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Michelle and Wayne are the dynamic duo behind Reiju, a brand that started out following Michelle’s fascination with crystals. Right back when her eldest was starting school in 2014, she felt like she was ready to achieve something new in her life. With her love for crystals, Reiki, angels and spiritualism, she decided it was time to learn as much as possible about these.

Now Michelle is a qualified Reiki Practitioner and Crystal Healing Therapist and nothing gives her more pleasure than being able to help people on a daily basis by sharing the wonderful, positive healing energy that is Reiki & Crystal Healing energy. Here at House of Coco you know we’re about the good vibes only, so when we stumbled across this brand we just had to find out more. We spoke to Michelle to find out more about her plans for the future and so much more…

How has Covid-19 Impacted Your Business?

Our initial thought was that we needed to keep our team safe as a priority so we told our staff to stay at home while Wayne ran the business alone. I was at home with the children so Wayne kept everything going single-handedly, from sending out the orders, to dealing with the many customer queries, accounts, paperwork etc. He has been working until late at night for seven days a week since the start of lockdown which has been really exhausting for him both physically and mentally.

At first we were really worried that customers would simply not want to shop at all, as it really started to quieten down but luckily it picked up again as people realised that we would still be able to operate safely online, and I’m so glad we were able to because people tend take comfort in crystals during stressful times especially.

What does self-care mean to you?

Time alone! My mind is always chattering away at me so I love to listen to music or read books to quiet my mind; I find this very soothing.

Obviously at the moment it has been a lot harder to find a quiet moment in the day so as an alternative I enjoy taking the dog for a walk as I find being outside in nature very calming.

Looking back since launching the brand is there anything that you would have done differently?

No, I don’t think so because everything that we have experienced has led us to where we are right now. We have learnt a lot and evolved and grown as people not just as a business.

If there was anything at all, I would say worry a little less and have more faith because what is meant to be will always find a way.

You are a Wife, Mother and Business Owner, how do you get the balance right to make sure no areas in your life are neglected?

Well nobody is perfect and I still have days where I feel like I have got it all wrong, but I do find that Wayne and I make a good team. We each play to our strengths and this means that we can be flexible when needed and make sure that at least one of us is around for the kids. It has been really hard this year especially, but we do try to make time for just the two to go out for a drink or a meal together.

Weekends are family time and although we never completely switch off from work we try to keep it to a minimum and spend some time together.

We also have a great team working with us who we can totally rely on and love working with, and we class them as our friends just as much as employees.

For sceptics, how do you overcome their objections and teach them that Reiki and Crystals are beneficial?

Scientists tell us that basically, every single thing in the universe is made up of energy. This includes you and me, trees, sunlight, radio waves, our thoughts, and emotions – everything. Reiki healing energy and the energy from crystals is no different, it is a gentle, positive healing energy. I would say simply give either Reiki Healing a try and take notice of how you feel or carry a crystal in your pocket and see if you start to feel the benefits. Some crystals offer comfort, some calm the mind, some give us courage, some help us to sleep more soundly so there really is something for everyone. I think Reiki is something that everyone should try, I use it all the time for myself and Wayne, but especially the children, for example when they hurt themselves or feel unwell. Animals intuitively know how to receive Reiki and where to source it and I often find I am giving our pets Reiki healing without at first being aware!

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

Social media is a crucial part of the business because crystals are very visual so if we can share a new crystal with our followers on social media this is the next best thing to actually seeing it in a physical store. Its so beneficial to interact and connect with our customers and so rewarding when we see a clip of a customer opening their order from us, and seeing how happy they are with it. We gift wrap each and every order as we want the actual receiving of the order to be a positive experience!

In 2017 you were able to retire your husband from his job and now he works with you. What was the transition like?

It was always our long-term goal for Wayne to come over and work full time as opposed to in his spare time, so it was extremely exciting yet scary! Wayne actually left his full-time job the same month that we moved to a new house and moved the kids to a new school. It was a relief however as it meant we could focus all our energies into building the business and obviously the extra support was very welcome. Wayne’s background is in Sales so he brought his own set of strengths over with him.

Talk us through an average day in your life.

The first priority of the day is getting the kids (Kian 11, and twins Rhys & Sophia, 10) up and ready for school (or ready for home schooling at the moment).

While our fab Reiju team are behind the scenes processing and packing the orders, I will take a look at my emails and any customer queries that need dealing with. There are usually quite a few as people like to ask advice on all of the different crystal types and healing benefits – finding the right crystal for you is especially important.

One of my favourite parts of the job is creating new crystal collections so I usually spend the afternoon taking photos of new crystals, researching how they can be used for the maximum benefit and coming up with new ideas.

I always make sure I find time to walk the dog each day as this is my ‘thinking time’ I find walking outside in the fresh air really helps to clear and focus your mind. This is when I come up with my best ideas!

If I am working from home then I will collect the kids from school and this is where the real work starts! Wayne and I are usually ready to sit down and relax at around 9pm. If we’re lucky.

What is your go to quote when you are lacking motivation?

It is actually one that I have on my youngest son’s bedroom wall:

‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think’

I think we all need to hear these words sometimes no matter how old we are; it is so easy to forget how much we have achieved in life.

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Reiju

For as long as I can remember I have always had an interest in crystals and their healing benefits and had a small collection at home. Up until having my children I had always worked in office-based roles which I did enjoy but found quite unfulfilling and really had the urge to have a career change. I wasn’t sure what but I knew that I wanted it to involve helping people. However, I was quite limited as I had three beautiful but incredibly young children at home, all under 18 months. After some research I decided to embark on a Reiki healing course and couldn’t believe my luck when I found a suitable Reiki Master who lived just a few doors away from me! I completed my Reiki training but found it hard to juggle this with childcare – it was hard to offer a relaxing Reiki session in my home with three toddlers running around! I didn’t want to give up on the idea though so Wayne and I had the idea of selling crystals that were filled (charged) with Reiki energy so I could still give the healing benefits of Reiki to people but just in a different way.

This idea seemed to work as it allowed me to look after the children during the day and then when they were sleeping in the evening we dealt with the orders and worked on the business. At the time we decided to name the business ‘Krystal Gifts’ using letters from our children’s names (Kian, Rhys, Sophia), however after a few years we made the decision to rebrand to Reiju which means ‘to give and receive a spiritual blessing’ which fits us perfectly! We then managed to secure the trademark to help take us forward to where we are today.

