Brand Growth Heroes

We are thrilled to welcome back Irish entrepreneur Gary Lavin, the founder of VITHIT Drinks. VITHIT is brand that’s seen incredible growth in recent years, establishing itself as a leader in the vitamin water in the UK and Ireland. With an £80 million run-rate in 2025, and multiple international markets, VITHIT is now a global player to be reckoned with.But, like so many others, the real story here lies in founder Gary's relentless journey - one that that transformed a small idea into a business that knocked global brands such as Vitamin Water from off their perch in the UK, in the space of just a few years.And Gary Lavin isn’t just a guest; he’s one of Fiona’s oldest friends in business. He joins us to share his story of resilience, taking on industry giants, navigating new markets, and building a brand with a laser focus on innovation and grit.And if you’re interested in hearing more, we’ve just re-released our first interview with Gary from four years ago as a companion to this episode. So, if you’re listening now, consider this episode, part two of the VITHIT story! LINK PART ONE If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, PLEASE click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and leave a review. You don't want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.Useful links:WebsiteGary's LinkedInVITHIT LinkedInInstagramFacebookBy the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION. You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to keep learning from the founders of challenger brands who are thinking differently about growth.Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Mini MBA here.Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

VITHIT: This episode is the first in a 2-part series where we dive deep into the journey of the leading vitamin water in the UK and Ireland, through the eyes of its Irish founder, Gary Lavin. VITHIT is a brand close to my heart, because the branding was designed by my truly talented brother and best friend, Dave of Dave Fitz Design, a boutique brand design agency in Dublin. VITHIT is a great example of a winning brand that has taken it's time to learn, grow and get to a category leadership position, but where it hasn't happened over night, and there have been plenty of challenges overcome along the way.In this episode recorded a few years ago, you'll learn Gary's secrets to getting the brand to 30 million pounds in sales through his tenacity and hands-on approach, and in the next episode - which will be released straight after this one - we catch up with Gary in real time (November 2024) to find out how he's managed to hit a run-rate of £80m in global sales for 2025! 

Ever been embarrassed at the till buying condoms?! This week, Fiona Fitz is joined by Farah Kabir and Sarah Welsh, the brilliant duo behind HANX, a scaling challenger brand in the sexual wellness category.Farah and Sarah turned an awkward personal experience into a market-leading company by spotting a glaring gap in the female-focused sexual health market. They've now built a brand that, although it started in condoms, has evolved to support women throughout all stages of their lives, addressing the various ways that women's bodies change and show up at different ages.They're securing distribution in major retailers like Boots, Tesco, and Sainsbury's and are even making waves in the U.S. with Urban Outfitters.HANX is evolving beyond just being a condom brand—it's becoming a comprehensive women's health and wellness brand.So why not see how it's done in a category that might be very different from the one you operate in?  Note: Sarah was moving between locations during the recording, so you might notice video and sound quality changes throughout the episode.By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION.You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!Useful linksHANX websiteHANX LinkedInFarah Kabir LinkedInSarah Welsh LinkedInIf this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

We're thrilled to welcome back Fuel 10k founder Barney Mauleverer for his third appearance on Brand Growth Heroes. Barney's just wrapped up an incredible 13-year journey with Fuel 10K, and he's here to chat about the grit and patience it takes to build and sell a company. Trust us, if you're a founder facing your own hurdles, you'll want to tune in for this one!Barney's story shows that success isn't always about sprinting to the finish line. Sometimes, it's more like running a marathon. Every experience, good or bad, plays a part in the big picture. His journey is super-inspiring for founders out there, reminding us that there is something to learn from every experience - even the not-so-glamorous stuff like factory floor checks!But wait, there's more! Barney's also spilling the beans on his latest venture. He's just launched the 'FUTURE OF FOOD competition, a cool competition for entrepreneurs who are shaping what we'll be eating tomorrow (unusually, it's free to enter and attend). The final round will be held on November 26th at the stunning venue: The Royal Geographic Society - 16 finalists pitch to win in front of food industry luminaries, with an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, buyers and journalists. I'm lucky enough to be a judge on the day, so come and say hello!Thank you, Barney, for shining a light on the future of the industry/market/how we will feed ourselves. We hope you enjoy this episode and will join us on the 23rd November - register to attend here!By the way, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you'll find a place where it says ASK A QUESTION.You can ask Fiona a question, and she will be able to answer you. So, if you have any questions about this episode or anything you thought helpful, please let Fiona know!Useful links/info:Future Food Competition info hereRegister to attend hereBarney’s LinkedInThe Future of Food Competition is a free, fully inclusive, not-for-profit event. Amidst significant global changes and rapidly evolving megatrends, this challenge shines a spotlight on opportunities and issues in the food industry. By encouraging debate, entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking, we seek to drive progress and positive change. We hope this event becomes a regular highlight in the calendar for everyone passionate about investing in food entrepreneurship.Here's the running order:12am – Attendees arrive and network12.45 – Doors shut13.00 – Setting the scene...Mike Berners-Lee – author of There Is No Planet B and How Bad Are Bananas & passionate expert in Carbon Footprinting.Pen Hadow – Arctic record-breaker and conservationist dedicated to protecting the seas and its wildlife.Kevin Dorren is an AI enthusiast and shifting populations specialist.14.30 - All attendees circulate the Pitch Tables15.30 - Judges preside & with a Popular Vote, and select 3 of the bestMiranda Ballard from NielsenIQ uses case study data to explain how entrepreneurial endeavour can impact big business.16.00 – 3 top finalists invited to pitch in the iconic Ondaatje Theatre + Q&A16.45 – Judges & Popular Vote (Strictly style!) Gold, Silver, Bronze are announced & prizes awarded17.00 - It’s a wrap!Future Food Competition info hereIf this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, don't forget to click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review!You won’t want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth. Plus, your small gesture will be truly appreciated.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us across our socials: Brand Growth Heroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.Sign up for the latest news and information on the Brand Growth Heroes Accelerator Programme here.Thanks to my Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane,Ballagroove.comand podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts,Social KEWS