In just 15 minutes, hear Fearne and Holly’s experiences of the highs and lows of parenting, and how they both manage the family juggle throughout the most hectic of times, and in very different ways… In busy periods like the summer holidays, it’s so easy to find that making time for yourself has once again fallen to the bottom of your ‘to do’ list isn’t it?  Since becoming a parent herself, Holly has always had a business baby to care for as well as her son Harry – and so, this week, Holly is here to share the techniques she has mastered over the years that help her to manage her responsibilities, her quality time with family and friends, her business and also her mental health. Holly also explains why parenting is not always a pretty picture, no matter what your Instagram feed shows you, and we think it might just make you smile.  Holly’s lightbulb moment comes from her conversation with her dear friend Fearne Cotton, who readily admits that being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world, but equally, that is a gift like no other. Listen now to hear how Fearne manages the spectacular juggle that is parenthood, in a very different way to Holly. You can listen to Fearne Cotton’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Every single one of Holly’s guests this series has been inspirational, passionate and holds the treasure that is their own unique story. But what Holly also recognised, is that they have each faced loss, devastation and pain in some way – and yet have somehow managed to rise from the ashes of the truly bleakest of times.  In this episode, Holly reflects on some of the key moments from each of her guest’s stories – some profound, some tear-jerking and some downright funny – and all of them shed light on the mindset, determination and strength it takes to follow and achieve your dreams. It's a stark reminder that everything is achievable, and quite possibly closer than you think. So whatever you might be going through, join Holly in celebrating these life changing journeys, and people who have each wrestled their vision into reality.  This includes humbling parts of conversations with Edith Eger, Holocaust Survivor, the Happiness Expert – Mo Gawdat, Charlotte Tilbury MBE, Josh Littlejohn MBE who is on a mission to end homelessness, Nike’s former CMO and author of Emotion By Design, Greg Hoffman, farming enthusiast and YEO Valley’s CEO Tim Mead, Mandy Watkins — founder of hush, and the incredible trailblazer and founder of The Queer Bible, Jack Guinness.  This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

After Holly's incredible conversation with Boden's founder Johnnie, Holly reflects on the highs and lows she has faced when it comes to trusting people in business — along with her top recruitment tips — all in less than 10 minutes! When you’re a business founder, hiring people is possibly one of the hardest arts to master isn’t it? They might look like the world’s best on their CV, but something might not sit quite right in your tummy – and that’s fine, but understanding the importance of building the right team, really could make or break your business.  This week, Holly shares all when it comes to who you surround yourself with, and explains why it can quite literally be life changing. Having experienced dishonesty in the workplace that almost left her with nothing, Holly opens up about her own story and the mottos she's learnt along the way, to help with building a reliable support network.  Holly’s lightbulb moment comes from when Johnnie reveals the unimaginable turmoil he experienced himself when a member of his team carried out the ultimate betrayal. Since then, Johnnie holds trust as the very top quality he looks for in his employees – and here he explains why.  You can listen to Johnnie Boden’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Among the millions of other businesses on our planet, what makes one brand a cut above the rest? Is it the size of the business or the amount of money they have? No. In the words of Author and Nike’s former Chief Marketing Officer, Greg Hoffman, it’s that brand's ability to, “Go way beyond simple observations and assumptions”. And with a brand that connects as deeply as Nike has with millions of customers around the world, this is a rare opportunity to learn from the very best.  In just one conversation, you’ll hear all the creative genius Greg knows about building a successful brand, and the three key documents he insists are crucial for a business to have when starting. You'll also hear someone with a phenomenal entrepreneurial spirit and the kind of awe-inspiring understanding of what makes human beings tick.  For over two decades, Greg was at the beating heart of every strategic and creative decision at Nike. He was instrumental in transforming it from being a shoe company to a brand that resonates on a truly global scale. As a young boy, Greg was the victim of racism, and threw himself into art and sports to escape from reality. Little did he know that these two passions would allow him to evolve from Nike’s intern, to leading some of the most powerful marketing campaigns in history.  Holly talks to Greg about your responsibility as a founder to protect your brand story, and how powerful brands need to understand the importance and craft of storytelling. He also shares how to drive growth while connecting with your customer. This isn't just remarkable insight for founders to listen to, but for anyone who is creative or enjoys popular culture. You will gain a deeper understanding of the true power of brand when used well, and how it can not just engage us emotionally, but also change our behaviour and inspire us to join movements that evolve our whole society.  So are you ready to learn something fascinating? In the words of Nike's iconic strap line: Just do it.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with David Hieatt, founder of Howies, The Do Lectures and Hiut Denim. This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

In just 12 minutes, listen to how you can plan for your brightest future by re-evaluating what success means to you.  Have you ever sat down and thought about what you consider ‘being successful’? Not just based on what we’re taught it means, to make more money or buy a bigger house – but have you been honest with yourself about what makes your heart full after a hard day’s work?  This week, Holly bares all when it comes to recognising what success means to each of us individually. For a long time, Holly was running after the success she thought she should want, until she realised that no materialistic thing could give her the sense of purpose that she wanted. Now, Holly feels success every day, and she’s here to tell us why.  Taken from Holly’s exclusive interview with the infamous Dame Mary Perkins DBE, co-founder of Specsavers, Mary shares in this short episode, the very best pieces of advice that she has learnt through building her globally recognised brand. Recalling her own experiences, Mary reveals her secret remedy for success – and you'll discover it's the opposite to what you've been told all these years... So ask yourself, how will you know when you’ve achieved the success you want? You can listen to Dame Mary Perkins’ full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

In honour of the formidable Dame Deborah James, we are re-releasing this very special podcast episode. Having avidly followed the highs and lows of Deborah’s journey, Holly was honoured to have had the pleasure of speaking with her in 2020, and it’s a memory she will always treasure in her heart.  In this episode, Deborah James, also known as Bowelbabe, joins Holly to talk about the rebellious spirit that would define her journey, from gymnast to Deputy Headteacher, journalist to campaigner — and then coping with the news that so many of us fear. It's quite remarkable now to hear the original plans she made then, which led to her raising millions of pounds for cancer research through her Bowelbabe fund.  Deborah has left such a phenomenal mark on the world and her legacy will shine bright forever more. If there are any words to live by, it’s Deborah’s motto that we should all have no regrets, believe that we can do things we never thought possible, and most importantly — to always, always have rebellious hope. 

What makes a brand like Hush Homewear stand out from the thousands of fashion and e-commerce businesses out there? Yes it's the quality and style of the clothes, but it's also another key element that makes them truly one-of-a-kind — and that's the brand. If you want to know the secret to building an identity that makes thousands of customers return again and again, and remain loyal to you for life, hear Mandy Watkins' hard won wisdom on the subject... Mandy started her laid back clothing and lifestyle brand from the kitchen table back in 2003 with a redundancy cheque, a huge dose of ambition and a desire for warmer clothes. Growing up in Australia, Mandy spotted a gap in the market after moving to the UK where she struggled to find relaxed, stylish and cosy clothing suited to living in our changeable climate.  After years of perseverance, determination and orders ever so slowly trickling through, Hush started to become a recognised and successful brand. However Mandy opens up about how her business' success was by no means easy, and explains the different routes to market she took in order to achieve the sales she so desperately wanted.  Now, after having such a strong identity in the clothing industry, Mandy explains how she has not only built and maintained her brand, but also why as a small business you have the power to make sure the brand heart of your business is beating louder than ever, which as Mandy shares, is a game changing advantage if used effectively.  Holly and Mandy share a passionate belief in sustainability, responsible consumer shopping and the positive effect that a work ethic can have on achieving your dreams. It is apparent that Mandy is, and always has been her true authentic self, and might that have had an effect on her business? You’ll have to listen to find out… If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Liz Earle, founder of Liz Earle.  This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

There’s a saying that if you make a living doing what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life – and this week Holly highlights how this is not only true, but genuinely possible for everyone.  Taken from her conversation with Henry Dimbleby MBE, co-founder of fast food chain LEON, Holly reflects on Henry’s obsession with fast food and how acknowledging this was his key to success.  Sharing the early signs that she remembers of finding her own diamond, Holly recalls how she recognised and used her love of shopping with small businesses to build the good life she’d always wanted. Holly also draws on how often our experiences working in jobs that just aren’t for us, can often lead us to finding our calling, and ultimately how there are hidden opportunities in the greyer patches of our lives.  Henry’s success story is truly inspirational, and is one that exhibits how following your passion, no matter what it is, is enough to build a business – Henry’s was an ever growing love for fast food… so what is yours? You can listen to Henry Dimbleby’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

With 2022 seeing the 50th anniversary since the first Pride took place in the UK, there couldn’t be a better time to celebrate the incredible trailblazer that is writer, model, presenter, and founder of The Queer Bible, Jack Guinness.  Fighting for change, acceptance, and kindness within our society, Jack’s conversation offers crucial education about the LGBTQ+ community, and is one that should be heard by all.  A self-confessed ‘queer missionary’, Jack’s journey has been one full of challenges, strength, and development. Growing up the son of a vicar with a very religious upbringing, Jack struggled internally with who he was taught he should be as a member of the church, and who he truly was as a queer man. In his younger years, views towards the LGBTQ+ community were still very blurred, and Jack struggled to find a safe space where he truly belonged. Yet little did he know that it was this turmoil that would ignite a fire to help so many others as he does today.  Jack also opens up about the countless rejections and homophobia he faced in the fashion industry, and speaks to Holly about the language that we should be using in our society today when talking about members of the LGBTQ+ community, and that so many of us worry about getting wrong.  Now, as his happiest self, Jack is the founder of The Queer Bible — a groundbreaking platform that celebrates the lives and works of the global queer community. He is on a mission to learn from others, share his knowledge with the next generation and to let all LGBTQ+ people realise that they deserve to not only survive, but thrive too. An enlightening and important conversation, celebrating Jack’s determination and courage to ensure our future is a more diverse and inclusive place for us all. As well as a testament to the power of finding your true self, and helping others to do the same.  And just remember in Jack’s very own words, “In a world that tells you you’re nothing, you’re everything.”

For women, the world ends at 40 and your dreams drift off into the abyss.  You’ll be pleased to know that the above sentence is NOT by any means true, and instead is an idea, embedded within society with no proof, sense or logic behind it – and Holly is here to break this notion.  This week, Holly recalls her conversation with Skincare Expert, Author and YouTuber Caroline Hirons, who is a living example of why it’s never too late to follow your passion and start your own business, on your own terms.  Holly examines the very reasons why age is but a number, and why women are actually at an advantage when founding a business in their later years. She also explains the freedom that being a founder gives you, and talks of her own experience of setting up Holly & Co, and why she’s even happier doing it the second time round, in a way that feels truer to her.  Taken from Caroline’s Conversation of Inspiration – she explains why following her dreams has allowed her to achieve success. We often automatically think that ‘success’ means financial freedom, but Caroline shares exactly what it actually represents to her… As one of 10 very special episodes, Holly is also joined by Karishma Gupta, founder of Satatland and member of Dell’s Women's Entrepreneur Network, who has shared her very own Lightbulb Moment, too.  You can listen to Caroline Hirons' full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

