Conversations of Inspiration – Details, episodes & analysis

How can you learn to be self-compassionate and live the life you want to lead? 

In this episode of Conversations of Inspiration meet Rosie Nixon, an accomplished author, broadcaster, consultant, and coach, best known for her 16-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Hello! Magazine. 

Rosie shares her experiences with stress and burnout, leading to a career reevaluation and her decision to become a life coach. They delve into the importance of self-care, kindness, and authenticity, with Rosie revealing how she’s on a mission to help women navigate midlife reinvention through coaching and retreats. 

Enjoy this inspiring conversation about personal growth, resilience, and the power of reinvention.

Win an Independent Ad Break on Conversations of Inspiration: If you’re a founder yourself and would like to be in with a chance to win your own ad break on this podcast, head over to holly.co/dell.  This competition is delivered in partnership with Dell Technologies and their programs Dell for Startups and DWEN (Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network) — which provide startup expertise from dedicated technology advisors and scalable solutions to ensure your business is always ready to grow.

What’s the secret to designing award-winning and best-selling homeware for 20 years? 

In this episode of Conversations of Inspiration meet Antony and Richard Joseph, twin brothers and co-founders of Joseph Joseph often referred to as the ‘Apple of homeware.’

 You'll hear the captivating story of their entrepreneurial journey, from a childhood surrounded by creativity to the thrill of their first major order. Discover how they conquered the European market with sheer determination and a road trip. They delve into the highs and lows of business, from the slow burn of success to navigating the tumultuous times of the pandemic. Embrace their wisdom on protecting their designs, fostering new talent, and staying passionate about their work. Don't miss the heartfelt advice they'd give to their younger selves, a true testament to their experience and resilience in the world of business.

Win an Independent Ad Break on Conversations of Inspiration: If you’re a founder yourself and would like to be in with a chance to win your own ad break on this podcast, head over to holly.co/dell.  This competition is delivered in partnership with Dell Technologies and their programs Dell for Startups and DWEN (Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network) — which provide startup expertise from dedicated technology advisors and scalable solutions to ensure your business is always ready to grow.

Time Stamps: 

Childhood and Family Influence (00:03:30) The Joseph brothers discuss their creative upbringing and the influence of their parents and family in their design and entrepreneurial journey.

Transition to Business (00:12:27) Holly and the Joseph brothers discuss their transition from studying design to starting their business, including the pivotal moment of receiving a significant order for their glass cutting boards.

European Expansion (00:18:23) The brothers describe their persistence in seeking more customers, leading to their successful expansion into European markets and the slow but steady growth of their business.

Mission statement and product approach (00:22:39) The company's mission statement and approach to identifying and solving household problems.

Learning from failures (00:27:16) The lessons learned from product failures and the importance of getting started.

Dealing with Copying and Counterfeiting (00:45:27) The challenges of dealing with copying and counterfeiting in the small business community and advice for others facing similar issues.

Whilst each founder is unique, there is a golden thread that unites them all. In this episode, Holly explores what has driven each brand’s success.
From triumph through adversity, each founder has faced the highs and lows of life, each experience contributing to their success. Over the next hour, Holly revisits some of the most pivotal moments in each of their lives and how that moment would lead them on to future success.
Including conversations with Bobbi Brown, Dr. Willard Wigan MBE, creator of the world's smallest micro-sculptures, female tech pioneer Dame Stephanie Shirley, as well as the nation’s sweetheart Nadiya Hussain, Knoops founder Jens Knoop and ultra-athlete Josh Patterson.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

This is a conversation that teaches us all what can be achieved when we refuse to let others define us.

A tragic accident would set Josh Patterson on a different path and define his purpose for the rest of his life. But as he seeks to make change in the most extraordinary way, what happens when your formative years are captured for the nation to watch and dissect from their sofa?  
This week Holly speaks with Josh Patterson, formerly of Made in Chelsea fame and now an ultra-athlete and mental health campaigner. 
His story is testament to the fact that we all have different chapters in our lives. We grow and evolve, and as a society, it is crucial that we don’t seek to define an entire human through a short snapshot.
In this conversation, Josh speaks candidly about the anxiety he experienced, the battle with his own mental health, and how when his best friend was involved in a tragic accident it changed the course of both their lives.
Sharing how harnessing the power of mental and physical resilience has shaped him into the person he is today and the crucial role that empathy plays in his life, Josh shares his vulnerabilities openly and honestly in this moving episode.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

A child refugee, tech pioneer, philanthropist, businesswoman, mother and true trailblazer, Dame Stephanie paved the way for generations of women to come, by using intuition and action to break ideological views of what women are capable of. In her conversation with Holly she shares the breadth of her experiences, struggles and her unrelenting energy for creating positive change.

