Explore every episode of the podcast Bump to Business Owner
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| E111: Redundancy Miniseries Part 3: How to rebuild your confidence - Solo episode with Caroline | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:20:18 | |
Caroline Marshall shares her personal journey through redundancy, motherhood, and building confidence. She offers practical insights on overcoming challenges, external validation, and the importance of time and perspective in healing. This podcast is the third in a three part series all about redundancy. You can hear Part 1, here https://pod.fo/e/433a31 And Part 2, here https://pod.fo/e/4392e1 Key topics:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction 00:43 Regaining confidence post-redundancy 05:13 The role of time in healing 07:22 External validation and its impact 11:36 Empowerment through saying no 13:23 Therapy and coaching 15:33 Perspective and self-development 17:54 Validating feelings and moving forward
Resources: Amanda Johnson, VA Training Academy The Mother of All Jobs, Christine Armstrong Work Like a Woman, Mary Portas
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
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| E110: Redundancy Miniseries Part 2: How to advocate for yourself - Solo episode with Caroline | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:25:12 | |
Caroline Marshall shares her personal experience navigating unfair redundancy, highlighting the importance of support networks, strategic responses, and self-care during career crises. This podcast is the second in a three part series all about redundancy, you can hear Part 1, here: https://pod.fo/e/433a31 Key topics:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction 01:03 The emotional impact of redundancy 02:25 Navigating the initial shock 04:08 Seeking support and guidance 06:56 Finding clarity and direction 08:11 The importance of self-care 10:38 Building a support network 11:14 Preparing for negotiation 14:16 The negotiation process 17:36 Moving forward after redundancy 19:30 Caroline's tips for navigating redundancy Resources: Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
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| E109: Redundancy Miniseries Part 1: WTF just happened?! - Solo episode with Caroline | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:23:41 | |
Caroline Marshall shares her personal redundancy story, highlighting the importance of fair treatment and systemic issues in startups. This episode offers insights into navigating redundancy with dignity, supporting women and mothers, and understanding systemic flaws. This podcast is the first in a three part series all about redundancy: stay tuned for advice on how to manage the process, and how to recover from it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Redundancy and Caroline's personal journey 03:36 The impact of redundancy on women and mothers 08:41 Navigating workplace challenges during pregnancy 14:19 Caroline's redundancy experience 19:31 Fairness and kindness in business Resources: Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
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| E108: Ambition, imposter syndrome and advancing women in business with the MDs of AllBright everywoman | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:46:42 | |
In this episode, Caroline Marshall interviews Sophie Catto and Nicole Goodwin, leaders of AllBright everywoman, about supporting women in their careers, motherhood, and leadership. They discuss the impact of motherhood on career confidence, the importance of community and corporate support, and initiatives like Motherhood Works to empower women at key life stages. Resources: Topics:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Albright Everywoman 01:45 The Impact of Motherhood on Careers 08:47 Career Journeys and Personal Growth 15:39 Understanding Women's Challenges in the Workplace 21:47 Creating Supportive Work Environments for Women 23:54 Navigating Workplace Flexibility and Challenges 26:00 The Role of Male Allies in Supporting Women 30:07 Balancing Work and Family Life 30:29 Understanding the Motherhood Penalty 35:46 Empowering Female Entrepreneurs 37:25 The Importance of Community and Networking 44:46 Finding Personal Joy Amidst Motherhood Responsibilities Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Nicole Goodwin Having started her career as an investigative journalist, Nicole Goodwin is a business leader with over 20 years' experience creating and scaling international, content-driven events and membership programmes. As Joint Managing Director of AllBright everywoman, she leads a passionate team dedicated to supporting, connecting and advancing women in business - through world-class learning, corporate partnerships, awards and curated experiences that build powerful networks. Prior to her eight years at everywoman, Nicole held senior leadership roles as MD and GM at leading global businesses and publishing houses, including C5 and IQPC. Nicole Goodwin's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-goodwin-6a88982/ About Sophie Catto Sophie Catto is Joint Managing Director of AllBright everywoman, the leading global learning, leadership and community platform dedicated to advancing women in business. With over 18 years' experience across media, publishing and purpose-driven organisations, Sophie specialises in building communities, creating strategic partnerships and driving sustainable growth. She leads AllBright everywoman's global community, events, experiences and partnerships, with a focus on deepening engagement, expanding impact and creating opportunities that help women thrive at every stage of their careers. Throughout her career, Sophie has worked at the intersection of commercial strategy, storytelling and community-building, helping organisations connect more meaningfully with their audiences. Prior to joining AllBright everywoman, she held senior commercial leadership roles at Condé Nast, including Associate Publisher of House & Garden and The World of Interiors, and Commercial Creative Director of Tatler. Passionate about the power of connection and collective progress, Sophie is committed to creating platforms, experiences and communities that support women to grow in confidence, leadership and ambition. Sophie Catto's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-catto-1a317824/ Allbright Everywoman's Links: Website: https://allbrighteverywoman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allbrighteverywoman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allbrighteverywoman/ Motherhood Works: https://theallbright.co/motherhood-works/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| E107: Maternal gatekeeping and creating gender equity at home with Rachel Childs | 21 May 2026 | 00:57:06 | |
In our final episode in our collaborative mini series with Lucy Legal, Caroline chats to Rachel Childs. Rachel is a relationship coach and founder of Parents That Work, and shares insights on maintaining connection, equality, and emotional support in relationships after parenthood. This episode explores the impact of COVID, gender norms, and practical strategies for healthier partnerships. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to Episode 102 - Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48hours with Lucy Legal Episode 103 - My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline Episode 104 - Preparing your business (and life!) for Maternity Leave with Lucy Legal Episode 105 - Twins, fintech and NICU recovery with Sophia Jarvis Episode 106 - How to use AI for female founders and mums with Lucy Legal To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Episode 17 - "Every single person thought I was crazy" Resources: Topics:
Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Rachel Childs Rachel Childs is a relationship coach, author, podcast host and founder of Parents That Work, helping couples navigate the transition into parenthood without losing their connection, ambition, or sense of teamwork. After a career in corporate talent development, Rachel moved into coaching and relationship work, combining professional expertise with her own lived experience of unequal parenting and the realities many couples face after having children. She is certified in Hogan Assessments, a Bringing Baby Home Educator, and a Transformational Coach. Through Parents That Work, Rachel supports couples in building stronger parenting partnerships rooted in equality, communication, and emotional connection. Helping families move away from resentment, burnout, and the "default parent" dynamic so many experience in the early years. Rachel is also the creator of The Team Blueprint, author of Beyond Baby Talk, and host of the podcast Equalish, where she explores modern relationships, invisible labour, shared parenting, careers, and why equality in family life can feel far harder in practice than in theory. Rachel Childs' Links: Website: www.parentsthatwork.co.uk Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1840151862 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelchilds-couplescoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parents_that_work/
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| E106: How to use AI for female founders and mums with Lucy Legal | 14 May 2026 | 00:44:48 | |
Caroline and Lucy Legal explore the multifaceted use of AI in business and daily life, addressing misconceptions, legal considerations, and practical applications. They discuss how women are navigating AI's challenges and opportunities, emphasising responsible use and strategic integration. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to Episode 102 - Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48hours with Lucy Legal Episode 103 - My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline Episode 104 - Preparing your business (and life!) for Maternity Leave with Lucy Legal Episode 105 - Twins, fintech and NICU recovery with Sophia Jarvis To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Episode 17 - "Every single person thought I was crazy" Resources:
Topics:
Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Lucy Legal Lucy Wheeler, founder of Lucy Legal, is on a mission to make legal support more accessible for small business owners while also building a life that genuinely works for her as a mother. This episode is also the fifth in a special six episode partnership with Lucy Legal and a really exciting one as Lucy is a returning guest. The first time we spoke, she was in the thick of new motherhood and in the early stages of building her business. Now still very much in the reality of raising a young family. I'm so excited to welcome her back to explore how that journey has evolved and dive into areas we didn't get to cover in the first time around. Lucy followed what she describes as a predestined path into law, working within the traditional firm model and on track for a very conventional version of success. But everything shifted when she began planning to become a mother and realized that the legal world she worked so hard to build a career in simply didn't align with the life she wanted at home. So she made a bold decision to step away from that path and build something entirely different. A business that was flexible, scalable and designed intentionally around her family, not in competition with it. Lucy Legal's Links: Website: https://www.lucylegal.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-wheeler-lawyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_legal/
