In this episode I speak with Pip Durell founder of With Nothing Underneath to explore having singular focus at your business grows, how to lead, the reality of what it takes and how to celebrate the journey .

Start ups are exciting and much discussed but there is something particularly intriguing about those companies that make it to adolescence. You realise what really matters, you start to understand yourself better, you analyse what ‘works’ more effectively, your team becomes increasingly essential, your confidence grows, so does the risk. In my experience, something happens at around the five to seven year mark. And that is where we meet today’s guest. Pip Durrell is the founder of With Nothing Underneath.

I’m sure that she needs no introduction. Her shirts are renowned. Her Instagram feed documents life as the founder of one of the most successful brands in this generation; we feel that we know her. Her beautiful shirts are worn far and wide by the great and the good, I imagine her enviable press clippings as a teetering mountain and her Elizabeth Street shop is delight. Beauty and brains – the ultimate combination sit at the core of this brand. Perhaps that’s its magic. The style, the glamour, the beautiful women sit confidently alongside BCorp status.

Too often, people feel that talent is enough. That creativity is enough. That financial investment is enough. That great connections are enough. None of these are true. Dedication is the name of the game. And Pip demonstrates that dedication consistently. This isn’t luck. This is grit. 

In this episode, we talk about doing one thing well. Dedicating yourself to one thing and having singular focus. We are going to find out about the With Nothing Underneath Woman. The value of bricks and mortar. Sticking with a singular vision despite all the distractions and temptations. And what’s next for this adolescent brand. 

With Nothing Underneath: www.withnothingunderneath.com 

Gemma Moulton is the founder of East London Cloth. Gemma has crafted a visual narrative, a sensibility, a place and space all of her very own. It is both timeless and of the moment. It draws intelligently and interestingly on the past. The business has evolved quickly from making curtains, to café curtains by post and now as a fabric house of its very own. East London Cloth has made the old, new.

Time. The Right Time. Good Timing. The Right Moment. The Passage Of Time. The Right Age. Time is money. Time flies. In the nick of time. Time For A Change. Timing and business. It’s something that I think of often. It is often the olive in the martini. Get the timing right and talent sings, businesses flourish. Gemma Moulton has a great sense of time and of timing.

In the spirit of making Up With The Lark And a more interactive experience, I asked you what you’d like to ask Gemma. And without fail, every question related to her sense of style, her confident aesthetic, the space she has created. So in this episode, we are lucky enough to be able to ask Gemma all about her distinct visual narrative, her space in East London, the fabric collection, the photography and how she has made the old new in each and every area of the business.

East London Cloth: www.eastlondoncloth.co.uk

It seems to me that the mix of work rest and play has gone awry. Many of us find ourselves far from a good blend, mix or combinations of these three critical factors in any creative business. Work has long been worshipped. Being oh so very busy, burning the candle at both ends and the midnight oil, the 5am club, all nights have all been badges of honour. Slowly, though, rest has found its way like the first crocus, into entrepenurial consideration. Even if just as a means to an end. Mindfulness, going offline, running your inbox rather than it running you, company culture, sleep are now all in the conversation.

And yet play feels too often neglected. Relegated to childhood, art school, the start up phase or ‘just when I get some time’. So in this gathering of conversations, we will explore the purpose of play and the practicality of play and how we keep it at the forefront even when the cash flow forecasts, the product plan, social media and your staff are all clamouring for your attention. Looking at different creative disciplines, enterprises and personalities, I hope that you will find yourself encouraged and challenged to remember that play is in fact a very serious business.

I have never been able to resist a gallery or museum shop, not once. It is that specific moment of wanting to turn an experience, a visual experience, into something more tangible. A single postcard will suffice, a coffee table book delights but trinkets and treasures are a real treat. And there aren’t many places that do this better than the V&A. A place where the very very old and the highly contemporary are plaited together to create a world away from the hustle and bustle attitude. Whether in its architecture, exhibitions or the collections in the shop, you know you are in the hands of an expert, innovative and playful staff.

One of them joins us today, Margaux Soland heads the Buying Team of V&A Retail. They look after all the shops across the London sites which includes South Ken, The Young V&A, and V&A East. In this episode, we will find out about how the team works, their relationship with the rest of the museum, Margaux’s role there, and that even an institution as authoritative and historic as the V&A can be playful.

The V&A Shop - /www.vam.ac.uk/shop/home

It seems to me that the mix of work rest and play has gone awry. Many of us find ourselves far from a good blend, mix or combinations of these three critical factors in any creative business. Work has long been worshipped. Being oh so very busy, burning the candle at both ends and the midnight oil, the 5am club, all nights have all been badges of honour. Slowly, though, rest has found its way like the first crocus, into entrepenurial consideration. Even if just as a means to an end. Mindfulness, going offline, running your inbox rather than it running you, company culture, sleep are now all in the conversation.

And yet play feels too often neglected. Relegated to childhood, art school, the start up phase or ‘just when I get some time’. So in this gathering of conversations, we will explore the purpose of play and the practicality of play and how we keep it at the forefront even when the cash flow forecasts, the product plan, social media and your staff are all clamouring for your attention. Looking at different creative disciplines, enterprises and personalities, I hope that you will find yourself encouraged and challenged to remember that play is in fact a very serious business.

Every nation suffers under a cloud of cliches, and Scotland is no different. All tartan tins of shortbread, haggis, deep fried anything kilts and cold dark nights. But that assumption is a mistaken one and our guests today are working to offer an alternative perspective. They are championing Scottish craft at its very finest, offered with celebration and joy. Husbands Hugo Macdonald and James Stevens are the founders of Bard, a gallery and shop celebrating Scottish craft and design.

Whether textiles or ceramics, whether from the Borders or the Isle of Skye, whether established or just making a name, all the selections these two made debunk that Scottish cliche, and not just that they're doing so playfully.

We're going to talk about the idea for Bard, the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and humour of their makers, why play matters in the realm of physical retail and in the presentation of craft.

Bard Scotland - www.bard-scotland.com

It seems to me that the mix of work rest and play has gone awry. Many of us find ourselves far from a good blend, mix or combinations of these three critical factors in any creative business. Work has long been worshipped. Being oh so very busy, burning the candle at both ends and the midnight oil, the 5am club, all nights have all been badges of honour. Slowly, though, rest has found its way like the first crocus, into entrepenurial consideration. Even if just as a means to an end. Mindfulness, going offline, running your inbox rather than it running you, company culture, sleep are now all in the conversation.

And yet play feels too often neglected. Relegated to childhood, art school, the start up phase or ‘just when I get some time’. So in this gathering of conversations, we will explore the purpose of play and the practicality of play and how we keep it at the forefront even when the cash flow forecasts, the product plan, social media and your staff are all clamouring for your attention. Looking at different creative disciplines, enterprises and personalities, I hope that you will find yourself encouraged and challenged to remember that play is in fact a very serious business.

In this episode we are joined by Ella McKay, Fatso Numero Uno and co-creator of Fatso Chocolate. As a modern day chocolate brand, they have the lives, livelihood and wellbeing of their farmers at heart. Alongside this value driven approach is a playful sense of humour. It finds expression vividly and without apology in the branding, recipes, names, stories and imagery.

Whether it’s a King Charles lookalike tucking into ‘The King’s Ransome’ bars or the promise that a biker granny would devour ‘Nan’s Stash’ with teeth or no teeth or the memorable ‘Morning Glory’ bar which celebrates cornflakes, toast and marmalade, wit and confidence rule here. And I can’t wait to find out more about how play, good humour, chocolate, caring and commerce all interrelate.

Fatso Chocolate - www.sofatso.com

It seems to me that the mix of work rest and play has gone awry. Many of us find ourselves far from a good blend, mix or combinations of these three critical factors in any creative business. Work has long been worshipped. Being oh so very busy, burning the candle at both ends and the midnight oil, the 5am club, all nights have all been badges of honour. Slowly, though, rest has found its way like the first crocus, into entrepenurial consideration. Even if just as a means to an end. Mindfulness, going offline, running your inbox rather than it running you, company culture, sleep are now all in the conversation.

And yet play feels too often neglected. Relegated to childhood, art school, the start up phase or ‘just when I get some time’. So in this gathering of conversations, we will explore the purpose of play and the practicality of play and how we keep it at the forefront even when the cash flow forecasts, the product plan, social media and your staff are all clamouring for your attention. Looking at different creative disciplines, enterprises and personalities, I hope that you will find yourself encouraged and challenged to remember that play is in fact a very serious business.

In this episode we are joined by Camilla Wordie. Camilla is an art director and stylist. She works with food to make compositions that defy the ordinary. Balance, colour, story, angles and degrees, the perfect prop all combine to great effect. Anything that makes you pause, look again, draw closer and revist in your mind is a triumph as far as I am concered and that’s what Camilla’s work offers. It is seriously playful and playfully serious. I am looking forward to asking Camilla about her practice, the role of play in her work, how minimalism and play interact and how we can all be just a little more playful.

In this episode we are joined by Jess Wheeler. Jess is a designer and artist based in North Wales. She works across a variety of disciplines from set to homeware design and her cross disciplinary approach has a unified, nostalgic, nature driven narrative.

I greatly admire not just the pieces that Jess creates but also her route and methods. In fact a bronze rhubarb from her collection was the first purchase I made for my own studio before I even had a desk. She seems to have an unquenchable thirst for experimentation, for new materials, contexts and stories.

One of the aspects I think is most distinct about Jess is that she has begun, developed and expanded her own workshop deep in the wilds of Wales. It is a workshop of ideas. It is a place of trial and error. It is a place of learning. It is filled with people with new skills and those with hard-won expertise. It is noisy production and natural beauty. It is rugged and raw and suspiciously photogenic.

We are lucky enough today to hear more of Jess’ adventures in creativity, how she came to the current chapter of lighting across brass, bronze and plaster, life in Wales, the influence of the natural world, the people around her and what the future holds.

Jess Wheeler: www.jesswheeler.com

It is too easy to throw up our hands in despair at the state of the world. And yet there are many of you acting to make a change. Not only that, you are doing it ever so stylishly. Each of you should be applauded.

For quite some time, I have wanted to adjust the format of the podcast. To mix in with the one to one interviews, some more ‘round the table’ discussions. I want to hear different views and outlooks, about contrasting ideas and a breadth of industries. I am delighted that this is the first of such a discussion and my guests far exceeded my expectations. This is a wonderful conversation with Sophie Platts, founder of Floks, and Ruth Alice Rands, founder of Herd.

Each of these fantastic women has has a great story to share, a fantastic attitude to the planet, to change and to running a business. I hope that their company names will give you a clue on the topic. Today, we are going to Reimagine Wool. In this episode, we are going to discuss a the re-imagining of the wool industry. A fascinating topic alone but also one that whatever industry you are in, there are insights to share and lessons to learn. We hear about each of their relationships with wool, the enterprises they have begun, highs and lows and what they hope that the future holds.

I am quite certain that you will walk away uplifted, encouraged and, I hope, a little bit challenged to act on the changes that you want to see in your field, industry, arena. We all have the ability to bring about change and you couldn’t ask for two better role models that Sophie and Ruth.

www.floks.co.uk
www.herdwear.co

There is an audible sigh of exhaustion, of weariness, of disturbed momentum, of deep uncertainty. So in this collection of conversations, we are going to discuss ideas, approaches and temperaments that could act as an antidote for those of us working in the arts and creative industries.

If you have found yourself retreating, becoming overly cautious or risk averse, then this is the episode for you. Francesca Strange, founder of The Proof, is brutally honest about running a business and taking calculated risks, searching for balance, facing failure and the future. There’s no sugar coating here.

The Proof are a bakery based in East London who, simply put ‘will bring pudding’. Francesca is a self-taught cook and baker who has blended an Italian background, a sweet tooth and gumption in spades to create a business full of energy and joy. A nod to style but its heart in substance, The Proof delivers the puddings we know and love with a dollop of doings things well on the side. And if you manage to get to the end of this episode without a craving for profiteroles, I will be quite surprised.

We are going to hear about the unexpected beginnings in lockdown, opening the bakery in Dalston, building a team, their current kickstarter campaign and their vision and plans for the future. Here’s a clue. It involves candy floss.

It is true that many enterprises begin with someone unable to find what they are looking for, so they make it themselves and Nights By Wilder is a delightful example of this. It was born out of founder Elizabeth’s stylish eye for nightwear for her children. Stylish is quite the word here, Nights By Wilder is highly memorable from its fabrics and silhouettes to its charm and its whimsy. Children’s attire is a crowded & noisy marketplace so it’s no mean feet to find yourself distinctive, celebrated & instantly recognisable.

In this episode, we hear about the early days of the business, the development of the aesthetic, the importance of originality, seeking out experts, building a business as well as a brand and keeping curiosity, kindness and confidence alive.

Nights By Wilder - www.nightsbywilder.com

Welcome to the latest episode of Up With The Lark And. In this latest collection of conversations, I hope to offer some small antidote to the pervasive sense of weariness, exhaustion and uncertainty. My guests offer attitudes, approaches and temperaments that I hope should offer ideas, energy and confidence. Our guest is Julian Parmiter, one of the founders of Create Academy. Create Academy offers online learning across interior design, floristry, food, drink and craft. It is warm, embracing, joyful, excellent. The list of those sharing their expertise is a moorish pick and mix of talented and engaging individuals including Rita Konig, Dan Pearson, Edward Bulmer and Jess Wheeler.

It would be so easy to dismiss creativity in times of economic uncertainty and when the world appears to be on fire. But in my view, the quest for new ideas, beauty and connection really do hold their value. It’s vital that we remain curious and are disciplined at learning new things and that we focus on experience over just transactions. Create Academy offers just that.

Simply, Create Academy acknowledges that human need to create. In this episode we get to discover more about its inner workings. I ask how the founders met, how the business began, how it works, the selection of talent, the practicalities of working as a partnership and their plans for the future.

