Made In Ely - an Ely Work Collective podcast

In this episode of Made in Ely, Tom Ramsey, Director of Coffee at Silver Oak, tells the story of the business from garage roasting and market stalls to opening The Yard in Ely. He explains speciality coffee grading, ethical sourcing, and how Silver Oak developed its roastery, menu and events. Tom discusses the challenges of growing a business—staffing, budgets and building a community space—plus h...

Helena, owner of Helrica Massage Clinic, shares her journey from personal loss to opening a Littleport clinic that specializes in oncology massage, menopause massage, lymphatic drainage and alternative hair (wig) consultations. Named in memory of her friend Erica, Helena emphasizes a compassionate, flexible, and personal approach—donating £10 from every treatment to Macmillan and creating a calm,...

On this episode of Made in Ely, Anthe from Papas Locas talks about running a mobile food business that started with loaded fries and evolved into authentic Canadian poutine and a second ramen truck, Deruma. She discusses sourcing real cheese curds and the right fries, building the Cambridge Food Truck Collective, pitching at events like the British Street Food Awards, seasonal menus, business chal...

Welcome to Made in Ely where we chat to local business owners about what they're building and how they're doing it. In this episode we speak with Gemma from eMotion Fit about her route from corporate life into personal training and breathwork. We discuss how a simple breathing practice brought quiet to a busy mind and became a tool for emotional release. Gemma explains what to expect in her sessio...

Made in Ely meets Luke and Rob from Studio Nova, a design-led agency bringing websites, advertising and creative solutions to local and national clients. They discuss starting the business, the importance of work experience, embracing new technology, and balancing creativity with commercial needs. Studio Nova share lessons learned about client communication, hiring and nurturing talent, the benefi...

In this week's instalment of Made In Ely, James and Cathrine chat with Clara Campbell-Beavis about Willow Grange Farm, a rural retreat near Ely that combines a farm shop, cafe, glamping and event space. Clara shares her journey from working in luxury hotels in London to returning home and growing a community-focused business. The episode covers weddings launched during COVID, opening a butchery an...

In this episode, Kate of Crafts by Kate shares her journey from marketing and photography to creating a fabric accessories business in Ely. She discusses how sewing helped her mental health during the pandemic, how markets shaped her growth, and why sourcing UK fabrics and safe, practical designs for pets and babies matter to her. Kate also shares market tips for new traders, the importance of pro...

On this episode of Made in Ely, hosts speak with Sarah Smith (2Assist) and Sadie Finch (More Than Admin) about what virtual assistants do, how they started, and how they collaborate to support local and remote clients. They cover typical VA tasks (admin, events, systems, personal errands), common client questions, favourite tools and ways to set boundaries, plus practical tips for anyone starting...

Victoria Dunthorne of Victoria's Cheese joins the Made in Ely Podcast to discuss her journey from accountant to artisan cheesemonger, why she champions British cheeses and English wines, and how she curates her ever-changing counter at her Ely shop. They cover signature offerings like Friday "Blind Date" grab bags, sold‑out tasting lock‑ins, the shop’s strong community support, challenges of runni...

In this episode of Made in Ely, we sit down with Ben Sulston, co-owner of Change Coffee Roasters in Cambridge. A chef by trade and a passionate advocate for ethical sourcing, Ben shares the story behind building a coffee brand with purpose—one that puts sustainability and transparency front and centre. We also dive into his background in the kitchen, how that influences his approach to coffee, and...

Sophie talks about building Sophie's Afternoon Teas and Cakes in Ely—from starting on local markets to opening a cosy tea room on Three Cups Walk. She makes all cakes and afternoon teas herself, offers gluten-free and vegan options, and sources ingredients locally. The episode covers her pandemic pivot to delivery boxes, the importance of starting small, supporting other local businesses, and the...

Made in Ely Podcast | Episode 1: Scott Colling, Ely Computer Centre In this episode, we sit down with Scott Colling, founder of Ely Computer Centre, to discuss his journey building a local business, the challenges and rewards of serving the Ely community, and what it takes to thrive as an independent retailer in today's world.