Conversations of Inspiration

This week on Conversations of Inspiration Holly meets the ‘Queen of Brand’ Rita Clifton CBE.

Rita is the ultimate expert in brand and offers such an expert and unique insight that will be invaluable to all small business for this aspect of their business...

This week on Conversations of Inspiration, Holly meets Keith Abel, founder of Abel & Cole.

A successful and well loved entrepreneur, Keith started his entrepreneurial journey as a salesman selling potatoes door to door, where a chance encounter led him to discovering organic vegetables. 

At a time when everything grown was covered in chemicals, Keith quickly realised people would pay more for organic, chemical-free produce and so Abel and Cole was born, over 30 years ago...

This week on Conversations of Inspiration, Holly meets Alice Gabb - a self taught calligrapher who now creates commissions for some of the UK biggest brands. 

In this conversation, Alice shares lessons from her journey so far, the power of knowing your numbers, as well as the need for communities in this digital age. Alice's letter to her younger self is particularly powerful - and a must listen for any teenage girls in your life...

This week Holly speaks to investor Tom Teichman, the founder of Spark Ventures & The Garage Soho. 

Known as ‘Britain’s most-successful digital start-up backer’ Tom has invested in companies such as LastMinute.com, Moshi Monsters and Made.com. 

He also played a key role in Holly's business journey, when he invested in Notonthehighstreet. Together they recount the serendipitous way in which Tom and Holly met, and the incredible journey they embarked on...

This week, Holly meets Asma Khan, founder of the restaurant Darjeeling Express.

An episode filled with spectacular advice and insight, Asma shares her early life experiences in India and how they shaped her journey to this point. Born a second daughter in India, Asma felt the intense impact of feeling unwanted which she now sees underpins her belief in using her business as a force for good and helping other women feel valued...

This week on Conversations of Inspiration, Holly speaks to Eleanor Tattersfield, founder of Marby and Elm. 

A fellow stationary addict, Holly joined Eleanor in her east London emporium like shop to hear her journey from student and waitress to Liberty stockist and business founder.  

This episode covers everything from where Eleanor finds her inspiration, to running a high street space, customer experience in retail and the importance of community...

This week's episode was recorded in front of a live audience of 300 people in central London for the first ever Conversations of Inspiration Live event.

Thomasina Miers OBE is best known as co-founder of restaurant chain Wahaca and winner of Masterchef. Thomasina’s journey has not been easy, with a ten-year spell of depression, it was a chance meeting that set her on her path to happiness, founding a business doing exactly what she loves...

This week Holly talks to the incredible Sahar Hashemi OBE, founder of Coffee Republic.

Launched in 1995, Sahar co-founded Coffee Republic alongside her brother Bobby, becoming the UK's first coffee bar. Scaling her business up to 110 coffee shops within 5 years, Sahar’s success was astounding...

In this episode, Holly meets the legendary Sir John Hegarty, founder of BBH advertising agency and The Garage Soho. With a phenomenal creative career, John was the first ever person to be Knighted for his services to the advertising and creative industries and his BBH agency has been named Agency of the Year more than six times. John started out in the advertising world in the 60’s, moving up the ranks quickly and helping to set up agencies TBWA and the infamous Saatchi and Saatchi...

This week on Conversations of Inspiration, Holly speaks to jeweller Alex Monroe at his ‘buzzing’ headquarters boutique in London. With 30 successful years in the business, Alex’s insight and attitude will provide a huge source of inspiration and advice for creative small businesses looking to combine creativity with commerciality...