80. How a £5,000 workshop became a global luxury brand | Tom Faulkner

What does it take to build a luxury brand by accident and keep it thriving for 30 years without ever taking outside investment?In this episode of All About Business, James speaks with Tom Faulkner, award-winning British furniture designer and founder of Tom Faulkner Limited. They talk about the unlikely journey from redundancy at a record label to running one of the UK's most distinctive handcrafted furniture brands, with showrooms in London and New York, and a workshop in Swindon that has been making things by hand since 1996.Tom shares the story of how a side hustle in hand-painted tabletops became a serious business the moment he discovered what you could do with metal. He talks about buying a Swindon fabrication workshop for £5,000, inheriting two employees, slowly building a loyal team and a global client base. All through organic growth, word of mouth, and relationships with interior designers.They explore what it really means to build a premium, handcrafted brand in the modern world: the growing appetite among wealthy clients to understand how things are made, why British manufacturing remains a genuine selling point in the American market, and how Tom navigated the early months of US tariffs with a decision that cost him margin but protected his customer relationships.Together they also discuss the challenge of succession and legacy for founder-led businesses, why Tom has never chased scale for its own sake, and what he hopes to do next.Timestamps4:56 From Chrysalis Records to Hand-Painted Furniture8:40 Buying the Swindon Workshop (The £5,000 Decision)12:56 The Pimlico Road Showroom & London's Design Cluster15:53 Expanding to New York20:24 Staying Artisan: Organic Growth & British Manufacturing25:20 Signature Pieces: Capricorn & the Collections36:13 Navigating Business Challenges & US Tariffs43:01 Future Plans: Collaborations, Sculpture & What's Next57:04 Advice for Young EntrepreneursFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Tom Faulkner on LinkedInFind out more about Tom Faulkner LTD and their products HERESubmit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HEREAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How can a major museum be run with the same entrepreneurial mindset as a high-growth business?In today's episode, James Reed speaks with Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of the London Transport Museum. While many perceive museums as static archives, Elizabeth explains how she applies commercial strategy to ensure one of London’s most iconic cultural landmarks remains financially sustainable and relevant in a modern economy.Elizabeth shares insights from her unconventional career journey and explains why the museum identifies as the best in the world for urban transport. They explore the evolution of work through the lens of London’s history, from the original "chairmen" who carried sedan chairs to the "navvies" who hand-dug the first underground network.Together they discuss the balance between preserving heritage and driving innovation, including the story of Harry Beck’s revolutionary Tube map and how it was initially rejected for being too radical. Elizabeth also outlines the realities of leading a cultural institution that functions as both a charity and a successful commercial entity.Timestamps01:48 Transport history highlights09:50 Young entrepreneurs message20:04 Design DNA of TFL24:26 Running the museum business33:27 Leading through uncertainty40:21 Funding model explained45:10 Youth skills pipelineFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Elizabeth McCay on LinkedIn:Find out more about TFL Museum and their exhibitions here: Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HEREAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Why are millions of jobs going unfilled in one of the UK’s biggest industries, while so many young people are struggling to find work?In this episode of all about business, James Reed speaks with Sarah Bradbury, CEO of the Institute of Grocery Distribution, about the future of the UK food industry, the growing challenge of attracting young talent, and why the sector may offer far more opportunities than people realise.Sarah shares insights from her 25-year career across major retailers, before stepping into one of the most influential leadership roles in the UK food sector. She explains how IGD works across the entire food system and how they help competitors collaborate on the biggest long-term challenges facing the industry.They explore the pressures reshaping food and retail, including changing consumer habits, climate change, AI, automation, workforce shortages, and the potential impact of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, on the future of food consumption.Together they also discuss leadership, collaboration between rival businesses, and why the UK food industry remains one of the country’s most important, and underestimated, economic forces.Timestamps 02:00 What IGD does08:43 Retail tech and AI trends12:27 UK food system challenges18:36 Land use and solar farms23:47 Hidden food careers31:29 Youth unemployment urgency43:27 Closing reflections and CEO ForumFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Sarah Bradbury on LinkedInFind out more about IGD and their impact HEREAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Running a business is hard, but what is it like when your work sits at the centre of people’s most emotional moments?In this episode of all about business, James Reed sits down with Damian Melville, Managing Director of Melville & Daughter Funeral Directors. Together they explore leadership in one of the most emotionally demanding industries there is.Damian shares his journey into the family business, reflecting on