Take something as familiar as an Italian sofa: what looks like a comfortable piece of furniture in your living room was, in many cases, reimagined by a woman designer who believed homes should reflect real life, not just aesthetic ideals.

These women challenged the old rules of function, space, and “good taste,” and replaced them with something more human, inclusive, and intelligent. Their designs weren’t only about furniture; they were about people, relationships, and a different way of living.

Charlotte Perriand: Saying no to the status quo

When Charlotte Perriand applied to work for architect Le Corbusier in 1927, he rejected her with the words: “We don’t embroider cushions here.” She was 24. A few years later, she was designing entire interiors for his projects.

Her strength? Not backing down. Perriand believed in social design: furniture and spaces that were accessible, democratic, and meant for daily life. While others designed for show, she designed for people. And she did it while refusing to give up her identity as a woman in a male-dominated field.

Cini Boeri: Designing for real life

Architect and designer Cini Boeri made furniture you could actually live in. She wasn’t interested in perfection; she was interested in flexibility, comfort, and intelligence. Her sofas weren’t stiff objects to admire, but soft, modular systems that adapted to your life, not the other way around.

Her mindset? “Design isn’t about decoration. It’s about solving problems.” And that’s exactly what she did: creating memorable designs while raising three sons as a widow, running her own studio, and paving the way for other women in Italian architecture.

Eileen Gray: Ahead of her (or our?) time

Eileen Gray was a pioneer, though the world took far too long to admit it. She designed one of the first truly modern homes, E-1027, in 1929. But for decades, her work was forgotten. Why? Because she wasn’t part of the male design establishment.

Gray didn’t chase trends or fame; she focused on the craft. Her quiet determination, her attention to comfort, and her refusal to follow rules made her a design icon… long before the world was ready to recognize her.

Gae Aulenti: The architect who thought big

At a time when few women even worked in architecture, Gae Aulenti was designing museums. Not exhibits, but literally buildings. She turned an abandoned train station into the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, a now-famous cultural landmark.

Aulenti stood out not just because she was a woman, but because she thought bigger and fought harder. “Being a woman is no excuse,” she said. “You must work twice as hard, and make it twice as good.” Her bold, theatrical designs proved that women could lead large-scale projects with vision and authority.

Studiopepe: Building a career on intuition and strategy

And now? Today, Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, founders of Studiopepe, show what it looks like to build a creative business on your own terms. With backgrounds in philosophy and design, they mix research, intuition, and emotion in their work, and they’ve built a global following doing it.

Their studio is 100% female-led, and they’ve redefined what it means to be creative leaders in an industry that still has its gatekeepers. Their strength? Staying true to their voice and growing a business that reflects their values.

Carlotta de Bevilacqua: Innovation and leadership

As president and CEO of lighting giant Artemide, Carlotta de Bevilacqua isn’t just designing, she’s leading. A trained architect, she’s also an innovator, pushing for sustainability, circular design, and new ways of thinking about light and well-being.

What makes her stand out? She combines technical know-how with a strong ethical vision, proof that you can run a major company without sacrificing values. Her leadership is proof that women can (and should) lead at the highest levels of design and industry.

More than design: lessons in vision, strength, and change

What connects these women isn’t just talent. It’s resilience, clarity of purpose, and the refusal to accept the limits others tried to impose on them. Some were erased from history. Some had to work in the margins.

Some started their own firms just to be heard. However, all of them believed in their work and made space for others to believe in it as well. They didn’t just design furniture. They redesigned power structures. And their impact? It’s in the way we furnish our homes, build our workplaces, and rethink what leadership looks like, with strength, empathy, and vision.

The post Female designers we should be talking about more, and why appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

They understand intimately the challenge of showing up to work with a chronic illness, balancing motherhood with career progression, and fighting for equal pay and opportunities in a male-dominated space.

That’s why, through innovative female-first solutions, these female founders are actively supporting women by tackling mental health challenges head-on and serving a whole section of the workforce that is too often overlooked.

The mental health struggles of female entrepreneurs

For women who struggle with mental health challenges, entrepreneurship can be more than a change of career – it can offer women the opportunity to create the life they really want. Whether it’s more flexibility, the space to prioritise self-care, or the chance to build something that really matters to them.

However, there are costs to the independence of entrepreneurship, such as: high pressure, long hours, and financial uncertainty. These can contribute to mental health struggles.

According to psychologist and entrepreneur Diann Wingert, “Women tend to carry the burden of emotional labour, in business and in families, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and inadequacy.” As a result, research shows that 83% of female founders experience high stress, 78% experience persistent anxiety, and 54% experience burnout. 

Unfortunately, many women turn to alcohol or substance abuse to ease their mental health symptoms and help them cope. Sadly, this can lead to the need for a dual diagnosis. As Giles Fourie, Director and Co-owner of White River Manor explains, “drugs and alcohol are often used as dysfunctional coping mechanisms to help us live with painful symptoms of these mental illnesses […] It is now widely accepted that a mental health disorder can induce a substance addiction – and vice versa.”

The following female founders are determined to break this damaging cycle of burnout, mental health challenges, and addiction by giving women the support they need, when it’s needed. Drawing on their own mental health challenges, hormonal struggles, and more, these female founders are taking the lead in addressing the female mental health crisis.

1) Amy Thomson, Founder of Moody Month

Amy Thomson used her personal experience of stress-induced burnout to create Moody Month, the wellness app that connects women with their hormones, helping them understand how hormone fluctuations can impact mental health. 

Speaking with Elle Magazine, Amy shared: “I started Moody Month because I want to make accessing your hormone health as easy as checking the weather in the morning. Knowing the basic pillars helps us navigate a new world of female-body literacy.”

In doing so, Amy hopes women will integrate rest and self-care into their schedules in order to maximise their performance and strengthen mental health.

2) Sonia Kaurah, Founder of Tala Thrive

Tala Thrive was founded by Sonia Kaurah, a female entrepreneur with a rich multi-cultural background that has greatly influenced her passion for culturally competent care. 

Tala Thrive connects women with therapists and coaches who understand their specific culture, language, and/or religion in order to provide culturally-sensitive and relevant care.

Sonia was inspired to start her mental health platform during a therapy session. She shared with Founder Catalyst that, “during therapy, I often felt misunderstood. One therapist suggested cutting ties with my parents, branding them ‘toxic’. That advice missed the cultural context – Asian families don’t operate within Western notions of boundaries. I realised many other multicultural backgrounds felt similarly misunderstood. We exist in this in-between space.” 

