April 14, 2025 • 20 mins
🎙️ In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Foluso Falade — last years candidate on The Apprentice UK and founder/CEO of Brandin’ It, the first-ever social enterprise to feature on the show.
Foluso shares the story behind her pioneering organisation, which helps young people across the UK create and launch their own brands — a mission that’s rapidly building a platform set to reach 9 million teens.
She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of her time on The Apprentice — from being cut off from friends and family, to competing in a high-pressure environment with people she was up against. Throughout it all, she developed incredible resilience and proved the power of staying authentic under pressure.
Foluso also reflects on her early curiosity — including how she built a robot as a child, and why she’s always been passionate about challenging stereotypes and doing things differently.
Winner of the "One To Watch" award at the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards, Foluso gives an inspiring insight as to why this category meant the most to her.
And if she had a few seats at the table to invite anyone she liked… would Lord Sugar get one? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. đź’«
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, hello and welcome to the we Are Power
podcast.
If this is your first time here, the we Are Power podcast is
the podcast for you, your careerand your life.
We release an episode everysingle Monday with listeners in
over 60 countries worldwide,where you'll hear personal life
stories, top-notch industryadvice and key leadership
insight from amazing role models.
(00:21):
As we Are Power is the umbrellabrand to Northern Power Women
Awards, which celebrateshundreds of female role models
and advocates every year.
This is where you can hearstories from all of our awards
alumni and stay up to date witheverything MPW Awards and we Are
Power.
Well, today I'm delighted to bejoined by Felucia Falade, the
(00:51):
founder of Brandin' it.
Yeah, brandin' it, it's a greatbrand and winner of the Northern
Power Women Awards 2025.
One to Watch winner.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Welcome to the pod Tell usabout Brandin' it because it is
it, because it is yeah, it's awhole movement, isn't?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
it yes, it is.
It is.
We are empowering young people,um, to get into business.
We basically call ourselves themodern day lemonade stand.
So exactly what you see in alemonade stand back in the day,
when you know you're making 50pon on a drink.
We're doing that now, butdigitally and for young people.
So, yeah, that's kind of whatwe do and we give them an
opportunity to start their ownbusiness and basically their
(01:32):
goal is to, like, break thatgenerational poverty cycle for a
lot of young people who don'treally have a choice.
You know where they grow up andthat kind of thing.
So we're just trying to breedthe next generation of
entrepreneurs, you know, andgive them a voice from early.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Where did this motivation come from to do that
Gosh do?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
you know what it is.
I feel like for me, I wish Ihad that when I was younger.
So obviously when I was alittle bit younger it wasn't as
easy to be as creative as I wasand school wasn't the best for
me, but I was really, reallycreative.
I was really really creativeand I'm like how do I get young
people into creativity in a waywhere they're actually learning,
they're earning and they'reempowered from early?
(02:09):
So that's kind of where it'scome from just my childhood and
what I didn't have.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Basically, and what was that moment you go, actually
, I want to make a difference.
I want what maybe I didn't haveor I would have liked, but what
was that defining moment?
Was there a person?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
what was that defining moment?
Was there a person?
Was there a mentor?
Was there an opportunity?
I met up with this young girlshe must have been about nine at
the time and she had mentionedthat she really wants to make
money and the passion was there.
I'm like we need to like funnelthis passion in the right
direction, because money can bedefined as many things.
So I was like how do I give hera platform or a place to be
creative, to make money, as shesaid, but in a way where she's
(02:46):
still learning?
And that's kind of how it camefrom there, just with that young
girl, and then from there justkind of made it what it is now
and everywhere else is going tobe, which is really exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
So, yeah, what has been your?
What's one of the successesyou're most proud of?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh gosh, oh, where do I start?
I mean outside of the award,which I don't want to get onto
anyway, but this is.
I think the award was a win forme.
It was a you're on the righttrack, you're doing the right
thing and people can see it,people recognize it, because
actually one of the judges fromthe category actually found me
(03:21):
at the event and they were justlike you know can't say too much
, but I genuinely love yourbusiness and stuff because even
in that environment, you startdoubting yourself, like maybe I
wasn't the right person or, youknow, maybe the other person
deserved it more.
Because I met the other peoplein my category but even meeting
her and having a conversationwith her as well, I was like you
know what?
Yeah, I'm doing it, you know.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So I think that was a pretty defining moment in this
process for me and you will seethis from the other side this
year, so we will invite you tobe a judge this year.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Oh, wow which.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
I always think it's brilliant when we bring our
previous winners and commendedback into the judging
environment, if you like,because it gets very competitive
in the room.
So, judges only do one category, because when you've got 1,600,
nominations it's impossible totry and concentrate across
different categories and peopleliterally are pitching for their
(04:12):
favourites and advocating yes,she was like I fought for you.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
I'm like how, what did that look like?
She's like I was fighting foryou to get to win.
I'm thinking, oh my gosh.
But even when she said that, Iwas like do you know what?
Yeah, this is even moreencouraging.
Do you know what I mean?
To know?
It's not automated, it's actual, real people reading your story
and saying, yeah, I like youand it's about the story.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
It's always about the story.
That's the one thing where welove about the Northern.
Power Women Awards is the howcan we amplify, how can we you
know sort of really accelerate?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
these stories and just chatting before we started
recording you talked about.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
You love the idea of this particular category because
it's that almost not, not quitea launch pad, because you've
already launched right.
Yeah, it's just it's the one towatch.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's like, yeah, literally it's, it's put in it.
