Podcast
Tash Insights
Hosted by Tash Courtenay-Smith · EN
Tash Insights brings you inside the minds of female brand founders and the leaders of the UK’s fastest-growing e-commerce tech companies.
Hosted by Tash Courtenay-Smith – serial entrepreneur, investor, NED and fractional Head of Growth – each episode dives into the strategies, challenges, and breakthroughs that have shaped the futures of some of the UK's leading founders.
Whether you’re a founder, investor, tech lover or you just love hearing the growth stories behind top brands, this is the podcast for you.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why every founder needs to build a personal brand | Tash at Built by HER
May 1200:03:33Tap to summarizeTash Insights presents a live talk from Tash Courtenay-Smith, recorded at Built by HER in New York.Built by HER, hosted by Shopify and EmpowHER, brought together founders, operators and senior leaders in commerce for a hands-on summit focused on making AI practical, tangible and operational for women-led teams.In this clip, Tash makes the case for personal branding as one of the most commercially valuable things a founder can build. Drawing on her background as a journalist, author and growth advisor, she shares what she has learned from helping female founders build some of the most recognisable personal brands in the UK, before finally applying the same playbook to herself.Tash explores the early discomfort of publishing, the awkward middle phase of finding your voice, and the long-term commercial value that comes from becoming known in your category.You’ll hear:Why personal brand is a growth lever for foundersWhat holds founders back from publishing consistentlyHow visibility pre-qualifies you before you enter a roomWhy finding your voice only happens through repetitionWhat Tash learned from DRock, the videographer behind Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal brandWhy building a serious personal brand is a multi-year projectThis is a practical and honest listen for founders, operators and leaders who know they need to become more visible, but are still waiting to feel ready.
Transcribe →AI, content factories and founder-led brands | Tash at Built by HER New York
May 700:13:11Tap to summarizeTash Insights continues with a live panel conversation from the Built by HER summit in New York, hosted by Nicole Harvey, founder of EmpowHER.Tash joins Gina Perrelli, co-founder of Stay AI, and Kait Stephens, co-founder of Brij, for a practical discussion on AI, content production, personal brands and the future of building in public.Tash shares how she is building across two fast-moving areas: Transact Media Group, the outcome-based AdTech ecosystem powered by Mastercard data, and an AI-enabled content factory helping brands produce more creative, faster and more efficiently. She also opens up about using digital twins, building her own personal brand after years of building them for others, and why founders need to get comfortable publishing before they feel ready. This is a candid conversation about what AI is really changing for founders, operators and modern brand teams.You’ll hear:How AI is changing content production and creative outputWhy content factories are becoming essential for growth teamsHow digital twins can help founders scale their presenceWhy personal brand building is a long-term growth leverHow outcome-based marketing is changing media measurementThe simplest ways founders can start using AI this weekIt’s practical, honest and highly relevant for anyone building a brand, scaling content, or trying to understand where AI fits into the future of commerce.
Transcribe →The Truth About TikTok Shop Profitability
Apr 2400:26:46Tap to summarizeTikTok Shop can drive explosive growth — but that does not automatically mean easy profit.In this honest panel discussion, founders, brand operators and TikTok Shop experts unpack the real economics behind the platform: margins, fees, ad spend, affiliate costs, operational pressure, and why revenue growth can sometimes hide how much is actually being spent.The conversation also explores the wider halo effect of TikTok Shop — from boosting Amazon and DTC sales to attracting interest from major retailers such as Boots, Sephora and John Lewis.In this video:Why TikTok Shop growth does not always equal profitHow brands should think about margins from day oneThe hidden costs behind affiliate seeding, ads and fulfilmentWhy omnichannel brands may need different profitability thresholdsHow TikTok Shop can drive retail interest and social proofWhy many buyers now ask about TikTok Shop presence firstWhy founders should avoid becoming too reliant on one platformHow to treat TikTok Shop as both a sales channel and a marketing investmentThis is a practical discussion for founders, marketers and brand leaders trying to understand the balance between scale, sustainability and long-term brand value on TikTok Shop.If you are building a beauty brand, managing an omnichannel business, or thinking about launching on TikTok Shop, this is essential viewing.