So, Sonia built a platform where therapists understand the many complexities and nuances of cultural identity, without needing it constantly explained to them. This allows therapists to address overlooked needs and support their clients in feeling seen, heard, and understood.

3) Kim Palmer, Founder of the Clementine App

The Clementine app was founded by Joyce Marter as a way to free women from “unhelpful thoughts, feelings and expectations.” Countless women understand firsthand the affects stress, anxiety, and sleep difficulties can have on daily life. And for female founders who are also often balancing family demands with professional aspirations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

For female founder, Kim Palmer, who suffered a panic attack unexpectedly during a public speaking engagement, mental health went from being something other people dealt with to an ever-present part of her daily life. 

Kim shares, “my first panic attack was quickly followed by another, and another and before I knew it I was on maternity leave feeling crappy about myself and having panic attacks on a daily basis.” After trying out many different types of therapy, Kim discovered hypnotherapy and has never looked back. 

Determined to help other women take control of their mental health, and their lives, Kim launched the Clementine App. On the app, women can receive specialist support from therapists using treatments such as hypnotherapy, tapping, mindfulness, breathwork, and mindset coaching. 

Through the Celementine app, women can listen to audio sessions on their way to work, before they go to sleep, or whenever they need them – taking self-care off the back burner and turning it into a daily habit. 

4) Joy Harden Bradford, Founder of Therapy for Black Girls

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and advocate for female mental health. She is widely recognised and highly acclaimed for her efforts to make therapy and psychology resources more widely understood, accessible, and culturally relevant to Black women. 

Joy is the founder of the popular podcast, Therapy for Black Girls. In Joy’s own words, “The Therapy for Black Girls podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.” 

However, Therapy for Black girls isn’t just a podcast – it is a thriving online community where Black women can receive support from Black female therapists and receive helpful resources, information, and personal stories through Joy’s blog. 

Through her work, Joy is committed to destigmatising mental health care within the Black female community. She is passionate about starting conversations that resonate with women’s lived experiences and wants to empower Black women to embrace therapy as part of their self-care and personal growth.

Promoting a culture of support

Each of the female founders we have mentioned above are working to promote a culture of support amongst women. After all, there is beauty and connection to be found in shared experiences. When women look out for each other, they create supportive environments that prioritise mental wellbeing and help women thrive.

If you are looking for mental health support, we hope the resources we’ve shared provide you with some inspiration. As women, we shouldn’t feel alone in our struggles. 

Whether you can’t find the support you need, you’re lacking an understanding community, or you simply want to learn more about female mental health, we encourage you to explore the apps and resources above. We’re confident they will be an encouragement to you.

The post Four female founders taking the lead in addressing the mental health crisis appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

What’s more, research shows that the portrayal of women in STEM positions were outnumbered 2 to 1 by the portrayals of men in STEM positions. Not only do male scientists appear more in films than female scientists, but they’re also described to be more successful, logical, and leader-like than women. 

Previous studies have shown that girls become less interested in pursuing STEM careers after being confronted with gender stereotypes. Since media and pop culture can play a crucial role in building children’s interest in science, young girls need to see strong, capable, and confident female characters onscreen to influence their career goals and ambitions. To motivate young women to pursue STEM careers, here are the best films that promote women in science and technology.

Black Panther

Back in the day, women in superhero films were often depicted as damsels in distress, or the protagonist’s love interest. But in ‘Black Panther,’ Letitia Wright’s character, Princess Shuri, proved that a woman can be a hero and a tech genius at the same time. Apart from inventing and improving Wakandan technology, Shuri is also shown to be an excellent coder as she’s able to reverse Bucky’s (Sebastian Stan) brainwashing with an algorithm, showcasing one of the best hacking scenes in modern cinema since ‘The Matrix.’ 

As Wakanda’s lead innovator and master engineer, Shuri is portrayed to have a better understanding of technology than anyone else in the country, and her wit, intellect and ability to think on her feet makes her one of the best role models for young girls who are hoping to get into a STEM career. When asked about what it means for her to play a strong, black character in the STEM field, Wright told The Hollywood Reporter that she hopes a lot of people can be inspired by Shuri. “With this film, it can spark the brain of another kid that loves technology and science and lets them see that that’s really cool,” she adds.

Hidden Figures

The women in 2016’s ‘Hidden Figures’ are praised for being excellent African American STEM role models as not only were they brilliant in engineering, math, science, and technology, but they also proved themselves while facing challenges in a predominantly white, male working environment.

In the film, Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Johnson (Janelle Monae) made significant contributions to the American space race while standing up to the rampant misogyny and racism at NASA. These trio showed that with dedication and resilience, anyone can make it through life’s obstacles, and rise above anything that may come their way. 

Contagion

2011’s ‘Contagion’ brought into focus the real dangers of a pandemic and how society can collapse when people start to panic. While the film was praised for its well-researched and accurate depiction of a global health crisis, viewers were also impressed with the actors, particularly Kate Winslet, who played Dr. Erin Mears.

The health professional is shown to be skilled, calm, and a consummate professional, even while dealing with politicians in the middle of an outbreak. Her expertise, dedication to her work, and her deep understanding of the virus and how it spreads makes her a positive STEM role model and an inspiration to girls hoping to enter the medical field. 

Hollywood is starting to put the spotlight on female characters who shine in the STEM field. These films show that women in STEM can make a difference, and serve as inspiring figures to those interested in a science or technology career. 

The post STEM on the silver screen: The best films that promote women in science and tech appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

Her journey, from humble beginnings to global recognition, resonates with the spirit of the Talented Ladies Club’s mission, since it is all about empowering ambitious women to pursue their passion.

Spotting a gap in the education market

As a mother of school-going children and a freelancer, writing was her life. She was having a difficult time managing deadlines for her assignments. At the same time, she was noticing that the teachers of her kids struggled with grading their essays and providing valuable and quick feedback. Since the gap was too clear and the rise of the EdTech space was too obvious, she decided to take a gamble. 

Little did she know it would pay off, big time. The idea of support both students and teachers with an automated tool that provides personalized feedback on all aspects of writing, from essay structure, syntax, clarity of thought, and more. In the end, she has a business that easily aligns with her personal and professional values.

Turning dreams into reality

We all know there is a clear skill gap between being a freelance academic writer and a coder. Sarah knew that very well, on top of her commitment to her family. But she has the willingness and determination to realize her dreams. She started learning some AI and coding while connecting with developers through online communities. In only a year, she has a team of trusted partners and a beta version, a testament to her resilience and unending resolve.

