The Obsessed View

How AJ Activewear is Redefining Fitness Apparel & Hitting 7 Figures in 2025

In this episode of The Obsessed View, Charlotte Carter chats with Claire, founder of AJ Activewear (formerly Amazing Jane), about the brand’s inspiring evolution. Claire shares how AJ Activewear has doubled its growth year after year by focusing on customer feedback, product testing, and a mission to empower women in fitness.
💡 Key topics include:
How AJ Activewear’s testing strategy helped them identify best-selling products like their signature Solsoft leggings
The shift in women’s fitness habits and its impact on activewear trends
Lessons learned from scaling production and managing a fast-growing business
Why empowering women is central to AJ Activewear’s success
Whether you’re in the fitness world or looking to grow a product-based business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.
🎧 Tune in now: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact—helping small businesses grow with smarter marketing tools.

Lessons from the Fire: Building a Values-Driven Brand with Bruce Watson

In this episode of The Obsessed View, Charlotte Carter sits down with Bruce Watson, founder of Feast Alba and the creator of Hoot Sauce, to discuss his journey from premium fire chef to product-based business owner.
Bruce shares the lessons he’s learned in creating a values-driven hot sauce brand, including:
🔥 Why he turned down big contracts with major retailers
💡 How to balance ethical production with profitability
🧠 The importance of testing, scaling smartly, and staying true to your brand’s vision
If you’re a small business owner or thinking about starting a product-based business, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, sustainable growth, and how to turn lessons into future success.
🎧 Listen now: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact—helping small businesses grow with smarter marketing tools.

How Simon Whitaker Grew Master Debonair into a High-Street Icon Across The UK

In this episode of The Obsessed View, Charlotte Carter sits down with Simon Whitaker, the founder of Master Debonair, to explore the journey of transforming a passion for men’s styling into a thriving high-street and e-commerce brand.
💡 Key topics covered:
How Simon’s personal story and family legacy inspired Master Debonair
The challenges of growing a high-street presence in a tough retail environment
Crafting an exceptional in-store and online customer experience
Lessons in leadership, resilience, and adapting to industry changes
Whether you’re in retail, e-commerce, or simply love hearing about unique entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.
🎧 Tune in now: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact—helping small businesses thrive with smarter marketing tools.

Leadership and Entrepreneurship | Featuring Erika Robinson from Constant Contact

In this special holiday edition of The Obsessed View, Charlotte Carter chats with Erika Robinson, UK General Manager of Constant Contact and a successful small business owner. Erika shares her journey of leading the UK launch of Constant Contact while managing her own thriving children’s play centre.
💡 Key takeaways from this episode:
The unique challenges of running a small business alongside a leadership role
How Constant Contact supports small businesses with tools like AI-driven marketing and unlimited helpline support
Tips for delegating and building a strong team to sustain growth
How customer feedback drives innovation at Constant Contact
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur looking for inspiration and practical advice, this episode is for you!
🎧 Listen now: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact—helping small businesses thrive with smarter marketing tools.

Mastering International Exports with Kathryn Read | Strategies for Global Business Success

In this episode of The Obsessed View, Charlotte Carter is joined by international export expert Kathryn Read to delve into the challenges and opportunities of taking your business global.
💡 What you’ll learn:
How to assess if your business is ready for international exports
The importance of strategic planning, from budgeting to selecting the right markets
Key insights into navigating logistics, fulfillment, and marketing localisation
How to avoid costly mistakes when entering new markets
Whether you’re considering exporting your products overseas or looking to refine your current export strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed globally.
🎧 Listen now to turn your export ambitions into reality: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact—helping small businesses grow with smarter marketing tools.

How Ilya Lanster Built Two Thriving Product Based Brands | From Ukraine to the World

In this episode of The Obsessed View, host Charlotte Carter sits down with Ilya, co-founder of Codu and European Cabinetry, to discuss his journey from launching luxury homeware to creating bespoke flat-pack furniture.
Discover how Ilya and his business partner Marcus:
Started their ventures with personal savings and a lot of determination
Navigated the challenges of manufacturing in Ukraine during geopolitical uncertainty
Balanced wholesale and direct-to-consumer strategies to grow their brands
Took risks to stand out in competitive markets with unique, high-quality products
Ilya also shares a surprise announcement about his next passion project!
🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs: TheObsessedView.co.uk
Sponsored by Constant Contact.

Launching a Product-Based Business in the Wine Industry With Katherine Jones at ThinK Wine

In the second episode of The Obsessed View, host Charlotte Carter sits down with Kath Jones, founder of Think Wine, to discuss her incredible entrepreneurial journey. Kath shares her experiences of transitioning from running a service-based business to launching her product-based brand in the competitive wine industry. From navigating sourcing complexities to managing mental health as a business owner, this episode is packed with candid insights and actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
This episode is perfect for anyone looking to:
Understand the challenges of starting a product-based business in a niche market.
Learn about the unique hurdles in sourcing and producing in the wine industry.
Discover effective marketing strategies, including influencer collaborations.
Gain valuable tips on team management and leadership.
Key Takeaways from Episode 2:
Kath’s early journey: Starting her first business, Social Nation, at 26 and later launching Think Wine.
The complexity of sourcing and producing a low-sugar wine that stands out in the market.
Regrets and lessons learned from launching a product-based business.
Why mental stability is crucial for entrepreneurs.
Marketing strategies, from organic growth to leveraging influencer marketing.
Managing a team with fairness, emotional regulation, and support systems.
The role of technology in business operations and how Kath relies on her team for tech support.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Personal Touches
00:07 – The Journey of Business Ownership
03:47 – Challenges of Product-Based Businesses
06:34 – Creating Think Wine: The Concept and Market Differentiation
09:25 – Sourcing and Production Journey
14:43 – Advice for Aspiring Product-Based Entrepreneurs
18:44 – Marketing Strategies and Challenges
21:50 – Team Management and Leadership
31:24 – Tech and Tools for Business Management
46:12 – Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Constant Contact, the all-in-one platform for social media scheduling, email marketing, and SEO tools. Perfect for small businesses aiming to scale effectively while saving time.

The Obsessed View: Launching and Growing Product-Based Businesses with Charlotte Carter

Your Product Based Business Podcast
Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Obsessed View, hosted by Charlotte Carter, your go-to resource for product-based business insights. In this episode, Charlotte dives into her personal journey of launching and growing a product-based business, Carter Bags, and provides actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
This podcast is perfect for anyone looking to:
Launch a product or brand.
Navigate the complexities of manufacturing and sourcing.
Build and grow an e-commerce or retail business.
Key Takeaways from Episode 1:
Things to consider when starting a product based business
Transforming an idea into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
The importance of finding the right people, like designers and sourcing agents.
Budgeting realistically: why you should triple your initial cost estimates.
Getting your product based business going
The significance of marketing ecosystems: from SEO to email automation.
Leveraging tools like ChatGPT for planning, research, and strategy.
Building your website and attracting traffic through organic and paid methods.
How to grow your product based business
Why paid advertising (Google Ads, Meta Ads) is essential for scaling.
Enhancing customer lifetime value through email automation and upselling.
Learning from setbacks and continuously innovating.
Charlotte’s Personal Insights:
Challenges faced in manufacturing, from sourcing ethical suppliers to handling minimum order quantities.
The emotional and professional growth from running a product-based business.
How SEO and optimising for terms like “laptop tote bag” transformed Carter Bags' sales.
Guest Line-Up for Future Episodes:
Katherine Jones, ThinKWine: Discussing product sourcing and overcoming business challenges.
Ilya from Codu: Building a product-based business in Ukraine and launching a second successful brand.
Simon Whitaker, Master Debonair: Balancing online and physical retail stores.
Bruce Watson, Hoot Sauce: Why he paused a high-sales-volume business.
Carter Bags Investor: Insights into strategic investments and scaling through smaller production runs.
Kathryn, Export Specialist: Logistics and launching products in new markets.
Sponsor:
This episode is proudly sponsored by Constant Contact, an all-in-one platform for social media scheduling, email marketing, and SEO tools. Perfect for small businesses looking to save time and scale effectively.