Kerstin Robinson's guest appearances

Kerstin Robinson

Screw It Just Do It with Alex Chisnall

Interpreting Wine Podcast

The Vevolution Podcast

Good Foodies: good food and good business

Make Space for Growth Podcast

Honey, I Blew Up The Business

The OBU Podcast

Claire Warner

Tom McCarthy

Chris Ducker

Nir Eyal

Lewis Howes

Damion Lupo

Evan Carmichael

Andrew Walker

Richard Branson

John Lee Dumas

Dominick Thompson

Frank Cornelissen

Laura di Collobiano

Thomas Pastuszak

Rachel Signer

OwlTail

This week, Sarah and Claire talk to Kerstin Robinson, who made the leap from big banking into building her own business, co-founding the award-winning, all-natural drinks brand Nix &amp; Kix. Kerstin talks about how to build a healthy business with a co-founder, how to turn customers into investors and how to totally smash your funding goals.For more on Kerstin’s story, head over to nixandkix.com, follow @nixandkix on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, or pick up a bottle in your local Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons or Nando’s.(This episode was recorded before our re-brand, so you might hear us mention our previous brand name, we are radikl, or our original podcast name The Radiklist. We’re still the same show, with the same hosts, on the same mission – and if you’d like to find out how we got here, you’ll find our journey on the stories page of Obuinvest.com.)

This week, Sarah and Claire talk to Kerstin Robinson, who made the leap from big banking into building her own business, co-founding the award-winning, all-natural drinks brand Nix &amp; Kix. Kerstin talks about how to build a healthy business with a co-founder, how to turn customers into investors and how to totally smash your funding goals. For more on Kerstin’s story, head over to <a href="http://nixandkix.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nixandkix.com</a>, follow @nixandkix on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, or pick up a bottle in your local Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons or Nando’s.(This episode was recorded before our re-brand, so you might hear us mention our previous brand name, we are radikl, or our original podcast name The Radiklist. We’re still the same show, with the same hosts, on the same mission – and if you’d like to find out how we got here, you’ll find our journey on the stories page of <a href="http://Obuinvest.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Obuinvest.com</a>.)

Launching a successful drinks brand, with Kerstin Robinson

Meet Kerstin Robinson, Co-founder of Nix&amp;Kix as we talk about the business, pandemic and how to look at the future.  Coming from Finance 10 years ago, she did not know much about consumer products, even less about juice. But hard work and resourcefulness were the skills she needed. And Nix&amp;Kix is here to banish boredom and put some healthy excitement back into soft drinks. The start of a venture When Kerstin first thought of leaving corporate life, she did not necessarily have a grand idea. And as she found out Julie was also after a change, they decided to investigate further. As they did, they found a gap in the market for soft drinks, and a lack of healthy and interesting alternatives, especially when compared to the US market. They had their target so they started making juice. They started in their kitchen and went to farmers' markets to find out what flavours people wanted. As they nailed a few flavours, they wanted to try how a product would do on a shelf so they approached a few café owners and convince them to put it on the shelf. Sometimes, they stayed behind and went up to customers who were choosing to ask them about it. Whilst some customers were scared with their approach, it gave them huge information. Growing step by step From a kitchen in the back of a salad shop in London, they were then ready to expand. They were present in coffee shops and lunchtime places and were a hit. And then the Fall came. That is when they were hit by the surprise that, in the Winter, coffee shops did not see a point in stocking them - who would want cold drinks? They then tried pubs to find out the bartender would never spend any time explaining a non-alcoholic drink to the buyer - soda was always going to be the quick recommendation. They realised they had to go to retail and get known first so that the customers would actually ask for them. That is when they got into the large retail chains and, till today, is their biggest channel. Hit by a pandemic Thanks to the multi-channel strategy, the shutdown of the restaurants and pubs was compensated by the retail strength, especially online. They added their own online channel and did a rebrand throughout the year. They also managed to continue launches - like Nandos - even if in the beginning they did not get the most out of it. The pandemic also brought a new dynamic they had not considered - the importance of convenience stores, which they had not ventured into before. So they went into it and now hired someone fully dedicated to it. To add to all the changes, they also shut down their office. Whilst that seems an obvious one (Adriana did that too!), that allowed the team to move out of London and, more importantly, to access resources outside London or even the UK. Breaking through the pandemic In one of the last episodes, I talked to Amy about how difficult it was to fundraise as i) an entrepreneur, ii) a woman entrepreneur, iii) a woman entrepreneur through the pandemic. Kerstin did all that with Nix and Kix and just closed an over-subscribed round of crowdfunding. They decided to go this route (as did Emily) because it felt a great way to also invest in their network expansion post their rebrand. It was "easy" to make a video and put it on the platform to tell their story to more people who could become ambassadors to the business. Let's face it, if you invest in a drinks brand, what else are you going to drink? Looking forward The opportunity for Nix and Kix is now to spread the word. In fact, one of Kirsten's frustrations is to get people to hear about them and try the product. In fact, many people when they react: "Amazing, why have I not heard about this before". When 99% of the population has probably not heard about you, it gives you a chance to really grow with a quality product. Still learning how to manage Kirsten shared some very difficult moments from the pandemic and her life. One of the strategies she found to deal with the mental strain was her dog. She welcomed a new dog into the family in October. That has ensured there are regular biological breaks happening, which really force you out of your workspace. I was definitely not taking my daily allowance of "hygiene walks" on the first lockdown, but, by the Fall, I was definitely seeing mood changes in the weeks that I worked fully from home and did not set my foot out of the house. Recognising the need to get space, even if on a small street, has been one of my learnings Before we go…  2020 Advice:  Would have gotten a flat outside London 2020 Lesson: Even in the worst times, there are still opportunities 2020 Challenge: Understand "what are we going to do" Word for 2021: Looking forward 

Meet Kerstin Robinson, Co-founder of Nix&amp;Kix as we talk about the business, pandemic and how to look at the future.  Coming from Finance 10 years ago, she did not know much about consumer products, even less about juice. But hard work and resourcefulness were the skills she needed. And Nix&amp;Kix is here to banish boredom and put some healthy excitement back into soft drinks. The start of a venture When Kerstin first thought of leaving corporate life, she did not necessarily have a grand idea. And as she found out Julie was also after a change, they decided to investigate further. As they did, they found a gap in the market for soft drinks, and a lack of healthy and interesting alternatives, especially when compared to the US market. They had their target so they started making juice. They started in their kitchen and went to farmers' markets to find out what flavours people wanted. As they nailed a few flavours, they wanted to try how a product would do on a shelf so they approached a few café owners and convince them to put it on the shelf. Sometimes, they stayed behind and went up to customers who were choosing to ask them about it. Whilst some customers were scared with their approach, it gave them huge information. Growing step by step From a kitchen in the back of a salad shop in London, they were then ready to expand. They were present in coffee shops and lunchtime places and were a hit. And then the Fall came. That is when they were hit by the surprise that, in the Winter, coffee shops did not see a point in stocking them - who would want cold drinks? They then tried pubs to find out the bartender would never spend any time explaining a non-alcoholic drink to the buyer - soda was always going to be the quick recommendation. They realised they had to go to retail and get known first so that the customers would actually ask for them. That is when they got into the large retail chains and, till today, is their biggest channel. Hit by a pandemic Thanks to the multi-channel strategy, the shutdown of the restaurants and pubs was compensated by the retail strength, especially online. They added their own online channel and did a rebrand throughout the year. They also managed to continue launches - like Nandos - even if in the beginning they did not get the most out of it. The pandemic also brought a new dynamic they had not considered - the importance of convenience stores, which they had not ventured into before. So they went into it and now hired someone fully dedicated to it. To add to all the changes, they also shut down their office. Whilst that seems an obvious one (<a href="https://makespaceforgrowth.com/2020/10/20/adriana-barbosa-creating-change/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adriana</a> did that too!), that allowed the team to move out of London and, more importantly, to access resources outside London or even the UK. Breaking through the pandemic In one of the last episodes, I talked to <a href="https://makespaceforgrowth.com/2021/03/17/fem-foundry/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amy</a> about how difficult it was to fundraise as i) an entrepreneur, ii) a woman entrepreneur, iii) a woman entrepreneur through the pandemic. Kerstin did all that with Nix and Kix and just closed an over-subscribed round of crowdfunding. They decided to go this route (as did Emily) because it felt a great way to also invest in their network expansion post their rebrand. It was "easy" to make a video and put it on the platform to tell their story to more people who could become ambassadors to the business. Let's face it, if you invest in a drinks brand, what else are you going to drink? Looking forward The opportunity for Nix and Kix is now to spread the word. In fact, one of Kirsten's frustrations is to get people to hear about them and try the product. In fact, many people when they react: "Amazing, why have I not heard about this before". When 99% of the population has probably not heard about you, it gives you a chance to really grow with a quality product. Still learning how to manage Kirsten shared some very difficult moments from the pandemic and her life. One of the strategies she found to deal with the mental strain was her dog. She welcomed a new dog into the family in October. That has ensured there are regular biological breaks happening, which really force you out of your workspace. I was definitely not taking my daily allowance of "hygiene walks" on the first lockdown, but, by the Fall, I was definitely seeing mood changes in the weeks that I worked fully from home and did not set my foot out of the house. Recognising the need to get space, even if on a small street, has been one of my learnings Before we go… <ul> <li>2020 Advice:  Would have gotten a flat outside London</li> <li>2020 Lesson: Even in the worst times, there are still opportunities</li> <li>2020 Challenge: Understand "what are we going to do"</li> <li>Word for 2021: Looking forward</li> </ul>

Taking it step by step with Kerstin Robinson

Kerstin and Julia origin story Why Nix &amp; Kix? Tasting: Cucumber and Mint Entrepreneurial journey Guest contact details:   https://nixandkix.com/   https://www.instagram.com/nixandkix/   https://www.facebook.com/NixandKix/   https://twitter.com/nixandkix   Intro and outro musicThe New Investorshttp://newinvestors.dk/Contact: glenn@velournet.dk  Guest: Kerstin Robinson and Julia Kessler, Nix &amp; Kix Founders  Date: 24 July 2019   Listen, download or stream www.interpretingwine.com/listen   Contact: hello@interpretingwine.com   Podcast: www.interpretingwine.com/listen Facebook: www.interpretingwine.com/facebook Instagram: www.interpretingwine.com/instagram Twitter: www.interpretingwine.com/twitter TikTok: www.interpretingwine.com/TikTok

Kerstin and Julia origin story Why Nix &amp; Kix? Tasting: Cucumber and Mint Entrepreneurial journey Guest contact details: <a href="https://nixandkix.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nixandkix.com/</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nixandkix/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/nixandkix/</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NixandKix/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/NixandKix/</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nixandkix" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/nixandkix</a> Intro and outro musicThe New Investorshttp://<a href="http://newinvestors.dk/Contact:" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">newinvestors.dk/Contact:</a> glenn@velournet.dk Guest: Kerstin Robinson and Julia Kessler, Nix &amp; Kix Founders  Date: 24 July 2019 Listen, download or stream <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/listen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/listen</a> Contact: <a href="mailto:hello@interpretingwine.com">hello@interpretingwine.com</a> Podcast: <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/listen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/listen</a> Facebook: <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/facebook</a> Instagram: <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/instagram</a> Twitter: <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/twitter</a> TikTok: <a href="http://www.interpretingwine.com/TikTok" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.interpretingwine.com/TikTok</a>

Ep 304: Kerstin Robinson and Julia Kessler, Nix & Kix Founders, Mindful Drinking series (4 of 5) 

Welcome to the trailer for episode #159 with Nix &amp; Kix founders Julia Kessler &amp; Kerstin Robinson. Nix &amp; Kix are a multi-award winning soft drinks brand who are re-shaping their industry. Join us from Wednesday August 27th for the full episode where we talk:  Diversifying your revenue streams Determining your USP Worrying about what you can control  Let's StartUp!

Welcome to the trailer for episode #159 with <a href="https://nixandkix.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nix &amp; Kix</a> founders Julia Kessler &amp; Kerstin Robinson. Nix &amp; Kix are a multi-award winning soft drinks brand who are re-shaping their industry. Join us from Wednesday August 27th for the full episode where we talk: <ul> <li>Diversifying your revenue streams</li> <li>Determining your USP</li> <li>Worrying about what you can control</li> </ul> Let's StartUp!

Trailer for #159 with Nix & Kix's Julia Kessler & Kerstin Robinson

Kerstin Robinson worked in the finance sector at HSBC before meeting her NIX&amp;KIX Co-Founder Julia on a plane. They discovered they wanted to use their passion and drive to create something different. Launching their current range last year they are set to double the turnover to £1 million and have deals to supply Tesco and Wagamama. This talk was recorded at the Vevolution Plant-Based Business Bootcamp in July 2018 --- Since starting in late 2016, Vevolution has been creating inspiring events for the plant-powered generation.Each episode of this podcast will share with you stories and ideas told by plant-based thought leaders from the Vevolution stage.

Kerstin Robinson worked in the finance sector at HSBC before meeting her NIX&amp;KIX Co-Founder Julia on a plane. They discovered they wanted to use their passion and drive to create something different. Launching their current range last year they are set to double the turnover to £1 million and have deals to supply Tesco and Wagamama. This talk was recorded at the Vevolution Plant-Based Business Bootcamp in July 2018 --- Since starting in late 2016, Vevolution has been creating inspiring events for the plant-powered generation.Each episode of this podcast will share with you stories and ideas told by plant-based thought leaders from the Vevolution stage.