The journey from an idea to a marketable essay grader was not easy. With late-night work sessions after bedtime stories and other unforeseen issues, she learned that having a disciplined schedule beats the chaos of motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Overcoming hurdles and moving forward

Of course, building an automated essay grader was not without challenges. Early versions of the tool were too buggy and unreliable. Here is a snapshot of what Sarah endured and came out on the other side, stronger and better:

• In the early days, schools were too skeptical about the efficacy of the tool. They did not want AI “messing” with the writing of their students.
• Even teachers had reservations about delegating their tasks to a “faceless, soulless” AI.

She tackled those hurdles with the prowess of a professional. Her experience as a writer came in handy.

• To ease the doubts of schools, she wrote extensive blogs, guides, and tutorials to show how the tool works and provides complete control to the users.
• Being a mother, she knew the pain points that both parents and teachers needed to be addressed. She fine-tuned the tool around that, and it was a home run!

It’s all about inspiring and empowering other women

Her story shows us that the sky is the limit if we are willing to turn our talents into a business that fits around our lives. In her words, “I always believe that you should start with what you know and then build on it. Once you gain momentum, never lose it. My writing allows me to identify the gap and solve the problem”.

Today, she’s aggressively scaling the essay grader with features, making the tool an important part of both students’ and teachers’ lives. She is the proof that determination and a clear vision go a long way – paving the way for other women to make an impact.

The post From freelance writer to edtech entrepreneur appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

With over thirty years in construction, Faye brings deep industry knowledge from two decades working with contractors on major projects as a quantity surveyor and commercial manager. 

Alongside her work, Faye’s passion is to improve the world for women and men alike. She campaigns for change to improve the representation of women in the industry and for people to work together to improve the culture so that everyone in construction can win. This is the theme of her new book, Building Women, launched on the 4 June. 

What’s your career background?

I am a chartered quantity surveyor and Fellow of the RICS, a RICS Accredited Expert Witness, and a Practising Member of the Academy of Experts. I have over thirty years of experience working in construction, having worked for two decades with contractors on major projects as a quantity surveyor and commercial manager. Later, I moved into consultancy and specifically into the dispute avoidance and resolution side of the industry. 

Alongside my work, I am passionate about improving the world for women and men alike, campaigning for change to improve the representation of women in the industry and for people to work together to improve the culture. As part of this, I am a Global Steering Committee member of the Equal Representation of Expert Witnesses (ERE) and Patron of WITBE GLOBAL Women in the Built Environment.

Over the past four years, I have spent all my spare time writing a book to bring to light the issues women face in the industry and provide practical advice to women and men to enable the culture of the industry to be improved for everyone.

What’s your USP?

Whilst I don’t own my own business, I am the author of the new book, Building Women, launched on the 4 June! When it comes to my book, my USP is the fact that I have lived experience in the construction industry over the past 30 years. From the side of both contractors and subcontractors working on site building projects, to the consulting side where I now work on disputes on both live projects and completed projects. 

This gives me a unique perspective, allowing me to speak from a place of knowledge of how women are treated in the industry. Due to my reach and contacts, this has enabled me to speak to and interview over 1,000 other women in the industry. Discussing what the industry is like to work in for women, and more so, what we need to do to make the industry more inclusive for women. 

Over and above this, I also care about men in the industry. UK construction has terrible mental health statistics for men and extremely high suicide rates, meaning the culture needs to be fixed to make it better for everyone.

Who’s your target audience?

Women and men in construction, construction companies, and consultancies. Anyone and everyone working in and around the construction industry, from the sole trader working on site to the large Tier 1 main contractor.

How do you spread the word about what you do?

I speak at events regularly, I post on LinkedIn and work in the industry, ensuring my values and motivations are clear to everyone I am in contact with. I also really enjoy sparking conversations and debates to discuss difficult issues and bring people’s awareness to the biases we can all have. Allowing them to consider new perspectives and go out and change how they act, react and spread the word, creating that ripple of change with others.

Values are important, and I think you have to live your values both in and out of work, so I also have these conversations with friends and family. 

What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

Sexism and harassment in an industry that is predominantly male. I have suffered sexual assault and bullying throughout my career, and it is part of the reason I started writing my book, Building Women. I love the industry and all it can offer career-wise; however, I got to the stage where I couldn’t continue talking in schools and colleges about the great careers it can offer if I did not work to create a safe and inclusive culture where women in particular are not treated the way I have been.

And your proudest moment so far?

I have many proud moments in my career and life, but I think finishing my book after 3.5 years of writing in my spare time and annual leave. Having spoken to over 1,000 women in industry and hundreds of women and men out of industry, in my mission to improve the industry for everyone.

Why is work so important to you?

I love my work, and I enjoy the variety it offers. The fact is, construction is all around us in everything; it’s in the places we walk, the methods in which we travel, it’s where we live, work and visit, and it offers so many different careers from manual tradespeople to brilliant engineers.  

I truly believe we have to enjoy work as we spend so much time there and its again part of the reason I started writing my book so that I could ensure that other people in the industry, particularly women can enjoy the career opportunities on offer without the toxic behaviours so many of us have encountered.

Who inspires you?

There are a number of people who inspire me. My dad is always one who I’ve looked up to, even though we used to fight like cats and dogs when I was a teen! He always worked so hard and taught me so much, getting me interested in the industry. 

My first boss, Gary Mumford, has always inspired me with his leadership style and support. So much so that I secretly put him up for an inspirational award that he later won when I was a young quantity surveyor! 

Then there are more well-known people like Nelson Mandela, who taught so much about forgiveness and kindness. Or strong women like Taylor Swift or Delilah Bon, who, despite the toxic hate they can get, create amazing music and sing about things that matter often to women. 

More recently, I think Gisele Pelicot inspired me, with her strength and courage to truly show how, despite the awful abuse she suffered, she was still going to openly ensure everyone knew what had happened so her abusers were held to account. 

What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?

1) Be curious

Every day is a school day! Our mind is made to learn, and we become better by being curious and continuing to learn and evolve. Ask the questions, read the books, contact the person you saw, and say something interesting at a seminar or on social media. We improve ourselves by being open to learning, and to do that, we need to have the curiosity of a child. Somewhere along the way, many people lose that ability, but it’s a gift.

2) Be brave

Life is a journey, and mine has definitely not been a straight line! It’s been haphazard at times, both personally, healthwise and in my career, but we have to keep going. Things will be scary, and things will happen along the way that throw you around and make you feel like giving up. Don’t. Even in the times that feel the darkest, remember we all have strength we sometimes do not know we have until faced with a challenge. Sometimes we have to take the step and walk into the fear anyway.

