Podcast · 44 episodes
The Unfounders
by Mitch Lee · English
Closing the door on my startup opened the door to more opportunities than I could have imagined. I’m proud to be an Unfounder, helping startups grow from day one. I’ve been both founder and Unfounder and now I want to share the stories no one hears; applauding the day one drivers behind brands. You don’t have to start the brand to be the reason it made it. Forget founder fairy tales. We’re here for the Unfounders. Real talk from the people who took the leap (and what they ’d tell you before you do).
Latest episodes
#90 - Harry Turipin - Imaginakery / Jungle Squad [Head of Sales]Harry Turipin’s journey from Causton Press and Savorist to Imagine Acery/Jungle Squad, focusing on building mass-market “better for you” kids snacks through entertainment ecosystems, brand strategy,…21 Jun 2026 · 46 min
#89 - Clarisse Fraisse - Premier Foods [Innovation Controller]Clarisse Fraisse, Innovation Controller at Premier Foods, explains how innovation works at scale—connecting consumer insight, market trends, and what brands can realistically deliver—while keeping a…11 Jun 2026 · 35 min
#88 - Marieke Hammes - The Canned Wine Group [Head of Operations & Sustainability]Marieke Hammes (Head of Operations & Sustainability at Canned Wine Group) discusses building a canned-wine business, how she moved from marketing into operations, and how sustainability is…17 May 2026 · 31 min
All episodes
#90 - Harry Turipin - Imaginakery / Jungle Squad [Head of Sales]Harry Turipin’s journey from Causton Press and Savorist to Imagine Acery/Jungle Squad, focusing on building mass-market “better for you” kids snacks through entertainment ecosystems, brand strategy,…21 Jun 2026 · 46 min · 22 chapters
#89 - Clarisse Fraisse - Premier Foods [Innovation Controller]Clarisse Fraisse, Innovation Controller at Premier Foods, explains how innovation works at scale—connecting consumer insight, market trends, and what brands can realistically deliver—while keeping a…11 Jun 2026 · 35 min · 12 chapters
#88 - Marieke Hammes - The Canned Wine Group [Head of Operations & Sustainability]Marieke Hammes (Head of Operations & Sustainability at Canned Wine Group) discusses building a canned-wine business, how she moved from marketing into operations, and how sustainability is…17 May 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
#87 - Zoe Fox - The Coconut Collab / Getting to Grow [Head of Business Development / Podcast Host]Zoe Fox, head of business development (out-of-home) at Coconut Collaborative, discusses her career path, why she loves the brand, Coconut Collab’s growth (team expansion and new coconut water…3 May 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
#86 - Lawrence Moore - Oato [Commercial Director]Lawrence Moore, commercial director at fresh oat milk brand Oto, explains Oto’s origin, how “fresh” oat milk became retail-ready, and his sales-led career path from tobacco to FMCG.26 Apr 2026 · 48 min · 18 chapters
#85 - Charlie Pugh Cordero - Foreva Farmers [Growth Lead]Charlie Pugh Cordero, growth lead at Forever Farmers, explains how the UK carbon-neutral drinks brand grows via sustainability-led differentiation and sales execution.19 Apr 2026 · 31 min · 16 chapters
#84 - Lucy Williamson - STOCKED [Brand Manager]Lucy Williamson, brand manager at Stocked, discusses how Stocked makes frozen meal “blocks” (chef-cooked, portionable cubes) and how she markets them—especially via a major out-of-home campaign…12 Apr 2026 · 40 min · 17 chapters
#83 - Louis Bedwell - FMCG Industry AdvisorLouis Bedwell’s decade-plus career in UK food (retail innovation, early-stage investing, and climate/health strategy) and his views on how the industry should move beyond short-termism.5 Apr 2026 · 37 min · 18 chapters
#82 - Ellen Whysall - Pukpip [Business Development Manager]Ellen Whysall (Business Development Manager at PuckPip) discusses scaling a frozen banana dessert brand, building retail/customer relationships, and preparing for summer activations and new product…29 Mar 2026 · 36 min · 22 chapters
