The New Forest Business Podcast

Annabelle King, founder of The Kitchen Social, is the guest on this episode of the podcast. Annabelle, discusses the personal story behind starting the business, her eldest daughter getting the rare disease  ulcerative colitis, and having a great desire to help her.    So, aged 47 at the time, she went to London attended culinary school, and started The Kitchen Social. What started as a teaching h...

Sophie Spencer, founder of Pilates With Soph is the guest on this episode. Pilates is great and popular way to get your body and mind fit and healthy. However, whilst we can find a class to enjoy, what about actually starting a Pilates business and running one from your home?   Well, step forward Sophie and her business. Sophie took the bold step to not only start her new business, but get her per...

Nathan Jones, founder of Swift Fencing & Landscaping is the guest on this episode. Given all the storms we are having on the south coast at the moment, Nathan has to be one of the busiest tradesmen at the moment! Here he is to give the story behind his business.    As well as giving us insight to running his business, the ups and downs of running such a business as well as his tips. However, N...

Keith Wilson, Director of Income and Engagement at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is the guest on this episode.    I was delighted to welcome Keith from Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance. A great opportunity to highlight this wonderful charity that we are grateful to have. A charity that gets no funding from local councils and is funded completely by the general public and local busin...

Sally Curson, founder of Face Matters Skincare is the guest on this episode.    Sally has been in the skincare business for over 30 years. What she does not know about facial skincare is not worth knowing. Using her skills, knowledge and insight, she has been helping her customers through her Face Matters products.   Sally, as discussed on the podcast, is looking to grow her brand awareness, getti...

Stacey Tapping, founder of Beauty Sculpting Room is the guest on this episode.    A great start to 2025 for the podcast with Stacey founder of Beauty Sculpting Room. We discuss well, what actually is beauty sculpting. Not just that of course, much more alongside it.    The original Beauty Sculpting Room studio is in Poole, so we discuss the decision behind the move to open a second studio in Lymin...

Kylie Holloway, co-director of Puffin Cruises Lymington is the guest on this episode.   Kylie discusses how it was almost like fate that she would become involved with Puffin Cruises Lymington, having grown up in the town and been photographed as a 5 year old at the booth she now works at.   Kylie discusses how they try to go above and beyond for their customers, how much time and effort has to go...

Sophie Attwill - Independent Graphic Design Studio is the guest on this episode. One of the go to graphic designers for businesses in and around the New Forest.    Sophie discusses how she got in to the industry, her collaborative approach with businesses and the number of services her and her team can provide. She discusses the when she recognised that this could be an actual career for her, and...

Home interior, Abigail Thorpe, is the guest on this episode of The New Forest Business Podcast. Abigail, offers real insight in to what it is like to run such a business, the highs and lows, and just how she goes about finding new clients.   An interior designer, can be crucial to making your new house feel like home. Putting the final touches to your home and making it truly feel unique. Beyond t...

Jamie Kidd, is the guest on this episode of the New Forest Business Podcast. Jamie, after a car accident, really took his interest in photography to the next level. Despite, having a career in Japan lined up, he knew what was and was not for him.   Jamie really opens up about what it is like to run such a business and the true ups and downs of being in the creative arts industry. Jamie discusses s...

Debra Valvona Johnson, founder of The Hampshire Soap Company, is the guest on this episode. Debra, always wanted to run a business, but was never sure of what kind of industry she wanted to run one in. Then Covid struck, and like so many businesses who have appeared on the podcast already, something good came from Covid for Debra – The Hampshire Soap Company.   Debra, during lockdown started to ma...

Jade Attwood, personal trainer is the guest on this episode of the podcast. It can be beneficial when going out on your own for a business, to rely upon personal experience, and Jade does that with her approach with her clients.   Through her own experience of having an eating disorder, Jade is able to use this to help and support women with their eating and fitness. Tailoring a programme suitable...

Laura Stainton-Burrell, owner of Hockey’s Farm Shop, is the guest on this episode. Despite the last few years being challenging for British farmers, this episode is shining a light on a farm producing and selling some of the finest local farm produce.   The stand out at the farm shop, are their pigs, and Laura’s care and attention is a huge factor behind their success. That care is present through...

Dan Sagar, Business coach is the guest on this episode of the podcast. Dan works with 6 and 7 figure businesses, implementing proven systems that can transform your business performance to even greater hights.   Working with Dan, you can increase your customer base, boost your sales and revenue, generate better quality leads, implement the best software solutions for your business or achieve a bus...

Vicky Greenwood, founder of Bright Babies is the guest on this episode of the podcast. The stage for babies between ages 6 weeks to 3 years is crucial to their development. That is where Vicky and Bright Babies come in, to support this development stage, with numerous classes designed to support and encourage their physical, mental and social skills.   Like numerous business owners who have been o...

Laura Harrigan, account manager at New Forest Fruit is the guest on this episode. Laura gives us an overview of how New Forest Fruit started and an insight in to how New Forest Fruit produce some of the best strawberries in the New Forest and beyond.    As well as giving us an insight in to the origins, we also discuss how New Forest Fruit are at the forefront when it comes to fruit production and...

Madeleine Fear founder of Small Furry Hotel is the guest on this episode. Our pets are extremely important to us, therefore, when it comes to going away and particularly when it comes to rabbits, we need to leave them somewhere we can trust. Know that they will be well catered for and looked after.   Fortunately, Small Furry Hotel has been set up just for that. Madeleine, goes in to detail of how...

Ami Lewis is the guest on this episode. We discuss how Ami started her casting business, working with children and her plans for her business. Ami talks about juggling family life, being a mum, working a job as demanding as palliative care and running a business. It is something that a lot of mums in business have to deal with and Ami covers it here.   While we discussed her plans for her business...

Sarah Branson and Helen Lennox, co-founders of Christmas Shopping at Delawarr are the guests on this episode of the New Forest Business Podcast.   Whilst Sarah and Helen have known each other for a long time, it was not until they both lost a close loved one, that they wanted to do something and raise money for Oakhaven Hospice after all the care and help they provided.   Find out how these two lo...

Dr Antonia Bonagura, founder of Bodyfit Chiropractic is the guest on this episode of the New Forest Business Podcast. Antonia has quickly established a highly successful and well regarded business. Her work ethic, ethos and dedication to giving her clients the best treatments has helped her establish Bodyfit Chiropractic. Bodyfit Chiropractic is not just Antonia by herself, listen to Antonia enthu...

Kerry Witt, founder of Chocolate By Miss Witt is the guest on this episode of the New Forest Business Podcast. Learn all about how Kerry got started in the food industry and the journey to making outstanding chocolate. Discover the story behind finding the cocoa beans and what sets her chocolate apart. Kerry also discusses her classes where she works with children and chocolate, ups and downs with...

Annie Winter, nutritional therapist is the guest on today’s episode of the New Forest Business Podcast. Discover how Annie started her business, what a nutritional therapist actually is, and how she can work with you to improve your health and wellbeing, particularly if you are suffering from long term illness.   Not only that, Annie is also working with local businesses, supporting them on their...

Ciara Simmons, principal at Zest Dance – New Milton is the guest on this episode of the podcast. Ciara’s passion and enthusiasm for dance, her work and teaching is infectious. It is clear how much Zest Dance means to Ciara and it was great to explore what running a dance studio involves.   However, we also covered the important subject for new mums who are business owners and leaving their busines...

Simon Dyer, co-founder of The Tipsy Toastie is the guest on this episode of the New Forest Business podcast. Simon, has taken the humble cheese toastie and turned it in to a successful business. With a mixture of toppings and his own homemade chili jam, Simon has been able to raise the bar when it comes to cheese toasties.    Listen and enjoy the story behind The Tipsy Toastie, how it came to be f...

Katie Pearson founder of Bump and Beyond is the guest on this episode of the New Forest Business Podcast. Katie has taken her vast experience as a masseuse and turned it in to an award winning business. Working with pre and post pregnant women, Katie has also built a welcoming environment for when she runs her group sessions.    Katie, like a lot of sole business owners, has created everything fro...