Transcribe →Why Affiliates Are the Real Growth Engine on TikTok Shop
Apr 2300:15:21Tap to summarizeAffiliates are not just a nice-to-have on TikTok Shop — for many brands, they are the growth engine.In this panel discussion, brand leaders and TikTok Shop operators break down the real role affiliates play in scaling a product, building momentum and driving repeat visibility across the platform.From creator seeding and commission structures to relationship management, content volume and conversion strategy, this is an honest look at what brands actually need to understand before jumping in.In this video:Why affiliates are so powerful on TikTok ShopHow many creators brands really need to work withThe difference between authentic creator partnerships and overly sales-led contentWhy relationship-building matters just as much as seedingHow top brands scale from hundreds to thousands of affiliate touchpointsWhat premium brands should do differentlyThe key differences between UK and US TikTok Shop behaviourWhy TikTok Shop requires far more operational commitment than many brands expectYou’ll also hear practical insight on:Creator managementCommission structuresSampling strategyOmnichannel growthRetargeting through creator contentHow brands turn affiliate momentum into long-term scaleThis is essential viewing for founders, marketers, e-commerce leaders and beauty brands looking to understand how TikTok Shop really works behind the scenes.
Transcribe →How Brands Really Win with TikTok Shop Live Streaming
Apr 2200:10:06Tap to summarizeLive streaming is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools inside TikTok Shop — but for many brands, it still feels unfamiliar, resource-heavy and difficult to get right.In this panel discussion, beauty founders, brand leaders and TikTok Shop specialists unpack how live shopping actually works, what different live formats look like, and why authenticity matters more than trying to copy someone else’s style.From founder-led livestreams and expert demos to high-energy studio formats and community-driven sessions, this conversation explores how brands can approach TikTok Shop Live in a way that feels right for their audience, their positioning and their product.In this video:Why live streaming matters on TikTok ShopThe difference between high-energy and more relaxed live formatsHow brands can find a live style that suits themWhy authenticity and product knowledge are criticalThe role of founders, hosts, chemists and internal expertsHow live helps deepen engagement and build communityWhy consumers can spend far longer with a brand on live than through other mediaHow leading brands use live to support hero products, bundles and long-term growthThis is a practical look at the reality of live commerce — not just as a sales tool, but as a brand-building channel that can create trust, conversation and deeper consumer attention.Whether you are a traditional brand exploring TikTok Shop for the first time or a founder already building momentum on the platform, this discussion offers valuable insight into where live shopping is heading and how to approach it well.
Transcribe →From Near Shutdown to Sell-Out: TikTok Shop Beauty Brand Stories
Apr 2100:12:32Tap to summarizeTikTok Shop can transform a brand overnight — but the reality behind that growth is far more complex than most people realise.In this panel discussion, beauty brand founders, operators and marketing leaders share their real-life TikTok Shop journeys — from viral products and sell-out moments to stock pressure, operational chaos, affiliate strategy and the challenge of staying relevant after explosive growth.This is an honest look at what it actually takes to build momentum on TikTok Shop, especially for beauty brands navigating virality, community, logistics and multi-channel retail strategy.In this video:How one product went viral and kept selling for two yearsWhat happens when a brand goes from near closure to thousands of orders in a weekendWhy virality is not always as simple as it soundsThe importance of stock planning, margins and fulfilmentHow affiliate content helps brands scaleWhat traditional beauty brands must consider before launching on TikTok ShopWhy hero products matter more than listing everythingWhether you are a founder, marketer, beauty operator or e-commerce leader, this conversation offers practical insight into how TikTok Shop really works behind the scenes.Featured topics:TikTok Shop for beauty brands, viral product growth, affiliate strategy, product-market fit, logistics, social commerce, live selling, beauty marketing and omnichannel brand building.
