Ladies Who Launch is an empowering podcast serving up the aspirational journeys of women who have made their mark in the world of business. Starting from scratch to cooking up empires, join our host, Rochelle Humes, as she dives into the successes and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Sink your teeth into the inspiring stories of those who have fearlessly pursued their dreams whilst dishing out invaluable insights to listeners. Get ready to be motivated and uplifted as Rochelle elevates the voices of these extraordinary women, showcasing their resilience, creativity and a side of determination to launch. This is your girls’ group chat for business and beyond. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch?_t=8sJkmbK9JlQ&_r=1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Frankie James unpacks her founder story, from the uncertainty of figuring out a career path as a young adult to building Ideas Fest into a must-attend industry event. We get into turning setbacks into strategy, mastering assertive communication, navigating the grey area between business and friendship, and the financial tools every founder needs to know. In this episode, we cover: Frankie's founder journey from career uncertainty to building Ideas Fest How to turn setbacks into strategic opportunities Networking, rapport-building, and navigating the blurred lines between business and relationships Gaining the confidence to be assertive in the business world Financial support tools, top tips, and how to be a strong team player If you’ve ever wanted to start a business but don’t know where to begin, this one’s for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Frankie James 02:33 Finding Your Path 12:44 Family Business Dynamics 15:31 An Intro To Ideas Fest 17:08 Pandemic Spark & First Festival Launch 21:53 Building A Founder Community 31:55 What’s Next For Ideas Fest 35:59 Rocket Round 36:11 Community Non Negotiables 39:31 Hiring For Vibe, Not Titles 43:45 Adopting The ‘Why Not Me’ Mindset 54:48 Frankie’s Top Tips 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by @StarlingBankApp Find out more about Starling Business here: https://bit.ly/44sEaMf: FOLLOW FRANKIE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankie_j4y/ Ideas Fest: https://www.instagram.com/ideas_fest/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle breaks down why the brands that win don't just sell products, they build worlds. This solo branding masterclass covers the full journey, from defining the consumer experience you want to create, to showing up consistently as the brand you've built, and learning when to ignore outside noise versus when a trend is actually worth your energy. Rochelle walks through finding your creative direction, choosing a brand colour that carries meaning, getting fonts and typography right, and the principle that anchors it all; branding for the customer you want, not the one you already have. In this episode, we cover: Building a world, not just a brand Showing up consistently as the brand you've created Ignoring outside noise and knowing when a trend is actually worth your energy How to find your creative and visual direction through brand colour, fonts, and typography Branding for the customer you want, not the one you already have If you’ve always dreamed of creating a brand but don’t know where to start, this one’s for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Branding Masterclass Intro 01:01 World Building Basics 03:41 Prioritising Feelings Before Design 04:34 Consistency Over Trends 09:00 Founder Storytelling 10:38 Colors, Fonts, and Copy 14:00 How To Design For Your Future Customer 16:14 Final Thoughts 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by @starlingbankapp FOLLOW ROCHELLE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochellehumes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rochellehumes?lang=en-GB FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with communication expert Amira Quaye to unpack why so many women struggle to hold their own in high-stakes rooms. From being labelled "bossy" versus "headstrong" to the exhaustion of over-explaining and the quiet friction between male and female language. Amira breaks down how to unlearn old habits, reduce filler words, reframe your email language, and navigate difficult conversations without shrinking. Plus, her six fundamentals of communication for finding your voice in any environment. In this episode, we cover: Owning your voice in high-stakes rooms; why women get labelled "bossy", and how to hold your own without shrinking Unlearning old habits, over-explaining, filler words, and the tension between male vs female language Reframing your written communication by stripping apologetic language from emails and finding authority Navigating difficult conversations and managing the feelings that come with confrontation in both personal and professional life Amira's six fundamentals of communication for finding and projecting your voice If you’ve ever struggled to find your voice and speak your truth, this one’s for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Amira 01:08 What is a Communication Expert? 06:01 Understanding your communication style 12:12 Unlearning Needs and Emotions 14:58 Why We Over Explain 19:50 Male vs Female communication stigmas 24:23 Filler Words and Rephrasing Your tone on email 31:57 Holding Your Own in a room 38:00 Handling Awkward Silences 40:43 Why We Avoid Conflict 44:23 How to approach Difficult Conversations 49:03 Assertive vs Defensive 52:09 Difficult Talk No Nos 57:03 Amira’s 6 Communication Fundamentals 01:03:48 Top Communication Tip 01:05:32 Wrap Up 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by @starlingbankapp FOLLOW AMIRA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_communicationexpert/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_communicationexpert FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rochelle Humes sits down with JSHealth founder, Jessica Sepel, to unpack her experience of diet culture and how it failed an entire generation of women. She built JSHealth to offer women access to nutrition in a healthy way. From her first experience with nutrition to building a global, female-first supplement company without investment, Jessica shares the untold story behind the brand that put women's health first. This conversation covers the real work behind building a brand that puts quality first. We cover everything from ingredients, building a community of trusted women and what she’s learnt about leading a growing team. In this episode, we cover: Jessica's first experience with nutrition, how diet culture failed women and teenagers, and where JSHealth was rooted from Starting JSHealth as a first-to-market, female-first vitamin company, bootstrapped from day one with no investors Generating hype, protecting customer trust in an unregulated industry, and enforcing quality control from the start Developing the skills to lead, setting boundaries as a founder, and the morning and evening routines that keep her grounded The evolution of science for women's health and Jessica's financial advice for founders If you've ever felt let down by the wellness industry, this one's for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Jessica Sepel 01:32 Early Diet Struggles 07:22 Choosing Your Nutrition Path 12:34 Spotting The Supplements Gap 21:06 First 2000 Bottles Sold 24:09 Scaling Without Pressure 27:14 From Local To Global 29:45 Build Through Quality 33:30 Bootstrapped Scrappy Growth 39:31 Nighttime Switch Off Routine 44:17 Creating Mornings Without Chaos 47:34 Boundaries For Founders 49:57 Future Of Women’s Health 54:19 Rocket Round 01:01:17 Mentors And Box On 01:03:00 Confidence Around Money 01:10:37 Prioritising Customer Retention 01:19:17 Wrap Up 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by Starling Bank Access Starling Bank here: https://bit.ly/44sEaMf FOLLOW JESSICA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jshealth/reels/?hl=en JSHealth: https://www.instagram.com/jshealthvitamins/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jshealthvitamins https://uk.jshealthvitamins.com/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Disclaimer: JSHealth Vitamins formulas vary by region Ladies Who Launch listeners get 20% off JSHealth. Use the code LWL at checkout: https://uk.jshealthvitamins.com/?utm_source=UKTalent&utm_medium=LadiesWhoLaunch&utm_campaign=LadiesWhoLaunchadd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Nicola Elliott, founder of NEOM, takes us behind the scenes of building a brand in a category that barely existed when she started. From the early days of product creation to scaling to 150 products, 150 employees, and £45M in annual turnover, Nicola gets into the mechanics of strategically building for long-term growth. We unpack the real decisions most founders agonise over: the benefits of taking investment versus staying self-funded, and the personal sacrifices that come as a direct consequence of business ambition. Beyond the numbers, this conversation digs into what makes NEOM genuinely stick, how Nicola has built a deep consumer-to-brand connection at scale, and perhaps more importantly, how she's designed the business around the life she actually wants to live. It's an honest, tactical conversation for founders who want to build something substantial without losing themselves in the process. In this episode, we