Claim OwnershipConversations of Inspiration
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Conversations of Inspiration brings you life changing wisdom along with heartbreaking stories of resilience, tenacity and triumph. Since launching two small business marketplaces (Holly & Co and notonthehighstreet), Holly Tucker MBE has spoken with more than 175 founders, creatives and entrepreneurs on this podcast who have been vulnerable enough to share what it really took to get them where they are today, with warmth and wisdom. Prepare to be inspired.
262 Episodes
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This week Holly speaks with singer, TV presenter, and female founder Rochelle Humes.
A woman of many talents, Rochelle Humes’ journey into the public eye started when she joined the British pop band, S Club Juniors, aged just 12, and would set her on the path towards creating a life she loves.
This episode follows Rochelle’s journey, from the early days of her pop career to navigating the juggle of a busy, successful career whilst being a mother of three and launching her own company following her passion. In this in-depth and revealing conversation, Rochelle shares her realisation of the power of her own voice and how she has navigated taking charge of her destiny to build a life she loves.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
In this episode, Holly talks with Charlie Bigham, founder of Charlie Bigham’s ready meals.
A brand name synonymous with ‘home cooking’, this episode goes behind the brand name to meet the founder himself.
Charlie’s story is a fascinating one, after taking an industry by storm, he used his commitment and vision to not only challenge the status quo of ready meals but to build a business that acts as a true force for good in the world.
Shunning the ‘way things were always done’ and instead setting the standard for how things ‘should be done’, Charlie is a testament to going against the grain and truly loving what you do.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
1A lifelong obsession was ignited when Neal Whittington was given a £7 WHSmith voucher as a child.
Neal has since gone on to carve his own niche in stationery with his brand ‘Present and Correct’ and amassed legions of fans with his beautifully curated collections, mixing vintage with new, tapping into our nostalgia and our own ‘human-ness’ to connect beyond technology and screens.
In this episode, Neal shares his journey to leaving behind his day job as a designer and embarking upon a new path to turn his passion for pens, pencils, and paperclips into a thriving business.
Holly and Neal discuss the allure of a physical product at a time when our lives are dominated by technology, what it really means to have a ‘good life’ business, and how being niche might just be your superpower.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
With a mantra that it is the energy you put in, that will see you succeed, artist Lucy Sparrow is the epitome of being utterly passionate (obsessed even) with the product you are creating.
Crafting felt creations to make you smile, her instantly recognisable pieces blend the world of colourful, tactile creations with a hard-hitting social commentary that tackles the world of gun crime, the sex industry, and the demise of our traditional high streets.
There is no doubt that Lucy’s art is shaking up the sewing scene and her commitment and passion means entering each of her installations is like a trip to the theatre, an experience that feeds all the senses and is completely intoxicating.
Driven by her strong desire to create events and pieces of art that people will remember forever, this is a wonderful tale of how hard work and belief can create real magic.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Anya Hindmarch has forever been one of Holly’s biggest inspirations. Not only as a fashion accessories icon with her incredible artistry and creativity, but also because she really has set the bar in terms of holistic branding and true immersive experience. So, for Holly, this Conversation of Inspiration is a real moment in time.
Join this captivating conversation for a glimpse into the world through Anya’s eyes - both of the world as we know it today, and of a future filled with high streets built on fun and creativity working in harmony alongside our grandparents’ mantras of ‘make do & mend’ and ‘buy less, buy better’.
Driven by her passion and concern for the climate crisis, Anya is determined to use fashion as a platform for raising awareness, making people think twice and ultimately as a force for doing good.
Spoken with complete wisdom, Anya recounts what it takes to build not just a business, but a compelling and all-encompassing brand in order to make the ordinary extraordinary.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This week marks the last of our Small Business Stories podcast specials, where we have been celebrating our wonderful small business community as part of our summer Campaign Shop Independent.
This week Holly chats to Liv and Dais, founders of A South London Makers Market; who, still within their first year of trading, have just completed their first pop-up store in Selfridges - something they could only have dreamed of 12 months ago. A true testament to believing and trusting in yourself, shooting for the stars and knowing that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
Nat and Dan of Fred & Noah talk openly about the trials of the past year, how they have transitioned from surviving to thriving by driving sales. Owning their customer experience and being the face of their business to give that personal touch whilst also remaining unique to themselves and their ideas.
Both businesses, having been born from times of transition, found opportunity through creativity and understanding customers and adapting to their needs. These two incredible businesses are shining examples of what you can achieve when you have a community behind you, even in the face of adversity. True celebrations of the power of small.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This week’s episode of Small Business Stories: Campaign Shop Independent Special, sees Holly chat to small business founders Steffi from The Chocolate Smiths and Kojo from My Runway Group, both of whom have built businesses from their hearts in order to give to other people.
Not only does this episode highlight the need for a small business to prepare for the unknown, it also spotlights the fine balance between commerciality and fairness; something that can be a constant battle whilst building a business doing what you love.
A real showcase of two thriving brands, Holly’s chat with Steffi & Kojo is a true testament to how we can successfully use creativity to bring people together, create community and ultimately provide a bigger social impact, whilst celebrating diversity and culture in an organic way to build a better future for next generations.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Our two founders on this week's Small Business Stories: Campaign Shop Independent Special, focus on how ‘niche’ can become a thriving and growing brand.
In this episode, both Nikki, founder of Nikki McWilliams and Lungi Mhlanga, The Treats Club founder share their own journeys to building businesses following their passion, their lessons and ethos of empowering other female founders.
Both Nikki and Lungi are testament to staying true to your core, and a timely reminder, that if as a founder you love your product, there will be hundreds of thousands of customers out there who will too!
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
In this first Campaign Shop Independent podcast special, Holly meets two phenomenal female founders - Chupi Sweetman, founder of jewellery brand Chupi and Laura Wellington, serial entrepreneur and founder of In Good Company, co-founder of Duke Studios and Sheaf Street.
Two founders with huge ambition, passion and a vision to make a huge impact, but with their respective localities - Dublin and Leeds - at the very centre of their brands' identity.
A real insight into the mindset of thriving small businesses, Chupi and Laura share their experiences of growth, collaborations and what supporting small businesses really means to them.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This conversation is an absolute ode to doing what you love.
Florence and James Kennedy, founders of Petalon are icons of sheer graft, determination, passion and love.
Their business is everything to them, Petalon is not only a labour of love but a glimpse into their soul. As consumers, they wanted more affordable, more beautiful flowers than was currently available and so they set out on an incredible journey together to find a solution. Secure in the knowledge that they would always be each other's biggest cheerleaders, they embarked on a life-changing adventure.
If you are trying to start a business doing what you love, then this is the perfect example of what those early years could look and feel like for you!
A journey of love, strength and learning, this conversation bears witness to the importance of remaining true to your values and always having the courage to try.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This conversation is an absolute ode to doing what you love.
Florence and James Kennedy, founders of Petalon are icons of sheer graft, determination, passion and love.
Their business is everything to them, Petalon is not only a labour of love but a glimpse into their soul. As consumers, they wanted more affordable, more beautiful flowers than was currently available and so they set out on an incredible journey together to find a solution. Secure in the knowledge that they would always be each other's biggest cheerleaders, they embarked on a life-changing adventure.
If you are trying to start a business doing what you love, then this is the perfect example of what those early years could look and feel like for you.
A journey of love, strength and learning, this conversation bears witness to the importance of remaining true to your values and always having the courage to try.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is the epitome of female strength.
Not only physically, but mentally resilient; determined, grounded and focused - purely driven by her passion for sport and her competitive nature. A true representation of what you can achieve when you have the confidence to know that you are in the right place at the right time.
Jessica shares with Holly her lifelong dedication to sport, the sacrifices she chose to make when she was younger and her belief that preparation and commitment are the keys to success and give you the focus to keep driving towards your dreams.
The poster girl of the London 2012 Olympics, Jessica also recounts the moment she won that gold medal and made a whole nation proud.
This is a conversation that will inspire, motivate and ignite your passions and will leave you believing anything is possible.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This week’s episode of Conversations of Inspiration sees Holly speak with psychotherapist, speaker and author, Anna Mathur.
Anna is a strong believer that needing help and support isn’t failure; it’s a prerequisite of being human.
It’s easy to feel like a failure. It’s easy to feel guilty for not giving enough of yourself to your work, to your family, to your friends, and it's easy to feel alone with these thoughts. Anna has an amazing way of normalising these emotions, encouraging us to accept our humanness and giving us the gift of being able to find compassion for ourselves.
A total breath of fresh air, Anna has a really honest and open view of her own life which allows you to look at yours through a different lens, lower the bar for yourself and accept that you are enough.
If you are in need of a warm hug, grab yourself a cup of tea, curl up, and listen to this conversation. It has the power to change your life.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Natalie Campbell, CEO of Belu Water is the very embodiment of female empowerment.
After deciding at 15 that her life's mission was to be a CEO (thanks to Puff Daddy), she embarked on her journey with such drive and determination that she started her own business at the age of 19.
With a personal ethos around finding your ‘why’ and a philosophy that if it feels ‘too much’ then take a step back and breathe. In order to be her best self, Natalie has lived her life with agency - for herself and on her own terms.
She openly discusses her 6 figure salary and tells Holly that the only way we will be able to close the gender pay gap is by empowering women to talk openly about their salaries and to be confident in the value they bring.
She embodies the entrepreneurial mindset and runs at walls, knowing that she will do whatever it takes to get around them, through them, over them or under them - with whatever it takes.
With a personal mission to create a world where people can feel good, do good and live better, Natalie’s career is defined by her ability to change the unchangeable and to see possibility always.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
This week Holly speaks to James Daunt, founder of Daunt Books and CEO of Waterstones.
James is a passionate champion of independent high streets, so much so, that his reason for joining Waterstones as CEO was to turn the ship at the brink of failure in order to prevent what would have been a devastating loss to British independent book selling.
James’ view is that our high streets were in decline long before the pandemic struck. He is a firm believer that in order to regenerate, it is essential to have an entrepreneurial mindset to bring much needed flair to retail; creating truly immersive experiences that breathe fresh life into what has been before.
Join the conversation to find out how James came to found Daunt Books. Learn what ignited his simple, ingenious idea that reinvented a whole industry - and how you can be inspired to challenge the status quo, observe the masses and do the opposite, to bring entrepreneurial thinking into any aspect of life.
Hailed as the savior of bookstores, this conversation is filled with James’ vision, passion and future thinking as a golden thread throughout.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
In this week’s episode of Conversations of Inspiration Holly talks to designer and founder Jenny Packham. Raw, open and searingly honest, this interview will leave you in no doubt of the burning energy and powerful impact that living creatively can have on the world.
Jenny Packham is one of the UK’s most successful fashion brands, her designs have graced red carpets and been worn by the most influential and iconic women of our time and redefined bridalwear.
As a child, an early love of sewing and textiles was instilled by her grandmothers, igniting a lifelong passion. After graduating from fashion school in the late 80s Jenny went about building a luxury brand that has endured for more than 30 years.
Holly and Jenny discuss the rocky early days of creating a business, how vital it is to let creativity channel through you and how it’s impossible to make a science of it.
This episode covers the importance of being obsessed with the detail, the significance of building a brand that connects on an emotional level and the impact that the global pandemic has had on the bridal industry.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Finding personal fulfilment through creativity and regenerating after times of darkness define this week’s conversation with Anna Lewis, founder of creative small business, Sketchy Muma.
Anna has the unique ability to draw beautiful, honest and heartfelt illustrations that depict experiences and feelings that somehow seem to capture moments in time that resonate with so many.
Holly and Anna talk about building a brand by harnessing the power of raw emotion through personal experience and being brave enough to share it with the world.
Anna’s journey shines a light on the simple human struggles of everyday life and how, during her own darker days, specific moments of clarity gave her the power to regenerate herself. Driven by her strong desire to give the gift of ‘now’ to her daughter in the future, Anna restored her lust for life and found her purpose through illustration.
A beautiful tale of how your passions and dreams will always shine through if you let them.
Trigger warning: discussion around miscarriage and cancer.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
Self belief, taking risks and a lust for finding the path less travelled defines this week’s Conversation of Inspiration with Ben Fogle. With a successful TV career, a passion for the environment and more than 20 years of monumental global challenges, Ben’s life has been one of highs and lows, but the golden thread throughout has been his continued strive towards pushing outside of his comfort zone.
Ben speaks of how all his experiences have shaped him as a person, and how his aspirations to take on some of man's greatest feats and his unwavering passion for the wilderness, led him to living a life of colour and adventure.
It’s a conversation that embodies Ben’s desire to live a rich and full life and one that explores the relationship between resilience, self-belief and achievement.
Trigger warning: discussion around the tragedy of stillbirth from 39min27sec to 42min17sec.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
How do you turn a passion for herbs into one of the most pioneering and sustainable companies of our time? That’s the question Holly poses to Sebastain Pole, co-founder of Pukka Herbs on this week's episode.
After years of studying to become a Master Herbsmith, Sebastian spied an advert in a local magazine, placed by Tim Westwell, looking for creative business ideas related to herbalism. As the only person to respond, the seeds were sown and they embarked upon creating a mission led business, with truly ethical roots.
It is a conversation that speaks volumes about staying true to your values, never wavering from your vision and the power of building a business that balances purpose with profit.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
With a strong mission to share her passion for the power of botanicals, Liz Earle MBE has revolutionised the wellbeing sector and forever changed the connection between beauty and health.
Liz shares her story from her early career spent writing for beauty magazines, researching every available product to co-founding her iconic skincare line. Harnessing her belief that beauty comes from the inside out, Liz set about changing the face of beauty forever.
This episode follows Liz’s journey, from the early days of turning her vision into a reality, to always trusting your gut and to founding a new business in her 50’s.
#AD Conversations of Inspiration is brought to you with support from Dell Technologies.
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.
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so so good.
Loved listening to this and all the wonderful advice.
loves listening to this ❤️
loved this. wow
Without doubt, far and away the best of the amazing Conversations of Inspiration. If you only listen to one. Make sure it is this one!!!
wow
incredibly inspiring! I think this may be my new favourite podcast!
wow Chrissie's letter to her 15yr old self made me very emotional. I'm a small business owner & I loved listening to her story. Thank-you 💙🙏💙
"The letter" was indeed the best part of this podcast.
I completely love this podcast. Thank you Holly for bringing so many inspiring people to my attention. 😍
This is wonderful. Definitely inspiring. 😍
Truely inspirational
very inspiring I now want to start my own company