A leading expert in the farming industry, Tim Mead CEO of Yeo Valley, delves into a number of crucial topics around responsible farming, environmental consciousness and reveals how farmers can help to reverse the carbon crisis. This is an unmissable conversation that won’t only help our generation, but many to come.  Tim’s family have been farming in Somerset for over 500 years and are known across the country for stocking our shelves with delicious organic milk, cheese and yogurts. However what we didn’t know is just how much hard work and grafting has gone into the Yeo Valley brand over the years.  Tim grew up in the family business, but a tragic accident left Tim holding the reins aged just 26. Since then, he has been on a quest to not only continue his father’s legacy, but to follow his true north star which is encouraging, educating on and producing food that is made in a healthy, natural way.  Having witnessed the introduction of industrial manufacturing, Tim shares that 55% of what we eat is classified as ultra processed food – and offers unmissable advice on how we can start to change that statistic to not only help ourselves, but our young and the environment.  Contemplating the introduction of alternative milks, the importance of community and the marketing genius that changed the Yeo Valley brand forever, Tim’s story is one of hard work and determination that binds both legacy and heritage with adaptability and future proofing.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford. This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

Is it selfish to feel drained by other people's energy? No, and you really need to listen to this episode to hear why… It’s remarkable how as humans, we’re so affected by the energy of others around us isn’t it? Just one person in our presence has the ability to build us up as tall as the Eiffel Tower, or bring us lower than we’ve ever been.  This week, Holly explores why founders and dreamers have a vulnerability that must be protected, and offers advice that has taken her a long time to understand when it comes to surrounding yourself with happy, selfless people in order to prioritise the most important person in your life — yourself.  Holly opens up about her own experiences of negativity, and shares her thoughts on why it’s okay to make that decision that those ‘drainers’ might just not be the right company for you and your dreams anymore.  Holly’s Lightbulb Moment was sparked when she met with Sir Tim Smit KBE, and he so eloquently read his letter to his younger self. Full of life-changing tips and hard hitting realisations, Tim shares his recipe for how to live a life where you will feel no regrets when looking back as your older self.   Both Holly and Tim explain the magnificent effect that surrounding yourself with the right (or wrong) types of people, can have on so many other elements of your life — this is not one to be missed. You can listen to Sir Tim Smit’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

A story of strength and courage, this remarkable account is full of thought-provoking advice that will quite literally change your life. This conversation is truly going to make you reevaluate not only the way you live, but how you react, think, feel gratitude and express yourself, too.  “If I survive today, tomorrow I will be free.” These are the words of 16-year-old Edith Eger whilst imprisoned in the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz, in World War Two. Now one of the last Holocaust survivors on the planet, Edith shares her fascinating take on why, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference,” and also so inspirationally explains how she learnt to turn hate into pity throughout her time at Auschwitz.  After suffering unimaginable horrors including the loss of her parents, imprisonment and torture, Edith realised that freedom, when it came, was much more than being outside the gates of the heinous death camp and was actually a battle within her own mind. After a decade of suffering from crippling survivor's guilt, Edith trained as a psychologist, reclaiming her own power and enabling her to work with patients to help them choose to free themselves from their own thoughts to ultimately liberate them.  Edith shares with Holly her first-hand account of her time living through the Holocaust, a story that is almost unbearably hard to hear and yet one in which Edith’s enduring spirit, wisdom and love shine brightly through the darkness. This is a must-hear episode, as Edith is one of our last living survivors able to share her perception of such a terrible times in history. Edith teaches us the most valuable of life lessons and in her very own words – “What happens to us in life is not the most important thing. Rather the most important thing is what we do with our lives.” If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Mo Gawdat.  This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

It’s been proven that women are far less likely to take risks and follow their dreams than men. As frustrating as that is to hear in our modern society, Holly uses this week’s lightbulb moment, taken from her phenomenal conversation with Julie Deane CBE, to explore the many reasons why we should.  Using her experience, Holly ponders that very small but oh-so-powerful word – FEAR – and how it restricts women from taking that leap of faith. The fear of failure, of taking financial risks, of negatively affecting your children by starting a business.  However, here Holly explains the many ways you can positively change your life by following your passion, and how as women, we typically play the role of CEO in our everyday lives already – in our households! Holly also opens up about what she believes to be the magic key to drive us all through those moments of self-doubt — and she’s certain we won’t look back.  Julie’s Conversation of Inspiration really will leave you speechless as she explains why as a full-time mum she decided to change the direction of her life. Learning to code in just four days, and founding her now international business with just £600 – Julie reveals what has been her driving force since day one… You can listen to Julie Deane’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

How can we solve some of the biggest societal issues we face? In this episode, Josh Littlejohn MBE shares his vision and blueprint for making meaningful change in our world through entrepreneurship. Josh is founder of Social Bite as well as The World’s Big Sleepout, and has always worked hard to make a difference. He had a strong social conscience from a young age, and when a young homeless man came into Josh’s very first Social Bite cafe asking for a job, it sparked an unexpected decade of charitable work and campaigning for the homeless. Social Bite is a business with purpose, and a mission to end homelessness, whilst advocating for those less fortunate in our society. He has attracted royalty and celebrities from overseas, is the inventor of mass sleepovers across the globe, and has built an entire village — and raised millions of pounds for — those experiencing homelessness. As Josh shares, it hasn’t always been easy and in many instances in its early days, Social Bite was on the cusp of going under. However, through manifestation, an incredible team, a hint of luck and with a lot of hard work, Josh has achieved remarkable change — and has even bigger plans for the future.  Holly’s conversation with Josh shines a light on the power of the people and what is truly possible when you possess that entrepreneurial ‘insanity’ which Josh so eloquently describes. It is a must-listen for anyone out there looking to support positive progress.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Natalie Campbell, CEO of Belu Water.  This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

