Women's Business

In this episode, podcaster, journalist, content creator and mum of three Alison Perry talks to me about how she always wanted to write, and her journey from penning her own Sweet Valley High books, to working at some of the most famous magazines of the noughties, to writing her own book for twin parents. We also talk about why niching isn't on Alison's radar as she continues to adds more strings to her bow, with a recent foray into podcast production, alongside setting up her first physical business - a kids' sleepover party concept. PLUS... more to enjoy on toxic noughties magazine culture, talking to our kids about work, and her hopes the future. Find Alison on Instagram here. Listen to Alison's Podcast 'Not Another Mummy Podcast' here. Find out about Alison's podcast production services here. Book Alison's sleepover party service for your kiddos here. ----------------------------- This episode is sponsored by Good Wash Day Our hair is most vulnerable when wet, and Good Wash Day T-shirt towels reduce friction, damage, dryness, frizz and drying time. They're made from the softest organic jersey cotton and are perfect for all hair types. Wavies and curlies can use them to plop! They're super gentle and lightweight, so are suitable for sensitive skin and those experiencing hair loss and regrowth. All Good Wash Day towels are made in the UK from ethically sourced fabrics (where people and planet are protected), and have been approved by a Harley Street-based Consultant Trichologist. Use code WB10 for 10% off your first order to support this awesome female-founded small business.

In this episode, self-confessed small business cheerleader Holly Tucker MBE, talks to me about the incredible full circle moment she's experiencing, setting up her new online marketplace Holly&Co, almost twenty years after she co-founded notonthehighstreet. In this deep dive into Holly's career we talk how different the landscape was when she first became an entrepreneur and set up her first business, and what gave her the drive to become the only woman to create two online marketplaces. Plus we talk the power of building her personal brand, finding the balance of purpose and profit, and the mission she has mapped out for the next twenty years. Shop at Holly & Co here Find Holly on Instagram here Find Holly & Co on Instagram here Listen to Holly's podcast Conversations of Inspiration here If you love this episode don't forget to follow so you don't miss future episodes. And a rating / review helps other people know it's worth a listen! Please also join the conversation on Instagram ----------------- Thank you so MUCH to Peachie for sponsoring this episode. Peachie is a fantastic female-founded brand ready to tackle the taboo around the menopause and meet our needs in a positive way. At Peachie HQ a love of good food has been combined with the nutritional know-how of experts. Peachie is making it easy and delicious to look after ourselves as we approach perimenopause & menopause - no more dusty vitamins! Peachie is a tasty topping of hand-baked nuts & seeds fortified with 14 specially selected vitamins & minerals to help support us during perimenopause & menopause. Simply add a tablespoon to your yogurt, porridge, cereal and you know that you've got a lovely boost of fibre, protein and omega 3 as well as your daily RDI of Vitamin D, and a third of your RDI of Magnesium, B12 and Vitamin C and so much more! Peachie is proudly made by women, for women. Their 4 female founders are 'women through the ages' in their 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s who all have different relationships and experiences with female health and are united in wanting to be part of making positive change happen in this area. Ready to feel a bit more Peachie? Try it today, you can order at www.feelingpeachie.co.uk and use my exclusive discount code 'womensbusiness' to get 20% off 30 days' supply of Peachie.

In this episode, Laura Mallows - founder of Mallows Beauty - talks to me about her incredible journey from dropping out of her uni course to pursue her passion, to how hand sanitiser funded the beginnings of her brand, and accidentally becoming a direct-to-consumer business thanks to a pandemic and pivot into selling on Instagram and TikTok, which saw her follower count and her orders blow up. Laura is a whirlwind personality with so much determination and self-belief, who also talks candidly about her issues with body image, which were a huge factor in her starting the business and spreading her mission to empower young men and women to be their true selves, free of air-brushing. If you love this episode don't forget to follow so you don't miss future episodes. And a rating / review helps other people know it's worth a listen! Please also join the conversation on Instagram -------------- This episode is sponsored by Good Wash Day Our hair is most vulnerable when wet, and GoodWash Day T-shirt towels reduce friction, damage, dryness, frizz and drying time. They're made from the softest organic jersey cotton and are perfect for all hair types. Wavies and curlies can use them to plop! They're super gentle and lightweight, so are suitable for sensitive skin and those experiencing hair loss and regrowth. All Good Wash Day towels are made in the UK from ethically sourced fabrics (where people and planet are protected), and have been approved by a Harley Street-based Consultant Trichologist. Use code WB10 for 10% off your first order to support this awesome female-founded small business.

