What does it really take to build a global business?
This week on Business Class, Vicky is joined by Colette Laxton, co-founder of The INKEY List, for one of the most honest conversations yet about what happens behind the scenes of building a huge business.
Colette shares how The INKEY List went from an idea between two people to a global skincare brand, launching in 2018 and rapidly expanding into retailers including Sephora, Boots and Cult Beauty.
But this isn't a polished founder success story.
Colette opens up about the realities of scaling incredibly quickly, cash-flow problems, having to raise investment, the pressure of running a business across multiple countries and the decisions that nearly overwhelmed the company.
She also talks candidly about COVID, when The INKEY List had hundreds of thousands of pounds tied up in Sephora stores just as they closed globally and how the company went from fearing it might not survive to tripling its growth during lockdown.
The conversation then gets into the realities of leading a 100+ person team, making difficult decisions about employees, company culture, people-pleasing, being underestimated as a woman in business and learning to trust your own judgement.
Colette also shares her experience of burnout, the pressure of constant growth and how her definition of success has completely changed. Instead of chasing bigger and bigger numbers, she now talks about sustainable growth, balance and actually enjoying the business she has built.
If you're a founder, entrepreneur or business owner who has ever wondered whether everyone else has it more together than you do, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode:
• How The INKEY List was created
• Turning a clear business “why” into a global brand
• Going from idea to launch in just 18 weeks
• The reality of scaling too quickly
• Cash flow and the hidden costs of rapid growth
• What COVID really looked like behind the scenes
• How The INKEY List survived and then grew during lockdown
• Building and managing a 100+ person team
• Leadership mistakes and lessons
• Company culture and understanding what employees actually value
• Being a woman in business and feeling underestimated
• Imposter syndrome and learning to trust yourself
• Burnout and the pressure of constant growth
• Redefining what success means
• Why sustainable growth matters more than endless growth
This episode is kindly sponsored by Omnisend.
Omnisend is an email marketing platform used by Vicky in her own business. If you've outgrown your current email marketing tools but the thought of migrating feels overwhelming, Omnisend handles the migration for you.
Use code VICKY for 30% off your first three months.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk
