“There’s only so many times the director can put Michael Caine on the floor on a freezing cold day in Shoreditch.” If you want to understand this quote from episode 233, give it a listen.
Richard Hill sits down with Ben Grass, founder of Grass & Co., to explore the journey of building a wellness brand that started in the CBD space and has boldly transitioned into the booming world of functional mushrooms and drinks.
Ben Grass reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of getting stocked in over 1,500 UK stores, shares practical tips for securing and maintaining major retail listings, and opens up about navigating regulatory hurdles in an evolving industry.
The conversation also delves into Grass & Co.'s international expansion attempts, the operational challenges of scaling up, and why strong products and authentic brand positioning outweigh chasing trends.
Rounding out the episode are insights from Ben Grass's unique career journey, from producing films with legends like Michael Caine to innovating in the world of wellness. Whether you're an eCommerce entrepreneur, aspiring retailer, or wellness enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories.
Topics Covered:
00:00 - Ben Grass on scaling retail brands
04:55 - Launching initial CBD product lines
10:44 - Getting into Holland Barrett
12:41 - Improving in-store product communication
16:49 - Managing Cash Flow Challenges
17:59 - Entering the Chinese market
21:15 - Testing the German market
25:10 - Challenges of Movie Financing
30:47 - Discussing CBD regulations challenges
32:52 - Navigating regulatory challenges in marketing
36:23 - The "Touching Grass" campaign
39:28 - Expanding drinks distribution and innovation
42:31 - Ending and subscribe reminder
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