In this episode of Let's Talk Shop podcast, I speak with, buyer and owner Priya Aurora-Crowe of Lark London. Lark London is a wonderful chain of 18 independent brick-and-mortar stores in London and Surrey, that is owned by Priay and her husband Dominic Crowe. Priya shared her experiences and perspectives on the ever-evolving world of retail. Here a…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with, Jake and Freya from Studio Wald. This is the second time Jake and Freya comes on the podcast and a lot have happened in their business since last time. They have now got over 1000 stockists who bought from them, with over 300 buying regularly, and they now employ a team of 4. In this episode, we div…

In this episode of Let’s talk Shop, I had the pleasure of talking to Myfanwy Gloster from Glosters Pottery. Mev and her husband Tom founded Glosters Pottery, with Tom being the potter and Mev handling the day-to-day operations. They started with a café and gradually transitioned into a craft pottery shop, which has now become a thriving wholesale b…

You’re going to want to get your notebook out for this one. In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Hitchcock, the founder of Partner in Wine. We discussed her experience in building a successful brand and her insights on packaging, pricing and wholesale. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ Bu…

🎙️ Welcome to Let's Talk Shop, the podcast where we dive into the fascinating world of retail and small businesses. In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, Rebecca, the visionary behind a unique shop that champions handmade and local products. Rebecca shares her insights on the growing appreciation for handmade goods in the wake of …

🎙️ Welcome back to Let's Talk Shop, the podcast where we delve into the world of retail businesses. Today, I am joined by a special guest who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of buying and marketing. Get ready to be inspired as we welcome Bryony Taylor Edwards, the head of marketing and home and gift and interiors buyers at Yar…

Welcome to another episode of "Let's Talk Shop!" In today's episode, we’re flipping the script. As I asked our guest, Nina Elegba to interview me for a change. We chat about everything from selling hot dogs outside nightclubs to becoming a successful business owner. We talk about the role of gratitude, manifestation, and finding your own unique met…

In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, we have a special guest, David Nichols-Rice, who shares his journey and experiences in the creative industry. With a background in working with artists and trade shows, David discusses his love for wholesale and the rewarding yet challenging aspects of being a sole decision-maker. He shares insights on launching …

In this episode of Let's Talk Shop, host Therese interviews Hannah Paine, the founder of Epanoui. Hannah shares her journey of starting a jewellery brand and opening a brick and mortar store. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of integrating herself within the community, and the careful growth of her business. With her unique pe…

Welcome back to Let's Talk Shop! In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us. Sakina Bouy, the visionary behind The Somerset Toiletry Co, will be sharing her incredible journey in the toiletry industry. From navigating through economic crashes to understanding ever-changing legislation, Sakina has built an impressive brand known for…

Season 6 is coming to an end and in this episode, Sasha and I speak about how we both found the experience of working together and what she’s learned about growing her sales. We also set some goals for the next 6 months and talk about what’s been surprising and what’s worked and hasn’t worked. Growing your wholesale and your sales can feel lonely a…

Today we’re in Brighton where Sasha cold calls on shops in the hopes of getting some new stockists so that she can grow her wholesale business. Cold calling, whether by phone, email, or in-person can be very scary but it doesn’t have to me. When it comes to cold calling practice really does make a huge difference, in particular, if you visit in per…

Since Sasha has done some wholesale in the past and had lost a bit/a lot of faith in it we needed to put the right foundations in place this time around to avoid costly mistakes and work way to hard for no return. We started from the very basics with setting Sasha’s wholesale terms and prices and then moved on to creating her new and much improved …

In this continuation of us documenting Sasha’s wholesale journey, we speak about selling. Insecurities around selling are very common and sometimes they show up in very strange ways. It’s very easy to make yourself very busy to avoid having to step outside of your comfort zone and sell your products. In this episode, we talk about how this showed u…

It’s not always that everything goes to plan when you try something new. When Sasha from Checky Zebra first started to wholesale her greetings cards she would have looked very successful to most of us, getting a big order from a well-known multi-chain card retailer but all was not as well as it might have looked on the surface. In reality, it was v…

Today’s episode of Let’s talk shop is a solo episode where I talk about what to do and what not to do when sales are slow to help you and motivate you to continue to grow your business. In the episode I share 10 to-do’s/don’ts: Check-in with your sales mindset. Stop comparing yourself to others and your sales to last year, normally the latter is so…

Today on Let’s talk shop, I speak with my former clients Jake and Freya from Studio Wald. Studio Wald is a wonderful home and gift business based in Leeds. We talk all about how Jake and Freya decided to start their business straight out of university and how they have grown it since. Jake and Freya share their top tips that has worked for them and…