Transcribe →TikTok Shop Secrets: How Beauty Brands Are Scaling Millions in 2026
Apr 2000:18:18Tap to summarizeTikTok Shop is no longer a trend — it’s a complete shift in how brands grow.In this exclusive panel, leading operators, founders, and brand builders unpack what is really driving growth on TikTok Shop in 2026.From affiliate strategies and live shopping to content velocity and operational challenges, this is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at how beauty and wellness brands are scaling millions on the platform.You’ll hear directly from:TikTok Shop operators working with global brandsFounders scaling some of the fastest-growing beauty companiesExperts in logistics, affiliates, and performance marketingWhat you’ll learn:Why TikTok Shop is growing faster than traditional e-commerceHow affiliate ecosystems drive 50–70% of revenueThe role of content volume (and why brands are producing daily)Why live shopping is the next major unlockThe biggest mistakes brands make when launchingHow logistics, operations, and marketing must work togetherKey Insight:Social commerce is set to triple globally by 2030 — and TikTok Shop is leading the shift.This is not just a platform.It’s a new operating system for commerce.
Transcribe →The future of AdTech, transactional data and outcome-based marketing | TMG x Mastercard panel
Mar 3000:18:42Tap to summarizeTash Insights presents a live panel recorded at Soho House London, bringing together the co-founders of Transact Media Group alongside industry leaders to explore the future of AdTech, transactional data and outcome-based marketing.In this candid conversation, Tash, Joel Williams, Adam Wilmshurst, Barry Cupples and Dan McClean unpack how the industry is shifting away from traditional agency models and toward measurable, transaction-driven performance. They share the thinking behind building Transact Media Group, the role of Mastercard data in creating a new performance ecosystem, and why brands are demanding more accountability than ever before.This is a behind-the-scenes look at how modern marketing is evolving and what it takes to deliver real growth in today’s landscape.You’ll hear:• Why outcome-based marketing is replacing traditional media models• How transactional data is reshaping targeting, measurement and attribution• The challenges agencies face in proving real business impact• Why CPA-driven models are gaining traction across global brands• How TMG is building a full-funnel performance ecosystem across channelsIt’s honest, insightful, and essential listening for anyone working in modern marketing, media, or growth.
Transcribe →Why marketing must move from clicks to real transactions | TMG Keynote with Joel Williams
Mar 1700:15:09Tap to summarizeTash Insights presents a keynote from Joel Williams, co-founder of Transact Media Group (TMG), on the future of performance marketing and why the industry is shifting from clicks and impressions to real, verified business outcomes.Joel shares the story behind building TMG, from bootstrapping early partnerships to creating a global performance ecosystem powered by transactional data. At a time when marketing budgets are under intense scrutiny, he argues that the only metric that truly matters is the transaction itself. TMG’s model focuses on guaranteed CPA outcomes, using billions of real purchase signals from partners like Mastercard to connect media exposure directly to real-world spending.This talk breaks down how brands can move beyond vanity metrics and build marketing strategies grounded in measurable results.You’ll hear:• Why clicks and impressions are no longer enough for modern marketing• How transactional data is changing audience targeting and attribution• The rise of outcome-based media buying and guaranteed CPA models• Why brands are demanding accountability across the full marketing funnel• How performance marketing is evolving across programmatic, social, commerce and audioIt’s a sharp, practical look at where performance marketing is heading next.
Transcribe →I built an AI version of myself… and it started working
Mar 500:23:10Tap to summarizeFor two years, Tash has been living online alongside a digital twin.What began as an experiment in content and marketing quickly turned into multiple AI versions of herself, testing how avatars, identity and personal brands might scale in a world where AI can present, perform and even outproduce the original. These clips explore what digital twins actually are, how they work in real businesses, and what they could mean for creators, brands and the future of online identity.Watch the full documentary now on YouTube!
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