Follow this amazing brand via www.reiju.co.uk

Louisa Roberston is the founder of All things Baby London, the cutest brand that will have you oohing and aahing over their Instagram feed alone. A mum of a 4, nurse and entrepreneur, Louisa knows a thing or two about juggling plates. A lover of fashion and empowering mothers, she worked as a nurse manager managing children with disabilities for 13 years and after her 4th pregnancy in 2017, she felt that there was little choice for contemporary gifting for mum and baby that was affordable and so she wanted to create an option that does just that.

Welcome to All Things Baby, here, we spent some time with Louisa to find out more about the brand, how she creates balance in her life and what her plans are for the future…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching All Things Baby London…

I love babies, anything to do with pregnancy, fashion and motherhood. I had been working as a nurse for 13 years but I knew I wanted to start a business related to mum and baby. After having my 3rd child who is autistic, it gave me time to take a step back and evaluate my life. I still went back to work full-time, but I had the bug for change to enable me to be at home for my son. It wasn’t until I had my 4th child in 2017, when i started getting things into motion I felt that there was little choice for contemporary gifting for mum and baby that was affordable. I wanted to create an option for the modern mum to enjoy a unique shopping experience that will help to enjoy her motherhood journey and as well as giving me the chance to be at home more, and so All Things Baby London was born.

You’re a mum of 4, how do you create a work and home life balance?

I think I am still trying to tell you the truth. I love routine and always try to create an environment where we have structure in place as I feel thats where I get a better flow. I always have a cut off time for work depending on what time I have started and always make sure I spend time with the kids daily. The children also know where they are at with routine in place, but there are also a lot of times where life just happens and you just have to go with the flow.

For any mums wanting to launch their own business, what advice would you give?

Do not give up and believe in yourself. It has taken me this long to realise that if I have a bit of belief in myself you can really do anything. It doesn’t matter how little money you have or how many children you have, if you believe and don’t give up magic can and will happen.

You’re a chic, fun and contemporary brand. How do you want mums to feel when they buy from you?

I want mums to feel excited when they get their package from us, before they have even opened the box. I want them to feel looked after as a customer, which is why our customer service is paramount to our business. And lastly I want them to feel empowered as a mother and supported in their new journey.

What’s your go to quote when lacking motivation?

Mama, you have got this or I can – with a little more swear words. And I will say this to myself on repeat until I feel better. We always say I can’t, try flipping it around and always say I can when something goes wrong, trust me it work wonders, that it soon becomes your default in coping.

Looking back, is there anything you would do different since launching the brand?

I am enjoying myself so much that the only thing I would have done differently is start sooner. I think everything happens for a reason and timing is key, but I wished I started sooner because I really think this is my calling.

How much has Covid19 impacted you?

There have been ups and downs. The most difficulty we have had is getting supplies, our normal suppliers were either not operating or delivery was very difficult, which in turn impacted on the business. Nevertheless we were able to stay opened during lockdown where we saw a definite increase in sales. We are able to work from home but I also put in strict Covid19 safe working practices in place. I think this period has been an emotional time for all and watching how so many people have been impacted has been difficult. We are just very grateful we have been blessed to be able to stay opened and still offer mums a great service during unprecedented times.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I have ever received is from my sister, who always tells me to visualise what I want. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me, especially in building a brand.

Where can people find out more…

You can visit us at www.allthingsbabylondon.co.uk or visit our instagram page at @allthingsbaby_london.

Ruby Sagu is the founder of Devaiya Oils, a brand that came to life following a pretty traumatic experience. Specialising in aromatherapy and treatments, Ruby has worked tirelessly to launch her own product line. Based in Leeds, she uses 100% natural products and everything is made right in the heart of the city.

A true entrepreneur and someone who really cares about their customers, we couldn’t wait to spend some time with Ruby to find out more. Here, we talk all things Devaiya, her plans for the future and more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Devaiya..

Devaiya Oils all came about after having a car accident and suffering from a whiplash injury in 2014. I was unable to work for 5 months and was unhappy about the different pain killers I was prescribed to relieve my painful symptoms.

It was then, through disappointment about the extent of my injury, I decided to throw myself into a new hobby -Aromatherapy! Through experimenting with different oils I studied and researched and created an oil blend for my symptoms (now a best seller – Aches Away!). I was amazed at the healing power of oils and It was only when this blend was shared with others suffering from different painful conditions, I was astounded by their positive feedback and realised the full potential of plant oils. This is when my love of aromatherapy started and my passion for helping others through natural oils led to me launching my business in 2015.

For anyone with no experience with aromatherapy products, what are the main benefits?

The main benefits of aromatherapy oils are that they, like medicine, are absorbed into the blood stream. They can provide both physical and psychological benefits and can be used in number of ways e.g inhaled ,massaged and even used in in the bath! Let not forget they also smell divine!

What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?

The biggest learning curve since launching the business has been when I initially setup, how to get products launched as well as learning about the legalities when it comes to launching your own Aromatherapy brand. I have also learnt a huge amount through Aromatherapy studies although I enjoyed it so much it didn’t feel like I was studying!

What’s your go to quote when lacking motivation?

‘Train your mind to see the good in every situation’

Long term, what are your plans for Devaiya?

I am really looking forward to expanding the products range in future and experimenting with some new and exciting ingredients. Long term I am excited about extending the team at Devaiya Oils.

For anyone wanting to launch a company in your sector, what advice would you offer?

Enjoy it! and be patient as it can take time to get products launched. Gain the right knowledge, give yourself time to reflect and focus on the most important people – your customers.

Looking back, is there anything you would do different since launching the brand?

A couple of years into the business I changed the brand logo.The initial bottle labels and logo were designed by me! I was oblivious to how popular the range would be become. So in hindsight perhaps using a professional design consultancy earlier on would have been a good idea!

How much has Covid19 impacted you?

Covid-19 has meant the cancellation of a number of events including trade fairs and wellbeing fairs. However I have stuck to my motto on this one! I have used the time to support and donate products to local keyworkers including NHS staff working on a Covid ward and to an NHS mindfulness group at hospital at this difficult time to help make a difference. I have also involved customers by asking them to nominate their own key worker heroes to receive Devaiya products for self care. This was a huge success and really popular.

