,

Ballagroove.com

and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts,

Social KEWS

In this latest episode of Brand Growth Heroes, Fiona sits down with the inspirational human being Ruby Raut, the founder and CEO of WUKA (Wake Up, Kick-Ass), to discuss her remarkable story from growing up in Nepal, where menstruation was shrouded in taboo, to creating a brand that is revolutionising the Fem Care category, and giving dignity back to girls and women every month.

Ruby’s background in environmental science and her passion for sustainability inspired her to create WUKA, a brand offering sustainable, leak-proof period underwear that drives positive change in the Femtech space.

Ruby highlights WUKA’s incredible milestones, from becoming the first period underwear brand to hit supermarket shelves in the UK to successfully campaigning to remove VAT on these essential products.

She opens up about the grit and determination it took to bring her ideas to life, from cleaning toilets at the 2012 Olympics to founding a pioneering company.

What we loved learning in this episode

• A world-class example of how authentic business purpose can inspire true innovation and customer loyalty.
• Insights into the process of developing sustainable products
• How focusing on a single SKU instead of a complete range can keep things simple - for you and for your shopper
• Practical advice for entrepreneurs on overcoming challenges, keeping costs down, and focusing on social impact.

Find out today how and why Ruby Raut is reshaping the future of period care for millions.

By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION.

You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!

Useful links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-raut-49987b58/

WUKA website

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

Listen and learn from Joanna Jensen, the founder of Child's Farm!

This multi-award-winning natural skincare brand was founded (like 99% of businesses born to female founders) from Joanna's own need for something that didn't exist in the category at the time: a bath time solution for her child with medically diagnosed eczema.

Created in 2010, Childs Farm was the number-one brand in the category by 2019 (ahead of Johnson's Baby, Baby Dove, and Aveeno).

Joanna scaled the business to £20 million and decided the time was right to source additional funding for growth, but instead sold to PZ Cussons, which owns brands Imperial Leather, St Tropez and Carex.

She describes herself as a driven workaholic, but she is also a brilliant mentor and advocate of female founders and female-founded businesses. She is also an investor in some of the businesses we've had on the show, including Freya Bone Broth and Hunter and Gather (look for their episodes on the show page of your favourite podcast player)

During their chat, Joanna gives us many of what Fiona calls "those £500k ‘aha’ moments", including advice on margins, cash flow, when to hire and at what level, what to look for in your team, and more.

Fiona’s challenge - how do we all get to the point where we're clear that the solution we're offering doesn't exist out there? Then, we can enter any negotiation, whether with a buyer or an investor, and we feel just as confident as Joanna does.

By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION! You can now ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!

Useful links:

Childs Farm website

Childs Farm Instagram

Childs Farm Facebook

EIS Association

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

Stop It by comedian Bob Newhart

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

$500M: OLIPOP explodes the USA Soda Market

Join us for Fiona Fitz’s recent conversation with OLIPOP Co-Founder & President David Lester, recorded live at the Bread and Jam Festival.

OLIPOP Co-Founders David Lester and Ben Goodwin landed on the foundational recipe for “a new kind of soda”, redefining how consumers perceived the category. OLIPOP has successfully persuaded consumers to swap out sugary, familiar favourites for healthier alternatives.

In colourful cans with vintage logos and fantastic flavours, OLIPOP aims to smash its target of $500 million in sales in 2024.

Listen to this episode and find out how they've done it.

David reveals:

The eight-year journey behind OLIPOP's rapid growth, explaining that despite its apparent surge since the 2018 launch, the company actually underwent a crucial four-year trial process beforehand.

The importance of balancing taste with health benefits and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with being a founder.

We all expected this interview to be about how he and Ben grew the business. In fact, David offers candid insights on ego, vulnerability, and the true meaning of success.

If you are still alive then you are succeeding.

Useful links:

https://drinkolipop.com/

Bread and Jam Festival

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and our social media manager/podcast producer, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

Sauce Shop Secrets Unveiled: Pam & James Digva on everything from building their own factory to getting a national listing in Tesco

If you’re ever wondering what it takes to own and run your own manufacturing facility, then this episode is for you.

Brand Growth Heroes host Fiona Fitz has been tasting packaged food and beverage products as part of her job for over 25 years. When she first tasted Sauce Shop's lime and aioli sauce at the Alantra Fast 50 dinner, she knew she had to find out how it tasted so good.

So, in this latest episode, Fiona chats with Sauce Shop's founders, Pam and James Digva, who explain exactly how they make products that taste just like they weren’t made in a factory at ALL.

They have well over 20 years of food manufacturing experience, and there are just so many nuggets in this interview that we can't wait to share with you.

We talk about building your own manufacturing facility while still staying true to the craft, as well as the importance of a dedicated team you can rely on, especially in high growth and challenging times.

During the chat, Pam and James reveal their latest listing in one of the UK's largest retailers. Stay tuned until the end, as this source (sauce!!) of growth will really inspire you.

Useful links:

Sauce Shop® | UK Made Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce & Ketchup | 35+ varieties

(27) James Digva | LinkedIn

(27) Pam Digva | LinkedIn

Sauce Shop | Facebook

Sauce Shop (@sauce_shop) • Instagram photos and videos

(31)Sauce Shop (@sauceshop) | TikTok

If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!

You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!

Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and our social media manager, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

Episode 69: Freja Foods, Founder Ed Armitage

How to Hit a £10m Run Rate in 3 Years!

In this latest episode, Fiona talks to Ed Armitage, founder of Freja Bone Broth, who shares the secrets behind his award-winning, digital-first, scaling food business. 
With a vision to become Europe's No. 1 bone broth brand, you'll hear how husband and wife team Ed and Jess built a multi-million-pound brand in just over three years - during extremely difficult economic conditions. 
Investors like Harry Cain, the ex-MD of innocent smoothies Giles Brook and the ex CEO Unilever Paul Polman, have all invested in the business, find out why here!

By the way, we do a quick-fire Q&A at the end, and Ed is incredibly generous with his tips on how to grow a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand profitably, so make sure you stay around and don’t miss these valuable nuggets.

Here are the top 5 things you will learn from this episode:

• How Ed and Jess have built a business that turned over £1M in the first four weeks of 2024 alone!
• Why Harry Cain, the ex-MD of innocent smoothies Giles Brook ex CEO Unilever have all invested in the business
• How a digital-first brand allows them to avoid the gate-keepers that make business hard in retail grocery
• How to overcome the challenges that most consumer brand startups face 
• Ed’s 'turnover per full-time employee' Rule of thumb' that steers you on how many people to employ 

I hope you enjoyed this episode and that it has helped you and your business in some way!
If it has, please hit FOLLOW to subscribe and keep an eye out for the next episode, where I'll talk to another successful founder of a challenger brand who will share more valuable insights into driving growth. Your FOLLOW makes a big difference to me and to my business, thank you.
Click the Follow button beside Brand Growth Heroes by finding it on your favourite podcast app here.

Useful links:

Freja's Website

Find the founders on LinkedIn: Jessica Higgins & Ed Armitage

Freja on Instagram

Freja on Facebook

Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success! 

Follow us on social: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.

Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and my producer, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.