REALWORK: Recent Episodes
REALWORK
Conversations with women who have written their own job description and are generally winning at life.Hosted by Fleur Emery.
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“I feel like people are more open to black brands”
Dionne Gooding is a fashion designer and sustainable London-based clothes brand creating handmade, fun casual pieces and custom-made garments using West African print fabrics. Combining organic cotton and preloved garments with fabric off-cuts to avoid wastage, her sustainable credentials has seen the designs included in Selfridges’ Project Earth collection. Dionne shares her business journey so far, featuring Paris events and a pandemic pivot.
Dionne talks on:
- Building the business with customised shoes
- Learning essential business skills
- Moving from custom designs to manufacturing
- Pivoting and changing the business model after COVID
- Being a working mum and adapting to change
- Designing for Selfridges
- Positive BLM consequences
Discover Dionne’s work and latest collection at https://www.dionnegooding.com/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“A Friday night treat without the guilt”
Anshu & Renéeare co-founders of sustainable takeaway service, DabbaDrop. The company is London’s first plastic and emission-free takeaway, delivering plant-based curries in reusable packaging, direct to people’s doors. In this episode, Anshu & Renée share their journey, ethos, and learnings on running a successful start-up food business.
Renée & Anshu talk on:
- Managing a friendship to business partnership and learning each other’s work ethic.
- Sustainable living – slowing the system and changing behaviours.
- Their vision – what growth and expansion look like.
- What’s gone wrong – why finding the right people is so important.
- Owning the female boss journey and believing in yourself.
- Shared knowledge and tips – learnings from along the way.
DabbaDrop currently delivers to North London (North London: N1, N4, N5, N7, N15, N16, N17, N19) East London (E1, E2, E3, E5, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E17, E20) and South East London (SE1, SE4, SE5, SE14, SE15, SE22). Leave your postcode and notes for DabbaDrop at https://dabbadrop.co.uk/
Follow DabbaDrop on Instagram @dabbdrop
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“The absence of illness does not mean you are healthy.”
Fleur and Courtney delve into the differences between wellbeing and wellness in this lively and in-depth discussion which explores Courtney's group therapy and coaching platform. Gwyneth Paltrow even gets a mention...
This episode covers:
- The challenges of fundraising and equity crowdfunding.
- Founding Paradym after her own mental health experience.
- Evidence-based psychology practice.
- Delivering accessible therapy for the younger generation.
- The difference between psychology and psychiatry, wellness and wellbeing.
- Being your 'well-est' - where does Capitalism sit on the scale of wellness?.
- What wellness and wellbeing looks like.
- Individual vs societal responsibility on mental health.
Discover more about Paradym and grab a free trial at https://theparadym.com/ or contact Paradym and mention the REALWORK podcast.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work and sign up for the newsletter, The REALWORKer
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“It’s so important that there are these spaces away from marks and grades and high-price tickets”
Internationally celebrated and award-winning artist Natasha Caruana joins the podcast to bring all of her experience and knowledge on the commercial arm of the arts industry: from creating the online community Work Show Grow that inspires artists to create and commercialise their art, to becoming a senior lecturer at the University of the Arts London starting from her very modest beginnings.
Natasha talks on:
- The inspiration for her provocative Married Man series on infidelity
- How and why she created Work Show Grow
- Getting into - and out of - academia and how it fits with her artistic direction
- Going behind the scenes on what went wrong and the challenges she faced
- Her decision to make her upcoming ‘Muse On Muse’ film
Discover more Natasha at https://www.natashacaruana.com and follow her on Instagram at @natasha.caruana
Explore opportunities with Work Show Grow here: www.workshowgrow.com and @workshowgrow
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work and sign up for the newsletter, The REALWORKer
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“I collect bits of people and share bits of myself in exchange.”
Remi talks on:
- Early discrimination – kicked out of university for having a baby.
- The impact of economic experience on parenthood.
- Her career journey and how activism shapes everything she does.
- The impact of George Floyd’s death and the BLM movement on black careers.
- The importance of documenting life to reflect the time in which we live.
- Being a creative and why she is 'not extraordinary'.
Discover more Remi at https://remisade.com and follow her on Instagram at @remi.sade
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“There is no point planting seeds, if the soil is unhealthy.”
Leading DEI practitioner Ashanti Bentil-Dhue talks on:
· Difference between DEI activism and policy.
· Her white paper and the need for data on black women in the UK.
