In the Enterprise Nation Small Business Sessions podcast with Xero we meet Jas Bagniewski, co-founder of mattress company Eve.

The entrepreneur who raised &#163;57m to help people have a good kip

Podcast

In the final episode in the current series of the 

 we meet Jas Bagniewski, co-founder of mattress company 

Eve is a company which saw massive growth very quickly. In its first year, the business sold 11,000 mattresses and made a turnover of £3.5m. It also raised £57m, much of which came from the company going public in 2017.

But the losses were high too and in July 2018, Bagnieowski quit following a profit warning after a 61% sales growth, short of the 100% growth expected.

We recorded this podcast before the entrepreneur stepped down but have chosen to still release it to give insights into the early growth of the business.

In conversation with Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones, Bagnieowski discusses how the business started with selling 6,000 mattresses on Groupon, its international expansion and why he went public so early.

You can listen to the podcast below and on platforms including 

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Ths podcast was recorded and edited by Enterprise Nation member and audio production service, 

To hear all previous episodes of the Small Business Sessions, 

The Small Business Sessions podcast (series three, episode 12): The entrepreneur who raised £163.57m to help people have a good kip

In the final episode in the current series of the Small Business Sessions podcast, we meet Jas Bagniewski, co-founder of mattress company Eve.

The Small Business Sessions podcast (series three, episode 12): The entrepreneur who raised &#163;57m to help people have a good kip

Enterprise Nation has helped thousands of people start and grow their businesses. Led by founder, Emma Jones CBE, Enterprise Nation connects you to the resources and expertise to help you succeed.

Jo Plumbly: 'The Make a Plan tool's to-do list has been a great way to get organised.'

The founder of zero-waste shop Refillability on how she used the Make a Plan tool to organise her business.

John O’Shanahan is the founder and lead consultant with LeanBPI, a market leader in digital innovation for small businesses, working with Local Enterprise Office clients and Irish SMEs since 2015.
John has over 30 years’ experience in business operations, having held multiple roles with leading international companies in markets as diverse as Taiwan, Mexico, and The Netherlands.
Lean BPI specialises in helping SMEs/Micro industry clients to improve their workflows, converting from paper based or manual systems to more efficient simplified digital processes. Having completed 200+ successful business improvement projects across a variety of sectors, John’s application of lean best practice, thought leadership and digital innovation has led to clients experiencing increased business performance, reduced costs and sustainable results.
As well as helping clients optimise off the shelf software solutions, John and the team at LeanBPI develop bespoke solutions, built to meet client needs, enabling them to implement new workflows, which improve their business performance while reducing the stresses of the day-to-day operations. By applying lean methodologies, and digital Innovations, Lean BPI simplifies and streamlines a business’ processes to maximise its overall business performance.
John holds an MSc in Strategic Quality Management, Lean Sigma Systems from the University of Limerick and is a doctoral candidate in the University of Limerick.

Managing Director

Digital for business operations

This group is dedicated to business operations in the digital era. Whether you've already begun integrating digital tools into your operations and are seeing the benefits, or you're ready to start your digital transition.

With 15 years of industry expertise in buying for renowned UK brands like ASOS and Allsaints, Natalie Binns is a true authority in the field of sustainable fashion. Having gained invaluable experience in global markets, she witnessed the damaging and exploitative practices within the industry, fueling her desire to be part of the solution rather than the problem.
Inspired to make a difference, Natalie established a consultancy that brings big brand thinking to small brands, igniting their launch and growth while driving sales and profit, all with sustainability at the core. From design to delivery to store, Natalie supports businesses throughout the entire product life cycle.
Natalie&apos;s passion and innovative approach have earned her recognition as a respected thought leader in sustainable fashion. She has made notable appearances on BBC Radio 4, Woman&apos;s Hour, Metro.co.uk, BBC Business, Hello! Magazine, and Drapers Sustainability Conference. Additionally, Natalie shares her knowledge by lecturing at the University of Westminster.
When it comes to sustainable fashion, Natalie Binns is the expert you need by your side to revolutionise your brand and make a lasting impact.
Get help with:
<ul>
<li>Sourcing - including UK manufacturers and sustainable fabrics with low MOQ</li>
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<li>Managing production and setting up a critical path with realistic timelines so your deliveries will be on time</li>
<li>Cost price negotiation and improving target margin</li>
<li>Range building, encouraging multi purchases, increasing basket value, capitalising on bestsellers, lowering risk</li>
<li>Improving lead times</li>
<li>Design direction and product development - sample shopping, inspiration gathering, cost engineering</li>
<li>Competitor analysis and market research</li>
<li>Sustainability strategy, training and implementation</li>
<li>Preparing to wholesale</li>
</ul>

Fashion Retail and Sustainability Consultant

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Are you ready to turn your dream of creating a sustainable fashion brand into a reality? The 6-month launchpad is the perfect platform for turning your idea into a successful business. Designed specifically for start-up fashion brands who want to work sustainably and ethically, this hands-on consulting package will guide you through every step of creating and launching your business.

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Former journalist-turned-PR strategist Dina Behrman works with coaches and service-based business owners who want to amplify their visibility and attract more perfect-fit clients. She helps them stop being the internet’s best kept secret, become the ‘go to’ expert and create a much bigger impact in the world by sharing their story and expertise in the press. She launched her business following a decade working as a journalist, during which she was published in virtually every national UK newspaper and many magazines. She’s worked as a publicist for a number of industry leaders, as well as helping hundreds of entrepreneurs learn how to do their own PR. She also publishes multi-author books featuring business owners with a story to tell and expertise to share. She’s been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Huff Post, The Guardian, BBC radio, amongst others.

PR Strategist

Dina Behrman

Former journalist-turned-PR strategist Dina Behrman works with coaches and service-based business owners who want to amplify their visibility and attract more perfect-fit clients. She helps them stop being the internet’s best kept secret, become the ‘go to’ expert and create a much bigger impact in the world by sharing their story and expertise in the press. She launched her business following a decade working as a journalist, during which she was published in virtually every national UK news

The Small Business Sessions podcast (series three, episode 12): The entrepreneur who raised £163.57m to help people have a good kip

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