Conversations of Inspiration

If anybody embodies the spirit of a certain era of British fashion, it is Tanya Sarne OBE, founder of the iconic fashion label, Ghost. In this episode, Tanya shares her extraordinary life story, from her humble beginnings as a child born in the war to refugee parents, to travelling all over the world. Her journey had many remarkable moments along the way — moments she generously shares openly from the heart, with no holds barred. Tanya speaks about her time spent struggling as a single mum until her label redefined fashion and became a global success, all whilst coping with an addiction that took hold for 24 years.  By her own admission, Tanya has led a very colourful life, one that is so jam-packed with stories you’ll wonder how she managed to fit it all in. At the epicentre of the Swinging Sixties in London, Tanya’s story is one interwoven with fashion, glamour, famous friends and travel. It is also a tale of talent, hard work, strength and utter resilience — and of a free spirit that remains totally, majestically undimmed. This conversation touches on some adult themes, not suitable for little ears.  If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown and Jones Road Beauty. Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.

“I get emotional because this is a craft I love. It is my life.” These are the words of Keith Brymer Jones, master ceramicist, design expert, author and self-proclaimed emotional judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down. A dyslexic child, Keith found an affinity with clay, ultimately turning his academic struggles into his best-selling and iconic Word Range of ceramics. Now, with over three decades of knowledge and experience under his belt, Keith shares his love of the craft and his thoughts on how the raw form of clay can not only produce something beautiful, but can actually be a channel for our insecurities and vulnerabilities. It’s a fascinating conversation and an insight into one of our nation's most talented designers and kindest TV judges, one who turns formulaic reality competitions on their head and one who always leads the way with empathy, compassion and warmth. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Jay Blades MBE, presenter and founder of Jay & Co. Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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 you take your passions and turn them into a brand that touches the hearts of thousands nationwide? Cath Kidston Padgham MBE built a thriving British business by embracing her love of textiles, interiors and print, and following her heart. But how? Reflecting on the pivotal moments that led her to success, Cath and Holly explore the breathtaking highs Cath experienced, as well as the heartbreaking loss and grief that have punctuated her journey so far — and also sharpened her senses, built resilience and drove her forwards.  Having grown a truly iconic household brand bursting with joy, colour and creativity, she’s an undeniable master in her field, and here she reveals how she did it, and why she’s doing it all again with her new brand C.Atherley.  This episode follows Cath’s story from the early days of turning her vision into a reality, and shares the secrets behind her success. It reminds us all of the importance of showing up when times are tough and how sometimes, life takes us full circle to return to our roots. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen.  Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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. 

As one of the most inspiring stories you'll ever hear, this is a conversation that really will make you appreciate the beauty of life.  This week, Holly speaks with TV presenter, author and disability activist Sophie Morgan to find out more of what we can achieve when we refuse to let what happens to us in life — or other people — define us. Paralysed in a car crash when she was just eighteen years old, Sophie has faced gruelling personal challenges, campaigned relentlessly to dispel the myths around disability and spoken out against ableist attitudes ever since. Tenacity, ongoing resilience and a lust for life are just some of the characteristics that Sophie has by the bucketload and it's exactly this attitude that has kept driving her forwards in even the darkest of times. Sophie shares with Holly how all her experiences, at times raw and unflinching, have shaped her as a person, of how art and creativity have helped to heal her and of how she has created a colourful, beautiful life that is bursting with adventure and new horizons. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Josh Patterson, Ultra-athlete, Broadcaster and Mental Health Campaigner. Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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 evolve with your brand as a founder?  For over three decades Boden has been serious about style that makes you smile, and this week, Holly sits down with Johnnie Boden CBE to revisit his story since they first met in 2018.  Having weathered recessions, Brexit, Covid and now a cost of living crisis, Boden has established itself as a quintessentially British brand, that is also taking the US market by storm.  Johnnie shares his secrets of how he has kept Boden on track, how he defied the fashion fads that destroyed his rivals and the single most valuable piece of advice he has ever received. It’s a conversation about life as much as it is business, as Johnnie reflects on how he believes that growing up with his brand is the key to remaining motivated, passionate and in love with his company. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Henry Dimbleby MBE, Co-founder of Leon. Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.

Jacqueline Gold CBE, Chief Executive of Ann Summers, made it her life mission to empower women both in the boardroom but also in the bedroom, and unashamedly too. She tackled taboos, redefined an entire industry and made a lasting impact on the next generation of women in business.  As Jacqueline once said, “As women, we should boldly lift our heads above the parapet and celebrate our own successes”.  Jacqueline’s Conversation of Inspiration is one that Holly was truly honoured to hear in 2020, and is one she will hold close forevermore.  In honour of the incredible life of Jacqueline we are sharing this special podcast episode to remember and celebrate her strength, resilience, courage, and a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Chantal Coady OBE – AKA The Chocolate Detective — is on a mission to help you uncover the finest and most ethical chocolate around. Fuelled by a lifelong love of all things chocolate, Chantal’s business journey began at just 23, opening Rococo on the Kings Road, and stocking in the likes of Liberty, Heals and British Airways. However, there have also been extreme lows, after a terrible experience saw her lose her first business in 2019.  Now returning to her creative chocolate roots, Chantal is using her years of knowledge and experience to guide the revolution for ethical, delectable chocolate with the utmost transparency — a mission she has been driving for the past 40 years.  This is a life-affirming conversation that reminds us all that in whatever we pursue, passion might be the only thing that can heal us. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.  Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.

As women, how on earth is it possible to build a business and grow with it over decades — whilst raising a family, weathering the storms of life and remaining inspired, motivated and engaged throughout? Baroness Ruth Rogers CBE is someone who has done just that and today, her pioneering Michelin starred restaurant The River Cafe remains one of the most in-demand culinary institutions in London, 36 years after she led a food revolution. In this episode, Ruth shares stories of discovering her passion for seasonal ingredients, the progression of female chefs she’s witnessed, and how far we still have to go. She even reveals her top tips for building the foundations of a strong business and a truly happy workforce.  It’s a conversation which is both inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measure, and one that speaks volumes of the legacy that Ruth has created. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder of The White Company.  Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.

Do you want to learn how to do, think and be better – for our planet and in life itself?  You are not alone. And it’s not just us in a personal capacity, either. Mark Shayler — thinker, doer, creator, speaker and author — helps brands too. He shows how big companies can think like small ones and small companies can think like big ones, to make sure they stand apart, remain relevant in our society and most importantly, retain their creative magic.  An expert in helping businesses innovate and prioritise sustainability, Mark sews the positive seeds of change that transform companies and help make our world a better place. You’ll come away from this conversation overflowing with imaginative ways you’ll want to evolve, not only in the way you do business, but also in the way you live. Mark explains that the key lies in, “Not letting the success of yesterday get in the way of today”. Listen to find out why.  If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration with Kate Robinson, author, speaker and co-director of Nevergrey.  Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.

What does it mean to be a cultural provocateur? When your mission is to awaken, to communicate, to reveal truth and even to provoke action — all through the art of photography?  In this exclusive interview, Holly speaks to Rankin, one of the most influential photographers of our time, renowned for his ability to capture the essence and truth of his subjects rather than simply taking their pictures. And that’s not all… Having worked with everyone from the Queen of England to the Queen of Pop, Rankin is often seen as being a ‘celebrity photographer’. However it’s his ability to seek to leave the world better than he found it — and to to push boundaries as well as conversations — that sets him apart. Rankin speaks to Holly about his rise to fame, why he believes that sometimes, “The best way to be creative, is to be bored” and how he has used his art to help himself and others cope with grief. This episode reveals an intimate portrait of the man behind the lens, and is one that you definitely won’t want to miss. If you enjoyed this episode, we think you’ll love Holly’s Conversation of Inspiration on the nature of creative storytelling with Greg Hoffman, Nike’s former CMO and author of Emotion By Design.  Plus for more unfiltered insight, 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.