· Why workplace culture is the hardest and most crucial element for change.
· The need for a push and pull approach between influence and education.
· Sense-checking your own work
· Developing self-awareness
Find Ashanti and discover Good Soil Leaders by searching Ashanti Bentil-Dhue on LinkedIn
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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Marine Tanguy is the founder and CEO of MTArt Agency, representing and championing artistic and creative talent around the world. From growing up on a remote French island to leading an international agency for artists and creatives, Marine shares her influences, lessons and aspirations now she’s in a position to change the industry she loves.
Marine talks on:
● Entering the art world with a bang and how her one-in-a-million experiences in her 20s led her to where she is today
● The impact of challenging the status quo and rewriting the rulebook
● How she found her love of art and creativity growing up on a remote island
● Why as a business leader and CEO she wants to distribute the power and looks to encourage equality
Follow MTArt Agency on Instagram @mtartagency
Visit the MTArt Agency website: mtart.agency
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“It was a love affair with the earth under my feet”
Stephanie talks on:
· Her crossroads moment in the magic of Mother Nature.
· Noticing nature – how living a basic existence enabled her to see and feel more.
· Adaptability and creating a business that’s right for you.
· Growing organically and advocating appropriate tourism.
· Surviving Coronavirus in the Galapagos – be humble and less judgemental.
· Post Covid optimism - a sustainable future and the mindful tourist.
· The juggle is real - managing a business as a woman.
You can find out more about Stephanie and her husband Michael’s safari camp at www.galapagossafaricamp.com or follow them on Instagram @galapagos_safari_camp
And as promised, read the story of Lonesome George here https://www.galapagossafaricamp.com/galapagos-safari-experiences/lonesome-george-galapagos
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“You can’t lie to your body”
In this episode, Sally talks on:
· How to thrive within a system designed for men and breaking success stereotypes.
· Working within the limitations of our mental and physical health.
· Real health as life’s foundation.
· Nurturing yourself to a place of health – believing you deserve more.
· Medical consent – understand the impacts.
· The power of thoughts - how visualisation effects your body’s healing.
Further reading on the studies Sally referenced:
- EreminO.,et al. 'Immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery in women with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing multimodality therapy: a randomised controlled trial', The Breast, 18(1), pp.17-25
- UThomas, K.B. (1987), 'General practice consultations: is there any point in being positive?' British Medical Journal, 294(6581), pp.1200-1202
- Luparello, T.,et al(1968), 'Influences of suggestion on airway reactivity in asthmatic subjects, 'Psychosomatic Medicine, 30(6), pp.819-825
For more on the above Sally recommends reading 'Why Woo Woo Works' by David R Hamilton PHD
Find out more about Sally’s work on her website at www.womenwithsparkle.com / follow her on Instagram @womenwithsparkle / buy her book 'Get Your Sparkle Back'
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
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“A sustained organisation that can make real impact”
Khalia talks on:
· Bringing down barriers for black creatives and makers.
· Understanding what role to take to help to solve a huge problem.
· Surge guilt-shopping versus sustainable solutions.
· How the collaborative approach and feedback assisted with her business evolution.
· The importance in having an inclusive brand and ethos
Check out what Jamii is all about and join the community at lovejamii.com or follow them on social media: Instagram: @ukjamii /Twitter: @UKJamii / Facebook: @UKjamii
Find out more about REALWORK and sign up for the newsletter at www.doreal.work / Follow REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work / Search 'REALWORK' on Linkedin
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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“How can we make this whole conversation more accessible?”
Leyya talks on:
- How making people happy comes before education at The Other Box.
- A holistic approach to DEI education - meeting people where they are open to listen.
- How our influences and oppressive systems impacts bias and the importance of exposing ourselves to new narratives.
- Deflating the ego and the 4 part cycle: examine, unlearn, relearn, take action.
- Her learning journey as community builder.
- Creating real change - DEI training versus individual responsibility.
Find out more about The Other Box which welcomes individuals, solo entrepreneurs, small or large businesses at www.theotherbox.org
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“Everyone has a story”
Founder of luxury atelier upcycle business, House of Bilimoria, Shilpa Bilimoria-Cherry creates beautiful garments from family heirlooms and scavenged fabrics. Shilpa shares her inspiring story that led to her business today and her unique process in creating and personalising her bespoke garments.
Shilpa talks on:
- Using fabrics with heritage, memory and meaning to make it wearable
- Craftspeople versus the fashion designer.