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| E105: Twins, fintech and NICU recovery with Sophia Jarvis | 07 May 2026 | 00:47:05 | |
Sophia Jarvis, CEO of Mia Wealth, shares her journey through high-risk pregnancy, neonatal intensive care, and building a fintech startup while navigating motherhood. Discover insights on balancing ambition, personal resilience, and innovative approaches to children's financial futures. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to Episode 102 - Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48hours with Lucy Legal Episode 103 - My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline Episode 104 - Preparing your business (and life!) for Maternity Leave with Lucy Legal To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Episode 17 - "Every single person thought I was crazy" Topics:
Resources: Sophia's Angel Doctor Meena: www.maternitywellnessclinic.com Nugget Savings: www.nuggetsavings.com Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Sophia Jarvis Sophia Jarvis is the co-founder and CEO of Mia Wealth, a family investment app on a mission to change the way we give gifts to children, turning presents into long-term financial futures. With over a decade in wealth management across London and Dubai, and a CFA under her belt, Sophia left behind a successful and secure career to build a business designed to help families create lasting legacies for the next generation. But Mia Wealth isn't just a fintech story, it's a deeply personal journey. Sophia launched and raised her pre-seed round whilst pregnant and then navigated the first year of building a startup alongside becoming a mum to twin girls. Sophia Jarvis's Links: Website: https://miawealth.co.uk/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| E104: Preparing your business (and life!) for Maternity Leave with Lucy Legal | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:57:22 | |
In this conversation, Caroline Marshall and Lucy Legal discuss the often unspoken realities of maternity leave for business owners. They explore the differences between expectations and reality, the challenges of maintaining identity while navigating motherhood, and the importance of flexibility in work-life balance. The discussion also touches on shared parental leave experiences, the impact of different children on parenting, and the struggles of returning to work after having a baby. Ultimately, they emphasise the need for open conversations about the complexities of motherhood and the choices women make. Please note, Lucy and Caroline are both UK based, the advice you'll hear is based on their experience so may not be as relevant for overseas listeners. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to Episode 102 - Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48hours with Lucy Legal Episode 103 - My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Episode 17 - "Every single person thought I was crazy" Topics:
Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Lucy Legal Lucy Wheeler, founder of Lucy Legal, is on a mission to make legal support more accessible for small business owners while also building a life that genuinely works for her as a mother. This episode is also the third in a special six episode partnership with Lucy Legal and a really exciting one as Lucy is a returning guest. The first time we spoke, she was in the thick of new motherhood and in the early stages of building her business. Now still very much in the reality of raising a young family. I'm so excited to welcome her back to explore how that journey has evolved and dive into areas we didn't get to cover in the first time around. Lucy followed what she describes as a predestined path into law, working within the traditional firm model and on track for a very conventional version of success. But everything shifted when she began planning to become a mother and realized that the legal world she worked so hard to build a career in simply didn't align with the life she wanted at home. So she made a bold decision to step away from that path and build something entirely different. A business that was flexible, scalable and designed intentionally around her family, not in competition with it. Lucy Legal's Links: Website: https://www.lucylegal.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-wheeler-lawyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_legal/
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| E103: My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline | 23 Apr 2026 | 01:02:26 | |
Trigger Warning: Discussion of Sudden Infant Collapse and PTSD In this special episode Lucy interviews Caroline as she reflects on her journey through motherhood, entrepreneurship, and overcoming challenges, sharing insights on balancing business and family, mental health, and the importance of community support. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Topics:
Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Lucy Legal Lucy Wheeler, founder of Lucy Legal, is on a mission to make legal support more accessible for small business owners while also building a life that genuinely works for her as a mother. This episode is the second in a special six episode partnership with Lucy Legal and a really exciting one as Lucy is a returning guest. The first time we spoke, she was in the thick of new motherhood and in the early stages of building her business. Now still very much in the reality of raising a young family. I'm so excited to welcome her back to explore how that journey has evolved and dive into areas we didn't get to cover in the first time around. Lucy followed what she describes as a predestined path into law, working within the traditional firm model and on track for a very conventional version of success. But everything shifted when she began planning to become a mother and realised that the legal world she worked so hard to build a career in simply didn't align with the life she wanted at home. So she made a bold decision to step away from that path and build something entirely different. A business that was flexible, scalable and designed intentionally around her family, not in competition with it. Lucy Legal's Links: Website: https://www.lucylegal.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-wheeler-lawyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_legal/
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| E102: Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48 hours with Lucy Legal | 16 Apr 2026 | 01:04:05 | |
In this episode, Caroline Marshall and Lucy Legal discuss the transformative journey of designing a career around family rather than conforming to traditional work structures. Lucy shares her experiences transitioning from a conventional legal career to creating a flexible business that aligns with her values as a mother. They explore themes of success, personal challenges, societal expectations, and the courage it takes to pursue a different path in life and work. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support. For Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please go back and listen to Episode 17. Topics:
Chapters:
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Lucy Legal Lucy Wheeler, founder of Lucy Legal, is on a mission to make legal support more accessible for small business owners while also building a life that genuinely works for her as a mother. This episode is also the first in a special six episode partnership with Lucy Legal and a really exciting one as Lucy is a returning guest. The first time we spoke, she was in the thick of new motherhood and in the early stages of building her business. Now still very much in the reality of raising a young family. I'm so excited to welcome her back to explore how that journey has evolved and dive into areas we didn't get to cover in the first time around. Lucy followed what she describes as a predestined path into law, working within the traditional firm model and on track for a very conventional version of success. But everything shifted when she began planning to become a mother and realised that the legal world she worked so hard to build a career in simply didn't align with the life she wanted at home. So she made a bold decision to step away from that path and build something entirely different. A business that was flexible, scalable and designed intentionally around her family, not in competition with it. Lucy Legal's Links: Website: https://www.lucylegal.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-wheeler-lawyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_legal/
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| E101: Going viral and leveraging it into a business with Amy Grilli, founder of Five Hour Club | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:44:43 | |
Amy Grilli shares her inspiring journey from teacher to co-founder of Five Hour Club, a platform revolutionising flexible work for parents. Discover how her viral LinkedIn post sparked a movement, the importance of flexible careers for mums, and practical tips for balancing work and family. Topics:
Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:46 The Challenge of Finding Flexible Work for Parents 04:29 Identity Crisis: Balancing Motherhood and Career 07:36 The Viral LinkedIn Pos 10:12 Creating the Five Hour Club 12:59 Building a Job Board for Flexible Careers 15:54 Working with Employers: Educating on Flexibility 18:35 Success Stories and Future Plans 24:32 The Role of Team Leadership in Success 25:41 Balancing Work and Parenting 28:53 Finding Identity and Joy in Motherhood 30:13 Navigating the Default Parent Dynamic 33:42 Intentional Parenting and Career Choices 40:16 Creating Opportunities for Parents in the Workforce Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Amy Grilli Amy Grilli is the co-founder of Five Hour Club, a fast growing platform and movement rethinking how work works for parents. Before that, Amy was a teacher, a literacy specialist, and then like so many women, she stepped back from her career to raise children, becoming what so many of us women and mums relate to as the default parent. After years out of traditional work, Amy found herself standing at the school gates, feeling like she no longer belonged in her professional identity. She even considered removing herself from LinkedIn entirely due to the shame of her career gap. Instead, she wrote a post. That post went viral, reaching millions, sparking tens of thousands of conversations and revealing something powerful. This wasn't just Amy's experience. It was a global problem. From that moment, Amy and her co-founder Emma Harvey turned insights into actions, surveying thousands of parents launching a job board within two months and building Five Hour Club, a platform championing five hour careers designed to fit around school hours without compromising ambition. In just one year, they've shaped over 140 roles partnering with forward thinking employers and starting to challenge the very structure of the nine to five. Amy Grilli's Links: Website: https://fivehourclub.com/ LinkedIn (Five Hour Club): https://www.linkedin.com/company/five-hour-club/ LinkedIn (Amy): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygrilli/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fivehourclub/
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| E100: How the F to keep going when it feels like the world is against you - Solo episode with Caroline | 19 Mar 2026 | 00:25:31 | |