During the lockdown period Devaiya products have also been featured in 3 editions of Vogue magazine!

So, although it hasn’t been business as usual, it has remained a busy time and a time of reflection for Devaiya during this time.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Don’t ever stop doing what you love.

Where can people find out more

For more details about the Devaiya Oils range please visit:

Our website www.devaiyaoils.uk

Instagram @devaiyaoils

Facebook www.facebook.com/devaiyaspa

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught has often been quoted as one of the best restaurants in London. I approached my visit to this world-famous 2-Michelin starred restaurant thinking how many female Michelin-starred chefs do I know? Not a lot….
Hélène has been a flag-bearer for “women who have broken boundaries in their field” for several years; so much so Mattel used her as in inspiration for a chef Barbie doll in March 2018 and she was also the inspiration for the character of Colette in Pixar’s 2007 film Ratatouille.

However, in 2020, we should have moved beyond that point where we have to highlight someone’s sex when describing someone’s culinary aptitude. This is simply one of the most stupendous dining experiences you will ever come across.
The restaurant was closed for 2 months and re-opened at the end of 2019 after an extensive refurbishment. Gone are the historic, dark oak-panelled walls; instead we have warm shades of soft pinks, tans and greens, and bespoke curved banquettes and chairs. You might think they’ve consulted a feng shui master with the lack of sharp edges and abundance of soft, rich colours.
If you think you’ve been stimulated by the surroundings, you will be positively aroused by their carefully-curated menu. Choices in a tasting menu are almost unheard of in Michelin-starred restaurants, but here you can choose either 5 or 7 courses out of a lengthy list of options at £120 or £170 respectively. And they have a separate equally lengthy menu for vegetarians, which is also another unheard-of innovation for French gastronomy.
We can dedicate pages singing the praises of each course, but here we aim to highlight some of the finest offerings. If you like rich, indulgent dishes, this is the perfect food paradise for you with dishes like Amur River “Kristal” caviar mixed in with oyster, sea urchin, and dashi. Foie gras is a dish for an acquired taste and is often thought to be too slithery in texture. Here, it is counter-balanced by the crunchiness of koji rice and the sweetness and acidity of the accompanying apple and pear flavours help to cut through the richness of the dish.

The provenance of the ingredients is key to the success of the restaurant. For example, with the lobster dish, you not only know it is from Cornwall but from the fishing boats for Phil Treblicock, who is one of the most respected supporters of the Cornish fishing industry. The kitchen team just adds a few key ingredients to lift the flavours of the lobster with the addition of Tandoori spices, carrot, citrus, and coriander; but they never over-complicate a dish.

One of the top vegetarian dishes, my vegetarian guest could not stop raving about was their version of an onion consommé which had an unrivalled sweetness and no doubt a large part of the success was due to their use of Cévennes onions, which are some of the sweetest you will find anywhere in the world. And they only used a small amount of black truffle for the dish; you will often find over-truffling an issue in less skillful restaurants.
Meat-lovers are also well-catered for here with the supreme A5 Wagyu beef from Gunma prefecture in Japan. Yes, there is a considerable supplement on this dish, but if you want to experience buttery, melt-in-your-mouth beef of the highest order; this would be a very reasonable investment.
Finally, make sure you save plenty of space in your dessert stomach as their signature Baba is easily the best rum baba you will ever taste. You are offered a choice of Armagnac Darroze from 1995 and 2000 to 2005; I opted for the former which gave the dessert a more toasted flavour. The Darroze family in France has been trading and producing vintage Bas-Armagnacs for decades and the quality genuinely shines through in this dessert.

Apart from the high-quality, inventive food, it is also worth mentioning the wine-pairing options. They have some of the finest in the world with a collection of over 3000 bins for a total of more than 20,000 bottles. They use plenty of small wine producers and we particularly enjoyed a very sippable Eric Rodez Rose from Ambonnay, Champagne, France.
https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/helene-darroze-at-the-connaught/

Named after nieces and god-daughters Amelie CoCo and Verity, Cocoove is an affordable luxury label made in the UK with attention to detail founded by Ria McKelvey. Her ambition was to create a timeless wardrobe for women with dresses and separates, which can be styled in several different ways, for all occasions. Ria creates many of her own prints, which are then digitally printed onto the fabrics. Designed with the stylish, confident women in mind to take her from day to night, this is a label that every one needs to have on their radar.
Ria is a creative that puts her heart and soul in to her designs and we love the passion that comes across from her work. We spent some time with her to find out more about the importance of saying no and more…
Tell us about the journey that lead to you launching Cocoove…
I have always being a creative from day one. I studied Fashion and design and worked in the industry for several years for UK based company’s . It was a lifetime goal and a natural progression to have my own womens label that offered stylish clothing in beautiful fabrics.
Why do you think it’s important to have a timeless wardrobe?
For me timeless pieces don’t date and can be worn season after season. Clothing that we feel confident wearing and are familiar with is really important.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
Learning to say NO , this is not right for me right now. I’m such a yes person. When I began my label I said yes to everything. I have learnt to be more selective but inclusive and keep the brand relevant.

What is your mission?
To have a global label COCOOVE offering stylish, original clothing . The long term goal is to create a clothing line that gives back to a charity.
In five years time, where do you hope to see the brand?
We currently have a presence in USA and Europe. Breaking into Asia would be my next goal and the charity line set up.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
Every day is different and it totally depends on the time of year. Just now my days start with lots of coffee and e-mails. Followed with dispatch for customer orders . I’m currently prepping SS20 collection launch so lots to do for this including finalising imagery , uploading to websites and stockists.
Next week will be totally different and I will be in the studio drafting patterns and sampling garments.

What quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation…
“When you focus on the good the good gets better ”
Coffee quotes are good too. If I’m laughing I’m motivated.
“”today’s good mood is sponsored by coffee”.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket-list?
I love road tripping in Europe and finding new places. If I’m not in the UK , Spain is where I’m at. A great place to check out if you’re in the Alicante region is a secluded Moroccan tea house, Carmen del Campillo in Crevillente.
But the place on my wish list is New York, I have never been, yet!
How much has social media played a part in your business?
I think almost everyone uses social media now to search for and discover brands and products. It is important to have a presence and be on there. It is also great for sharing daily content and what we are up to at COCOOVE. I’m loving Instagram and Pinterest right now .