Create Academy: www.createacademy.com

It feels that within the creative industries there is an audible sigh of exhaustion, of weariness, of disturbed momentum, of uncertainty. So, in this collection of conversations, we are going to discuss ideas, approaches and temperaments that could act an antidote to this. I have approached those who have reimagined an industry, a material, an approach to doing things as I hope that this will bring some energy, fresh ideas and confidence to the fore.

Today’s guest is just the caffeine fix we all need and certainly has their own way of doing things. We are going to hear the story of Fitzcaraldo Editions as told by its founder, Jacques Testard. Fitzcarraldo Editions is an independent publisher specialising in contemporary fiction and long form essays. They focus on ambitious, imaginative and innovative writing, both in translation and in English.

It is a story drawn out of tradition, necessity and imagination. To my mind their independence is truly cherished, they have an intellectual confidence and an eye on longevity, an energetic approach to the commercial side of things and a linguistic rhythm all their own.

We find out about the importance of the written word, the early days of the business, the impact of a bilingual founder, the world of publishing today, balancing editorial drive and commercial necessity, moments of great celebration and what the future holds.

Fitzcarraldo Editions: www.fitzcarraldoeditions.com

We ask Ben Watkinson, Creative Director of GF Smith, about the power of paper, the work of a paper merchant, resilience, innovation, company culture, longevity and what the next one hundred years might bring.

When I begin work with a new client, their specific understanding of success is a vital first step. Often I find myself ushering people towards adding ‘longevity’ to the list. In an era where everything seems to happen ever faster, comparison is rife and the state of the world makes it hard to visualise what the future will hold, this is not an easy aspiration to have. But it is a highly valuable one. 

Today’s guest certainly has achieved it. Let me take you back to 1885. George V was on the throne here, Mark Twain published Huckleberry Finn, the football association recognised professional footballers, the Glasgow Boys first exhibited collectively and George Frederick Smith founded a new paper merchant called GF Smith and S on to supply printers with the finest papers.

For over 135 years, GF Smith has been obsessed with the simple beauty and limitless possibilities of paper. Their desire is that, through the hands of the design community, they can bring creativity to life and constantly innovate with one of the world’s oldest materials.

Today’s guest is one of the custodians of this great legacy. Ben Watkinson is the Creative Director of GFSmith. ‘Founded in 1885’ isn’t a marketing slogan; it’s an approach to doing business. 

In this episode we face up to a complex, emotive and sadly ubiquitous challenge: copying. To my mind this is a heady mix of principle and pragmatism, the creative life and commercial reality. The fact is that copying is an inherent part of the pursuit of creativity. Imitation is how we learn and we are all searching for inspiration hoping to excavate our way to something extraordinary and, frankly, something saleable. And yet we require limits, restrictions and processes to marshal true originality and commercial investment to safety.

When faced with a copycat, I often hear the argument that the legal route is too expensive, too unpredictable, too time consuming and frankly out of touch with reality. It can feel that Intellectual Property laws are outdated thanks to a limited number of financially buoyant litigious creatives bringing case law up to date. Given that feeling, many turn to trial by instagram, calling people out, despair, shutting up shop or just quietly soldier on.

Today’s guest offers an enlightening alternative. Sarah Watson, founder of Balineum, is passionate about bathrooms. At Balineum they aspire to bring impeccable style to every bathroom with a particular flair for celebrating classic designs forms and colours. I simply did not know how captivating tiles could be!

Sarah has vision and energy in spades and I am absolutely delighted that she is joining to discuss this tricky topic. It’s a great shame for Sarah that she has experienced copying both flagrant and frequent, but it is a little bit wonderful for the rest of us. This is because Sarah has harnessed her experience, growing knowledge and ability to blend principle and pragmatism to open up the conversation on this topic. She has set up The Plucky Fund to support others facing similar challenges. It is a very special project indeed and in this episode Sarah shares her plans and ideas to shift the culture around copying.

Sarah Watson - Balineum: www.balineum.co.uk
You can contact Sarah here: sarah@balineum.co.uk
Read More About The Plucky Fund here: www.balineum.co.uk/pages/dealing-with-product-copies

Welcome to Episode 62 and a rather special follow up episode. Back in November 2020, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alexandra Dauley and Sophie Ashby co-founders of United in Design. United in Design is a charitable project working to tackle the lack of diversity in the design industries.

The conversation that we had was honest and moving. It was focused on practical action. It was about hope. And today we see hope realised in that we are joined by Christine Omorere and Roshu Shreshtha. They are both former United in Design apprentices.

They have recently worked on a very special project with Bernie de la Cuona, of de la Cuona, for the WOW!House at the Design Centre. We hear all about their backgrounds and the United in Design apprenticeship, how the collaboration with de la Cuona came about, the WOW!House and their plans for the future.

Tickets to the WOW!House: www.dcch.co.uk/wowhouse/
United in Design: www.unitedindesign.com
de la Cuona: www.delecuona.com

Welcome to Episode 61 and a topic I am delighted to be discussing - how to build on success. Too often preoccupied with what could go wrong, we rarely openly discuss “what could go right”? How does success impact us? Does it offer freedom or pressure? How do we sustain it?

Far from an air of arrogance, for me building on success is the antidote to a burnout culture that celebrates one hit wonders and unsustainable creative and business practices. Taking the long view, building something that lasts, shifting away from feast and famine, fads and fashion makes sense to me.

To explore this I am delighted to be joined by artist Christabel Blackburn. She is a London-based painter whose work and process I have admired from a distance. We find out about her work, winning Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, how her sense of success has changed and developed, how she has built on that accolade, her latest exhibition at Alex Eagle and what the future holds.

Christabel Blackburn: www.christabelblackburn.com
Alex Eagle: https://alexeagle.com/collections/christabel-blackburn

In this spring-time cluster of episodes, I look to the great outdoors, to gardens, garden design, landscaping and all things green and, in particular, that great institution Chelsea Flower Show. The show is a place to luxuriate in the great garden renaissance of the 2020s and to explore current themes, preoccupations and narratives.

For this episode, we are joined by garden designer and writer Tabi Jackson-Gee. She writes for a plethora of publications and I particularly enjoy her articles for the FT and House & Garden which explore varied and intriguing subjects which can also be found within her own garden design.

Of late, these have included ‘the darling buds of decay’, garden lighting which supports rather than disrupts or confuses wildlife, the extraordinary naming of flowers, as well as practical concepts of using salvaged materials, planting for colour and finding the perfect garden fence.

Her gardens are locally minded, sensitive to and conscious of surroundings, they tell stories and are a delight to be in.

All this equips her to steer us through the great maze of Chelsea Flower Show. Tabi tells us about her own experiences of Chelsea, how the show is evolving over time, who to look out for this year, the themes of rewinding, mental health and the planet and what she is most looking forward to seeing.

In these spring-time episodes, I look to the great outdoors, to gardens, garden design, landscaping and, in particular, that great institution Chelsea Flower show.

Far from its past reputation as a little ‘fuddy duddy’, Chelsea is now a place to luxuriate in the great garden renaissance of the 2020s. It is an opportunity to explore current themes, preoccupations and meanings found within the natural world and how we experience it.

