With a strong mission to share her passion for the power of botanicals, Liz Earle MBE has revolutionised the wellbeing sector and forever changed the connection between beauty and health. Liz shares her story from her early career spent writing for beauty magazines, researching every available product to co-founding her iconic skincare line. Harnessing her belief that beauty comes from the inside out, Liz set about changing the face of beauty forever. This episode follows Liz’s journey, from the...
Mar 15, 2021•59 min
This week we celebrate the 100th episode of Conversations of Inspiration. In her most in depth and personal interview to date, Holly recounts her own journey. Interviewed by the small business community as well as close friends and family - Holly delves into who, and what, has shaped her journey to date. A look back at her childhood and the incredible rollercoaster she has been on since, Holly reflects on the people and places that have shaped who she is today. Recounting some of her lowest mome...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 10Ep. 100
In a rare and candid conversation, Jodie Kidd shares with Holly her journey. A journey full of twists and turns and highs and lows, that ultimately brought her full circle to becoming the proud owner of her local pub. Recounting her youth spent growing up in the British countryside surrounded by horses, to the whirlwind life as one of the most celebrated supermodels of her generation; Jodie shares how she has overcome her own mental health battles, discovering the power of saying ‘no’ and her de...
Feb 01, 2021•57 min
This week Holly talks to Sophie Sellu, founder of Grain & Knot. Born from a love of nature and the need for purpose in creation, Sophie makes beautifully tactile, fully functional kitchen utensils using modern design and traditional tools and methods. After being made redundant and deciding to attend a wood carving course, Sophie bought an axe and a set of knives and set about carving her own future, by embracing a craft that she loved. Embracing ‘slow’ is part of Sophie’s philosophy and she...
Jan 25, 2021•58 min
A familiar face across our TVs, this week broadcaster and founder, Jake Humphrey shares a rare insight into his background and personal philosophies - both of which he credits with finding success today. Growing up in Norfolk, Jake’s childhood was not an easy one after suffering severe bullying at school. After failing his exams and being fired from McDonalds, someone took a chance on Jake and changed the course of this life forever. In this conversation, Jake shares his belief that one must tak...
Jan 18, 2021•59 min
In this festive special, Holly revisits some of her favourite interviews and guests from 2020. Delving back into the archives, Holly is joined by guests including Sir Tim Smit, Kanya King CBE, Paul Lindley OBE, Jacqueline Gold CBE, Lord John Bird, Jay Blades, Samantha Renke and Marcia Kilgore as they reflect on their own personal journeys, their highs, lows and lessons along the way. Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagr...
Dec 21, 2020•40 min
This week Holly speaks with Aron Gelbard, co-founder of Bloom & Wild. A founder passionate about making people happy, Aron knew he could only build a brand that evoked emotion. A florist first and foremost, that has broken new ground in an already established industry, Bloom & Wild has set the industry standard where others now follow. With little knowledge of either tech development or floristry, Aron pursued an idea that was virtually unheard of. Using technology to deliver thoughtful ...
Dec 14, 2020•58 min
This week's episode with Andy Hunter, founder of Bookshop.org , brings us a modern day David vs Goliath story. His mission is to make it as easy as Amazon to shop responsibly and ethically, ensuring that books and local bricks and mortar bookshops remain part of popular culture. With a highly innovative business model that has thrived during the pandemic, Andy shares with Holly where his love of books first originated, how he is creating a movement for socially conscious consumers and the import...
Dec 07, 2020•52 min
As the son of the founder of Mr Whippy, perhaps Angus Thirlwell was always destined to build his own brand. But his path to success has not been without some hard won lessons and deep personal insight into his own motivation in life. Angus’s vision for Hotel Chocolat has always been to not only reimagine an industry, but also bring back core values and purpose into the confectionary market at a time when the heritage of chocolate was being lost in the UK. From innovative products and the best qu...
Nov 30, 2020•59 min
How do you build a business by challenging the conventional? In this episode, Alexia Inge shares her lessons as she recounts her story building the online beauty empire Cult Beauty. Growing up in a village in Somerset, Alexia’s background in the fashion and PR world gave her an insight into an industry that had always previously been dominated by much larger brands. But it was whilst recovering from a serious car accident that Alexia came up with a plan for a one stop online shop selling the bes...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr
Hidden behind a secret door, in a fantastical shop, lies an ingenious organisation that is unlocking societal change in the most creative of ways. In episode 1 of series 10, Holly meets Alistair Hall, one of the founders, and Kirsty Telford Deputy Director of the charity, The Ministry of Stories and its retail space Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. The Ministry of Stories, aims to inspire young people to transform their lives through the power of creative writing, and is hidden behind a secret do...