For anyone thinking about launching a fashion brand, what advice would you give?
Know your market. Set clear and achievable goals. Be prepared to multi task and work 24/7 but most importantly love what you do.
Follow Ria and Cocoove on their rise to the top…
You can follow us on Instagram @co.coo.ve . View the collections online at cocoove.uk

Ashleigh King is the founder of Nurture Your Zest, a podcast which aims to raise aspirations, provide a sense of inclusion and build community. They do this by sharing stories of courage, creativity, curiosity, inspiration and zest that bring people together from all walks of life.

Ashleigh has interviewed some epic people who’s stories inspire but we wanted to switch the mic and put her in the spotlight. Here, we talk to her about her aspirations, plans for the future and more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to where you are today…

It’s funny because, looking back, I suppose my story starts when I was around five years old and living in South Africa. I remember my brother and I would sell my scribbly-looking drawings to friends and family so we could buy sweets, and my Dad would tell us to stop because the lady that lived next door was too nice to say no.

By the time I was ten, I had my own newspaper. There wasn’t much investigative journalism in there; it had mainly cartoons and gossip! I’ll always be grateful for my Dad because he helped me with it and that taught me a lot of key skills at such a young age.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and this kind of surfaced properly in March 2019 when I lost my job. I think most budding entrepreneurs have a moment when they think “ok, it’s time for me to go out on my own”, don’t they?

There are a few things you think about when you first start out: “What am I going to do? What skills do I have? Who is going to listen to me? What can I talk about? What can I do that’s going to make money? “

I identified my key skill as working with people. This became clear when all the projects I was invited to work on involved working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I was able to work with them to showcase their culture in a way that was authentic to them – in their own words and their own stories.

I discovered this is what lights me up as a person. I guess that’s why Days Like This Are Sweet and Nurture Your Zest are the next logical step in my journey. As I’ve grown as not just a person, but a business owner, I’ve been able to finesse start something of my own that showcases and nurtures that.

Why did you decide to launch a podcast?

Paul Lancaster, a mentor of mine, runs a fabulous event called Newcastle Startup Week. A podcast was recorded there by my now producer and sponsor, Tim Lozinski of TL Multimedia Ltd. That was my first time on a podcast, and I loved it!

Sitting and chatting took me back to when I was around seven in my school in South Africa, where I’d always get detention for chatting. My headteacher pretty forward-thinking, and so instead of having us write lines, anyone who got detention for chatting would attend something she called ‘The Chatterbox Club’. We spent the hour debating, learning communication skills and writing stories and practising how to present properly.

I originally wanted to call my podcast The Chatterbox Club, but it’s already an established name for many refugee groups and so I felt this important platform was not mine to take.

Because of my love for people and chatting, I decided I wanted to start my own podcast where I could bring together people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Stories are what bring us together and they’re what help us to connect with each other. That idea was so exciting to me, and that’s how Nurture Your Zest started.

What have you learnt since launching this?

While I feature a lot of business leaders, I’ve learned that giving people a voice who usually wouldn’t get to go on podcasts or use this platform is more important to me than I first realised.

#NurtureYourZest helps people who are stuck no matter where they are in their life or what they’re doing. They’re sitting in an office at work bored out of their mind or looking at their Instagram feeling frustrated that they think everyone else is doing better than them. It’s about how through sharing stories of adversity and the prickly situations in life, we can develop strategies for resilience, using courage, creativity and curiosity.

I’ve always been passionate about people and have always wanted to learn about where they came from, but now I’ve learnt just how important to me this is and how important it is that people have their stories heard.

Tell us one of your favourite quotes…

I think it would have to be Ann English, from Create Intrigue who specialises in Visual Communications who said:

“Once you find your strengths and start using them, that’s when your life can change exponentially.”

This quote touched me because once I exclusively took on projects that matched my strengths, I saw my business grow in a way that matched by values, and things started to fall into place and felt less of a struggle.

You love learning about entrepreneurship and are always really honest about the rollercoaster life that brings, what do you do to stay focussed and motivated on your goals?

I’ve learned that who you surround yourself with is so important and having people that support and believe in you is priceless.

You have to find your tribe, and I’m lucky that where I live (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) has a huge ecosystem of start-ups. I’ve described it before as a hub of electricity, everyone is interconnected and gets energy from each other.

I love to be busy and I find so much happiness and fun in a bit of chaos. A business coach once told me that I have too many tabs open in my mind! During this discussion, I knew this arrangement would no longer work for me, as it was a personality clash, although it has been good to narrow my focus with other creatives who understand me better.

I’m naturally curious, so drawing inspiration from the courage, creativity and zest of the people I’ve met through networking in Newcastle keeps me motivated.

To date, what’s your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement is a really personal victory, and it all comes down to knowing your worth and fighting for it.

I have PTSD, and to try and help people who might be in a similar situation, I’ve spoken openly about my ongoing relationship with that on the Staying Alive UK podcast with Michael De Groot.

I’ve been really well looked after by the staff at the NHS, but I had to fight for the support I needed.

At the end of a really painful two-year process of meetings after meetings waiting to see if I could get any support, I was told I wasn’t eligible for any help.

It was the first time that I can really think of where I fought for myself instead of others. I said to myself ‘No. I need this. This will save my life’, so I went out there and I got it.

I think this is important because in the start up community, it can be tough struggling with mental health, and talking about it is so important. I now volunteer my time at local colleges to inspire young people about starting a business despite any challenges they’ve gone through.

Looking back is there anything you would do differently?

I mentioned knowing your worth and fighting for it. A mistake I made early in my business was that I didn’t do this, and I undervalued myself financially.

As a quirky, free-spirited creative, I felt like finance was intimidating, and I didn’t think of things like needing to charge more for your services than when you’re working with the security of an organisation.

Benefits of working for an employer (such as pensions, sick pay and holidays) don’t exist when you’re out on your own.

You aren’t charging people for your time; people pay you for the years and money you have spent yourself on learning your skills through qualifications and further learning.

