Pitch Competition Strategy: How Hanan Tantush Built a Brand Through Grant Funding

In this episode we are joined by Hanan Tantush, award winning founder of Intotum, an adaptive fashion brand dedicated to creating clothing that works with disability. Hanan started Intotum after seeing her grandfather struggle to find clothes that worked around his disability and stoma bag. What began as a personal insight turned into a pioneering inclusive fashion business recognised on Drapers 30 Under 30, featured at London Fashion Week, and awarded major startup prizes.This conversation is for founders, creatives, designers, and anyone with an idea but no blueprint. Hanan shares exactly how she built something that did not exist, including how she approached market validation, pitching, and building with grant fundingYou’ll learn how to:• identify and validate a problem that others haven’t solved• frame and pitch your idea to win grant funding at multiple stages• fund your business through competitions and grants • design with and for the community you serve• overcome self doubt and build credibility without a pre existing marketThis episode combines strategic insight and lived experience to help you think differently about creating and funding your first product or startup.Time stamps:00:01:00 - what’s adaptive clothing00:05:00 - learn by talking to people00:06:30 - the jump from designer to founder00:10:30 - how to tackle the founder blues00:12:30 - the arrival falacy 00:19:30 - pitching00:27:00 - criticism 00:30:00 - fashion week00:37:00 - finances00:41:00 - refining your delusionBUILD YOUR BOLDEST + BOSSIEST LIFE/ CAREERBossy Behind the Scenes: Essays, reflections, resources and all the behind-the-scenes of building a bold, bossy life.⁠https://substack.com/@bossybehindthescenes⁠WORK WITH MECreator/Founder Office Hours: Bring me your ideas, questions or whatever you’re stuck on, and we’ll turn it into a plan.⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/mentoring?back=1⁠Founders + brands: Work with me on storytelling, personal branding, content and strategy through Empower Sounds Media.Book a Strategy Session : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/branding-strategy-session?back=1&month=2026-07⁠Book a discovery call : ⁠https://calendly.com/maahika/discovery-call?back=1⁠Join the next personal branding sprint : ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNPFNgdt02CyvYsb6n9i8kmvEJRxQDmTwOVusTxII_tMoJ7Q/viewform?usp=header⁠Follow The Podcast/ Connect With MePodcast Instagram: @reclaimingbossyPodcast TikTok: @reclaimingbossyMy Instagram: @maahika.sMy TikTok: @maahika.sCollaborations + enquiries: [email protected]