In this episode of Screw It Just DO It, I speak with Maxine Laceby, founder of Absolute Collagen. Maxine launched the business at 50 from her kitchen table after raising her two daughters, turning a simple idea for bone broth into one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty supplement brands now valued at over £50 million.

She shares how her journey was never about chasing investor returns but about doing things properly, respecting her team, and staying true to her values. We discuss her screw it just do it moment, the role her family has played in the business, and why she believes authenticity and empowerment should always guide brand messaging.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s never too late to start a business
• Authenticity creates customer loyalty and long-term growth
• Family-run businesses need mutual respect for strengths and weaknesses
• Investment should be about finding the right partners, not just the money
• Empowering customers matters more than exploiting insecurities

🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.

🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.

Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk

Register her for FREE: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL

👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!

#ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

When the world shut down, Maria Hatzistefanis doubled down. In this episode, I sat down with the founder of Rodial and Nip+Fab, who shared exactly how she pivoted during the pandemic, scaled her beauty empire to 35 countries, and leveraged both old-school trade shows and new-school DTC strategies to build a global brand.

Maria gets honest about the reality of expanding into international markets, the unexpected complexity of going truly global, and what it takes to stay relevant in an industry built on constant reinvention. Whether you're selling skincare or software, the lessons here are universal: stay close to your customer, stay curious, and be ready to evolve.

Key Takeaways:

• Trade shows were instrumental in Rodial's early global strategy.
• Digital marketing and DTC became essential after losing wholesale revenue.
• Maria’s shift to Instagram Stories helped her connect directly with customers.
• Success came from listening to market-specific needs (e.g. product formulations for Asia vs. the US).
• Hiring local teams is non-negotiable for successful international expansion.

🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.

🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.

Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone.

https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL

👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!

#ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship

I’ve spoken to hundreds of founders over the years, but Melissa Snover’s story hits different.

This week, I sat down with the force behind Scripted and Nourished, two businesses that are fundamentally changing the way we approach health. From reverse-engineering 3D printers to developing patent-protected technology for personalised vitamins, Melissa didn’t just “solve a problem,” she created an entirely new category. If you’re building a product, raising capital, or trying to scale without losing your startup DNA, this episode has the blueprint.

Melissa breaks down how she raised a record-breaking £2.7M as a solo female founder, what it really takes to create IP-driven businesses, and how to hold onto the startup mindset while navigating serious growth, governance, and FDA audits.

Whether you’re knee-deep in fundraising or just sick of generic supplements, this one is well worth a listen.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to disrupt. Melissa taught herself mechanical engineering and G-code after the world’s biggest 3D printing companies said “can’t be done.”
• Raising capital isn’t about luck. It’s about knowing the language, doing the research, and avoiding time-wasting investor meetings.
• Culture is a growth engine. Every member of Melissa’s team, from factory workers to C-suite, has equity, because ownership breeds commitment.
• The startup mindset matters. Even with 150 employees and FDA compliance, Melissa’s team rewards Friday Fails. Innovation thrives when failure is normalised.
• Personalised health isn’t a gimmick. It’s the future of how we’ll consume, treat, and take care of ourselves.

🎧 New episodes of Screw It Just DO It drop every Tuesday & Thursday - so makes sure you follow wherever you listen. You’ll hear real conversations with founders who’ve taken a risk, built something from scratch, and figured it out along the way.

🔥 Want to take things further? Join me in person this October at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on the 8–9th October at the NEC in Birmingham. The Festival of Entrepreneurs is where 5-10,000 ambitious founders come together to learn from the people who've actually done it. I'm giving my listeners free 2-day passes.

Real entrepreneurs, real stories, real strategies – exactly like what you're hearing right now, but live and in person. Go to www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk and grab your free pass before they're gone.

https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/FestivalOfEntrepreneurs2025.aspx?TrackingCode=ACHISNALL

👉 Follow the show. Turn up in October. Screw It Just DO It!

#ScrewItJustDoIt #FestivalOfEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship