In this weeks episode, Nicole brings back Laura, founder of The Shortlist—a premium petite fashion brand—for her third appearance on the podcast. Having followed Laura’s journey from launch to becoming a profitable business, Nicole dives deep into the milestones, challenges, and evolutionary steps that have shaped The Shortlist over the past four years.

Listen in as Laura shares candid insights about manufacturing setbacks, profitability milestones, the realities of staying lean as a solo founder, and building a loyal community.

She also offers hands-on advice for fellow product business entrepreneurs about trusting your instincts, the value of data, and mastering the art of the slow, steady build.

Some of the key topics they talk about are

The Journey from Launch to Profitability

Laura discusses how her initial collections operated at a loss, the strategic decision to move manufacturing from the UK to Poland (and later to other countries), and achieving net profit covering her business’s long-term costs.

Pricing Strategy

Why Laura reduced her price points (nearly 50% from original levels) and how that played into her brand’s position

Building Community & Brand Loyalty

How sharing behind-the-scenes content, leveraging customer stories, and collaborating with diverse content creators have elevated The Shortlist’s brand and broadened its appeal.

https://www.instagram.com/theshortlistshop/

https://theshortlistshop.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraderricourt-theshortlist/

Host Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Is conventional PR over?

In this weeks episode of start scale succeed we are live from the retail revealed stage of the Top Drawer Trade Fair

I’m joined by Journalist and communications expert Priscilla Pollara and here are some of the key areas we chat about

How PR has evolved (and what actually matters now)
Storytelling that connects—and converts
Where to focus your PR efforts for real visibility
Mistakes to avoid (and how to nail those press pitches)

Guest Priscilla Pollara

https://www.instagram.com/priscillacomms/

https://toptrick.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-pollara-18802378/

Priscilla looks at every project with a journalist's eye and can help clients with all aspects of their PR and comms needs.

Priscilla is the founder of Top Trick, which is the culmination of years spent in communications and journalism that leaves her quick-thinking, full of ideas, ultra-connected and able to speak the language that each side needs to hear in order to get things moving.

Today, she is relied upon to deliver reputation management for large firms, PR for businesses that can include interior designers, artists, schools, accountants, among many others, and helps everyone find the right kind of PR for them, big, small, independent, new or otherwise.

Host Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/

Nicole sits down with expert fashion copywriter Katie Ramsingh to dive deep into the art and strategy of creating compelling copy and developing a distinctive tone of voice for your brand.

With over 10 years’ experience writing for brands like Louis Vuitton, John Lewis, and Farfetch, Katie shares practical advice for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.

From defining the difference between brand voice and tone of voice, finding inspiration outside your industry, leveraging customer language, and incorporating SEO and AI tools,

Katie provides a expert tips and advice to help you connect, stand out, and drive sales.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• What is Tone of Voice, and Why Does it Matter?
  Katie explains how your brand's tone of voice is the backbone of how you communicate with your customers and present your unique personality.

• Defining & Refining Your Brand Voice
  Learn how to use competitor research, customer reviews, and even Reddit forums to zero in on the language your ideal audience uses and what resonates with them.

• Brand Voice vs. Tone of Voice
  Katie clarifies the distinction: your brand voice is your core personality, while your tone adapts based on context and channel.

• Building a Word Bank & Banned Words List
  Discover why it’s essential to document not just the language you’ll use, but also the words and phrases to avoid for authenticity and consistency.

• Sourcing Inspiration Beyond Your Competitors
  Be inspired by everything from billboards to shampoo bottles — and learn how to borrow elements to create a voice that’s fresh and relatable.

• Utilizing AI as a Creative Partner
  Katie shares how AI can help clarify briefs and spark copywriting ideas, but shouldn’t do the heavy lifting for your final customer-facing content.y.

• When to Invest in Professional Copywriting
  Ideally, before launch, but it’s never too late to redefine your tone of voice and let it influence every element of your messaging—from website to product descriptions.

• SEO & AI Optimization musts
  Get tips on integrating keyword strategy for search engines and AI, avoiding duplicate content, and making each product description unique to boost discoverability and sales.

Guest

Katie Ramsingh - The Fashion Copywriter

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieramsingh/
https://www.katieramsingh.com/

Host Nicole Higgins

The Buyer and retail coach

Nicole Higgins Links

https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsuk/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/free-discovery-call/

https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/blog/

Sponsor

Neon Digital Clicks

Are you ready to scale your ecommerce store?This episode is brought to you by Neon Digital Clicks, the agency dedicated to helping kids’ and family brands achieve explosive growth with high-performing digital marketing campaigns.

Neon’s new Runway to Results programme is a revolutionary paid-advertising service that will help you understand your brand’s true potential and reach the heights of success you dream of.

Over the course of 60 days, Neon’s expert team will test and optimise your Meta and Google ad accounts to establish your business KPIs and optimum Cost Per Acquisition.

At the end of the Runway period, they’ll analyse your data to establish what profitable scaling looks like and arm you with knowledge, confidence and a clear plan for the next phase of your growth.

If you’re ready to elevate your e-commerce game, Neon is the navigator you need on your flight deck.

https://runwaytoresults.com/

https://neondigitalclicks.co.uk/