#39 - Will Drinkwater - Head of Operations at TRIBE
Today's guest is Will Drinkwater Head of Operations at TRIBE.
Tribe make delicious, nutritionally focused products like flapjacks, brownies, cereals and more with the aim of supporting their community charity The Tribe Freedom Foundation, helping tackle human trafficking.
Will has been in the business nearly 10 years and I loved digging into his journey.
We dive into Tribe's origin story, the importance of operations in a growing business, sustainability efforts, team culture, and the challenges faced in the food industry.
Will shares insights on product development, collaborations, and the tools that help streamline operations, emphasising the community aspect of the brand and the shared experiences that come with running and working together.
I LOVED this one, and hope you will too.
As always thanks to our fantastic sponsor Mission Kitchen!
If you're a chef, baker of food brand looking to grow, then head on over to book a tour at their site in Nine Elms, London today.
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Intro by Free Flowin' from Uppbeat
Chapters:
00:00: Introduction and Overview of Tribe
01:55: The Story Behind Tribe's Founding
04:45: Tribe's Social Impact and Charity Initiatives
07:43: Recent Product Launches and Brand Refresh
12:00: Will's Journey into Operations
14:38: The Importance of Operations in Business
17:01: Managing Growth and Supplier Relationships
19:35: Operational Tools and Software
25:57: Team Culture and Work Environment
28:03: Building a Young and Dynamic Team
30:35: The Power of Shared Experiences
36:59: Navigating Operational Challenges
43:06: Sustainability and Industry Regulations
45:18: Finding Your Tribe in Business
The Unfounders
Closing the door on my startup opened the door to more opportunities than I could have imagined. I’m proud to be an Unfounder, helping startups grow from day one. I’ve been both founder and Unfounder and now I want to share the stories no one hears; applauding the day one drivers behind brands.
You don’t have to start the brand to be the reason it made it. Forget founder fairy tales. We’re here for the Unfounders. Real talk from the people who took the leap (and what they ’d tell you before you do).
- No. of episodes: 43
- Latest episode: 2025-06-08
- Business Careers Entrepreneurship
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