cover: The journey of starting & building NEOM Building in a ‘unique’ category 150 products, 150 employees, £45M in annual turnover Strategically building for long term growth, not pace Benefits of investment vs self funding Real life sacrifices as a consequence of business Creating consumer x brand connection Designing business around your life We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Before Wellness Was a Thing 03:41 Anxiety Sparking the NEOM Idea 06:15 From Blends to NEOM 08:27 First Products and Candles 11:40 Green Lights to Quitting Your 9-5 14:29 Building the Right Team 17:58 Creating a New Category 23:11 Retailer Placement Challenges 26:32 Sponsor Break: Starling Tools 27:42 Scaling With Steady Growth 33:33 Slow Growth Wins 34:00 Realities of Raising Money 35:50 Founder Lifestyle Questions 36:58 Motherhood While Building a Business 40:01 Sacrifice And Seasons 41:50 Work That Feeds You 43:06 Protecting Brand Identity 47:32 Customer Moments Strategy 49:06 Founder Role Today 52:39 Realistic Wellness Positioning 53:47 Future Growth And Collabs 55:56 Rocket Round 58:15 Curating Your Circle 59:35 Patience Builds Brands 01:00:34 Nicola’s Dream Collab 01:02:00 Finding A Mentor 01:03:14 Founder Money Habits 01:07:21 Financial Myths Debunked 01:09:30 Profitability Over Hype 01:12:23 Design Success Your Way 01:14:55 Nicola’s Ideal Lunch 01:17:49 Wrap Up And Subscribe 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by @StarlingBankApp Access Starling Bank here: https://bit.ly/44sEaMf FOLLOW NICOLA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaelliottneom/ NEOM: https://www.instagram.com/neomwellbeing/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Penelope Cheshire takes us back to where it all began: an £8,000 leap of faith funded by selling her partner's Rolex, and a belief that premium hair extensions didn't have to feel exclusive or unapproachable. What followed was a masterclass in retail grit, from cold-pitching salons and building a team from the ground up, to navigating investment rooms where beauty wasn't taken seriously, and a partnership with Molly-Mae that sent the business into a different stratosphere. Penelope gets refreshingly honest about what actually happens during and after an exit, why she's channeling everything she learned into her next venture Killer Brush, and the moments that shaped her as a founder along the way. In this episode, we cover: The build of Beauty Works from an £8,000 Rolex watch sale Business growth through hair salons Facing stereotypes against the beauty industry Behind the Molly-Mae partnership The story of the Beauty Works sell Launching her new business, Killa Brush If you’re a founder with an idea mixed with grit and determination, this episode is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Penelope Cheshire, Founder of Beauty Works 05:35 Beginning of Beauty Works 06:38 Selling My Partners Rolex to Start 11:17 First Big Retail Order 18:42 Rejected by Investors 23:47 Creating a Premium Positioning 29:28 Behind The Molly Mae Partnership 35:49 Leadership & Letting Go 47:38 The Truth Behind Leaving Beauty Works 57:57 Private Equity Reality Check 01:01:37 Starting Killa Brush 01:12:12 Sharing Entrepreneurship Truths 01:15:40 Rocket Round 01:22:57 Final Advice & Wrap 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW PENELOPE Penelope’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penelopecheshire/ Killa Brush: https://www.instagram.com/killabrushofficial/ Killa Brush Website: www.killabrush.com FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Hanushka Toni, to unpack her journey from law to launching Sellier, the luxury handbag brand that caught the attention of Flannels and the moment her Jane Birkin auction went viral. She also gets candid about building a business alongside family, the realities of entrepreneurship no one talks about, and her bold move into feminine hygiene with JUICE, breaking taboos in real time. In this episode, we cover: How Hanushka transitioned from Law to luxury retail Building luxury handbag retailer, Selier Behind the Jane Birkin auction Effectively growing a business through social media Benefits of the Sellier x Flannels partnership What people are getting wrong about entrepreneurship Introducing JUICE and taboos around feminine hygiene Whether you're a founder, a creator, or someone with a big idea and no idea where to start, this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Hanushka 03:24 Building Sellier 09:10 Creating Virality on Social 14:12 Behind The Jane Birkin Auction 20:50 Viral Marketing Playbook 25:21 Behind The Flannels Partnership Expansion 28:00 Navigating Motherhood & Ambition 31:25 Introducing JUICE 33:09 Handling Business Criticism 