- Embodying an identity through fabric.
- Sewing as therapy.
- A labour of love - how the energy at creation transfers into the fabric and wearer.
- The true definition of a legacy business (and why the legacy doesn’t have to be money!)
Find out more about House of Bilimoria: www.houseofbilimoria.com / Instagram @house_of_bilimoria
Find out more about REALWORK and sign up for the newsletter 'The REALWORKer' on the website: www.doreal.work / Instagram @doreal.work
This episode of the REALWORK podcast is sponsored by Work Show Grow, an online educational community supporting growth for creatives. Find them at www.workshowgrow.com / Instagram @workshowgrow / search founder Natasha Caruana on LinkedIn.
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative: www.decibellecreative.com / Instagram @decibelle_creative
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“It does exactly what we wanted it to do”
Doing it for the Kids (DIFTK)aims to help self-employed parents create real connections for reassurance, support, collaboration and information sharing. Frankie discusses the award winning DIFTK podcast, her thoughts on monetising DIFTK and...
- How and why she started DIFTK – her initial intentions to avoid a blog ‘about me’.
- Monitoring a Facebook group of 8,500 member and the necessary rules (just don’t be a knob, ok?)
- Perceptions of success (and why they are usually wrong!)
- Winning Best British Podcast 2021 – why content rich wins in podcasting.
If you love DIFTK and all the fabulous value you receive for free, why not buy Frankie a coffee on Ko-Fi.com?
Find DIFTK on Instagram @doingitforthekids_ / join the Facebook group Doing It For The Kids : Community. / Search for Doing it for the Kids
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
This episode is sponsored by Ainge Consulting. Find Leila on Instagram @leilaainge or book a free chat at www.aingeconsulting.co.uk
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com
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‘I completely and totally design a life I am interested in’
Liana Fricker is founder of ‘The Inspiration Space’, a community created to help founders to create, grow, and develop their entrepreneurial ideas and businesses. Starting her own career in marketing and communications, Liana has worked in a range of environments from start-ups to larger corporate businesses, developing her leadership and businesses skills as she went.
Liana now uses ‘The Inspiration Space’ to helps others realise their business and life goals, and talks through:
- The importance of playing to your strengths, understanding your weaknesses and knowing where your value lies.
- Shaping your work around the life you want to live and being in control.
- Fostering creativity, the need for breaks and relaxation, and the threat of burnout.
- Developing ‘The Inspiration Space’ with the help of mentors and her study at the University of Westminster; the benefit of moving online and knowing when to scale.
- Helping others to network in a new way and grow their business to suit them.
You can find out more about ‘The Inspiration Space’ on their website at www.theinspirationspace.co and on Instagram @theinspirationspace.co
Keep up with Liana on Instagram @lianafricker
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
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‘We are all looking for beauty in things all the time’
KANKAN founders Eliza Flanagan and Mary McLeod are on a mission to make refillable and reusable products convenient, appealing, and beautiful, with their liquid soap in plastic free cans.
Eliza talks on:
· The benefit of being an MVP business and the direct feedback received from consumers early on to help shape the product.
· Dividing the work between business partners and playing to your strengths.
· Gaining inspiration from other businesses working in the sustainability sphere where the most important thing is not the bottom line e.g. DAME and Wild.
· A tree is planted for every can sold – scale is the best way for KANKAN to make a huge environmental difference.
· KANKAN is ready to grow and has big plans coming up: they are actively looking for collaboration partners and are fundraising to broaden their product range. You can also find Eliza’s sustainable recommendations by searching ‘WILD deodorant’, and ‘DAME’.
REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and www.decibellecreative.com
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‘When you take a leap, when you go towards something that feels expansive, all sorts of bizarre and unpredictable magical things happen’
Tiu de Haan is a ritual designer, creative facilitator and idea doula, helping clients to birth their ideas and facilitating non-religious moments of meaning that help to adjust their perspective in the long term. Starting in 2005 with a small group in Devon and going from strength to strength since, Tiu now works with both individuals and corporate clients who want to (re)connect with their sense of creativity and wonder, curating and holding space for these often transformative experiences. Tiu shares her business journey and the methods she uses to encourage creativity, including:
- The development of the business over time and the importance of understanding client needs and adjusting your offer accordingly.
- Pronoia: the belief that everything in the universe is secretly conspiring on your behalf to shower you with blessings.