Dare to dream it, dare to believe it and dare to do it! That’s the motto of Charlotte Tilbury MBE — the makeup guru with the Midas touch, a woman trailblazing a makeup revolution and empowering women through the transformative power it brings. As a British female entrepreneur and one of the most influential makeup artists of her generation, Charlotte Tilbury has distinguished herself as being a true creative visionary who has completely disrupted the beauty industry. And although ‘empowerment’ isn’t usually a word associated with it, Charlotte explains how her frustration with this market as a young woman, along with her unique understanding of what women want, has helped her to build a global brand that champions the face of beauty in a different way.  Charlotte reveals what has always fuelled her determination to pursue her passion, and how practising manifestation, living in the future and giving people the opportunity to feel their most confident self, has allowed her to surpass her greatest dreams.  As Charlotte says, “You have to believe the dream”, and this endless belief in her ideas, self and future are only a few reasons for her inspirational success.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown and Jones Road Beauty.  This Conversation of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

How do you know who you truly are? It’s one of life's hardest questions isn’t it, and is a quest that can often only be solved with time and perseverance as we explore life’s path.  This week’s lightbulb moment was sparked by Holly’s live interview with Levi Roots. Renowned for founding Reggae Reggae Sauce, Levi shares his experience of growing up, not truly knowing who he was or what his purpose might be – and reveals how changing his name, changed the direction of his life.  Their conversation really triggered a lightbulb moment for Holly as she began to reflect on who she became throughout her business journey founding notonthehighstreet, and how by focusing on everything other than you, can often mean that you lose your authentic self along the way.  Holly shares the hurdles and flaws she has had to overcome, in order to really understand who she is and explains why it’s so important to not only know, but also love yourself – especially when you are such a key part of your brand. It certainly hasn’t been an easy ride for Holly or Levi, but for anyone feeling a little lost with their identity, this is a moment that we think might just help you on your path to finding happiness – which comes from knowing your true self.  As one of ten very special episodes, Holly is also joined by Tash Grossman, founder of Slip and member of Dell’s Women's Entrepreneur Network, who has shared her very own Lightbulb Moment, too.  You can listen to Levi Root’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas, and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Little did Guy and Jo Schanschieff know that a chance conversation at the Taj Mahal in 1991 would spark an idea that changed their lives forever. With Bambino Mio now being the largest reusable nappy brand in the world, Guy Schanschieff MBE shares with Holly the highs and lows of their epic adventure to do business for good.  Their mission to eliminate single use plastics from nappy production, before the rise of the internet and the conscious consumer, hasn’t always been easy. However with 90 billion nappies being thrown away every single year, and 1% of all plastic production being used to make single use nappies, we really do have to commend Guy and Jo for their sheer determination, belief in their product and ability to remain agile enough to enforce change.  Not only does Guy share key stats and figures that explain the importance of consumer choices on the environment, but he also depicts some life changing advice that he learnt when overcoming some of Bambino Mio’s incredible challenges as the business has evolved. Today, over 20 years later, after a wedding, three children, over 100 awards and selling in over 50 countries worldwide, Bambino Mio is a brand that we must all support, along with the incredible founders behind it. This is a conversation that encourages taking risks, having confidence and remaining committed to your vision. It’s a ‘must listen’ to take a step towards a better future.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Paul Lindley, founder of Ella’s Kitchen.   This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

Crushed? Overwhelmed? Scared? The more hardship you go through, the more resilient you become — but also, the more you are able to be open about what you are feeling, the more likely you are to connect with others — and that is what great brands are built on.  It’s what founder of Bliss Spas, Fitflop and now Beauty Pie, Marcia Kilgore has come to believe too, so perhaps it’s little surprise she’s built so many incredible businesses.  Reading a letter to her younger self, Marcia speaks in great depth about emotion when recalling her life so far, and this struck a real chord with Holly.  Having been ridiculed in the past for being an ‘emotional’ person, Holly shares her learnings throughout her career about using emotion to achieve success. After all, why does being emotional have negative connotations? Is being an emotional being, not the greatest gift of all? Especially when marketing to women. Making connections doesn’t come through being aloof, functional or formal. It’s about being brave enough to bring your full self to work and sharing this with others.  This truly is a lightbulb moment not to be missed, as Holly reveals why having the ability to feel, act and channel our emotions just might be the key to not only understanding yourself, but also your business and most importantly — your customers.  You can listen to Marcia Kilgore’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Mo Gawdat had it all. An illustrious 30 year career in tech, serving as the Chief Business Officer of Google X, all the money he needed and more, and was happily married with two children. However despite his many riches, he never felt completely satisfied. Fascinated by his lack of fulfilment and with his passion for technology, Mo began building an algorithm for happiness.  Then, after the sudden and devastating loss of his son Ali, Mo turned to his calculation for happiness to make it through the darkest period of his life, and soon swore to honour Ali’s death, by helping one billion people to become happier.  Now a best selling author and public speaker, Mo’s expertise on achieving happiness is captivating, as he shares his theory that we are all born with happiness as our ‘default state’, but it is the circumstances or choices we make whilst growing up that create unhappiness from within.  Mo also discusses his second area of expertise  —  the rise of Artificial Intelligence  —  and how by just 2029, the smartest being on planet earth won’t be a human. A topic that can often be difficult to comprehend, Mo explains what AI is, and most importantly why we must learn to coexist alongside it.  Discussing the art of practising gratitude, accepting grief and also revealing his secret formula of how to unlock a life that is 99% joyful, this truly is an unmissable episode, which Holly swears has already completely changed her life.  If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also enjoy Holly’s episode with Asma Khan, founder of The Darjeeling Express.  This Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode is brought to you with support from Adobe Express. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice. 

