{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Cashflow Show: Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders, CEOs and Business Leaders","title":"Building TooTone London: From Side Hustle to Inclusive Eyelash Brand | Chantal McDowall","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":685,"description":"Episode Summary\nIn this episode of The Cashflow Show, host Clayton M Coke speaks with Chantal McDowall, co-founder of TooTone London, an inclusive eyelash brand offering lashes beyond the traditional black options. Chantal shares the inspiration behind the business, the long journey from idea in 2023 to trading in 2025, the challenges of working with suppliers, the realities of launching as a side hustle, and practical advice for new founders.\nChapters\n00:00 – Introduction and welcome\n00:11 – About TooTone London\n00:29 – The inspiration behind the brand\n00:59 – From idea to trading\n01:56 – Market research and consumer feedback\n03:22 – Challenges of getting started\n04:48 – Learning curves with suppliers and logistics\n05:17 – Building without external support\n05:47 – Support for UK startups\n06:17 – What government support would help\n07:14 – Lessons on planning and mentoring\n08:11 – Current stage of the business\n09:10 – Advice for new founders\n10:39 – Where to find TooTone London \nKey Discussion Points\nCreating an inclusive eyelash brand with colours to match Auburn, blonde and brunette hair \nPersonal inspiration linked to supporting a friend undergoing cancer treatment \nLong gestation period from idea (mid-2023) to launch (early 2025) \nLow-budget market research through real-life conversations and colour matching \nSteep learning curve with suppliers, samples, logistics and lost shipments \nChallenges of running a business as a side hustle \nLack of accessible support, mentoring and guidance for small UK startups \nImportance of financial planning, insurance, tax and strategy\nKey Takeaways\nMost businesses take longer to launch than founders expect \nDirect conversations with potential customers can be more valuable than expensive research \nSupplier and logistics management is often the hardest part for first-time founders \nPlanning, financial preparation and seeking mentors early can smooth the journey \nSocial media and e-commerce require continuous learning and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/5TDQUThJM60yAtjdMtHop6E3IULiY5PXxdvmQ0Ytl6Q/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83ZWMx/YzQ2ZjFmMWEyNTUy/NTMyYWFjZWI2ZWM0/MzIwZC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}