- How to consciously choose an alternative perspective for life by asking ‘What if this were for me?’ and starting to view life through a different lens.
- Engaging in small acts of kindness, the benefits this can bring, and the importance of boundaries and non-intrusive acts.
- Appreciating the openness of myth over dogma and learning to be comfortable sitting with questions rather than immediately seeking an answer.
Find the podcast on coincidence that Tiu discusses by searching ‘This American Life – Episode 489’.
You can find Tiu at her website www.tiudehaan.com, or on Instagram at @tiudehaan1.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
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Content note: body image and diet culture
‘Every job I have ever done is because I really love it, and I want to do it, and I want to connect with people in some way’
Alison Perry wears many hats; she is a blogger, podcaster, author, influencer, and mother.
Starting off her career in journalism Alison was an early adopter of social media, encouraging the magazines she worked with to increase their online presence. When she set up her first blog it was in her lunchtimes and evenings and wasn’t monetised; Alison wanted to offer support and a network to other mothers and didn’t see it as a career option. This has all changed, and now Alison is a pro content creator with a large online following.
Alison talks about:
- The importance of doing a job for the love of it, putting passion before pay cheques, and the privilege that facilitates this.
- Using social media to encourage body confidence, the issues with the damagingly narrow view of a healthy body that we currently have, and seeing the body as an instrument not an ornament.
- Her husband being a ‘stay at home husband’, how and why this works for them as a family, and the gendered reactions it provokes.
- Alison’s recent book ‘OMG It’s Twins’, perfect for anyone expecting twins to prepare them for what is to come and how to cope (from experience!).
Find Alison on Instagram at ‘@iamalisonperry’, search ‘Not Another Mummy Blog’ to find her blog, or listen to her podcast by searching ‘Not Another Mummy Podcast’ on your usual podcast platform.
You can buy Alison’s book ‘OMG It’s Twins’ here.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
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‘Be open about what you don’t know and you do know, and where you add value’
Pippa Murray is the proud business owner of Pip & Nut, an independent food brand that has become a household name over its 6 years of trading. Passionate about food and innovation, Pippa shares her experience of growing her business, learning how to lead a team, and the business journey of Pip & Nut to date. Pippa explores:
- The role shift from doing to directing, knowing your value add, and building a supportive team around you.
- The value of learning from experience, bouncing back from mistakes, and 'controlling the controllables'.
- Knowing your brand inside and out, doing the due diligence, and putting the consumer first.
- Becoming a B Corp, the structure for best practice this brings, and what it means for the business, the team, and consumers.
To find out more about Pip & Nut and more from the podcast, Google:
- Pip & Nut
- Ugly Drinks
- B Corp
- COOK
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
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‘I’m learning, constantly learning’
Louise Atiba-Davies has worked in the fashion industry for 18 years as a designer for a range of household name commercial high street brands. At the start of the pandemic, Louise took the jump to work freelance in order to make changes in the industry she was becoming disillusioned with. Initially working freelance, she has now set up her business In House Creative Agency, which uses 3D design to make waves in the fashion industry.
Louise talks through:
- Moving from working freelance to running a business and the necessary mindset change involved.
- From 2D sketches to 3D computer aided design; how 3D design aids sustainability in product design.
- Being a conscious shopper, understanding the production chain of clothes you buy, and using The Ethical Consumer.
- The many different roles you play as a business owner and building confidence in your abilities.
- An insider view of the fashion and garment production industry in China.
https://www.inhousecreativity.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-atiba-davies/
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
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“We might be a tortoise to the outside world, but we are definitely a hare inside the business”
Katie Vanneck-Smith is co-founder of Tortoise, a slow newsroom that set out from the start to be human, humble, and humorous. With an impressive background in print news, Katie recognised the reactive and overwhelming nature of the way we consume news today and knew there must be a better way to stay engaged; enter Tortoise.
Katie discusses:
· The ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of Tortoise, and the gap it fills in today’s media landscape.
· Digital disruption of print news and the change in relationship between newsrooms and readers.
· Importance of openness and debate, and the need to challenge your own points of view ad the path you took to reaching them.
· The creation of Tortoise, from recognising the demand for slower news, through to a successful Kickstarter campaign and investor interest.
· How Katie got to where she is today including schooling, high personal expectations, and upmost value of respect and the importance of working hard to earn it.