Nov 16, 2020•56 min
The final and truly inspiring installment of a conversation that Holly believes will fundamentally change your life. In part 2 of our Conversation of Inspiration ‘Building Legacy through Passion’ Sir Tim Smit shares with Holly his first vision of Eden and the incredible journey leading to where it is today. Billed as the 8th Wonder of the World and celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, Eden is a paradise like no other and remains one of the most recognised landmarks of the 21st century. Si...
Nov 09, 2020•42 min
A conversation that Holly believes will fundamentally change your life - a brilliant, straight talking and accomplished storyteller, Tim’s journey to building Eden (billed as the 8th wonder of the world) will have you captivated from the very start. So for the first time ever on Conversations of Inspiration, his story will be shared over two episodes. In part 1, Tim shares his journey from his education studying archaeology to an unexpected career in the music industry. After relocating to Cornw...
Nov 02, 2020•49 min
Samantha Renke has written her own remarkable story by living with huge tenacity, courage and determination all wrapped up in an infectious personality. Born with brittle bone disease, as a child Samantha knew she was different and recalls all the things she was told she wouldn't be able to do. Fiercely independent and refusing to take no for an answer, Samantha's determination to fulfil her dreams is a story everyone should hear. Defying the naysayers, Samantha has worked tirelessly as an activ...
Oct 26, 2020•56 min
Purpose and building a brand with integrity is at the very heart of this inspiring conversation with renowned designer Wayne Hemingway. A true example of creativity supporting and championing the strong values and vision that Wayne holds for the future. Born in the seaside town of Morecambe, Wayne shares his story from the early days selling second hand clothes at Camden Market to building a renowned fashion label that did things differently. We also discuss the valuable work Wayne does with Hem...
Oct 19, 2020•57 min
Named one of Britain's most influential female designers, Annie has always been passionate about art and creativity. Annie shares her colourful life, starring in a successful girl band, before becoming a mother and reviving her love of creativity and art. It was when working as an artist and feeling frustrated by the paint that was readily available, Annie started making paint from home with ingredients found around the house, before a chance meeting led her to a factory that would help her to d...
Oct 12, 2020•54 min
How do you navigate being diagnosed with incurable cancer aged just 23? And not just navigate it, but take control of your future and build a legacy... This is Kris’ story, but instead of being defeated by such devastating news, Kris began working tirelessly to create a movement for change. We follow Kris’ journey from her own diagnosis through to building Coppafeel!, her incredible charity built for young women by young women as well as putting cancer on the curriculum for the first time. Kris’...
Oct 05, 2020•57 min
Is it really possible to carve a new genre within a sector dominated by huge brands? Well, Taymoor Atighetchi proves it is. Coming from a long line of antique dealers, Taymoor shares his story, from a teenager selling his wares at Portobello Market to building a digital business that would redefine the stationary sector. Successfully blending the worlds of art and technology, Papier’s luxury personalised stationery connects with every important milestone of a customer's life. From discussing Tay...
Sep 28, 2020•54 min
What is the secret to entrepreneurial success after success - ‘failure’ says Marcia. From growing up in Canada and losing her father at just 11 years old, Marcia Kilgore talks to Holly about her journey to becoming a serial entrepreneur. Hailed by Oprah as one of the most inspiring women she has ever met, this episode follows Marcia’s incredible story. Arriving in New York aged just 18, a twist of fate led to her building her first business Bliss, a celebrity soaked spa. But Marcia didn’t stop t...
Sep 21, 2020•54 min
Hawksmoor is a restaurant built on strong values but how do you experience fast growth and retain those values as you scale? Described by critics and customers alike as world-class and the best in London, Hawksmoor was founded in 2006 by Will Beckett and Huw Gott with the brilliant philosophy that steak isn’t a dish, it’s an institution! Right from the start their vision was to offer a superior dining experience in beautifully relaxed surroundings and how an obsessive eye for detail and commitme...