Caroline reflects on the challenges of maintaining momentum in business, especially during tough times, and shares practical tips on resilience, human connection, and self-care. She emphasises the importance of showing up, normalizing rest, and pivoting when needed, all while celebrating her podcast milestone. Topics:
Chapters: 00:30 Celebrating 100 Episodes 02:27 Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship 05:14 The Importance of Human Connection 08:08 Finding Balance and Taking Breaks 10:41 Embracing Change and Flexibility 13:03 The Reality of Service-Based Businesses 16:07 Normalizing Personal Days 18:01 The Journey of Female Entrepreneurship Resources: Female Founders Rise Report: https://therisereport.co.uk/ Positive Entrepreneurship Report: https://positiveentrepreneurship.co/report/ Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| E99: Dragons' Den, unhinged outreach and creating the workplace of dreams with the founders of Cubbi | 12 Mar 2026 | 00:36:58 | |
In this episode, Caroline Marshall interviews Olivia and Tanyka Davson, sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform. They share their journey from no-code MVP to national platform, navigating entrepreneurship during early motherhood, pitching on Dragon's Den, and building a mission-led business that supports new parents financially and emotionally. Topics: Building a no-code MVP during early motherhood Securing brand partnerships and investment Navigating pregnancy and entrepreneurship The impact of AI tools on startup development Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Cubbi and Its Founders 01:58 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 04:36 Financial Challenges of Parenthood 07:15 Building a Business with No-Code Tools 12:51 The Experience of Pitching on Dragon's Den 15:35 Navigating Investment Challenges 19:44 Preparing for Dragon's Den 22:37 Navigating Maternity Leave as Entrepreneurs 27:28 Balancing Parenthood and Business 29:20 The Importance of Community Support for New Parents 33:21 Rediscovering Joy Amidst the Chaos 35:30 Connecting with Cubbi Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Cubbi, Olivia and Tanyka Davson Today we're welcoming Olivia and Tanyka Davison. They are sisters and co-founders of Cubbi, the UK's first parental leave discount platform designed specifically for new and expecting parents. Cubbi works like a student discount or blue light card, but for the perinatal window, offering verified new parents discounts across baby, maternity, food, fashion, wellness, and everyday spending. From Boots and Nike to Tommy Tippie and free coffees at Boston Tea Party. Cubbi now connects parents with over 200 brands at a time when income drops and costs rise. The idea came when Olivia's first baby was just eight weeks old, sleep deprived, pacing coffee shops with a crying newborn and feeling the financial pressure of maternity leave, she realized something. Why were new parents paying full price at one of the most expensive and vulnerable points in their life? She phoned her sister, Tanyka, and that conversation became Cubbi. What started as a scrappy no-code MVP built by two sisters has grown into a national platform with thousands of downloads and investments secured in Dragon's Den. And in perhaps one of the most iconic Found-A-Mum moments we've seen on this podcast, Olivia pitched Cubbi to the Dragons at nine months pregnant, just a week before her planned C-section. Cubbi's Links: Website: https://www.cubbi.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubbiapp/ LinkedIn (Tanyka): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyka-davson-315766134/ LinkedIn (Olivia): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-davson-1998ab82/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cubbi.uk/
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| E98: Burnout, reinvention and thrive time with Rosie Nixon | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:50:35 | |
Rosie Nixon, former editor-in-chief of Hello Magazine, shares her journey from high-profile journalism to coaching and retreats. This episode explores her career pivots, overcoming burnout, and redefining her identity and values in midlife. Topics: Career transition from magazine editor to coach Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Rosie Nixon's Journey Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Rosie Nixon Rosie is a woman whom many of us will associate with red carpets and the glossy front covers of Hello Magazine, where she served as editor in chief for nearly 15 years. Not only that, Rosie is a mother of two, a bestselling author, a qualified coach, podcaster, and founder of Rosie's Reinvention Retreats, who has consciously redesigned her life and work around her wellbeing, values, and family. After decades in top roles at Hello, Glamour, Red, and Grazia, Rosie stepped away from the high-profile big job and into a new phase one that allows her to support other women through career pivots, burnout, and midlife transitions. Rosie Nixon's Links: Website: https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/
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| E97: How I get through Christmas triggers - Solo episode with Caroline | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:17:31 | |
How was your first Christmas with a baby? Mine was…not as I had hoped. And I think that's the same for everyone. Your life has changed fundamentally, but Christmas just keeps being Christmas, with the same old family dynamics. And I found that rough, I definitely had a Christmas Crash - if that is/was you too, you're not alone Christmas is a triggering time for everyone, and we all need to do what we gotta do to get through it. I'm sharing what I've learnt for how to manage (mitigate?) Christmas, Bailey's in hand, from the practical - I order my tree in September, yes I am that guy - to the emotional. Set the bar extremely low, your kids don't know any different. They don't know Elf on the Shelf is supposed to come with presents. Resources: Jo Woodhurst, Head of Nutrition at Ancient + Brave meditation Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Motherhood at Christmas 03:21 Navigating the Challenges of Early Motherhood 06:06 Planning and Preparing for Christmas 08:43 Balancing Family and Business During the Holidays 11:46 Self-Care and Managing Expectations 14:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley
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| E96: Navigating Christmas pressure and the messy middle with psychologist Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:47:43 | |
There's a lot of expectation when you become a mum: how it will be, the friends you will make, the support you'll have, what work will look like; what Christmas will look like. The gulf between our expectations and reality is very real, and Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall is here to tell you: you're in the messy middle, and that's OK. Dr Tuesday shares her tools for navigating the huge pressure we put on ourselves as mums, particularly at this time of year, and how we can be more human to ourselves. We're in the messy middle, we're in the identity shift, we're amidst changing dynamics, so let's be a bit kinder to ourselves. If you're ready to let go of the pressure, and rediscover your joy, listen in.
Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 The Pressure of Perfectionism in Motherhood 02:45 Navigating Identity Shifts as Millennial Mothers 05:32 The Clash of Career and Motherhood 08:11 The Challenge of Finding Community 10:54 The Impact of Social Media on Expectations 13:29 The Journey of Self-Discovery 13:57 The Struggles of Being the First Among Friends 16:52 The Reality of Motherhood and Friendship 19:44 Finding Your Tribe in Unconventional Ways 22:47 Navigating Children's Interests and Activities 23:54 The Pressure of a Perfect Christmas 27:36 Creating Meaningful Holiday Traditions 31:41 Slowing Down to Appreciate the Moment 34:38 The Journey of Motherhood and Identity 39:31 Finding Support and Self-Care as a Mother 43:17 Rediscovering Joy in Everyday Life
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall Dr. Tuesday is a psychologist, speaker and mum of three. With a doctorate in psychology and a career dedicated to maternal mental health, identity and self-trust, Dr. Tuesday helps mothers unpick the perfectionism and pressure that can so easily take hold, especially at Christmas. Together we explore how the festive season can amplify the invisible load for business-owning mums, the expectation to create a magical Christmas, keep everything spinning at work, and somehow stay calm, grateful, and joyful while doing it. This episode is for anyone feeling the pressure of performance and the exhaustion of the Christmas hustle. It's a conversation about letting go, coming back to what matters, and finding peace in the messy middle, both in business and at home.
Dr Tuesday Watts-Overall's Links: Website: https://www.iamdrtuesday.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tuesday-watts-overall-303877325/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdrtuesday/
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| E95: Why you should bring your kids along on the business journey with Alice Holland-Lu, founder of The Female Archetypes | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:49:02 | |
What do you do when your boss tells you your pregnancy is "inconvenient"? Start your own business. Alice Holland-Lu used her 15 years of experience in luxury fashion to launch her own brand, based on her own experiences and struggles as her body changed throughout pregnancy and beyond. Alice has built a hyper-local business model, a community and an emotionally-led brand, whilst carting her kids to the factory after school. What else can you do when you only have 2 days a week of childcare? Our conversation is full of advice for women in the trenches whilst building a business during the early years of motherhood: we should all be bringing our kids on the business journey too. Takeaways:
Resources: Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Alice Holland-Lu and Her Journey 01:45 Transitioning from Fashion Professional to Founder 04:01 The Challenges of Motherhood and Career 06:37 The Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Mental Health 09:16 The Birth of a Fashion Brand: Female Archetypes 12:21 Innovating for Real Bodies: The Design Philosophy 14:32 Navigating the Fashion Industry and Building a Brand 17:23 The Reality of Entrepreneurship and Customer Connection 22:47 Embracing Authenticity in Fashion 25:48 The Ethical Fashion Movement 30:08 Designing for Real Women 33:28 Navigating Life Changes Together 36:28 Building Community Through Connection 39:33 Challenges of Female Entrepreneurship Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Alice Holland-Lu Alice Holland-Lu is the founder of the Female Archetypes, a fashion brand built to support women's changing bodies through every life phase, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond. After 15 years in the fashion industry, Alice launched her business following two difficult pregnancies of traumatic birth and postnatal depression, which left her feeling a stranger in her own body. Nothing fit, literally or emotionally, and the seed of a business idea was planted. Her garments adapt from size UK 8 to 18 with thoughtful design features like breathable mesh, deep pockets, and underarm ventilation, supporting both form and function for real life with kids.
Alice Holland-Lu's Links: Website: https://thefemalearchetypes.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicehollandlu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefemalearchetypes/
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| E94: What 2025 has taught me - Solo episode with Caroline | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:17:44 | |
Trigger Warning: there is a brief discussion of maternal mental health and suicide. 2025 has gone really fast, and it has been A Lot. There have been a lot of lessons, and I'm sharing 3 of mine in the hope that it will encourage you to reflect, celebrate how far you've come and recognise the challenges you've faced. Bonus lesson? Don't ask ChatGPT to tell you what you've learnt, before you ask yourself! I'll share the 3 tiered lessons AI told me I've learnt this year - and as with everything AI does, the answers were pretty bland, even when challenged. It's a bit of an emotional one from me this week, and Trigger Warning: there is a brief discussion of maternal mental health and suicide. Resources: Why I don't do New Year's Resolutions Maternal Mental Health Alliance
Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Recording at Night 02:37 Annual Check-In and Personal Insights 05:03 Exploring Learnings from AI and Personal Growth 07:32 Navigating Challenges and Support in Business 10:08 Emotional Reflections and Community Support 12:26 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations 15:19 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead to 2026
Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley
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| E93: VC funding and building a life with intention with Kira Mahal, founder of MotivatePT | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:51:09 | |
Kira Mahal has never taken the conventional route - from holding a marketing event in lieu of interviewing for jobs, to leaving a lucrative finance career with no plan, no savings and no clear vision. Self-described as "barking mad", Kira and her husband went all into their business. On the cusp of a life and business changing corporate contract, the world went into lockdown and they lost £1.8million in VC funding. Pivoting back to their B2C business, Kira turned to the journals she'd been keeping along the way and put into practice what she learnt from her experience. If you're thinking about taking the leap without a clear plan, VC funding, or the endless tension that is being a founder and a mum, listen in. Takeaways:
Resources: Young Enterprise: www.young-enterprise.org.uk/ Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Kira Mahal and MotivatePT 02:36 Kira's Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship 05:32 The Birth of MotivatePT: A Personal Mission 08:14 Navigating the Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business 11:02 The Shift to Women-Centric Wellness 13:51 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business Growth 16:34 Funding Challenges and the VC Landscape 19:24 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 24:15 Navigating Postpartum Challenges 26:28 The Rollercoaster of VC Funding 28:20 The Impact of the Pandemic on Business 30:31 Journaling Through Uncertainty 31:58 Pivoting During Crisis 36:33 Building a New Business Model 37:06 Balancing Motherhood and Ambition 42:14 Finding Joy in Wellness 45:44 Future Plans for Motivate PT Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Kira Mahal Kira Mahal is the founder and CEO of MotivatePT, a tech-enabled fitness platform helping women build strength, confidence, and long-lasting wellness through every stage of life. From launching her business in a ski chalet to rebuilding it during the pandemic while pregnant, Kira's journey is full of resilience, reinvention and raw honesty. Her story speaks to every mother who's tried to hold a baby with one hand and a business with the other. Motivate PT is now a leading UK wellness company with over 40 female-focused coaches delivering 1,300-plus sessions monthly. But behind the scenes is a deeply personal mission to make fitness accessible, empowering and sustainable for women, particularly those navigating pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause. Kira Mahal's Links: Website: https://motivatept.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiramahal/ Instagram(Kira): https://www.instagram.com/kiramahal/ Instagram(Motivate PT): https://www.instagram.com/motivatept_uk/ Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1705419713
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| E92: Macarons, motherhood and growth with Rachel Hanretty, founder of Mademoiselle Macaron | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:43:56 | |
Rachel and I met on the Goldman Sachs 10KSB programme in February and instantly gravitated towards another. Both mums, both struggling with being away from family, but determined to grow our businesses, despite all the challenges that motherhood/founderhood bring. My conversation with Rachel is almost excoriatingly honest about the impact of motherhood on her business, and herself. These are the conversations we need to have with women, founders, mums and would-be mums. Because the internet will tell you, you can have it all, but the reality isn't quite like that. The economy, the strength of your team and your business plan, mum guilt, resilience, self-awareness as a business owner, and why you might be the obstacle to growth: it's a big conversation. Takeaways:
Resources: SuperScalers: https://www.superscalers.world/ Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Rachel Hanretty and Mademoiselle Macaron 02:10 The Journey from Paris to Entrepreneurship 05:01 Building a Brand: From Market Stall to E-commerce 07:40 Navigating Leadership and Team Dynamics 10:00 The Impact of Motherhood on Business Identity 12:41 Challenges of Balancing Business and Parenting 15:07 The Cost of Living Crisis and Its Effects 17:22 The Pressure of Being a Founder Influencer 20:12 Realities of Managing a People Business 20:46 Navigating Maternity Challenges in Business 22:13 Balancing Motherhood and Business Ownership 24:48 The Emotional Toll of Motherhood on Business 27:31 Guilt and the Struggle for Balance 30:10 The Impact of Family Planning on Business 32:17 Gender Differences in Parenting and Business 34:41 Support Systems for Mothers in Business 37:37 Resilience Through Health Challenges 39:28 Vision for Future Growth 41:23 Finding Joy Amidst Chaos Links: Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Rachel Hanretty Rachel Hanretty founder of Mademoiselle Macaron an Edinburgh based business inspired by her time living in Paris and known for producing up to 20,000 macarons each week. With high profile clients like MAC Cosmetics, Moet & Chandon, and even an order for the set of the Barbie movie, Rachel's handcrafted patisserie has become a go-to indulgence across the UK. But her macaron story is more about the beautiful product. It's about starting from scratch. It's about identity and it's about navigating the complexity of building a brand while becoming a mother. Rachel studied English and French at university and while living in Paris, fell in love with macarons. Trained at the Alain Ducasse Cookery School, she brought that Parisian perfectionism back to Scotland and started making macarons at home, eventually launching her business from a single market stall in 2013. And today is a thriving seven figure e-commerce brand. Yet as her business grew, Rachel's personal life evolved too. Becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with her company and she has been refreshingly honest about how hard that shift has been, talking openly about guilt, identity loss and how parenting has impacted her business, both practically and emotionally. She's also navigated health challenges, including epilepsy while leading her team and brand. Rachel Hanretty's Links: Website: https://mademoisellemacaron.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhanretty/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmacaron/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mademoisellemacaron Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MademoiselleMacaronUk
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| E91: Not another end of year push podcast - Solo episode with Caroline | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:10:31 | |
I don't do New Year's Resolutions. December isn't a straightforward month for me, personally, and my energy levels in January after juggling school holidays and all the Christmas fun just aren't up to "starting the new year strong". So I've restructured my business year, and my mindset to fit my realities. In this episode I'm sharing:
Rebel with me. More on Why I don't do New Year's Resolutions Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Embracing the Shift to Q4 Planning Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
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| E90: Celebrating mums and business owners: live interviews from the UK VA Awards | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:15:39 | |
Something a little different this week. I was at the UK Virtual Assistant awards last week celebrating the industry and gratefully receiving a couple of awards, on behalf of the business and the podcast team! While I was there, I did some live interviews with some incredible VAs and business women, who also happen to be mums, my industry peers and friends. They are sharing their wisdom and experiences of building businesses, working flexibly and prioritising their family. It was a very fun (by which I mean loud) atmosphere, so apologies for the background noise levels. Thanks to Amanda Johnson, host of the UK VA Awards (and last week's guest!) for kindly giving me permission to record, and to the wonderful women I spoke to: Sarah Szekir-Papasavva: www.aptva.com Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| Ep 89: The military, motherhood and Virtual Assistant industry with Amanda Johnson, founder of the VA Training Academy | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:59:36 | |
Trigger warning: This episode was recorded during Baby Loss Awareness Week and includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. Please take care of yourself. This conversation is long overdue. Amanda Johnson, or The Amanda Johnson as she's known in the Virtual Assistant industry, is founder and coach at the VA Training Academy, host of the UK VA Awards and my mentor. Before becoming a Titan of the VA industry, Amanda had a 23 year career in the military, until personal tragedy changed her priorities. Despite not personally inventing the field (listen in!) Amanda pivoted to becoming a Virtual Assistant, growing an agency and acquiring the training business and awards. We spoke about how grief shapes you, business as a coping mechanism, what to do if a client won't pay and why perceptions of the VA industry are often wrong, for both good and bad. Trigger warning: This episode was recorded during Baby Loss Awareness Week and includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss. Please take care of yourself. Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Amanda Johnson's Journey Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Amanda Johnson Amanda Johnson is a Royal Navy veteran turned entrepreneur, NICU advocate and the woman behind the VA Training Academy, also known as VACT, the go to training provider for the VA industry. After 23 years in the military, Amanda left service following a personal tragedy. She went on to found Your Executive Secretary, a Virtual Assistant business she grew while juggling babies and young children expanding from a solo operation to a team of 17 before selling the business in 2016. She then shifted her focus fully to VACT embarking on a mission to empower women, especially mothers, military spouses and career changes to build flexible, sustainable VA businesses. In 2021, she also acquired the UKVA Conference and Awards. Amanda's coaching style is practical, honest and full of tough love, grounded in lived experience and a deep understanding of both business and life's complexities. Amanda Johnson's Links: VACT Website: https://vatrainingacademy.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaconstancejohnson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vatrainingacademy/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirtualAssistantTrainingAcademyUK/
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| Miniseries Part 4: The future of the Virtual Assistant industry | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:14:22 | |
We're wrapping up the Assistant miniseries with a big-picture conversation, the future of the assistant and VA industry. I've been in this world for over 15 years, and in that time I've seen the role change again and again, from the 2009 crash, to the explosion of tech tools, and now to AI. In this episode, I'm talking about where I see things going, what makes our work truly irreplaceable, and why assistants need to be visible, strategic partners (not an exec's "secret weapon"). I'm also sharing my thoughts on niching, the growing operational side of our roles, and the importance of keeping our skills sharp as the industry evolves.
This is episode four of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource. Download your free resource on the future of the Assistant industry here: thought leaders in the space, skills you should be developing and more Listen to the rest of the series: Your gold standard onboarding process Resources mentioned: Takeaways
Chapters 00:30 Introduction to the Assistant Industry Links:
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| Miniseries Part 3: Gold standard onboarding process | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:11:47 | |
Onboarding is my area of geek, my Mastermind subject. In this week's episode I am sharing my best practice tips for creating a great onboarding process, why it's so important, where your focus should be throughout and why you should be trying to remove yourself from it as much as possible. This is episode three of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource. Download your free onboarding checklist here Listen to the rest of the series: Inbox Zero Resources mentioned: My Expensive Business Mistake episode here Takeaways
Chapters 00:30 Introduction to a topic I love Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
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| Miniseries Part 2: How to find clients as a Virtual Assistant | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:14:42 | |
The question I get asked the most by Virtual Assistants is: 'How do I find clients?' There is no secret recipe - it takes time, it takes work, and it takes trying things out. I'm sharing how I found my first client, where I've invested money and time to find them and the one thing that really sets me apart when it comes to sales. In December I'm hosting a panel for the Strategic PA Network: Clients for Keeps: Building a sustainable client base and coworking afterwards, if you'd like more client list building tips and to extend your network click here. This is episode one of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource or event invitation Click here for your invite to the Clients For Keeps panel and coworking
Listen to the rest of the series:
Resources mentioned: My conversation with Catherine Gladwyn on She's Alright When You Get To Know Her
Takeaways
Chapters 00:30 Introduction to Virtual Assistant Business Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| Miniseries Part 1: Inbox Zero and why I nearly cancelled the podcast | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:18:34 | |
I came close to cancelling the podcast. In this episode I tell you why, and why I think it's healthy to reevaluate every so often as a business owner. But we're back! And with something slightly different. A miniseries for my Assistant community especially, but with a lot of value for anyone starting a business. This week I'm sharing my tips for Inbox Zero - why it's so important and how to get there. This is episode one of a four-part mini series for the Assistant community, each episode is accompanied by a free downloadable resource or event invitation Download your free Guide to Inbox Zero here Resources mentioned: Dr Claire Ashley, The Burnout Doctor Guest episode on the Lemonade Leaders podcast Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction and Personal Reflections Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E23: Operational overload, purpose and performance with Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins of Positive Entrepreneurship | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:48:57 | |
Have you heard of operational overload? Maybe not, but chances are you know how it feels. This week my guests are Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins of Positive Entrepreneurship, authors of the The True Cost of Female Entrepreneurship report. The report makes for stark, but not surprising, reading - 83% of female founders are experiencing high stress, 66% experience extreme loneliness, we have 75% greater responsibility for the household, but 97% of us enjoy the journey. We know the system is not built for us, we know the challenges we face as female founders. Nonie and Yvonne are here to tell us we are not alone, and the practical steps we can take to protect our wellbeing and ultimately improve our performance as entrepreneurs. Takeaways:
Chapters: 02:29 The Journey of Collaboration Resources: Download the The True Cost of Female Entrepreneurship report: https://positiveentrepreneurship.co/report/ Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Nonie White and Yvonne Biggins Nonie White is a positive psychology practitioner, researcher and founder coach. Yvonne Biggins is a serial entrepreneur, founder, coach and positive psychology expert. Together they are the authors of one of the most insightful research studies on female entrepreneurship to date and they are on a mission to change the entrepreneurial ecosystem to work from a place of wellbeing, particularly for female founders. Nonie and Yvonne's Links: Positive Entrepreneurship Website:https://positiveentrepreneurship.co/ Yvonne Website: https://www.yvonnebiggins.com/ Nonie Website: https://noniewhite.com/ Positive Entrepreneurship LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-entrepreneurship/ Yvonne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnebiggins/ Nonie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonie-m-c-white/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| S5 E22: New borns and new businesses with Anna Bailey founder of Pally Talk | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:45:32 | |
My guest on the podcast this week is Anna Bailey, founder of the Assistant community Pally Talk. She launched her business and 2 months later had her first baby, in her own words, the last year has been 'hardcore'. Anna has a lot of practical insight into navigating a business and new baby concurrently - this is your sign to start sliding into people's DMs on LinkedIn. We spoke really honestly about social media v reality, not only of motherhood, but the assistant world and when, for Anna, revenue finally started coming in from the business. For me, there's a theme - you will get through it. Whether that's the newborn stage, the not making any money stage or being too busy for friendships stage, you'll come through and it will get better. Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to Pally Talk and Anna Bailey 04:53 Anna's Journey from Assistant to Entrepreneur 09:33 Navigating Motherhood and Business Launch 14:12 Building a Community for Assistants 18:44 Challenges of Balancing Work and Family Life 23:19 The Future of Pally Talk and Business Growth 23:37 Building a Virtual Assistant Business 27:04 Navigating Personal Loss and Support 32:50 Finding Joy in Motherhood 36:26 Challenges of the Newborn Stage 40:33 Future Plans for Pally Talk Resources: Amanda Johnson VA Training Academy: https://vatrainingacademy.co.uk/ Baby Loss Club: https://www.instagram.com/baby.loss.club/ LinkedIn Sales Navigator: https://business.linkedin.com/en-gb/sales-solutions/cx/23/08/linkedin-sales-navigator Dripify: https://dripify.io/ Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Anna Bailey Anna Bailey is the founder of Pally Talk, a platform designed to empower female assistants through community, flexible job opportunities and a fresh modern approach to networking. Launched in March, 2024, just weeks before giving birth to her son, Pally Talk reflects Anna's deep belief that mothers returning to work deserve flexibility, empowerment and support. What started as a place to help moms explore freelance assistant roles has rapidly evolved into a vibrant community of hybrid, remote and part-time professionals sharing resources, job leads and real life advice. Anna Bailey's Links: Website: https://pallytalk.com/ Instagram: (Pally Talk): https://www.instagram.com/pallytalk/ Instagram: (Anna Bailey): https://www.instagram.com/annabelpbailey/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pallytalk/
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| S5 E21: 5 learnings from 5 years in business - Solo episode with Caroline | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:17:57 | |
In 5 years I've gone from a one woman Virtual Assistant 'agency' to a team of 36. And I have learnt A Lot. Much of which I have learnt the hard way. In today's episode, I'm sharing my 5 biggest learnings (there are so many still to talk about, I feel like I could do a whole season on it!) from the last 5 years. I've learnt from mistakes, I've learnt from the people around me, some of these lessons I am still learning, and might be a lifelong process.
