Make it British Podcast
Episodes
Spinning the Future of British Wool in Yorkshire with Carly Smith & Rochelle Tracey from Laxtons
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I visited Laxtons Yarns in Baildon, Yorkshire, a fourth generation family spinning mill that is now emplo...
For the Love of Knitting with Genevieve Sweeney
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I take a trip to the beautiful Essex countryside to visit knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney in her micr...
5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 Ready to scale your UK-made brand? Apply for the British Brand Accelerator at makeitbritish.co.uk/applyIn this episode I'm sharing the recording ...
The Great British Wool Revival with Harriet Fletcher-Gilhoys. Fashion Roundtable
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Harriet Fletcher-Gilhoys from Fashion Roundtable.Harriet is the project lead for The Great ...
Bespoke Tailoring in Yorkshire with Isabelle Randall
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I'm joined by Isabelle Randall, a fashion designer and tailor based in Scarborough, Yorkshire, who has be...
How British Wool Helps Brands Source Local Fibre with Louisa Knapp, British Wool
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Louisa Knapp, Marketing Executive at British Wool.Based in Bradford, British Wool operate...
The Reality of Running a Knitwear Micro Factory with Kate Stalker from OUBAS Knitwear
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Kate Stalker, founder of OUBAS Knitwear.Kate runs a knitwear micro factory in the Lake Di...
Launching a Brand with Traceable British Wool with Dee McGilvray, CLÒ FOLD
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode of the Women in Wool series, I’m joined by Dee McGilvray, founder of CLÒ FOLD.Dee has launched a womenswear brand built entir...
309: Women in Wool Series Trailer
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Series 8 of the Make it British podcast is here!After many of you asked, “Where’s the podcast gone?”, it's coming back with a brand-new themed s...
BONUS: The 3 Part Framework for Developing Profitable UK-Made Products
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 Want to join British Brand Accelerator? Apply here: makeitbritish.co.uk/applyDoors close December 7th - don't wait!Got a question before app...
SOS: Stop Wasting Time Contacting the Wrong Factories 🏭
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not all factories are created equal!And if you’re contacting 20 different manufacturers hoping one will say yes — you're doing it the hard way.In ...
SOS: Why Ordering Too Much Stock is a Costly Mistake
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode in the MANUFACTURING SOS series, I’m breaking down why placing a big order with your manufacturer, especially on your first producti...
SOS: What’s the REAL Cost of Skipping Tech Packs? 📐
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think tech packs are optional? Or that your manufacturer can just "sort it for you"?Think again.In this episode of Manufacturing SOS, I’m breaking d...
SOS: Never ask a factory for the price until you do THIS 💷
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What UK Manufacturers Really Think When You Ask About PriceIf the first thing you ask a factory is “How much?” — you’re not alone.But it might...
SOS: Why UK Manufacturers are Ghosting You 👻
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your inbox is full of unanswered emails to factories, it's not personal. It's a sign you're making critical mistakes that scream 'newbie'.In this f...
Introducing Manufacturing SOS
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brand New Mini Series Coming Soon: Manufacturing SOSAfter a year-long hiatus, the Make It British Podcast is coming back!Series 7 is currently in the ...
Bonus: How to Find a UK Manufacturer
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finding a UK manufacturer doesn’t have to be a challenge!In this bonus episode, I share the recording of my recent webinar, where I break down the 5...
300 - Words of wisdom from UK manufacturers featured on this show
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 300!Celebrating the 300th episode of this podcast I look back at some of the amazing guests that I've had on this show from the wor...
299 – A Visit to Vagabond Bags
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me on a tour round a factory!In this episode I'm chatting with Simon Michelson, owner of Vagabond Bags, a sewing factory in Swindon that makes co...
298 – What’s going on with UK manufacturers? [with special guests]
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I'm joined today by 3 amazing people that work tirelessly in the UK fashion and textile industry.You may have seen in the press recently that several ...
297 – The Biggest Mistake Made by Product Businesses
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The title says it all. Listen to find out what it is!HANDY LINKSBritish Brand Accelerator - Work closely with me to start or grow your UK-made brand.N...
296 – Behind the Scenes at KC Manufacturing with Adam Robertson and Nina Falk
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join me on a visit to KC Manufacturing (previously Kalopsia Collective) in Dumferline, Scotland to meet with husband and wife team Adam Robertson and ...
295 – 4 Reasons NOT to Make in the UK
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Regular listeners to this podcast will know that I am all about encouraging brands to manufacture locally. But in some cases, it might not make good s...
294 – How to get people onto your mailing list
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the questions that came up on one of our recent British Brand Accelerator group coaching calls was so good, I thought I'd bring it to you on th...