Today’s episode of Let’s talk shop is a solo episode. The first of in season 5 and quite possibly the only in this season. Let me know if you want more episodes like this. In the episode I talk about how to get started with your wholesale, we talk about: What wholesale is. If it’s right for your business. What you need to consider before getting st…

Today on Let’s talk shop, I speak with my client, Leonara Manyangadze who’s the owner and founder of Tanaka. Leonara makes beautiful all-natural soaps that are good for you and for the environment as they are completely plastic-free. Leonara started Tanaka in the autumn of 2019 and has grown the brand to now being stocked in 40 or so stores, mainly…

Today on Let’s talk shop, I speak with my coach, Jennifer MacFarlane who’s The Money Medium. Over the past 5 months or so I’ve been working with Jen on my money mindset and I really enjoyed it. I think in particular women avoids speaking about money and by working with Jen I’ve been able to dare to realise that I can make money and fulfil my goals.…

Today on Let’s talk shop, I speak with my client Megan who owns Sandwick Bay Candles who makes candles and home fragrance products with a conscious in small batches from the very top of Scotland. Megan have grown her business so much over the last year and it’s been amazing to see her going for it and it is paying off. She’s constantly pushing forw…

Today on Let’s talk shop, I speak with Julie Driscoll and Karin Hausmann from Hyve, the organisers of Spring and Autumn Fair. Spring Fair is the UK’s largest home and gift trade show. Julie, Karin and I meet online to hear all about the new Spring and Autumn Fair Online marketplace that is launching on the 4th May. When it launches, Spring and Autu…

Today on Let’s talk shop I speak with Sara Ittelson from Faire.com. I know a lot of you are interested in finding out more about wholesale marketplace platforms, it’s something I see being discussed a lot in my free Facebook group, Let’s talk wholesale, and that I get asked about in every course I run. Marketplace platforms can help you grow your w…

In episode 2 of Let’s talk shop, I speak all things ethical and sustainable with Sara Collins, an ethical production consultant and brand owner of fashion brand Sister and Kin. We talk about what it means to be an ethical and sustainable business and how we have to choose what is important to us as brand owners to prioritise first and Sara shares l…

I’m so excited to be back and sharing another season of Let’s Talk Shop with you. We’re kicking off the season with an episode I’ve been wanting to record for a really long time with Jacqueline Snyder and Minna Khounlo-Sithep who are the co-owners of The Product Boss. I’ve been listening to their podcast for a long time, and I love how supportive o…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Judy Andrews who’s the owner and creative director of design agency Tickety Boo Creative as well as the owner of her own typography-based print business. Last year I won a competition that Tickety Boo Creative hosted, and since then Judy and her team have been working on my rebrand, and I’m so excite…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Haley Solar, owner at Haley Solar, a fashion brand with two retail outlets in Los Angles. Haley was sourcing and making clothes out of deadstock fabric before it became a thing and this year when Covid hit she had to pivot her business fast as manufacturers in LA had to close. I love Haley’s ethos an…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I talk with Abigail from Abigail Warner, a creative studio that design and create luxury paper products all made in the UK. Abigail collaborates with high-end retailers to create ranges for them and runs personalised wrapping paper pop-ups within the same retailers. We talk all about how Abigail got started and I…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I talk all about third party marketplace platforms for wholesale. I share my thoughts and tips if this is something you would like to explore for your business. These platforms can be a straightforward way to gain new stockists and grow your wholesale but there are definitely a few things you should consider befo…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, this week is a quite different episode. On the 4th December at 7-9pm UK time I’m taking part in a market over on Instagram. Follow #2020mmmarket to see everything going on. From tomorrow we will start to release some more content and we’re all super excited. In this special episode I speak with 5 out of 6 busines…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Anita who owns Diverse Gifts in Brixton, South London. Diverse Gifts is a gift shop who has been open for over 21 years so Anita has a lot of experience to share. We chat all about: Business this year. The impact of Black Lives Matter and Black Pound Day on Anita’s business. What Anita looks for in a…

Episode 3 of season 4 is a short solo episode about Scaling your Handmade business. I'm often asked how a business can make wholesale work for them when they handmake everything and before you even start to think about it it would be good to consider how you can scale your production so in this episode I give you a few ideas to get you started. Con…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop speak with Sasha from Cheeky Zebra. Cheeky Zebra is a rude and hilarious card publishing company that primarily sell B2C. We chat about why that is and so much more such as: Taking your business full time from hobby to a business that can support you. Starting off doing wholesale and then deciding that it is not r…

I'm kicking off season 4 of Let's Talk Shop with a solo episode. 10 things to do in your business right now to drive sales - this could not have come at a more appropriate time, I actually recorded this a while back but re-recorded it on Sunday 1st November after the PM announced another lockdown to make sure my advice is as current as possible. So…

In this season finale episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I'm giving you a bit of a pep talk for this autumn, I reflect a little over the season 3 and how privileged I am to have been able to speak with so many incredible business owners this year. The podcast will be back for the 4th season in October so make sure you subscribe to be notified when we're b…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Laura Bath, owner and founder of Peg and Board. Laura designs and makes beautiful storage solutions for your home. It all started with wooden peg boards and last year Laura broadened her range to include powder coated metal shelving and during the lockdown Laura received an influx of orders which has…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Jessica Dawnay who is the Event Director at UK’s largest home and gift trade shows, Spring and Autumn Fair. We chat about the imminent Autumn Fair @ Home, which will be taking place on the 8-9th September online. As a result of the pandemic this year Autumn Fair decided to run their show online befor…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Sophie McNiven, owner and founder of both Sophie Home and Stand Twelve. We chat all about both of Sophie's businesses, her journey and how it all came about and I just love how passionate Sophie is about this industry and how freely and openly she shares everything she learned from running her busine…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Jeremy Corner, owner of award-winning greetings cards publisher Blue Eyed Sun. Blue Eyed Sun was founded 20 years ago and Jeremy is very involved in the industry writing monthly for Progressive Greetings, is a keynote speaker at The Ladder Club, and he sits on the Giftware Association’s National Comm…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Catherine Erdly from Future Retail about how to pitch to large retailers if you managed to get a meeting, whether it’s virtual or in-person. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can really make all the difference so I’m so happy that Catherine and I could work together on this and give you all o…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Maggie who’s the owner and founder of Alligator Pear, a really large award-winning gift shop in Tadworth, Surrey. We talk about the challenges of sourcing products this year when trade shows have been cancelled and how Maggie might find new things to fill her store with. Maggie shares what she needs …

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I am talking about trade shows, or rather the lack of them this year now that it’s been announced they won’t be going ahead this September. I share a few ideas of what you can do and what will be important this year and I also share about my next course that will help you stay on track of your sales this year. It’…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with David who’s the owner and founder of Lift Store in Southwold in Suffolk. Lift is a lifestyle store that has been going for around 4 years now and during the lockdown, David moved to a new location and the store is now 3 times the size of the original shop. We talk all about retail now, how the lockdo…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with Tasha who owns independent gift shop Flavour Like Fancy in Leeds. We talk all about retailing during the lockdown, what’s been selling really well, how it’s been now when Tasha has opened up her shop again, how she works with the brands and makers she stocks, diversity, trade shows and so much more. I…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Vanessa Belleau from High Fifteen. Vanessa is Business Strategist, Executive Coach and she also coaches in Inclusion and Diversity. I invited Vanessa to the podcast to discuss how we as small business owners can be more diverse and inclusive in our businesses and ask all those questions that I’ve bee…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Lucy who owns Acorn and Pip. We talk about how valuable it was for Lucy to start her business at Altrincham Market and how it’s grown into the shop and café with a play area it is today. Lucy really tries to offer as a diverse range that she can, and I came across her lovely business after it was rec…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Ebi and Emmanuel from Our Lovely Goods. Ebi and Emmanuel are a wife and husband team and they started their business around a year ago. Our lovely goods is a wellbeing company selling natural candles and skincare products as well as imported homewares from Emmanuel’s home country, Nigeria. On the pod…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop I speak with Georgina, owner and founder of Afro Touch Design. Georgina makes beautiful hand finished cards using West African wax fabric and we talk about Covid-19, business in general, wholesale and what challenges Georgina have to meet being a black-owned business as well as selling a diverse product. We talk a…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Zoe, owner and founder of W.A. Green. A wonderful homeware boutique in Shoreditch in London. I love W.A. Greens mantra, “Dopamine for the home” and I never felt it was as needed as it is right now. We talk all about how the business is doing right now, how jigsaws and pretty wrapping paper played a b…

In this episode of Let’s Talk Shop, I speak with Rosie Davies Smith who’s the founder of PR Dispatch and LFA PR Agency. We talk about pivoting your business and adapting to the current climate. Why now is a great time for small businesses to start doing PR since the press has a lot of time for small businesses at the moment, how to get started, tip…