37:58 Redefining Success 40:18 Embrace The Cringe 41:22 Rocket Round Advice 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW HANUSHKA Hanushka’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanushkaa/ Sellier: https://www.instagram.com/sellierknightsbridge/ JUICE: https://www.instagram.com/wearejuicers/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's episode of Ladies Who Launch is with Sophia & Cinzia, the powerhouse duo behind one of the UK's most-listened-to podcasts, The Girls Bathroom. From building a loyal online community from scratch to launching a sold-out live tour, this episode is a masterclass in building an audience through genuine connection and having fun while doing it. We get into the founding of their new venture rooms, what it really takes to build a team of women who are aligned with your vision, and because no Ladies Who Launch episode is complete without it, a Greek lunch moment that you absolutely need to hear. In this episode, we cover: How Sophia & Cinzia built their online following Launching The Girls Bathroom Building up to the live tour The realities behind launching rooms Why Sophia & Cinzia decided to build a team of women A Greek lunch moment Whether you're a founder, a creator, or someone with a big idea and no idea where to start, this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Sophia & Cinzia 01:12 Where It All Began 07:17 Launching Their YouTube Channel 13:19 How They Got Management 20:14 Naming The Girls Bathroom 22:22 Growth Through Lockdown 24:07 Behind Recording The Girls Bathroom 25:41 Behind The Live Tour 30:03 Building The Vision For rooms 34:53 Building An All Female Team 37:14 Navigating Rooms Critique 40:45 Backing Themselves On The Jelly Vase 44:55 Co-Founders and Friendship 47:34 Future Plans for rooms 49:32 Rocket Round 58:29 A Greek Lunch Moment 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW SOPHIA & CINZIA The Girls Bathroom: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlsbathroom/ Sophia: https://www.instagram.com/sophiatuxford/ Cinzia: https://www.instagram.com/cinziabayliszullo/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From a viral TikTok moment to one of the UK's most beloved supermarket staples, this week on Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, to unpack the real story behind building an iconic brand from the ground up. Vivien gets refreshingly honest about starting before you're ready (the 80% rule), protecting product quality under explosive demand, and navigating the noise to find the advice that actually moves the needle. Together, we dig into the sibling dynamic that powers the business, the nostalgia-first brand identity that made mochi ice cream a cultural moment, and what it really looks like to bring in investment and external leadership without losing what made you special in the first place. This one is equal parts strategy and soul and a masterclass in building a brand people genuinely love. In this episode, we cover: Building a career and brand foundation from scratch Knowing which advice to take and which to ignore Creating the Little Moons brand identity Managing explosive growth with effect Bringing in investment without losing the soul of your brand If you're a founder who's overwhelmed by the pressures of starting, this episode is designed to inspire you to start before you’re ready. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction and Little Moons as a Family Favorite 00:03:08 The Inspiration Behind Starting Little Moons 00:07:06 The Challenges of Creating Mochi: Craftsmanship and Manufacturing 00:12:33 How Vivien's Finance Career Helped Launch the Business 00:14:40 Launching Little Moons 00:16:07 Building the Brand; From White Label to Little Moons 00:19:31 Founding the Business as Siblings 00:23:02 Breaking Into First Major Retail Partnerships 00:28:38 The Viral TikTok Moment and Managing Sudden Demand 00:34:13 Amplifying Virality and Managing Retail Logistics 00:37:07 Business Scaling Challenges 00:41:07 Bringing in Private Equity and a New CEO after 12 Years 00:44:29 The Myth of Overnight Success vs. A Slow and Steady Journey 00:47:27 The Complexities of International Expansion to 38 Countries 00:52:56 Rocket Round: Non-Negotiables, Launch Moments, Daily Habits 00:58:37 Advice for New Founders 01:07:38 Celebrating Success and Vivien's Gratitude 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #LadiesWhoLaunch #NeverFullyDressed #FashionFounder #BuildingABrand #CultBrand #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast #BrandBuilding #SlowGrowth #StartupStory FOLLOW VIVIEN & LITTLE MOONS Vivien’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevivienwong/ Little Moons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemoonsmochi/ Little Moons TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlemoonsmochi FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Space NK Miami trip went viral and this week we discussed everything that happened behind the scenes. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Jini Sanassy, Head of PR at Space NK, to unpack the influencer marketing strategy that turned one brand trip into one of the most-talked-about campaigns of the year. From the first mood board to the final metric, Jini reveals exactly how Space NK built an experience rooted in community, inclusivity, and creator relationships that actually convert. In this episode, we cover: How Space NK planned and executed the viral Miami Summer Trip Building the perfect guestlist Selecting and integrating brand partnerships Myth-busting the influencer trip rumors Measurement and impact metrics We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 The Space NK Miami Trip That Went Viral 01:59 Setting Campaign Goals 03:26 Selecting The Guest List 07:41 Myth Busting The Trip 10:01 Partner Brands And Activations 17:00 Creative Freedom Vs KPIs 24:30 Measuring Success With EMV 28:58 EMV Vs Sales 30:07 Top Brands And Halo Moments 31:28 Addressing Media Backlash 33:52 Space NK’s PR Team 37:00 Next Years Campaign Plans 43:14 Beauty Is Democratic 48:12 What To Repeat & Refine 50:44 PR Campaign Do’s & Don’ts 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW JINI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jinisanassy/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this weeks episode of Ladies Who Launch, Frederika, founder of the Luxury Mum Guide, joins us to unpack the motherhood identity shift that no one prepares you for and how she turned that gap in support into the ultimate family travel guide for luxury-minded mums. From navigating who you are before and after kids, to curating the world's best family-friendly experiences, this is the blueprint for building a community born from lived experience. In this episode, we cover: Why Federika built the Luxury Mum Guide from scratch The support system mums actually need Who you are before kids vs. the woman you become after Curating the world's best family-friendly experiences for luxury-minded mums Where Federika is taking the Luxury Mum Guide next Why maternity fashion is broken and what needs to change We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Sunday Launch Intro 00:57 Using Motherhood To Fuel Ambition 02:29 Why The Mum Guide Was Needed 06:03 Identity Shift and Work 16:22 From Social Posts to Events 19:31 Family-Friendly Venues In London 21:11 Journey of the Luxury Mum Event Breakthrough 24:01 Scaling Events and Brands 28:03 Dream Collabs and Future Plans 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW FEDERIKA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxurymumguide_/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lucy Aylen built Never Fully Dressed into one of fashion's most coveted cult brands; without investors, without chasing trends, and without ever optimising for virality. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Lucy shares the philosophy behind building slow, why she resisted the pressure to scale before she was ready, and how growing a fiercely loyal community from day one became the brand's greatest competitive advantage. From navigating the devastating business impact of COVID to knowing exactly when and how to grow a team, Lucy gives us the unfiltered blueprint for building a brand that lasts. In this episode, we cover: Why Lucy Said No To Virality The Power of Building Slow Growing the Never Fully Dressed Community When & How To Build Your Team Surviving COVID As A Fashion Brand Building Without Investment If you're a founder who's tired of being told you need to move faster, raise money, and go viral to win this one's for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Lucy Aylen 02:51 Never Fully Dressed Anti Viral Strategy 07:52 Bootstrapped Ownership 13:51 Building Through Customer Feedback 20:10 Inclusivity and Sizing In Fashion 29:11 Community Loyalty Lessons 32:27 Small Team Big Energy 33:38 Founder Role Evolution 37:31 Motherhood and Boundaries 39:50 Detaching From Business Drama 45:19 Brand Identity to New Venture 50:05 Advice for New Founders 55:46 Work Life Blend Choices 59:05 The Beyonce Topshop Moment 01:00:03 Family First Routines 01:04:46 Mum As Mentor 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #LadiesWhoLaunch #NeverFullyDressed #FashionFounder #BuildingABrand #CultBrand #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast #BrandBuilding #SlowGrowth #StartupStory FOLLOW LUCY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyaylen7/ NFD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverfullydressed/ NFD TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neverfullydressed FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Sarah Jossel, award-winning beauty editor, author, and presenter on This Morning, for an honest conversation about carving out a career in fashion and beauty when everyone's fighting for the same seat at the table. Sarah takes us from her early days breaking into the industry all the way to writing her book, Diary Of A Beauty Editor, and everything she learned (the hard way) in between. We get into what it really means to build authority and trust when the market is saturated, why authenticity is your most powerful career asset, and how to develop the editorial eye to know what's worth your time and what's just noise. We also go deep on beauty product red flags, the trends she's watching, and the questions every woman should be asking before she buys into the hype. In this episode, we cover: How Sarah broke into the fashion industry and navigated her way to the top Building credibility and authority in a saturated, competitive space Beauty product red flags and the trends shaping the industry right now The journey of writing a book and what it teaches you about your own voice Beauty product guidance for pregnant women and women with cancer Myth busting beauty perfection standards If you're building a career in a crowded space and trying to figure out how to stand out this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Sarah Jossel 07:02 Making the Fashion to Beauty Shift 11:34 Building Credibility in your Career 29:07 Beauty Trend Red Flags 31:18 Smart Spending on Beauty Trends 34:54 Beauty and Confidence 39:07 The Journey of Writing a Book 42:59 Approach to Functional Makeup 45:12 Filters and Fake Realities 47:24 Finding Your Voice 53:13 Clean Beauty Marketing Myths 56:52 Clearing Up Clean Beauty Confusion 59:36 Pregnancy and Cancer Beauty Product Guidance 01:03:36 Pressures of Perfection Myth 01:13:33 Consistency Over Noise 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW SARAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjossel/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarah_jossel FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sedge Beswick was ASOS's first ever social media hire back when social wasn't a career. What followed was an accidental leap into agency life that became SEEN Connects, a powerhouse she built, scaled, and sold for £24 million. But, this is more than an exit story. Sedge gets radically honest about the parts that don't make the highlight reel, founder loneliness, cashflow problems, navigating private equity while pregnant, and why breaking hustle culture was one of her best business decisions. In this episode, we cover: How Sedge became ASOS's first social media hire before social was a career Landing big clients fast and managing the growth that followed Investment, cashflow, and the realities of founder finance Motherhood, setting boundaries as a founder, and breaking hustle culture What the £24M exit really felt like Owning and creating balance as a successful woman in business Redefining success, freedom, and what comes after selling This is a masterclass in building with intention, exiting with clarity, and redefining success on your own terms. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Sedge Beswick 01:23 Working In Social Before It Was A Career 06:17 ASOS First Social Hire 14:02 Social Media Becomes Marketing 16:17 Accidental Agency Leap 20:46 Landing Big Clients Fast 23:43 Investment And Managing Cashflow 30:06 Lonely Founder Rollercoaster 33:20 Boundaries In Motherhood 37:51 Breaking Hustle Culture 41:20 Scaling Through Sales 43:18 Lessons In Hiring 46:03 Leadership vs Being Liked 48:47 Private Equity and US Expansion 51:01 Pregnancy Changes the Deal 56:59 Selling The Business and Resetting 01:00:32 Redefining Success and Freedom 01:10:22 Final Advice and Wrap 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW SEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sedgebeswick/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SedgeBeswick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sedge-beswick/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Josephine Philips is the founder of SOJO, the UK's first on-demand clothing alterations and repairs app. She started SOJO by manually cycling garments across London to validate the idea before raising £1.8M in pre-seed funding (backed by Depop's own founder), landed Forbes 30 Under 30, and opened a permanent concession in Selfridges. In this episode, Josephine gets brutally honest about the real journey: finding a tech