#81 - Jess Wright - Caravan Coffee Roasters [Sales & Marketing Director]Jess Wright, Sales & Marketing Director at Caravan Coffee Roasters, explains Caravan’s dual model (9 London-area restaurants plus a Manchester site, and an in-house coffee roastery), its origin…22 Mar 2026 · 44 min · 22 chapters
#80 - Aidan Conry - Fearne & Rosie [Head of Sales]Aidan Conry, Head of Sales at UK jam brand Fern and Rosie, discusses building retail listings, sales strategy, and lessons from working across FMCG, including store-floor realities, buyer…15 Mar 2026 · 41 min · 17 chapters
#79 - Mike Hemming - Love Sum [Commercial Director]Mike Hemming, commercial director at Love Some Dumplings (Journey to the West), explains how to build a new chilled dumpling category in the UK and scale retail listings, drawing on his experience at…8 Mar 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
#78 - Hayley Costanzo - PÄRLA [Managing Director]Hayley Costanzo, Managing Director at Parlour, discusses building a plastic-free, B Corp oral-care brand, scaling from DTC to major retailers, and launching Parlour’s new 100% aluminium toothpaste…1 Mar 2026 · 40 min · 21 chapters
#77 - Bryan Serwatka - Minor Figures [Coffee Community Manager]Bryan Serwatka, coffee community manager at Minor Figures, discusses building a global B2B coffee community, oat-milk adoption, brand/packaging impact, coffee sourcing relationships, and trends like…22 Feb 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
#76 - Thea Mathias - Our Place [VP International]Thea Mathias, VP International at Our Place, explains how the 6-year-old cookware brand scaled internationally in six years—UK, Canada, Australia/NZ, and a new France launch—by combining product…15 Feb 2026 · 40 min · 22 chapters
#75 - Amy Seymour - The Turmeric Co [Head of Brand & Comms]In this episode of *The Unfounders*, host Amy Seymour shares her journey as the Head of Brand & Communications at The Turmeric Co, a company dedicated to creating functional turmeric-based health…8 Feb 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
#74 - Mia Skelson - Seep [Social Media & Community Manager]This podcast provides insights into the experiences of those who have helped startups grow without necessarily being the founders.1 Feb 2026 · 40 min · 18 chapters
#73 - Miranda Ballard - NielsenIQ [Head of SMB West Europe & Global]In this episode of The Unfounders, the host engages in a captivating conversation with Miranda Ballard, Head of Small and Medium Business at Nielsen IQ.25 Jan 2026 · 49 min · 24 chapters
#72 - Chloe Reeley - Holos Kombucha [Head of Sales]The Unfounders podcast celebrates the unsung heroes behind startups, emphasizing that one doesn’t have to be a founder to significantly contribute to a brand's success.18 Jan 2026 · 38 min · 19 chapters
#71 - Alice Galsworthy - Mother Root [Chief Operating Officer]In this episode, host [Name of Host] interviews Alice Galsworthy, Chief Operating Officer at Mother Root, a non-alcoholic aperitif brand.11 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 17 chapters
#70 - Zoe Harris - Oatly [Head of National Accounts - OOH]Zoe Harris, Head of National Accounts (Out of Home) at Oatly, discusses her six-year career at Oatly, Oatly’s brand evolution, and how the company keeps growing in a competitive plant-based market.4 Jan 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
#69 - Henry Mills - All Dressed Up Dressings [General Manager]In this episode of "The Unfounders," host Mitch sits down with Henry Mills, the General Manager of All Dressed Up Dressings.28 Dec 2025 · 42 min · 16 chapters
#68 - Izzy Maxwell - Della Vite [Head of Marketing]In this episode, Izzy Maxwell, Head of Marketing for Della Vite, discusses her journey and the innovative marketing strategies behind the premium Prosecco brand co-founded by the Delevingne sisters.21 Dec 2025 · 39 min
#67 - Jo Taylor - Dionilife (MASH GANG) - [Global Marketing Director]This podcast focuses on the experiences and stories of individuals who contribute to the startup ecosystem without being the founders.14 Dec 2025 · 38 min