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.  

Conversations of Inspiration

A Visionary Approach to Business with Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers

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. 

​​The art of using business to change lives with Becky Sheraidah founder of Arthouse Unlimited

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. 

Building the ultimate family business, with Sir John Timpson, owner of Timpson

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.  

7: Stitching the future, crafting a community with Tilly Walnes, founder of Tilly and the Buttons

“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.

6: How to change the world with your brand, with David Hieatt, founder of Howies, The Do Lectures and Hiut Denim

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.

The 10 year overnight success story, with Joe Wicks, founder of The Body Coach - The Classics Collection

The story of Innocent is a phenomenal one - simply built on 3 friends deciding at university they wanted to start a business together allowing them to hang out every day. In this episode, Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent and now co-founder of Jam Jar reveals that they settled on smoothies as 'the product' on a hangover(!) and the entrepreneurial roller coaster ensued.  With numerous highs along the journey, as well as epic lows during the financial crisis, Richard shares his journey and lessons along the way. Today, Innocent is regarded as the front runner in creative marketing and breaking the mould by doing things just a bit differently. In 2013, Innocent was sold for a reported £320 million to Coca-Cola! So what does an entrepreneur do the day after ‘making it’? Well in Richard’s case, he started a new business! Emotional, honest and soulful, this conversation is a rare insight into Richard's philosophy on business, his view on doing good in the world and the importance of thinking outside the box. 

The ultimate British success story, with Richard Reed CBE, co-founder of Innocent and JamJar Investments - The Classics Collection

A true entrepreneur in the making, Fearne is creating a strong brand from her purpose and passion - building a business doing exactly what she loves.  In this episode, Holly and Fearne discuss the difficult transition from taking the leap into starting her own business, the juggle as a working mum, to navigating social media as well as the solace she has found in putting creativity at the very heart of everyday life.  Charting her hugely successful career as a TV and radio presenter, she shares how perception and reality are often not aligned, and after suffering from a spell of depression, found the need to take her career in a new direction. She shares her journey to finding herself, carving a career that will allow her to be the master of her own destiny and her pursuit of happiness. 

Finding your 'Happy Place' through building a business, with Fearne Cotton, founder of Happy Place - The Classics Collection

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, also known as The Black Farmer, is someone who has always followed his own path. After arriving from Jamaica at the age of 3, growing up in a terrace house in Birmingham, and being diagnosed as dyslexic - it might have seemed like the odds were stacked against Wilfred. But a single dream as a young boy, of one day, owning his own farm, has defined Wilfred’s life. And, after a successful career in Television and PR, Wilfred realised this dream, and launched his brand ‘The Black Farmer’. Holly visited Wilfred to hear his utterly incredible story of following his dream through adversity, not conforming and being proud to stand out. He also shares how overcoming leukemia gave him the strength to finally tell his story and inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe that they too can escape to build a better life for themselves. 

Following your dream against the odds, with Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of The Black Farmer - The Classic Collection

Julie Deane was Holly’s first ever guest and a truly inspirational way to kick off the collection. Charting the rollercoaster ride that was the meteoric rise of the Cambridge Satchel Company, over the course of their conversation, Holly & Julie talked about the importance of a supportive family and what motivated Julie to start her business. They also delve into the difficulties of scaling a business and how companies change as they grow. An incredible woman with such drive, a no-nonsense approach, and a brilliant sense of humour, her story will not only resonate with female founders, but as she shares the early stages of founding the company on just £600 this is a story that will ignite the imagination of anyone dreaming of building a life they love and following their passion. 

How to build a brand with £600 from the kitchen table, with Julie Deane OBE, founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company - The Classic Collection

This week Holly speaks with singer, TV presenter, and female founder Rochelle Humes. A woman of many talents, Rochelle Humes’ journey into the public eye started when she joined the British pop band, S Club Juniors, aged just 12, and would set her on the path towards creating a life she loves. This episode follows Rochelle’s journey, from the early days of her pop career to navigating the juggle of a busy, successful career whilst being a mother of three and launching her own company following her passion.  In this in-depth and revealing conversation, Rochelle shares her realisation of the power of her own voice and how she has navigated taking charge of her destiny to build a life she loves.

Navigating the juggle to build a brand with Rochelle Humes, Singer, TV Presenter and Founder

In this episode, Holly talks with Charlie Bigham, founder of Charlie Bigham’s ready meals. A brand name synonymous with ‘home cooking’, this episode goes behind the brand name to meet the founder himself. Charlie’s story is a fascinating one, after taking an industry by storm, he used his commitment and vision to not only challenge the status quo of ready meals but to build a business that acts as a true force for good in the world. Shunning the ‘way things were always done’ and instead setting the standard for how things ‘should be done’, Charlie is a testament to going against the grain and truly loving what you do. 

Rewriting the Ready Meal Book with Charlie Bigham founder of Charlie Bigham’s

A lifelong obsession was ignited when Neal Whittington was given a £7 WHSmith voucher as a child. Neal has since gone on to carve his own niche in stationery with his brand ‘Present and Correct’ and amassed legions of fans with his beautifully curated collections, mixing vintage with new, tapping into our nostalgia and our own ‘human-ness’ to connect beyond technology and screens. In this episode, Neal shares his journey to leaving behind his day job as a designer and embarking upon a new path to turn his passion for pens, pencils, and paperclips into a thriving business.  Holly and Neal discuss the allure of a physical product at a time when our lives are dominated by technology, what it really means to have a ‘good life’ business, and how being niche might just be your superpower. 

3: Finding your niche, with Neal Whittington founder of Present & Correct

With a mantra that it is the energy you put in, that will see you succeed, artist Lucy Sparrow is the epitome of being utterly passionate (obsessed even) with the product you are creating.  Crafting felt creations to make you smile, her instantly recognisable pieces blend the world of colourful, tactile creations with a hard-hitting social commentary that tackles the world of gun crime, the sex industry, and the demise of our traditional high streets. There is no doubt that Lucy’s art is shaking up the sewing scene and her commitment and passion means entering each of her installations is like a trip to the theatre, an experience that feeds all the senses and is completely intoxicating. Driven by her strong desire to create events and pieces of art that people will remember forever, this is a wonderful tale of how hard work and belief can create real magic.  

Dream it, Create it, with Lucy Sparrow, founder of Sew Your Soul

Anya Hindmarch has forever been one of Holly’s biggest inspirations. Not only as a fashion accessories icon with her incredible artistry and creativity, but also because she really has set the bar in terms of holistic branding and true immersive experience. So, for Holly, this Conversation of Inspiration is a real moment in time.  Join this captivating conversation for a glimpse into the world through Anya’s eyes - both of the world as we know it today, and of a future filled with high streets built on fun and creativity working in harmony alongside our grandparents’ mantras of ‘make do & mend’ and ‘buy less, buy better’.  Driven by her passion and concern for the climate crisis, Anya is determined to use fashion as a platform for raising awareness, making people think twice and ultimately as a force for doing good.  Spoken with complete wisdom, Anya recounts what it takes to build not just a business, but a compelling and all-encompassing brand in order to make the ordinary extraordinary.

1: Making the ordinary extraordinary, with Anya Hindmarch CBE

As founder of Notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co, Holly Tucker has spent the last 15 years growing and empowering small businesses around the UK. In Conversations of Inspiration, Holly will talk to a new founder each week to hear the highs and lows encountered whilst building their business, and share some advice and inspiration along the way.

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Conversations of Inspiration

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