How do you lead a team to success, inspiring every single person and empowering them to deliver their work to the very best of their ability? In this episode, Will Butler Adams, CEO of Brompton Bikes shares not only his ethos to leadership, but exactly how to implement it — and it really gets Holly thinking.  Her approach to leadership has changed and developed immensely over her 20 year career. Is 28-year-old Holly who founded notonthehighstreet, the same Holly who now leads the small business movement in the UK today? Hardly.  Hear her thoughts on how, as small businesses grow from being a team of one or two, to what might one day be a workforce of many, it’s vital to evolve your leadership style as you go. Far from being a dark art or a skill someone is born with, Will believes the key to unlocking your leadership potential ultimately comes from the culture you are building within your business. Whether you have just one member or staff or 100, his tangible approach is inspiring and achievable for us all. No wonder Holly was so impressed.  You can listen to Will Butler Adam’s full episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletters on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

How do you build a brand that for the first time celebrates an entire genre with no money, no previous experience and just six weeks? What empowers you to pick up the phone and call Sir Tony Blair or Sir Richard Branson? Where on earth do you get the guts to remortgage your home to back your business? Listening to founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King CBE, Holly realises that passion and drive can count for more than all the experience in the world when it comes to building a successful brand.  In this Lightbulb Moment, Kanya shares her extraordinary self-belief and personal mantras that would see her shine against the odds, and Holly reflects on her own journey building notonthehighstreet. As a 28 year old, it was instinct and vision alone that would see her grow the marketplace into the household name it is today. Looking to start a business? These five minutes of insight could change your future. Hear Kanya King’s episode here.  Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? Subscribe to Holly’s weekly newsletter on our website, where she shares small business inspiration of all kinds, exclusive nuggets of wisdom from her and her guests, plus offers, creative ideas and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Living in a consumerist society, we are surrounded by so many businesses and brands, yet why do we so rarely feel emotionally connected to one? In this week’s clip, Holly shares why her conversation with David Hieatt, founder of Howies, The Do Lectures and Hiut Denim, sparked such a lightbulb moment for her when it comes to connecting with customers and how many brands fail at doing so.  Recalling her own brand journeys with notonthehighstreet and now Holly and Co, Holly shares why following your gut to connect with your customers is so crucial — something that she learned the hard way. Also in this exclusive moment, Holly shares her philosophy of why having a business fuelled by all the greatest emotions, is the key to building a lifelong brand.  You’d also think that large corporates would have the upper hand here wouldn’t you? But listen to find out why small businesses have a superpower that large companies just can’t match…  This is just a short snippet from an incredibly powerful conversation that Holly had with David Hieatt who found himself totally obsessed with brands, and the lifelong effect the smallest of emotional gestures could have on a customer. He has since built a life doing what he loves — and has founded three incredible businesses with emotion at their hearts.  Listen to David Hieatt’s episode here.  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.

Do you want to know how to make the impossible possible? Jacqueline Gold CBE, Chief Executive of Gold Group International, Ann Summers and Knickerbox, is a living, breathing example of an entrepreneur who achieved just that. In her early twenties, Jacqueline set off on her business adventure to revolutionise the way women view, feel and talk about sex, and since then, has disrupted the entire industry.  This week’s Lightbulb Moment is taken from Holly’s conversation with Jacqueline, where she shares how she unexpectedly coined the idea for her Ann Summers parties, and the barriers she had to overcome for her groundbreaking idea to be taken seriously by a business world of greying men.  Recalling how her career too began in a completely different way to what she had imagined, Holly explains her theory of why brands that understand their customer and what they fundamentally need, have the power to change the world even when nobody else can see it just yet.  This is a lesson from Holly in why you should trust the process, your gut and the universe, to achieve your dreams…  Listen to Jacqueline Gold’s episode here.  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.

A national treasure, pillar of kindness, and grafter through and through; in this week’s Lightbulb Moment, Holly reflects on this particular part of her inspiring conversation with Joe Wicks MBE, founder of The Body Coach.  Renowned for his rebranding of stemmed broccoli to ‘midget trees’ — Joe has revolutionised the health and fitness world, spreading his knowledge, enthusiasm and quirky language style across the world for more than a decade. In this clip, Joe demystifies the common misconception that his success came overnight, and instead reflects on the many lows he suffered, before even beginning his uphill trajectory. However what he also reveals, is how and why he kept on going.  With the utmost respect for Joe’s infectious drive and overwhelming ambition, Holly shares her own experiences of similar knock backs when building both of her businesses. However, now she has the scars to show for it, Holly recalls in hindsight, why hitting such troughs on the journey to achieving your dreams, is actually a blessing in disguise.  As Joe reminds us, nothing worth having comes easily — but you’ll have to listen to Holly’s Lightbulb Moment to find out why… Listen to Joe Wicks’ episode here.  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.

Established and respected, Asma Khan was climbing a highly impressive career ladder in law, until she chose to address the dark hole she’d been feeling inside — later diagnosed as unfulfillment.  There are so many reasons we find to not take risks, especially when it comes to our jobs aren’t there? Fears around judgement, money and uncertainty hold so many of us back from pursuing our dreams.  Now, founder of the Darjeeling Express and globally renowned chef, Asma explains how she recognised her passion, and reignited the fire in her belly. Spoken with such entrepreneurial wisdom, Asma’s words and actions of bravery, exemplify how you can change your path and follow your dreams no matter what your age or level.  Holly shares her own experiences with controlling the direction of her life, along with the pressures she too feels when it comes to achieving her business dreams. Holly’s advice is for anyone out there seeking the strength and determination needed to navigate their life compass. This really is one of Holly’s very favourite Lightbulb Moments, and if there’s ever a phrase she’ll urge you to remember it’s Asma’s words — ‘Your power is not your dress size, it’s whose life you’ve changed’’.  As one of ten very special episodes, Holly is also joined by Rachel Wilkins, founder of Dinky Artist and member of Dell’s Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN), who has shared her very own Lightbulb Moment, too. Find out more at dwen.com. Listen to Asma Khan’s episode here.  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.

Did you know that we will spend more time at work than anywhere else in our lifetimes? Now imagine spending all that time not laughing, enjoying the process, and just taking it all too seriously. It seems quite pointless if that’s the case doesn’t it? This week’s Lightbulb Moment is taken from Holly’s comical, yet thought provoking conversation with Richard Reed CBE, founder of Innocent Smoothies and Jam Jar Investments.   Whilst drawing on the brilliance of the Innocent brand, Holly shares how imperative it is for a brand to have a punchy personality, and also how easy it is for your business to lose its magic, when you as the founder forget how to have fun. Using his incredible humour and wit, Richard explains how he and his co-founders used their personalities to build their iconic brand, and the trouble that it got them into whilst doing it.  This is a much needed reminder that you can in fact be successful in business and still enjoy yourself along the way.  Listen to Richard Reed’s episode here.  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.

Warning: this clip discusses the topics of tragedy, war and loss.  When all else is out of our control, what is the one thing that cannot be taken from us? The overwhelming super power that is our human spirit.  Influenced by the devastating war that is currently unfolding before us, this week’s Lightbulb Moment is for anybody who needs a reason not to give up. Holly shares how we all have the ability to rewrite our own stories, and sometimes, even though it might be impossible to fathom in this moment, accepting our darkest times of suffering and grief can often be the key to lifelong freedom and strength.  In this clip taken from Holly’s thought provoking conversation with Henrietta Morrison, founder of the revolutionary dog and cat food brand, Lily’s Kitchen, Henrietta depicts her own experiences of tragedy as a refugee evacuated from Beirut, followed by the devastating loss of both parents by the age of twelve.  However, despite the many battles Henrietta has faced, she reflects on why and how she chose to be a survivor instead of a victim, and refused to let the past define her. Recognising that she wouldn’t be the fearless and capable woman she is today had she not suffered hardship in her younger life, Henrietta’s story is one of unrelenting determination.   As we try to understand the terror, destruction and displacement that has been forced upon so many helpless Ukrainian citizens, Holly hopes Henrietta's account offers some encouragement to people across the globe.  Henrietta Morrison’s episode here. 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.

Imagine if you could go back and fix what you perceived to be the greatest mistake of your life. Then think how incredible it would feel to find that perhaps it wasn’t a mistake at all.  When Holly talked to the one and only Jo Malone CBE on her Conversation of Inspiration podcast about the devastating error that changed her life — and what she did about it — it wasn’t so much a lightbulb moment that went off as a whole light show.  Despite Jo’s undeniable success, in this short clip, she shares the mental, physical and emotional challenges she faced in both her personal and business life, and the ultimate choice she made — which at first seemed to ruin her future and then turned out to be the very thing that made it.  A true inspiration, Jo has changed the world of fragrance, by building a global brand not once but twice. Holly explains why Jo’s story resonated with her so much, and how having just one magic power, one passion that ignites happiness from within, can be all you need to succeed.  Listen to Jo Malone’s episode here. 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.

Each week, Holly selects a piece of entrepreneurial advice that has stayed with her, from her past episodes of Conversations of Inspiration.  In this week’s lightbulb moment, Tamara Lohan MBE, founder of Mr & Mrs Smith, explains in a letter to her younger self, why you should cherish your mistakes just as much as your achievements, and addresses her fear that as a founder, it’s possible to lose your ‘self’, as your business becomes your identity.  Holly recounts her own experiences with making mistakes, how they’ve affected the woman she is today, and how perfectionism isn’t healthy to anyone or their business.  Listen to Tamara Lohan's episode here. 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.

Change your mindset in 10 minutes with this week’s lightbulb moment, a life affirming conversation from Holly’s most treasured past episodes of Conversations of Inspiration.  In today’s episode, Sahar Hashemi (founder of Coffee Republic) — the woman who brought the first coffee shops to the UK high street — joins Holly. Trailblazer and champion of women in business, Sahar reveals the personal mantra that set her on the path to success. Holly recounts her own personal moments where she was forced to take a leap of faith, and how you can find that inner strength to achieve your wildest dreams.  Listen to Sahar’s Episode here. 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.

Each week, Holly selects a particular lightbulb moment from her most treasured episodes of Conversations of Inspiration.  In this clip, Lord Bilimoria — founder of the international brand Cobra Beer — shares his unique philosophy on the importance of finding, following and never losing sight of your ‘North Star’.  What kind of mindset is needed to remain focused, overcome your fears and choose the right path in order to achieve your wildest dreams? Karan’s wisdom is invaluable to those thinking of starting a business or for anyone who has, and might need a little reminder. Listen to Lord Bilimoria’s Episode here. 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.

Whilst each founder is unique, there is a golden thread that unites them all. In this episode, Holly explores what has driven each brand’s success. From triumph through adversity, each founder has faced the highs and lows of life, each experience contributing to their success. Over the next hour, Holly revisits some of the most pivotal moments in each of their lives and how that moment would lead them on to future success. Including conversations with Bobbi Brown, Dr. Willard Wigan MBE, creator of the world's smallest micro-sculptures, female tech pioneer Dame Stephanie Shirley, as well as the nation’s sweetheart Nadiya Hussain, Knoops founder Jens Knoop and ultra-athlete Josh Patterson. 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 is a conversation that teaches us all what can be achieved when we refuse to let others define us. A tragic accident would set Josh Patterson on a different path and define his purpose for the rest of his life. But as he seeks to make change in the most extraordinary way, what happens when your formative years are captured for the nation to watch and dissect from their sofa?   This week Holly speaks with Josh Patterson, formerly of Made in Chelsea fame and now an ultra-athlete and mental health campaigner.  His story is testament to the fact that we all have different chapters in our lives. We grow and evolve, and as a society, it is crucial that we don’t seek to define an entire human through a short snapshot. In this conversation, Josh speaks candidly about the anxiety he experienced, the battle with his own mental health, and how when his best friend was involved in a tragic accident it changed the course of both their lives. Sharing how harnessing the power of mental and physical resilience has shaped him into the person he is today and the crucial role that empathy plays in his life, Josh shares his vulnerabilities openly and honestly in this moving episode. 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.

A child refugee, tech pioneer, philanthropist, businesswoman, mother and true trailblazer, Dame Stephanie paved the way for generations of women to come, by using intuition and action to break ideological views of what women are capable of. In her conversation with Holly she shares the breadth of her experiences, struggles and her unrelenting energy for creating positive change. After escaping Nazi Germany at the shockingly young age of five years old, Dame Stephanie Shirley reflects on her childhood memories, as a young girl growing up in such a turbulent historical period. After battling survivors' guilt for a number of years, Dame Stephanie ‘Steve’ Shirley in her own words says that from then on, “I decided to make mine a life worth saving and then just got on with it”.  Dame Stephanie’s words, actions and legacy encourage each of us to take risks, to challenge the status quo and to rewrite the myths of what women can achieve.   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 Stephanie Shirley: Purchase Steve’s incredible memoir ‘Let It Go’ from Amazon using this link or email [email protected] for a personally signed copy Website: https://www.steveshirley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damestephanie_/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/damestephanie_ Sign up to Letters From Steve: https://www.steveshirley.com/letters-from-steve/   You Might Also Enjoy: If you enjoyed this episode you might also enjoy my conversation with Dame Mary, co-founder of Specsavers.

Jens Knoops is a man who is obsessed with chocolate. After starting his brilliant artisan hot chocolate business in 2013, Jens’ journey has catapulted him into a world that not only brings him joy everyday but that brings each of his customers a little magic too. Holly talks to Jens about the huge passion he has for his products, the sustainable goals he has for Knoops and his decision to expand the business during the pandemic. It’s a story that is both heartwarming and motivating and shows all of us that with enough drive and belief, even our wildest dreams can not only survive but thrive. 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.

Holly’s guest this week is a fascinating one, David Gandy, a man whose image is synonymous with high fashion and whose face has graced countless magazine covers, billboards and our televisions. Whilst sharing a cup of tea with Holly on her sofa, David delves into the story behind his career, life as a father, and his recent experiences of founding David Gandy Wellwear. Holly soon learns that David, much like the rest of us, tackles imposter syndrome, despite the successful career he has built and discusses the importance of encouraging kindness in the fashion industry, where scrutiny is rife.  Whilst explaining the sheer hard work that David has dedicated to his venture, Holly learns about the unique DNA of his brand and of his vision to build a clothing line that offers products which are not only stylish, but are practical, and also advocate sustainable fashion. This week's conversation has so much food for thought, it’s an ode to dedication, hard work, and to following a passion in order to achieve fulfilment. 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.

It’s that time already - Holly’s Christmas special!  Every festive season, Holly sits down and reflects on all of the wonderfully inspirational conversations she has had with guests throughout the year and it’s her absolute pleasure to take you on this journey with her.  In the last episode of 2021, Holly revisits some of her most favourite guests and anecdotes from throughout the year. From David Hieatt, Jake Humphrey and Bobbi Brown to Anya Hindmarch and John Timpson, each guest shares their insights, wisdom and lessons that they live by as they seek to build successful brands as well as a life they love.  Also in this collection, is a very special conversation with Holly, her beloved husband Frank and incredible son Harry, who each share their experiences of having a wife and mother who chose to live a life less ordinary, as a founder herself.  For a final Christmas treat, this episode culminates, not just one but two of Holly’s favourite ‘letters to my younger self’, so have your tissues at the ready and prepare to take a trip down memory lane.  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 has one of her most thought provoking and emotional conversations yet, with Dr Willard Wigan MBE, a man famous for creating the world's tiniest and most beautifully crafted micro-sculptures that are invisible to the naked eye.  Growing up in the sixties, with undiagnosed dyslexia and autism, Willard experienced a heart-breakingly difficult childhood as his confidence was crushed at school by a taunting teacher he will never forget. However as Willard’s late mother always said, “Don’t get bitter, get better” — and that’s just what Willard did.  Turning to his love for crafting all things minute, Willard began at just six-years-old to build tiny pieces of furniture for his beloved garden ants, and his work only got smaller from there. Now, Willard is recognised across the globe, by his fans and also by royalty, for his miraculous sculptures that can only be viewed through a microscope.  Despite the painstaking process of carving his creations, Willard’s unbreakable determination ignited by his mother and fuelled by a need to prove those who have underestimated him wrong, always sees him through. Willard really is the ‘Micro-Angelo’ of our time. 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.