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/
Instagram: @tortoise
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
This week’s episode of the REALWORK Podcast is sponsored by ARC Club, a professional workspace and shared space for the neighbourhood in Homerton – more spaces coming to London soon!
www.arc-club.com
Instagram: @arc_club_
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Hannah Philp started her career in corporate fundraising and spent a lot of her free time involved in community charity work. On leaving her role in financial services she founded the ARC Club, a co-working space in Homerton that aims to support people to make their job work for them, balance their work with their life and make fewer compromises.
Hannah shares her journey with the ARC Club so far, including:
· The ARC Club, how the space has been developed and used, and what is coming next.
· Reframing the narratives we use to talk about work and productivity so they are inclusive for people who need to build work around their life.
· Developing self-awareness of what you enjoy, are good at and find rewarding at work.
· Incorporating awareness and inclusivity in your business model to make your services accessible to all.
You can find out more and sign up to the ARC Club newsletter at https://arc-club.com/.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
This episode of the REALWORK Podcast is sponsored by pricing expert Sally Farrant a.k.a. The Pricing Queen
Instagram: @thepricingqueen
Website: www.businessgrowthbynumbers.com
Podcast: The Pricing Queen available on all major podcasting platforms
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‘Diversity is better for business, it’s better for profitability, it’s better for creativity’
Pip Jamieson started off her career in the Civil Service but found herself wanting something faster paced and with more purpose. Identifying flaws with the usual ways of looking for work in the creative industry, Pip founded The Dots, a professional networking solution for a modern workforce that grew out of the creative industry.
Pip shares her thoughts on work, hiring, and the job market including:
- How The Dots provides an alternative to traditional job hunting as a response to elitism and patriarchy in the job market.
- The impact of remote working on hiring, particularly at junior levels, and how to combat this.
- Pip’s dyslexia diagnosis, how she has navigated neurodiversity and the benefits it brings her at work.
- Why we need to build teams that reflect a diverse and different society, and not just hire Oxbridge graduates.
https://the-dots.com/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
This episode of the REALWORK Podcast is sponsored by Techniclarity, a company that develops female founder’s tech know-how, giving them the knowledge, language and confidence to lead their start-ups.
https://techniclarity.co/ / hello@techniclarity.co / @the.techniclarity
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‘There’s never a day where I don’t want to get up and go and do what I have to do’
Growing up on the South Coast surrounded with a seafaring family, Sam was instilled with a love of the sea and sailing. With initial plans of naval engineering, Sam never thought she would be part of the team on the boat. Years on, Sam has taken part in over 25 transatlantic races, raising money through her sport, and encouraging young women to follow in her footsteps and start sailing.
Sam shares:
- Extreme adventures and races she has taken part in on her boat Initiatives-Cœur, and some of the challenges she has faced along the way.
- The amount of work that goes into a race before you’ve even crossed the starting line including sponsorship, planning and training.
- Supporting the life-saving work that Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque do to save children who are born with heart defects in developing countries.
- The inspiring work of Tracy Edwards leading the way for women in sailing, and how Sam is helping to opening doors in sailing for young girls and women with The Magenta Project.
https://www.initiatives-coeur.fr/en
https://www.initiatives-coeur.fr/en/operation-1-click-1-heart
https://mecenat-cardiaque.org/en/
https://themagentaproject.org/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘Moving forward into a new business, I know what I need out of it’
Olivia Morris has always been creative, and discovered her interest in and talent for shoe design whilst undertaking a Foundation art course. She has gone from strength to strength, and is currently running her second business, creating beautifully luxurious house shoes. Olivia picked up much of her business acumen along the way through the success of her first business, and discusses:
- The journey into shoe design, from her weekend job on the shop floor working for Patrick Cox, through to London Fashion Week and beyond.
- Navigating changes to the market, including the move to online retail, and increased competition in the fashion industry.
- The value of previous experience in the industry, learning from mistakes, and building relationships with manufacturers.
- Considerations when choosing between wholesale and selling directly to the consumer.
- The importance of a holistic, caring approach to business and maintaining a generosity of spirit between the people you work with.
https://oliviamorrisathome.com/
https://www.instagram.com/oliviamorrisathome
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘I’m being visibly disabled and being proud about it’
When Hannah Hoskins became disabled nobody told her, and nobody handed her a guidebook on what to do next. Learning how to be disabled along the way with the support of the disabled community, Hannah now uses her online platform and business ‘Not Your Grandma’s’ to help others in a similar position, and to challenge the current narrative and stereotypes about disability and disabled people. Hannah discusses:
- Becoming disabled, learning how to be disabled and the vital role the disabled community played in this.
