Screw It Just DO It with Alex Chisnall

How do you go from a £500 startup to a £200 million brand?On this week’s Screw It Just DO It, I speak to Juliet Barratt, co-founder of Grenade. If you've ever picked up a Carb Killa bar, you’ve seen the impact of brand, timing, and relentlessness in action. Juliet and her husband launched Grenade during a recession, built it into a market leader, and sold it to Mondelez for a nine-figure sum.But this isn’t just another glossy success story.Juliet opens up about the toll of selling your business, what she’d do differently, and why founders need to be laser-focused on product, branding, and fit. She also shares hard-earned lessons about scaling with your partner, the value of mentorship, and what the real road to a global brand looks like. Whether you're building a business, preparing for a raise, or staring down an exit, this is the unfiltered version most founders never hear.Key TakeawaysBrand is everything. Distinctive packaging and positioning were critical to Grenade standing out in a saturated market.Timing matters. Launching during a recession forced focus and discipline, but also provided unexpected opportunities.The exit isn’t always a win. Juliet opens up about regretting their early sale of equity and the emotional cost of parting with the brand.Founders must protect focus. Know when to bring in professionals, and stay close to what makes the brand work.Scaling with a partner is hard. Clear boundaries and mutual respect were vital to building Grenade as a husband-and-wife team.🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone.  https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

In this bite-sized episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Julian Hearn, founder of Huel, to unpack the early days of building one of the UK’s fastest-growing food brands. How to systemise and scale from a solo startupWhy obsessing over process is the key to future growthBuilding a culture-first team and hiring for values over skillsStepping away as CEO to let others leadWhy location and work environment can be a competitive advantageJulian didn’t just start Huel, he did everything himself. Branding, packaging, fulfilment, customer service, marketing. It was a one-man operation that exploded into a £40 million business in just four years.We dive into:Julian’s story proves that you don’t need a complicated business plan or a full founding team to get started. You need focus, fast feedback loops, and the grit to keep going when the work is heavy and unrewarded.If you're a founder stuck between startup chaos and scale-up complexity, this one's for you.🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes. Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone.  https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It! #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

Welcome back to Screw It Just DO It, the show where you meet the entrepreneurs who’ve taken risks, built from scratch, and kept going when others stopped.This week I’m joined by Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe, who scaled a plumbing insurance business into a global £4 billion empire. In this episode, Richard breaks down his 9-step blueprint for building a billion-pound business, covering everything from why copying and pivoting works, to how to find the right investor early, and why evolution always beats revolution.He also dives deep into international expansion, how he backed himself when funds ran low, and why he believes mentorship is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. Richard’s now backing the next wave of founders through Growth Partner and Business Leader, aiming to support 10% of the UK’s mid-sized companies on their scale-up journey.There’s a lifetime of lessons in this conversation: all hard-earned, none sugar-coated.Key Takeaways:Follow the 9 steps – including copying, pivoting, getting investment early, hiring a replacement, and prioritising persistence.You need a mentor – Richard’s own journey proves that finding the right mentor can change the course of your business.Evolution wins – Businesses that constantly evolve avoid becoming the next Blockbuster or Yellow Pages.Go global, but do it right – Be present locally. Hire serious talent where it matters.Don’t overcomplicate it – Strip your business back to its core value and double down.🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes. Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. Register here for FREE: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

This week’s Bite-sized Screw It Just DO It episode features a standout moment from my conversation with Al Barratt, the force behind Grenade. We cut straight into the bit where it all started to scale. Al shares how he moved Grenade from a niche protein shake brand into the UK’s best-selling snack bar. He didn’t throw money at it. He focused on brand equity, shelf space, and getting the timing right. If you’re looking to take your product out of a niche and into the mainstream, this episode will give you the blueprint.Key Takeaways:Why staying in a niche can limit your growthHow brand visibility and physical presence still matterThe importance of timing and adapting to consumer trendsWhat Grenade did differently to outperform major brands🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It! #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

What happens when a business deal worth millions collapses overnight? Most founders would panic. John Caudwell pivoted. In this bite-sized episode of Screw It Just DO It, I revisit one of the boldest comeback stories I’ve heard on the show. John shares how losing a major Motorola distribution agreement became a defining moment that tested his leadership, resilience, and ability to outmanoeuvre giants. He explains how he secured Nokia as a partner, turned adversity into advantage, and ultimately scaled to dominate the mobile phone market. If you’re building a business and facing your own crisis point, this is the masterclass you didn’t know you needed.Key Takeaways:Strategic partnerships can make or break your growthBeing adaptable is non-negotiable when facing crisisVision and execution need to move quickly, especially under pressureNever let a loss define your next move. Use it to build something better🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