Clemmie Telford is a cretive director, content creator, writer and podcaster. In this episode Clemmie and I take a deep dive into her early career and ambition, her stint at Facebook, and how she became a first-wave Instagram influencer, plus we talk changing ambition, going sober, and what might be next for her. Find Clemmie online at the links below: https://motherofalllists.com/ https://www.instagram.com/clemmie_telford/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/but-why/id1553074696 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/honestly-podcast-with-clemmie-telford/id1460659769 -------------------- Thank you to Bath and Unwind for sponsoring this episode. Bath & Unwind are in the business of making people feel good. They provide customers a place to indulge in the finest beauty and wellbeing products that has a relaxed, boutique feel. Customer experience is their number one priority. Whether it's adding unexpected treats or their generous reward scheme, they always over-deliver. Their customer care reps are trained beauty therapists and undergo training with all brands where relevent. Use code POD15 for 15% off your first order.

Sam Taylor is founder of The Good Factory and is now partnering with DeRonde Creative Hub to make the fashion world a better, more sustainbale and ethical place. From the sexist attitudes that killed Sam's early ambitions to study astrophysics, to the family legacy that led to her entering the world of clothing manufacture and production, Sam's journey is not only interesting, but offers essential listening on fast fashion, and arming yourself with the knowledge to make better buying choices. If you enjoy this episode please subscribe / follow for more For more conversations on women and their greatness find me on Instagram

Kirstie Beaven is the founder of Sonshine, a magazine all about raising boys for an equal world. For Kirstie, having her son left her floundering for resources on how best to raise him in the modern world, so she created one herself. This story takes us on that journey, from growing up with mixed heritage in a white area, to her education, to working in the arts, to starting her magazine and growing her online community as a safe space to hold important discussions about how we can build a future that is fair for all our kids. Light topics discussed include patriarchy, kids clothing, and the importance of written text for historical record. A truly fascinating and insightful discussion to come back to again and again. --------------- This episode is sponsored by Neon Digital Clicks, an e-commerce growth agency partnering with Shopify brands who are ready to scale. Working across Meta ads, TikTok ads, Google ads and Klaviyo for brands specialising in products for kids, parents and women. They are offering a free audit to all Women's Business listener, so if you own a small business and are interested in scaling get in touch with the team for your no obligation audit.

In today's episode Kelly Taylor, AKA Kids And The Commute tells us about her Nan's work ethic that influenced her early on, her formative love of television and storytelling, her dream job at the BBC and her decision to leave that all behind to go all in on her role as a content creator, at the age of 40. This episode peels back the curtain on the life of a content creator, from securing brand partnerships to growing a thick skin and sharing your life online, all while carrying through the thread of storytelling that has always fascinated Kelly. Full of honesty, as well as advice for any budding young content creators, this is an insight into a thoroughly modern job, and how Kelly makes that work for her. ------------ This episode is sponsored by Good Wash Day who make organic jersey T-shirt towels for your hair to reduce friction, damage, dryness, frizz and drying time. Perfect for all hair types, they're also ideal 'plopping' towels for wavies and curlies. They're super gentle and lightweight, so are suitable for sensitive skin and those experiencing hair loss and regrowth. All Good Wash Day towels are made in the UK from ethically sourced fabrics (where people and planet are protected), and have been approved by a Harley Street-based Consultant Trichologist. Use the code WB10 for 10% off your first order.

Emmie Faust, repeat exited founder and now leader of Female Founder Rise tells her fascinating story from selling photoshoot sessions for her first pay cheques, to accidentally finding her niche in the gambling industry, alongside the chance meeting with her business partner. Emmie talks about her mission now to get people to invest in women, and her community that brings women raising capital together with events and resources to support them. Throw having four children in the mix somewhere along the way, and this is a story sure to inspire. --------------- This episode is sponsored by Earnt EARNT is an original concept designed to create a new eco-system for brands, their fans, and causes that need help. The system is designed to re-imagine who a VIP is and what is means to be one. How does it work? The brand (with EARNT's help) chooses a cause / project that chimes with their values. A mission is then created and the brand lets their fans know where to be and when (and what they can expect as a thank you!) Those that take part in the projects are then prioritised by the brand for VIP treatment; first access, discounts, queue jumps, exclusive experiences, and limited editions - effectively becoming part of the brand's inner circle by earning their place.

With a strong work ethic from the off, and after stumbling into a research role to meet a uni course requirement, Emma found her passion for analysing data, and the skills she honed as a result have led her on a fascinating journey through play and playfulness, working with some of the world's biggest brands along the way, and leading her to set up her consultancy business Playful Den. A must-listen for any parents, we also talk encouraging creativity in our kids, how to talk to our kids about their interests through the lens of work and careers, and how ALL of us can live more playfully. ---------------- This episode is sponsored by Neon Digital Clicks, an e-commerce growth agency partnering with Shopify brands who are ready to scale. Working across Meta ads, TikTok ads, Google ads and Klaviyo for brands specialising in products for kids, parents and women. They are offering a free audit to all Women's Business listener, so if you own a small business and are interested in scaling get in touch with the team for your no obligation audit.