I was explaining to someone.
It felt like I was.
You know, put on a lineup oflike runners and like the
Olympics and then the what theycall the person that makes the
announcements.
I don't know what their name is.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
The host, the commentator, yeah, the
commentator, or, as we say, thefantastic Nina, just saying
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
It was saying, like you know, oh, felicia's the one
we're watching this year.
It felt like that.
It felt like, okay, I like,okay, I have back in.
There's people cheering me on,you know, um, there's people
looking forward to what I'mgonna do next year.
So it was the perfect.
I personally think it's myfavorite category because it's
the perfect balance of you'redoing it, we believe you, we're
supporting you.
Like, go do it even more.
(05:36):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
and that just felt, feels amazing and weren't you at
the awards a couple of yearsago?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
yeah, and you were sat with or you spoke to.
Yes well, I spoke to Linda,linda Plant, yes, which is so
random.
So I came with my previousemployers um, because they
actually won mid-sized company,yeah, um.
So I came with them just toattend, having no idea I'd be
back, which is crazy, but eventhat day I remember you guys um
(06:00):
were really one of the topicsyou're talking about was like um
, oh, I can't remember the nameof it.
It was to do with a lot of likerace stuff and names and like a
lot of like African names.
There was this beautiful videoI watched there.
It was, honestly, I stillremember it from like two, three
years ago.
It was amazing.
We won the award and then I metLinda.
I was like, oh it, and I saidI'm going to meet that woman
(06:22):
again.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
I said I'm going to be back here again and this is
Linda Plant, who's one of theLord Sugar's judges on advisors
on the Apprentice.
So not only in that room didyou say I'm going to come back
and I'm going to hell.
Yeah, I'm going to win.
You then decided to go throughthe application process for the
Apprentice, right yeah, yeah, sothis was what a couple of years
ago.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yes, you finished?
seventh yeah, yeah, this waslast year.
I went on the show and so Iapplied for the Apprentice the
year after the awards.
Actually, yeah, so it wouldhave been the following year
when they were open again.
Um, so applied for that, got onthe show and then came seventh
last year, so that was week 10of 12, and which was a huge
achievement.
The social enterprise has neverbeen on the show before in 18
years, so the first ever socialenterprise to get on the process
(07:06):
was a big win in itself.
And then to get that far, I waslike big tick.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
And again we were chatting earlier.
So bright colours are a thing,right?
Do you know what?
Yeah, Did you say highlighting.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I feel like they define us by what colours we're
wearing.
They must do, because beforeyou leave the house in the
morning, they've got to makesure your outfit's okay.
Yes, it was the whole thing.
Now do they do that for theguys as well?
Everyone gets it.
Yeah, everyone gets it.
Stand there, change your outfit, change your top, wear a
different dress or the nightbefore whichever one.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
And what were your highlights, what were you most
proud of from that period?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Actually just going through the application process,
which was so intense, was sucha big win.
And then all the weeks that Iwas project manager and won the
task, particularly like week two, which was my favourite, the
cheesecake task.
I had to make like thousands,hundreds of cheesecakes.
What flavour it was mangomojito.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
I remember.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
See, I don't watch lots of TV but I do do binge
watching on the.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Apprentice.
I have to watch lots of TV, butI do do binge watching on the
Apprentice.
I have to watch them insessions, five and five at a
time, 100%, yeah, mango mojito.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
I remember, yeah, mango mojito cheesecakes and
that almost took it out of me,but we got through that in the
end.
So that was one of my favouritetasks.
But just the experience wasincredible, like meeting, you
know, 18 or 17 other people whoare just really incredible.
Do you know what I mean?
Really reputable in their ownfield, but then living together
like school kids, with no TVs,no phone, no nothing.
(08:35):
You know, trying to entertainourselves was so much fun, oh,
interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
And how long is that whole process in the house?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Oh we're there for about two months Wow, yeah,
about two months and like nophone.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
If we want to watch TV, tv, we have to get
permission and we all have towatch it together literally like
school kids.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
It was very funny.
What did you learn most aboutyourself during that period,
gosh, do you know what?
Because I'm someone who and Ithink this is something I've
really benefited from in mybusiness coming out of it as
well, I'm normally the kind ofperson who needs a lot of
people's opinions and approval,like what do you think of this?
What do you think of that?
Um, and I do think it comesfrom a place of low confidence
at the time.
So I came out of the apprenticeand I was like wait, I did all
of that as an individual.
(09:15):
Do you know what I mean?
Like I didn't call my friends.
My sisters weren't there, mymum wasn't there for me to check
in and make sure it's okay andobviously, as much as I love
everyone in the house, you arefighting against them at all
times.
You can't get comfortable, um,so there was something about
going in and standing as anindividual, having to make my
own decisions, having to defendmyself.
Um, that really, you know, assoon as I came out, I was like
(09:36):
you know what?
I can do it.
I just can do it.
I've done it and I can do it.
So, yeah, that was a big thingfor me.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
I want to take you back to your 18 year old self.
Did you not create a robot?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
yeah, look, I just I love a bit of everything.
Yeah, I just I love a bit ofeverything.
I like getting involved.
To be fair, at that age I lovedelectronics.
I was really, really big on itagain, I think because it was a
man's thing, I just reallyenjoyed who said that's the
thing that's the thing I waslike who said it's a man's thing
?
and I think I got like an A starin in school when I did
(10:06):
electronics and stuff like thatand then I went on to study
construction management justeverything that I wasn't meant
to do.
I'm like I'm gonna do that areyou like that?
Speaker 1 (10:15):
here's the rule book, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I'd be like rip it up , just change every, every word
in there.
I can do it, I can do it, I cando it.
So you literally, yeah,electronics, love making robots.
And then went to studyconstruction management.
There's like two women in thewhole year group, which is crazy
, yeah, but I enjoyed that.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
How do you, how would you describe yourself in like
three words.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Gosh.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I don't think that's possible.
Do you know what I?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
mean, I feel like I talk too much.
Three sentences, maybe Let methink Three words.
I would say I like to be um ananomaly, like to stand out, um,
I like, well, I consider myselfquite um, light-hearted, you
know is what it is.
(10:58):
I'll try, it doesn't work, it'sokay.
Um, and I would say, um,spontaneous, yeah, yeah, I would
say those three words.
I think I've just kind of grownup, you know, with.
So my mum's actually owned ashop for my entire life.
So since I was well, she waspregnant with me when she
started the shop, basically.
So we're the same age, so Icall it my twin brother, um, and
(11:20):
it's a business.
So you can imagine I've grownup around business and then,
with my mum's personality justbeing quite, you know, just
outrageously funny and justlighthearted, it doesn't take
life too seriously.
I think being around that hastaught me that do you know what
you can do both?
I could call my mum tomorrowand be like I'm starting a brand
new business.
She's like, yeah, where do wesign up?
And she just is that person.
(11:41):
So I think with my upbringingI'm just like, yeah, why not?
Speaker 1 (11:44):
She's always that role model for you yeah
definitely 100% and you broughtto the awards and you also
brought a mentor as well, didn'tyou?
Mentorship is something you arevery passionate about giving
back, paying forward, yeah, andoften, sometimes, when I see
people who are really passionateabout that- yeah it's hard
sometimes to take the time foryour own mentorship.
Yeah, yeah, so you broughtDaryl with you to the awards,
(12:06):
daryl.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Clark is my mentor.
He's actually from the PeterJones Foundation.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, that's how I met him.
I just cold called and sent abunch of emails.
I was like I need help, I'm inbusiness, I need help, and they
assigned me to Daryl, which was,honestly, one of the best
business decisions I've had sofar.
Daryl is amazing and he reallycares, which is really important
.
He's put me in touch with youknow Peter Jones as well, and
who supports the business aswell.
Where he can and and he's ahe's arranged meetings with
(12:33):
other people.
So I'm literally just like sograteful for what mentoring is,
because it's it's not justbusiness, it's life as well.
Right, you're doing lifetogether?
Speaker 1 (12:41):
um, so, yeah, no, that's a big, big win and I
think, when you are anentrepreneur, an entrepreneurial
, it's always going to blurright, yes, yeah what do you do?
What's it if you have any damntime?
What is that?
Speaker 2 (12:52):
do you know what I love doing things on my own.
I go karaoke on my own.
I go to the cinema on mykaraoke.
Your own is so much fun.
I'm telling you.
No one's in the room, you getyour pretend to your backup
dancers in and you're having agreat time.
I love going to karaoke.
Um, I go to the cinema on myown.
I go out for dinner on my own.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
I'm a big solo dater well, I want to know what your
your song of choice is.
You know what?
Speaker 2 (13:13):
I always start with um shallow.
Do you know what I mean?
You have to start with shallow,if you could sing.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Yeah, obviously you can't.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
You know it's a bit best, but you're on your own so
no one can hear you.
So it's fine, you know, um?
And then cheeky Adele, and thenyou've got to go to Beyonce.
And then, do you know, let mefinish with the dancing queen.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
I'm good oh, I'm loving that.
Yeah, yeah, we book you in nextyear for the awards.
Yeah, and you are a gospelsinger yeah, yeah, yeah, I am, I
am.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I'm actually flying to Amsterdam tomorrow for
another event, which is reallycool because you, you, literally
, it was not so long ago youwere singing at a convention in
America for like three thousandyeah, it was just super cool.
That was amazing.
That was um february, I thinkit was, so I sang for like two,
three days there, which isreally cool, and then I'm out of
town tomorrow singing for twodays there, which is cool as
(14:02):
well then talk to me about uhadvice that you would give your
younger self.
Oh, advice I would give myyounger self.
I would say, just well, myyounger self, I would say you're
only a child until you're 18,so just try it, do it, be it.
Do you know?
I mean, go there, send thatemail, try everything possible.
(14:24):
Um, and also that I'm, you know, going on 30 now when I still
don't know what I want to do,and that's okay, you know.
I'm, you know, going on 30 nowwhen I still don't know what I
want to do, and that's okay, youknow, I'm giving myself freedom
to just live and exist, and Ithink that's one thing.
Especially when I go intoschools, they're like oh, your
career choices, I'm thinking,guys, I can change my mind in
the next five years, and I haveno problem saying that because
(14:44):
you know, 50-year-old me isgoing to look back at this
version of me and be like youwere so young, and then
70-year-old me will look at50-year-old me and say you were
so young.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Do you know what I mean?
There is no one.
We talk on this podcast sooften about not having just one
straight line.
You do this you do that, youpass, go, you get your 200
pounds and off you go, yeah,100%.
It doesn't work like that.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
You can change your mind.
You can make mistakes.
What's one of the biggest sortof?
I don't think it's a mistake,but what's one of the biggest
things you think, yeah, okay,maybe that wasn't the best
decision in the world.
Oh gosh, let me think whatwasn't.