AI isn’t a buzzword anymore. It’s an operating system shift that’s already reshaping how we work, sell, and compete. I spoke with Piers Linney, entrepreneur, ex-Dragon, and co-founder of Implement AI, about what business leaders need to know right now to stay relevant.Piers has sat on boards, built companies from scratch, and now helps SMEs navigate the complex and fast-changing AI landscape. He pulls no punches. If you’re still dragging your feet on AI, this episode is a wake-up call.We spoke about where AI is really headed, how SMEs can integrate it practically, and why business owners need to focus on the augmented human, not just automation. He also gets candid about how he's advising his daughters on careers in a world where cognitive labour is under threat.This episode will leave you thinking harder and moving faster about how you adapt. Because if you don’t, your competitors will.Key TakeawaysAI is still in dial-up phase. Most SMEs aren’t ready for what’s coming in the next five years.The real advantage is human + machine. Businesses that augment human capabilities with AI will win.Jobs are shifting. Knowledge work isn’t safe. Creativity, adaptability, and experience are what matter now.There’s no playbook. You need to experiment, test and build your AI roadmap before your competitors do.Advising the next generation. The education system isn’t ready. Parents and leaders need to step in.👉 If you're serious about understanding the AI shift, check out the Implement AI Podcast, where Piers dives even deeper with expert guests and real-world strategies: https://implementai.io/podcast/🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

Sabrina Stocker is the kind of guest who reminds you what’s possible when you back yourself. From earning a decent living coaching tennis to selling everything she owned and starting again in Egypt, Sabrina shares her very real “Screw It Just Do It” moment. What stood out for me was her clarity around building a life of freedom—financial, time, and location—and her honest reflection on how mindset and lifestyle changes made it all possible. This is one for anyone who's felt the pull to pivot, to try something new, to scale with purpose. You’ll hear practical lessons on lead gen, lifestyle design, and what it really means to create a freedom-first business.Key Takeaways:The mindset shift needed to chase time and location freedom Why she left a safe income to build her dream lifeThe 3 freedoms every entrepreneur should aim forWhy building systems matters more than hustleHow lifestyle changes can fuel business success🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

What does it take to walk out of school, broke, and build a multimillion-pound business? Simon Squibb did just that. In this bite-sized episode, we rewind to his Screw It Just DO It moment: leaving school with nothing but a survival instinct and turning that into a successful agency.Simon breaks down how he started, what really fuels progress (hint: it’s not luck), and why persistence beats talent every time. If you’re stuck, second-guessing your next step, this short episode will snap you into action.Key Takeaways:Start With What You’ve Got: Simon had no degree, no money and no clue—but he started anywayFear Is Fuel: He learned to lean into fear as a superpower, not something to avoidRedefining Luck: 98% of success is controllable. Luck is built, not foundPersistence Wins: Starting, quitting, then starting again is still forward momentumPurpose Beats Profit: Chasing money never fulfilled him. Purpose did🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

Ever thought about how one freezing-cold moment could change your entire career? That’s exactly what happened to Laura Fullerton. In this bite-sized episode, we dive into how Laura went from avoiding cold water like the plague to launching Monk - a smart ice bath company that’s gained backing from the likes of Anthony Joshua and James Watt.She didn’t just build a product. She created a movement in cold water therapy. We talk about making the jump from concept to physical product, navigating hardware challenges, and why clarity of vision is essential when scaling a brand. There’s plenty to take away whether you’re still at the ideas stage or actively scaling your business.Key Takeaways:Why personal pain points are the best business ideasBuilding a hardware product with no prior experienceThe biohacking boom and how Monk integrates wearable dataHow networking and clarity of purpose accelerated her funding and partnerships🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8-9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes. Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies - exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone.👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It! #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

This week on Screw It Just DO It, I’m joined by Mark Rushmore, co-founder of SURI – Sustainable Rituals, the startup shaking up the electric toothbrush market by doing things differently.After a successful corporate career at Proctor and Gamble and Kellogg, Mark made the bold move to co-create a product that challenges fast-consumption culture with sustainability, smart design, and an obsession with customer experience. In this episode, Mark chats about what the startup grind is really like, from working with difficult suppliers, tackling complex product design, and getting things wrong before getting them right.We also talk about co-founder dynamics, building loyal communities, and why he believes values should be codified early on in any business. If you're building a purpose-driven consumer brand or looking to understand what it takes to go from idea to impact – this is the conversation you need.Key takeaways:Why product innovation starts with questioning the status quoHow to find (and keep) the right co-founderWhat it really takes to manufacture sustainablyHow customer loyalty drives lasting growthThe future of consumer brands built with purpose🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way. 🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8-9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.  Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone. 👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!  #ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship