Ed Currie and Andy Coxon : How to Build a Brand That Stands Out (and Sells Out)

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with West End performers and entrepreneurs Ed Currie and Andy Coxon to discuss their remarkable journey from the stage to building their deodorant brand, AKT.

With an impressive array of musical theatre credits, including A Chorus Line, Hairspray, West Side Story, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Ed and Andy explore topics like how to build a brand that stands out (and sells out), their experience of leaving the stage behind, and the big leap from performer to entrepreneur. They also dive into how they turned a "stinky" problem into a thriving business, overcame stage fright, and used performance skills to succeed in the business world. The conversation reveals how their authentic story helped them win over investors and create a brand that resonates deeply with their audience.

 

Key Highlights:

• How to Build a Brand That Stands Out (and Sells Out): Ed and Andy’s journey to creating AKT and how they leveraged their community to launch a successful brand.

• I Miss the Stage, But Here’s Why I Left It Behind: The decision to transition from the theatre world to entrepreneurship and the personal and professional shifts that came with it.

• From Performer to Entrepreneur – The Big Leap: The challenges and rewards of swapping a career in performance for one in business.

• How I Turned a Stinky Problem Into a Thriving Business: The inspiration behind AKT and how they solved the problem of sweat and body odour with a unique product.

• Overcoming Stage Fright – My Battle with Fear: A discussion on overcoming performance anxiety and how they applied those lessons to the entrepreneurial journey.

• Why Your Brand Needs a Story (And How to Tell It): The importance of storytelling in business and how their personal journey shaped the AKT brand.

• How Performance Skills Helped Me Succeed in Business: The transferable skills from the stage that helped Ed and Andy thrive in their new venture.

• How Being Authentic Helped Us Win Over Investors: Why staying true to themselves was key to gaining investor support and building credibility for AKT.

Takeaways for Business Leaders:

• Building a Brand with Heart: Authenticity and storytelling are at the core of successful brands. Connect with your audience by sharing your personal journey.

• Leverage Your Network: Use the power of your community to spread the word and build momentum for your brand.

• Embrace Change: Switching careers from performer to entrepreneur is no small feat, but the ability to adapt can lead to extraordinary success.

• Face Your Fears: Whether on stage or in business, overcoming anxiety and embracing challenges is essential for growth and success.

About Ed Currie & Andy Coxon:
Ed and Andy are highly accomplished West End performers who transitioned from the stage to entrepreneurs with the launch of AKT, a deodorant brand born out of necessity during their theatre careers. With a shared passion for personal growth, innovation, and helping others, their entrepreneurial journey is proof that with creativity and determination, a “stinky” problem can turn into a thriving business. They continue to inspire others with their authenticity, resilience, and commitment to solving real-world problems.

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• Performing Perfectly Website
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• Performing Perfectly on LinkedIn
• Contact Ed Currie via LinkedIn
• Contact  Andy Coxon via LinkedIn

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