With only two months to go, the countdown to the first physical edition of Beauty Bulb Live London has officially begun. And when the event opens its doors at the Business Design Centre on 7 October 2026, British entrepreneur Faye Speedie will have spent countless hours championing a passion that has driven her for more than a decade: connecting beauty brands with major retail buyers.

“We want people to leave our show feeling connected to our beauty community, and we are building something long term with this event. Our support doesn’t end once the show closes,” says Faye.

She began her career as a Sales Producer at QVC before spending seven years at TangleTeezer, the innovative hairbrush brand founded by former hairstylist Shaun Pulfrey. Despite being rejected on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, the brand went on to become a global success, with Faye serving as Global Sales Director and playing a key role in its international expansion.

Since launching Beauty Bulb, Faye and her expert team have helped drive sales growth for more than 850 beauty brands across every sales channel in the global beauty industry.

Euronewsweek caught up with Faye Speedie to discuss what sets Beauty Bulb Live London apart from other beauty events and platforms, the challenges of building a business, and her advice for aspiring beauty entrepreneurs.

What inspired you to create Beauty Bulb Live London?

Daily requests from brands and retailers for an in-person show, combined with the success of our third virtual trade show earlier this year, made this the right time to launch our UK trade show. Alongside the growth of our network and our team, it felt like the natural next step and the UK needs a show like ours.

We wanted to create a no-nonsense space where people can connect in a meaningful way. It’s time for the traditional trade show model to get a reboot.

And what makes it different from other beauty events or platforms?

It’s brand-equal and people-first, and we do all of the heavy lifting. We put people and their products front and centre, rather than those with the biggest budgets.

We want people to leave our show feeling connected to our beauty community, and we are building something that lasts beyond the event itself. Our support doesn’t end when the show closes. Exhibitors remain on our digital platform, where they’ll continue to be promoted to our entire sales channel network for three months after the event.

We are also handling all the logistics while being mindful of efficiency and sustainability. We want to simplify the traditional trade show model while giving our partners impact and results. Our show is also run by our brilliant team who are all beauty industry experts.

Whether you’re an emerging brand, an established business, an industry expert or simply someone who wants to learn and connect, you’re very welcome at our show.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced as a founder?

I speak to lots of Founders, and we often say that being a Founder is like playing ‘whack-a-mole’!

I prioritise as best I can and always trust my instincts. We’ve built an agile business with a fantastic team that can adapt quickly when change comes. There isn’t a rulebook for getting everything right all the time, and balancing competing priorities is always a challenge for me but that’s all part of running a business.

Learning not to put too much pressure on myself is a challenge, and that one is still a work in progress.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build a successful business in the beauty industry?

Never be afraid to fail. Some of the things that didn’t work out for us taught us the biggest lessons and ultimately showed us the right path. I am extremely grateful for all of the redirections.

Hire people you genuinely connect with, rather than focusing solely on CVs. Spirit, drive and a team’s energy will be the biggest factor in driving your business forwards.

Lastly, there will be tough days, so have trusted and wise people in your circle. It’s special to have people around you who can see potential but who can also tell it to you straight.

Bread & Jam closed its 10th anniversary festival with a high-energy finale as wine brand 6Percent secured the top spot in the investor-backed Bread Winner competition, powered by Wayflyer. Over two days, earlier this month founders, buyers, investors and industry leaders gathered at London’s Business Design Centre, to watch forty‑two FMCG challenger brands pitch live on stage across multiple categories. A final round that showcased the ambition and innovation driving the UK’s consumer goods sector. During the event, more than 1,300 attendees also had the opportunity to engage in masterclasses, roundtables, buyer feedback sessions and marketplace showcases.

Prize adds up to £95k in funding and support

Founded by husband-and-wife team Russell and Gabriella Lamb, 6Percent was created to offer wine drinkers a lighter alternative without compromising flavour or ritual. Their 6% ABV wines, produced in Bordeaux, aim to deliver body and authenticity while avoiding the heavy after-effects associated with traditional bottles. The brand positions itself as one of the first mid‑strength wine options targeting the UK market.

Sales have grown by more than 120% quarter-on-quarter, with listings at Ocado, upcoming launches across Live Nation festivals this summer, and discussions underway with a major retailer.

“We have always loved the ritual of a great bottle of wine — the way it marks the end of a day and brings people together. But after becoming parents, we found that the fatigue which so often followed the next morning was a cost we could no longer afford,” says co‑founder Russell Lamb, who has a background in business change consulting for retail and finance companies.

Winning the Bread Winner competition brings 6Percent up to £95k in funding and support, including a London billboard campaign, legal and branding services, operational guidance, social media support and a stand at SIAL Paris 2026.

FMCG is a challenging sector

The final decision was made by judges, serial startup entrepreneur Giles Brook, Mark Hockney from Stratus, Peter O’Callaghan from Square Root Holdings, Marie Petrovicka from Delli, and Liam Duggan from Wayflyer.

“Our main purpose is to give challenger brands the tools, knowledge and platform they need to succeed. The energy and passion we see from brand founders is electric but there is no denying that it takes sheer determination, strategic thinking, connections and a colossal amount of hard work to build an FMCG business. I’m continually amazed by the innovation we see from challenger brands, and it’s a privilege to support such a dynamic and inspiring community,” says co-founder of Bread & Jam Festival, Jason Gibb.

When it comes to hiring, many businesses attempt to do things on their own at first. 

However, there comes a point when using internal teams for recruiting becomes a risky move. When that happens — or ideally before that happens — it’s advisable to begin working with a recruitment firm. Not only can this save you time, energy, and money, but it also greatly increases the chances that you’ll place the right candidate in the role, and that alone can be a game-changer for a business’s future prospects.

Curious about working with a recruiter, but not sure when? If you’ve hit any of the following, then it could well be time to get in touch with a firm.

A Role Has Been Open Too Long

It’s easy to get candidates to apply for a role, but finding the right candidate? That can take time. 

With that said, it can’t take too much time. If a role has been open too long, then eventually it’ll begin to impact your business’s operations. Not only could it stretch your current team’s capabilities, but the longer the role is open, the more likely it is that you’ll drop your standards just to get it filled. Top-level recruiters will have access to great candidates, ensuring you can quickly fill the role with the right person. 

It’s a High-Stakes Role

It’s important to get all hiring decisions right, but it’s also true that some are more important than ever. If you’re hiring for a high-stakes, senior role, then there’s an even bigger incentive to make the right decision. Hiring the wrong executive, for instance, can cause significant long-term damage for a brand.

Rather than relying on your internal team to fill these high-stakes roles, it’s best to work with experts. Hiring a trusted executive search firm can help identify and secure the talent you need to take your business to the next level, as quickly as possible. Just be sure to work with a firm that specialises in your specific field; a financial-services-focused recruiter, for example, will be better-equipped to recruit the top talent than a more general recruitment firm. 

There’s a Small Talent Pool

It’s also recommended to work with a recruiter if you’re hiring a niche role for which there is only a small pool of potential candidates. This is recommended because if there’s only a small pool, then there’s a high chance that the right person for the role is not actively searching for a new position. Working with a recruitment firm helps you get access to those candidates.

You’ve Been Burned By Bad Hires

Finally, if you’ve been repeatedly burned by bad hires in the past, then that could be a clear signal that it’s time to outsource the hiring process to the experts. While it’s possible to improve your hiring processes to minimise the risk of bad hires in the future, sometimes it’s simply easier to hand the task over to an expert firm that knows exactly what it takes to hire the best talent.