S5 E6: USPs, survival mode and growth with Jen Fuller founder of Etta Loves
Release Date: 02/20/2025
S5 E21: 5 learnings from 5 years in business - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
In 5 years I’ve gone from a one woman Virtual Assistant ‘agency’ to a team of 36. And I have learnt A Lot. Much of which I have learnt the hard way. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my 5 biggest learnings (there are so many still to talk about, I feel like I could do a whole season on it!) from the last 5 years. I’ve learnt from mistakes, I’ve learnt from the people around me, some of these lessons I am still learning, and might be a lifelong process. Resources: Nick Elston: Anna Marthur episode: Takeaways Not everything will or needs to be done...
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S5 E20: Poop, pre-seed and policies with Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff
Bump to Business Owner
Be honest - how is your poo? My guest this week is Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff, and she wants you to take better care of your gut. Lisa explains why gut health is so important, some easy wins to improve your own and why she went from Love Island DJ to gut evangelist. We also talk about the nuts and bolts of scaling a business - from building a brand and community as market research for the business, to pre-seed and VC funding, and creating an ecosystem with 3 different business arms. Lisa is passionate about the policies we as business owners need to create to support women...
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S5 E19: Burnout, neurodiversity and rediscovering yourself with Dr Claire Ashley, The Burnout Doctor
Bump to Business Owner
The 5 stages of burnout are very familiar to me. I’ve been there, and even when I thought I had learnt my lessons, narrowly swerved burning out again. As a mum, especially a mum with a business, I’m sure at least a few of the stages are familiar to you too. My guest on this week’s episode is Dr Claire Ashely, aka The Burnout Doctor. Claire was a highly successful doctor, used to pretty extreme levels of stress. And then with 2 small kids, a house renovation and a difficult work environment, she burnt out. Claire is now fully recovered and shares the signs, symptoms and means to recovery...
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S5 E18: Reframing cold sales and my worst experiences - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
Last year I decided to push myself and try something new for me and my business. As a founder and mum of 2, I don't have time to be out there relationship building rather than selling. So I tried cold sales - and it worked! Cold sales have, sometimes justifiably, a bad rap - I’m sharing my worst experiences from both sides of the sale. But it really worked for me. In this episode I share my conversion rates, my ‘how to’ and the mindset tips that helped me succeed. Resources: LinkedIn: Dripify: Takeaways Coldselling - maybe it’s time to try it The worst thing that...
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S5 E17: Matrescence, healing and purpose with Danielle Lauren, The Way Too Honest Mom
Bump to Business Owner
This week on Bump to Business Owner, I’m joined by Danielle Lauren, creative powerhouse, former media exec, and founder of Way Too Honest, a business born from the depths of postpartum struggle and radical maternal honesty. From working at the top of global media giants like CNN and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, to battling severe pre- and postnatal depression, Danielle opens up about her experience of motherhood, identity loss, and rebuilding a life and business with purpose. TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of pre/post natal depression and suicidal thoughts Takeaways: The identity...
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S5 E16: Keeping going when business gets tough - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
How do you stay motivated to keep going when times get tough in your business? Good question. And an increasingly important one as the economy continues to fluctuate with tariffs, UK legislation and uncertainty creep in. In January I was in a difficult situation with my business, but I got through it and learnt a lot. This week, I’m sharing my tips for keeping going when times are tough in your business. Takeaways The realities of being a working mum Keeping going when times get hard in your business Trumps tariffs are worrying for many founders March 2025 was my best month in...
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S5 E15: Mum guilt, cash crunches and K-drama with Ning Cheah founder of The Beauty Crop
Bump to Business Owner
This week on Bump To Business Owner, I’m joined by Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, mum of two, and former banker turned beauty entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle to solve her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-million dollar brand, stocked by the likes of Boots and ASOS. In this honest and wide-ranging chat, Ning shares how burnout led her to rethink everything, the fertility struggles she faced while building a business, and the two very different maternity leaves that followed. She opens up about the realities of scaling, the pressure of cash flow, and why she chose...
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S5 E14: PR tips for small business owners - Solo episode with Caroline
Bump to Business Owner
What is your story? What is your super power? What do you want to be known for? In today's episode of the podcast I'm giving away all my PR tips. In the last 5 years me and my business have been featured in Grazia The Guardian The Independent The Daily Mail Waitrose Magazine To name just a few. And all of that has been under my own steam, no PR experience, no connections. If you're looking for some PR coverage for your business, this is for you Resources Editorelle: Pressflow (FREE): Lightbulb: Rosie Davies-Smith, founder of PR Dispatch episode: Jelena Skene co-founder of Press...
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S5 E13: Radical acts, building confidence and navigating PTSD with Lauren Currie founder of Upfront
Bump to Business Owner
My guest this week is Lauren Currie OBE, mother of one, founder of 6 businesses and PTSD survivor. Lauren is a serial entrepreneur, who after being featured as the only woman on an event bill decided she needed to build something to challenge the lie of meritocracy. Her business, Upfront, was born. As a systems and organisational designer, Lauren is ideally placed to see where the holes are in our society and where we need to work on them, together. The game is rigged, it might just be that our privilege means that motherhood is the first time we really see it. Building a business whilst...
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S5 E12: Why you don’t need more strategy with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop
Bump to Business Owner
What happens when your co-founder (and sister!) steps away and you’re managing a business solo, as well as being mum to 2 kids? In this week’s delicious episode I’m in conversation with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop, who talks me through her experience of exactly that. Nicola has run her business incredibly intuitively and flexibly, focusing on building relationships and leaning into creativity when Covid meant a pivot. She has some incredible advice to other founders thinking about motherhood and the trade offs we as working mums make. My main takeaway? You don’t need more...
info_outlineDo you have that ‘on the cusp’ feeling? I think it’s something that unites founders. There’s always something on the horizon that helps keep the faith in your business, even when on paper it’s not always clear.
My guest on the pod this week is Jen Fuller, founder of Etta Loves, science backed baby sensory products that are also absolutely beautiful. Jen is really open that it’s the ‘cusp’ feeling that keeps her going rather than revenue or income goals.
I loved this conversation, as a service business owner, it’s always fascinating to hear from product founders. Jen shares so much empathy, inspiration and nuts and bolts practical advice.
How to deal with copycat businesses, direct sales v working with retailers, opening in new territories, celebrity endorsements and what she gained from a business growth programme, Jen gives her perspective on it all.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you’d like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Takeaways:
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Balancing a corporate career with a family
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Jen's light bulb moment for her business
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How Jen used her mat leaves to launch her business
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Struggling with the lack of control that comes with motherhood
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Goal setting and ‘the next thing’ as a founder
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Appearance v reality and businesses in survival mode
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Committing to ‘doing it properly’ and Etta Loves’ USP
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Copycat businesses and products
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Direct sales v working with retailers
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Celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing
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Business growth and development programmes
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Balancing business and family as a founder
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Where Jen finds joy
Chapters:
00:00 The Birth of Etta Loves
05:00 Navigating Career Transitions: From Stockbroker to Entrepreneur
10:00 The Challenges of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
15:12 Building a Business: The Balancing Act of Income and Passion
19:59 The Science Behind Etta Loves: A Commitment to Quality
24:56 Facing Competition: Coping with Imitation and Industry Challenges
26:01 Navigating Copycats and Retail Relationships
28:06 Shifting Sales Strategies: Direct vs Retail
30:02 Celebrity Endorsements: The Kardashian Effect
34:10 Investing in Business Growth
39:41 Future Plans and the Uncertainty of Business
41:27 Balancing Work and Family Life
45:27 Finding Personal Joy Amidst Chaos
Resources:
Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses: https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us
UK Export Academy: https://www.great.gov.uk/export-academy/
Lauren Jumps: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenJumps
Links:
Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Jen Fuller
Jen Fuller is the founder of Etta Loves, and mum to two little girls. Etta Loves was born from Jen's passion for providing babies with the best possible visual experiences to support their development while making everyday moments easier for parents and carers.
With a strong commitment to excellence, she collaborates with leading experts in infant vision and her dedicated team to create the most optimised sensory essentials in the world, designed with both science and sustainability in mind. The idea for Etta Loves came to Jen when her first daughter Etta was just six weeks old. She noticed Etta staring intently at the black and white pattern jumper she was wearing while feeding, completely ignoring the plain muslin on her shoulder. To Jen's surprise, Etta fed for longer and the usual overwhelm of feeding seemed to lift.
The light bulb moment sparked her fascination with infant vision and inspired her to harness the science behind what babies can see. Driven by this newfound passion, Jen set out to transform everyday baby essentials, starting with muslins, and expanding into powerful sensory tools that captivate tiny eyes and bring calm to daily routines. Today, Etta Loves offers beautifully designed, science-led products that provide babies with the wonder and focus they need while offering parents and carers moments of calm throughout their day.
Jen Fuller Links:
Website: https://www.ettaloves.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-fuller-ettaloves/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ettaloves
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/