293 – Save English Fine Cottons
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I’m bringing some very sad news - that the UK’s only cotton spinning mill, English Fine Cottons, which brought cotton spinning back to G...
292 – Reviving the UK Button Making Industry with Courtney & Co Button Makers
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guests are Andrea and David Courtney from Courtney & Co buttonmakersBack in 2012 I was contacted by someone who was trying to save the UK’...
291 – Micro Factories & Supply on Demand: UK Manufacturing at its Best
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode celebrates 15 years since I registered the domain makeitbritish.co.uk and busts some of the myths about UK manufacturing.You'll find out:...
290 – From the archive: Why UK Manufacturing is More Sustainable with Christopher Nieper OBE
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Nieper OBE is the managing director of David Nieper, a womenswear business in Alfreton in Derbyshire. The firm was set up by Christop...
289 – Creating Adaptive Clothing with Caron McLuckie from Bealies Adaptive Wear
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Make it British podcast, Karen McCluckie, the director of Bealies Adaptive Wear, shares her inspiring journey of creating adapt...
288 – Why You Should Visit Your Factory
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I’ve been in the Midlands visiting factories, which is always one of my favourite things to do.I’d planned to take my podcast mic with m...
287 – How To Sell Your Products
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about selling and sales, and how it's closely linked to product development.A lot of creative business owners say that they are...
286 – 21 Tips for Building a Great British Brand
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hear from 21 business founders as they give their tips on starting and growing a British-made brand.These snippets were taken from 21 different guest ...
285 – I Never Looked at Manufacturing Anywhere Else with Catherine Bedford, Dashel Cycle Helmets
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode I’m chatting with Catherine Bedford, founder of Dashel Cycle HelmetsCatherine had the idea for an innovative and stylish cycle ...
284 – Repair Is The New Cool with Thami Schweichler, United Repair Centre
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode no.284!Circularity is the buzzword on everyone's lips right now. It's no wonder, when you hear that 350,000 tonnes of clothing goes...
283 – Tackling Textile Waste as a Slow Fashion Designer with Lydia Bolton
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is Lydia Bolton, a slow fashion designer tackling textile waste by upcycling unwanted fabrics and garments and turning them into one-off...
FAQ: Where’s The Best Place To Source Fabrics?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How to find fabrics, leathers and other raw materials for your brand, and avoid the most common mistake that many people make when sourcing fabric.FUR...
FAQ: How Many Factories Should I Sample WIth?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sampling with UK manufacturers can be quite a different ball game to sampling with manufacturers overseas. Here's why you might not want to sample wit...
FAQ: Do I Really Need To Provide The Factory With A Tech Pack?
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tempted to skip this step? Find out why that might be a bad idea, and how having a tech pack can save you money in the long run.FURTHER RESOURCESTech ...
FAQ: Should I Get My Manufacturer To Sign An NDA?
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A Non Disclosure Agreement is a legal document you might ask a manufacturer to sign in order to protect your designs.Find out what the pros and cons a...
FAQ: How Do I Approach A Manufacturer?
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are the secrets to getting a response from a manufacturer when you reach out to them? I explain how to word your approach and why you might not b...
FAQ: How Much Does It Cost To Start A Brand?
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are the main costs that you will incur to start a brand, and how can you save money by making your product in the UK?FURTHER RESOURCES25 Hidden C...
FAQ: How Do I Find The Right Manufacturer For My Brand?
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the best ways to the ideal UK manufacturers for your brand, and how to ensure that they get back to you every time.FURTHER RESOURCESMake it B...
FAQ: Can A Manufacturer Source My Fabric For Me?
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You might think that having the factory source your fabric for you sounds like the easiest option, but that's not always the case.In this episode I ex...
FAQ: How long does it take to launch a brand?
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Find out how long on average it might take to launch a brand and what the main variables are that will affect it.FURTHER RESOURCES5 Steps to Finding a...
FAQ: How Do I Go From Idea To Prototype?
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the essential steps to turn your idea into a successful prototype.Get practical advice on how to bring your concept to life efficiently and c...
272 – Happy New Year! What’s coming in 2024?
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 272 of the Make it British PodcastStarting off the new year with something a bit different. This episode explains everything.Lookin...
271 – 3 Things I Learnt This Year
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and Welcome to Episode 271!As 2023 draws to a close, and for my last podcast episode of the year, I reflect back on the 3 biggest lessons that I...
270 – Sustainability Insights for Small Businesses with Mark Shayler
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 270!In this episode I'm chatting with the fascinating Mark Shayler about all things sustainability.Mark is the author of You Can't ...
269 – Stop Winging it & Have Your Best Year Ever!
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and welcome to episode 269 of the Make it British podcast!At the time of recording this we are just a month away from the start of 2024, and tha...
