Brand Growth Heroes3 Syys 2025

ManiLife Peanut Butter | From Panic Attacks to Dream Job - Founder Stu Macdonald

We loved chatting to Stu....and you're going to love learning from this GOLD taken from our recent episode:
What happens when a founder steps back from doing everything and instead builds a team that can take the business further than they ever could alone?

In this 5-minute clip, Stu Macdonald, founder of ManiLife Peanut Butter, shares why building their own factory was a turning point, not just for product quality and innovation, but for company culture.

Stu opens up about:

- Why making their own product was essential for both quality and commercial success.
- The power of trusting great people to lead where he couldn’t.
- The difference between working “insanely hard” versus building a business that hums.
- His raw experience with burnout and the shift that saved both him and the company.

This is a powerful reminder that YOU, the FOUNDERS, perhaps DON'T don’t need to do it all...or at least that you can CHOOSE to work towards a time when you're NOT doing it all. The right team, the right timing, and the right role for you can play to your strengths and drive even stronger growth.

This clip was selected and hand-picked by the brilliant team at MKJ Ignite, the FMCG recruitment experts helping challenger brands grow with the right people in the right roles, and is full of practical people insights. Directors Billy, Paul, and Immy have combed through the Brand Growth Heroes archives to bring you the most valuable founder wisdom on hiring and scaling teams that THRIVE.

A new 5-minute episode drops every two weeks — so make sure to HIT FOLLOW and don’t miss the next one.

If you're wondering whether or not you need help with your recruitment, or would like to ask for some advice, you can e-mail Billy directly at billy.maddock@mkj-ignite.co.uk

Connect with Billy Maddock on LinkedIn

Connect with Immy Southwell on LinkedIn

Connect with Paul Jones on LinkedIn

Follow MKJ Ignite on Instagram

Connect with MKJ Ignite on LinkedIn

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Why TrueStart Coffee Chooses Profitable Growth Over Scale | Founder Helena Hills

We don't often hear about Challenger brands that are PROFITABLE...So let's do it! *** Find out more about the NEW Brand Growth Heroes September Sprint 4 week programme just launched June 2026 - applic...

23 Kesä 37min

AF Drinks | How to Scale a Non Alc Challenger Brand in the USA

Most challenger founders assume international expansion should happen in neat, logical steps. New Zealand → Australia → UK → US. But Lisa's view was different, and that's why it's so interesting: In f...

9 Kesä 50min

Mother Root's £16M Secret Growth Equation | Bethan Higson & Alice Gallsworthy

In this episode of Brand Growth Heroes, I’m joined by founder Bethan Higson and Alice Gallsworthy of Mother Root. Get this: Mother Root is already the UK’s number one non-alcoholic spirit brand in ter...

26 Touko 35min

World Leading US Brand Expert | Why We've Got 'Brand Community' All Wrong

In this episode, I’m joined by digital strategist Sara Wilson, who coined the term “digital campfires” in Harvard Business Review, to explore why community is becoming one of the most important growth...

12 Touko 41min

How Citizens of Soil Is Reinventing Olive Oil

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Michael Vachon, the founders of Citizens of Soil, one of the most exciting challenger brands in food and drink right now. We explore how they are transf...

28 Huhti 51min

Female Founder Leadership | Emma Woods, Chair of Ancient+Brave, ex CEO of wagamama

Today, I’m joined by Emma Woods, Chair of Ancient+Brave, ex CEO of wagamama, and one of the most experienced growth leaders I know.Emma has done the full journey - Unilever, high-growth markets in Mex...

14 Huhti 42min

BOSH!’s Challenger Brand Playbook: Founders Henry Firth & Ian Theasby

This week, I’m joined by Henry Firth & Ian Theasby, the founders of BOSH!, to explore how an audience-first approach helped them build one of the most recognisable plant-based consumer brands in the U...

31 Maalis 39min

How MOTH is Mixing Up Cocktail Category Rules | Rob Wallis, Moth Premium RTD Cocktails

Want a deliciously sharp lesson in brand growth, category creation and how challenger brands can win by bringing new shoppers into tired categories rather than fighting for share at the bottom shelf? ...

17 Maalis 37min