- The need for open conversations about disability to change public understanding and to educate people on how to talk about disability and the importance of accessibility.
- Running a business whilst disabled and the need for flexibility and changes to ways of working to keep output high.
- How Hannah uses her newsletter ‘No Bull Guide to Chronic Illness’, Instagram page, and ‘Am I disabled now podcast?’ to challenge the narrative and increase disabled representation.
@notyourgrandmasuk
Instagram Live with Natasha Lipman
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to jazz genius Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘If I decide to do something, it’s important and worthy and worth doing, because I said so’
Shopé Delano started her fashion blog at the age of 15 and has thrived in her career in the fashion sphere since, beginning her journey as an intern at Depop. Shopé has also completed a Master’s degree, specialising in sustainability in the fashion industry in her thesis. An expert in content creation and brand marketing, she is not afraid to turn her hand to new skills and career paths, most recently photography.
Rightly confident in her wide-ranging abilities, Shopé discusses:
- Positive self-talk and the active work that needs to go into maintaining a positive inner voice.
- Maintaining an abundance mentality, having the confidence to try new things, and knowing that everything will work out.
- Shopé’s career in online content creation and brand marketing, including how she started out and where her interests lie now.
- Sustainable fashion, responsible consumption and continuing to learn in order to do better.
- Racism in the fashion industry, being the ‘token black woman’ on projects, and the importance of recognising and addressing racial disparities.
https://www.shopedelano.com
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAuwLRonsYw/
Shopé’s sustainable influencers:
https://www.instagram.com/emsladedmondson
https://www.fashionrevolution.org
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘I want this to be my career, this isn’t my life’
This week we are joined by Clemmie Telford, a woman of many talents: blogger, podcaster, Instagrammer and, most recently, author. After studying and beginning her career in advertising, Clemmie began her blogs and Instagram account exploring motherhood in the early days of Instagram advertising, learning and shaping the influencer market with the brands themselves.
Preferring the term broadcaster to influencer, Clemmie shares:
- The shift from using social media to meet likeminded people, to using it as a business tool reaching larger audiences, and the way engagement changes.
- Looking at the brief rather than the fee for ads and going with your gut.
- Social media content creation as a demanding and creative job, and being honest with followers about the business elements.
- Retaining privacy online and being conscious of what you share on social media.
- Clemmie’s new book ‘But Why?’ which helps parents with awkward questions and celebrates the art of truthful open conversation.
https://www.instagram.com/clemmie_telford/
https://motherofalllists.com/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘You have to be really true to yourself’
First was born in Bangkok and trained as an architect there, originally moving to London for a temporary change of scene. When she decided to stay and set up her own coffee shop in East London, her business went from success to success, attracting investors and customers at incredible speed. However, with a demanding workload and unsure this was the right direction First experienced burnout and reached a crisis point with her mental health.
First shares her experience of stepping back from this business success and retuning to her architectural work, discussing:
- First’s business journey from starting a cool coffee community in Haggerston, through to creating a cold brew that investors couldn’t get enough of.
- The importance of taking the time to find the right investors for you and your business, and the time, commitment and money needed to build a consumer brand.
- Experiencing burnout and realising when you need to step back and change direction.
- Returning to work with the built environment, finding her place, and current ongoing projects in Bangkok and London.
https://future.london/project/vertical-farming-project/
https://future.london/organisation/first-sukpaiboon/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘The starting point is always create something you really love’
Miso Tasty is a Japanese food brand that speaks to and of founder Bonnie Chung’s love for making good food and sharing it with others. This week we have a behind the scenes tour of Bonnie’s business journey and what she has learnt along the way, from her time as Fleur’s intern (!), to initial product development of the perfect miso paste, and the success of Miso Tasty in the market today.
Bonnie shares her business journey, discussing:
- The transferable business skills gained from being raised by restaurateurs.
- Miso Tasty’s initial 3-year product development period, and the time and money needed for a competitive branded product.
- Understanding who you’re pitching to and getting the manufacturer on-side.
- Listening to the market when developing new products and not overinvesting too early.
- The pros and cons of marketing a product that people don’t yet know they love.
