What does it actually take to build a marketplace from scratch?

In this episode, we’re joined by Harriet Noy, Founder of Hazaar, a student marketplace connecting brands with Gen Z audiences to sell excess stock through exclusive drops.

From early-stage struggles with supply to a full pivot into a B2B model, Harriet shares how staying scrappy and not perfect helped unlock growth.

We cover:
The pivot that changed everything
Scrappy marketing tactics that actually worked
How to onboard brands without heavy integrations
Building a team the right way
Why too much advice can slow you down
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
02:10 – The idea behind Hazaar
06:45 – Early challenges & proving the model
12:30 – The pivot to B2B
18:20 – Scrappy marketing tactics
25:10 – Working with brands & onboarding
31:40 – Hiring & building a team
38:00 – Mentorship & decision-making
44:20 – Lessons & what they’d do differently

Everyone sees the household names. But how do you stay at the top?
In this episode of Digital Cheesecake, we sit down with Helen Cutmore (Bacardi, ex-M&S) to unpack the real world of global Marketing Leadership.
From retail giants to spirits powerhouses, Helen shares the strategic moves that turn a product into a cultural icon. We cover:
• The "secret sauce" global brands have that startups miss
• Why performance marketing is quietly overshadowing brand building
• What separates a good marketer from a great one in 2026
• Key focus areas for marketing leaders this year
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:15 Realising the brand marketing niche
07:40 What turns a product into a brand people love?
13:10 The "Global Brand" advantage startups ignore
21:20 Brand vs. Performance: The ultimate debate
29:45 Good vs. Great: The skill that changes everything
36:20 Advice for future CMOs
🎧 Listen on Spotify: [link]
🍏 Apple Podcasts: [link]

Most people see the brand now. But how did it actually start?

In this episode, we sit down with Molly Goddard from Desmond & Dempsey to unpack the real journey behind building a luxury loungewear brand.

From failing uni to launching a business, Molly shares what those early months actually looked like and how they turned uncertainty into momentum.

We cover:

• The reality of starting from scratch

• When the brand started to click

• Building a distinctive brand world around slow living

• The move from online to in-store

• Lessons learned the hard way

• What’s next for the brand

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:15 The origin story

08:40 Early struggles

15:10 First big breakthrough

22:30 Building the brand world

30:45 Hiring & team growth

38:20 Lessons learned

45:00 Future opportunities

#MarketingPodcast #BrandBuilding #D2C #FounderStory #Ecommerce