Women's Business

My guest today is the utterly inimitable Jane Green, international bestselling author of books like Mr. Maybe and Jemima J, which put her at the forefront of the Chick Lit genre back in the late nineties. We delve into how her writing has evolved with her life, including her experience of divorcing after 18 years of marriage and starting anew in Morocco. Jane shares insights on internalised misogy...

In this episode I speak to Lisa Smosarski, the award-winning editorial director of Stylist magazine, about her incredible journey in the magazine industry. From her early career in iconic nineties magazines to launching and leading Stylist, Lisa shares insights on evolving media landscapes, internalised misogyny, and the impact of motherhood on her career. We discuss Lisa's North Star of creating...

In this episode I dive deep into the life of Sara Marshall, an extraordinary strategic advisor who has worked with some of the world's biggest corporations and now runs her own consultancy. Sara opens up about her career journey, from early experiences in her family to the heights of being a Senior Vice President at Universal Pictures and her struggle with work-life balance. She shares the persona...

In this episode of Women's Business, I speak to Sophie Griffiths, a strategic marketing and meta ad specialist who shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship. Sophie discusses her earliest work memories, dealing with her father's frequent redundancies, and the significant impact of burnout she experienced at various stages of her life. We delve into how she transitioned from a high...

In this episode I speak to Rachel Carrell, founder of Koru Kids, a pioneering business that leverages technology to connect parents with nannies, offering a revolutionary approach to childcare. We discuss Rachel's diverse background, from the NHS to the mining industry, and her journey from supporting other businesses to launching her own. Rachel shares her views on the critical importance of chil...

Trigger warnings: loss, addiction, eating disorders  In this quite amazing episode of Women's Business, I speak to Amber Keatley-Shaikh, a women's health coach who has been on her own incredible journey of building resilience and self-discovery. Amber takes us all the way back to childhood trauma and the heroin addiction that nearly killed her, before we discuss how she found a curiosity that kept...

In this episode of I speak to Dr. Emily Leeming, a microbiome scientist, registered dietician, former chef, TEDx speaker, and author of 'Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science of Eating For Your Second Brain'. We dive deep into the transformative power of nutrition, the roles of the gut microbiome and mental health, and share practical tips on adding beneficial foods to your diet without a complete...

In this episode, I speak to Anna Anderson, founder of Kindred, a community space in Hammersmith. We dive into Anna's early experiences and insights on the value of community, and how that sparked an early interest in being of service to others. Anna shares her journey from social work to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for true community and the issues we face in society around loneliness a...

In this episode I interview Stacey Grant-Canham, founder of the ethical clothing brand Black & Beech. We discuss Stacey's unique journey, from crafting teething necklaces during maternity leave to building a brand that combines her passions for feminism and sustainable fashion. Stacey shares her complex childhood experiences, her radical transformation from academia to entrepreneurship, and how he...

In this episode I speak to Baroness Martha Lane Fox, a pioneering figure in the technology sector and founder of lastminute.com. The conversation covers a range of topics from Martha's upbringing with hardworking parents, her early career experiences, and the founding of lastminute.com during the dot-com boom - plus how they navigated business when the dot-com bubble burst. Martha also opens up ab...

I can't believe Women's Business is 2! And to celebrate this milestone a different episode where I have invited my own husband onto to pod, to reflect on our journey and everything we're both learning through my work here on this pod.    So, the much-mentioned Drew AKA Andrew Elliott is the first and only male guest on the show.    This conversation covers modern life through a male lens, includin...

In this episode, I welcome Pippa Goulden, founder of The PR Set to the pod. Pippa shares her journey from working in traditional PR agencies to launching her DIY PR membership aimed at helping small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs, but also shares how launching the business enabled HER to create the work/life balance she wanted for herself. We also dive into what PR actually is, the import...

In this episode of Women's Business I meet Nicola Elliott - haver of great name first and foremost, but also founder of NEOM Wellbeing - who discusses the inspiration behind her brand that originated from her own experience with burnout. Nicola shares her journey from working in journalism to becoming an entrepreneur, the deep intent behind the look and feel of the NEOM brand, plus we dive into th...

In this inspiration-packed episode of Women's Business Lauren Paver shares her remarkable journey from being a struggling single mum to completing a multi-million-pound management buyout of her company in the security industry. Lauren talks about her work ethic, her original stint as a holiday rep, and how she broke into the male-dominated field of security sales. She offers real, powerful insight...

In this episode Ruby Rout tells me her inspiring story behind founding the UK's first fully leakproof reusable period-wear brand, WUKA. Ruby shares her incredible journey from growing up in period poverty in Nepal to moving to London with minimal resources, and ultimately establishing WUKA after an initial (small!) cash injection, and bootstrapping to the point of running a multi-million pound bus...

In this episode I interview the remarkable Leanna Barrett, founder of Liberty Woodland School, the UK's first fully outdoor school. Leanna shares her inspiring story, from being the first in her family to attend university, to pioneering the forest school movement in the UK, fighting against dissenting voices time and time again to pursue her mission to create a better educational environment for...

Even when the plan is just to match your previous salary - amazing things can happen! In this episode I speak to Carrie Brice, the founder of Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery, about her journey from being a buyer for high street retailers to establishing her own demi-fine jewellery brand. Carrie shares her experiences growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, the influence of her parents' work ethic, and...

Welcome back! And we're back with a brilliant episode covering so much of motherhood and womanhood with the wonderful actor-turned-coach, podcaster, and co-founder of the feminist mental health platform Women Are Mad, Salima Saxton. In this episode we explore Salima's journey from acting to coaching, the complex dynamics of her multi-heritage background, and how motherhood profoundly shaped her pr...

In this final episode before the break I talk to Emma Barnett - journalist, broadcaster and friend - as she takes me through her life and career journey. Known for her work on Woman's Hour, Newsnight, and now the Radio 4's Today Programme, Emma takes me back to her first roles, discusses the moment she felt she'd broken through, the rejection she's faced along the way and the entrepreneurial spiri...

In this episode, Naomi Raybould - founder and creative director of clothing brand Beyond Nine - shares her journey from facing thyroid cancer to overcoming personal tragedy and navigating a successful career pivot to create a million-pound clothing brand designed to empower women at all stages of life. Naomi and I discuss how switching roles at home has impacted her and her family, plus we dive in...

In spite of being a shining light of a human being, Tamu was not immune to burnout, and it features in her story like it does in so many - but in Tamu's case she knew there was more for her and used it as an opportunity to do a lot of self-work, and start again, and the insight she has gained - and now shares - as a result, is truly transformative.  In this episode Tamu breaks down toxic productiv...

In this episode Sophie Harris AKA Looking After Mum shares her journey from her early days in the mental health sector, and dealing with childhood experiences, to building a thriving private practice during the pandemic - throwing an unplanned pregnancy in the mix too.   The conversation delves into the struggles of motherhood, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and Sophie's incredi...

If you're a radio fan you may know Janey Lee Grace's name, and you'll definitely know her voice, and in this episode Janey takes me on her fascinating journey, from aspiring pop star to a renowned radio personality. Discussing her time as a backing singer for Wham!, her brief pop fame with St. Etienne, and her transition into radio we also talk Janey's passion for natural health, her journey to so...

Jennifer Cox is a psychotherapist, author, and co-host of the 'Women Are Mad' podcast and in this episode she takes me on her journey from a challenging childhood as a bright girl, with a severely autistic sister, that put her on the path to doing her current work in women's mental health. Jennifer shares insights into the hidden rage women feel, its impact on our health, and how societal systems...

In this episode I speak to self-confessed 'massive email weirdo' Katie Skelton, a successful email marketing strategist who has turned her business around in the past year or so, from being lost and unsure what her 'thing' was, to building a six-figure business.   Katie recounts her inspiring journey and talks about the power of having your back against the wall - when she was running out of ideas...