co-founder early on,, the hiring mistakes that slowed her down, a six-week fundraising sprint that changed everything, and what it actually means to build with the end in mind. This is a masterclass in doing more with less, moving fast without breaking your team, and why representation in VC funding is still one of the most urgent conversations in entrepreneurship. What we cover: Finding a tech co-founder as a non-technical founder Navigating the fashion space outside of fast fashion Finding a niche in a typically crowded space The timings and strategy of raising investment The stats around investment for Black Women Hiring and growing a team for your business, not following the status quo How to build a B2B strategy without losing focus How to SOJO x Selfridges Partnership happened The honest truth about representation in VC If you're building something new or struggling to articulate why your idea matters, this one's for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Josephine, Sojo Founder 03:17 The Tailoring Niche 07:48 The Problem with Fast Fashion 13:52 Validating The Business Idea 16:59 Finding A Tech Co-Founder 22:24 Launch Traction And Press 23:40 Funding And Getting Investment 29:48 Hiring Growing Pains 33:01 Corporate vs Startup Hiring 34:19 The Right Time For Funding 35:24 More Team Slower Progress 37:09 Focussing On Your B2B Strategy 38:11 Where Is Sojo Today? 39:16 Hiring for Complementary Skills 41:36 Testing Agility in Interviews 43:43 Representation in VC Funding 47:53 6-Week Fundraising Sprint 50:57 Selfridges Partnership Breakdown 54:49 Global Expansion Plans 01:00:33 Build With the End in Mind 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW SOJO SOJO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sojo.uk/ Josephine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephine__philips/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, we sit down with Georgie Coleridge Cole, Founder & CEO of SheerLuxe, the e-commerce and lifestyle powerhouse that redefined how women discover fashion, beauty, and culture online. Georgie opens up about the formative experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial mindset, how she stumbled into the world of e-commerce before it was cool, and the raw reality of building an incredible team from scratch while the industry was still figuring out what digital media even meant. What we cover: The honest story of building SheerLuxe and becoming an entrepreneur Discovering and navigating the world of e-commerce Business investment and financing. Why access to capital looks very different for women in business How to structure a strong team early and build a culture that scales Juggling life, business, and motherhood. The real, unfiltered version If you're a female founder navigating the chaos of building something bold, this one's for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Georgie and SheerLuxe 01:14 The SheerLuxe Mission and Platform Evolution 09:16 Navigating Career Detours 14:55 The Start of Building SheerLuxe 21:56 Raising VC and Keeping Equity 28:23 The Hardest Part of Leadership 31:30 The SheerLuxe Team as the Brand 41:52 Staying Relevant Through Change 45:56 Editorial First, Monetise Later 46:47 The £40M Sell 53:09 Equity And Industry Stigma 55:17 The Work and Motherhood Reality 01:03:41 Life After the Acquisition 01:07:19 Rocket Round 01:15:22 Best Piece of Advice 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW GEORGIE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gcoleridgecole/ SheerLuxe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheerluxe/ SheerLuxe TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheerluxe FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Bernicia Boateng, makeup artists to the stars to go behind the scenes of her incredible journey, from the makeup chair to founding Enoléh, the hair brand redefining what it means for Black women to feel seen, celebrated, and authentic in the beauty space. In this episode, we cover: The mission behind Bernicia's work and why authentic representation in skincare and makeup matters more now than ever before What self-belief actually looks like in practice The beauty and power of women wearing wigs and hair extensions, and why it's so much more than aesthetics The behind-the-scenes of building Enoléh, the team, the challenges, and the dream Whether you're a founder, a dreamer, or someone who's been holding back, this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Bernicia 02:05 From makeup to wider mission 06:22 Gaining confidence 11:25 Building repeat customers and loyalty 13:56 Why wigs matter 20:45 Building a fashion forward brand 25:42 Launching with a business partner 31:51 The ‘Just Do It’ mission 40:13 Smart category strategy 41:22 Quality over ego 43:30 Bernicia’s 2 year vision 45:58 Dream retail partners 47:23 Business non-negotiables 49:30 Quickfire habits & lessons 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW BERNICIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berniciaboateng/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realberniciaboateng Enoléh: https://www.instagram.com/enoleh/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, I’m pulling back the curtain on building my new skincare brand. This week, we dive deeper into product development; from formulation and testing to MOQs and what it really takes to get products onto retail shelves. I’m sharing the real journey with you: what I’m learning as I go, how I’m building the brand from the ground up, and the challenges that are keeping me up at night. Plus, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at our next Ladies Who Launch live event. After how incredible and inspiring our last one was, I cannot wait to share another amazing lineup with you. In this episode, I cover: Where the products are right now. Development, testing, and what the process has been along the way The decisions around formulation that no one prepares you for How I’m thinking about quantities and what that means for the brand at this stage Selling into retailers and what it actually takes to get a brand onto shelves The next Ladies Who Launch line up Whether you're launching your first product or scaling an existing beauty business, this conversation is here to share and support. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Aila Morin, CMO of MERIT Beauty, the clean, minimalist brand that's redefining what "effortless" really means in beauty. This episode isn't just a brand story, it’s an original narrative of how to stay true to yourself while building a business with purpose and impact. Aila opens up about the why behind MERIT, the purpose that shaped every product decision, every campaign, and every community touchpoint from day one. What we cover: How MERIT built a narrative that resonates far beyond the product How new product development becomes a brand-building tool, not just a revenue play What real brand loyalty looks like and how to cultivate it without gimmicks How Aila stays focused in one of the most competitive industries The messy, real, unglamorous side of scaling a team and a brand Whether you're a founder in the thick of it or a marketer obsessed with building a brand, this episode will challenge the way you think about building something with real meaning & clarity. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 04:57 Designing Brand DNA 07:53 The Five Minute Morning 12:49 The No-Hero Product Strategy 18:26 Building Hype Around Brand & Product 24:26 Scaling Profitably To $200M 29:41 Multichannel Brand Building 32:25 Creative A North Star 38:31 Anti Advice And Comparison 41:53 Work Identity Boundaries 45:18 Mentors And Leadership Energy 47:00 One Tip For Founders 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW AILA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ailamorin/ MERIT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merit/ MERIT TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@merit FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Katherine Barlow, founder of Ru & Rocka, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a fashion brand from scratch. From the spark of an idea to building a team and letting others into her business, Katherine shares the real founder story behind one of the most original brands in the space today. We cover: How Ru & Rocka started and the moment it became real Being responsible with money and navigating small business finances How to build a brand that's truly original in a crowded market Building the Ru & Rocka team and knowing when to hire Building a true brand identity & DNA Launching in Selfridges Whether you're in the early stages of building your brand or scaling your team, this one is packed with lessons you won't want to miss. We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Katherine Barlow 04:56 Instagram Side Hustle 07:16 Finance Lessons Learned 09:47 Building A Brand Solo 12:51 From The Studio to Ru & Rocka 30:11 Scaling Without Fear 32:37 Brand DNA Matters 33:41 When Big Brands Copy 38:32 Building Thick Skin In Business 40:52 Launching In Selfridges 46:57 Scrappy Startup Lessons 48:12 What’s Next For Ru & Rocka 58:09 Final Advice For Business Owners 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW KATHERINE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kb.barlow/ Ru & Rocka: https://www.instagram.com/ruandrocka/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
