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Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Sweet Tree by Browns…

The idea came about just over 10 years ago when my daughter Charlee was getting married. In typical bride-to-be fashion she wanted her centrepieces to stand out from anything that had been seen before. And so, it began… hours of doodling ideas, often late into the evening, trying to come up with the perfect table creation. Having been trained as a pastry chef in my father’s kitchens, I used my skills to create ideas using chocolate. Eventually, with no time to spare, I came up with the idea of trees made from our family and friends’ favourite chocolates and sweets. At last, something deliciously different which was a huge success at the wedding!

People enjoyed the Sweet Trees so much I began to think, wouldn’t it be great if we could share them with more people? That’s where the business began. It took years of frustration and occasional tears to finally make them look and taste as yummy as they are today. When we first started, we used polystyrene balls in the centre of the tree. However, we have now moved onto a chocolate crispy core so practically all of the tree (except for the wooden stem and glass vase) is edible!

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge that I have faced during the last 10 years is falling ill and being diagnosed with a neurological condition called Myelitis. When I first fell ill, I became partially paralysed and was unable to walk or even talk properly. However, with the support of my family and people close to me, as well as my own strength (and stubbornness!), I persevered to get stronger each day and not let my disabilities hold me back. After years of undergoing different treatments and physio, I am now able to walk (albeit for short distances), talk, and run a team of up to 20 people.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Family (my business started as a family business; my team today are my family).

Perseverance (we have got to where we are today through hard work, determination, and perseverance)

Crazy (You must be a bit nuts to work with my mad lot)

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of artisan chocolate production?

Keep up-to-date with trends but try to keep your ideas original, make sure your products have a point of difference. There are so many beautiful companies and products out there, you need to make sure you stand out to succeed.

Sweet Tree by Browns

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

We are a small business working from my family home. In small businesses you tend to do a bit of everything- even as the boss. My business day starts with me walking down the stairs from my bedroom into the office (the room which was once my living room!) This is where I do all the boring things that I like the least – cash flow, finances etc.

As the business has grown over the years, it has managed to spread across every room in the house (apart from my bedroom). My dining room is now a chocolate room -floor to ceiling with racks of molded chocolate smash cakes, plaques etc. My kitchen is our main production area. Here is where the team work together to get the orders made, packed, and sent out. This is the place I like to be the most. I like being in the thick of it. My job in production is personalising our Sweet Trees and writing chocolate messages on our chocolate gifts.

Every day is different, but no day at Sweet Trees is boring!

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

The most important thing for me is being able to laugh. My family and my team are what keep my going and keep me laughing!

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Shit Happens… only joking!

My house is covered in hundreds of quotes I couldn’t pick one.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

More so now than ever before. We’ve recently jumped on the TikTok hype, we’re amazed at the impact it’s had already. Our Instagram is really coming into its own and growing it’s following every day.

How do you want people to feel when they first try some of your chocolate gifts?

We want them to think: “Mmmmm this is really nice”.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and have you ever been anywhere that produces the cocoa bean?

I would love to go San Francisco.

Many years ago, I went to Kenya.

What’s next for you and your brand?

Moving premises. When I say we have outgrown my family home, that is an understatement. We currently have four sheds in our garden which are used for storing packaging and hundreds of kilos of Belgian chocolate.

We want and need to move to a unit so that we can expand our team, take on more retailers, and grow the business. However, finding the right place hasn’t been an easy feat. Hopefully 2022 will be our year!

Where can people find out more about Sweet Tree by Browns?
Website – Sweet Tree by Browns
Instagram – @sweettreebybrowns
Facebook – Sweet Tree by Browns
TikTok – @sweettreebybrowns

We interviewed Nino Oniani and Irina Keidia via zoom recently for our Women Worldwide series. These female entrepreneurs have shown us that passion, determination, and knowledge can lead to a dream vocation in life. Read on to find out more about Zeg Skincare and what goes into running the business.

Tell us about the journey that led you both to launch your brand Zeg Skincare…

I have always been committed to giving best care to my skin. I was researching the most powerful formulas available on the market, however the more I researched the more I understood potential harm of some of the ingredients in those formulas. For the past few years I opted for the best botanical products available on the market, however I soon realised they didn’t meet my expectations in terms of delivering results, no matter how expensive the botanical brand was. That was when I decided to look around and research properly how could botanicals really work when you add proper scientific knowledge to it.

I was lucky to know some of worlds’ best scientists in the field who created custom made formulas for my skin. The result was tremendous. This period coincides with my true passion with entrepreneurship and the credit goes to Imperial College Business School where I had just graduated from my MBA and met some incredibly successful entrepreneurs who had started up just a few years before, and had successfully grown their companies. They not only inspired me, but they actually taught me. I decided to dedicate my career to entrepreneurship, and I had two conditions for it, one was, the business I would start should be scalable and another was it should definitely be my passion. Skincare and Beauty ticked all those boxes, in addition I had access to the yet undiscovered Georgian nature, a country that is nestled between Europe and Asia, which has tremendously diverse climate zones and a wide variety of potent medicinal botanicals. I then approached longtime friend Irina, who shared my passion about skincare, she is also one of the leading marketing specialists in Georgia. We both had individual expertise which would work perfectly together to deliver the best possible product. We set to create an independent beauty company, with clean, potent ingredients that deliver results.

Our strategy is accessibility; and we want all our products to be affordable to as many people as possible. – Nino Oniani

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The Pandemic has been our biggest challenge so far, especially with product development which slowed the process down. Uncertainty is probably one of our biggest issues as well. – Irina Keidia

If you to were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Results-Driven
Forward-Looking
Honest

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the skincare business?

Be persistent, be patient, and be hard working, but most of all have a deep passion for what you’re doing. Science knowledge is probably one of the biggest assets if you want to deliver a good product. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

Almost every day starts following up our ongoing tests, trials and research. Because we are in the active NPD phase this is an essential part of our business. I think it is a very exciting time right now to be in this business; science advances, including opportunities given by BioTech gives us lots of possibilities to move forward.

This process is followed up by meeting with our scientists most days who are based in the UK near London. These meetings are probably the most important ones for us at the moment as this is where we have the chance to deliver some truly great products, by tweaking, testing, and altering even slightly you can get something completely new.