Find out more about Miso Tasty here: https://misotasty.com/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks also go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘The biggest rebrand I’ve ever done’
'This episode was our contribution to Trans Visibility Day. Like the best party guests, we’ve shown up late; late because we really wanted to get it right and it took longer than we thought. This episode is a recording of a conversation which reveals both the awkwardness of my learning process while I as a cis-gendered woman try to be a better ally and also an intimate record of what it’s like to be a trans woman in a man’s world.
Thank you to The Other Box for their training material ‘Allyship in the Workplace’ which is currently available to all REALWORKers and thank you to Producer Buckers for your tireless support getting this right working with an imperfect audio recording.
And finally to my friend for saying yes to having this conversation out in the open and for your wit and wisdom.'
Fleur
This week we speak candidly with an incredible woman and good friend of Fleur’s. Successful in her 20-year career in marketing, our guest transitioned gender partway through her career, in the corporate world, and therefore has a unique perspective on the reality of sexism and misogyny in the workplace.
She talks us through her career and the challenges she has faced, including:
- The harmful impact of working in a misogynistic environment whilst transitioning and being expected to ‘take a joke’.
- Being outed at work and the prejudice this was met with.
- A loss of power that comes with being a woman in the workplace, and how in being direct and determined she is now read as ‘feisty’ or ‘aggressive’ when it was previously celebrated.
- The visibility of women in professional environments, and the expectation of beauty and aesthetics on top of competence and achievement.
- Allyship and the importance of tolerance and support.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘We all have a role to play to do the work’
In last week’s REALWORK episode we met Sima Kumar, CEO of ‘The Other Box’ and serial entrepreneur. We recommend listening to Part 1 first if you haven’t yet, where Sima discussed the how she has built her career, and started to explore her experiences and views on racism, cancel culture, and the need for us to do the work to make change.
In Part 2 Sima dives deeper into her thoughts on racism and privilege, and the need for sustainable activism, including:
- Racism, intersectionality, and the importance of white people acknowledging the part they play.
- The reactive nature of politics, and the swing from Obama to Trump in the US.
- How outrage is co-opted by the privileged at the expense of effective activism.
- Understanding your privilege and how it operates so that you can use it to make change.
- Making your activism sustainable and being conscious of where your interest lies.
The Other Box emotional intelligence webinar replays mentioned in this episode can be found here: https://www.theotherbox.org/emotional-intelligence
https://www.simakumar.com/
How I Became a Localist | Deborah Frieze | TEDx Jamaica Plain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jTdZSPBRRE
The articles discussed in the podcast:
· D. Clark, M., 2020. DRAG THEM: A brief etymology of so-called “cancel culture”. Communication and the Public, 5(3-4), pp.88-92.
· Legate, N., DeHaan, C.R., Weinstein, N. and Ryan, R.M., 2013. Hurting you hurts me too: The psychological costs of complying with ostracism. Psychological science, 24(4), pp.583-588.
· Hans, V. L., 2020, Aug 01. The Meaningless Anger of Cancel Culture. The Australian Financial Review, 33. ISSN 04042018.
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work and sign up to the the newsletter, The REALWORKer.
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him on Instagram here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘When you’re really doing the work you have to prioritise impact over intention’
Sima Kumar is CEO of ‘The Other Box’ and is first and foremost a storyteller. A self-described ‘Island Girl with An English Heart’, Sima was born in Fiji, raised in Canada, and now lives and works in London. She has over 25 years of experience working in fashion, film, television, and other creative industries, and values the importance of staying true to yourself in your work and wider life.
In Part 1 Sima shares from her wealth of experience and insights, including:
- Building a career from her first retail job, through 25 years of creative experience across different fields, to Sima’s consultancy and coaching business ‘Sima Says’.
- Racism and the experience of being othered, and the work Sima does as CEO of ‘The Other Box’, an award-winning diversity and inclusion company.
- Cancel culture, the difference between calling people out, calling people in, and calling people forward, and the importance of holding people accountable.
- The need for us to do the work to address your own racism, acknowledge your privilege, and recognise when you are part of the problem.
Look out for Part 2 of our conversation with Sima next week, where we continue to explore cancel culture, privilege and white supremacy, and the active role we all must play in making a change.
https://www.theotherbox.org/
https://www.simakumar.com/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative, find her on Instagram: @decibelle_creative and here: www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him on Instagram @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
‘We’re not glossing over the reality of being a woman, we want to be real and relatable’
Farah Kabir was in a secure job in finance when she and her co-founder noticed a problem with the condom market; it was all targeted towards men. After thorough market research and a somewhat awkward announcement over family dinner, HANX was founded; providing sexual health products from condoms and lube through to treatments for thrush and more, HANX offers women a beautifully packaged alternative to the many garish, male-pitched products that fill the market.
