Ben Branson

Ben Branson, the visionary founder of Seedlip, revolutionized the beverage industry with the world's first non-alcoholic spirit. In this conversation, he shares his journey, starting from kitchen experiments that revealed a gap in mature non-alcoholic options. He discusses the strategic decisions that fueled rapid growth, including partnerships with prestigious bars and leveraging storytelling in branding. Ben also dives into his new ventures focused on sustainability and neurodiversity, showcasing how his experiences shape his innovative approach.

Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip, shares his remarkable journey of creating a non-alcoholic spirit brand that saw an exit to Diageo within just 3.5 years. He discusses the origin of Seedlip and the challenges faced as he scaled the brand. Branson reveals his unique perspective on marketing despite his aversion to it, emphasizing creativity under constraints. He also touches on the importance of neurodiversity and his work with the Hidden 20 charity, aiming to raise awareness about autism and its challenges.

Margaret Heffernan, a former CEO and leadership expert, joins Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip, and Sophie Mermin, retail entrepreneur, to tackle tough business hypotheticals. They explore scenarios like unexpected tariffs and giant competitors, emphasizing the importance of customer focus and strategic flexibility. Margaret suggests unique survival tactics, while Sophie advises trusting instincts. They debate whether to absorb costs or lobby against tariffs and discuss the significance of brand coherence in marketing. Their candid insights make for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

Entrepreneur and inventor Ben Branson shares his journey of being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, founding Seedlip, the first non-alcoholic spirit, which quickly gained global success. He discusses the impact of neurodiversity on his life, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of embracing differences.

Ben Branson, the visionary founder of Seedlip, Sylva, and Seasn, revolutionized the non-alcoholic spirits landscape. He shares his journey from farming to launching the first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Branson emphasizes the crucial step of building categories before brands in the drinks industry. He discusses the evolving market dynamics, the challenges of retail accessibility, and the importance of understanding cultural contexts. His insightful approach focuses on the influential '1000 people that matter' and the need for authentic storytelling in product development.