In this episode I am joined by Lottie Delamain. She is one of the Garden Designers exhibiting at Chelsea 2022. Working with Fashion Revolution, the garden explores the relationship between plants, textiles and colour dyes and prompts us to ask ‘what is in my clothes’? There is simply so much more to that question that meets the eye, so much to consider, to conflate and to contrast.

Lottie shares her story, the move from textile to garden design, her experience of Chelsea Flower Show, the Fashion Revolution Garden, the behind-the-scenes practicalities of making it happen and, importantly, the future of the garden once the gates of Chelsea close.

You might be forgiven for thinking that you've downloaded an episode of Elizabeth Day's How to Fail when you hear the story of this episode. I had the honour of interviewing Taymoor Atighetchi, founder of Papier, some weeks ago over Zoom. I'll be honest. I made a huge mistake. I failed to press record. It was a horrifying realisation. By some miracle Taymoor's PR team had recorded the call. However the quality isn't perfect. But the lesson I learnt is. The consequence of my conversation with Taymoor has significantly changed my approach to my own business. But that is for another day. For now, please excuse the technical difficulties and enjoy one of the best conversations that I have had about business. I'm quite sure that you, too, will be changed by it.

In this episode we start with paper and pen. Taymoor is a captivating example of the power of sitting down with a blank page. In a literal sense you might be writing a menu for a party, inviting a loved one to a celebration, saying thank you, scribbling a frantic to do list or journaling and reflecting on your day,. Metaphorically a blank page offers the opportunity of a new way to do business, a new combination of concepts, fresh investment and new markets to explore.

Taymoor knows more about a blank page than most. Papier is, to my mind, that perfect combination of analogue and tech, of tradition and the current moment, of breadth and depth. In this episode we consider the significance of his childhood, what drew him to paper, why Papier, his belief in big vision, in embracing growth and growing state-side.

So grab a pen, get ready to scribble because there are quite a few golden nuggets to be found.

Welcome to the latest episode in our Start Series. Today we Start with the Classics with Emily Campbell of nightwear brand If Only If.

For me a classic is something timeless, of quality, of influence, an outstanding example that for reasons not always easy to articulate stands apart. A classic may come in and out of the limelight, be refreshed and reimagined, but they remain.

Examples are numerous and personal. My list is long and includes, without doubt, the nightdress. I consider Emily Campbell, of If Only If, to be a custodian of the classic nightdress. Their nighties are beautifully designed, using beautiful materials. They are for all women, at every stage of life, in every generation and of all sizes and styles.

We discuss how her mother began the business, Emily’s decision to leave teaching and take on the business into a new era, the changes she has made and the impact they have had, how the business continues to celebrate classics and women and what the future holds.

Welcome to the latest episode in our Start Series. In this episode we consider, Start A Partnership. And we do so with a very special pair indeed - Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson of Towpath.

Towpath is that rare thing these days. It is a discovery. Nestled in four kiosks on Regent's Canal, the shutters open in Spring to reveal a warmth, an intimacy. They offer great food, drink and conversation. Their cookbook - sharing recipes and stories - is a little window into their magical world and, importantly for us, the partnership of Lori and Laura. There is a chemistry, a trust, mutual reliance and honesty in this partnership. Perhaps it is the most important recipe of all.

I ask Lori and Laura about how they met, their individual experiences and points of view, the early days, how things have evolved and what they think the key is to a great partnership.

So if you are thinking of starting up a project with someone, are in a partnership that seems to be struggling a little or one that is thriving and you want to make the most of it, this is for you.

I feel very lucky indeed to have enticed them to record this episode just before they opened for Spring. A myriad of delays means that I am only releasing now. But the good in that is that they are open. Go today. Go now. You won't regret the time you spend there.

Welcome to the latest episode in the Start Series. Today, Start A Creative Life Outside London.

It seems to me that creatives, creative endeavour, creative projects and workspaces have shifted to the length and breadth of the nation thanks, I presume, to the pandemic. Whilst London is a world famous centre for the full range of creative industries, it has been refreshing to see those outside London thriving.

And thriving is exactly the word to describe our guests today. Jeremy and Cath Brown are the founders of Feldspar. Based in the wilds of Dartmoor, they make ceramic pieces, made properly, to last and with an elegant and simple aesthetic to weather the trends of time. Cobalt blue, geranium red and gold flashes adorn their pieces which are admired and sold across the globe.

More than a creative triumph, it is also seems to be a triumph of living well. A family life of fresh air, tangible contentment and creative exploration and flair. That and a tree house that wouldn't look out of place on The Modern House.

We hear about life in Devon, how the business began, the joys, frustrations and potential of life outside the Big Smoke, what tempts them back (occasionally) and a glimpse into the future of Feldspar.

Welcome to the second part of our special two-part series looking at the Museum of the Home. Twig Hutchinson is back to co-host and we recorded the episode overlooking the beautiful gardens of the museum. On the day of the Yard Sale they were teeming with stalls, treasures and conversation.

Twig and I are acutely aware of all that is going on in the world, of the precarious and precious nature of home. If Covid has us counting our blessings, the situation in Ukraine has us cherishing our freedom and our safety. Our freedom to gather, to create, to speak freely. And in this episode we do just that.

We hope to give a flavour of the event by conversing with a wonderful collection of guests asking them about their relationship with the museum, their own creative practices and their homes. Our trio of guests are architect William Smalley, co-founder of Collagerie and Colville Lucinda Chambers and perfumer Maya Njie.

Museum of the Home: www.museumofthehome.org.uk
Wiliam Smalley: www.williamsmalley.com
Lucinda Chambers: www.instagram.com/lucindachambers
Collagerie: www.collagerie.com
Maya Njie: www.mayanjie.com

Producer: Charles Tomlinson

If curiosity is your north star, you will enjoy this. How does being self-taught impact the life of a creative entrepreneur?

Those who live a life of creativity are often driven by something quite simple - curiosity, wonder and questioning. There is an innate desire to want to understand something, to work something out, to communicate and to explore. 

For some, this takes them on a path to art school, to foundation degrees, exams, tests, the affirmation of professors and educators. For others, the path is all together quite different. This is the path of the self-taught creative. It is this enticing topic that we are going to explore today. What prompts someone to explore a particular creative path or discipline? What encourages them to make it their livelihood? Where do you begin? How do you put ideas into practice? What part does the recognition of your peers play? When do you feel successful? How do you retain that desire to learn when you are further down the line? Too often we hear about the glory moments, the highlights, the 'ta da' experiences. But in this episode, I am delighted that we are going to hear about the journey, the approach, the grit and the reality. And, of course, some of those fabulous 'ta da' moments too. 

We are joined by Nicholas Balfe, founder and chef director of Holm in Somerset. He is a self-taught chef and his story is a fantastic one. Holm can be found in a former bank in a quaint Somerset village. It is inspired by nature, its surroundings and is driven by provenance, sustainability and warm hospitality. It is enticing and beautiful. I imagine it to be the physical representation of Nicholas' curiosity. 

Home means something, something significant, to all of us.