3) Learn to say No!

Boundaries are so important, and one of the hardest things I have had to learn is that it’s ok to say no. No is a complete sentence, and you do not need to explain yourself. If you want to work out on a Friday at 4 pm or do yoga on a Wednesday morning, make sure you put that boundary in place and do not let people push it. We are only here now, so use boundaries to make now what you want it to be.

Faye Allen is a chartered quantity surveyor and Fellow of the RICS, a RICS Accredited Expert Witness, a Practising Member of the Academy of Experts, a Freeman of the City of London, member of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, Global Steering Committee member of the Equal Representation of Expert Witnesses (ERE) and Patron of WITBE GLOBAL Women in the Built Environment. 

With over thirty years in construction, Faye brings deep industry knowledge from two decades working with contractors on major projects as a quantity surveyor and commercial manager. 

Alongside her work, Faye’s passion is to improve the world for women and men alike. She campaigns for change to improve the representation of women in the industry and for people to work together to improve the culture so that everyone in construction can win. This is the theme of her new book, Building Women, launched on the 4 June. 

The post Interview with Faye Allen, charted quantity surveyor and advocate for change in construction appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

What was the thinking behind The Protein Ball Co?

As with so many pioneering food movements the first ripples of a great idea often come from across the pond, especially when the underlying themes are wellbeing and health-conscious.

Matt and I could see that ‘protein appreciation’ was gaining real traction but wanted to produce something a little different from the abundance of dubious protein bars that tickoff added protein box but fell horribly short when it comes responsible ingredient choices.

Flip over a bar next time you’re in your local supermarket or garage forecourt and note the worrying jumble of synthetic sweeteners, emulsifiers and chemistry set outcasts that research tells us is detrimental to our microbiome and wider health.

Our primary learning from an earlier brand launch (Oloves) was to be in charge of your production destiny as only then can you ensure peerless standards (recipe integrity…) and an ambitious NPD churn can you truly lead from the front.

It’s worth noting that come this October we’ll be rolling 600,000 balls every 24 hours and yet we can still stand proudly by phrases like commercial kitchen production, hand-rolled and small batch.

Growth is the primary goal of any ambitious start-up, however the true ‘category shapers’ stubbornly insist on sticking to your initial principles, because they appreciate that these staunch principles were central to the brand’s breakout success. 

What was the lightbulb moment when you knew you were onto something?

Some might suggest that securing full-house interest from the Dragon’s Den team was a step-change moment, but in reality we both suspected that we’d cracked ‘snacking code’ somewhat earlier. 

The primary reason for our inner confidence stems around the versatility and depth of appeal of our proposition.

• For one thing there’s an endless possibility of sublime flavour marriages still waiting to be unearthed and delivered.
• This is a brand that works as well in gyms, discerning coffee chains and online as it does within supermarkets, office set-ups, foodservice, farm shops and garden centres.
• The easily gettable nature of our brand means that it travels effortlessly overseas. We’re already established in Denmark Switzerland and Germany and in the last few months we’ve secured 3 North American supermarkets (that’s 10,000 new retail points)

• There are still countless specialist iterations waiting to be unveiled. It would appear that we were a little ahead of the curve establishing a keto ball variant as the snowballing growth in functional foods means that perhaps the keto phenomenon hasn’t quite grabbed consumer imaginations as many had hoped.

We don’t fear the odd wrong turn as they tend to provide the perfect starting point for something else, in this instance a low sugar snack (under 100 cals) and our game-changing dog treats, It’s The dogs. 

What’s your career background?

Ardent ‘ahead of the curve’ biohacker politely obsessed with making lifestyle tweaks to maximise my physical and mental wellbeing who was inspired by the far-reaching insights of Shazzie’s best-selling ‘Detox your World’ teachings.

I’ve worked across a catalogue of brands in the business development and marketing strategy arenas, but new product development and product excellence are my happy spaces! 

Describe your perfect customer demographic

I’d say two-fold these days

• 35+ adults prioritising fitness focused over vanity fitness (two very different ambitions)
• Health-conscious pet parents whose unerring commitment to ingredient integrity now extends to their 4-legged friends. 

What obstacles have you had to overcome?

It’s inevitable that longer-term success invariably includes a few unwelcome blips, some of our own making and some that are out of control. The secret is never to lose sight of the underlying momentum even in the ‘dark moments’ when fate is trying to knock you off your stride.

Like so many ‘think the best of the world’ SMES we’ve experienced the so-called supportive customer who left us high and dry with £160k worth of unwelcome debt. This was at a time when such a discrepancy could have sunk our business, however we simply doubled down on our efforts and lived to tell the tale. 

Great flavours don’t always translate across borders. Our Cherry Bakewell ball was a triumph of sour cherries meat crunchy almonds, but explaining to North Americans the unfathomable joy of recreating a Bakewell pie was simply beyond our skills set.

Probably the biggest obstacle is staying fresh and perky despite having more than 10 years on the clock. There’s no escaping the fact that our brand has been a recent victim of our private label success but what great vision doesn’t need a fresh lick of paint? Look out for August 25 when we’ll be refreshing the brand with a super-charged, full-throttle makeover! 

And your best highlights to date?

Too many to hone down but convincing the likes of Holland & Barrett, David Lloyds and Morrisons that we were on to something special must rank pretty high as is the humbling realization that we are already trading in 14 International markets and are on track to hit 20 by 2027.

Our official debut at PATS for our dog’s treat offering is very close and the whole team think this could be a sea change moment! 

What’s been your best business move?

Pet Humanisation has been the standard bearer for pet food innovation within pet foods and pet treats in recent times. Raising the bar when it comes to ingredients, production regimes and nutritional integrity have been hot themes for a while, so imagine 

What advice would you give a younger you?

Roll with the punches – because for the truly determined better times are around the next corner!

The post Interview with Hayley Hunt, co-founder of The Protein Ball Co and It’s The Dogs appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

In 1997, Lesley founded WorkingWell, an award-winning specialist consultancy that helps companies manage workplace pressure in a way that facilitates growth and development. She is also the co-author of Brave New Leader: How to Transform Workplace Pressure into Sustainable Performance and Growth.

What’s your career background?

When I left university, my first job was selling advertising space in a local newspaper.  One time, I got chatting with the guy who ran the sandwich shop across the street. I received a phone call later that day to say “the chap behind you in the queue works for Bupa. He has been looking for a telephone sales trainer for a while. He says you are exactly the sort of person the business has been searching for, and he gave me a number for you to call”.

I did make the call, got the job and enjoyed a 13-year career. After two years delivering sales training, I moved into direct sales (responding to: “those who can, do” kind of narratives!) From there, I moved through the ranks with National Accounts and then Regional Sales Management roles, before going on maternity leave. I rejoined the business in a product development and marketing role, before finally leaving in 1997 to form my own consulting business in Employee Health and Wellbeing Management.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

My product development role put me in touch with a lot of leaders, and I could see there was a real need for expertise to help them manage employee wellbeing and performance. It was a new field at the time – stress was seen as a uniquely senior executive (and therefore, male) phenomenon back then.

The desk research I was doing at the time, to help me understand more about the stress response and the impact of pressure on human performance and functioning, showed me that stress is all about being human and has little to do with gender or seniority.

How did you move from idea to actual business?

I engineered my own redundancy to give me the buffer I needed to work on my network. I was fortunate to have made great contacts during the development of positive health product solutions too. I also had a long background in consulting and sales, of course, so making connections was no problem!

What’s your USP?

It is a really crowded market now, but I believe our USP remains that we have the expertise, and tools to help customers get underneath and address the causes of workplace stress in an employee-centric way – less about one size fits all solutions and more about supporting employees at all stages of their career to manage their energy and sustain their wellbeing and performance.

Who’s your target audience?

If the company employs humans, we work with them! Some of our longest-standing clients are multinationals, others are smaller organisations and SMEs, and we work with single individuals too.

How do you spread the word about what you do?

Primarily through word of mouth and regular appearances at industry conferences, where we share our insights and connect with like-minded professionals. But we are also active contributors to the media on workplace wellbeing and sustainable high-performance, helping to spotlight these important topics.

And your proudest moment so far?

Regularly beating off large corporate competition to win multinational tenders on the strength of our proposition and the way we like to work. I’m also really proud of the longevity of the business – we recently celebrated almost 30 years of service. Looking back to my early days as an independent consultant, I never imagined that what I was starting would still be growing strong three decades later.

Why is work so important to you?

It is a privilege to be able to work in an area that I am intellectually curious about and remain passionate about nearly 30 years later. The detail changes, and the preoccupations of buyers shift and flow, but I remain fundamentally committed to finding ways to keep helping humans at work. 

Who inspires you?

My young-adult children mainly – they are so much braver and more confident in their everyday than I remember being at the same age. They have a default curiosity and openness which bodes well for the future, where feeling able to share insight and lived experience will be so important. Watching them encourages me to find ways to be better!

What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?

Trust your judgement and your instincts, and gather as many different perspectives as you can on the topics you want to consult on. Under promise and over deliver because in the end, the client is buying into you as well as your expertise.

Trust and connection are everything, and this is going to be even more important as we move into a world where AI is being used to solve problems, analyse data and brainstorm. Don’t skimp on self-care, though – you are no use to anyone burnt out!

Find out more about WorkingWell.

The post Interview with Lesley Cooper, founder of WorkingWell appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

Through her work, she intends to tie a thread of unity across the world—one where we can all stand together united on the principles of respect and boundaries. She is the international best-selling author of The Human TOUCH.

What’s your career background?

My career background is eclectic, and I believe quite unusual. I was headhunted by a high end, hand crafted, luxury watch company. This is because of my previous work in technical ship management. There is a beautiful affiliation between the largest parts of a ship that sails the high seas and the tiniest of pieces that create a heartbeat in a watch.

We rarely get to witness the similarities in such diverse industries until we experience them. It is a beautiful company based upon family values and understated high quality craftsmanship. To summarise, I was working for a Hong Kong based ship management company when I invited to join an East German company that was a part of a Swiss Luxury Group.

I was initially based in Paris, France prior to being obliged to move to Dubai to integrate the platform. Hence, I spent four years managing the Middle East which constituted a responsibility of managing 14 countries, which also included Turkey, Israel and India as well. My multicultural path of being a global citizen was already well embedded, and I suspect pre-conditioned me for the beauty and magic of what is now my life path.  

Where did the idea for your business come from?

My birth of my son Ayden. He was my epiphany that validated the belief that the most precious luxury in life is in how we raise a child – mentally, emotionally and spiritually – in the most wholesome manner as global citizens, with a nature basked in a baseline of peace while developing a deep sense of purpose.

Having lived and worked in many countries, I fervently believe that we are all one and the same and aspire towards living with exactly the same values – and yet there is much too much focus on the negatives that separate us as opposed to the positive that unites us.

Rather than focus on any differences in a world that is deeply divided, we must allow our differences to complement each other. We embrace our strengths to reinforce each other towards mutual understanding and unity. We do not want our children growing up to believe that there is an “us” and a “them” – We want them to believe in a collective “we” where we all help each other and live together in harmony.

How did you move from idea to actual business?

I began studying with my baby in my arms! I first became a children’s etiquette consultant, and while conducting etiquette classes for children, I went to help in a special needs school one day a week for a year to assist the children with their social skills. The changes in their behaviour benefitted them tremendously. I realised that I need to gain the necessary credibility to be able to assist people deeply, as my natural calling is to assist humanity in finding peace and prosperity.

I then proceeded to become a psychotherapist and counsellor, a clinical hypnotherapist, an NLP Master Coach and a licensed instructor of mind mapping. I studied all the different religions; spiritual schools of thought and I felt the need to develop a multi-layered yet simple roadmap towards healing. I also realised very quickly that any issues that children develop stem from their parents.

I began teaching parenting classes and children’s classes simultaneously at a school and did so also for four years. I had nine classes running and I could witness so much improvement in the well-being landscape of the families I worked with in school and also privately. I also worked with corporates and couples of different nationalities. It created a deep desire to bring healing across our world as I witnessed how we are all one and our basic set of beliefs are all the same. Our cultural differences may complement each other, while our similarities of heart and soul may reinforce our sense of unity.  

What’s your USP?

We are the first self-healing platform available in 28 languages. 

Garden of Ayden is a modern-day utopia and contradicts no school of thought. Our method is based upon simplicity, knowing it is the most complex achievement to be able to create a step-by-step process where people may contemplate themselves deeply to intimately understand their way of being.

We have created a methodology based upon a mirror for self-reflection, so that each person may find their truths individually. It allows them to untangle their mindset and reframe any unexplored thought processes to discover their veracity in harmony. We also created impact measures that are a result of the self-reflective tools placed within each of the branches of each module. This grants the possibility for each person to witness their evolution, healing and to validate themselves gracefully. 

We first created two basic programs. The first called Enter the Garden is the first pre-requisite course. Available for free on our website and on podcast – it is the journey of you with you. Next, there is Looking at the I with a Deeper Eye, also free of cost – a journey of contemplating how you interact with others.

We have a module on Grace of Grief for those who suffer loss of a loved one as well as 33 videos for kids recoded by Ayden, called Enter the Garden Kids. We launched the platform during Covid as we believe peace of mind is priceless hence there is no cost attached to it. We believe in essence, in the power of respect, boundaries and unconditional love.

Who’s your target audience?

We have something for everyone, and our online programs continue to be developed. Our first book has been published on 9th April 2025, to complement our online platform. It is called The Human TOUCH. Touch is an acronym for Tolerance, Openness, Unity, Collaboration & Harmony. Teenagers from the age of 14 may engage with it, to truly understand themselves to carve a healthy and aligned mindset. Teachers will find their coping mechanisms and a deeper awareness of how they engage with their students. 

Parents will find harmony in how they create a healthy and loving environment for their children, knowing that it is in our being peaceful that we create a harmonious environment for them. Adults find a companion to guide them towards being the best version of themselves while unlocking a newly found sense of purpose and resolve. Each person interacts with their mirror and goes through the process uniquely – since we are all unique. 

How do you spread the word about what you do?

With people like you! We are so grateful to you for giving us the space to show up and share our journeys, which may assist others in creating theirs. The power of community is to be celebrated. We all have our purpose during this precious life, and it is worthy for all of us to support each other and share, to create the best for us all. 

We are on social media; we are on all podcast channels and our website has had more than 200,000 people who have gone through our programs with zero marketing. We are hoping that with The Human TOUCH, we may now begin to bring a wider awareness to our work to assist us all in finding harmony, peace and a collective unity. 

What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

It is one thing to sit in my pajamas and dream up a perfect world with tools that may alleviate any form of suffering. It is quite another to have to then share the work beyond a private session or a classroom and onto a global stage. I like the divine light and am not as comfortable with stage lights.

The reason beyond a personal preference of remaining behind the camera of witnessing life, is that I believe that the work is not about me. It’s about providing my highest and best as a mirror to enable each person to do their work individually so that we may create collective harmony. I am just the mirror. Hence my obstacle has been and remains the uncomfortable need to show up publicly.

I am still working on the ways that the work may show up without me! Slow is fast and fast is slow. To create the speed of healing for all, one requires calm and quiet to produce one’s best work. I believe the obstacle is finding the balance between the inner and the outer world to stay perfectly true to both equally, a challenge I am sure I am not alone in. 

And your proudest moment so far?

Funnily enough, that is probably the toughest question for me. I would like to believe that the work I do is a duty, based upon being blessed with a gift of some sort, which stems from the privilege of my challenging experiences in life. I take that gift as a larger-than-life responsibility, for which humility remains the most important value or else one can lose one’s gift.

Being conscious of that, I prefer to stay grounded, clear minded and if anything, I observe myself profoundly to ensure that I am always being completely true to myself, to you and to those in need. I believe the proudest moment must be when we have polished our mirror, face ourselves clearly, and acknowledge the purpose of our lives to bring authenticity and prosperity to others. Giving back, paying it forward, helping people find their peace and purpose. 

Why is work so important to you?

It doesn’t feel like work because bringing a heartfelt smile and joy to others is the biggest reward, a sense of satisfaction and contentment. I feel that we all suffer too much, and we all deserve to have a semblance of comfort and a haven of peace. Since Garden of Ayden is able to change people’s lives, how could I not dedicate myself to it?

With a huge soul of empathy, it feels as though it’s a natural calling to want to assist others in lightening their load, literally and metaphorically. I believe that having the purpose to assist humanity in any which way is a calling we should all adopt, be it in our work, as a hobby or simply aligning ourselves to support the human right of core values for all. 

Who inspires you?

My father for his charisma and courage. My mother for her resplendent beauty and resilience. My husband for his trustworthiness and tenacity. My son for his wise and magical old soul. My soul sister for her lightness of being and infectious sense of humour. 

What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?

1. Trust in your capacity; to envision, inspire and create – with structure.
2. Detach from the opinion of others, believe in yourself, and persevere against the odds.
3. Know that the tests only make you stronger and with time and patience you can witness your highest and best come to life. 

Find out more about the Garden of Ayden.

The post Interview with Sukaiyna Gokal, founder of the Garden of Ayden appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

What’s your career background?

My journey has been one of bold reinvention. I began as a translator with a university degree in languages, then earned my master’s in economics and business. I spent a decade in the oil and gas industry, being a Corporate Communications Director for the last four years of that career. This corporate experience gave me invaluable insights into organisational dynamics and leadership challenges. 

A decade ago, I made the leap to entrepreneurship, founding my own leadership development consultancy. This wasn’t just a career change—it was a complete transformation driven by my passion for developing bold leaders who can navigate today’s complex business landscape. My diverse background and corporate experience now serve as the foundation for my approach to leadership transformation.

How did your career change after having children?

Becoming a mother initiated my most significant career transformation. After my son was born, I made the bold decision to launch my own business—a move that required extensive retraining and frequent travel to London for certification programmes.

The logistics were challenging, juggling motherhood with intensive learning, and I won’t lie—the guilt was overwhelming at times. But deep down, I knew I was investing in our family’s future. This experience taught me that bold leadership often requires making difficult decisions that serve a greater purpose.

Motherhood didn’t limit my ambitions; it amplified them. It gave me the courage to pursue my passion for leadership development and ultimately led to creating Bold Leadership Culture, where I now help other leaders navigate their own transformative journeys with the same boldness I discovered in myself.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

The idea for my business emerged during a profound coaching training experience. Through deep self-reflection, I discovered that meaningful, transformative conversations were what energised me most because of their potential to bring real change.

I realised I wanted to bring these powerful dialogues into the organisational environments I knew so well from my corporate years. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges leaders face in corporate settings, I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between personal transformation and professional excellence.

This revelation wasn’t just about identifying a business opportunity – it was about recognising my calling. I understood that my unique combination of corporate experience and passion for human development positioned me perfectly to help leaders embrace boldness and drive meaningful change within their organisations. That’s when Bold Leadership Culture was born.

How did you move from idea to actual business?

While the tangible steps were crucial—reaching out to contacts, securing office space, handling logistics, and building my brand—the real transformation happened internally. The key was making a clear decision to become a business owner with my entire heart, effort, and boldness.

This was more than just setting up systems; it was about embracing an identity shift. I had to embody the bold leadership I teach, taking risks and pushing beyond my comfort zone. Every challenge became an opportunity to practice what I preach about courage, consciousness and conviction.

The transition required me to leverage my corporate network, invest in continuous learning, and most importantly, commit fully to my vision. Success came from combining practical business acumen with an uncompromising dedication to excellence and authenticity in everything I do.

What’s your USP?

My unique value proposition centers on making boldness non-negotiable. Unlike traditional leadership development approaches, I don’t just teach concepts. I challenge leaders to embody courage, consciousness, and conviction in everything they do. I empower them to embrace change, adopt a bold mindset, and take decisive risks to succeed in complexity. My mission is to help leaders change the game, love the challenge, and turn uncertainty into limitless opportunity.

What truly sets me apart is my deeply personalised approach. I refuse to treat clients as just another number. Each leader, each organisation receives tailored strategies that align with their specific challenges and aspirations. This boutique approach, combined with my proprietary SOUL Framework®, creates transformational experiences that drive lasting change.

My background spanning multiple industries combined with my global perspective and my strong commitment to pushing boundaries, enables me to connect with leaders at every level. I don’t just develop leadership skills; I cultivate leadership boldness that transforms individuals and entire organisational cultures.

Who’s your target audience?

I partner with global organisations that understand leadership development isn’t just an investment, but a cornerstone of creating value for both people and business. My clients are forward-thinking companies that recognise extraordinary leadership as their competitive advantage.

These organisations span diverse industries including big tech, banking, pharmaceuticals, and consulting. What unites them is their commitment to developing leaders who can navigate complexity, drive innovation, and inspire their teams to achieve extraordinary results. They stay away from being mediocre by engaging their full individual and collective potential. These are organisations bold enough to invest in leadership that pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo.

How do you spread the word about what you do?

My primary platform is LinkedIn, where I share insights about bold leadership and organisational transformation. Social media allows me to connect authentically with leaders worldwide and demonstrate the value of my approach through real, actionable content.

I’m also a published author of two books: “Bold Reinvented” and “Leading on the Edge,” which serve as powerful tools for reaching leaders who resonate with my philosophy. These publications establish my thought leadership and provide tangible value to my audience.

Speaking engagements and industry events amplify my reach, allowing me to share my message with diverse audiences globally. Through these channels, I don’t just promote my services, I contribute to the broader conversation about what leadership needs to become in our rapidly changing world. Every interaction is an opportunity to inspire bolder, more conscious leadership.

What’s been your most successful marketing strategy?

My most powerful marketing strategy isn’t traditional marketing at all; it’s delivering work that genuinely transforms people and organisations. When leaders experience profound change through my programmes, they become my most authentic advocates. Word-of-mouth referrals from transformed clients carry more weight than any advertisement could. 

Building long-term partnerships has been equally crucial. Rather than transactional relationships, I create ongoing collaborations that evolve with my clients’ needs. This approach has led to multi-year partnerships and expanded engagements within organisations.

The combination of exceptional results and genuine relationships creates a self-perpetuating cycle of growth. My clients become partners in spreading the message about bold leadership, making every successful engagement a foundation for future opportunities.

What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?

My greatest challenge is the complexity of operating across multiple countries while maintaining a personalised approach. I live in Croatia, run business operations in both Croatia and the UK, and serve clients globally across the EU, USA, and APAC.

Competing on a global scale against massive consultancies while preserving the boutique, personalised experience that defines my brand requires constant innovation and strategic thinking. 

Throughout the years, this challenge has actually become a competitive advantage. By maintaining my commitment to personalised service while building global reach, I’ve created something unique in the leadership development space. The key has been never compromising on the quality of relationships that make transformation possible.

And your proudest moment so far?

My proudest moment was the launch of my second book, “Leading on the Edge,” where my clients served as guest speakers and openly shared how my work had transformed them and their organisations. Hearing their authentic testimonials about the impact of bold leadership development was profoundly moving.

I always say that the most important things we cannot accomplish alone. Seeing my clients and supporters gathered together made me realise I’ve been building something far greater than a consultancy. I’ve been nurturing a movement of bold leadership, a bold leadership culture that transcends my company name and embodies a mission of bolder leadership for a better world.

There is no prouder moment than witnessing your idea outgrow you, seeing that it takes on a life of its own. I hope it continues to inspire bold leadership in others long after my initial spark.

Why is work so important to you?

Work isn’t just what I do, it’s how I contribute to making the world better. Leadership development is my vehicle for creating positive change on a global scale, one leader at a time.

This work fulfils my deepest passion and aligns perfectly with my core values. When I help leaders embrace boldness and develop the courage to push boundaries, I’m not just improving their professional effectiveness. I’m empowering them to create meaningful impact in their organisations and communities.

The authenticity of this passion is palpable in everything I do. My clients feel it, my colleagues sense it, and it energizes every interaction. This isn’t work that drains me; it’s work that fuels me. Every day brings opportunities to witness transformation, to challenge conventional thinking, and to help leaders discover capabilities they never knew they possessed.

When your work aligns with your purpose, it becomes a source of endless energy and fulfilment.

Who inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who go beyond their perceived limitations and challenge conventional boundaries. Leaders who pursue ambitious goals not for personal glory, but for something larger than themselves embody the bold mindset.

These individuals combine passion with discipline, vision with execution. They don’t just talk about change, they create it, often against significant odds. Whether they’re pioneering entrepreneurs, transformational CEOs, or change-makers in any field, what inspires me is their commitment to growth and impact.

I’m particularly drawn to leaders who demonstrate courage in the face of uncertainty, who choose integrity over convenience, and who lead with conviction even when it’s difficult. These are the individuals who prove that bold leadership isn’t just a concept, but a way of being that can transform businesses and lives.

Their examples remind me daily why developing bold leaders matters so much.

What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?

1) Start bold and stay bold

Success begins with the courage to take that first step, but it’s sustained through persistent grit when challenges arise. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, begin with conviction and maintain that boldness through every obstacle.

2) Follow your passion, it’s your most reliable compass

When you’re aligned with what genuinely energises you, decision-making becomes clearer, obstacles become manageable, and success becomes sustainable. 

3) Never stop learning from the best

Invest continuously in learning from those you secretly aspire to become. Mastery isn’t achieved by settling for mediocre mentors or comfortable knowledge. Seek out the experts who challenge you, stretch your thinking, and demand excellence.

These three principles have guided every major decision in my journey and continue to shape how I approach both my own development and the leadership transformation I facilitate for others.

The post Interview with Zana Goic Petricevic, leadership transformation expert appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.

What is the thinking behind hive mind?

The business came about as a result of two brothers sharing a love of beekeeping and home brewing.

My brother Matt had been into beekeeping since the age of 13 and had ten hives by the time he was 27.  At this point Matt had a surplus in honey and with my background in marketing and design we were convinced we could produce delicious honey that also looked good to sell at the various farmer’s markets.

We soon discovered that selling authentic, locally produced honey was challenging when the price was being compared to cheap imported honey being sold in supermarkets at a fraction of the price, meaning it would be impossible to compete. 

The bigger problem here is that the UK can only meet 14% of its domestic honey needs making it a large market for cheap adulterated honeys padded out with cheap sugar syrups, that have over time decimated any value that might have once existed within home produced honey.

The thinking behind our award-winning meads and all-natural honeyades was on one level create a family of honest, best-in-class offerings that showcased real authentic honey in a bold added-value light and on another level to do our bit for sustainable, rural regeneration by reversing dwindling pollinator numbers within the region.

What was the lightbulb moment when you knew you were onto something?

After a year of making our modern take on mead in Matt’s garage-turned-micromeadery, and having lots of positive feedback from friends, family and local retailers, we entered our first commercially sized batch (300L at the time!)  into the Great Taste Awards in 2019.

We won a two star award for Hopped Sparkling Mead and this gave us the confidence to quit our jobs and go full time making mead. We then discovered that mead had an image problem, with many of those who had tried it previously having a bad experience from cheap sugar sweetened wine-based novelty ‘meads’ being sold at lots of historical sites, gift shops and garden centres. Many of which don’t have any trace of honey in sight. 

We set out to change the perceptions of mead by focusing on doing it authentically, using real ingredients, determined to showcase a seamless marriage of honey, water and yeast and not another quick-fix proposition made from cheap wine bases.

Word of mouth has been central to our success be that top tier Great Taste awards, a top-of-the-pile Golden Fork (Wales), a generous smattering of Michelin-star restaurant, National Trust listings and lot of very generous TV coverage from flagship countryside shows as diverse BBC’s Countryfile, Hairy Bikers Go Local and Escape to The Farm and ITV’s Coast and Country.  

None of the above would have materialised if we’d settled for producing run-of-the-mill meads and soft drinks, and had that encouraging feedback from our first Great Taste Award judging. 

What’s you and your brother’s career history?

My background (Kit) is in graphic design and then product innovation within a small tech company, which was an all-encompassing role that has fuelled my problem-solving appetite and convinced me that anything is feasible given the right team, innovation and commitment to succeed.

Matt worked as a geologist in Australia before taking a two year sabbatical to cycle the length of the Americas with his now wife and a short stint with a local earth working operation alongside growing his beehive numbers and running courses on beekeeping to public and businesses. 

Who is Hivemind’s ideal customer?

We appeal to a number of key consumer groups including ‘slow food’ foodies who appreciate food made the proper way without short-cuts or shadowy, lower-grade ingredients.  We also appeal to healthier living consumers who scrupulously check ingredient decks for synthetic nasties or needless fillers that detract from an authentic only agenda and also consumers who appreciate brands with clear sustainable goals.

We appeal to those who are looking for alternatives to the mainstream soft drinks, beers, wines, ciders or spirits whose values align with our own. Our products sell really well in farm shop food halls, bottle shops, health food shops, garden centres and specialist online retailers. 

Mead has a great following and fans of this style of drink will go to extraordinary lengths to seek out the real deal – as we discovered at a few music festivals where several attendees only came as they saw there was going to be a mead bar, or those who drive from Scotland to visit our meadery and attend our open evenings every month.

What obstacles have you had to overcome?

Referring to an earlier question it’s frustrating when consumers’ first mead experience is underwhelming, having unwittingly purchased either some tourist fayre or cheap offering made with aforementioned ‘quick fix’ ingredients.

There is a reason why mead is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance (400%+) in many parts of the world, ranging from North America, Asia Pacific, to Mainland Europe.  Such a revival didn’t take off because of easy access to cheap imposter knock-offs    

At this moment in time our 200 hives can meet 50% of our honey needs, which means we need to go out to other like-minded beekeepers to secure the remainder.  By providing a regular sales channel coupled with a fair price, we are not only helping rural regeneration but also throwing our weight behind building local pollinator numbers!  

What’s your best highlight to date?

There would be a few highlights jostling for top spot:

• Receiving a prestigious Golden Fork Award for Wales for our Traditional Mead in 2023  can’t be overlooked!
• Securing an all-important Prince’s Trust loan when we seeking to repivot during COVID.  Whilst acquiring a loan to meet our immediate debts was of course vital, it was equally important that a learned institution like The Prince’s Trust could see the manifold merits in what we were seeking to achieve!        
• Acquiring a presence in leading edge restaurants in an array of eclectic Michelin star restaurants that include The Fat Duck, Grace & Savour, Hand & Flowers and Home at Penarth
• Making a bespoke for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London
• Securing a trial listing for our sparkling meads within M&S also ranks pretty high!
• Every time we see one of our products in public being enjoyed always gives us a buzz (sorry couldn’t resist).

And your best business move?

We made a conscious decision to give mead a contemporary makeover and focus on its benefits for the here and now (such as the taste and natural ingredients) rather than focus on the historical angle of mead too strongly. By making a range of lower abv sparkling meads (3.4%) this opens them up to a range of different occasions such as casual after-work drinks, bbq’s, picnics, food pairing, wedding toasts – or anytime you’d typically reach for a beer, cider or sparkling wine. 

But our best move, based on the fantastic interest we have received since launch in February this year, might turn out to be our new range of honey-based soft drinks which we called Honeyade. We spotted a gap for drinks that were sweetened with a drop of UK honey rather than refined sugar or artificial sweetener and very few, simple ingredients. These have been going down a storm so far and may well go on to eclipse all other successes to date.  

What advice would you give the younger you? 

There’s a few things I’d say to ourselves at the start of this journey if I could. I’d say to take a moment to celebrate the wins no matter how small rather than constantly looking at what’s next and not living in the moment – that gets pretty tiring! Also to keep the main goal in sight and make decisions based on if they are helping you achieve that. 

Find out more about Hive Mind.

The post Interview with Hive Mind co-founder Kit Newell appeared first on Talented Ladies Club.