SmallBizPod #81 – interview with Laura Tenison founder of JoJo Maman Bebe

Interview with Laura Tenison founder of JoJo Maman Bébé on her business journey, organic growth to £20 million, avoiding debt, retaining equity & advice for retail entrepreneurs in recession.

By Alex Bellinger
27th March 2009 at 4:43 pm

This week SmallBizPod #81, the small business podcast, includes a great interview with Laura Tenison, the female entrepreneur behind maternity and toddler retail fashion business JoJo Maman Bébé. There’s also a round-up of listener comments, an interview with a Scottish entrepreneur who is big in Japan and some great music thanks to Monotonik.

Right click here to download the podcast for startups, small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Click on the play button below to listen now

play small business podcast now

If you’d like to subscribe free using an RSS feed or better still iTunes, just follow the podcast screencasts to find out how easy it is to make sure you never miss an episode of SmallBizPod.

For those who’d like to download SmallBizPod or listen to it now, right click on the download link or left click on the grey arrow button above to play now.

Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

00:00 Alex introduces what’s coming up in this episode and thanks this month’s sponsors of SmallBizPod, Rackspace – superb small business web hosting.

Features:

3.50 Interview with Laura Tenison, founder of JoJo Maman Bébé, the maternity and toddler fashion brand. Alex and Laura talk about business in the playground, her terrible car crash, building a business with no debt, organic growth vs giving away equity, the cash flow challenges facing all high street retailers, and how her business plans to continue to expand and grow over the next few years.

25:17 Many thanks for comments, advice and free books from SmallBizPod listeners Ryan Wood, Roy Husselby and Ed Surgeon.

28:33 Interview with Denice Purdie of Purdies Scottish Soap Company as part of the Alibaba.com sponsorship. Full interview available here.

31.17 Music – Winds of Change by Jap Jap with many thanks to netlabel Monotonik.

Commenting Is Easy

Did you enjoy this podcast? Do you have a question about what you've just listened to? Do you have something to add to the conversation that others might find helpful? Then please leave a comment in the box below.

If you'd like to have your image included next to your comments here, then you can set yourself up with an avatar in just a couple of clicks.

  1. Nathan Hall says:

    It’s good to know there are other businesses who do not want investors, or to borrow heavily to start their business.

Leave a comment

Play Now

play small business podcast now

Related Posts

    No related posts.

Photostream



Recent Comments

  • Kasi Carter: I am a stay at home mother looking to make an income from home. I know the potential is out there. I am...
  • Innes Donaldson: Xing is a great site as too is Alex’s. These business based / conversation / blog based...
  • Alan: Thank you for this inspiring interview. John Griffin’s leadership style resembles me the one described in...
  • Justin Morrison: Another outstanding interview. So much wisdom in that half hour, and what an absolute gentleman....
  • Kevin Matthews: Hi Alex! Cracking interview – really enjoyed this one. I loved how honest and down to earth...

PARTNER PROMOTIONS

Free occupational health adviceline for small businesses offering absence management, employee retention and workplace health advice.

Everything you need to market your growing business. High-quality business cards, stickers and postcards with thousands of designs to choose from.

For help with business debt issues, company voluntary liquidation, creditors voluntary liquidation and any other business insolvency questions contact the Business Rescue Service.

If looking to boost your businesses performance with promotional marketing, travel incentives or incentive schemes get it touch with NDL Group