Recap on sales and marketing activity is also part of our daily activity. We decided to go down the route of having our own state of the art online store, to us this means daily review of the sales channel. While Irina might be doing that, some days I might be engaged with the investor zoom meetings. – Nino Oniani

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

This whole journey is rather difficult, I will not sugarcoat this for you. Problem solving on a daily basis is part of the process. The value chain in our business involves many stakeholders, meaning there are many things that can go wrong. Staying positive is probably not part of our strategy, I would say that actually solving problems is. Being an early bird probably helps us both! – Irina Keidia

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

To be honest situations vary and so do our motivational approaches. What helps most is encouragement from one another. But if there are any quotes we can think of, then these two are probably the ones that make us think big to not lose motivation. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia

“If you can’t do it with feeling, don’t.”

by Patsy Cline

“For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.”

by Dhirubhai Ambani

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Nowadays social media is a key consumer marketing tool, it allows us to connect and engage with potential customers, easily reach them, share directly updated information about products and their benefits, and allows us immediate interaction and customer feedback. It is quite Important to make engaging content to get attention. Our target customers are professional skintelligent women who have money to spend and want to keep their skin looking good. They are self confident, passionate about skincare and a healthy lifestyle, they have ‘Digital First’ attitude, with social media a primary source of brand reviews and product information.– Irina Keidia

How do you want people to feel when they first see and try your products?

We want people to feel empowered when they use our products. We want to emphasis their natural beauty. We don’t want our users to live up to a standard of none existent beauty. We can promise to help make better versions of themselves with long term health in mind. – Irina Keidia

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your products would you take traveling with you?

There are a few favourite destinations, they include Italy and Montenegro, but desirable locations would probably be Jamaica or Mexico. We would always take our Oxygen Serum and Eye Patches with us wherever we visit in the world. But we would also like intrepid travellers to come and visit our very own Georgia to see the beautiful mountains and the nature that surrounds us. – Irina Keidia

What’s next for you and your brand?

We are going in to a speciality and SPA product market, keep your eyes peeled as you might see ZEG Spa in a number of places around the world soon. – Nino Oniani

Where can people find out more about Zeg Skincare?

Instagram: @zegskincare
Website: Zeg Beauty

Here at House of Coco we love seeing couples living life on their terms, working together on their dreams and creating a legacy and that is exactly what Ali and Zoe are doing, founders of the Wild Science Lab. Wild Science Lab is committed to producing high performance, botanical, sustainable product solutions that ensure exceptional performance while maintaining a continued promise of environmental responsibility. A brand that has innovation at its core.

The duo are not only #CoupleGoals but their combined experience makes them a force to be reckoned with. We spent some time with them to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Wild Science Lab…

The British brand was founded, as a husband-and-wife team, in response to my own battle with pregnancy-related hair loss and an irritated scalp, and motivated by a desire to create our own solutions. I formerly worked in the research and development department of some of the largest beauty companies, and I have collaborated with some of the most creative and innovative natural beauty specialists to launch Wild Science Lab. Innovative solutions based on natural science, and devoted to providing high-performance, botanical, and sustainable products based on effectiveness, whilst upholding a pledge of environmental responsibility.

Have you found the sustainable, natural and vegan haircare and skincare sector a competitive one?

Yes, it is intensely competitive, but there is a clear differentiation. Many products claim to be natural, however owing to low concentrations of wild ingredients, the treatments usually aren’t very effective. Even though some have natural ingredients, many products include harmful chemicals that are nonetheless detrimental to your hair. Generally, our customers get positive outcomes. It’s meaningless to include natural ingredients “simply to keep up with the trend” if they don’t provide effective outcomes or make a significant impact. Those natural ingredients must have therapeutic values, and not be randomly thrown in.

By harnessing the pure energy of the wild world, Wild Science Lab has created effective, multi-award-winning hair and skin solutions that are shaking the realm of beauty. To counteract everyday skin and scalp stress produced by the environment, lifestyle, and biological changes, the collections are designed with high concentrations of active ingredients. Natural science-based solutions committed to offering high-performance, botanical, and sustainable goods founded on efficacy while keeping a commitment to environmental responsibility. Free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, the collections pledge to reveal your wild side.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Launching during the pandemic. However, it didn’t stop us from growing as a brand. In the past few months as post- launch, we have already won so many awards.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Home of Natural Innovations.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of haircare or skincare?

It’s not just about creating a solution. There must be science behind it, and something unique. It should be different from what’s out there on the market.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

Work, work and work. All day. Everyday. The amount of energy and enthusiasm poured into every tiny detail on the way, is more than what you would expect. But I have passion in what I try to achieve and set my goals high. Sometimes, you just need to switch off, and resist from checking your emails one more time, or just checking over that little thing you needed to finish. After all, looking after yourself is key to ambitious ideas and inspiration!

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

Self-care or spending time with my family. I always look to the bright side of things. Every misstep leads to a new path with opportunities!

Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?

‘It’s not the end. It’s the beginning.’

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media has played a huge role in the success of Wild Science Lab, especially during lockdown. Since it’s an online business, there’s no way to it then to spread the message online.

How do you want people to feel when they first try Wild Science Lab products?

I want people to feel the difference. Wild Science Lab has designed effective, multi- award-winning hair and skin solutions to shake the realm of beauty, by harnessing the pure power of the wild world. The collections are formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients, to combat daily skin and scalp stress caused by the environment, lifestyle, and biological fluctuations. Innovative solutions based on natural science, devoted to providing high-performance, botanical, and sustainable products built on effectiveness, whilst upholding a pledge of environmental responsibility. The LEAF + SEED collection was designed using a scalp-first strategy to achieve hair that is smooth, lustrous, and resilient from root to tip. The ROOT + FRUIT collection was created to achieve radiant glow, even skin tone, healthy luminosity, and a hydrated and plump complexion, derived with blends picked for their therapeutic values as well as their allergy- friendly aromas. Free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, the collections pledge to reveal your wild side.

Do you have a personal favourite product that you can’t live without?

Head First Scalp Relief Shampoo! My hair loss slowed dramatically, and my scalp irritation ceased.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your collection would you take on a trip with you?

I would love to go to Australia, because the beaches are amazing. I would take travel- sized Head First Scalp Relief Shampoo and travel- sized Head Way Scalp Recovery Conditioner, since they would easily fit in my suitcase! I would also take my skincare routine, and apply lots of Bright Start SPF!

What’s next for you and your brand?

To carry on developing vegan, natural, effective and eco-friendly remedies to help people embrace their wild side.

Where can people find out more about Wild Science Lab?