After escaping Nazi Germany at the shockingly young age of five years old, Dame Stephanie Shirley reflects on her childhood memories, as a young girl growing up in such a turbulent historical period. After battling survivors' guilt for a number of years, Dame Stephanie ‘Steve’ Shirley in her own words says that from then on, “I decided to make mine a life worth saving and then just got on with it”. 
Dame Stephanie’s words, actions and legacy encourage each of us to take risks, to challenge the status quo and to rewrite the myths of what women can achieve.  
Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Dame Stephanie Shirley: Purchase Steve’s incredible memoir ‘Let It Go’ from Amazon using this link or email lynn@steveshirley.com for a personally signed copy

Website: https://www.steveshirley.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damestephanie_/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/damestephanie_
Sign up to Letters From Steve: https://www.steveshirley.com/letters-from-steve/  
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If you enjoyed this episode you might also enjoy my conversation with Dame Mary, co-founder of Specsavers.

Jens Knoops is a man who is obsessed with chocolate. After starting his brilliant artisan hot chocolate business in 2013, Jens’ journey has catapulted him into a world that not only brings him joy everyday but that brings each of his customers a little magic too.
Holly talks to Jens about the huge passion he has for his products, the sustainable goals he has for Knoops and his decision to expand the business during the pandemic.
It’s a story that is both heartwarming and motivating and shows all of us that with enough drive and belief, even our wildest dreams can not only survive but thrive.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Holly’s guest this week is a fascinating one, David Gandy, a man whose image is synonymous with high fashion and whose face has graced countless magazine covers, billboards and our televisions.
Whilst sharing a cup of tea with Holly on her sofa, David delves into the story behind his career, life as a father, and his recent experiences of founding David Gandy Wellwear. Holly soon learns that David, much like the rest of us, tackles imposter syndrome, despite the successful career he has built and discusses the importance of encouraging kindness in the fashion industry, where scrutiny is rife. 
Whilst explaining the sheer hard work that David has dedicated to his venture, Holly learns about the unique DNA of his brand and of his vision to build a clothing line that offers products which are not only stylish, but are practical, and also advocate sustainable fashion.
This week's conversation has so much food for thought, it’s an ode to dedication, hard work, and to following a passion in order to achieve fulfilment.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

It’s that time already - Holly’s Christmas special! 
Every festive season, Holly sits down and reflects on all of the wonderfully inspirational conversations she has had with guests throughout the year and it’s her absolute pleasure to take you on this journey with her. 
In the last episode of 2021, Holly revisits some of her most favourite guests and anecdotes from throughout the year. From David Hieatt, Jake Humphrey and Bobbi Brown to Anya Hindmarch and John Timpson, each guest shares their insights, wisdom and lessons that they live by as they seek to build successful brands as well as a life they love. 
Also in this collection, is a very special conversation with Holly, her beloved husband Frank and incredible son Harry, who each share their experiences of having a wife and mother who chose to live a life less ordinary, as a founder herself. 
For a final Christmas treat, this episode culminates, not just one but two of Holly’s favourite ‘letters to my younger self’, so have your tissues at the ready and prepare to take a trip down memory lane. 

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

This week, Holly has one of her most thought provoking and emotional conversations yet, with Dr Willard Wigan MBE, a man famous for creating the world's tiniest and most beautifully crafted micro-sculptures that are invisible to the naked eye. 
Growing up in the sixties, with undiagnosed dyslexia and autism, Willard experienced a heart-breakingly difficult childhood as his confidence was crushed at school by a taunting teacher he will never forget. However as Willard’s late mother always said, “Don’t get bitter, get better” — and that’s just what Willard did. 
Turning to his love for crafting all things minute, Willard began at just six-years-old to build tiny pieces of furniture for his beloved garden ants, and his work only got smaller from there. Now, Willard is recognised across the globe, by his fans and also by royalty, for his miraculous sculptures that can only be viewed through a microscope. 
Despite the painstaking process of carving his creations, Willard’s unbreakable determination ignited by his mother and fuelled by a need to prove those who have underestimated him wrong, always sees him through. Willard really is the ‘Micro-Angelo’ of our time.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.

Nadiya Hussain MBE is a woman whose journey and whose words are seared into the consciousness of all of us. Who could ever forget that tearful victory speech when she won The Great British Bake Off? 
But the most remarkable thing about Nadiya is not what a talented baker she is but the way in which she has courageously tuned in to her inner voice, broken down barriers at every turn and challenged nearly every stereotype possible.
Overcoming panic attacks and racist trolls to become an accidental ambassador for British Muslims, this is just the start for Nadiya, an extraordinary woman who has been propelled from full time mum to national treasure, capturing all of our hearts along the way.

Enjoying listening to these unfiltered chats? It's worth following Holly Tucker MBE and Holly & Co on Instagram, and subscribing to our weekly newsletter on our website, where Holly downloads her thoughts, and exclusively shares small business finds and topical, 'ungoogleable' business advice.