This episode is different and a bit special. It is the first of a two part series focusing on the Museum of the Home. You will hear all about the Museum itself, the Behind the Door campaign supporting London's homeless women and families and the Yard Sale that the Museum is holding on 12 March to raise both funds and awareness.

The episode was recorded in the beautiful Plain English kitchen at the Museum in amongst the hustle and bustle of London life which was really wonderful. And as if that wasn’t enough, I co-hosted the episode with Twig Hutchinson. Twig is an art director and brand consultant and, importantly for this episode, a committee member of this great event. She was once a guest on the podcast and we had a great chat so I am very excited to have her back on ‘this’ side of the mic.

Twig and I interview a creative and insightful cluster of guests on the topic of home and homelessness. We have Lucy Littlewood from the Museum of the Home who shares her role at the museum and more about the Behind the Doors campaign. We are then joined by Viv Askeland who generously shares her own story of homelessness, explains the issue of hidden homelessness and her involvement with the project. And finally, Jermaine Gallacher who is a design dealer, interior designer, designer and columnist. He is going to be one of the stallholders on the day and he has some excellent advice and a refreshing outlook when it comes to design and to the hunt for treasures at the Yard Sale.

The Museum and its Behind the Door campaign are such great causes so I do hope that you will come to the Yard Sale, bid in the auction and please do share this with your friends.

Find Out More:
Museum of the Home: www.museumofthehome.org.uk/whats-on/events/yard-sale/
Twig Hutchinson: www.twighutchinson.com
Jermaine Gallacher: www.jermainegallacher.com

Production: Charles Tomlinson
Branding: Ben Prescott

As we find ourselves heading into another strange Christmas, I wanted to find someone with a bit of festive cheer for you. And so, a festive tipple is on the agenda! I have, by good luck, managed to combine it with one of my favourite topics: the family business. It’s been on my list for a long time and I am delighted to have the founders of Kuda Cocktails join me to discuss it.

Kuda Cocktails was founded by a Trinidadian mother-daughters team last year. We are lucky enough to have two out of three of the team join us for this episode - Alexandra and Deirdre Marshall. Their story hits more good notes than Mariah Carey and Michael Buble combined - a family rum punch recipe, a mother and daughters team, a business started during the pandemic and one that has started small and simply.

I won’t tell you too much more now as I want them to share their story with you in their own words. Safe to say that there is much to recommend these lovely ladies and what they have built.

If you are considering going into business with someone in your family, if you have an idea for something that you can’t see in the market place, if you want their to be joy and fun in your business, if you like the idea of bright and fresh rum punch, then this is for you.

www.kudacocktails.com

Welcome to the latest episode in the START series. Today we have Rowena Morgan-Cox founder of Palefire. We are going to consider 'Start Something New'.
Over the last few years, the number of people registering new business has increased dramatically In March 2021, more new businesses were created that month than any other month since HMRC records began in 1989. Or put another way, in the first half of 2021, nearly 80 new businesses were registered each hour according to Companies House. This wave of entrepreneurialism is likely the result of various factors - necessity for those who have lost jobs or work, altered ambitions, a desire to make a change in one's life, having more time to devote to a passion project or perhaps just an infectious sense of possibility.
I felt that it was really important to incorporate an episode on the idea of starting something new so I could explore how you know whether an idea is a good one, how to develop a new product or brand, how to keep going when its tough and how you know that you are ready to go full time.
I have found an absolute treat for you - someone right at the very beginning. To share her start up story, we have Rowena Morgan-Cox founder of Palefire.
Palefire is a design studio which takes a flamboyant approach drawing on art nouveau, the Omega Workshops, Abstract Expressionism and mid-century Murano glass making to name just a few. The debut collection comprises eight decorative light designs using recycled paper pulp manufactured in small batches in Barcelona and then assembled and hand-painted in the London studio. Rowena has an extraordinary eye for design, detail and colour and I am quite sure that we have caught her just as her star is on the rise.

Welcome to the latest episode in our series Start. Today is Start Your Own Approach and to explore that topic, both in style and substance, we have Georgia Dant founder of Marfa Stance.

Marfa Stance is a clothing brand with a distinctive aesthetic that creates timeless designs providing not just life long quality but versatility too. They invite their customers into the design process by offering variety, layering and potential. Frankly, it's worth ushering in winter to be able to envelope yourself in a Marfa Stance. It seems to me that it is a brand determined to tread it's own path, in its own way and wearing its own bespoke jacket of course!
As ever, I want to go right back to the start with Georgia and hear about her early years, the beginnings of her career in fashion, the influence of Donald Judd and Dan Flavin amongst others, I hear all about the vision, principles and purpose of the brand, the 'pinch me' moments when it all comes together and the challenges and obstacles that can threaten that. Whether you are starting out or world weary, my hope is that something will capture your imagination to spur you on to start or recommit to your own approach.

Marfa Stance: https://www.marfastance.com

Producer: Charles Tomlinson

Welcome to the first episode in the new series entitled START.
The topic is Start Your Own Projects and our guest is the incredibly talented still life photographer, Kate Friend.
It seems to me that it is very easy to become focused entirely on commission based work, bringing a client’s vision and expectations to life. Working on your own passion projects, side hustles, ideas and vision is crucial to keeping your creativity at its best. It also gives the greatest opportunity for progression, development, stretch, growth.
I discovered Kate’s work at her recent exhibition at The Garden Museum entitled ‘Botanical Portraits: as chosen by’. Her work is original and beautiful, vivid yet restrained, bold and yet considered.
Kate’s story is one of adventurous reinvention. It all began with Kate the teenager, transfixed by the sights and smells of the darkroom at school. The subsequent chapters of her memoir would be varied and fascinating - Mongolia, China, brilliant brands such as Comme de Garcon and Dover Street Market, a magazine entitled ‘Mother’, a single onion from the local grocer and the restrictions and joy of working with film. Kate then found herself photographing flowers with a minimal aesthetic but with abundant stories to tell.
After two exhibitions at The Garden Museum, Kate’s work was picked up by The New York Times and then by the Lyndsay Ingram Gallery. The exhibition is on from 19th November - 23rd December and shows her works on a new scale and with some new pieces.

In this episode we have a little extra end of summertime treat ahead of the new series starting later in the autumn.

My guest is Chow Mezger of Jude's Ice Cream and we explore the deceptive simplicity of a tub of vanilla ice cream.

I have long wanted Jude's to come on the podcast because I feel that the story of Jude's touches on so many interesting and important topics - acting on idea later in life, running a family business, what it means to be a British brand, taking the long view, being carbon neutral, becoming a BCorp and the interrelationship of purpose and commitment.

Chow is clear thinking, highly articulate and not afraid of a challenge. My hope is that you will find this episode as uplifting and refreshing as the best ice cream on a hot summer's day.

Welcome to Episode Six of the Perseverance Series.

We all know wonderful people who can tell a great story - the perfect person to sit next to at dinner. They can make a story about getting on a ferry, going to the supermarket or attending parents evening incredibly funny or they can bring a place, a meal or a culture to life in very few words. The same is true of brands and businesses. There are those who can draw us in to their narrative, their vision and so much so that we want to be a part of it.