They can check out the Wild Science Lab blog, where all things haircare and skincare are discussed! You can also find some handy tips too. https://wildsciencelab.com/blog/

The Lathums are THE band of the moment and are set to have a number one album with ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ this week. Music Editor Emma Harrison caught up with guitarist Scott Concepcion to talk about their first full length album, touring with Blossoms, their musical influences and why he is looking to win a chocolate bar when they play Glastonbury!

House of Coco

You are on tour – how’s it going!

Scott, The Lathums

Yeah, really good. Thank you – I’m having a nice day so far. I’ve just travelled up to Cambridge and am a bit warm to be honest.

House of Coco

I listened to your new album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ and I absolutely loved. Every single track is just amazing. It’s one of those albums where you actually listen to every single track.

What can people expect from this album?

Scott, The Lathums

Just positivity and nice individual tunes.

House of Coco

It’s quite a hopeful album, isn’t it?

Scott, The Lathums

Definitely, because of this and Ghosts (The Lathums previous EP)

House of Coco

How did you approach the album? What was the process like?

Scott, The Lathums

It was a bit mad- we had more tunes than an album worth by quite a lot, really. So, it was just a case of whittling them down and picking which ones if I was right.

House of Coco

So, you didn’t have a particular process for it? You had a lot more songs, which is a real lovely thing to have.

Scott, The Lathums

Yeah, definitely. We needed outside minds to give us a bit of important insight otherwise as the band we would have put out a double album if it was up to us and to future albums too.

House of Coco

Are you thinking that far ahead?

Scott, The Lathums

Well, we are thinking of the third and fourth one!

House of Coco

Really? I love that. That’s great.

Do you have a favourite track from the album that you just love?

Scott, The Lathums

I think my favourite one is the last one of the album – The Redemption of Sonic beauty.

I just think it’s miles away from anything we’ve really done before. I wrote the music on a piano and I liked it, a lot! It was the first thing I’d ever written on a piano. It was originally for a college project and we revived it for the band.

House of Coco

Do you have own guitar heroes?

Scott, The Lathums

I’ve got a few. A few definite ones. There’s Johnny Marr obviously. Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits.

House of Coco
Mark Knopfler? Good shout – an unbelievable guitar player!

Scott, The Lathums

Then there’s the likes of Clapton, Gilmour and all those sorts of guys.

House of Coco

You have previously told me that you think your music is ‘un pigeonhole-able’ -why do you think this is a case? Who do you consider to be your biggest influences?

Scott, The Lathums

Our influence is a weird one to be honest. There are many artists that we like. Jonny and Ryan like the 90s – the British back catalogue of music. We also like a few other bands from the States like Nirvana, the Foo Fighters and Ramones and those sorts of guys.

House of Coco

You were declared as one to watch by the BBC Sound poll. How important are these accolades to you?

Scott, The Lathums

A little bit. It’s nice hearing people say nice things about people. It’s the response to what we do – that’s what’s most important to us. It’s the reaction for the tunes we are doing and the gigs. It’s great to see people enjoy themselves rather than the accolades that you get.

House of Coco

Totally! You’re on tour supporting Blossoms at the moment. I know you guys were really excited about doing that. How’s the experience been so far?

Scott, The Lathums

Great! We’ve done a few dates! I don’t know when anything was or when anything is!

House of Coco

Tell me about it! I still think it’s still 2019 in my head – I’ve lost track of it all. It’s ridiculous. Do you have any standout tour memories so far?

Scott, The Lathums

I think they all evade me every time someone asks me something like this. Just as we were setting up things on the first day. Jonny threw up literally 10 minutes into the journey!

House of Coco

Oh my goodness! I am sure it got better from there. So, you’ve got your own tour next month and you’re off to Europe next year. What are you most looking forward to your own tour?

Scott, The Lathums

Very excited to be honest. Yeah! We’ve played lots of massive festivals and got good reactions, especially doing these shows with Blossoms. So, I think it’ll be a bit more used to bigger gigs than before.

House of Coco

Definitely! The festivals that you’ve been doing like Victorious and Big Weekend must have helped set you up to be ready for these bigger gigs. Do you ever stop and take in how far you guys have come in terms of what you have achieved and the venues that you’re now playing at?

Scott, The Lathums

Yeah, definitely! This is what we’ve been talking about lately. It’s amazing yeah!

House of Coco

That’s exciting! You have previously done a live album. Can we expect another live album?

Scott, The Lathums

Probably. Yeah. I wouldn’t say no – at some point! When we did the live album, we didn’t realise that was really going to be a live album as such.

House of Coco

Perhaps it’s on the cards? So, let’s rewind a little bit for our readers who maybe aren’t as familiar with your music. How did you get the name? And how did you guys come together as a band.

Scott, The Lathums

We all went to music college in Wigan and me, Ryan and Alex got put together for a project. Jonny and Ryan were friends – we were whippersnappers! Towards the end of our last year of college, they put us into this band for this final project.

We just sort of stuck with it. And Jonny ended up joining the band. We had our first gig which was a hen party and were driving through a place called Lathom which was the basis of the band’s name when they drove through the village and needed a name.

We didn’t have a name for (the band) and just jumped at it and just changed the pronounciation.

House of Coco

Most of you went to music college. Did you always want to be a musician?

Scott, The Lathums

Yeah – definitely! But I wondered is this realistic, but I think anything’s possible.

House of Coco

You have definitely proved that!

Scott, The Lathums

So I’ve got a bet with a maths teacher from my high school that I’ll be playing Glastonbury one day!

House of Coco

Without a doubt, you’re gonna win that bet Scott!

Scott, The Lathums

It’s only for a chocolate bar, like, but I’m gonna claim it – yeah, definitely!

House of Coco

Talk to me about song writing, is it mainly Alex or is it more collaborative?

Scott, The Lathums

I think it helps not being too ‘samey’ about the music – I come from a very different place than Alex does. He’s much more about his words and I am more about the music.

House of Coco

Having listened to the album, it’s such a mature, evolved sound. Your EP was great, but I just feel like you have reached a completely different level with this new album. It’s good that you’ve got a strong appetite for progressing. You’re already looking at the fourth or fifth album – that’s definitely the way to be.

Scott, The Lathums

Yeah, definitely! You’ve got so much in being productive and creative in the sense of the variety of songs we put out. We go into the practice room and a song can just appears randomly. It’s the best way to be.

The Lathums debut album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’ is out now and you can catch them on tour throughout autumn.

“Curiosity means we are open to learning something new,” says founder Jacqueline Mozanowski as she tells us about the unique, introspective ethos that informs OBLIVIOUS? “Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions.

OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother and daughter duo Romi and Jacquie, who have, through endless phone calls between London and Germany, launched their own conscious fashion brand amid pandemic times. In many ways, OBLIVIOUS? is a brand that is perfect for the times we find ourselves in. One that does away with fast-fashion trends and instead challenges its wearers to look inwards, ask questions and reignite their curiosity for the world.

“We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands,” Jacqueline adds. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be… Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.”

Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your backgrounds – what inspired you to start OBLIVIOUS?

OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother-daughter duo, Romi and Jacquie, from Stuttgart, Germany.

My mom Romi is originally from the Netherlands but has been living in Germany for a long time, working in interior design. Meanwhile, I’ve been living in the UK for several years, where I completed my BA and MsC.

My mom and I have always had a tight-knit relationship and this only grew stronger as I grew up. We also have very similar interests and tastes in fashion and design, which is one of the reasons we knew we’d successfully work together on OBLIVIOUS?

We are both naturally curious people and have always discussed potential ideas for businesses. Even when I was seven years old, we were already talking about ideas and how we could bring them to life. When I finished my studies and we were spending a lot of time together, we considered how powerful questions are in our lives and how they can impact us in a positive way.

Fashion has always been an interest of ours, but it also seemed to be a very potent platform to share the message of inspiring more curiosity and highlighting the positive power of questions. Fashion can also have an impact on our mood and help us express our identities.

We quickly decided that if we were to put anything new into the world, we would do it as responsibly and sustainably as possibly. With a brand ethos that prides itself on asking questions, we felt it was necessary to question the standard fashion cycle and try to do better. So, OBLIVIOUS? Is timely and reflective of what we want to put out into the world.

With mom still living in Germany and me in London, most of our work is done digitally or over the phone and we have divided many of the tasks and areas of work between each other. We do occasionally see each other in person, but this has been more difficult over the past year and a half.

I love the concept of the ‘positive power of questions’ how does this philosophy translate to your collections at OBLIVIOUS?

Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.

We try to incorporate the positive power of questions by using different questions on each of our products, either with a print or embroidery. Our range which currently consists of both men and women’s’ t-shirts, hoodies and long sleeves, everything is unisex.

All our products are premium basics designed by us, which often have a little twist so that they are more interesting than a standard hoodie. Each piece shines the light on the question, which is the focal point. We want our pieces to be comfortable but look fashionable enough to be worn from day to night.

OBLIVIOUS? has a strong sustainable ethos too – could you tell us more about the sustainability credentials of your range?

Sustainability has gained traction within the fashion industry in the past few years and has become more and more relevant and for good reason! Fashion is a very polluting industry and as a small brand, we wanted to add as little to that footprint as possible.

While some innovations aren’t available to small businesses just yet, there are many exciting projects out there that we can hopefully scale-up someday.

Our aim is to use as little plastic as possible. We avoid it as much as we can due to its polluting effect on our planet. We are also committed to using materials that don’t contain harmful toxins and are more water-efficient.

So far, we use 100% GOTS certified Organic Cotton for all our products – the GOTS certification not only ensures our fabric’s sustainable origins and production processes, but it also guarantees that workers involved in the supply chain are ethically treated. We also use water-based inks without toxic chemicals for our prints and our labels are printed on the inside of our products to minimise excess fabrics.

We produce everything in Europe. Our new collection being produced in Portugal – not only because Portugal is a great manufacturing country for sustainable fashion, but also because it is in relative proximity to where our company is based, requiring less transport, and ensuring that employees are treated ethically.

We weave our sustainability mission throughout our whole brand, which is why all our packaging, including hangtags, are made from recycled and or recyclable paper and less harmful inks.

What is the best and worst thing about working together as mother and daughter?

Founding a company and going through the whole process together has added another layer to our relationship. We’ve learned many lessons together and shared our successes and worries with each other.

Working together means that we are in even more contact than before, which is lovely, but sometimes we only talk business and not much else. Having such similar tastes helps and when we do have differing opinions, we can discuss them and find a solution quite easily, as we trust each other and have a strong relationship.

The best thing about working together is learning and growing together and strengthening our relationship in a different way, but the worst thing is that sometimes it can be all about work too.

In your view – what sets OBLIVIOUS? apart from other fashion brands today?

We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be. I believe that our basic, minimalist but updated designs make us more interesting fashion-wise.

Where do the inspirations for the questions printed on your products come from?

The inspiration is literally everywhere. When we first started, we started document where we keep all the questions we come up with or have come across and we continuously add to it. When it comes to choosing which ones to use, it comes down to what we believe is relevant, what suits the moment and the collection, and what we deem to be great questions. Whether they act as a reminder or truly ask that you think about something thoroughly.

Lockdown has been tough on our collective mental health. In your opinion, how do curiosity and inquisitiveness help people deal with the anxieties of the world in 2021?

A lot has changed in the last year and a half and there are also many other things happening in the world right now that can accelerate feelings of anxiety and more.

Curiosity means we are open to learning something new and openness leads to a more positive mindset and hopefulness. Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions. Research shows that our relationships can be improved by asking more questions and it’s such an easy tool to show interest and create a closer bond with someone.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourselves?

It is always scary whenever you do something you’ve never done before. Starting a business can seem daunting, but if you have an idea you believe in, you’ll want to do the best you can – so trust yourself that you will. You are capable of great things, if you put the work in, believe in yourself and take opportunities. Don’t shy away from asking for advice from others.

WWW.AREWEOBLIVIOUS.COM

This is an inspirational story from Lorna Mackinder-Clark, founder of Leeds Centre for Aerial Arts. She tells us how she launched her business, why she launched her business, and her exciting plans for the future.

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your business Leeds Aerial Arts…

I started Leeds Aerial Arts in 2013 after being awarded a KICKSTART bursary of £300 from Yorkshire Dance. I had trained in Aerial with Wired Aerial Theatre at university and wanted to share my love of this new and FUN form of exercise. I taught the first class in September 2014 and classes quickly grew into so much more…

Our classes became a place for building strength inside and out, to step out of your comfort zone and get that I-can-do-anything amazing feeling! I love that I get to spend my time with amazing women, cheering one another on, the energy is like nothing else. I opened our first venue in Leeds City Centre in 2018, we quickly outgrew that and moved to a new space (a whopping eight-times the size) in 2021!

What’s been the biggest challenge in business you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Oh gosh the pandemic! – While teaching a class on Monday 16th March 2020, my phone made the dreaded sound of a BBC News alert: ‘People should avoid unnecessary physical contact.’ I looked around the room. My aerialists were supporting one another, giving each other direction, encouragement, physically helping one another to work out the sequence being taught. At the end of the session, I explained the alert. We said our goodbyes. (I encouraged one of the students to look into teaching training during the time away!*), and I knew this was a moment of change.

