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James Reed: all about business

James Reed: all about business

100. Building a brand people love and when to walk away | Cath Kidston

Oct 12, 2026 · 59m

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About this episode

The moment a business starts making real money is exactly when it's most at risk of losing what made it work in the first place. In this special 100th episode of All About Business, James sits down with entrepreneur Cath Kidston MBE, who built a single shop into a globally recognised brand, watched its values slip once investors and private equity got involved, and has spent her second business, C.Atherley, making sure it never happens again. Cath breaks down why she believes founders need to define their brand values early and write them down, long before growth, investment, or pressure to cut costs ever arrives. She explains how her first business began compromising on quality once money…