Business Class

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Maddie Borge, founder of Pastael, the travel accessories brand that's redefining the way we travel.

What started as a simple idea to solve a common travel problem has grown into a thriving e-commerce business, with Maddie building a loyal community through social media, smart branding and a relentless focus on creating products people genuinely love.

In this episode, Maddie shares the reality of launching a product-based business, building a brand from scratch and turning an idea into a fast-growing company.

Together, Vicky and Maddie discuss:

• How Maddy founded Pastael
• Turning an everyday problem into a successful business
• Building a product-based brand from scratch
• Growing an e-commerce business through social media
• Product development and bringing ideas to life
• The power of branding and customer experience
• Manufacturing, logistics and scaling a business
• Lessons from entrepreneurship and startup life
• Overcoming challenges as a founder
• Creating a loyal community around your brand
• The realities of running an online business
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Whether you're launching a product, building an e-commerce business or dreaming of becoming a founder, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice from someone who's built a brand with purpose.

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens shares the honest lessons she's learned from building and managing a growing team.

From hiring your very first employee to leading a larger business, Vicky opens up about the mistakes she's made, the challenges of managing people in your twenties, and the leadership lessons she wishes she'd known from day one.

Managing a team isn't something anyone teaches you. Whether it's setting boundaries, building company culture, giving feedback or learning to lead with confidence, Vicky shares the real experiences behind growing a business and the people within it. 

In this episode, Vicky discusses:

• Hiring your first employee and growing a team
• The biggest mistakes first-time managers make
• Leading a business in your twenties
• Setting boundaries without losing approachability
• Building a positive company culture
• Managing difficult conversations with confidence
• Delegating effectively as a founder
• Why making leadership mistakes is part of the journey
• Creating a team that supports business growth
• Learning to become a better leader every day
• Balancing empathy with accountability
• Scaling your business without losing your culture

Whether you're hiring your first employee, growing a startup or leading an established team, this episode is packed with practical leadership advice and honest reflections from a founder who's learning in real time.

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit that helps you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and sell products, services and digital downloads, all from one platform.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership and business growth.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Delphi and David, the husband and wife founders behind By Teddy, one of the UK's fastest growing pet lifestyle brands.

In just a few short years, By Teddy has grown from an idea into a nationally recognised business, securing partnerships with major retailers including John Lewis, Pets at Home, Pets Corner and Very. But behind the growth is a story of persistence, strategic networking, bold decision-making and building a brand customers genuinely love.

In this episode, Delphi and David share the realities of scaling a product-based business, navigating cash flow challenges, securing retail partnerships and growing a brand in a highly competitive market.

Together, Vicky, Delphi and David discuss:

• How By Teddy went from startup to stocked in major retailers
• Building a business with your partner
• The challenges of scaling a fast-growing e-commerce brand
• How to get your products into major retailers
• The power of networking and relationship building
• Why persistence is one of the most underrated business skills
• Cash flow, inventory management and growth challenges
• Leveraging TikTok Shop and social media for business growth
• Brand collaborations and creating standout marketing moments
• Building a premium brand in a crowded market
• Lessons learned from rapid business growth
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and founders

Whether you're launching a product-based business, building an e-commerce brand or looking to scale your company, this episode is packed with practical insights and actionable advice from two founders who are doing exactly that.

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business online.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.

Send us Fan Mail

Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens answers your biggest questions about building a personal brand, growing on social media and turning your online presence into real business opportunities.

From whether founders should show up on camera, to balancing entertaining content with credibility, avoiding burnout and building an audience that actually converts into customers, Vicky shares the honest advice she gives clients every day. 

If you're an entrepreneur, founder, creator or business owner looking to grow your personal brand in 2026, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.

In this episode, Vicky discusses:

• Whether every founder needs a personal brand
• Founder-led content vs faceless business content
• Building trust and authority on social media
• How to grow without chasing every trend
• Why respect is more valuable than viral views
• Creating content that attracts customers, not just followers
• Managing social media burnout
• Building a sustainable content strategy
• Outsourcing your marketing effectively
• Balancing business growth with your personal life
• The mindset required to build a successful personal brand

Whether you're just starting your business or looking to take your content strategy to the next level, this episode will help you build a brand that creates long-term opportunities, not just short-term attention. 