I went home (and cried) before contacting my team and beginning to form a plan, sure we could teach some sessions remotely, but our specialist equipment was pretty integral to 99% of our classes! There were safety implications to consider, no one had aerial equipment at home, and at this point, I remind you, NO ONE had heard of Zoom! We ran a free taster class two days later. This class helped to give feedback and insight to form our online timetable of activities. We made the decision that our doors would close on the Friday, by which time we had a full weekly timetable of classes ready to go to support our community to continue to train, physically through stretching and strengthening, and mentally by being there for one another as a community. The hashtag #traintogether was formed. That Friday evening the PM announced that Gyms must close, and on Monday 23rd March 2020 the country was ordered to stay at home.

The gang showed up, our army of strong women logged on in their living rooms, in their garages and from their makeshift home offices and rose to the new normal. We offered free challenges, live classes, pre-recorded classes, focused workshops and worked with our clients to keep evolving our timetable to suit their needs, with the focus on using all of this work for not if but WHEN we returned to training in person. I created a complete library of Aerial Hoop tutorials on Patreon so that those with equipment at home could continue their training safely with my knowledge and support.

The financial burden was enormous. We were not given any reduction in our studio costs, and I had a responsibility to my team of instructors to help them as freelancers to keep their income stable. Our client base helped to fundraise £3000 which went straight into our studio rent, with each supporter receiving a limited edition t-shirt as a thank you. This time was challenging, but it showed me that Leeds Aerial Arts is a community, rather than a place. When our clients need us we are there, and in return, they showed up for us.

I think those new to aerial imagine it could be a bit of a ‘fad’ but the loyalty from our clients shows that that is not the case. In Leeds Aerial Arts our clients have found a place to try something new and unique, to succeed in something they once thought impossible, and the ability to consistently move the goalposts and strive for more. In our online classes, they have nourished and cared for their bodies through lockdowns, showed up for themselves and worked as a team. There is always a next level with aerial and the only limit is how far you are willing to take yourself.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Its all about the ‘Can-try attitude’. We don’t care about what you can DO before getting started in a class, just that you turn up ready to give it a try!

What advice would you offer anyone thinking of launching an aerial fitness business?

Get a great venue and get a great team! Finding the right spaces has always been a challenge, we need height and lots of space for our equipment which often comes with a hefty price tag. Especially if you want to make your classes accessible and in a central location.

But above all it is the team. I cannot stress how much love and respect I have for my team. When clients come to class they are stepping out of their comfort zone and so it is integral that my team are inspiring, motivating and sensitive to the feelings of their clients. We find the fine balance between encouraging our clients to challenge themselves and be the best they can be, whilst being approachable, listening to their needs and ensuring that they always feel safe. There is so much trust in this space, Leeds Aerial Arts is really not your average gym!

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

I feel as though after several years in business, I am only just getting to grips with my routine, partly because in a fast growing business things don’t stay the same for long!

An average day for me begins early, I am often at the studio by 8:30am I am fed, I have listened to a podcast or some high-vibe tunes on my drive in and am ready to go! I like to get, what I call, a ‘Power Hour’ done first thing. I put my phone on airplay mode and set a timer to do one hour of uninterrupted work – this is often working through my inbox, or on a list of tasks set the night before. I know the mornings are my most focussed time of day, and so this is how I work best. After a cuppa, i’ll spend some time on a bigger, more in depth task, for example planning a new campaign, or brainstorming for a new class. Switching between mental and physical work in a day can drain my focus, and so I have learnt to structure my time to get the most out of my working day.

People generally start arriving at the studio around 11am which means I switch to tasks which require less focus, before beginning my warm up, playing on the aerial equipment and teaching my lunchtime class. The next few hours are busy, I am chatting to clients, to my team and beavering away in the background. I like to enjoy a big lunch and go for a walk in the afternoons, especially if I am teaching in the evenings. Before the end of the day there is nothing more satisfying for me than ticking the completed jobs off my to-do list and setting a plan for the following day. I do this four days a week so that I can enjoy a long Friday doing my own thing!

It might not work for everyone, but spending some time learning how I work best has helped me to find the balance between productivity and over-working.

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

It’s all about the people for me, which is why I don’t think I will ever stop teaching. Whatever has happened in a day, teaching a class and chatting to the clients always reminds me of the bigger picture. I have got really clear this year on the ‘WHY’ of my business, and this strong sense of purpose always pulls me back. I am privileged to have a business which helps me to make an income whilst making an impact. I am not sure that my clients realise that they equally have such a positive impact on me!

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

I have a Pinterest board full of them! But my favourite at the moment is: “If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed”

I also enjoy… “Better an oops than a what if!” I don’t know why that always makes me laugh!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

It has been MASSIVE! A lot of my aeralists find out about us through recommendations from friends and word of mouth. As aerial is so visual, almost everyone who joins a Leeds Aerial Arts class takes photos of their achievements and shares them on their social media. We have over 5,000 posts under #leedsaerialarts on Instagram! I think that the impression could be that aerial is only for dancers or gymnasts… But when people see their friends killing it online, more women think “If they can do it, and they look like me, I can probably give it a good go too!” – They would be right!

How do you want people to feel when they first take part in an aerial fitness lesson?

Whenever I teach a group of new beginners most people arrive feeling nervous, they might not know what they have let themselves in for, and often people are quiet and avoid making eye contact with me! Honestly if I had a pound for every person that said “I am probably not going to be able to do this.” I launch in to break the tension! Within about five minutes of class the mood changes to “Someone grab my camera,” “I didn’t think I would even get off the floor today” and “whats next?!”

I absolutely LOVE teaching beginners for this reason. Everyone leaves that first class having achieved so much more than they thought they would, aerial is sociable so it is a great way to meet people, and there is always a next level, next challenge, next amazing feeling. It’s a real workout, using muscles we don’t often use which means the morning after aches are real! But another reason my clients love this aerial fitness is that it doesn’t FEEL like exercise at the time, moving your body shouldn’t be a punishment, it should be FUN. And my wonderful team are always on hand to make sure that you are training safely and within your limits.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I am obsessed with Scandinavia, I have been to Iceland twice and I have my sights on Norway next. I love the attitude to life and work in this part of the world. I would really recommend the book ‘The Year Of Living Danishly’ by Helen Russell, it makes me want to relocate everytime I pick it up!

