Starting a business isn’t just about having a great product idea — it’s about listening, learning, and showing up even when it feels uncomfortable.
That’s something Verity Smith, founder of The Wide Welly Company, knows all too well.
In this episode of You’re Not the Only One, Verity shares the behind-the-scenes reality of growing her e-commerce brand: the product tweaks, the customer conversations, the networking, and the mindset shifts that have kept her business moving forward.
Prefer to watch?
Catch the full episode over on YouTube here:
Product development never really ends
The Wide Welly Company started with one idea: a welly boot that was colourful and lasted longer than the flimsy pairs on the high street, that actually fits your jeans and calves in. But as Verity explains, that was just the beginning.
Listening to customer feedback became a constant part of her process. Every tweak – from fit to comfort to design – was driven by what people actually needed, not just what she thought they wanted.
Marketing isn’t optional
Like many founders, Verity admits she didn’t jump into business to become a marketer. But visibility matters. From social media to PR opportunities, she’s learnt that marketing isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s essential if you want customers to find you.
The lesson? Don’t wait until everything’s perfect. Start where you are, learn as you go, and get comfortable being seen.
Networking works (just not in the way you think)
At first glance, a room full of business owners might not look like your customer base. But networking isn’t about who’s in the room, it’s about who they know.
For Gill, showing up consistently led to introductions, collaborations and opportunities she couldn’t have engineered on her own.
Mindset makes the difference
Running a small business is as much about your headspace as it is about your products.
Verity shares how self-doubt often crept in, and how reframing her self-talk helped her attract the right people and keep going when things got tough. Backing yourself, she says, is one of the most powerful tools a founder can have.
What other founders can learn
If you’re running (or dreaming of running) an online product business, Verity’s story is a reminder that:
- Customers are your best source of insight – talk to them and listen to them.
- Marketing isn’t a bolt-on, it’s part of the job.
- Networking is a long game, but it pays off.
- Your mindset matters just as much as your strategy.
Watch the full conversation
There’s plenty more in our chat — including the story of how Wide Welly began, the challenges of selling online, and the honest highs and lows of being a founder.
Need a hand with your own marketing?
If you’d like practical tips, strategy prompts and a little encouragement in your inbox, sign up for my newsletter here.
Because you’re not the only one figuring this out.
