Another week, another edition of our Founder Series. And once again, we’re diving into a range of industries, from distilling sustainable spirits to creating reverse-folding umbrellas and immersive treasure hunts. These five founders have built businesses that stand out by staying true to their values and establishing meaningful connections with their customers. Here are their stories, challenges, and how they’re shaping the future of their respective industries.
In a world where consumer priorities are shifting toward sustainability, innovation, and meaningful connections, this week’s Founder Series showcases five UK entrepreneurs who are perfectly aligned with these changing expectations. From tackling climate change with carbon-negative products to offering creative ways for people to reconnect in a post-pandemic world, these founders are meeting the demands of a market that values purpose-driven businesses. Each has found a way to balance profitability with values, staying resilient through the challenges of modern entrepreneurship. And this is why we’re zooming in on these founders this week—to explore how their visions are not only contributing to their industries but also responding to the evolving needs of today’s consumers.
The UK e-commerce sector offers both exciting opportunities and significant challenges, as seen through the experiences of this week’s featured founders. From Jordan Sheppard’s innovative affiliate program at Voltsco to Aidan Farrell’s success in the electric bike market with Go Off-Road Barnsley & Wakefield, each entrepreneur has found a unique way to thrive. Lauretta and Sharon Gavin have made wellness accessible through their brand, Gavin Sisters, while Abigail Ahern continues to redefine home décor with Abigail Ahern Interiors. Meanwhile, Guy Bolton’s Greasy Kulture proves that print media still has a place in niche markets like custom motorcycles. These founders share their stories of overcoming cash flow issues, building loyal customer bases, and creating innovative solutions in their respective industries.
Though called an industry generally, and by us on the UNREAL Rockstars editorial team, e-commerce isn’t exactly an industry—rather, it functions as a point of sale for many industries. This dynamic makes the e-commerce landscape broad and explorative, spanning everything from colorful diamonds and shiny objects to the blended worlds of music and café life. And exactly this is what we have in store for this feature, starting with the lucrative diamond industry.
If you are a founder or C-level executive at a Swedish agency, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking to connect with leaders who are willing to share their experiences, challenges, and insights. By reaching out, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with us as we explore your unique story and showcase what it's like to navigate the agency world in Sweden. Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re excited to learn more about your journey.
If you are a founder or C-level executive at a Danish agency, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking to connect with leaders who are willing to share their experiences, challenges, and insights. By reaching out, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with us as we explore your unique story and showcase what it's like to navigate the agency world in Denmark. Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re excited to learn more about your journey.
We will be taking a closer look at a handful inspiring journeys of five ecommerce founders from the Netherlands, navigating trials and triumphs to build businesses around hands-on solutions to practical problems. In the rapidly evolving Dutch ecommerce landscape, determined entrepreneurs are stepping up to create value, break new ground, and provide innovative solutions. This article features five founders from the Netherlands who have successfully addressed industry-specific challenges to carve out a niche in the country's competitive ecommerce scene. From optimizing supply chains for small online retailers to enhancing customer experiences with cutting-edge platforms, these forward-thinking Dutch entrepreneurs are leveraging their unique strengths and passion to redefine ecommerce in the Netherlands. Each founder's journey offers valuable insights into adopting innovative yet pragmatic business strategies, overcoming operational hurdles, and setting clear, achievable goals in the Dutch market.
We will take a closer look at handful inspiring journeys of five ecommerce founders from Germany, navigating trials and triumphs to build businesses around hands-on solutions to practical problems. In the fast-paced German ecommerce landscape, determined entrepreneurs are stepping up to create value, break new ground, and provide innovative solutions. This article features five founders from Germany who have successfully addressed industry-specific challenges to carve out a niche in the country's competitive ecommerce scene. From optimizing supply chains for small online retailers to enhancing customer experiences with innovative platforms, these forward-thinking German entrepreneurs are leveraging their unique strengths and passion to redefine ecommerce in Germany. Each founder's journey offers valuable insights into adopting innovative yet pragmatic business strategies, overcoming operational hurdles, and setting clear, achievable goals in the German market.
In the world of craft spirits, Two Drifters Distillery sets itself apart with its unique blend of passion for rum and commitment to sustainability. What started as a shared love for rum between Gemma Wakeham and her partner Russ has grown into a rum distillery that is fiercely dedicated to being carbon-negative. “Rum was our first love,” Gemma recalls. “We spent years researching and finally decided to sell everything, move in with my parents, and build Two Drifters from scratch.” With a mission to make rum in the UK from start to finish, Two Drifters is driven by the belief that no business should contribute to climate change.
Gemma and Russ both grew up in Devon and brought their combined skills—Russ as an academic chemist and Gemma in sales—to launch Two Drifters. Their first date was rum tasting, and from that moment, their passion for the drink never waned.
Unlike many other British rum producers, Two Drifters makes rum from scratch. They ferment, distill, spice, age, and bottle everything in-house, ensuring full control over their process. Their ethos towards sustainability extends beyond rum-making, with a self-imposed carbon tax helping to maintain their carbon-negative footprint.
“We’ve never had a ‘normal’ trading year,” says Gemma. From COVID-19 to a sluggish economy, the challenges have been constant. Yet, the fact that Two Drifters is still growing, exporting to eight countries, is a testament to their resilience.
“Exporting to eight countries has been a big achievement for us,” Gemma shares. Their success overseas has been a beacon of hope during the tough UK economic climate.
In an industry as traditional as construction, innovation can often be slow. But Matt Lacey, founder of SURVEYTECH, saw an opportunity to help modernize the way things are done. "We supply technology for surveying that allows people to adopt more efficient working practices," Matt explains. From helping construction companies to surveyors, SURVEYTECH has become a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions that improve accuracy and efficiency.
Matt’s inspiration for the business came from his father, a surveyor, who would often bring him along to job sites. “We were always building little projects together,” Matt recalls. He took over a small equipment rental side-hustle and expanded it into the thriving company it is today.
SURVEYTECH provides surveying equipment and support, helping companies adopt modern, safer, and more efficient practices. By partnering with manufacturers who deliver true innovation, they’ve been able to stay ahead in a sector where margins are tight and expectations high.
“The UK construction sector has been particularly difficult in recent years, with major players collapsing,” Matt says. However, by building reliable partnerships and staying confident in their offering, SURVEYTECH has remained resilient.
Their introduction of the Matterport digital twin platform has opened up new avenues beyond construction. “We’ve even worked with filmmakers and facilities managers,” Matt explains, showing how the company is expanding its client base.
From the peaceful Scottish countryside to creating beautiful home décor, Lainey Miller has transformed her passion for art into a business that celebrates nature and craftsmanship. Between the Woods and Sea is her tribute to the landscapes she loves, offering everything from prints to home goods, all featuring her original artwork. “It was always about quality and using local suppliers,” Lainey says. This commitment to craftsmanship has helped her business grow, even drawing international attention.
Lainey’s journey started in Scotland, where nature has always been a source of inspiration. After a successful 29-year career in finance, she finally decided to turn her love for painting into a full-time pursuit. Her connection with Lynzi Leroy from The Scottish Design Exchange gave her the platform she needed to make her dream a reality.
The brand specializes in high-quality home goods featuring Lainey’s distinctive art. From cushions to Aga covers, her work blends natural beauty with practical elegance. “Everything is made with care, and most of our suppliers are local,” she says, highlighting the brand’s commitment to supporting the local economy.
“At the start, it was getting my work seen,” Lainey admits. Finding the right supply chains and maintaining quality while expanding into international markets, like the US, was tough. But her close relationship with suppliers and a strong retail presence has been key to overcoming these obstacles.
Being approached by buyers from a major global retailer to stock her cushions in their US stores was a significant milestone. “That was a huge moment for us,” she says proudly.
In a world of corporate team-building and holiday fun, Bryn Powell has made his mark with The Great Game, a company that turns ordinary days out into immersive treasure hunts. From corporate team-building to family board games, Bryn has created experiences that bring people together in a fun, creative way. “We started out making treasure hunts for hostel guests,” Bryn says. “Now we’re doing them for huge companies and families.”
Bryn and his business partner Nick began their entrepreneurial journey running a pop-up hostel in Edinburgh. What started as a side project has grown into a full-fledged business that brings people together through interactive games.
The Great Game creates treasure hunts and puzzle games for a variety of settings. “It’s about exploring, learning, and having fun,” Bryn explains. From corporate events to family gatherings, the games they design are engaging and memorable.
Like many others, COVID-19 disrupted their business. “The cancellations were devastating,” Bryn says. But by pivoting to e-commerce and launching Puzmat, a puzzle board game, they were able to keep going.
In the face of adversity, their pivot to board games paid off. “We did £60k in revenue in one month before Christmas,” Bryn says, noting how this new direction helped the company survive tough times.
Jenan Kazim didn’t just create another umbrella—he reinvented it. With KAZbrella, the world’s first reverse-folding umbrella, Jenan has solved the age-old problem of dripping umbrellas and wind resistance. “Seeing my mother-in-law struggle with a wet umbrella sparked the idea,” Jenan says. Now, his invention is protecting people from the elements with a twist on an everyday object.
Originally from Cyprus, Jenan has lived in the UK for over 50 years. His background in aerospace engineering gave him the skills to innovate in the world of umbrellas. “I’ve always been fascinated by how things work,” he explains, which led to the development of the KAZbrella.
KAZbrella’s patented reverse-folding technology keeps the umbrella’s wet side contained, preventing mess and making it easier to get in and out of cars. “No one else has the technology we do,” Jenan says, proud of his family-run business.
Launching a completely new product while developing international manufacturing relationships was challenging. But Jenan’s perseverance, along with his engineering background, helped him navigate the complexities of production.
The first-ever reverse-folding umbrella earned global recognition after a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, with their video receiving over 3.3 million views.
What sets these founders apart is their ability to align their businesses with today’s most pressing demands—whether it’s sustainability, product innovation, or creating memorable customer experiences. From Gemma Wakeham, who is leading the way in carbon-negative distilling at Two Drifters, to Jenan Kazim, whose KAZbrella is solving a simple but universal problem with a groundbreaking design, each founder has found a way to offer something unique. Matt Lacey at SURVEYTECH is pushing technology forward in construction, while Lainey Miller brings a personal touch to home décor inspired by nature. Bryn Powell is transforming everyday entertainment with treasure hunts that reconnect people. Each of these founders has faced their own set of challenges, yet their resilience and practical approaches have not only kept their businesses thriving but have also allowed them to contribute meaningfully to their industries. Their stories serve as a reminder that real impact comes from staying true to your vision while responding to the evolving needs of your market.
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