What’s next for you and your brand?

We are still within a period of huge growth after opening this larger venue in June 2021. Next I want to meet and work with more instructors, from more disciplines, to bring more inspiration to my amazing community of clients.

I am also working on practicing what I preach and stepping out of my own comfort zone, doing things like this! Sharing my business, our values and welcoming more people to our community.

Where can people find out more about Leeds Aerial Arts?

You’ll get a real sense of who we are from our Instagram feed @leedsaerialarts
To view our timetable and book to begin your aerial adventure visit leedsaerialarts.co.uk

“Everybody loves to make a wish,” that is the simple yet totally inspiring concept behind Flying Wish Paper, the brainchild of Artist/Mum/Entrepreneur Julia Lambie.

Julia launched her company – from focus group to finished product — in less than one year. Impressive, but not surprising given her unique concept, incredible business sense and can-do attitude about life, work and everything in between.

“Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit to celebrate and inspire,” Julia says as she explores why her product has resonated so strongly with customers from all over the world. “The process of manifesting a wish is always a fulfilling and inspirational experience.”

Here at House of Coco, manifesting your own personal success is something we truly believe in as a brand. And so, in this interview, we sit down with Julia to discuss the mottos that inform her life, the biggest challenges and pleasures of being your own boss, and her personal journey to make her own wishes come true with Flying Wish Paper.

Tell us about the journey that led you to launching your brand Flying Wish Paper…

My journey began from jealousy. For 25 years, I worked in advertising helping other companies bring their products to life. I discovered that I wanted to do the same for myself.

In 2007 I organised a focus group to review three product ideas: a kitchen gadget, a guitar accessory, and a wishing kit. And the winner was…flying wishes!

With my background in project management and print production, I was able to develop this new concept in only six months. Flying Wish Paper debuted at The National Stationery Show in NYC with just a few designs and a handful of prototypes. It got attention and was on store shelves in less than one year.

I had two bits of early, unbelievable luck. First was being featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Second was a CNN marketing and business show. The national coverage gave Flying Wish Paper exposure, bragging rights and credibility with buyers.

And so began the sweet story of my husband, two daughters and me in our living room, turning on a good movie and assembling wishing kits for shipment. After the first year, I was happy to hire a warehouse.

Describe your product line and how long you’ve been in business.

Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit full of inspiration and power. Write your wish on the special paper, light it and watch as your wish flies to the heavens. “Write it. Light it. Watch it fly!” Kits are available in two sizes and 50 designs.

At the beginning 13 years ago, the concept was new to the marketplace. That was a big hurdle to overcome, but the activity is now a common and popular concept. Wish Paper is a feel-good product, and we all need that positive energy now more than ever.

This activity is inspired by an old tradition which was started by a company in Italy, Lazzaroni (lazzaroni.it). They sell an Amaretti cookie that is wrapped in a special paper. One eats the cookie, then shapes the wrapper into a tube, lights it on fire and makes a wish as it flies up into the air. I developed my own paper and packaged it with a few accessories to make a kit (alas, no cookie).

It’s a fun, whimsical brand. Who’s your ideal customer?

Everybody loves to make a wish! Sometimes it’s just for fun, like the bride making witty (or dirty) wishes at her bachelorette party. Birthdays are big and holidays are huge. Others like making wishes on Christmas morning, or at the table with family and friends. Sometimes it’s a sombre experience, like remembering a loved one. Often, it’s just a private, personal message sent into the universe.

What’s the process before adding a new kit to your collection?

Because my product is ‘paper’ and 100% made in the USA, I can react quickly to trends. I look through so many magazines, walk through a lot of gift stores and talk to buyers, travel, and scroll through Instagram to see what styles or themes are popular. My client base is diverse, so my product line includes a large variety of unique designs to choose from.

How do you want people to feel after using your kits?
Empowered, inspired, entertained, energised, hopeful, lucky, and connected to the universe.

If you were to describe your style in three words, what would they be?

Playful, positive, and pretty.

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an artist?

Do it but have a business plan to back it up. Being a poor artist doesn’t have the same ‘je ne sais quoi’ as during the renaissance period. Find a community or a mentor because all artists need this kind of business and personal support.

How would you describe your personal style?

Aesthetically, I operate in the ‘classic’ zone. My home and office are mid-century modern. I can look at a well-organised shelf all day long and be perfectly happy. I can’t get enough tone-on-tone, black and white, simple lines, or shades of blue. Add a ruffle (button-up blouse, toss pillow or potato chip – any ruffle will do) and I am good to go.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I work from home, so focus is my superpower, but frenzy is right on its heels.

As the owner and only employee, my hands are on EVERYTHING. I have pages and pages of things to do. I’m a morning person so I jump right in. My day starts with a call to my warehouse to review assembly and orders for the day, then I whip out my list and do my job.

Working alone, it’s easy to lose track of the hours I sit on this chair. (My record is five straight hours by the way.) I’m careful to create distractions: eating lunch with my husband, working out, or FaceTime with a friend.

I easily work a full forty every week but it’s a mix of 12 hours one day, 2 hours the next. My approach is to power through and then enjoy large chunks of time off. Oh, and very important – I never work weekends.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

I consider social media ‘an important hobby’ compared to my old-school style of picking up the phone and just talking to someone. Flying Wish Paper is such a personal product, and it’s important to maintain personal relationships. The type of person who buys my product relishes this kind of interaction…and social media doesn’t provide that.

Individual customers create a lot of content around ‘making wishes’ and I repost many images and videos. There’s undeniable value in social media and I love to create content. It’s fun, but it’s secondary. Foremost to the success of a brand is a great product, a unique message and strong customer service to support it.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

My husband and I are going back to Italy as soon as we can. We’re not getting any younger, and those cobblestones get harder to navigate with every passing day.

There are many things I want to do again: walk through The Hall of Prisoners at the Uffizi, drink a limoncello martini in Sorrento, buy a new pair of red leather loafers in Rome. And so many things to do for the first time – eat pizza in Naples, learn how to fry zucchini blossoms in Siena.

Remember, the original inspiration for Flying Wish Paper comes from Italy – so I feel very connected to this place.

After that, my first trip to Japan – which has a strong culture attached to paper fortunes, known as Omikuji.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I have two, and they will get you through anything.

“Don’t Dream It, Be It.” This goes way back to my teen years in the late ‘70s, a favourite lyric from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like most teens I was insecure and unworldly back then. These words continue to push me outside my comfort zone.

