When most graduates were applying for traditional jobs, Darcy Laceby made a different choice. At 20, she co-founded Absolute Collagen alongside her mum, Maxine, transforming bone broth experiments at their kitchen table into a £50 million challenger brand. In this conversation, Darcy shares the reality of building a beauty business from scratch, navigating early investment decisions, scaling a direct-to-consumer brand, and working in a family-run business. We also explore the challenges of being a young female founder, how to stand your ground with investors, and why belief in yourself can accelerate growth.

Key Takeaways:

The early days of Absolute Collagen and how a kitchen-table idea became a £50M brand
Navigating the challenges of scaling a family business
The importance of belief, persistence, and trusting your own expertise
Lessons in investment, growth, and leading a fast-scaling team
Darcy’s vision for the future of health, nutrition, and personalised wellness

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Darcy Laceby: From Student to Co-Founder of Absolute Collagen

Screw It Just DO It with Alex Chisnall