Or is it one of those thingsthat are not mistakes?
Do you know what they're learns, aren't they Not?
Speaker 2 (15:26):
fails.
I'm that kind of person.
I'm like no regrets.
Definitely would have anaccountant if I could go back,
because I had a lot of issueswhen it came to the money side
of things and just trying to dothat by yourself, um, and I
would probably say getting morehelp and shouting for help, more
, um, and not trying to do itall by myself, definitely.
But I don't believe in mistakes.
I'm like look, worst case, youget it wrong, you try again, and
(15:48):
it's that simple and I thinkasking for help is really key.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah, because people do want to help.
Yes, you know, people do wantit, like people who seek you out
at the awards.
Yeah, oh my god, you'rebrilliant.
I wanted to fight.
People do want a champion.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
People want a pass on knowledge and skills so you
know, it aids people you knowand I get that from the, from
the event as well you know, likeeven the mentor I got from the
awards that people are actuallywilling to help yeah, I think
that's that's how thisorganization has grown, the path
that it's gone.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Because it's that, what can I do?
How can I get involved?
Now, I know you're a solo diner, but if you were going out for
dinner with and you had twospare seats at the table, who
would you have with you?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
oh, we're talking celebrities or anyone, anyone,
okay, give me.
I'm thinking am I doing thisfor entertainment or am I
actually trying to get somebusiness knowledge here?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I I'm thinking it depends what month it is right.
This is the point I'm like.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I could go with, you know, an actor, or I could go
with like an actual.
Do you know what I?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
mean we're going to have to get a bigger table,
aren't we?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
I can't, honestly I can't.
Okay, I'll say, um, I can't,it's really hard.
You know I need a table of 12.
Can I do 12?
Yeah, go on then.
Okay, cool, I'll take.
I'll put Alan Sugar back onthere okay, yeah, I would.
I would put Baroness Brady onthere.
Yeah, yeah, she's a good.
She looks like a good time.
Good vibe, and then for theentertainment, I'll go with Matt
(17:24):
Rife, the comedian.
Okay yeah big fan.
Do you want to come on my tableas well?
Speaker 1 (17:28):
I'd love it.
Yeah, I'm in you're seat numberfour.
Thank you, that's great.
I'm loving that.
Yeah, that's great.
We can have a chat.
I can't think of the rest, butsomething along that line.
You might have to bring LindaPlant back again do you know
what I mean?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I might as well get her involved.
Your mum, tim, my mum, yeah,yeah, daryl, mentor, obviously
he can do all the championingand then maybe just some pay it
forward places.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Do you know what I?
Speaker 2 (17:49):
mean, I'll put Peter Jones on there as well.
Do you know what I mean?
And then just stand up andpitch.
You guys.
Be like hey what?
Speaker 1 (17:57):
is that?
Do you have like a quotation?
Um, because you're veryspiritual, um, you've got such a
lovely energy.
Is there a quotation that youlive by?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
oh, I think I would probably say it's a scripture,
um, and I would say okay.
So there's a scripture inIsaiah 40, verse 8, which is
what I live my life by, and itbasically says the grass where
there's the flower fades, butthe word of God stands forever.
And that's just like my life by.
And it basically says the grasswhere there's the flower fades,
but the word of God standsforever.
And that's just like my lifescripture, because I think it
really anchors this journey andI think my faith really anchors
(18:28):
just how I am as a person.
You know, I don't believe inlosses.
As long as I prayed about it,and you know it's something I do
believe, I'm doing this journeywith God.
I'm doing this journey with God.
I'm just like it's okay.
You know God's got me, um, so,yeah, I would say that, and is
that what lifts you?
Speaker 1 (18:43):
when you're, if you have that moment where you just
feeling a little bit vulnerabletoday, or you know, my
resilience isn't as hard as it.
Tough as it should be is thatwhere you go for?
Speaker 2 (18:52):
yeah, in my bible or just at church and you know
gospel singer, so it probablyhelps as well.
I just literally use anyopportunity to just talk to God
and pray about it and it reallydoes lift me.
I think that's the one reasonwhy I can be the person I am is
because I'm like, quitespiritual and you have that
faith.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Yeah, yeah.
And what?
What are you excited about?
Speaker 2 (19:12):
do you know what I said to myself?
I said I'm excited to go to theawards next year.
I think I'm excited to be oneto watch in 2025 and then to see
what happened in this next 12months.
So I think that's one thing I'mvery excited about, you know,
to kind of be in thisenvironment, but to also see
what the fruit of that is nextyear, which will be really cool.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
You can't get rid of us.
You know that, don't you?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
We're not for Christmas, we're for life right,
I'm here for it, I love it, Ilove it.
And you know what?
It's so lovely to see otherwomen as well, especially at the
event.
They're just so supportive.
Everyone reached out onLinkedIn and just chatting with
people and exchanginginformation.
It's so cool, such a goodenvironment.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
I'm proud of that, that is the environment.
We're 10 years in, 10thanniversary of the awards next
year.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
We've just just hit the 10th anniversary of the
organization and it's andthere's no, there's no sign of
us stopping.
How can, how could you stopwhen there's so many amazing
humans like yourself?
There's more coming up, there'smore growing up and getting
involved and I'm like, yeah, 100.
I love initiatives like thisbecause it's it's a reminder
that you know what we're seeing.
You know we're seeing which isreally cool well, we wish you
well.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
We can't wait to see you next year.
Using your voice for song, forpower, for karaoke, for all of
the above, felicia, you aretotally amazing.