Today's guest is a wonderful storyteller with whom we will explore the topic 'persevere with storytelling'. Maya Njie is the founder of her eponymous perfume brand based in London. Her background lies in surface design and photography but, inspired by an old family photo album, she set about trying to capture a moment in time, by way of scent.

She is self taught and her clear focus is on high quality artisanal blends mixed in small, fresh batches, filtered and bottled individually by hand. Her singular ability to bring together a photograph, a colour palate, a scent is captivating and why I was so keen to interview her on this wonderful topic.

Maya Njie: http://www.mayanjie.com

Welcome to Episode Five in this latest series entitled Perseverance.

In May 2020, The Craft Council produced an extensive report on the Market For Craft (it is certainly worth a read). They reported on a new generation of craft makers and consumers - I couldn't agree more! A renewed respect for technique, the digital age and a desire for experience over transaction have all played their part in bringing craft and making back to the fore.

If you are looking for a masterclass in traditional craft, quiet understated excellence alongside a purity of purpose, aesthetic and style, you have come to the right place. Lola Lely and Yesenia Thibault-Picazo are the founders of Wax Atelier based in East London. They re-visit traditional techniques ranging from candle dipping and paper-making to crafted textiles using natural wax. This is a far cry from birthday candles on a Colin the Caterpillar cake, tea lights in jam jars and hastily collected candle stubs in a power cut. This is the magical majesty of the wax itself. They are quite the hit - they are currently working with Toast, Laura Jackson is a fan and they are stocked by a delightful list of considered and stylish stockists. Their star is most certainly on the rise.

I am going to find out more about how they met and the beginnings of the business, their approach to the making itself, the highs and the challenges, scaling and growing, new projects and their view on the key to perseverance.

I would suggest that you pop over to Toast and enjoy the video that Wax Atelier made with them earlier this year - it will leave you super keen to know more and with a lingering visual in your mind. Then you will enjoy this episode all the more.

Welcome to the latest in the series on perseverance - whatever creative industry you are in or whatever stage your career is at, whether you are starting up or scaling up, perseverance is the name of the game.
And in this episode we are going to delve into 'persevering with your values'. If you have worked with me, you'll know about y frankly obsessive preoccupation with values. That might be defining them, refining them, nurturing them, communicating them, protecting them and, to be honest, just sticking by them!
There is always so much to distract and dissuade us from this approach to business and never more than now. And yet today's guests seem to step further into their value driven approach with each new season and challenge.
They are Becky Okell and Huw Thomas, founders of Paynter Jacket. They make limited edition jackets sold in 'batches' four times a year. They release hundreds of jackets in each batches that sell out in minutes, if not seconds. But this is no hype brand. This is about bringing meaning back to clothing and changing what it means to be sustainable. This no-waste business model is certainly the business model of the future and one I often use as a case study with clients.
I have watched them from afar and marvelled at what they have built. Then the day before recording, they proved my hunch right. I sent them an invitation to be on the podcast and their response was swift, insightful and uplifting. And just when I thought spontaneity had left us forever, we recorded this episode just 24 hours later.
They are spontaneous, obsessed with learning, are all about community, transparency and being uncompromising in all areas of the business. They describe running their business as 'one long conversation' and I hope that you will enjoy a moment to hear a snippet of that wonderful dialogue between two extraordinary founders.

Welcome to Episode Three in our series on Perseverance. In this episode, we explore 'Persevere with Performance'. I know that the performing arts have been woefully under-represented on this podcast as they aren't, in the traditional sense, 'entrepreneurial'. But in fact, I think that we have a great deal to learn from those who dedicate themselves to performance especially in a pandemic.

Our guest is Xander Parish. He is the first Western Principal Ballet Dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia. Xander's commitment to his art form is extraordinary. His worth ethic and singularity of purpose is more than inspiring. It is a call to action.

His story would be well told by Peter Morgan - from his early years in Yorkshire to life at the Royal Ballet School in London and now in Russia, talent and perseverance shine through. That and a love of cricket! We find out about the boy ballerina, embracing adventure in Russia, what performance means to him, the role his faith plays, remaining positive during lockdown and how we can all persevere to see opportunities in these strange strange times.

How to ignite original thinking to action and how to keep that independence of thought at the heart of all you do as your businees grows. 

I think that we would all liked to be described as original. I think we also like to think that our designs, branding, website, shop or investment strategy meet that threshold too. But it is a high one. There are certainly those who veer away from the herd, who shake off what is expected and forge their own path, laying brick by brick by brick. These people imagine, test, mess up, question, engage, focus and encourage. So while todays guest might not fit squarely into the ‘creative arts’ sector, I was so intrigued by the concept that I couldn’t resist a chat. 

Lauren Scott-Harris is the founder of EARNT. To my mind, EARNT is a verb. It is an attitude, a movement, a community of change makers who believe that actions speak louder than money. They help brands unite with causes to get good things done. Those that take part gain access to the best limited editions, the most sought after experiences and widely coveted tickets - creating a new kind of VIP. With some great early adopters, such as the River Café and Desmond and Dempsy, the concept is evolving and growing.

This is an idea built on belonging, on using influence to actually do something and of making that set of ideals a practical one. We are going to find out about where the idea came from, what the early years have been like, the contradictions and challenges they face, how we can test original thinking and keep independence of thought alive as the inevitable growing pains kick in.

Earnt - www.earnt.co.uk

Welcome to Episode Two in our series entitled “Perseverance”.

Atelier Ellis make quiet, beautiful handmade paint to help you tell the story of your home. Founder Cassandra Ellis, is queen of the understated, the considered, the cocooning. It is apparently effortless and deeply atmospheric. Even the hand-painted paint chart is thing of beauty. She advises her customers to ‘tune out the noise’ of what is in vogue, fashionable, everywhere else and instead asks us all to tell our own story.

I think that this approach is a brilliant one both in terms of our homes and our businesses and careers. We explore how to tune into your own aesthetic and approach, how to tune out the noise creatively and commercially and how to persevere with all of this despite comparison, challenges and set backs.

Welcome to our new podcast series entitled ‘Perseverance’. It seems to me that is what we are all going to have to focus on as we head into 2021. And we are starting at a great place, ‘Persevere with Your Passions’. We are all going to need to do this and to inspire and encourage us is cookery author, Skye McAlpine.

I have often admired Skye’s wonderful kitchen creations, marvelling at how she manages to turn something quite simple into a feast. Whether in Venice or London, lunch in a heatwave or supper on a chilly winter’s night, Skye makes me want to cook what she easts. And, importantly, makes it seems actually possible that I might attempt it and not end up sweating and swearing in the kitchen while friends chat and drink without me.

Good ingredients, good plates and good friends seem to be the name of the game. A brilliant recipe if ever there was one.

We talk about where Skye’s passion for food began, how she developed that passion into a career, her latest book ‘A Table for Friends’, how she continues to nurture her love of food and hospitality and how we can all continue to persevere with our own passions.

