Amanda Thomson: CEO and Founder of Thomson & Scott

February 15, 2025·24 min·2 clips

Amanda Thomson was born confident and always knew she'd achieve big things, despite her complicated upbringing.

This episode features entrepreneur Amanda Thomson, founder of the premium non-alcoholic wine brand Naughty, in conversation with host Elliot Moss. Thomson previously worked as a journalist for the BBC, ITN, and Sky before pivoting to the wine industry. Her childhood, marked by her parents' divorce and financial constraints, fostered an early sense of independence and confidence that she credits for her entrepreneurial drive. She moved her family to Paris in 2010 to study wine at Le Cordon Bleu, driven by a curiosity about the sugar and chemicals in conventional wines. In 2016, she launched Thomson & Scott, initially creating a low-sugar champagne before founding the alcohol-free Naughty brand in 2019. Naughty is now a B Corp certified, vegan brand sold globally, with a rapidly expanding market in the United States. Thomson discusses her work with Wellington College on an entrepreneurship program for 13-year-olds, providing seed funding to teach students about "profit with purpose" and reframing failure as a muscle to exercise. She contrasts her experience in American business, where she is seen as a "visionary entrepreneur," with challenges in the UK, citing "tall poppy syndrome" as a barrier for diverse founders. A surprising insight is her belief that most entrepreneurs likely exist on the "neurodiverse spectrum," linking constant curiosity to entrepreneurial traits. She argues that creating discomfort and facing initial negativity are often signs of pursuing a truly significant idea. Thomson emphasizes that the beverage industry over-prioritizes marketing, asserting that the quality of the liquid itself is paramount. She reveals her business operates from an "agnostic position to alcohol," avoiding debates in the "no-low" space to seamlessly integrate into consumer habits. Despite her competitive nature, she stresses the importance of founder self-awareness and building a team to compensate for personal weaknesses. The tone is conversational and introspective, blending personal anecdotes with business philosophy. Moss guides the discussion with a light, engaging style, prompting Thomson to reflect on her motivations and strategies. Listeners interested in founder stories, the non-alcoholic beverage sector, or discussions on entrepreneurship and resilience will find this episode compelling. Those seeking a highly technical analysis of winemaking or a critical debate on industry trends might find the content too personal and narrative-driven.

As heard by us

A founder story about cleaner taste, personal conviction, and building a category from lived experience.

Amanda Thompson's path into alcohol free wine comes through clearly: a plant based, no sugar upbringing, a media career, then a turn toward cleaner sparkling wine.

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Why you'd press play

A founder story that starts with a no-sugar upbringing and ends with alcohol-free wine.

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