Coffee & Commerce

In today's episode I'm talking to Hepsie Goddin from Martha and Hepsie. Hepsie runs the business with her sister, Martha. Together they design colourful homeware, stationery & gifts all made in the UK. They live in Sheffield and North Devon but successfully manage to run the business from two ends of the country - something that's become quite normal since the pandemic! In this episode we talk about how the business was developed and has changed in the last ten years. We also chat about the ups and downs of Facebook Ads and how Hepsie is now utilising Pinterest to grow their business even more.

In today's episode I'm talking to David Tovey from Mon Teas. With a background in business administration, finance and I.T., and aged in his mid-fifties, David decided it was time to set-out on his own. He opened Mon Teas, a retail shop for loose leaf tea, in 2012. The business has adapted and evolved over the years and has sold enough loose leaf tea and herbal infusions to make over two million cups of tea! In this episode we talk about David's background, how he got into this business, and how he's managed to make his business plastic free.

In today's episode I'm talking to Harriet Westcott from Cover Me Baby. Mother of 3 and military wife Harriet Westcott set up her business Cover Me Baby back in 2018. After years of frustration at the number of baby products on the market and the lack of products with multiple uses Harriet designed her own product: the multi-use breastfeeding cover. A 5-in-1 product that can be popped in your changing bag and used for a range of baby admin tasks. In this episode we talk about how having a business idea can come from an everyday problem - Dragon's Den style! We also chatted about what Harriet's next steps are and how this year has changed her plans for her business.

In today's episode I'm talking to Anne Bishop from Weaving Hope, an online store selling fair trade toys designed to help toddlers learn through play. Anne has had a varied career, working her way through from being a secretary to being a business owner via charity management and an MBA. She is particularly passionate about facilitating the development of others and now harnesses that in her business. In this episode we talk about selling on third party platforms, getting to grips with Shopify and how taking on your own business presents a unique set of challenges.

In today's episode I'm talking to Sarah Latham from Friends & Canines, which is a natural dog treat company founded in 2019. When lockdown began the business really took off and now Sarah has a thriving business delivering to happy pooches throughout the UK.

In today's episode I'm talking to Elaine Pasini from Pickled Ginger, an SEO expert who helps small businesses get better ranking on Google. In this guest expert episode we talk about how to optimise your images for both your website and social media.

In today's episode I'm talking to Ginevra Croft from The Wool Croft. The Wool Croft is a bricks and mortar wool and fabric shop in Abergavenny, South Wales.specialising in quality yarns, dressmaking fabrics, and beautiful cotton prints. The lockdown interrupted their expansion into running craft workshops, but they launched their online store at the end of 2020 so they could continue to sell online.

In today's episode I'm talking to Elaine Pasini from Pickled Ginger, an SEO expert who helps eCommerce businesses grow their organic presence on Google.

In this episode I'm talking to Kazryel Bolwell of Purple Flamingo Vintage, a small boutique in Crickhowell, South Wales. They stock alternative fashion and accessories and are an inclusive boutique that provides beautiful and exciting fashion for all genders. Their ethos is embracing the joy and confidence that fashion can bring to our everyday lives.

Today I'm talking to Ben Ward of The Beer Box Company. They were originally a mobile wedding events company, but have adapted during lockdown to create and deliver DIY Cocktail Packages throughout South Wales. They're also slowly branching out into the rest of the UK.

Today I'm talking to Jodie Gray, founder of Home of the Mall. Home of the Mall was launched in November 2020 and is a UK selling platform for small businesses. Some of the UKs best small businesses are listed on the ever-growing site.

Today I'm talking to Janan Leo of Cocorose. Janan founded the business back in 2007. They make beautiful, super comfy and unpretentious footwear and have recently started expanding their line of accessories.

Jo Riley is the founding director of CancerPal which was founded in 2019. It's an online hub to support the family and friends of those diagnosed with cancer. CancerPal also sells cancer care products to help ease some of the side effects of cancer treatments.

Today I'm joined by husband-and-wife team Vadims & Zhanelya. Together they run a business called PHOTOPORTRIYAL. Vadims is a fine art still life photographer who creates limited edition prints using light painting techniques.

In today's episode I talk to Jennie & Mike Williams of MooJoo Designs. They're a husband and wife team who laser cut bespoke items for both businesses and consumers.

In this episdoe I'm talking to James Falconer of Vive Ut Vivas. Vive Ut Vivas is a clothing brand founded in 2020 in Abergavenny, South Wales. The name is Latin and translates to “live that you may live”, basically meaning live without fear or consequences/live as if you'll live forever. It's influenced by family heritage and a positive message of enjoying life.

Today I'm joined by Claire Pledger from House of Curls. When Claire broke her wrist in 2016 she started documenting her curly hair care journey on Instagram. As her community of followers grew, she realised that a lot of people were struggling to find the best products to care for their curly hair. Thus House of Curls was born: a space that has everything in one place, easy buying access to amazing products, along with information and help on caring for your curls.

In today's episode I'm talking to Cat Price of Pattie & Co, an online retailer selling super soft muslin baby products.

Today I'm talking to Bryonie Baxter, owner at the No Plastic Shop. Based on Dartmoor, the No Plastic Shop is an online plastic free shop featuring local, sustainable plastic free products alongside well known ethical brands.

In this episode I talk to Julie Macken of Neve's Bees. Neve's Bees Bee Products are all made using natural beeswax from their bees in West Oxfordshire, blended with pure, sustainably sourced plant oils and butters and fragranced with natural essential oils and packaged in recyclable tins, card and linen packaging.

A quick hello and welcome from me, Sara Jones, sharing my vision for the podcast.