Women's Business

In this episode, I speak to Katie Chappell, a talented illustrator specialising in live event illustration and co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration. We discuss her early experiences with work and the first rejection thst left her reeling and questioning her path, and then her journey back to creativity, and her fascinating career path. Katie shares her innovative approach to handling rejection...

In this special episode of Women's Business, I speak to Leila Ainge, my brilliant co-conspirator in our recent research project 'Good Girl Economics: The Price of Playing Nice.' This conversation is a review of our research: why do it, why now, the trends we discovered, and what we've both learned and will be implementing off the back of this research - particularly around pricing and perception....

In this week's episode I speak to Rosamund Dean, a journalist, author, and writer of the Substack 'Well, Well, Well.' Rosamund shares her journey from her early career as an entertainment journalist to navigating the overwhelm of the wellness industry following her breast cancer diagnosis and recovery. We discuss how her definition of success has changed, the pressures of motherhood, and the futur...

In this episode I speak to the inimitable Laura Belbin, better known as Knee Deep in Life on Instagram. Laura is an author, podcaster, and standup comedian who has used comedy to find light in the darkest of times. This conversation covers it all - from her early career experiences, her journey through therapy, dealing with childhood trauma, and how she discovered her true calling in comedy and co...

In this episode I speak to Dani Pearce, founder of the globally successful footwear brand Merry People. We start with Dani's early memories of farm life in Australia, her journey through various jobs, and the idea she had that led to her launching her brand. Dani shares how she navigated her company's growth, including securing her first factory in China, selling at farmer's markets, and transitio...

In this episode I speak to Nicola Fitzpatrick, the founder of Elansu, a sports bra brand for fuller-busted women. Nicola's journey is truly fascinating, as she transitioned from a career in the male-dominated roofing industry to designing supportive sports bras to meet her own needs - bras that celebrated AND supported her feminine shape rather than just squashing it. We delve into her early work...

Join me as I speak to Chloe Fallon, founder of Lodestar Accounting. Chloe shares her journey from growing up in a single-parent household to founding her own accountancy firm, alongside starting her own family very young and having the build both alongside each other. We discuss her early career, the pressures of balancing work and family life, her fearless approach to leadership, and the pivotal...

In this episode, I speak to financial coach, writer and podcaster Clare Seal. Clare shares her journey from racking up £27,000 in personal debt to becoming a financial educator and influencer. We discuss the decision to share her debt journey online, the steps she took to get out of debt, and the impact of motherhood on her financial decisions. Clare also dives into the importance of financial edu...

In this episode I speak to Tessa Sowry-Osborne, founder of The Stationer - a beautiful online stationery collection curated by Tessa's expert eye and born out of a true passion for stationery. We delve into Tessa's fascinating journey from her early career aspirations in theatre, through to grappling with various temp jobs and eventually finding her calling in the world of high-quality, beautifull...

In this episode I speak to JodI Clark, the founder of Sober Flourish, a wellness-led platform empowering women to remove alcohol and reclaim their energy. JodI shares her remarkable journey from heavy drinking in her teens through to her newfound sobriety, reflecting on the pivotal moments that led her to quit alcohol and start her business. We discuss her early influences, career path, and the ch...

In this episode I speak to the incredible Victoria Whittington, a female financial planner who stands out in a traditionally male-dominated industry. We dive into her journey from investment banking to setting up her own business, along with the unique challenges and insights she has gained along the way. Victoria shares her personal experiences, from childhood influences and career decisions to t...

It's the first episode of the new season and I'm delighted to share this brilliant episode with Amelia Peckham, founder of Cool Crutches. Amelia shares her truly unbelievable story of how a life-altering accident in her early twenties changed the course of her life, after she was faced with the challenges of using conventional crutches during her rehabilitation, and set out to create a better solu...

In this final episode of the Summer Survival Series I speak to Leah, a psychologist turned women's health advocate, about sustaining hormonal health and advocating for yourself. Leah shares her journey into the world of women's health, driven by personal experiences and the lack of adequate education for her daughter. We discuss the importance of symptom tracking, the benefits of HRT, and how wome...

The question this week is from me! I wanted Drew to speak honestly about his perspective on becoming a parent, and everything that entailed in terms of work, home, and finding his way as a dad. We talk about the transition to parenthood, the struggles of finding our roles, and the importance of male allyship. Drew opens up about the feelings of being undervalued at home, adjusting expectations, an...

In this episode on the theme of 'sustain' I speak to Claire Hill, a self-belief and business coach, about sustaining our mindset during summer. Claire shares her go-to mantras, the importance of self-belief, and practical strategies to balance business and family life. We discuss tackling self-doubt, the importance of setting boundaries, and defining our own version of success. Claire also dives i...

In this episode our listener question is all about how to get your husband to notice dust when he seems immune to dust. In other words... how to get him to get involved in the unpaid labour at home. We talk bout how we tackle the invisible labour and ingrained gender roles in our household, as well as sharing practical steps for dividing tasks, overcoming traditional expectations, and breaking dow...

In this episode of Women's Business, I speak to Emma Zangs, a movement teacher and choreography and public speaking coach. Emma shares insights on the importance of movement for staying grounded and coping with the chaos of summer, especially for those juggling parenting and work. She discusses the role of dance in connecting with our bodies and emphasises the value of playful movement practices....

In this first episode of The Better Halves Project Drew and I are diving into a listener question: how to even start these conversations at home with a partner who rolls their eyes at the mere mention of allyship.  We share our personal journey and practical advice, emphasising open dialogue, setting boundaries for conversations, and the importance of mutual respect. This candid conversation aims...

In this first of my Summer Survival Series I speak to Katie Skelton, former guest of the full pod, and an email marketing expert, about the importance of sustaining visibility and sales even during the summer slowdown. We discuss the concept of selling as a commitment to yourself, how to build and maintain a consistent writing habit, and the significant impact of genuine human connections on busin...

It's a family affair this week, as in the last full episode before the summer break I'm interviewing my sister, Katie Elliott (AKA HR Katie) about her career journey, juggling work-life balance, and navigating the challenges of ambition and family life. We discuss her experience in HR, starting her own business, and the impact of her recent breakup on her professional and personal life. Katie shar...

*Trigger warning: sexual assault  In this episode, I speak to Lu Featherstone, the vibrant and inspiring personality better known as 'Lu in LuLand' on Instagram. We dive into Lu's colorful and bold life journey from growing up as a vicar's daughter, serving in the Armed Forces, to moving to America and undergoing a transformative self-love revolution following her divorce. Lu candidly shares her s...

This week's episode feels special. It feels like one everyone should hear, and in it I speak to Grace Mosuro, an organisational development consultant, inclusion coach, and strategist. Grace shares her compelling journey rooted in her experiences as a black, Nigerian-born, UK-raised woman, touching on her early career, overcoming workplace marginalisation, and her shift towards focusing on diversi...

In this episode I speak to Jenn Jordan, professional organiser and founder of Orjenise about her unique path to finding her life's calling. Jen wasn't always an organised person; in fact, she was messy and struggled with a shopping addiction. We delve into her early career, time on tour with her rockstar husband, and the moment she realized she needed to declutter her life. Jenn shares the emotion...

In this episode of Women's Business, I speak to Imogen Partridge, a talented watercolor illustrator (and friend), about her journey from a career in interior design to launching her own successful art business. We delve into Imogen's early influences, her battles against the 'struggling artist' narrative, and the power of creativity in personal and professional growth. Imogen shares insights on ho...

In this episode I speak to Jo Proud, the founder of Mood Bears - emotional support bears designed to help children (and adults!) understand and express their emotions. Jo shares her incredibly inspiring story, which began with a late-night idea that was born out of her own mental health struggles. From creating her first prototype to importing a shipping container full of bears from China, Jo disc...