268 – From Start-Up to Export Champion with Laura Ward from Exeat
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 268 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode, I am joined by Laura Ward, founder of the luxury British tennis brand Exeat.Exe...
267 – Insights from my Houses of Parliament meeting with the APPG for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 267 of the Make It British Podcast!In this episode, I share my recent experiences at the All Party Parliamentary Group for ethics a...
266 – The Business-Transforming Benefits of Investing in Yourself
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 266 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode I discuss how and why investing in your own personal development can dramaticall...
265 – Mastering the Art of Selling at Pop-ups with Pip Chawner, Philippa London
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 265 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode I'm chatting with Pip Chawner, who is the founder of womenswear brand Philippa L...
264 – 12 Manufacturer Red Flags and How to Avoid Them
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 264 of the Make it British Podcast!What are the red flags to watch out for when searching for a manufacturer, particularly if you'r...
263 – The Joy of Partnering with UK Manufacturers with Clare Winton, Grow Wild Outdoorwear
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 263 of the Make it British Podcast!Today I'm chatting to Clare Winton from Grow Wild Outdoorwear, a new brand for women in pregnanc...
262 – Nailing Your Pricing Strategy
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 262 of the Make it British Podcast!In this episode, l explore the factors that go into setting the perfect price, from understandin...
261 - When is the Right Time to Make Big Changes in Your Business?
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to episode 261 of the Make It British Podcast!In this episode, you get the lowdown on why I ended up taking a 6 month break from podcasting. A...
Series 6 Coming Soon!
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and welcome to Series 6 of the Make it British podcast. After a 6 month break the Make it British Podcast is coming back! The first episode...
260 – 5 Hidden Manufacturing Costs and How to Avoid Them
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I discuss some of the hidden costs of manufacturing, and offer tips on how to avoid them.Whether you're starting a new brand, or growi...
259 - The Impact of Brexit on Small Businesses in the UK Textile Industry - Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I'm joined by Tamara Cincik, founder of think tank Fashion Roundtable to discuss the impact of Brexit on small UK textile businesses. ...
258 – How Do You Define an ‘Ethical Factory’?
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We get a lot of people contacting us at Make it British asking if we can put them in touch with a sustainable or ethical factory to make their brand. ...
257 – From the Archives: Labour Behind the Label Call out BooHoo for Using Unethical Garment Factories
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
24th April 2023 marks the ten year anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,000 workers and in...
256 – The No.1 Reason That Product Businesses Fail
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what the no.1 reason is that product businesses fail? It's not legal problems, it's not finance problems, it's not even marketing problems...
255 – What can Bentley Motors teach British-made brands about selling in a downturn?
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Download my Selling Price > Profit Calculator that goes with this episode here.Recently Bentley Motors announced their financial results for 2022, ...
254 -From Idea to Product: Print-on-Demand with Contrado
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you love factories, then today I have a little treat for you, as we are going on a factory tour with Contrado, who are a print on demand company.Co...
253 – 9 Job Skills that UK-Brand Owners Need to Have
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you run a UK-made brand you need to wear a lot of different hats!In this episode we explore all of the different jobs you need to do and the skil...
252 – Behind the Scenes of Lingerie Manufacturing with Maxine Wells
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode I am chatting to Maxine Wells, who is the founder of Intimate Apparel Samples, a small lingerie studio in North West London.Getti...
251 – Can You Sell Your Products without Using Social Media?
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Series 5!After taking a couple of months hiatus to focus on writing my book, I'm back with a brand new series.I'll be answering all of your...
Series 5 Coming Soon!
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello and Welcome to Series 5 of the Make it British Podcast. The new series is coming very soon. The first episode will be released on Friday 3r...
250 – 11 Ways to Grow a British Brand in 2023
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having worked with hundreds of British brands over the last few years, and speaking to them about what is working for them right now, and what they se...
249 – Luxury Silk Scarves Celebrating the Art of Science – Siwan Oldham, By Biology
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Siwan Oldham, the founder of ByBiology, a business that is giving to scientific research by creating the most beautiful luxury silk scarves. Siwa...
248 – For the Love of Wool with Sarah Turner, Little Beau Sheep
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Turner is the founder of Little Beau Sheep, a brand that celebrates the best of British wool through a unique range of hand-made laundry and bod...
247 – Attracting Customers & Creating Raving Fans
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you attract the right peoplt to your brand, and keep them coming back for more?In this excerpt from one of the sessions at the Make it British ...
246 – Made in London – Carmel King and Mark Brearley
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are around 4,000 manufacturers based in Greater London, making everything from bicycles, ballet shoes, military uniforms, neon signs, umbrellas,...
245 – How to Plan Your Production
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to manufacturing a product, planning is critical! In this episode, I cover exactly what you need to have prepared before going ahead wit...
