E233: Ben Grass - From CBD to Mushrooms: Grass and Co’s Journey to 1,500+ Stores

“There’s only so many times the director can put Michael Caine on the floor on a freezing cold day in Shoreditch.” If you want to understand this quote from episode 233, give it a listen.  Richard Hill sits down with Ben Grass, founder of Grass & Co., to explore the journey of building a wellness brand that started in the CBD space and has boldly transitioned into the booming world of functional mushrooms and drinks.  Ben Grass reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of getting stocked in over 1,500 UK stores, shares practical tips for securing and maintaining major retail listings, and opens up about navigating regulatory hurdles in an evolving industry.  The conversation also delves into Grass & Co.'s international expansion attempts, the operational challenges of scaling up, and why strong products and authentic brand positioning outweigh chasing trends.  Rounding out the episode are insights from Ben Grass's unique career journey, from producing films with legends like Michael Caine to innovating in the world of wellness. Whether you're an eCommerce entrepreneur, aspiring retailer, or wellness enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories. Topics Covered: 00:00 - Ben Grass on scaling retail brands 04:55 - Launching initial CBD product lines 10:44 - Getting into Holland Barrett 12:41 - Improving in-store product communication 16:49 - Managing Cash Flow Challenges 17:59 - Entering the Chinese market 21:15 - Testing the German market 25:10 - Challenges of Movie Financing 30:47 - Discussing CBD regulations challenges 32:52 - Navigating regulatory challenges in marketing 36:23 - The "Touching Grass" campaign 39:28 - Expanding drinks distribution and innovation 42:31 - Ending and subscribe reminder Remember to subscribe to the podcast!