Thank you so much.
Safe travels, thank you On yourgospel singing and we will see
you very soon.
Yes see you soon.
Appreciate you, subscribe onYouTube, apple, amazon Music,
(20:37):
spotify or wherever you get yourpodcasts.
Leave us a review or follow uson socials.
We are Power underscore net onInsta, tiktok and Twitter.
We are Power on LinkedIn,facebook and we are underscore
Power on YouTube.
Hello, hello and welcome to the we Are Power
podcast.
If this is your first time here, the we Are Power podcast is
the podcast for you, your careerand your life.
We release an episode everysingle Monday with listeners in
over 60 countries worldwide,where you'll hear personal life
stories, top-notch industryadvice and key leadership
insight from amazing role models.
(00:21):
As we Are Power is the umbrellabrand to Northern Power Women
Awards, which celebrateshundreds of female role models
and advocates every year.
This is where you can hearstories from all of our awards
alumni and stay up to date witheverything MPW Awards and we Are
Power.
Well, today I'm delighted to bejoined by Felucia Falade, the
(00:51):
founder of Brandin' it.
Yeah, brandin' it, it's a greatbrand and winner of the Northern
Power Women Awards 2025.
One to Watch winner.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Welcome to the pod Tell usabout Brandin' it because it is
it, because it is yeah, it's awhole movement, isn't?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
it yes, it is.
It is.
We are empowering young people,um, to get into business.
We basically call ourselves themodern day lemonade stand.
So exactly what you see in alemonade stand back in the day,
when you know you're making 50pon on a drink.
We're doing that now, butdigitally and for young people.
So, yeah, that's kind of whatwe do and we give them an
opportunity to start their ownbusiness and basically their
(01:32):
goal is to, like, break thatgenerational poverty cycle for a
lot of young people who don'treally have a choice.
You know where they grow up andthat kind of thing.
So we're just trying to breedthe next generation of
entrepreneurs, you know, andgive them a voice from early.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Where did this motivation come from to do that
Gosh do?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
you know what it is.
I feel like for me, I wish Ihad that when I was younger.
So obviously when I was alittle bit younger it wasn't as
easy to be as creative as I wasand school wasn't the best for
me, but I was really, reallycreative.
I was really really creativeand I'm like how do I get young
people into creativity in a waywhere they're actually learning,
they're earning and they'reempowered from early?
(02:09):
So that's kind of where it'scome from just my childhood and
what I didn't have.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Basically, and what was that moment you go, actually
, I want to make a difference.
I want what maybe I didn't haveor I would have liked, but what
was that defining moment?
Was there a person?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
what was that defining moment?
Was there a person?
Was there a mentor?
Was there an opportunity?
I met up with this young girlshe must have been about nine at
the time and she had mentionedthat she really wants to make
money and the passion was there.
I'm like we need to like funnelthis passion in the right
direction, because money can bedefined as many things.
So I was like how do I give hera platform or a place to be
creative, to make money, as shesaid, but in a way where she's
(02:46):
still learning?
And that's kind of how it camefrom there, just with that young
girl, and then from there justkind of made it what it is now
and everywhere else is going tobe, which is really exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
So, yeah, what has been your?
What's one of the successesyou're most proud of?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Oh gosh, oh, where do I start?
I mean outside of the award,which I don't want to get onto
anyway, but this is.
I think the award was a win forme.
It was a you're on the righttrack, you're doing the right
thing and people can see it,people recognize it, because
actually one of the judges fromthe category actually found me
(03:21):
at the event and they were justlike you know can't say too much
, but I genuinely love yourbusiness and stuff because even
in that environment, you startdoubting yourself, like maybe I
wasn't the right person or, youknow, maybe the other person
deserved it more.
Because I met the other peoplein my category but even meeting
her and having a conversationwith her as well, I was like you
know what?
Yeah, I'm doing it, you know.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So I think that was a pretty defining moment in this
process for me and you will seethis from the other side this
year, so we will invite you tobe a judge this year.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Oh, wow which.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
I always think it's brilliant when we bring our
previous winners and commendedback into the judging
environment, if you like,because it gets very competitive
in the room.
So, judges only do one category, because when you've got 1,600,
nominations it's impossible totry and concentrate across
different categories and peopleliterally are pitching for their
(04:12):
favourites and advocating yes,she was like I fought for you.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
I'm like how, what did that look like?
She's like I was fighting foryou to get to win.
I'm thinking, oh my gosh.
But even when she said that, Iwas like do you know what?
Yeah, this is even moreencouraging.
Do you know what I mean?
To know?
It's not automated, it's actual, real people reading your story
and saying, yeah, I like youand it's about the story.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
It's always about the story.
That's the one thing where welove about the Northern.
Power Women Awards is the howcan we amplify, how can we you
know sort of really accelerate?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
these stories and just chatting before we started
recording you talked about.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
You love the idea of this particular category because
it's that almost not, not quitea launch pad, because you've
already launched right.
Yeah, it's just it's the one towatch.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's like, yeah, literally it's, it's put in it.
I was explaining to someone.
It felt like I was.
You know, put on a lineup oflike runners and like the
Olympics and then the what theycall the person that makes the
announcements.
I don't know what their name is.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
The host, the commentator, yeah, the
commentator, or, as we say, thefantastic Nina, just saying
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
It was saying, like you know, oh, felicia's the one
we're watching this year.
It felt like that.
It felt like, okay, I like,okay, I have back in.
There's people cheering me on,you know, um, there's people
looking forward to what I'mgonna do next year.