244 – Sharing Wellness Through Well-Made Bags – Oscar Boatfield, Bearmade
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Oscar Boatfield, who is one of the co-founders of bags and accessory brand BearMade who make all of their bags in the UK....
243 – Pricing Your Products
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode answers some of your most commonly asked questions about pricing. Discover:02:12 What markup do retailers add?08:19 Should you raise...
242 – From Bespoke to Ready-to-Wear – Dawn Clarke
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with childrenswear designer Dawn Clarke, who is a member of Make It British and a part of our British Brand Accelerator progra...
241 – How to Sell UK-Made Products During a Cost of Living Crisis
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can you sell a UK-made product, or any high end product, at a time when people may be more cautious about spending their money due to rising infla...
240 – 7 Proven Ways to Promote Your UK-Made Brand
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
UK-made goods have huge value both at home and abroad. Are you doing enough to shout about your own British-made brand? I'll be sharing my 7 foolproof...
239 – Customer Service Secrets for British-Made Brands
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know how to create a loyal following and keep happy customers coming back for more?Kate Barker (Lime Tree Design), Sue Longmore (Maude and Fox...
238 – How to Start a Clothing Brand for Less
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to launch a brand with just a few hundred pounds? We surveyed our Make it British members and they gave us the insights into how m...
237 – How to Launch a Printed Textile Business – Veronica Galbraith
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Joining me this week is Veronica Galbraith from fun, colourful homewares brand Republic of Happy. Originally from Colombia and now living permanently ...
236 – How to Find a UK Manufacturer
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to manufacture in the UK but factories keep giving your efforts the silent treatment? This one's for you. In this episode, I share five ac...
235 – Spinning a Good Yarn
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Find out about an exciting recycled cashmere collaboration between three UK businesses.Dr. John Parkinson from iinouiio, Graham Holbrook from Turtle D...
234 – What is a Factory Fortnight, and Why Do You Need to Prepare for it?
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is a time for holidays - not just for you, but also for your manufacturer and suppliers.The Factory Fortnight - a time when manufacturers tradi...
233 – The One Thing You’re Probably Doing Wrong With Your Email Marketing
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is dedicated to those of you that put sending an email to your mailing list at the bottom of your to-do list! Discover: 02:25 W...
232 – What is a Manufacturing Agreement?
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you get a product manufactured, most of the time everything will go as planned. But what about the odd occasion when it doesn't? It's always bett...
231 – 6 Lessons we Learnt From Rebuilding our Website
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! After a longer than planned hiatus, the Make it British Podcast has returned. And we'll be back to our regular Friday episodes. This week ...
230 – Taking a Break
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're taking a break from new podcast episodes for a while. Back soon!Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Make it British NewsletterFollow on InstagramCo...
229 – Why Buying British is Key to Retaining UK Craftship
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, recorded as an Instagram Live on Made in UK Day, I chat to two British makers:Joseph Azagury, a high-end women's footwear designer wi...
228 – How to Promote Your Business on YouTube – Linda De Ruiter
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Linda De Ruiter is the founder of sustainable womenswear brand, The Slow Wardrobe. In this episode, we talk about Linda's business, The Slow Ward...
227 – The Cost of Choosing the Wrong Manufacturer
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a limited budget to spend on product development and stock, the worst thing you can do is pick the wrong manufacturing partner.Here's how ...
225 – Why Manufacturers Aren’t Getting Back to Your Emails
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Make sure that manufacturers are getting back to your emails by avoiding these four common errors. Discover:03:08 The amount of emails that manuf...
226 – Live Panel Discussion with 3 UK manufacturers
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, recorded as an Instagram Live on Made in UK Day, I chat to three UK manufacturers:Karen and Neville Clokey from NC Lancaster, who mak...
5 Steps to Finding a UK Manufacturer – Bonus Broadcast
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Register for the masterclass > makeitbritish.co.uk/5steps
224 – Making it Your Own; The Advantages of Running a Micro-Factory – Paul Brown
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I chat with Paul Brown, founder of Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, a UK-made brand based in Suffolk. Paul founded his clothing business bac...
223 – Launching an Innovative New Dog Product – Rosie Macpherson
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rosie Macpherson is the founder of Where’s Winnie, a luxury dog travel brand.Rosie came to me when she had an idea to develop an innovative new type...
222 – Why it’s Important to Keep UK Manufacturing Alive, Julie Deane CBE
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Deane CBE is the founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, which manufactures all its bags in the UK. In this episode, recorded as an Instagram ...
221 – 8 Tips for Selling to Retail Buyers
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to wholesale your UK-made brand, but don't know where to start?Is this episode we look at some of the potential pitfalls, and I give you m...