Welcome to the final episode in our series on Hope. Now, we haven’t given up hope completely! On the contrary, I wanted to end the series with the episode that I felt was the most hopeful of all. My hope is that this episode lifts the spirits and moves us all to action.

This episode is The Hope of Change with Alexandria Dauley and Sophie Ashby of United in Design. United in Design is a charitable organisation set up to address the lack of diversity within the design industry.

If the last six months have made the ‘why’ and the ‘who’ of the battle for diversity self-evident, perhaps the ‘how’ has not been as easy as we wish it could be. The United in Design initiative tackles that head on with a clear vision, a plethora of projects and a collaborative approach.

In this episode, we are going to hear how these bold, purposeful change-makers met, how the idea began and came to fruition, their incredible vision, the wonderful people involved, what success looks like to them, the challenges of running a charity long term, their hope for the future and we can all get involved.

United In Design: www.unitedindesign.com

Welcome to Episode Ten in our series on Hope.

For quite some time I have wanted to have some more established entrepreneurs on the podcast. And you are in for a treat today.

Meri Meri is an international lifestyle brand for party, home and play. To be honest, a party isn’t a party in our house with some Meri Meri! Their world is whimsical, magical, celebratory and of seeming limitless creativity. We are going to hear all about that and what it actually takes to make that happen.

Speaking to Meredithe was a true privilege. I had high hopes but was blown away by how incredibly generous she was with her time and her thoughtful answers to my many questions! Meredithe was honest, challenging and encouraging.

There is so much in here - it is a head nodding, note taking episode. We spoke about the early years in 1980s America, the marriage of profit and creativity, weathering the storms, branding, copycats, imposter syndrome, building an incredible team, finding your identity and confidence as a founder, doing things properly, glitter (of course, the impact of the pandemic and the curse of eternal optimism.

Meri Meri: www.merimeri.co.uk

Welcome to Episode Nine in our series on Hope.

In this episode we speak with Georgia Spray founder of Partnership Editions about the Hope of Collecting Art. Partnership Editions aim to make remarkable art accessible to all by offering an online platform married with events, collecting advice and a creative community. They work alongside exciting, emerging artists such as Christabel Blackburn, Richard Hart, Hester Finch, Charlotte Eady and Fee Greening to name but a few. There are six ‘drops’ a year which sell out quickly - you have to be fast off the mark when you get that email.

Georgia has put together a glorious alternative to aloof white boxes, frenzied art fairs, hastily bought posters and blank walls. As we spend ever more time at home, the art we surround ourselves with seems more important. More impactful. More intrinsic to our every day lives. The approach of Partnership Editions is accessible, vivacious and dynamic - you can’t help but get drawn in. The approach to the new climate has also been really proactive and refreshing - lots to learn for us all!

In this episode we are going to hear about Georgia’s early years in the art world, the idea of Partnership Editions, how it moved from a ‘side-hustle’ to a full time enterprise, how it has evolved over time, curating her artists, modern day collectors, the impact of Covid-19 (of course) and her hope for the future.

Partnership Editions: www.partnershipeditions.com

Welcome to Episode Eight in our series on Hope.

In this episode, Molly Mahon and I consider the hope of the unexpected. We delve into the story of her eponymous company which designs and creates glorious block printed fabrics and wallpapers. You will hear all about that Shepherds Hut, how happenstance became a business, the methodical, mesmerising, meditative power of block printing, her breadth of reference from Jaipur to Charleston, unexpected success, the chapter entitled ‘lockdown’ and the magical marriage of potato and paint.

Molly has been on my list of dream clients for a very long time. A very long time. I love her approach - a heady mix of joy, courage and determination. Molly carries her talent, focus and resilience with an ease and lightness of touch and in this conversation you will hear more about her story, her business and her hope for the future.

You will finish this episode uplifted, recommitted to trusting your gut, encouraged and off to the pantry to hunt down a suitable potato!

Molly Mahon: www.mollymahon.com
Charleston: www.charleston.org.uk
House of Print by Molly Mahon: www.waterstones.com/book/house-of-print/molly-mahon/9781911641223

Welcome to Episode Seven in our series on Hope. Today we are delving into the space where fashion, technology and sustainability meet. Where each enhances the other and offers the hope of conscious fashion, and perhaps also the hope of innovation.

Our guest is Eshita Kabra founder of By Rotation which is the UK's first and only fashion rental platform. The aim is a good one - to transform the way that we consume fashion - and it is beautifully executed. Eshita shares the principles, values and motivations behind the concept. Enterprises like this one really can act as catalysts for change and I think that it will be exciting to see what the future holds.

We hear about the genesis of the idea, the concept, the launch, leaving the corporate life behind, the joy of building community, balancing commerce and creativity by building a great team and her hope for the future.

I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of creatives both as clients and podcast guests. What is wonderful for me is that Eshita started her journey not at art school or as a fashion intern, but in finance. We hear a different perspective and point of view on creativity. And we also get to ask 'where you the best dressed girl in economics class?'!

I hope that you will be encouraged by Eshita's approach and optimism - I certainly was!

By Rotation: www.byrotation.com

Welcome to Episode 6 in our series on Hope.

As we have all been forced to slow down, we have been given the opportunity to consider more carefully what it is that we buy, what it is made of and who made it. So I wanted to explore the idea of pursuing quality of quantity. And that is exactly what we debate in this episode with Alice Byron founder of Blake LDN.

Their mission is to create contemporary knitwear with a clean and understated aesthetic and it is worn by the likes of Alexa Coe, Alice Archer and Matilda Goad. The focus is on craftsmanship, provenance and quality. So who better to explore this topic!

We hear about the story behind Blake LDN, starting out in fashion, yarn yarn yarn, what quality means to Alice, leaving successful wholesale behind to embrace direct to customer, processing the value of a pause (for a pandemic or motherhood), sustainability, other brands and businesses that she admires, the impact of lockdown and her hope for the future of quality in fashion.

Blake Ldn: www.blake-ldn.com

Patagonia: www.patagonia.com
Alighieri: www.alighieri.co.uk
Everlane: www.everlane.com
Jessie Harris: www.jessieharris.co.uk
Stella McCartney's Mission Statement: www.stellamccartney.com/experience/en/sustainability/themes/mission-statement/
Petalon: www.petalon.co.uk

Welcome to Episode Five in our podcast series on Hope. Given how much time we have all been spending at home, it seemed obvious that I needed to explore the Hope of Home. To do that, I wrote out a wish list of interior designers and today’s guest was right at the top of that list. This is a huge career highlight for me, and I haven’t slept a wink because we have got the incredible Rachel Chudley joining us today!

She is a shining star of the interior design world. Her projects require more than a momentary pause to admire, they invite a lingering exploration. They are eclectic, maximalist, filled with wonderful art and doused in colour. She is one of life’s enthusiasts and her joyful, intelligent approach is simply infectious.

In a recent House and Garden article, she referenced a John Ruskin quote that ‘a great colour is one that you can’t quite find the right name for’ and this certainly applies to Rachel’s style and projects. Her work is simply just outside the grasp of us ordinary folk!

We are going to find out about her path to having her own design studio, the part privilege and kindness have played, what home means to her, the huge importance of colour in her life, running her own design studio and her hope for the future of home.

This is an extra long episode because I just couldn't cut anything out - Rachel's train of thought is so interesting. She takes the scenic route and goodness me, it's wonderful!

Rachel Chudley: www.rachelchudley.com

Welcome to Episode Four of our series on Hope.

One of the good things that has come from this season has been the heightened awareness of locality - the walks, the buildings, the people and the independent shops. It is just that that we are going to explore today - the Hope of Independent Shops.

And our guest today is Florence Dixon, founder of the Tidy Street General Store in Brighton. Florence’s shop is endlessly enticing. In fact, I don’t think that I have ever left empty-handed. Within this jewel of space, alongside a carefully selected rail of fabulous clothes, you will marble counters shot through with vivid green displaying homewares, sweet treats and a constantly evolving range of discoveries. Tidy Street is curation at its best.

We are going to hear about the story of Tidy Street, the joy of shopkeeping, the wonderful community of independent shops in Brighton, how Florence went about putting the space together, the wonderful companies that she works with, how her customer and the world is changing and, finally, her hope for the future of independent shops.

Tidy Street General Store: www.tidystreetstore.com
Cawley: www.cawleystudio.com
Maison Bengal: www.maisonbengal.co.uk

How do we tune into clients? How can we read them quickly? How can we take feedback well? How can we be collaborative? How can we help them tell their story?

I always enjoy the dedications and acknowledgements in books. Such hidden treasures. Recently, I had the pleasure of wolfing down Thomas Heatherwick’s latest book ‘Humanise – a Maker’s Guide To Building Our World’.  It is a point of view. A statement of intent. Perhaps, a manifesto. I have re-read it a few times, it is a spine broken, weighted with post its, lines and scribbles in margins favourite. And as I dove into the acknowledgements, I found a line which prompted today’s conversation:

"Thank you to Ben Prescott, the book's designer, [who] was wonderfully collaborative and intuitively understood what I have been trying to express."

And I am delighted to say that we have graphic designer and founder of BPD, Ben Prescott joining us today to explore that very point.

Ben Prescott is the salt in the recipe when it comes to brand building. Vital. Unassuming. Impactful. His approach is thoughtful, quiet, with a range of references so broad ranging and enticing that his presentations are works of art in and of themselves. He reads people with ease and draws their story onto the page, the website, the packaging, the shop window. He is commercially mindful and excellent at the tangible, the hold it in your hand, the it will last and last. What he does, works.

BPD has worked with brands including Marfa Stance, Alex Eagle, Kinjo, the V&A, Broadwick Hotel in Soho, Twig Hutchinson and the Festival of Fashion at the Fife Arms. And in each and every instance, he has shown true expertise in reading the client.

We are going to examine that idea, the importance, the relevance, the practical application of reading clients, understanding briefs and taking feedback. Whether you are on the service side of the arts or someone who commissions, collaborates or briefs others, you are going to enjoy this one. 

This week has all been all about the next generation and this episode is a special little something to celebrate yet another Friday in lockdown - it's about the joy of creative children.
It seems to me that as creative business owners, the responsibility and pressure of making good and right decisions can be overwhelming, draining and bewildering. Are we getting it right? Are we brave enough to try something new? How can we give back? How do we stick to our values? Are we setting a good example to our children?
Today's guest is the perfect antidote to all of that. Clemence Currie is the daughter of Kristina Currie founder of Bon Tot and the delightful guest back in Episode 22. Clemence is a delightful breath of fresh air! I hope that you will enjoy a lighthearted 10 minutes with this exuberant creative who is certainly destined for great things. Holly Tucker is a huge fan and so am I! If ever the phrase 'out of the mouth of babes' applied, it's here! I hope you enjoy Clemence's joyful story!

Welcome to Episode Three of our series on Hope. Today we are thinking about the hope of creative children. At this time of ‘home schooling’, I think that many of us have come to see how important and rewarding it is to foster creativity in the next generation.

Our guest today lives and breathes this sentiment. Alara Hindle is the co-founder of Lots of Lovely Art. They aim to support creativity in children through art. The sad decline of art education in schools motivated Alara and her sister-in-law Selina to do something about it. They run art clubs, pop up workshops, birthday parties and art groups for tiny toddlers. They also create extraordinary art boxes. Each is themed, contains lots of information and activities as well as being jam packed with beautiful art materials. I can’t tell you the relief I felt when I discovered LOLA - its bought art into our home and the fridge has never been so beautifully adorned. Frankly, other than the milkman, it’s the only subscription service that never disappoints.

We are going to find out about where the idea came from, the importance of championing creativity in children, running a subscription services, creativity in business and enjoying a family firm and the hope of changing perceptions of art education in this time of national home schooling.

Lots of Lovely Art: www.lotsoflovelyart.org

Long before lockdown, I invited Caroline Kent of Scribble and Daub to join me on the podcast to discuss the challenge and thrill of finding, signing and working with stockists. I was so struck by her great directory of stockists ranging from national treasures, galleries and little gems both here and across the globe that I could not resist asking her to share her secret! Amazingly, Caroline agreed and we sat in her delightful kitchen, drank black coffee and delved into the story of Scribble and Daub.

At the time, pandemic was a concept not the global tragedy it has become. Caroline and I have both been incredibly grateful to be able to shelter safely in our respective Sussex cottages and are acutely aware of how very lucky we are. And it is just that sense of gratitude that has shone through in Caroline’s response to this time - she has celebrated #youarewhatyougive, encouraging us all to send a card, to take time to sit down and write, to savour the walk to the postbox, to connect, to offer up the thrill of receiving a beautiful hand-written card. And so, I asked Caroline if she would re-record our episode to explore her experience of the pandemic and she graciously agreed.

And so, we talk a great deal about how Scribble and Daub began, how she has developed a thriving business and an incredible directory of stockists, the power of persistence, the impact of Covid-19, that you are what you give and her hope for a future where we continue to create and to cherish one another.

Scribble & Daub: www.scribbleanddaub.com

Welcome to Episode One of the new series on Hope. Today we are going to consider the Hope of Community. It is undeniably one of the realisations of this time. community is what really matters. Whether its clapping on a Thursday evening or a Zoom with your best pals, it is impactful and influential. This is true too in our professional lives - for those in the creative industries and arts, having a great community or network has always been crucial and now more than ever. But it isn't always easy to find. No one knows this better than Joanna Payne, founder and director of Marguerite. The aim of Marguerite is to advance the careers of women in the industry by providing a ready-made professional network and space to hear from some of the most influential people working in the creative industries today.

What I particularly admire about what Joanna has done is that she has spotted a gap, a need, a barrier and then gone about doing something about it. And it's that approach which has led Joanna to take Marguerite into a new chapter at this time. At lightening speed I must add. I think that we can all learn a great deal from Joanna's attitude and mentality. She certainly gives me hope!

Marguerite is a wonderful idea, elegantly executed. I hope that you will really enjoy this episode!

Marguerite - www.margueritelondon.com