The best advice I can share is to not work for free. You might tell yourself that it will bring you exposure, but exposure doesn’t pay the rent.

It’s easy to become resentful if you are getting paid a lot less than people working in an organisation, so know your worth and charge for it.

Work with people that you value, and who value you. If it’s the not right fit, then it’s OK to terminate any agreement and work with someone else.

The only free work I do now is I gift my time once a year to work on projects that make me feel good and give back to community causes, I care about.

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

Herb Kim, my very first podcast guest is a native New-Yorker who now lives in the UK. I’ve always wanted to go there! Secret confession, I’m a huge gossip girl fan, so I’d LOVE to see all of the fabulous places like Central Park. I am also a huge Anne Rice and Originals / Vampire Diaries fan so New Orleans, the home of jazz and vampire lore is high on my list also!

Your business requires you to be creative at all times what do you do when creativity is lacking?

Like many of my podcast guests, I value time in nature, this is the easiest way to find my creative flow. I love taking time for self-care so bubble baths, face masks and pretty nail polish.

I love old clothes and collect vintage tea sets. I always wonder, what stories have been shared over these teacups, and what secrets does this dress material hold? I find my inspiration by walking around vintage shops and art galleries on my own, taking in the gorgeous fabrics and paintings.

Who has been your favourite podcast guest to date?

Wow, that’s a tough one! I’ve interviewed so many incredible people. I would say Sarah Crimmens who has experienced a difficult and similar journey to me in terms of trauma and PTSD, and I found her courage to talk about what happened to her hugely inspiring.

Also John Cornilious who speaks about those days when you really can’t find your motivation, and gave me a new perspective about how lucky we are sometimes to be lazy. Many people all over the world do not have this advantage.

For anyone wanting to launch a podcast what top 5 tips would you give them?

Zest: Find a topic you care about:

Consider how long you want to be podcasting for? This passion may become tiring if you’re repeating similar conversations on a regular basis. Find a theme or a subject that ties with your unique gifts. For example, one of my top values is ‘Zest’ which is why I wanted to help people to find inspiration through courage, creativity, curiosity to help them find their zest.
 

Courage to be yourself!

Originality is important, there are so many podcasters out there. What I have discovered is everyone has their own story! Try not to focus on what competitors or others are doing and try to be yourself – people often really like the silly things you don’t like about yourself.

Seek Inspiration!
Ask people who inspire you to be a guest on your show.
The only way to grow is to surround yourself with people who inspire you.

Stay curious!
Do your research before each guest! Prepare briefing notes, and agree these ahead of time. If the discussion changes direction, be ready to tease out the conversation. This curiosity will result in a better conversation and be more valuable for your listeners.
My mantra is: Ask questions, think, then ask some more.

Be Creative! How can you make each segment of your show the best it can be?

Consider from the beginning – how do you want it to look? Feel? What do you want people to associate with you and your podcast? The listener likes to know what to expect, so consider a standard format that you may like to use.

I knew from the beginning I wanted to ask my guests for their #OneWord to #NurtureYourZest. This has been strong part of growing our brand, and this is a feature of our show that we get really positive feedback about!

https://www.nurtureyourzest.com/one-word

Waving goodbye to the misconception that antiques are for old people, Willa Latham’s online business Gentle Rattle of China connects people of all ages, from all over the world, with carefully selected handpicked pieces of antique.

After a spontaneous decision to switch careers Willa started Gentle Rattle of China in 2016 and now shares her insight into why antiques are so special and how to pick the piece that’s right for you (millennials included).

You left a career in Charity Finance to start Gentle Rattle of China – what is your connection to antique porcelain?

My grandmother’s house was full of beautiful porcelain. I loved it as a child and she let me use different cups and plates and told me stories about them. Then I grew up and forgot about it for decades.

I had a satisfying career, but ended up feeling quite burned out, and one morning I woke up and said to my husband: “I am going to sell antique porcelain!” I honestly had no idea where that came from as it took me a few weeks to even remember how much I loved porcelain as a child, but as soon as I started dabbling with it online, it took off and I’ve never looked back. I do a tremendous amount of study on the pieces I find, and many experienced traders are fantastic mentors who share their knowledge generously. So, a childhood passion I had forgotten about has become an exciting journey.

What’s your personal collection like? Have you ever regretted selling a piece that you wish you’d kept for yourself?

I sell most items I buy, but I hold onto all items made by Henry Daniel – a maker in the early 19th Century who made amazing Rococo Revival tableware that is now very rare. I have quite a nice collection now and keep finding things here and there. I also love little figures that were made 260 years ago in Bow, just down the river that my Hackney Wick studio looks out on. They are so innocent and emotionally powerful – it’s early stuff, not very fine but with real humanity. There have been a few pieces that I cried over when I packed them up – but mostly I feel very excited that they find a good home. I come across them dirty and neglected at auctions, so they deserve a new life somewhere in the world where someone is going to love them again! It always makes my day when customers send me pictures of an item in its new home, often from the other side of the world.

Gentle Rattle of China sells exclusively online; what made you go down this route rather than a physical shop?

Initially that choice was born from necessity; property is hard to afford nowadays and many established antique traders struggle with this. I soon realised that I was able to reach a global audience that I would have never reached if I had to look after a shop in Kensington or Portobello Road. I do now have a stock room in Hackney Wick, a thriving hub of creativity in London where I rub shoulders with artists, musicians and designers – I love it there!

I ship to people all over the world on a daily basis, many of them of a young generation who don’t have time to travel anywhere but want to buy unique items that tell them a story. Online I connect with people in ways that would not be possible locally and I love that means of connection!

What tips can you offer to customers to help them pick the right object without being able to see it and touch it in real life?

Study the pictures well – I try to convey as much as I can, and if a dealer offers bad pictures, ask for good ones or move on to someone else.

Always go for what touches you – and still does a day or two later. Sometimes you have to warm to something, but if you go back to look a few times and you feel more attracted, then you know you’ve hit something! Never buy because someone says you should – follow your instinct. Porcelain is very personal; designers put their heart and soul into it, and that’s what you connect to. If a piece speaks to you, it is telling you something, and it will take you on a journey.

How do you mimic the personal feel and great customer service of traditional antiques shops?