In this episode, fashion consultant Elizabeth Stiles tells me about her journey into the world of fashion, through formative experiences (and horror stories!) at big brands, to capitalising on her expertise to become a consultant. A must-listen for anyone wanting to pivot into a career in fashion, or with children considering this career path, this episode has some really tangible advice to get you on the right track. ----------------- This episode is sponsored by Neon Digital Clicks, an e-commerce growth agency partnering with Shopify brands who are ready to scale. Working across Meta ads, TikTok ads, Google ads and Klaviyo for brands specialising in products for kids, parents and women. They are offering a free audit to all Women's Business listener, so if you own a small business and are interested in scaling get in touch with the team for your no obligation audit.

Stacey Heale is a writer, and fashion academic who has shared her life online for many years, including through the death of her husband, Greg, in 2021. Greg's death impacted Stacey and her life and work hugely, so of course we do discuss her grief journey, but I really wanted to make sure that this was Stacey's story, and it's a fascinating one at that. A must-listen for anyone who has - or thinks they have - ADHD, Stacey takes us through uni drop outs, early jobs, working through Greg's diagnosis, illness and death, and where that has led her to now, all the time speaking so candidly and openly about her journey.

Steph Douglas is the founder of personalised gifting company Don't Buy Her Flowers. Created to offer more thoughtful and personal gifts for new mums, the company has evolved to offer personalised gift boxes for all occasions. In this episode Steph talks about her early work life, the lightbulb moment that led her to setting up her business, the rollercoaster of running a small business, and the unplanned other directions that has led her in. We also discuss the struggle of sharing parental responsibilities, and Steph's personal journey to address the balance at home. Filled with small business insight, relatable moments and food for thought, this episode has a little bit of everything! Listen to the Don't Buy Her Flowers podcast here. This episode is sponsored by Neon Digital Clicks, an e-commerce growth agency partnering with Shopify brands who are ready to scale. Working across Meta ads, TikTok ads, Google ads and Klaviyo for brands specialising in products for kids, parents and women. They are offering a free audit to all Women's Business listener, so if you own a small business and are interested in scaling get in touch with the team for your no obligation audit.

In this episode, Rachel Harris talks about her journey from maths-obsessed kid to founder of rapidly-scaling accountancy firm StriveX, which she is growing alongside her personal brand. As a disruptor of the 'pale, male and stale' stereotype that surrounds accountants, Rachel is re-writing the script on finance and accountancy, using her online platforms to grow her audience and her customer base, with amazing results. This episode will inspire everyone. Enjoy! https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/ https://www.youtube.com/@accountantshe https://www.tiktok.com/@accountant_she This episode is sponsored by Bath & Unwind, a beauty website providing customers a place to indulge in the finest beauty and wellbeing products with a relaxed, boutique feel and a personalised shopping experience from their trained beauty therapists. Bath & Unwind stock favourite brands such a Aesop, Caudalie, Nuxe, Colour Wow, Olaplex and many more. Listen to the episode for your 15% discount code.

In this episode, Carly talks about her journey - from starting at the bottom of the film industry, to running her own business as a female filmmaker making award-winning short films. Plus we talk resilience, careers advice, and how ambition can move along a spectrum depending on your phase of life. Find Carly on Instagram here or visit her website here

In this episode Liz talks about having a true vocation and the different ways she could have interpreted that, and the path she ultimately took to becoming a graphic designer. She also talks about the balance of working with kids, diversifying income streams, and how showing up and being consistent with your values can lead to opportunities you didn't expect. Find out more about Liz here.

In this episode, Lucy Hitchcock talks about fighting against the concept of being a jack-of-all-trades, and instead asserts herself as master of a few, as she discusses how she runs her products-based business, and service-based business, whilst also building her personal brand.

In today's episode, serial entrepreneur Yvonne talks about her early career, her first foray into entrepreneurship - which led to an appearance on Dragon's Den - and chasing her ultimate dream to set up her own events space. Yvonne's 'feel the fear and do it anyway' attitude is totally infectious and will offer food for thought for anyone thinking about setting up their own business. Find out about Yvonne's event space here.https://www.tyrostudios.com/

In this episode, Ellie Austin-Williams - founder of This Girl Talks Money - talks candidly about her early entrpreneurial spark, a big career change, and about being a woman in a man's world, as she builds her online educational platform talking to women about money. Find out more about Ellie here

In this episode, Suzy discusses using failure to redirect you, and how the intersection of two major events in her life, set her on the path that she's still on today. Find out more about her here.

In this episode Jen talks about parental expectations, and how missing out on going to uni turned out not to be the catastrophe she thought it was, plus how a lightbulb moment with her own baby led her to set up one of the most innovative baby brands on the market today.

In this episode, Frankie chats about how her parents' work impacted her as she grew up, the career path she took before finding graphic design, and the factors that led to her setting up her freelance community for parents: Doing It For The Kids. Expect a healthy dose of real talk on work/life balance, parenting, passive income, saying no, and lots more!