Sep 14, 2020•55 min
Founder of the MOBO awards, Kanya King CBE, is an entrepreneur synonymous with breaking down barriers and is a leading champion for social change. Her drive and ambition for a better world, has seen her achieve huge success against all the odds - and her story is truly remarkable. Growing up in London, the youngest of nine children, Kanya’s long term success was borne out of a need to survive the harsh realities of growing up in poverty before going on to have a child herself aged just 16. Kanya...
Sep 07, 2020•51 min
If the key to unlocking long term societal change is with businesses who have purpose, then Lucy & Yak are leading the way. Founded just three year ago by Chris and Lucy, the brand has seen exponential growth since 2017 with their cult following for their dungarees. Their journey started when they made their first 100 pairs of dungarees and set off for India to find their manufacturer. They knew from day one, that they would settle for nothing less that a factory who upheld the same ethical ...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 2 min
It is rare, in this day and age, that a truly new and innovative product is brought to the market, particularly in the fashion space, but that is exactly what Ade did with her brand, Nubian Skin, which makes underwear in dark tones for women of colour. From dreaming of quitting the finance rat race, to Beyonce wearing her products, Ade Hassan has built a brilliant brand and is riding the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Filled with highs, lows and crucial lessons she has learnt along the way, in t...
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr 1 min
How does a child’s food brand become the gold standard in innovation and social purpose and a leading example in business across all sectors? This week Holly speaks to Paul Lindley OBE, founder of Ella’s Kitchen - who is driven by the belief that putting ‘human’ back into business, celebrating ideas and innovation as the key elements to making long term societal change. Paul’s story started, when as the dad of two young children he felt frustrated by the lack of healthy, tasty and convenient foo...
Jul 20, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Ever wondered as a small business if you should share your personal views or keep it strictly business? For Rebecca Strickson she sees it as one and the same thing. In this episode, alongside Rebecca’s personal journey to a successful artist, Holly and Rebecca explore the role that political and personal opinion play within building a brand. They also discuss the barriers facing women entering into the creative industries as well as exploring Rebecca’s own influences and driving force behind her...
Jul 13, 2020•59 min
What does living with cancer do to your perspective on life? If Deborah James is anything to go by, it gives you a hunger for life, and a drive to make fundamental and long-lasting change to the system. Mum of two, Deborah James, also known as Bowel Babe, joins Holly in this episode to discuss her formative years, how she navigated the news every person would dread and how she is spending each day driving to make a change to the system. It is this desire to see a better way and strive to change ...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 3 min
With a strong mission to empower women in the boardroom as well as the bedroom, Jacquline revolutionised a male-dominated industry. Beginning her career at 21 when she started working for her father’s company, Jacqueline quickly saw the potential to change the focus of the business. Using her passion, ambition, and creativity Jacquline developed the concept of at-home parties and forever changed the way women could shop for lingerie and sex toys. This episode follows Jacquline’s incredible journ...
Jun 29, 2020•55 min
Tough times don’t last, tough people do - are the words shared in this episode by Rob and Paul, the founders of Gandys. But what do you do, when the very worst happens? How will the experience shape your life, and what will life look like on the other side? Recounting their experience of the Tsunami where Rob and Paul, were orphaned at a young age, resilience, building a legacy and purpose sit at the very core of this conversation. This episode follows Rob and Paul's journey to change the lives ...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 3 min
How does a beauty counter girl, become the beauty industry’s most powerful women at 50? This week, Holly speaks to Caroline Hirons. Born in Liverpool but her childhood spent in Mississippi, Caroline’s greatest influences on her life were her grandmother and mother both of whom were beauty counter girls. With a love of the glamour and strong memories of the scents and makeup so loved by her heroines, you would imagine that Caroline’s path to beauty industry powerhouse was set. But after many year...
Jun 15, 2020•1 hr 1 min
A funny, straight-talking and brilliant storyteller, John’s journey will have you enraptured from start to finish, in what must be one of the most iconic social enterprises in existence today. Lord John Bird’s story is one of the greatest Holly has had the pleasure to share on this podcast. From his early days in an orphanage, surviving through fighting and stealing, John’s childhood was not an easy one. Poverty-stricken, and in and out of prison, John realised that he would have to make his own...
Jun 08, 2020•1 hr 8 min