Resources: Nick Elston: https://nickelston.com/ Anna Marthur episode: https://bumptobusinessowner.com/s3-episode-2-it-was-a-step-up
Takeaways
Chapters 00:30 Introduction and Reflections on Five Years in Business 05:52 Investing in Personal Growth 11:31 Evolving Worries in Business 17:11 Conclusion and Call to Action
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E20: Poop, pre-seed and policies with Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:50:21 | |
Be honest - how is your poo? My guest this week is Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of The Gut Stuff, and she wants you to take better care of your gut. Lisa explains why gut health is so important, some easy wins to improve your own and why she went from Love Island DJ to gut evangelist. We also talk about the nuts and bolts of scaling a business - from building a brand and community as market research for the business, to pre-seed and VC funding, and creating an ecosystem with 3 different business arms. Lisa is passionate about the policies we as business owners need to create to support women and their families, it's so inspiring to hear. And, of course, we talk about joy - Friday martinis and dips anyone? Takeaways:
Chapters: 01:00 Introduction to Gut Health and Personal Journeys Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Lisa Macfarlane Lisa MacFarlane is co-founder of The Gut Stuff, Mum, bestselling author, Virgin Radio host, and yes, former Love Island: Aftersun DJ. Alongside her identical twin sister, Alana, Lisa made her name, DJing at major events from the Olympics to Simon Cowell's ball before landing a TV role that made them household names. But it was a chance decision to volunteer in gut health research at King College London that changed everything. Despite sharing 100 % of their DNA, Lisa and Alana discovered their gut microbiomes were only 30 to 40 % similar, a finding that blew their minds and kicked off what's now become a nationwide movement. Their mission is to make gut health accessible, affordable, and most importantly, relatable. With a refreshingly no-nonsense approach, the Gut Stuff has become a trusted brand across books, workplace wellbeing, pop-ups, and the hit podcast Chatting Shit. Not only that, Lisa is a mum of one and pregnant with her second child. Lisa Macfarlane's Links: Website: https://thegutstuff.com/ Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| S5 E19: Burnout, neurodiversity and rediscovering yourself with Dr Claire Ashley, The Burnout Doctor | 12 Jun 2025 | 01:06:21 | |
The 5 stages of burnout are very familiar to me. I've been there, and even when I thought I had learnt my lessons, narrowly swerved burning out again. As a mum, especially a mum with a business, I'm sure at least a few of the stages are familiar to you too. My guest on this week's episode is Dr Claire Ashely, aka The Burnout Doctor. Claire was a highly successful doctor, used to pretty extreme levels of stress. And then with 2 small kids, a house renovation and a difficult work environment, she burnt out. Claire is now fully recovered and shares the signs, symptoms and means to recovery to help us intervene and swerve burnout before it's too late. Most of all - you will get through it. Takeaways:
Resources: The Burnout Doctor BOOK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-burnout-doctor-a-practical-guide-to-understanding-your-symptoms-and-recovery-dr-claire-ashley/7680922?ean=9781399412803 Chapters: 01:00 Introduction to Burnout and Personal Journeys Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Dr. Claire Ashley Dr. Claire Ashley is a GP, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, content creator, author of The Burnout Doctor, and mum of two. Claire's work is shaping how we think about burnout, especially for those of us balancing motherhood, business, and burnout recovery. With over 20 years of clinical experience and a powerful personal journey through anxiety and burnout, she now dedicates her career to helping others understand, prevent and recover from burnout. Dr. Claire Ashley's Links: Website: https://www.drclaireashley.com/
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| S5 E18: Reframing cold sales and my worst experiences - Solo episode with Caroline | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:13:51 | |
Last year I decided to push myself and try something new for me and my business. As a founder and mum of 2, I don't have time to be out there relationship building rather than selling. So I tried cold sales - and it worked! Cold sales have, sometimes justifiably, a bad rap - I'm sharing my worst experiences from both sides of the sale. But it really worked for me. In this episode I share my conversion rates, my 'how to' and the mindset tips that helped me succeed. Resources: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/
Takeaways
Chapters 01:00 Introduction to Podcasting Challenges
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
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| S5 E17: Matrescence, healing and purpose with Danielle Lauren, The Way Too Honest Mom | 29 May 2025 | 01:04:49 | |
This week on Bump to Business Owner, I'm joined by Danielle Lauren, creative powerhouse, former media exec, and founder of Way Too Honest, a business born from the depths of postpartum struggle and radical maternal honesty. From working at the top of global media giants like CNN and Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, to battling severe pre- and postnatal depression, Danielle opens up about her experience of motherhood, identity loss, and rebuilding a life and business with purpose. TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion of pre/post natal depression and suicidal thoughts Takeaways:
Resources: Maternal Mental Health Alliance: https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/ Chapters: 01:00 Introduction to Danielle Lauren and Her Journey Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Danielle Lauren Danielle Lauren is an accomplished creative force and now founder of a beautiful business that brings light and truth to one of the most misunderstood chapters of motherhood. Danielle Lauren is the founder and CEO of Way Too Honest, a brand that creates affirmation and support cards for new mums navigating the fourth trimester, also known as matrescence. Backed by endorsements from Katherine Ryan, Lucy Jones, Zoe Blaskey and Dr. Ellie Cannon, and for every box sold, a donation goes to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, helping to drive meaningful change in perinatal mental health. Prior to launching her business, Danielle was a powerhouse in the media and tech industries, working as VP of Story for Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, Innovation Ambassador at Warner Media, and Head of Content Strategy at CNN. She's spoken at global events from Harvard to TEDx with a deep focus on AI, Web3, and the future of storytelling. But as we'll hear today, it was Danielle's own journey through a devastating postpartum period and identity shift that fueled her desire to create her business. Danielle Lauren's Links: Website: https://www.waytoohonest.co/
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| S5 E16: Keeping going when business gets tough - Solo episode with Caroline | 22 May 2025 | 00:11:35 | |
How do you stay motivated to keep going when times get tough in your business? Good question. And an increasingly important one as the economy continues to fluctuate with tariffs, UK legislation and uncertainty creep in. In January I was in a difficult situation with my business, but I got through it and learnt a lot. This week, I'm sharing my tips for keeping going when times are tough in your business.
