E48: Jamie Laing & Ed Williams - The Sweet Success
Feb 20, 2020
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Jamie Laing and Ed Williams, co-founders of Candy Kittens, discuss battling misconceptions of wealth, the challenges of raising funds, finding purpose in entrepreneurship, building confidence, the balance between money and happiness, and the impact of entrepreneurship on romantic relationships.
Starting a business at a young age is possible with authenticity and a balanced approach.
Raising funds requires a purpose-driven approach, genuine belief, and passion.
Resilience and complementary partnerships are key to navigating entrepreneurship.
Finding purpose and self-awareness, not just wealth, leads to fulfillment in business.
Deep dives
Starting a Successful Candy Business
The podcast episode features the founders of Candy Kittens, a popular confectionary brand in the UK. The hosts discuss how the business was started by reality TV star Jamie Lange and his business partner Ed Williams. Despite initial skepticism about starting a candy brand at a young age, the duo has achieved immense success, selling millions of bags of candy and generating millions in revenue. Their brand is known for its authenticity and their ability to find the perfect balance between excitement and practicality. By sharing their story, they aim to inspire others to pursue their passions and find the right business partner.
Investment Challenges and Crowdfunding
The founders discuss their experience with raising funds for Candy Kittens. They started with a crowdfunding campaign on Cedars and initially believed that their profile and social media following would easily attract investors. However, they quickly learned that the process was not as simple and successful as they had anticipated. The podcast explores the challenges they faced, the misconceptions they encountered, and the importance of understanding the value of cash in a business. They highlight the need for a purpose-driven approach and the importance of genuine belief and passion when seeking investment.
The Rollercoaster Ride of Entrepreneurship
The founders share their perspective on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. They emphasize the importance of resilience and managing the emotional aspect of running a business. Though they have faced tough times, such as financial struggles and the pressure of payroll, they maintain a positive and determined outlook. They attribute their ability to navigate through challenges to their complementary partnership, with one founder being more optimistic and the other serving as a stabilizing force. They also discuss the loneliness of entrepreneurship and the constant need to problem-solve and make quick decisions.
The Pursuit of a Meaningful Journey
The podcast delves into the topic of finding purpose and fulfillment in life and business. The founders encourage listeners to seek a meaningful journey rather than simply pursuing wealth or fame. They share stories of other entrepreneurs who have followed their passions and made a positive impact in their respective industries. The podcast emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, identifying personal motivations, and aligning them with one's entrepreneurial endeavors. It also sheds light on the misconception that success and happiness are solely tied to financial achievements.
The Importance of Company Culture and Branding
The podcast episode explores the significance of company culture and branding. It emphasizes that in today's world, where companies are transparent and employees have the power to showcase the internal culture through social media, a company's internal culture is inseparable from its brand. The example of Amazon employees reportedly urinating in bottles highlights the importance of a positive and energizing work environment to maintain a strong brand image.
Self-awareness and Entrepreneurship
The podcast discusses the relationship between self-awareness and entrepreneurship. It highlights the significance of recognizing one's strengths, passions, and genuine beliefs to determine if entrepreneurship is the right path. Having a clear idea and a genuine sense of purpose rather than pursuing entrepreneurship without a specific business idea is seen as a key factor in achieving entrepreneurial success.
Building Confidence and Overcoming Challenges
The podcast delves into the journey of building confidence as an entrepreneur. It emphasizes the importance of taking small steps and gradually pushing oneself out of the comfort zone to build confidence. The guest speakers share personal experiences of gradually accomplishing challenging tasks, such as public speaking, which led to personal growth and increased confidence. They suggest that confidence can be developed over time through repeated exposure to challenges and stepping out of one's comfort zone.
In this week's episode of The Diary of a CEO, I chat to Jamie Laing and Ed Williams, the co-founders of Candy Kittens - the fastest growing confectionary brand in the UK. Our conversation delved into battling the misconceptions of family wealth,...