There is no mimicking here… customer service is as real online as in person. In fact I feel online is in person. Some of my regular customers have become real friends. As they develop their collection, follow my Instagram and blog, and I develop my knowledge and understanding, our journeys become intertwined.

Sometimes the language or cultural barriers are a challenge, but that’s the same in person – these challenges are to be overcome and the Internet gives so many options to do that. Kindness, a bit of patience, social apps and Google Translate are all really helpful. It all comes down to creating a space to communicate within, whether in person or online.

What do you say to the general conception that antiques are for old people?

Oh, antiques are for everyone! Millennials buy differently from the older generations; they are more eclectic and don’t, well… hoard in the same way! I speak to a lot of people much younger than me who feel a craving for things that are “real” and not marketed to them by consumerism.

I still grew up in a more frugal post-war time, and then we all got under the spell of consumerism. I can see that the millennial generation feels burdened by this seemingly unstoppable force of the high street they were born into. I love the way many younger people are now pushing back on that force and instinctively look for true artistic quality, personal handwork and a sense of historical roots.

If a young person is moving into their first home and looking to start an antique collection, what item(s) do you recommend they start with?

If you have never bought antiques before, I would say: it’s a journey. Buy some items that don’t cost the world, perhaps a bit worn so you get them cheaper, but then you can start to connect to them. As you learn about different items, makers and styles, your taste will develop and you can’t know where it will take you. Often you don’t know why you liked something until you have already moved on – it was taking you somewhere in yourself! Give yourself time to develop your preferences and follow your instinct; each piece is telling you something about yourself and life. And always be practical: are you going to be able to enjoy an item?

Click to enlarge images

What is it about antique porcelain that makes it so covetable?

Antique porcelain is a sophisticated art form made of humble clay and rock. Makers have come up with all sorts of amazing designs, often very personally inspired. English porcelain in particular is very personal; it is much more free and experimental in its design than French or German porcelain because it was always privately sponsored rather than by Royals.

When you hold a piece of porcelain, it tells you something about yourself – what you are drawn to. The people who made it a few hundred years ago connect you to who we all are and where we came from. I write a lot about the context and history of English porcelain on my Instagram and blog and I am always amazed how this speaks to people from all cultures and generations – the stories are human stories and they are universal.

In a world of fast consumerism why is it important to buy antiques? How can buying antiques aim to beat our throw-away society, where items bought from high street retailers are not made to last?

Now that the environment is squarely on the agenda, I think we can see much more clearly that this throw-away attitude is really terrible on so many levels. I am not saying we’re going to eat off antique plates every day, but honouring items that have been made with so much care and creativity, looking after them and passing them on to the next generation is something very special. It connects us with the earth and the people who made these items hundreds of years ago. They were often very poor and lived anonymous lives, and yet we can effortlessly recognise the beauty and humanity they put into the items they made. It balances us to honour that, and I think we need it – I’ve certainly become a much happier person since I reconnected to antiques.

READ MORE: Designer Spotlight: Gentle Rattle of China

Where do you see the future of the antiques industry going?

The antiques industry is currently being disrupted by the Internet, generational changes and globalisation, and that is a chaotic experience for many traders, but I think it will come out renewed and very interesting.

Like everything else, it is going online and this needs new approaches. Antiques are beginning to reach a much bigger audience from all over the world, across generations. Where antiques used to be something for people of a particular age and privileged background, now everyone who is looking for something beautiful with history can get access online, wherever they are and whatever their background. It is all in flux right now, and as traders we need to adapt and learn new ways to reach people… personally I love being able to share my passion with people all over the world. I see a bright and interesting future.

If you want to learn more about antiques then check out Willa’s blog or Instagram.

Visit Gentle Rattle of China to explore the beautiful selection of antique porcelain curated by Willa.

If you want to see pieces in person then her stock room in Hackney Wick is open by appointment.

Pushing boundaries in the world of guinea pigs, Rik and Helen create fun-filled toys and accessories – including world firsts!

We find out how they went from simply adopting two piggies, to creating their own range of circus-themed goodies and learn what it means for a guinea pig to ‘popcorn’ (you’ll be wanting to look that up on YouTube, trust us)…

What made you decide to first adopt guinea pigs?
Rik: It was Helen’s doing! We got married in 2010 and shortly after the wedding was over, she said, “Right, now I want us to get guinea pigs!” She’d had every other small animal as a child but never a guinea pig, so felt this was the natural next step! It didn’t take Helen long to find that we had a local guinea pig rescue near our home in Chelmsford. One visit later and we were both hooked!

Guinea pigs do make great family pets but don’t be fooled into thinking they are ‘easy’ or ‘cheap to look after’. They require the same dedication and commitment as any other pet. That said, they are fairly self-sufficient during the day, so guinea pigs are a good choice if you want the companionship of a dog or cat, but work away from home in the daytime. They have, in fact, remarkably big personalities!

So, how did having pet piggies then lead to you creating your own line of pet accessories?

Helen: Keen to lavish our new family members with love, we went out and bought them every toy and accessory on the market, they were spoilt rotten! But we quickly discovered many of these products weren’t up to the job. For some reason (probably financial), all small animal products were lumped together in one category and many of these products were trying to cater for all small furries at once, rather than being species specific. It meant that the true welfare and enrichment needs of these creatures were not really being met. With Rik’s background as a product designer and our desire to improve the lives of guinea pigs, we decided to have a go at changing things.

Disappointed with the quality of what was already on the market, how do you ensure your products stand above the rest?

Rik: We simply made it our mission statement to make the best enrichment toys on the market, regardless of cost. This was a brave step, but we knew what the market wanted and were very confident that people would want to pay more to give their small furries a better life. We go through a rigorous testing process before committing to a new design, these products are literally “tested by guinea pigs!”. If we are not totally convinced that a new product concept raises the bar and will be the market leader, we don’t do it.

All your products are themed around a circus. How did you decide of this theme for your first range of products?

Helen: We had lots of ideas for themes and will definitely do other ones in the future, but we started with the circus for good reason. Firstly, it’s unisex. Remarkably, around 90% of our customers are female, but we felt there was huge opportunity to get boys engaged and encourage them to consider guinea pigs as a pet in later life (and not just as children). By having a trendy guinea pig brand, we’re already beginning to address this. ‘PigDads’ get a lot of attention!

Secondly, with a circus theme, it’s really colourful and eye-catching, something you really don’t see in the small animal section of your local pet shop.

Thirdly, we knew that the interest in circuses (despite some bad press) was here to stay. Rik had spent 3 ½ years up in London designing film merchandise. He recognised how popular collecting ranges was and was also very aware of some of new film titles on the horizon. It’s no coincidence that ‘The Greatest Showman’ released shortly after HayPigs!® and that the remake of ‘Dumbo’ was also scheduled for 2019.

While the use of live animals in circuses is now widely condemned (and with very good reason), we felt the essence of the circus is still relevant today*. It’s all about tapping into our childhoods. That sense of fun, nostalgia and wonder. By engaging the humans and encouraging them to spend more time with their pets, everyone is a winner!

*It’s worth pointing out that HayPigs!® Guinea Pig Circus™ is a parody of the circus; our guinea pigs are playing the roles of the human characters and not the animals.

The products are all novel ideas, with fun and creative designs, but cater to real needs of small animals too. Why is this important?

Rik: Yes, while novel, it was not just about making quirky circus themed enrichment toys. We wanted each and every product to have awesome functionality and durability, and raise the bar in design and aesthetics. Funnily enough, it’s in introducing a theme that we have been inspired to come up with some world firsts! For example, our Cavy Cannonball™ – Tilting Tunnel is the first guinea pig tunnel to feature a tilting axel. Had we not been considering how to come up with a toy based on a human cannonballer, we may never have thought about it!

Will you ever create products to fit a new theme or are you going to continue to expand the circus range?

Helen: We definitely will in the future, but for now we are concentrating on expanding our existing range. We’ve just released two brand new products (the HayPigs!® Circus Treat Ball™ – 3-in-1 Enrichment Toy and the HayPigs!® Junior Food Tamer™ – Mini Food Bow) and they are already a massive hit with our customers and, of course, their piggies! We’ve got some more big ideas for 2020, but they are all top secret I’m afraid so watch this space!!

Very intriguing… Your website says that your products are “designed for and tested by Guinea Pigs”. Tell us more! What’s the testing process and how to you gather feedback from the little guys themselves?
Rik: Working with guinea pigs is very rewarding and what distinguishes them from many of the other small animals is that they do give you a lot of feedback! They have a plethora of noises and mannerisms that you can learn to read. If they’re happy or sad, frustrated or content, angry or hangry, you’ll know about it! This makes them the perfect product testers. We create working prototypes that we can gain feedback from. If they don’t like what we’ve come up with, they will discard it. If it captures their interest, they’ll be all over it – guinea pigs are naturally very inquisitive. The secret is to hold their attention for as long as possible and retain that attention every time you introduce the product. Then you know you’ve got a winning design!

Helen: The ultimate compliment from a guinea pig is a piggy ‘popcorn’. This is like an uncontrollable spasm in which your piggy leaps and spins in the air in excitement. For anyone who has a guinea pig, watching your piggy popcorn makes your heart glow inside!

A popcorning guinea pigs sounds adorable! Do you share the daily lives of your piggies online?

Rik: Yes, we have a very active social media account. We started our Instagram page before we’d launched the business and you can follow the lives of our rescue piggies on there (we currently have six). If you love cute and fluffy and a little escapism from daily life, we promise our posts will make you smile every time they pop up in your feed!

You can follow HayPigs!® on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (@haypigs). We also encourage you to check out our website: haypigs.com

Today we’re sitting down with Georgie, founder of Gg Brows about her journey from jumping head first into the beauty industry to launching a unique procedure, a range of machines and an academy!

Truly a Boss Babe we can learn from. Are you ready?

HOC: Great to meet you, Georgie! Can you tell us about your journey to running your business?

Georgie: I honestly think I was born to be a beauty therapist, I showed an interest from such a young age. I’ve always been really creative and wanted to be the best at anything I ever did. I struggled with acne as a teenager and it really drove me to learn about skin and self educate on products and treatments which drove me to going to college to study beauty therapy.

I entered the industry head first and went straight into running my own business as a mobile beauty therapist. My fiancé and my grandad encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone and challenge myself which led me onto studying Semi Permanent Makeup. Since I trained two years I have created a unique eyebrow procedure called the ‘GgBrow’, launched an SMPU Training Academy, created a range of SPMU machines and have launched a Dermal Filler clinic and academy… I couldn’t be prouder and happier.

HOC: What a great journey! What is it about Semi Permanent Make Up that you love?

Georgie: I absolutely love the reaction from my clients when they look in the mirror for the first time with their new GgBrows. I get such a buzz out of seeing the transformation and always feel so proud. I get such a strong feeling of accomplishment and always look forward to meeting the next client to achieve even more incredible and beautiful results.

HOC: I have to be honest, I find the idea of Semi Permanent Make Up a little scary…

Georgie: I can understand that and, of course, I never put my clients under pressure to have the procedure done. I really assess as to why my client has booked their appointment to help me understand what I can do for them. I always draw my client’s brows on prior to starting the procedure so that they can see exactly what they are going to look like and show them their before and after pictures so that they can see the difference. I’ve honestly been touched by so many clients who have said that I’ve changed their lives and that they couldn’t imagine not having their brows! Eyebrows can dramatically change somebody’s face and I am so glad that I have helped so many women.

HOC: How do you run your business?

Georgie: I had an extension in my first home that I bought a year and half ago last summer in order to be able to work from home. In the space of six months, GgBrows grew massively and we made the decision to covert our first home into a funky commercial property; each bedroom is now a clinic room equipped for non-surgical procedures and our old lounge has been converted into a reception area for our clients!

After my wedding next May I will search for a larger commercial premises in order to expand. We have taken on six members of staff within six months so we are desperate for more space!

HOC: That’s incredible! We understand that you also teach others, can you tell us about that?

Georgie: Early last year I started to receive messages daily from girls who were desperate for me to reach them in Ombre Brows so that they could enter the industry. I started off by offering masterclasses which I absolutely loved and very quickly realised that I had a passion for teaching! I spent months studying to teach and writing up the course content for beginner students whilst having the courses accredited and verified. It was a massively stressful process but so incredibly worth it. I now teach weekly and qualify new practitioners in a daily basis in order for them to be able to start up their own businesses! I’m so proud to be able to do this and help others complete their dreams.

HOC: Can you tell us about your other companies? How do you manage running more than one?

Georgie: In 2018 I launched Cosmedic Supplies. Cosmedic Supplies was born when I made the decision to cut out all middle men and launch my own range of machines and needle cartridges to supply to my students. We immediately expanded and made the necessary arrangements in order to be able to sell our products to the public. It’s been a massive success so far and I cannot wait to see it grow! Earlier this year I launched GgCosmetics which focuses on non-surgical procedures such as Dermal Fillers. I employed a nurse who carries out all procedures whilst I manage the company from behind the scenes. I am truly shocked at the incredible response we have had; it has led us to a massive expansion and we have made the decision to move and invest in a new and bigger premises to be able to cater for the large volume of clientele that come through the door.

HOC: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Georgie: Everyday is different and every single client is different. I genuinely look forward to going to work and seeing what I’m going to achieve. Whether it’s a great set of eyebrows or it’s a substantial achievement within one of my other companies, it’s always an amazing feeling and fuels me to keep up the hard work!

HOC: Entrepreneurial souls are often burning the candles at both ends, as a beauty professional what tips do you have for our readers when they are feeling emotionally exhausted?

Georgie: Live a healthy lifestyle and cut out an negativity. Surround yourself with good people and keep up a regular hobby that’s nothing to do with work. Stay away from your phone past 9pm and try not to indulge in social media too much!

HOC: If you weren’t running GG Brows, what would you be doing?

Georgie: I would have definitely been be a nurse! I would have loved to have studied nursing and gone into theatres to assist surgeons. I love learning and looking after people so I think I would have had the best time!

HOC: What personal achievement of yours means the most to you and why?

Georgie: I’ve bought two properties with my fiancé.I wanted to have bought at least one house by the time I was 25 and two is something I am particularly proud of! Both have been massive projects but they have been really fun and also great distractions from work! Harry also proposed a year and a half ago and planning our wedding for 2020 has been so amazing…

HOC: Wow, so exciting to have been able to do that! What’s your ambition for the rest of 2019?

Georgie: I want to complete a new company set up. I started earlier this year and take on a new premises for my company GgCosmetics. It’s going to be tough I’m sure but I am so excited to decorate the new premises that I don’t even care how hard it might be!! I can’t wait to meet all of my new students and help them start their new careers in aesthetics

I want to concentrate on GgCosmetics for the rest of the year and take on a new premises which I’m sure will require renovating. It’s going to be tough I’m sure but I am so excited to decorate the new premises that I don’t even care how hard it might be!! I can’t wait to meet all of my new students and help them start their new careers in aesthetics.

To learn more about Gg Brows head to GgBrows.co.uk

Follow Georgie’s business on instagram:@GgBrowsUK

Here at House of Coco we’re a sucker for a family business, we love hearing about how they manage to hustle together whilst still having a relationship outside of work. One story that we fell in love with was that of The English Beagle which started around the kitchen table one June afternoon where three generations of the Laker-Moon family sat talking and drinking tea. Just like that leisurely afternoon where the talk was of family, so too is the story of The English Beagle.

Here, we went deeper with one of those family members, Audrey, to find out more.

Tell us about the journey you had that lead to you launching your company, The English Beagle

** With a change in my personal life about 4 years ago made me relook at everything including the job I was in. When I realised that I respected the work but did not love it I knew it was time for a change. I had spent 15 years travelling the world visiting manufacturers and loved it, but times and my life had changed and I needed to do something different. My years of factory visits gave me a new founded respect for British manufacturers and I wanted to support them, hence the birth of The English Beagle.

I wanted to create a brand which evokes family and love. The English Beagle began as a gift boutique to support small British brands, offering unique British made gifts. I have met some wonderful people who have left their mark and some I can now call friends.

A family run company, how do you separate work from family time?

** I am fortunate that my daughter is in secondary school which gives me more flexibility in my working day. I do cherish those moments when she pops her head around my office door and asks what I am doing. Showing her that women can do and be anything.

What inspires you?

** Inspiration comes in many forms. The name, The English Beagle, is named after my beagle Suzy. Having the guts to start a new venture was inspired by my parents. Looking back at my daughter’s toddler and little girl photos where she insisted in dressing herself and being an individual. Having a partner who holds my hand at the end of the day. Most importantly knowing that my parents are proud of me and what I have achieved inspires me.

Tell us something that people would not know about you

** I am incredibly shy! I am much happier sitting behind the desk or sewing machine getting on with things than at a network event. I dread Instagram stories for this very reason.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently

** Everything you do as an entrepreneur or small business owner is part of learning process and would not do anything differently. There certainly have been plenty of lessons learnt but without them I would not have grown as a small business owner and find it amazing that I can now offer advice to fellow mumtrepreneurs. The times we live in result in us having to constantly learn and adapt our business to grow.

What does 2020 look like for you?

** I have finally found my niche and 2020 is looking great. The launch of the clothing ranges (both girls and women’s skirts) has brought me back to me roots and I now relish sitting behind my sewing machines. There is something so simple in its reward seeing something you made heading out the door all wrapped in beautiful tissue paper. For 2020 I hope that the pieces become the go to piece for comfort and ease of wear.

Our readers love to travel, where’s your happy place?

** I have two happy places. The first being Cape Town as I spent my childhood there, and the feeling of home is most prevalent when sitting around the pool with family and friends having a BBQ. The second happy place would be Istanbul, perfect for a city break. I have not found a better combination of people, food and atmosphere. I must drop one more happy place in, which would be any Greek beach in the middle of summer.

For any aspiring entrepreneurs, what advice would you give?

** Getting your branding right and finding your USP is crucial. I worked with a wonderful branding company who helped bring my vision to life. I was able to put all my plans and thoughts onto the table and they sifted through it to create the brand look. I was fortunate to have my mother with me at the brand reveal which made it even more special to include my mother. Another strong piece of advice is to go with your gut. Trust your instincts and believe in yourself.

Tell us about your most recent Bossbabe moment

** The English Beagle was shortlisted for Self-Employed Person of the Year in the Tonbridge Business of Year. It was a great feeling to be part of such a well-deserved group of people. And to think and the 3 finalists were all women!