My other motto is “It Never Hurts to Ask” – Many times along the way, you’re going to need help. If you are brave enough to put your needs or desires in front of someone (or out into the universe, for that matter) often the answer will be…YES.

What’s next for you and the brand?

I’m keeping it simple. I own this category, so I just want to embrace design trends and push market growth.

I’m going to seek out brands to partner with for custom designed kits. I’ve created wishing kits for Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Sonia Rykiel Design House, Make A Wish UK, and Paper Source. I’m coming for you, Desigual! (Remember, it never hurts to ask.)

What does self-care mean to you?

I believe self-care begins with mental health, and whatever you need to do to keep your head straight. The rest is cake. No literally, cake! Everything in moderation works well for me.

Where can people find out more?

@flyingwishpaper

To find out more visitflyingwishpaper.com or follow @flyingwishpaper on Instagram

Expect the unexpected from Del Foxton, she’s an environmentally friendly sculptress and we adore her art.

Tell us about the journey that led you to get into paper sculpting…

I was born in Canada to a family of creative souls and from an early age dabbled in many art mediums. But it wasn’t until years later when I transitioned from a corporate business background in Canada to a quiet island in the Bahamas that I felt my creativity blossom. There was limited recycling on the island and I needed to address the mounds of paper waste produced by my career and family. Web surfing led me to the fascinating stories about the ancient art form of hand paper making. And the rest is history.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The opportunity for feedback and conversation is important to my creativity and learning. I am pleased to have found community through art associations in the Bahamas, Canada and Florida that provide friendship, guidance and exhibiting opportunities. I am also an active member of the Bahamas National Trust, a true guardian of the environment that provides many opportunities to present my environmentally friendly artistry to an interested audience. I enjoy the opportunity to share my passion with a new generation of young artists. It is fun to watch children mess with the paper pulp and create something unique.

Del Foxton Paper Sculpture

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Eco driven. Staying the Path. Enjoying the Ride.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of art and design?

Go For It….it will be an amazing journey!

Talk us through an average business day in your life.

My day gives me the opportunity to wear soooo many hats.

As Adagio Art Gallery and Studio is home based, I can be in the Studio as early or late as I want or need to be; I am able to receive clients and reserve Tea and Tours of my Gallery effortlessly; having a home office with a view to work all my social media platforms and contact clients is no hardship at all, plus I have easy access for snacks at anytime.

Life is Good!

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

I stay positive by remembering the success and enjoyment that I have had with my art career so far and reviewing my daily actions to ensure that I am doing what is needed to accomplish my end goal of a strong, rewarding, profitable career.

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

I always loved Picasso’s quote…Every child is an Artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up!
…and so far, so good for me.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

I began my full time career as an artist in 2004 with a business card and a website.

Now, I still have business cards and a website, PLUS 4 social medial platforms that give me the opportunity to showcase my artistry around the world …and that is a fantastic benefit.

Del Foxton Paper Sculpture

How do you want people to feel when they first see your work?

I love that people are not only interested in my art, but also that they see that I am addressing an important issue of our time, paper waste. I enjoy giving the history of my paper waste journey and of my process of marrying the eons-old techniques and procedures of hand paper making with the magic of today’s technology that has allowed me to expand and enhance my artistic journey.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Living on Grand Bahama Island is a perfect hub for travel.

It has allowed us to visit many destinations, Asia, Australia, British Isles, Europe and the United States but, we still have Africa on our bucket list. I am fortunate to live and have Adagio Art Gallery locations in the Bahamas, United States and Canada.

What’s next for you and your brand?

As a Hand Made Paper Sculptress, I am excited that hand made paper artistry is being welcomed by galleries around the world. In my opinion, this is a huge step forward for the art world. I am delighted that my artistry and medium is valued for its fantastic contribution to our environment and economy and I look forward to having high profiled representation in galleries, exhibitions and events to share my journey with like minded people.

Where can people find out more about Del Foxton

Website – Del Foxton
Facebook – Ms Del Foxton
LinkedIn – Del Foxton
Instagram – @delfoxton

Ben and Alice, founders of RiSE Coffee Box definitely rose to the calling of all coffee fans across the UK when they started a coffee subscription box business. Read on to find out more about this inspirational couple that have gone from strength to strength during adverse times.

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand RiSE Coffee Box…

We were in lockdown sitting on our doorstep taking in the sunshine, talking about how much we were going to miss coffee culture. We also noticed how many delivery vans there were and began contemplating what a business would look like after 2020.

We knew there were coffee companies already delivering coffee, but they didn’t offer the variety, excitement or customer experience were looking for. We felt that there was a real opportunity to offer something different.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Definitely adjusting to life post lockdown and what that has meant for our business growth, it’s been a rollercoaster! What we’ve learnt is that headlines and seasonality can really affect growth and you have to try and plan for that no matter how difficult.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Taste. Discover. Subscribe.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of coffee subscriptions?

Don’t be put off by the competition, there are a growing number of subscription businesses and certainly in the world of coffee there are now a few! But if you believe in your product then just go for it. We know at RiSE that our coffee and wine offerings are totally different to what others provide and we’ll always strive to delight our customers.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

Emails, partnership meetings, event planning, packing and delivering local boxes, speaking to suppliers, creating and posting content, reviewing targets and planning for the future…

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

We’re lucky because we have each other, if one of us is feeling a little flat the other one boosts them up and vice versa. We also just think of the customers that tell us that they absolutely love our business and wouldn’t go anywhere else; that is really motivating.

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

One time a subscriber said to us that we are the only subscription box they have ever stuck with for over a year and that they’d tried every other subscription out there (Hello Fresh, Abel & Cole, Pact etc) and we were thrilled! That helps us to know we are really doing something right.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

To drive awareness initially it definitely has played a role. We love how engaged our brand following is and how interested they are in not only our coffee and wine boxes but also our life! Most of them prefer our posts about our dog, Molly! She drives the most engagement for sure…

How do you want people to feel when they first order from your online store?

When the first box arrives we want people to feel like it’s a gift, handpicked, curated and packed just for them. We want them to have that sense of anticipation and excitement when it arrives.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Pre COVID we had hoped to travel South America for 3 months and visit various coffee farms. Sadly that is on hold so for now we will be settling for Greek Island hopping, including Paros, Ios, Naxos and Santorini. Costa Rica is another place we can’t wait to get to, it has sea, nature, jungle, great food, everything!

What’s next for you and your brand?