So it was the perfect.
I personally think it's myfavorite category because it's
the perfect balance of you'redoing it, we believe you, we're
supporting you.
Like, go do it even more.
(05:36):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
and that just felt, feels amazing and weren't you at
the awards a couple of yearsago?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
yeah, and you were sat with or you spoke to.
Yes well, I spoke to Linda,linda Plant, yes, which is so
random.
So I came with my previousemployers um, because they
actually won mid-sized company,yeah, um.
So I came with them just toattend, having no idea I'd be
back, which is crazy, but eventhat day I remember you guys um
(06:00):
were really one of the topicsyou're talking about was like um
, oh, I can't remember the nameof it.
It was to do with a lot of likerace stuff and names and like a
lot of like African names.
There was this beautiful videoI watched there.
It was, honestly, I stillremember it from like two, three
years ago.
It was amazing.
We won the award and then I metLinda.
I was like, oh it, and I saidI'm going to meet that woman
(06:22):
again.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
I said I'm going to be back here again and this is
Linda Plant, who's one of theLord Sugar's judges on advisors
on the Apprentice.
So not only in that room didyou say I'm going to come back
and I'm going to hell.
Yeah, I'm going to win.
You then decided to go throughthe application process for the
Apprentice, right yeah, yeah, sothis was what a couple of years
ago.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yes, you finished?
seventh yeah, yeah, this waslast year.
I went on the show and so Iapplied for the Apprentice the
year after the awards.
Actually, yeah, so it wouldhave been the following year
when they were open again.
Um, so applied for that, got onthe show and then came seventh
last year, so that was week 10of 12, and which was a huge
achievement.
The social enterprise has neverbeen on the show before in 18
years, so the first ever socialenterprise to get on the process
(07:06):
was a big win in itself.
And then to get that far, I waslike big tick.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
And again we were chatting earlier.
So bright colours are a thing,right?
Do you know what?
Yeah, Did you say highlighting.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I feel like they define us by what colours we're
wearing.
They must do, because beforeyou leave the house in the
morning, they've got to makesure your outfit's okay.
Yes, it was the whole thing.
Now do they do that for theguys as well?
Everyone gets it.
Yeah, everyone gets it.
Stand there, change your outfit, change your top, wear a
different dress or the nightbefore whichever one.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
And what were your highlights, what were you most
proud of from that period?
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Actually just going through the application process,
which was so intense, was sucha big win.
And then all the weeks that Iwas project manager and won the
task, particularly like week two, which was my favourite, the
cheesecake task.
I had to make like thousands,hundreds of cheesecakes.
What flavour it was mangomojito.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
I remember.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
See, I don't watch lots of TV but I do do binge
watching on the.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Apprentice.
I have to watch lots of TV, butI do do binge watching on the
Apprentice.
I have to watch them insessions, five and five at a
time, 100%, yeah, mango mojito.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
I remember, yeah, mango mojito cheesecakes and
that almost took it out of me,but we got through that in the
end.
So that was one of my favouritetasks.
But just the experience wasincredible, like meeting, you
know, 18 or 17 other people whoare just really incredible.
Do you know what I mean?
Really reputable in their ownfield, but then living together
like school kids, with no TVs,no phone, no nothing.
(08:35):
You know, trying to entertainourselves was so much fun, oh,
interesting.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
And how long is that whole process in the house?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Oh we're there for about two months Wow, yeah,
about two months and like nophone.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
If we want to watch TV, tv, we have to get
permission and we all have towatch it together literally like
school kids.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
It was very funny.
What did you learn most aboutyourself during that period,
gosh, do you know what?
Because I'm someone who and Ithink this is something I've
really benefited from in mybusiness coming out of it as
well, I'm normally the kind ofperson who needs a lot of
people's opinions and approval,like what do you think of this?
What do you think of that?
Um, and I do think it comesfrom a place of low confidence
at the time.
So I came out of the apprenticeand I was like wait, I did all
of that as an individual.
(09:15):
Do you know what I mean?
Like I didn't call my friends.
My sisters weren't there, mymum wasn't there for me to check
in and make sure it's okay andobviously, as much as I love
everyone in the house, you arefighting against them at all
times.
You can't get comfortable, um,so there was something about
going in and standing as anindividual, having to make my
own decisions, having to defendmyself.
Um, that really, you know, assoon as I came out, I was like
(09:36):
you know what?
I can do it.
I just can do it.
I've done it and I can do it.
So, yeah, that was a big thingfor me.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
I want to take you back to your 18 year old self.
Did you not create a robot?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
yeah, look, I just I love a bit of everything.
Yeah, I just I love a bit ofeverything.
I like getting involved.
To be fair, at that age I lovedelectronics.
I was really, really big on itagain, I think because it was a
man's thing, I just reallyenjoyed who said that's the
thing that's the thing I waslike who said it's a man's thing
?
and I think I got like an A starin in school when I did
(10:06):
electronics and stuff like thatand then I went on to study
construction management justeverything that I wasn't meant
to do.
I'm like I'm gonna do that areyou like that?
Speaker 1 (10:15):
here's the rule book, yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I'd be like rip it up , just change every, every word
in there.
I can do it, I can do it, I cando it.
So you literally, yeah,electronics, love making robots.
And then went to studyconstruction management.
There's like two women in thewhole year group, which is crazy
, yeah, but I enjoyed that.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
How do you, how would you describe yourself in like
three words.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Gosh.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I don't think that's possible.