the responsibilities that come when helping people in their most vulnerable time, and how that shapes both leadership-style and company-culture. He shares what balancing tradition with modernisation means, the realities of running a business where empathy is as important as efficiency, and the discipline required to maintain high standards in sensitive circumstances.The conversation explores what it means to lead with care while still making clear commercial decisions, how to build trust within communities, and why consistency and professionalism matter more than ever, in a service built on reputation. Damian also discusses the challenges of succession in a family-run business and the importance of supporting both clients and staff through emotionally complex work.A thoughtful, grounded conversation about leadership, responsibility, and building a business where purpose and performance have to coexist every step of the way.Timestamps 01:04 Finding a niche market06:36 Going solo challenges12:50 Winning trust locally23:18 COVID shock to the system36:27 Hiring costs and NI43:25 A Funeral director day01:00:26 Memorial innovations and burialsFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Damian Melville on LinkedInFind out more about Melville & Daughters Funeral Directors hereAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Is an awkward conversation the only thing standing between you and the salary you deserve?In this episode of all about business, Connor Scully, Senior Executive Consultant at Reed Specialist Recruitment, sits down with James to discuss how professionals can effectively secure a pay rise in their current role.Connor shares practical advice on how to move beyond the discomfort of pay discussions by focusing on preparation, timing, and proving your worth. The conversation explores how to assess whether you are truly due a salary increase, emphasizing the need to align your output with business goals and quantify your impact through measurable KPIs. Connor explains why being proactive, taking on extra responsibilities during company hardships, or "saying yes" to complex projects, is key to becoming an indispensable asset.Whether you feel underpaid or are looking to take the next step in your career, this episode offers a step-by-step guide to navigating pay conversations with confidence and a growth mindsetTimestamps02:00 Are You Due More04:42 Prep And Timing Mistakes09:38 When To Job Hunt12:19 Ask In Person15:36 Say Yes More Often20:22 Employer Perspective on Pay RequestsFollow James Reed on LinkedInFind out how Reed can help you advance your career here: Find out more about Reed Specialist Recruitment here: Find out more Number Eight restaurant here:All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How do you know if you’re being offered what you’re worth?In this episode of all about business, Leanne Appleton, recruitment expert at Reed, speaks with James about how professionals can increase their earning potential and achieve a higher salary.Leanne shares practical insights into what really drives salary growth, from understanding your market value to building in-demand skills and positioning yourself effectively in the job market. She explains why working harder isn’t always enough, and how being more strategic about your career decisions can significantly impact your long-term earnings.The conversation explores how to approach salary negotiations with confidence, including when to ask for a pay rise, how to benchmark your worth, and why timing plays a critical role. Leanne also highlights the importance of demonstrating impact through measurable results, rather than relying on tenure or job titles alone.Timestamps 02:10 Know Your Worth04:15 Recruiter Advantage05:41 Benchmark Beyond Salary08:36 Reading Job Ad Salaries11:14 Negotiation Prep14:20 Avoid Over Underselling17:37 Benefits That Matter19:36 Perks Employers Can Add21:52 Probation Pay Reviews24:39 Counteroffers WarningFollow James Reed on LinkedInFind out how Reed can help you advance your career here: Find out more about Reed Specialist Recruitment here: Find out more Number Eight restaurant here:All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How do you grow an idea into a multi-million pound business before the age of 40?In this episode of all about business, James Reed sits down with Andrew Hulbert, entrepreneur and founder of Pareto Facilities Management, a company he built from his bedroom into a £50 million business before successfully exiting in his thirties.Andrew shares the journey from a difficult start in Oxford and an unconventional path into business, to scaling rapidly in a competitive industry and navigating the realities of high-growth entrepreneurship. He reflects on the mindset required to build something from nothing, the importance of winning (and keeping) customers, and why consistency and execution matter more than ideas.The conversation explores what it really takes to scale a business, from landing pivotal contracts that accelerate growth, to building a leadership team strong enough to step back from. Andrew also speaks candidly about the personal cost of success with long hours, burnout, and the moment he realised the business he built was no longer sustainable for the life he wanted.Now focused on family, investing, and sustainability, Andrew offers a different perspective on success that goes beyond financial outcomes.This is a grounded and honest conversation about entrepreneurship, growth, and what success really looks like once you’ve achieved it.Timestamps02:17 Council estate roots09:20 Knife lesson turning point22:06 Bedroom startup launch34:14 Why sell the business42:57 Health reset and purpose46:50 Sales tricks that work54:47 Advice for entrepreneursFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Andrew Hulbert on LinkedInFind out more about Pareto FacilitiesAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Could the answer to a more sustainable handbag or wallet lie at the bottom of your pint glass?In this episode of all about business, James Reed sits down with Dr. Edward "TJ" Mitchell, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Arda Biomaterials, a London-based startup redefining the future of leather. Using cutting-edge technology, Arda transforms waste grain from brewers and distillers into sustainable, animal-, and plastic-free leather alternatives that are poised to disrupt the fashion and materials industries.TJ shares his remarkable journey from a PhD in radioactive waste storage to the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship. He opens up about the pivotal moments that led to founding Arda Biomaterials, meeting his co-founder, and the bold decision to pivot from food-based protein products to sustainable materials. TJ also talks about the challenges of scaling a deep tech startup, from overcoming scientific and engineering hurdles, to building a team, and navigating the complexities of fundraising.TJ reflects on the importance of networking and immersing yourself in the right communities, the art of storytelling as an entrepreneur, and why asking for advice often leads to unexpected opportunities.Timestamps02:39 From PhD research to entrepreneurship06:22 Discovering the value of waste grain12:15 Pivoting from food-based protein to leather alternatives14:19 Using chemistry to mimic collagen for sustainable leather20:33 The science behind transforming waste into leather-like materials21:20 Why communication and storytelling are key for entrepreneurs24:47 Advice for scientists: finding co-founders and startup programs35:00 The future of plastic-free, animal-free materials in fashion39:49 Arda Biomaterials’ vision as a waste transformation company42:13 Scaling globally and creating local production facilitiesFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow TJ Mitchell on LinkedInFind out more about Arda Biomaterials hereAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How do you turn a single idea into a global brand and keep winning in an industry where most products fade away?In this episode of all about business, James sits down with Steve Perez, founder of Global Brands, to unpack the reality behind building one of the UK’s most successful drinks businesses from scratch.Steve shares how he identified a gap in the market early on, and backed his instincts to create products that would resonate with a new generation of consumers, most notably the breakout success of VK. But Steve’s story isn’t just about spotting an opportunity, it’s about the discipline required to execute, the risks that come with backing your own judgement, and the resilience needed to navigate inevitable setbacks along the way.The conversation goes deeper into what actually drives success in a highly competitive, fast-moving industry. Steve explains why understanding your customer better than anyone else is a non-negotiable, how to stay relevant as trends shift, and how many businesses fail not because of bad ideas, but because of poor execution.He also reflects on leadership as a business scale. From making tough commercial decisions under pressure, to building a team you can trust, and knowing when to adapt, versus when to stay the course.This is a grounded, experience-led conversation about entrepreneurship without the fluff that covers risk, resilience, execution, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.Timestamps02:56 From pub manager to van hustle08:43 Business bust and rock bottom14:33 Inventing VK 25:16 Keep your equity keep control38:27 Building a hotel empire43:36 High Court tax challenge57:34 Multi-generational mindsetFollow James Reed on LinkedInFollow Steve Perez on LinkedInFind out more Global Brands and VKAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Why do some candidates succeed in interviews while others fail, even with the same experience?In this episode of all about business, James speaks with Will Moore, Senior Area Manager at Reed Specialist Recruitment, about how to effectively prepare for a job interview.With more than a decade of experience in recruitment, Will shares practical advice on how candidates can approach interviews with confidence and structure. He explains the four key steps to interview preparation, from researching the company and reviewing the job description, to understanding the people you’ll be meeting, and preparing examples from your own experience.The conversation also explores how candidates can structure answers clearly and communicate their achievements with confidence. Will highlights why using facts and measurable results is far more effective than exaggeration, and how practising answers out loud can dramatically improve performance on the day.They also discuss some of the most common mistakes candidates make; asking vague questions that reveal a lack of research, failing to prepare real examples of past work, and overlooking the importance of preparation for virtual interviews, where technology, environment, and presentation still matter.Whether you're preparing for your first interview, or your next career move, this episode offers practical insights to help you present yourself clearly, confidently, and authentically.Timestamps01:12 Four step interview prep06:26 Nailing tell me about you08:59 STAR method14:41 Handling weaknesses questions19:16 Practice and common mistakesFollow James Reed on LinkedInFind out how Reed can help you advance your career here: Find out more about Reed Specialist Recruitment here: Explore our online course ‘Life's Work: How to get ahead in a career you love’ here:All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk