In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with magician, TV presenter, and content creator Ben Hanlin to explore the magic behind creativity.

From his journey breaking into the entertainment industry to starring in Tricked and captivating audiences worldwide, Ben shares the highs, the challenges, and the secrets that have fuelled his success.

He also reveals practical tricks for unlocking creativity—whether you're a performer, entrepreneur, or just looking to bring more originality into your work. Follow Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hanlin-66508b142/ https://www.instagram.com/benhanlin/https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin?lang=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

In this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Raissa de Haas, the dynamic co-founder of Double Dutch Drinks, a brand that's taken the beverage industry by storm with its premium mixers.

Raissa shares the incredible journey of how she and her twin sister, Joyce, started their business from scratch, turning a passion for craft cocktails into an award-winning drinks company.

Raissa opens up about the challenges they faced as young entrepreneurs in a competitive market, from securing initial funding to scaling production while maintaining quality. She reveals the key moments that shaped their success, including building relationships with top-tier bartenders and creating a distinctive brand identity in a crowded space.

Raissa also delves into what it truly takes to run a thriving drinks brand. From leading with innovation to staying resilient in the face of setbacks, she shares her top strategies for scaling sustainably, fostering a strong company culture, and continuing to push boundaries in the drinks industry.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or curious about the secrets behind building a globally recognised brand, this episode is filled with actionable insights on what it takes to succeed.

Follow Raissa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raissa-de-haas-02740a61/ https://www.instagram.com/doubledutchdrinks/?hl=en

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Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Williams F1 is a team full of history and success. They have also had their own struggles in their time as a business and as a Formula 1 team. When Claire Williams took over the team, she had some incredible success with the team in 2014/15, but as new regulations came into play, she was hit with many challenges. So what does it take to drive a Formula 1 team forward, in the hard times and the good times? Follow Claire: https://www.instagram.com/clairewilliams_official/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairewilliamsofficial/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Adam has been through every challenge that chefs might have to go through, in order to find the level of success they are trying to hunt for. In this episode, Adam shares his journey of growing from Apprentice to Head Chef, to now operating 6 separate locations at the highest level. I learn't so much about sacrifice and dedication in this episode, and it was amazing to hear some of the day to day challenges that Adam overcame to get to each new stage of his career. Follow Adam: https://www.instagram.com/adambyatt/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/trinityclapham/?hl=en https://trinityrestaurant.co.uk/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Lucy started her publishing career at Conté Nast after landing her first role in their new client focussed publication department. After becoming bored of the lack of challenges Condé provided her she found her self on a ranch in America trying to write while living a peaceful life. Fast forward a few years, and just before the 2008 global economic crash, she launched a a magazine with her now husband, that is still running today, so how did she do it? Follow Lucy and Country & Town House: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-cleland/ https://www.instagram.com/countryandtownhouse/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@UCiE95hXklR6uGGDYL4ddHWw Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35

Martyn Odell has had one of the most interesting careers that we have had on the show. From being the lead in a live nudity comedy show as a 20 year old, to working inside Joe Wick's Bodycoach business, and now taking on the global issue of food waste. There isn't much that Martyn hasn't yet done! But how can someone like Martyn achieve so much, and continue to balance the scales of life, work and pure passion? We tried to find out. Follow Marytn: https://www.youtube.com/@UC2qIX8cVL5LY0ZqTz7BjMNg https://www.tiktok.com/@lagomchef https://www.instagram.com/lagomchef/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

Elliott Grover joined us to share his incredible journey through the restaurant world. After leaving Cornwall at 15, he worked his way up to become Executive Chef at The Cut, Britain's best steak restaurant, while also creating the menu for The Oscars. He began at The Ivy, moved to Le Caprice during its prime, and spent eight years at London's famous seafood spot, Scott's. After running ten restaurants at The Ned and heading up Duck & Waffle, he was selected by Wolfgang Puck to lead the kitchen at 45 Park Lane and oversee the food for The Oscars.From Britain's finest kitchens, Elliott serves up amazing stories about food, leadership, and life in top restaurants. Follow Elliot & 45 Park Lane: https://www.instagram.com/elliottgrover/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-grover-8a175a51/ https://www.instagram.com/45parklane/?hl=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Elliot Grover 01:20 Growing Up Watching Rick Stein 03:00 16th Birthday in Le Caprice Kitchen 04:05 Career Move: Relocating to London 06:00 Inside Le Caprice 07:15 Elliot's First Day at Le Caprice 10:00 Working with Chef Lee Bull 15:16 Transition to Scott's Restaurant 17:08 Leadership in the Kitchen 19:00 Eight Years at Scott's: Lessons from a Long-Term Chef Position 24:30 Kitchen Management: How to Look After Your Culinary Team 30:00 Key Factors in Successful Kitchen Team Management 31:15 Public Misconceptions Of The Kitchen 34:05 Trust in the Kitchen 35:30 Poor Management at The Ned and Nick Jones 38:00 Food Quality at Duck and Waffle 40:02 Dealing with Pressure in the Kitchen 44:00 Landing the Dream Job: Interviewing for Wolfgang Puck's Team 47:30 Working with a World-Renowned Chef, Wolfgang 49:38 The Wolfgang Puck Philosophy 51:00 Cooking for the Stars: Elliot's Experience at the Oscars 53:00 What It Takes to Be an Exceptional Chef

Marisa Poster, co-founder of PerfectTed, shares her journey from a challenging childhood in New York to launching a clean energy drink brand. Struggling with ADHD and anxiety, she found relief in matcha after realising caffeine worsened her symptoms. After moving to London, Marisa and her co-founders identified a gap in the market for quality matcha. Their appearance on Dragons' Den led to a partnership with Steven Bartlett, resulting in millions of orders overnight. Marisa discusses the overwhelming success they've experienced, achieving £1.4 million a month—far surpassing their initial forecast of £1 million a year by year three. Follow Marisa & Perfect Ted: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-poster/ https://www.instagram.com/perfecttedenergy/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/mposter/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@UCmyWvhJdwHbWn8A7BeqtaTw Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

Alessandro Palazzi, the bartender behind Dukes Bar's famous martinis, has been honing his skills in London for over 15 years. With an impressive 46-year career that includes work in Italy, France, and the UK, Palazzi has become one of the world's top bartenders. How did this Italian-born drink maker become internationally renowned, and how does he continue to set the standard in the art of cocktails? Follow Alessandro Palazzi: https://www.instagram.com/alessandro_palazzi/?hl=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Meeting Alessandro Palazzi 02:00 Swifties Take Over London 03:00 Early Days: Growing Up in Rome 06:20 Discovering a Passion for Bartending 12:20 A New Chapter: Moving to Notting Hill at 17 13:59 Life as a Kitchen Porter 16:02 An Italian's Perspective on English Cuisine 19:58 The First Steps Behind the Bar 22:50 Parisian Adventures: Working at Georges V in the '80s 30:30 Back to London: Career Progression in the '80s 36:00 A Brief Return to Italy: Running a Restaurant & Wine Bar 37:50 The Ritz Years: Bartending in the '90s 47:09 Building the Perfect Bar Team 54:52 Notting Hill: Bartending at a Musicians' Boutique Hotel 1:02:00 The Great Eastern: Opening with Sir Terence Conran 1:08:00 The Rich History of Classic Cocktails 1:15:40 Making Experiences at Dukes Bar 1:18:30 Collaborating with Berry Brothers 1:23:00 The Perfect Martini 1:25:06 Loyalty to Dukes: 17 Years and Counting 1:28:00 What It Takes to be a Renowned Bartender

Jo Bird transitioned from Rankin Photography to a three-month adventure in Australia at 27. Upon her return, she became the Creative Lead for GymShark and Lounge, two of the UK's biggest brands. With her innovative approach, Jo played a key role in helping these brands break through in a competitive market. Now, she’s on a mission to establish her own personal brand after embracing new opportunities following redundancy. Follow Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justjobird?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app https://www.instagram.com/justjobird?igsh=MXdhM3RyMWJiNmIzZA== https://www.tiktok.com/@justjobird?_t=8pxkGlk51U1&_r=1 Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ 00:00 Introduction to Jo Bird 02:00 Creativity in Jo's Family 04:20 Growing Up in Her Sister's Shadow 06:30 Limited Exposure to Creative Careers 09:30 Dropping Out of University 12:46 Moving to London for Work 17:00 Opportunity at Rankin's Studio 27:20 From Launch Party to Chicken Shop 32:00 Building a Creative Portfolio 34:30 Working with Jonathan Knowles 46:38 Joining GymShark as a Creative 58:30 Attracting Diverse Creative Talent 01:08:52 Headhunted by Lounge Underwear 01:17:24 Community-Building as Strategy 01:23:20 Work Culture at Lounge 01:29:20 Transitioning to Freelance Work

Tom Aikens first walked into a kitchen at 18, and never looked back since. Up until he won 2 Michelin stars at 26, he worked under some of the best chefs in the world including Pierre Koffman & Joël Robuchon. In this episode of What It Takes, we spoke about his journey to winning his first stars, how he got there and the challenges he had to face along the way. Follow Tom: https://www.instagram.com/tomaikens/?hl=en Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

The Resturant industry is not for everyone, it demands a lot from those who want to be successful in it. One of the successes is Tom Booton, who first walked into a kitchen at 15, and now at 31 he is the Head Chef at the incredible Grill at The Dorchester. For a 32 year old, Tom has already seen his fair share of success and failures, but he always learns from them and keeps moving forward. Follow Tom: https://www.tiktok.com/@bootontom https://www.instagram.com/bootontom/?hl=en  @bootontom  Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ 00:00 Introduction to Tom Booton's Chef Journey 02:04 Discovering Passion Through Work Experience 03:38 Becoming a Chef at Age 15 05:54 Overcoming Career Path Doubts 08:24 Succeeding Without Chef Qualifications 11:30 Career Sacrifices He Made in His Youth 16:30 Moving to London: A Career Decision 19:00 Chef Trial Shift Experience in London 25:30 Leaving The Westbury: The Reality Behind the 'Dream’ Job 29:20 Understanding Kitchen Operations 32:05 Embracing the Nordic Lifestyle: Working at Dill in Iceland 35:20 Gaining Experience in New York 39:30 Returning to London and Joining Dabbous 44:00 Career Journey with The Dorchester 54:07 Dealing with Trolling from Chefs 01:00:20 Economics of Running a Chef's Kitchen 01:02:50 Keys to Restaurant Success

Kym has now shot over 130 races for F1, across the globe. But he hasn't been doing it for his whole life, in fact he is relatively new to the world of F1. So what made him one of the best and most well known photographers in Formula 1, and what does it take to stay at the top of motorsport.

Follow Kym: https://www.tiktok.com/@kymillmanf1?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/kymillman/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCZqNme_MY-jl_1ziSr2VMjA https://www.kymillman.com Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

Laura is currently launching Monk, a revolutionary ice bath brand which as been in development for over 2 years. But this isn't Laura's first business, she has not only already sold a brand she started, but also been through the high AND lows of building something from scratch.

Follow Laura & Monk: https://www.instagram.com/laurafullerton/ https://www.instagram.com/discovermonk/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ 00:02:15 Mastering the Flow State 00:07:40 Account Executive Insights 00:09:15 Sink or Swim 00:14:90 Creative Director's Journey00:29:20 Entrepreneurship Challenges: Losing Friends While Building a Business 00:33:30 Building Laura's First Brand 00:36:10 Life Under NDA 00:42:25 Leaving Corporate Life for Entrepreneurial Passion 00:48:20 Cold Water Therapy Benefits: Enhancing Health and Wellness 00:53:00 Biohacking Explained00:58:32 Cold Water Immersion: Combating Anxiety and Depression Naturally 01:06:58 Branding Strategy 01:16:04 MONK Product Launch 01:19:00 Brewdog Founder James Watt's Mentorship 01:24:20 Stress Management: Effective Coping Mechanisms for Entrepreneurs 01:27:00 Training Your Body to Handle Pressure 01:28:02 Exit Strategy: Building a Business with the End in Mind