Do you know what I?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
mean, I feel like I talk too much.
Three sentences, maybe Let methink Three words.
I would say I like to be um ananomaly, like to stand out, um,
I like, well, I consider myselfquite um, light-hearted, you
know is what it is.
(10:58):
I'll try, it doesn't work, it'sokay.
Um, and I would say, um,spontaneous, yeah, yeah, I would
say those three words.
I think I've just kind of grownup, you know, with.
So my mum's actually owned ashop for my entire life.
So since I was well, she waspregnant with me when she
started the shop, basically.
So we're the same age, so Icall it my twin brother, um, and
(11:20):
it's a business.
So you can imagine I've grownup around business and then,
with my mum's personality justbeing quite, you know, just
outrageously funny and justlighthearted, it doesn't take
life too seriously.
I think being around that hastaught me that do you know what
you can do both?
I could call my mum tomorrowand be like I'm starting a brand
new business.
She's like, yeah, where do wesign up?
And she just is that person.
(11:41):
So I think with my upbringingI'm just like, yeah, why not?
Speaker 1 (11:44):
She's always that role model for you yeah
definitely 100% and you broughtto the awards and you also
brought a mentor as well, didn'tyou?
Mentorship is something you arevery passionate about giving
back, paying forward, yeah, andoften, sometimes, when I see
people who are really passionateabout that- yeah it's hard
sometimes to take the time foryour own mentorship.
Yeah, yeah, so you broughtDaryl with you to the awards,
(12:06):
daryl.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Clark is my mentor.
He's actually from the PeterJones Foundation.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, that's how I met him.
I just cold called and sent abunch of emails.
I was like I need help, I'm inbusiness, I need help, and they
assigned me to Daryl, which was,honestly, one of the best
business decisions I've had sofar.
Daryl is amazing and he reallycares, which is really important
.
He's put me in touch with youknow Peter Jones as well, and
who supports the business aswell.
Where he can and and he's ahe's arranged meetings with
(12:33):
other people.
So I'm literally just like sograteful for what mentoring is,
because it's it's not justbusiness, it's life as well.
Right, you're doing lifetogether?
Speaker 1 (12:41):
um, so, yeah, no, that's a big, big win and I
think, when you are anentrepreneur, an entrepreneurial
, it's always going to blurright, yes, yeah what do you do?
What's it if you have any damntime?
What is that?
Speaker 2 (12:52):
do you know what I love doing things on my own.
I go karaoke on my own.
I go to the cinema on mykaraoke.
Your own is so much fun.
I'm telling you.
No one's in the room, you getyour pretend to your backup
dancers in and you're having agreat time.
I love going to karaoke.
Um, I go to the cinema on myown.
I go out for dinner on my own.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
I'm a big solo dater well, I want to know what your
your song of choice is.
You know what?
Speaker 2 (13:13):
I always start with um shallow.
Do you know what I mean?
You have to start with shallow,if you could sing.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Yeah, obviously you can't.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
You know it's a bit best, but you're on your own so
no one can hear you.
So it's fine, you know, um?
And then cheeky Adele, and thenyou've got to go to Beyonce.
And then, do you know, let mefinish with the dancing queen.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
I'm good oh, I'm loving that.
Yeah, yeah, we book you in nextyear for the awards.
Yeah, and you are a gospelsinger yeah, yeah, yeah, I am, I
am.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I'm actually flying to Amsterdam tomorrow for
another event, which is reallycool because you, you, literally
, it was not so long ago youwere singing at a convention in
America for like three thousandyeah, it was just super cool.
That was amazing.
That was um february, I thinkit was, so I sang for like two,
three days there, which isreally cool, and then I'm out of
town tomorrow singing for twodays there, which is cool as
(14:02):
well then talk to me about uhadvice that you would give your
younger self.
Oh, advice I would give myyounger self.
I would say, just well, myyounger self, I would say you're
only a child until you're 18,so just try it, do it, be it.
Do you know?
I mean, go there, send thatemail, try everything possible.
(14:24):
Um, and also that I'm, you know, going on 30 now when I still
don't know what I want to do,and that's okay, you know.
I'm, you know, going on 30 nowwhen I still don't know what I
want to do, and that's okay, youknow, I'm giving myself freedom
to just live and exist, and Ithink that's one thing.
Especially when I go intoschools, they're like oh, your
career choices, I'm thinking,guys, I can change my mind in
the next five years, and I haveno problem saying that because
(14:44):
you know, 50-year-old me isgoing to look back at this
version of me and be like youwere so young, and then
70-year-old me will look at50-year-old me and say you were
so young.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Do you know what I mean?
There is no one.
We talk on this podcast sooften about not having just one
straight line.
You do this you do that, youpass, go, you get your 200
pounds and off you go, yeah,100%.
It doesn't work like that.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
You can change your mind.
You can make mistakes.
What's one of the biggest sortof?
I don't think it's a mistake,but what's one of the biggest
things you think, yeah, okay,maybe that wasn't the best
decision in the world.
Oh gosh, let me think whatwasn't.
Or is it one of those thingsthat are not mistakes?
Do you know what they're learns, aren't they Not?
Speaker 2 (15:26):
fails.
I'm that kind of person.
I'm like no regrets.
Definitely would have anaccountant if I could go back,
because I had a lot of issueswhen it came to the money side
of things and just trying to dothat by yourself, um, and I
would probably say getting morehelp and shouting for help, more
, um, and not trying to do itall by myself, definitely.
But I don't believe in mistakes.