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, social media and business growth.

Send us Fan Mail

Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with entrepreneur, author and founder of the global movement F*ck Being Humble, Stefanie Sword Williams.

Known for helping people build confidence, advocate for themselves and stop playing small, Stefanie has spent the last eight years challenging the way we think about self-promotion, personal branding and career growth. In this powerful conversation, she shares what it really takes to build a movement that lasts, stand out in a crowded market and create meaningful impact through your work.

Together, Vicky and Stephanie discuss:

• How to build a personal brand people remember
• Why most businesses focus on trends instead of solving real problems
• Creating a movement instead of just creating content
• The power of bold messaging and strong positioning
• Confidence, self-promotion and overcoming self-doubt
• Dealing with criticism and fear of judgement online
• Why authenticity matters more than ever
• The difference between vulnerability and oversharing
• Building a brand with purpose and longevity
• How to stop gatekeeping your brilliance
• Creating opportunities instead of waiting for them
• The mindset shifts that help founders grow

Stefanie also shares her personal journey, the challenges she's faced behind the scenes, and the lessons she's learned from building one of the UK's most recognisable personal development brands.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, founder or professional looking to build confidence and visibility, this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business online.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.

Send us Fan Mail

Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens shares her complete blueprint for building a successful personal brand in 2026.

After growing an audience of over 250,000 followers, building a thriving marketing agency, launching a podcast, securing major brand partnerships and creating multiple income streams, Vicky breaks down exactly what she's learned about personal branding, networking, visibility and creating opportunities that can transform your career. 

This isn't just about growing followers on social media. It's about building a personal brand that opens doors, creates opportunities and helps you build a business beyond the algorithm.

In this episode, Vicky discusses:

• The biggest opportunities that have come from building a personal brand
• Why followers open doors in business
• How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them
• Building authority and trust online
• Networking strategies that actually work
• Growing your personal brand beyond social media
• Creating multiple income streams from your expertise
• The power of podcasting and long-form content
• Building meaningful relationships and industry connections
• Working with brands authentically
• How to monetise your audience without losing trust
• The mistakes Vicky has made building her personal brand

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, freelancer, consultant or aspiring founder, this episode is packed with practical advice on building visibility, credibility and influence in today's digital world. 

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly

Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your online business.

👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, social media, personal branding and business growth.

Send us Fan Mail

Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with creator, investor and personal finance educator Mia McGrath live from SXSW for an honest conversation about building a personal brand in the modern creator economy.

After growing her audience to nearly one million followers in under a year, Mia shares the reality behind rapid growth, content creation, personal branding, social media strategy and turning a passion project into a full-time business.

Together, Vicky and Mia discuss:

• How Mia grew her audience from zero to almost one million followers
• The content strategy behind consistent growth
• Finding your niche in a crowded market
• Building a personal brand people actually remember
• Handling criticism, scrutiny and online hate
• Balancing authenticity with privacy online
• Creator burnout, social media breaks and staying creative
• Working with brands and monetising content effectively
• Why storytelling matters more than information alone
• Outsourcing, scaling and running a creator-led business

Whether you're a founder, creator, freelancer or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights on growing an audience, building authority and creating content that converts.

Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.

This episode of Business Class is sponsored by Plannerly, the all-in-one social media planning and content management platform trusted by creators and business owners. If you're looking to stay consistent on social media, organise your content calendar and grow your online presence, use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.

Send us Fan Mail

Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

This week on Business Class, Vicky Owens tackles real business dilemmas submitted by listeners and shares honest advice on everything from difficult clients and influencer marketing disasters to team management, leadership, founder wellbeing, and personal branding.

Fresh from hosting her first Business Class Founders Dinner, Vicky opens up about the realities of running a business, managing stress, regulating your nervous system, and why success doesn't always feel as glamorous as it looks online.