We all have ideas of what life would be like following the world's biggest artists on the road as they tour for months on end. Zak had just that experience when he followed his childhood best friend Ed Sheeran as he travelled with his show, but why did Zak give this up and start a canned wine brand?

Follow Zak & Vinca: https://www.instagram.com/vincawine/ https://www.instagram.com/zakarywalters/ https://vincawine.com Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

00:00 Introduction 03:35 Creative Upbringing 05:30 Smirnoff Ice Campaign 08:50 Working in New York 10:45 Narrative in Branding 13:00 Ed Sheeran Tour 14:40 Quitting 9-5 to Pursue Passion Projects 17:00 On Tour Atmosphere 19:45 BTS of a Global Superstar 20:18 Work Ethic 22:12 Sacrifices Made During Tour Life 24:16 Working With Lewis Capaldi 25:45 "How I'm Feeling Now" Documentary 26:40 Documenting the Journey 28:05 Niall Horan's Tour 00:31:14 Canned Wine Concept 00:34:30 Investors for Startup 00:37:30 Vineyard Relationships 00:40:00 Canned Wine Market Growth 00:40:35 What Makes a Wine Organic? 00:42:50 Sicilian Wine 00:43:40 Founder's Struggles 00:48:40 Ed Sheeran Album Art Design 00:57:15 Navigating Distribution Channels 00:59:25 British Airways Launch 01:02:10 West London Wine Bars 01:09:15 What Does It Take to Build a Brand?

Toby Hoppy has been behind the scenes of some amazing brands as they have grown in their respective industries. From Trip Drinks to Patch Plants, Toby's experiences within these brands and the skyrocket in their online growth gave him the insights and learnings to now be driving the growth of All Things Butter.

Follow Toby & All Things Butter: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsbutter__/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-hoppy-32a4b367/ https://allthingsbutter.co.uk Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Listen Here: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:40 Growing up in an entrepreneurial family 00:03:30 Pursuing entrepreneurship for freedom 00:08:50 Developing a strong work ethic from a young age 00:11:20 Reflections on the university experience 00:18:40 Going into business with friends 00:23:00 First job at AO.com 00:31:30 Gaining experience across different businesses 00:39:02 Working with marketing agencies 00:41:02 Approaches to career development 00:53:08 Aspiring for the next career level 00:57:55 Navigating a 95% overnight revenue loss 01:06:45 Building confidence in a role 01:10:00 Joining TRIP in its early days 01:14:36 Partnering with Thomas Straker 01:18:00 Raising Capital for Strakers restaurant in Notting Hill 01:20:40 Creating viral food content on social media 01:22:40 Chilli butter mussel flatbread dish 01:26:25 Balancing consistency and creativity in content 01:28:16 Gaining 1.5 million TikTok followers 01:34:45 Decline of veganism as a trend 01:39:40 Selling butter products online 01:48:02 Overcoming imposter syndrome 01:50:50 Operating a low-margin business 01:54:06 Educating consumers on quality ingredients 01:57:00 The importance of patience in your career journey

The UK is now fully addicted to running, and at the heart of it is Runna. The Running coaching app is taking users from being unable to run a few miles, to completing marathons around the world. It's not a surprise that Co-Founder Ben Parker, has not only completed & been a part of some incredible running achievements, but he has also an amazing passion for helping users reach their goals week in and week out. After only 3 years of the business being around, what has it taken to get to this stage? Where did the concept come from? Let's find out. Follow Ben & Runna: https://www.instagram.com/runna_coach/ https://www.instagram.com/benparkerfitness/ www.runna.com Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

00:00 Introduction 01:33 Excelling in Academia at Oxford University 04:31 Progress in the Gym 05:49 Career in Fitness 07:16 Finding Purpose in Fitness 09:05 Conventional Career Path 10:45 Final Year of University 11:34 Being Out of Your Comfort Zone 15:40 Get Better at Ironman, Running and Cycling 16:20 Addicted to Getting Better at Things 18:18 Running Journey 18:55 Started the Love of Running 21:00 Training for an Ironman 26:38 The First Ironman 31:00 Gym Membership's Don't Work 34:55 What Progress Means 39:51 Getting the First Online Client 40:25 London Marathon 2024 at Redbull 42:20 London Based Running Coach 42:50 7 Marathons in 7 Days 47:50 From 0 Subscribers to 100,000 in 80 Countries 49:56 Raising Capital 54:15 Building 'the App' 1:00:15 Run Buddy to Runna Rebranding 1:02:50 Getting the Trademark 1:07:36 Opening an Office 1:10:42 Building a Team 1:13:00 Sitting at a Desk All Day 1:14:23 Making the Best App Possible 1:22:00 Saying No To Money 1:23:30 Raising 5 Million Pounds 1:26:45 Addicted to Work 1:29:00 Working for Runna 1:30:38 The Future of Runna 1:33:10 Building the Best Coaching App 1:34:30 Strava Statistics 1:35:00 What Does It Take to Build an App Like Runna

After starting and selling her first business, Lucy Busk went on to work with some of the most exciting new brands within the food & beverage space. Consulting them on how to grow their revenue through sales effectively and quickly. She wanted to get back to being a founder, partnering with her now Co-Founder Jeremy, she is now building NICE, a wine brand with a difference. But what is the biggest driver of their current success?

Follow Lucy & Nice: https://www.instagram.com/drinknice/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-busk-wright-52966086/ Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/ Listen Here: 00:00 Introduction

02:48 Life growing up

04:05 Work experience

06:00 Interior design idea

07:30 Lessons from selling a business

09:05 Excitement and challenges of starting up

12:29 Embracing entrepreneurship

14:00 Leveraging consultancy experience

14:30 Building trust for business success

18:34 Perseverance in business

19:40 Resilience as a founder

21:00 Disrupting the wine sector

24:10 Co-Founders shared vision and skills

33:50 Innovative marketing strategies for growth

38:00 Connecting with your audience

41:58 Effective marketing for entrepreneurs

45:00 Turning "No" into opportunities

51:15 Navigating UK Retail

52:05 Identifying top sales talent

56:10 Hustle culture

57:30 Company values foundation of strong business

01:01:10 Importance of cultural fit

01:04:29 Creating your own luck as a founder

01:05:00 Balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood

01:08:00 What does it take to be a founder?

Leaving the security of a 9-5 can be scary, but doing it with only a small idea of what you might do with no real concept, name or starting place can be an even bigger jump. For Tom, starting El Rayo with his Co-Founder Jack, was just that. A massive jump from the corporate world into starting a brand new business with limited experience. Did the gamble pay off? What did it take?

Follow Tom & El Rayo: https://www.instagram.com/elrayotequila/https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-bishop-843111a3/

Follow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/

00:00 - Intro 01:19 - The city broker 02:48 - Risks of leaving a job prematurely 04:30 - From idea to reality 05:30 - Co-Founder dynamics 07:58 - Startup beginnings 08:20 - Essential advice for startups 09:10 - TEQUILA11:20 - 5-Star Hotels in London 12:35 - E-Commerce strategies 13:55 - Cultural influence on business 16:00 - Sombreros & cactus 16:58 - London’s agency scene 18:21 - Defining your brand in the market 23:00 - Hustling 28:58 - Engaging your audience 34:20 - Luck in entrepreneurship 39:01 - Establishing a strong identity 43:08 - Raising capital 50:42 - 818 Tequila and Kendall Jenner 56:00 - Brand building essentials