We recently launched RiSE English Wine which is an wine version of the coffee box, showcasing the best of English wine that you can’t find anywhere else. We are soon to be at Taste Festival in November and then we know from last year that Christmas will be crazy busy! We have big dreams to become a food and drink marketplace showcasing the best of the UK’s independent brands so watch this space.

Where can people find out more about RiSE Coffee Box?

You can head to our website at RiSE Coffee Box and our Instagram accounts @risecoffeebox @riseenglishwine. We also have just launched our wine website, RiSE English Wine so please check it out!

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand The Rewilding…

The Rewilding is a result of life connecting up the dots from my professional and life experiences, growing up on a farm in rural Lancashire and creating an offering around all the things I love, whilst also creating something that I believe the world needs in order to mend our relationships with one another and the land around.

In my past life, I’d had a career in the not for profit sector, event planning and community management and lived in some of the biggest cities around the world to finally realise this wasn’t working out for me and left me feeling exhausted, and frustrated with the lack of integrity from my last employer.

Yet my energy and fascination for people, communities and experiences hadn’t dissipated. I allowed myself to be called in by the homing beacon and redirected my energy into a much more grounded and conscious way of being on a much smaller and localised scale.

Arriving back in Lancashire with a renewed set of eyes and a brain buzzing full of ideas, was like seeing it all again for the very first time. I came across the term ‘rewilding’ like many others, in the environmental context. Allowing the land to go back to its original, natural state but was so fascinated by applying this same concept to the human. Take away the tech, the distractions, the city and get outside. I’m a big believer that any good change that may or may not be coming starts with us humans, before anything else. This increasing disconnection and dissolution is what is rapidly separating us from the ecosystem we live in and, from one another. Resulting in finger pointing in every direction apart from ourselves. We must remember we are nature…. not apart from nature.

At The Rewilding we bring people together to share in meaningful experiences, to learn and to relearn and most importantly to connect with one another and ground ourselves in the rural surroundings.

Onlookers may think it’s just events, but everything we offer is intentionally curated to connect people to one another and the outdoors, to deliver activities and traditional practices that our ancestors did so as not to forget these amongst the new social norms designed to addict us.

We continue to build out our offering and welcome people to come and begin their own human rewilding journey with us.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Starting a business designed around in person meet ups right before a world pandemic hasn’t been great, but great things have come out of this. I launched an online shop using local suppliers to create thoughtful, nature infused gift boxes to bring this feeling of connection and love into peoples homes throughout the lows of the pandemic. Our ‘Socially Distanced Hug in a Box’ was a definite hit. A way to let others know through this utterly rubbish time that, hey, I’m thinking of you whilst you’re in isolation, or experiencing loss. Aside from the quality local products in there, each gift is packaged with bits of nature I’ve foraged for throughout the seasons and every note handwritten. The pandemic goes on but I am seeing the incredible connections people are experiencing when they finally do come together and this magic of togetherness is what life is all about.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Consciously restoring the balance

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of outdoor wellbeing experiences?

Know the area you’re delivering your experiences in really well. I am very connected to this area because I grew up here, from making dens and finding secret spots to knowing the community and general rhythm of life. I have seen in previous roles how this lack of knowledge can have a negative impact in a community and/or culture and can come across as both inauthentic and/or disrespectful. Collaborate and connect with the locals and get the community involved to create a balanced exchange with both the locals and the land.

What experiences can people enjoy while at The Rewilding?

All sorts… from basketry, bushcraft, foraging, organic material dyeing to more extended experiences over a few days which are focussed more deeply around nature and human connection, a place for people to come and retreat and rewild. Envisage barefoot walking, outdoor swimming, fire ceremonies, coastal walks and alfresco dining using delicious local produce.

We host regular dining experiences all about coming together to share food and celebrate local and British ingredients. And we hire out our space and accommodation to those looking to bring their own communities together.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

Wake up with the sun and take my little teckle Chico for a walk down to the woodland with my coffee before getting straight into the day. I have a creative mind and workaholic tendencies which can often result in a chaotic work schedule but I love what I do and my work blends into my lifestyle so I love it this way, as I can take the flexibility to find time for the things I value and enjoy the most.

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

Collaborations. I love to work with others and bring new energy into ideas. From the new perspective collaborations shine on my own offering and vice versa. This approach to work feels much bigger picture to me and strengthens the community and the impact in The Rewildings offering.

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

Do what you love, love what you do

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

A lot, it’s been a great tool that’s opened up so many new audiences for me and enabled me to tell the story of The Rewilding, visually, which when sharing a location and immersive experiences that I want people to engage with has been a really important and epic tool. I also love to visually document the changes across the seasons that are happening in nature across our site. BUT, it is a double edged sword, I often find myself in an existential crisis about social media and the polarization that is happening within it and what it all means for society. I find it overwhelming and too much and I have to constantly remind myself and my brain, to stay in my own lane. It’s a balance.

How do you want people to feel when they first visit The Rewilding?

Connected, grounded and ready for action

What does self care mean to you?

Striving to create balance, creating time to do nice things for myself and recognising where and when I need them. Ideally for me, self care is not something that I do when in ‘crisis mode’ but more regular maintenance of self, checking in on myself, checking alignment to my values and allowing myself to be nourished by the things that make me feel good, like friendships, hugging my dog, taking a bath, walking in the woods…

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list and would it be a wellbeing holiday or an activity-fuelled trip?

An activity fuelled trip for sure! I’ve been dreaming of getting back to Morocco. Spending days exploring the antique stalls in the medinas of Marrakech, chatting to locals, finding a rooftop riad to sip tea and watch the sun come down before heading to stargaze in the desert and then onwards to the mountains.

What’s next for you and your brand?

A series of seasonal retreats for people to come and embrace the feeling of connecting with nature throughout seasons. These will typically last for 3-4 days and are designed to offer lots of immersive activities to begin experimenting with your own umann rewilding journey.

We’re also about to really level up our immersive dining experiences. I’m working with an epic chef called Rob Booth, who is equally passionate about British produce and bringing people together to share food to help better connect people to their plates, the farmers, the land and one another. And, we have plans to begin rewilding part of our farmland which we’re excited to see take on new life. We’re continuously looking to make improvements and additions to our site so our visitors can engage more deeply with nature, but good things take time.

Where can people find out more about The Rewilding?

They can come and visit us at our spot in Lancashire for one of our retreats or events or find out more via our website The Rewilding or Instagram and Facebook and if anyone has any specific questions, or wants to chat get in touch directly by emailing hello@the-rewilding.com

Image credit: Mindy Coe Photography