In this episode:

• Handling difficult clients and setting better boundaries
• Managing employees and navigating team dynamics
• Asking for a pay rise and knowing your worth
• Influencer marketing mistakes and expensive business lessons
• What to do when a campaign goes viral for the wrong reasons
• Founder burnout, anxiety, and decision fatigue
• Growing a personal brand that creates opportunities
• Leadership lessons every business owner needs to hear

Whether you're running a startup, scaling a business, building a personal brand, or simply trying to survive the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with practical advice, relatable stories, and real-world business insights.

So take your seat, strap in, and welcome aboard Business Class.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome aboard to Business Class — the podcast for entrepreneurs, creators and ambitious minds building success from the ground up, hosted by Vicky Owens. This honest and inspiring business podcast dives into the highs, lows and everything in between when it comes to running a business, building a brand and chasing big goals.

In this incredibly value-packed episode, Vicky sits down with entrepreneur and TikTok expert Matthew Bellingham for his very first podcast interview — and trust us, you’ll want your notes app open for this one.

At just 20 years old, Matthew has already built and scaled multiple successful businesses. From growing up in the care system and launching a TikTok agency at only 16 years old, to building a million-pound valuation business before burnout forced him to reassess everything, his story is nothing short of inspiring. Matthew now helps lead Kansan Skincare, a fast-growing beauty brand stocked in Boots, Holland & Barrett and LOOKFANTASTIC, while also becoming one of the leading voices in TikTok Shop strategy and social commerce.

In this episode, Vicky and Matthew discuss:

• Building a successful business at a young age
• Growing up in the care system and overcoming adversity
• The reality of burnout, stress and entrepreneurship
• Building and managing a team
• How TikTok Shop really works behind the scenes
• TikTok marketing strategies for brands in 2026
• Affiliate marketing and going viral on TikTok
• Business mindset, confidence and imposter syndrome
• Scaling brands through social media and live selling
• Why authenticity wins in content creation

This episode is packed with actionable business advice, social media marketing insights, entrepreneurship lessons and honest conversations about what it really takes to build a successful brand online.

Sponsored by Planoly ✈️
Planoly is the ultimate creator toolkit for planning, scheduling and growing your social media with ease. From content scheduling and link-in-bio tools to built-in storefronts and digital product selling, it helps creators and business owners stay consistent without juggling multiple platforms.
Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Planoly plan.

If you enjoyed this episode of Business Class, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with a fellow entrepreneur or business bestie.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome aboard to Business Class - the podcast for entrepreneurs, creators and ambitious business owners navigating the journey to success. In this solo episode, Vicky Owens opens up about the reality of running a fast-growing business, managing a team, building a personal brand and trying to stay organised when every week looks completely different.

After what felt like a complete disaster month in April, Vicky shares the honest behind-the-scenes of what forced her to rethink productivity, time management, boundaries and business organisation. From feeling overwhelmed and overstretched to creating a “Tetris-style” calendar system that actually works, this episode is packed with relatable advice for entrepreneurs trying to juggle everything at once.

Vicky talks about:

•Productivity tips for business owners
•Time management and organisation hacks
•How to structure your week as an entrepreneur
•Creating boundaries in business
•Using AI tools like ChatGPT and Opus Clip to save time
•Managing a growing team and avoiding burnout
•Personal branding and content creation strategies
•Why business owners feel overwhelmed
•The importance of business development days
•How to stop overbooking yourself
•Creating realistic routines that actually fit your lifestyle

She also shares how she uses voice notes, journalling, alarms, AI automation and weekly audits to better understand where her time is going — plus why she believes no entrepreneur truly has it all figured out.

If you’re a business owner, freelancer, content creator or anyone trying to balance ambition with real life, this episode will make you feel far less alone.

This episode is sponsored by [Planoly](https://www.planoly.co...) — the all-in-one social media planning tool Vicky has used for years to schedule content, organise campaigns and manage both her own platforms and client accounts. Use code Vicky10 for 10% off your Planoly plan.

Don’t forget to rate, follow and share the podcast if you enjoyed the episode, and welcome aboard to Business Class.

Produced by TAEPodcast - www.taepodcast.co.uk

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk