The Authentic Entrepreneur: John Stapleton on Building Bold FMCG Brands
In this episode of Innovation Conversation, we sit down with John Stapleton, often called the Authentic Entrepreneur, to explore his remarkable 30+ year journey in building pioneering consumer brands in the UK and US.
John shares the inside story behind the creation of The New Covent Garden Soup Co., which introduced fresh soup to the UK market, and the operational hurdles he faced expanding to the US with Glencoe Foods Inc.. He also reflects on launching Little Dish, a brand that redefined toddler meals, and scaled it to £15M in revenue before its successful exit.
We dive into the real-world challenges of innovation, market skepticism, and scaling new categories—along with the lessons learned through both wins and setbacks. John also discusses:
<ul>
<li>Why resilience and risk management are essential</li>
<li>The role of mentorship and advice in business growth</li>
<li>What makes a successful entrepreneur tick</li>
</ul>
Today, John mentors startups, serves as an investor and NED, and is deeply involved in accelerators like Mission Ventures and Redesdale. Whether you're launching your first product or scaling a brand, John's insights are not to be missed.

Chapters
00:00Introduction to John Stapleton
03:54The Journey of New Covent Garden Soup Company
07:12The Concept of Fresh Soup and Market Challenges
11:44Investment and Growth Strategies
16:51Overcoming Operational Challenges
21:35Expanding to the US Market
26:30Reflections on Success and Failure
29:50The Journey of Entrepreneurship
34:00Navigating Challenges and Resilience
39:45Understanding Risk and Uncertainty
41:11Key Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs
47:04The Importance of Seeking Advice
52:13The Motivation Behind Entrepreneurship

John Stapleton  The 'Authentic Entrepreneur' with over 30 years’ experience, founder of New Covent Garden Soup, Little Dish  and much more

The Authentic Entrepreneur: John Stapleton on Building Bold FMCG Brands In this episode of Innovation Conversation, we sit down with John Stapleton, often called the Authentic Entrepreneur, to explore his remarkable 30+ year journey in building pioneering consumer brands in the UK and US. John shares the inside story behind the creation of The New [&hellip;]

The Innovation Conversation Episode #82

John Stapleton The 'Authentic Entrepreneur' with over 30 years’ experience, founder of New Covent Garden Soup, Little Dish and much more