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Embracing the Chaos of Motherhood and Business 01:19 Navigating Tough Times in Business 07:34 Finding Community and Normalizing Struggles
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E15: Mum guilt, cash crunches and K-drama with Ning Cheah founder of The Beauty Crop | 14 May 2025 | 00:41:40 | |
This week on Bump To Business Owner, I'm joined by Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, mum of two, and former banker turned beauty entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle to solve her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-million dollar brand, stocked by the likes of Boots and ASOS. In this honest and wide-ranging chat, Ning shares how burnout led her to rethink everything, the fertility struggles she faced while building a business, and the two very different maternity leaves that followed. She opens up about the realities of scaling, the pressure of cash flow, and why she chose crowdfunding and bank loans over giving away equity 👀 We talk mum guilt and what we can learn from men, support systems, and why she only ever plans three years ahead. Plus how she's learning to let go, delegate, and make space for joy (think K-dramas and sheet masks - the dream). Takeaways:
Resources: Crowd2Fund: https://www.crowd2fund.com/ Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
Ning Cheah is a mother of two and the founder and CEO of The Beauty Crop, a clean beauty brand that has become known for its high performing plant-based products that don't compromise on fun, affordability or ethics. With a background in chemical engineering and a high-powered career in investment banking behind her, Ning's personal struggle with eczema and cystic acne led her to launch The Beauty Crop in 2014. Now a multi-million pound business, it's a brand that crops out harmful ingredients whilst delivering vegan, cruelty-free, nutrient-rich cosmetics in sustainable packaging. Since launching in 2014, it's become a cult favourite, stocked in major retailers like Boots, Beauty Bay, ASOS and Urban Outfitters. Ning Cheah's Links: Website: https://thebeautycrop.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ning-cheah-4310642/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeautycrop/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeautycrop
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| S5 E14: PR tips for small business owners - Solo episode with Caroline | 08 May 2025 | 00:16:58 | |
What is your story? In today's episode of the podcast I'm giving away all my PR tips. In the last 5 years me and my business have been featured in To name just a few. And all of that has been under my own steam, no PR experience, no connections. If you're looking for some PR coverage for your business, this is for you Resources Editorelle: https://www.editorielle.com/ Pressflow (FREE): https://www.pressflow.io/ Lightbulb: https://www.lightbulbhangout.com/ Rosie Davies-Smith, founder of PR Dispatch episode: https://bumptobusinessowner.com/s3-episode-7-rosie-davies-smith-pr-dispatch Jelena Skene co-founder of Press Flow episode: https://bumptobusinessowner.com/s5-e4-jelena-skene Takeaways
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
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| S5 E13: Radical acts, building confidence and navigating PTSD with Lauren Currie founder of Upfront | 01 May 2025 | 00:54:31 | |
My guest this week is Lauren Currie OBE, mother of one, founder of 6 businesses and PTSD survivor. Lauren is a serial entrepreneur, who after being featured as the only woman on an event bill decided she needed to build something to challenge the lie of meritocracy. Her business, Upfront, was born. As a systems and organisational designer, Lauren is ideally placed to see where the holes are in our society and where we need to work on them, together. The game is rigged, it might just be that our privilege means that motherhood is the first time we really see it. Building a business whilst raising a family is a radical act. Women even working is so new for us as a society, let alone being business leaders. It's hard, but it's worth it and it will get easier. Takeaways:
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com About Lauren Currie Lauren is the founder of Upfront, an organization on a mission to change confidence, visibility and power for 10 million women. Thousands of women from over 50 countries have now graduated from Upfront's flagship program, The Bond. It's become the go-to to for women and organisations who want to grow confidence from the inside out. Their clients include global names like Nike, Just Eat Takeaway, the Ministry of Defence, the British Red Cross and PLEO, a true sign of the movement Lauren has built. Lauren is a sought after keynote speaker. Her goal is to help everyone in the room turn their own lights on. And she's not afraid to use her voice where it matters most. She was chair of the brilliant campaign group Pregnant Than Screwed for seven years, championing women against maternity discrimination. Her work has been recognised globally from being awarded an OBE for services to design and diversity, to being named one of Elle's Women Changing the World and one of Management Today's top businesswomen under 35. Originally from Scotland, Lauren now lives in Uppsala in Sweden with her partner and their seven-year-old son, juggling motherhood, business and a mission that only gets louder. Lauren Currie's Links: Website: https://www.weareupfront.com/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| S5 E12: Why you don't need more strategy with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:38:33 | |
What happens when your co-founder (and sister!) steps away and you're managing a business solo, as well as being mum to 2 kids? In this week's delicious episode I'm in conversation with Nicola Ward, founder of CakeDrop, who talks me through her experience of exactly that. Nicola has run her business incredibly intuitively and flexibly, focusing on building relationships and leaning into creativity when Covid meant a pivot. She has some incredible advice to other founders thinking about motherhood and the trade offs we as working mums make. My main takeaway? You don't need more strategy, you just need to take action. Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:30 Introduction to CakeDrop and Nicola's Journey Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/ About Nicola Ward Nicola Ward is the founder of CakeDrop, the award-winning solution bringing sweet treats to some of the UK's most exciting places, including Meta, Ladbible, Beauty Pie, and Netflix. Cake Drop specialises in branded treat experiences and automated gifting for employee birthdays and work anniversaries, making workplace celebrations seamless and delicious. Nicola's journey into entrepreneurship began alongside her sister Anna, inspired by their own experiences working in the city, where they noticed the challenges of organizing office celebrations. This insight led to the creation of CakeDrop, aiming to make office celebrations effortless and enjoyable. Nicola has faced many highs and lows on her journey, from the shift to becoming a solo founder to navigating major business challenges, including the pandemic and operational hurdles. Nicola Ward's Links: Website: https://cakedrop.london/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-ward-30404427/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cakedropldn
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| S5 E11: Birthday reflection: celebrate how far you've come - Solo episode with Caroline | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:23:08 | |
When was the last time you reflected on how far you've come? In this special birthday episode, I'm reflecting on the last five years - Motherhood, trauma, recovery, business, COVID, and giving myself the advice I needed five years ago. My business and motherhood journey are intrinsically linked, and in this period of my life - out of the baby years and able to put more energy into business growth, it's been emotional to see how much I've achieved. Take a moment to look back on what you've achieved, everything you've experienced, good and bad, and celebrate yourself. Resources Snoop Dogg: https://youtu.be/NfF3bThOW0Q?si=I-ASqOrYhQMzIK4- Takeaways
Chapters 01:00 Celebrating Growth and Reflection Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
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| S5 E10: Lightbulb moments and Wellbeing Practices with Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of Fractional Finance | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:46:15 | |
What was the lightbulb moment for your business? Did you recognise it and mark it as the life-changing moment it was? Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of Fractional Finance and one of the top 50 women in accounting took a selfie that day, because she knew 'this was the thing'. From her 'dream job' at a Big Four accountancy firm, to starting her business, Kat has had some incredible support in her career journey: not only a fantastic mentor, but a strong spiritual practice. She's also navigating a husband in the army who was often away for 6 months at a time, and a youngest who has recently been diagnosed with autism. Takeaways:
Chapters: 01:09 Career Path and Transition to Entrepreneurship Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
About Kat Wellum-Kent Kat Wellam-Kent is founder of Fractional Finance and one of the top 50 women in accounting. Kat's accounting career started in the Big Four, but after becoming a mother, she found the demands of corporate finance incompatible with family life. She transitioned to a smaller practice where she worked closely with small and early stage businesses. There she saw a critical gap; businesses were missing out on the financial strategy they needed to grow successfully. This inspired her to launch Fractional Finance in January 2023 an outsourced finance director service that provides startups and scaling businesses with expert financial guidance without the cost of a full-time hire. Kat and her team help business owners understand their numbers, make informed decisions and drive sustainable growth. All of course, while navigating motherhood. Kat started her business while raising two children and managing life as the wife of a military husband who spends long periods of time away. Beyond finance, Kat also has a belief in manifesting, wellness and even crystals. Kat Wellum-Kent's Links: Website: https://fractionalfinance.co.uk/
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| S5 E9: Why I was targeted by a multi-level marketing scheme - Solo episode with Caroline | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:16:02 | |
This week I am unpacking the sometimes controversial topic of multi-level marketing schemes. I have been targeted by representatives of various MLMs 3 times in my life; because I'm a woman, with a performance background (aka poor!), and a mother. I was targeted within months of having my first child. I share: - The ways I've been targeted - How to recognise MLMs for what they are - How to avoid them The first rule of MLMs? Deny it's an MLM.
Resources Doing it For the Kids: https://www.doingitforthekids.net/ Secrets of the Multi Level Millionaire: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p076n2hg On Becoming a God in Central Florida: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/on-becoming-a-god-in-central-florida/umc.cmc.67y9928dso088or48kueobu81 Not mentioned on the pod, but also worth a listen! The Dream: https://open.spotify.com/show/69SbOSdWtOYpJArpX6KczL?si=f5eaa0c57b9443ff
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Unexpected Solo Episode
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E8: Fundraising, health tech and personal branding with Dr Dupé Burgess, founder of Bloomful | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:48:49 | |
How clear are you on your values? An arresting question! I'm asking because my guest on the pod this week is Dr Dupé Burgess, founder of Bloomful, medical doctor, speaker, content creator and mum of 3. At the heart of everything she does? Her values. That's why she's been able to build such a compelling personal brand on LinkedIn, and why she's such a compelling speaker and founder. Because mission drives it all. If you're building a personal brand, fundraising or building a founder network from scratch, this episode is for you. Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dupé Burgess
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com
About Dupé Burgess Dupé is a medical doctor, keynote speaker, health tech founder, content creator, online writer and mum to three young kids. She spent eight years working as a medical doctor before transitioning into strategy consulting at BCG. Dupé founded Bloomful in 2021, a health tech business on a mission to close the gender health gap and improve access to gynae care for women globally. It provides digital support for women dealing with common gynae health issues and has won multiple awards and grants over the past few years. As a leader, Dupé's biggest realisation has been that attention is the new currency and her role is to drive brand awareness. Over the past three years, she's built her career by openly sharing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, offering candid insights into what it really takes to start and grow a business. Dupé has two key missions, transforming women's health through Bloomful and leveraging her personal brand to not only amplify her impact, but also help other entrepreneurs to do the same.