Nadiya Hussain MBE is a woman whose journey and whose words are seared into the consciousness of all of us. Who could ever forget that tearful victory speech when she won The Great British Bake Off?  But the most remarkable thing about Nadiya is not what a talented baker she is but the way in which she has courageously tuned in to her inner voice, broken down barriers at every turn and challenged nearly every stereotype possible. Overcoming panic attacks and racist trolls to become an accidental ambassador for British Muslims, this is just the start for Nadiya, an extraordinary woman who has been propelled from full time mum to national treasure, capturing all of our hearts along the way. 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 a captivating conversation, Katy Emck OBE delves into her inspirational story as Founding Director of Fine Cell Work, a charity and social enterprise which tackles social rehabilitation by teaching prisoners the art of creative needlework.  Together with the late, great Lady Anne Tree, Katy began working with prisoners to create fine, commercial needlework which is now sold to customers across the globe. The therapeutic nature of stitching acts as a purposeful activity that has given hope, empowerment and optimism to over 8,000 prisoners. Sharing many tear jerking and heartwarming tales from her business journey so far, Katy explains how giving prisoners the opportunity to use their hands creatively not only provides mental and physical stimulation but also gives many inmates a purpose, something that some have never experienced before. Katie is a kind-hearted, passionate believer in second chances, and lives by Winston Churchill’s mantra that ‘There’s a treasure in the heart of every man if you can only find it’, and Fine Cell Work does just that. 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 one of Holly’s most anticipated interviews, she speaks to her heroine Bobbi Brown about her influential journey as a serial entrepreneur and her success in building a beauty empire.  Recognising the need for diversity amongst makeup products within the industry, Bobbi followed her gut as a budding makeup artist, to build a brand for all skin tones and types. Fast forward thirty years, and Bobbi Brown is a renowned billion dollar beauty brand, used by women across the world.  As if being a beauty mogul, best selling author and sought-after speaker wasn’t enough, in 2020 Bobbi launched her new business baby ‘Jones Road’ which is the next step in her incredible journey, where Bobbi’s products reflect her natural, authentic self.  In this heartfelt conversation, Bobbi speaks honestly about the challenges of juggling the duties of motherhood with running a self-founded worldwide beauty brand and finding the confidence to build a second business. One of the greatest things you'll learn from Bobbi’s inspirational story, it’s that feeling comfortable in your skin is the ultimate key to freedom. 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 with Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of one of the nation’s most beloved brands, Specsavers. Having always been one to challenge stereotypes, Dame Mary built her business not from the kitchen table, but on a table tennis table in her spare room and has continued to excel throughout her career ever since.  Seizing an opportunity to revolutionise the industry in the 1980’s, Dame Mary focused on offering an exceptional customer experience by encouraging her workforce to treat every customer like their ‘best friend’ - a value that still drives the business today, nearly 40 years later. Dame Mary stands apart as one of the most successful women of our time and her passion for championing others makes it easy to see why Specsavers has become such a remarkable and enduring brand that has weathered recessions, the rise of the digital world and now a global pandemic.  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 could each of us channel our passions into a cause for good? That’s exactly what Becky Sheraidah did when she founded Arthouse Unlimited. Believing that offering a sense of purpose is at the heart of improving our happiness, health and wellbeing, Becky began working with a collective of artists, each living with complex neuro-diverse and physical support needs, to create stunningly beautiful products. Becky speaks to Holly about her determination to harness raw talent and create a business where people living with disabilities could feel valued and validated by commercial success. Arthouse Unlimited is a remarkable enterprise that is empowering its workforce, driving social inclusion and changing lives everyday through the power of art. 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.

Sir John Timpson, chairman and owner of Timpson is the very embodiment of building a business with family truly at its heart and kindness as a guiding principle. Hailing from a very long line of entrepreneurs, five generations of the Timpson family have been involved in the business that bears their name, business has always been in the blood. Recognised for his creative approach to employee recruitment and his innovative work helping ex-offenders re-enter the workplace, John shares how fostering a staggering 90 children has influenced his business and his generosity of spirit shines brightly. A true champion of our high streets, John talks to Holly about how he believes the high street can be rejuvenated, the importance of personality when hiring, and that above all else, you can have a brilliant business and still be kind, a mantra shared by John’s late wife Alex and is lived each day through Timpson. 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.

A story of how a little true passion can snowball into a triumphant business, Tilly Walnes, founder of Tilly and the Buttons, shares her incredible journey; a decade of lessons learnt and the benefit of building a strong community through her own love of sewing.  Feeling frustrated that her day job didn’t allow her to be creative with her hands, Tilly began sewing and writing her blog, with a mission to share this passion for the power of good. She wholeheartedly encourages others to have a go and to not be discouraged by the creative self-doubt which she herself experienced. Tilly’s community of sewers has found therapeutic pleasure in pursuing a traditional craft, and in this episode, she shares the highs and lows of building a supportive online community, tackling imposter syndrome, and how by blending the modern world of technology with the age-old skill of stitching, she’s been able to not only breathe new life into this historic pastime, but also share this joy with others. 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.

“There are 18 inches between your head and your heart,” David tells us, as he seeks to demystify what it means to be a truly connected brand. A mission-led entrepreneur, David Hieatt is a real visionary with extraordinary business agility. Founder of Howies, The Do Lectures, and Hiut Denim, he encourages all of us to challenge the story of who we are, who we can be, and how each of us can shape and change the world. With a quiet passion and power, David continually pushes new boundaries, inspiring millions of people globally through his work with The Do Lectures and reinvigorating traditional skills in manufacturing with his denim factory in Cardigan, Wales. This is a man who sees a way where others don't, whose creative vision never ceases to amaze, and someone who has helped countless brands do better and matter more. 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.

A story of pure vision, determination, and a passion for fitness has seen the meteoric rise of Joe Wicks, who describes himself as a ‘10 year overnight success story’. TV presenter and author, specialising in cooking and fitness books, Joe started his career as a personal trainer, but he only experienced success when he started posting 15-second recipe videos on social media. Joe grew his brand to become one of the most followed fitness accounts on Instagram, his first published cookbook Lean in 15 was one of the best-selling books in 2015, having sold over 1 million copies. He has also created a "90 Day Plan" with workouts and meals that are tailored to the individual. He has since gone on to win the nation’s hearts as he led PE with Joe during the pandemic in 2020. His empire has grown to employ over 40 members of staff and counting, but with a strong sense of purpose and passion for helping others - it's a business that reaches far beyond Instagram. 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.