Farah discusses her journey with HANX to date, including:
· Moving from a secure job in finance to launching a successful business in sexual wellness.
· The importance of being data and customer driven when designing products.
· Navigating the world of investment for small businesses, and the necessary move towards a supportive, reciprocal environment where women help women.
· The need for sexual education that includes consent, relationship, female anatomy and female pleasure, as championed by charity partners Sexpression and Sexpectation.
https://www.hanxofficial.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/knicker-box-glory/id1485760339
https://sexpression.org.uk/
https://schoolofsexed.org/
Find out more about REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work or visit www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers from @decibelle_creative www.decibellecreative.com
Our thanks go to Tom Seals for his wonderful piano playing at the end of this episode – find him here: @tomseals and www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“You’ve got things to say, and people who need to hear it.”
Mercy Shibemba is an award-winning activist, and advocate for young people living with HIV. Mercy has always been driven, drawing up a teaching career plan at the age of 8. However, after learning of her HIV status and how she can make a change in young people’s lives with her experience, Mercy’s career as an activist has taken shape and at 22 is already recognised as an important voice in this area.
Mercy shares how she has built her career as an activist to date, including:
- Earning a living doing work you care about, through public speaking, writing, and activism.
- ‘Growing into’ roles you take up and the importance of support and guidance.
- Her involvement with the Children’s HIV Association, the HIV Commission, The Sophia Foundation, and her work in youth participation.
- Award-winning recognition for change-making work in receiving the Diana Award in 2017.
- Coming out of the ‘viral closet’, beating HIV secrecy and shame, and living the life she wants to lead.
You can follow Mercy’s activism on Instagram at @mercyshibemba.
https://www.hivcommission.org.uk/
https://www.chiva.org.uk/
Mercy's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mercy_ngulube_generation_y_entitled_to_change
For more info on REALWORK head to www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at @decibelle_creative
Huge thanks to Tom Seals for the sensational piano playing at the end of this episode - find here here: www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
“You’re CEO, this is your job to steer the ship through the storm”
Business owner Charlotte Melia grew up in an entrepreneurial family on the Isle of Wight. Moving away from the Isle and the tourist trap of the Brading Wax Work Museum, Charlotte went to university in London before embarking on a range of jobs that lead to her realising, she was unemployable, and had entrepreneurial blood in her veins. Dazzle and Fizz, the children’s events business, was born.
Join Charlotte as she talks through:
- Being unemployable and starting out as an entrepreneur including pricing and responsible investing.
- Founding Dazzle and Fizz, a high-end events business for children’s parties and the incredible journey to six figure events in Dubai.
- How she has kept her event business viable, entering the tech world to move Dazzle and Fizz online to help working parents amid Covid restrictions.
- Balancing running her own business with being a single mother of her young son with autism, and the importance of being kind to yourself with meditation and positive self-talk.
https://dazzleandfizzclub.co.uk/
@thatcharlottemelia
@thevestaclub
Brading Wax Work Museum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVdCqyVrM9Y
For more info on REALWORK head to www.doreal.work
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery is produced by Buckers at @decibelle_creative
Huge thanks to Tom Seals for the sensational piano playing at the end of this episode - find here here: www.tomseals.co.uk
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The REALWORK Podcast with Fleur Emery features loose, unedited conversations women who have found creative ways to work and earn on their own terms.
Fleur is a serial entrepreneur and has successfully launched three startups of her own and raised over £1m investment for female founded businesses. Fleur has a column in courier magazine, has been a guest lecturer in Business and Branding at UCL and once shared a hand-dryer with Dame Vera Lynne.
REALWORK is an online co-working space for women that Fleur founded in 2020 to provide a collaborative, action based learning community for female freelancers and founders.
Fleur's 15 years start-up experience, developed sense of the absurd and brutal honesty make this podcast lively as well as informative. Expect random tangents, compelling conversations frequent interruptions from Producer Buckers to keep things on track.
If you want to find out more about joining REALWORK here's where you need to go:
REALWORK Website www.doreal.work
REALWORK on YouTube Search: 'REALWORK'
REALWORK on Instagram @doreal.work
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.