Dupé Burgess Links: Website: https://www.bloomful.io/
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| S5 E7: How and why I changed my business mindset - Solo episode with Caroline | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:17:15 | |
In this episode I'm talking about something that I think is a constant, if not battle, then area for improvement: mindset. Mindset has been a hurdle that almost prevented me from achieving a business goal. But I was able to recognise it and work on it. So I'm talking about: - How I recognised my mindset was the problem - The goal it was hindering - The steps I took to change it - The support and resources I turned to (a surprise to me too!) This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Resources Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses programme: https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/ Glennon Doyle, Untamed: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52129515-untamed
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Goldman Sachs Growth Programme
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E6: USPs, survival mode and growth with Jen Fuller founder of Etta Loves | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:50:04 | |
Do you have that 'on the cusp' feeling? I think it's something that unites founders. There's always something on the horizon that helps keep the faith in your business, even when on paper it's not always clear. My guest on the pod this week is Jen Fuller, founder of Etta Loves, science backed baby sensory products that are also absolutely beautiful. Jen is really open that it's the 'cusp' feeling that keeps her going rather than revenue or income goals. I loved this conversation, as a service business owner, it's always fascinating to hear from product founders. Jen shares so much empathy, inspiration and nuts and bolts practical advice. How to deal with copycat businesses, direct sales v working with retailers, opening in new territories, celebrity endorsements and what she gained from a business growth programme, Jen gives her perspective on it all.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 The Birth of Etta Loves
Resources: Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses: https://www.goldmansachs.com/community-impact/10000-small-businesses/us UK Export Academy: https://www.great.gov.uk/export-academy/ Lauren Jumps: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenJumps
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Jen Fuller Jen Fuller is the founder of Etta Loves, and mum to two little girls. Etta Loves was born from Jen's passion for providing babies with the best possible visual experiences to support their development while making everyday moments easier for parents and carers. With a strong commitment to excellence, she collaborates with leading experts in infant vision and her dedicated team to create the most optimised sensory essentials in the world, designed with both science and sustainability in mind. The idea for Etta Loves came to Jen when her first daughter Etta was just six weeks old. She noticed Etta staring intently at the black and white pattern jumper she was wearing while feeding, completely ignoring the plain muslin on her shoulder. To Jen's surprise, Etta fed for longer and the usual overwhelm of feeding seemed to lift. The light bulb moment sparked her fascination with infant vision and inspired her to harness the science behind what babies can see. Driven by this newfound passion, Jen set out to transform everyday baby essentials, starting with muslins, and expanding into powerful sensory tools that captivate tiny eyes and bring calm to daily routines. Today, Etta Loves offers beautifully designed, science-led products that provide babies with the wonder and focus they need while offering parents and carers moments of calm throughout their day.
Jen Fuller Links: Website: https://www.ettaloves.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-fuller-ettaloves/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ettaloves
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| S5 E5: The game-changer for my business and wellbeing - Solo episode with Caroline | 13 Feb 2025 | 00:14:32 | |
This week's episode is about the thing that has made all the difference in my business and for my wellbeing: consistency.
Why it's so important Why it has been a game changer for me Where I have seen big results How I make sure I stay consistent (I'm talking processes and tools - you'll love this) Why it shouldn't be another thing to beat yourself up about This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of the True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order
Resources ClickUp: https://clickup.com/
Takeaways
Chapters 01:00 Embracing Solo Podcasting 02:24 The Importance of Consistency 04:12 Managing Expectations and Productivity 08:09 Creating Effective Processes 11:13 Flexibility and Self-Compassion in Consistency 12:05 Finding Balance in Business and Wellbeing
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E4: Equality and ambition for mums with Jelena Skene co-founder of Press Flow | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:49:28 | |
If anyone is ever in doubt about mum's commitment to their careers post babies, please, use this conversation as proof that we are only ever more ambitious and focused. This week I'm talking to Jelena Skene, co-founder of 2 businesses raised alongside 2 small boys. It's been a busy few years for Jelena! My main takeaway from our conversation, and there are many, is: just start. You can't plan everything around having a family, if you have a business idea, just try it. I also loved her thoughts on what makes a good business idea, and what you actually need to create a successful business. If you're looking for advice on how to effectively PR pitch your business, listen to the end, Jelena has some incredible practical tips.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Takeaways:
Chapters: Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Jelena Skene Agency-turned tech founder of Press Flow and mother of two, Jelena has a background in digital marketing for major fashion and lifestyle brands. In March, 2024, Jelena co-founded Press Flow Limited with her husband, a free PR platform that connects experts, PR professionals, and journalists. Press Flow provides unlimited free pitching, making it an accessible tool for small businesses, personal brands, PR professionals, and experts seeking media exposure. Not their first business, prior to Press Flow, Jelena and her husband ran an agency and together through COVID juggled the demands of new parenthood and founder life for the first time. Jelena Skene Links: Website: https://www.pressflow.io/ LinkedIn (Jelena): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-skene-2a3a9b60/ LinkedIn (Press Flow): https://www.linkedin.com/company/pressflow/
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| S5 E3: Business growth and mum guilt - Solo episode with Caroline | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:10:28 | |
I have been judging myself recently for some of the decisions I've been making. For 2025 my goal is business growth, and that means I'm making decisions that prioritise my work and my wellbeing at the cost of family time. There are a lot of expectations on us as mums and female founders: some from ourselves, from the people around us, the patriarchy. I am unpacking my feelings of mum guilt, and why I refuse to feel it anymore.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (www.ancientandbrave.earth/). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of the True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Balancing Business Growth and Motherhood
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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| S5 E2: Exploring authenticity, business growth and resilience with Lea Turner founder of The Holt | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
In this inspiring episode, I'm joined by Lea Turner, LinkedIn expert, community builder, and founder of Holt, a thriving membership platform for small businesses. Content warning: there is a mention of suicidal ideation as Lea reflects on her teenage years and missed ADHD diagnosis. Lea's journey into entrepreneurship wasn't planned. Like so many of my guests on the pod, she didn't initially see herself as a business owner. Her entrepreneurial path began with a transcription side hustle, which played to her strengths and funded her travels. As her income grew to match her day job, she took the leap into full-time self-employment. We discuss how Lea managed her business while preparing for maternity leave, how her son has influenced her career decisions, and her remarkable pivot during the Covid-19 pandemic when her income streams dried up overnight. I think we can all relate to Lea's struggles with showing up authentically on social media, but she has really nailed it. By embracing her uniqueness, she transformed her LinkedIn presence, skyrocketing her followers and opening the door to incredible new opportunities. We explore the positives and negatives of social media: It wasn't easy for Lea to own her expertise, it took other industry leaders deferring to her as an expert in social media discussions before she could see herself in that light. She shares her experiences dealing with online trolls and how she's developed a positive, resilient mindset in response to negativity. This episode is packed with insights about business growth, balance, authenticity, and resilience. I hope you're as inspired by the conversation as I was! This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave. If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order.
Takeaways:
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lea Turner's Journey
Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Lea Turner Lea Turner is an entrepreneur who transformed her life as a single mum through becoming a successful business owner. In 2019, she was working long hours typing medical reports while caring for her young son, barely making ends meet. Seeking a change, she began posting on LinkedIn, leveraging her humour and authenticity to connect with others. This approach quickly gained traction, leading to a substantial following, which currently stands at almost 200,000 followers and a fast growth LinkedIn training business. Over five years, Lea has built a six-figure income through her LinkedIn training, digital courses, and in-person workshops. In December 2024, she decided to close the doors on her LinkedIn training services to focus on new ventures. Lea is now running The Holt, an online membership community launched in June 2022. The Holt offers expert masterclasses in community and networking for solopreneurs, freelancers and small business owners, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Lea Turner's Links: Website: https://www.leaturner.co.uk/ Website: https://www.the-holt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-turner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaturnerholt/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/ | |||
| S5 E1: January vibes, my learning from 2024 and focus for 2025 - Solo episode with Caroline | 16 Jan 2025 | 00:12:56 | |
If January has been…Januarying, then you are not alone. I've found it difficult to come back to work this year, comparisonitis and anxiety have been getting the better of me. So in this week's episode I'm sharing:
This episode is sponsored by Ancient + Brave (https://ancientandbrave.earth). If you'd like to try any of their products (I am a big fan of the True Collagen!) you can use our discount code BTB20 for 20% off your first order
Resources
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Embracing January Vibes 03:06 Navigating Work-Life Balance 06:10 Self-Care and Mental Health 08:57 Looking Ahead: Business Growth and Community Building Links: Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
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