What does it really take to turn a fashion brand into one of the biggest names in UK fashion? And what happens when you acquire a business that needs fixing, rather than building one from scratch?
In this episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with sisters Holly Beadle and Georgia Streeton, the CEO and CBO behind HERA, to discuss the realities of acquiring, rebuilding and scaling a fashion brand.
After acquiring HERA in October 2021, the sisters stepped into a business with existing customers, stock, suppliers and problems to solve. With just six weeks until Black Friday, they had to learn quickly, rebuild customer trust and create stronger foundations before they could focus on growing the brand.
Holly and Georgia share what it’s really like to run a business with your sister and dad, how their different skills complement each other, and why acquiring a business can be very different from starting one yourself. From learning to manage a team and making difficult decisions to dealing with failure, trusting their instincts and developing the resilience needed to lead, they’re honest about the lessons that only come with experience.
But this episode isn’t just about business growth. The sisters also reveal one of the most shocking experiences they’ve faced as business owners: an arson attack on their offices. They talk about the chaos of that period, the challenges of running a business while raising children, and why success now means building a profitable, sustainable company rather than chasing external recognition.
If you’re an entrepreneur, fashion founder, small business owner or someone thinking about buying an existing business, this episode offers an honest look behind the scenes of building a successful brand.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Holly and Georgia grew up in an entrepreneurial family
- The difference between founding a business and acquiring one
- Why they acquired HERA in 2021 and what they inherited
- Rebuilding customer trust and fixing business foundations
- Learning from mistakes and becoming more resilient as founders
- How to divide responsibilities when working with your sister
- Managing teams, leadership and difficult conversations
- Growing a fashion brand while protecting its identity
- The reality of an arson attack on their offices
- Balancing motherhood, family life and running a business
- Why sustainable profits matter more than external validation
- Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: start slowly and trust your gut
Holly and Georgia prove that building a successful business isn’t always about having the perfect idea. Sometimes it’s about being willing to fix what isn’t working, learn as you go and keep showing up when things get difficult.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating, subscribe and share it with another business owner who needs a reminder that the journey behind a successful brand is rarely straightforward.
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