I'm like look, worst case, youget it wrong, you try again, and
(15:48):
it's that simple and I thinkasking for help is really key.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Yeah, because people do want to help.
Yes, you know, people do wantit, like people who seek you out
at the awards.
Yeah, oh my god, you'rebrilliant.
I wanted to fight.
People do want a champion.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
People want a pass on knowledge and skills so you
know, it aids people you knowand I get that from the, from
the event as well you know, likeeven the mentor I got from the
awards that people are actuallywilling to help yeah, I think
that's that's how thisorganization has grown, the path
that it's gone.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Because it's that, what can I do?
How can I get involved?
Now, I know you're a solo diner, but if you were going out for
dinner with and you had twospare seats at the table, who
would you have with you?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
oh, we're talking celebrities or anyone, anyone,
okay, give me.
I'm thinking am I doing thisfor entertainment or am I
actually trying to get somebusiness knowledge here?
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I I'm thinking it depends what month it is right.
This is the point I'm like.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I could go with, you know, an actor, or I could go
with like an actual.
Do you know what I?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
mean we're going to have to get a bigger table,
aren't we?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
I can't, honestly I can't.
Okay, I'll say, um, I can't,it's really hard.
You know I need a table of 12.
Can I do 12?
Yeah, go on then.
Okay, cool, I'll take.
I'll put Alan Sugar back onthere okay, yeah, I would.
I would put Baroness Brady onthere.
Yeah, yeah, she's a good.
She looks like a good time.
Good vibe, and then for theentertainment, I'll go with Matt
(17:24):
Rife, the comedian.
Okay yeah big fan.
Do you want to come on my tableas well?
Speaker 1 (17:28):
I'd love it.
Yeah, I'm in you're seat numberfour.
Thank you, that's great.
I'm loving that.
Yeah, that's great.
We can have a chat.
I can't think of the rest, butsomething along that line.
You might have to bring LindaPlant back again do you know
what I mean?
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I might as well get her involved.
Your mum, tim, my mum, yeah,yeah, daryl, mentor, obviously
he can do all the championingand then maybe just some pay it
forward places.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
Do you know what I?
Speaker 2 (17:49):
mean, I'll put Peter Jones on there as well.
Do you know what I mean?
And then just stand up andpitch.
You guys.
Be like hey what?
Speaker 1 (17:57):
is that?
Do you have like a quotation?
Um, because you're veryspiritual, um, you've got such a
lovely energy.
Is there a quotation that youlive by?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
oh, I think I would probably say it's a scripture,
um, and I would say okay.
So there's a scripture inIsaiah 40, verse 8, which is
what I live my life by, and itbasically says the grass where
there's the flower fades, butthe word of God stands forever.
And that's just like my life by.
And it basically says the grasswhere there's the flower fades,
but the word of God standsforever.
And that's just like my lifescripture, because I think it
really anchors this journey andI think my faith really anchors
(18:28):
just how I am as a person.
You know, I don't believe inlosses.
As long as I prayed about it,and you know it's something I do
believe, I'm doing this journeywith God.
I'm doing this journey with God.
I'm just like it's okay.
You know God's got me, um, so,yeah, I would say that, and is
that what lifts you?
Speaker 1 (18:43):
when you're, if you have that moment where you just
feeling a little bit vulnerabletoday, or you know, my
resilience isn't as hard as it.
Tough as it should be is thatwhere you go for?
Speaker 2 (18:52):
yeah, in my bible or just at church and you know
gospel singer, so it probablyhelps as well.
I just literally use anyopportunity to just talk to God
and pray about it and it reallydoes lift me.
I think that's the one reasonwhy I can be the person I am is
because I'm like, quitespiritual and you have that
faith.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Yeah, yeah.
And what?
What are you excited about?
Speaker 2 (19:12):
do you know what I said to myself?
I said I'm excited to go to theawards next year.
I think I'm excited to be oneto watch in 2025 and then to see
what happened in this next 12months.
So I think that's one thing I'mvery excited about, you know,
to kind of be in thisenvironment, but to also see
what the fruit of that is nextyear, which will be really cool.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
You can't get rid of us.
You know that, don't you?
Speaker 2 (19:32):
We're not for Christmas, we're for life right,
I'm here for it, I love it, Ilove it.
And you know what?
It's so lovely to see otherwomen as well, especially at the
event.
They're just so supportive.
Everyone reached out onLinkedIn and just chatting with
people and exchanginginformation.
It's so cool, such a goodenvironment.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
I'm proud of that, that is the environment.
We're 10 years in, 10thanniversary of the awards next
year.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
We've just just hit the 10th anniversary of the
organization and it's andthere's no, there's no sign of
us stopping.
How can, how could you stopwhen there's so many amazing
humans like yourself?
There's more coming up, there'smore growing up and getting
involved and I'm like, yeah, 100.
I love initiatives like thisbecause it's it's a reminder
that you know what we're seeing.
You know we're seeing which isreally cool well, we wish you
well.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
We can't wait to see you next year.
Using your voice for song, forpower, for karaoke, for all of
the above, felicia, you aretotally amazing.
Thank you so much.
Safe travels, thank you On yourgospel singing and we will see
you very soon.
Yes see you soon.
Appreciate you, subscribe onYouTube, apple, amazon Music,
(20:37):
spotify or wherever you get yourpodcasts.
Leave us a review or follow uson socials.
We are Power underscore net onInsta, tiktok and Twitter.
We are Power on LinkedIn,facebook and we are underscore
Power on YouTube.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!