How to Beat Giant Brands With £500 and a Tank!

Big budgets don’t make you creative. Having almost nothing forces you to be. So what would you do if your rivals had millions and you had £500? Before Grenade became a household name, Alan Barratt and his then-wife Jules had no money, no team and no industry backing. In this conversation with Ben Hanlin, Alan explains why he never takes on a competitor where they’re strong, how a borrowed tank at a fitness expo made Grenade the brand everyone remembered, and what it felt like to be down to their last £27 and close to losing the house. Ben adds his own version of the same lesson: why he didn’t pitch a street magic show while Dynamo was on TV. Chapters 0:00 Why do great entrepreneurs work backwards? 1:44 Is cash the killer of creativity? 2:28 Why did Grenade turn up to a trade show with a tank? 3:21 Should you ever compete where your rivals are strongest? 6:28 What if you’re down to your last £27? 7:17 Is failure actually your friend? ▶️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/xUf6rqpHlJg About Ben Hanlin: Ben is a magician, presenter, and keynote speaker who helps companies create engagement, connection, and memorable experiences. He hosts corporate events and interviews world-class creatives on this podcast. About the podcast: "What’s The Trick?" explores how creative people think, create, and turn ideas into reality. Topics covered include creativity, communication, storytelling, content creation, performance, and building creative careers. 🎧 Listen / Watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenHanlin Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin Spotify: https://linktr.ee/benhanlin 📩 Work with Ben: https://www.benhanlin.com/ --- FOLLOW BEN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0oXTRP-zWlJ_IiNykTLag Instagram: http://instagram.com/benhanlin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhanlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benhanlin How do creative people turn ideas into reality? Ben Hanlin breaks down the mindset, process, and decisions behind it.