In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, our host Roberta is joined by Janette and Deirdre, the powerhouse sisters behind Kays Flower School. With decades of experience, they’ve revolutionised floristry education in Ireland, making it more accessible and empowering, particularly for women seeking flexible and fulfilling careers. From traditional family business roots to pioneering online floral education, they’ve trained award-winning florists across Ireland and beyond.

• Kay’s Flower School began in 1987 as Ireland’s first accessible floristry training center, founded by Janette and Deirdre’s mother, Kay.
• The sisters pivoted to online teaching during the pandemic, creating a highly personal and interactive digital learning experience.
• Their online floristry training has helped hundreds start new careers, particularly empowering women returning to the workforce.
• The school has gained international recognition, winning “Floral Educator of the Year” in the U.S. and partnering with global floral influencers.
• Graduates of Kays Flower School have gone on to win numerous industry awards and open successful businesses across Ireland and the UK.
• Their courses are not only for aspiring business owners but also cater to hobbyists and those exploring creative passions.

00:01 – Meet Janette and Deirdre of Kays Flower School
01:00 – Flower Icebreaker: What flower would you be?
04:00 – The Story Behind Kays Flower School
07:00 – Pivoting During the Pandemic: Going Online
11:00 – Creating a Personal Online Learning Experience
20:00 – Going Global: Teaching in the U.S. and Beyond
26:00 – Student Success Stories
31:00 – Shifting Careers and Creative Fulfilment
36:00 – Emotional Power of Flowers
37:00 – How to Get Started with Kays Flower School

Connect with Kays Flower School:

Website: ⁠https://www.kaysflowerschool.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@kaysflowerschool⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Kay’s Flower School⁠

Free taster course: https://www.kaysflowerschool.com/free-flower-course

Listen to Kays Flower School Podcast

Follow on Instagram: ⁠@designbyroberta⁠ and ⁠@corenandformdesign⁠Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠: Roberta RechenaSubscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updatesVisit the ⁠Core and Form website⁠Book a Free Discovery Call: Contact Page

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, our host Roberta is joined by Louise Langton, founder of Social Tailor. Louise is a creative force with a background in brand and web design who has recently transitioned to focus more on social media. Known for her warm energy and genuine presence, Louise shares her journey of evolving her business, the power of staying true to your lane, pricing with confidence, and how embracing tech like AI is transforming her creative workflow.

Takeaways

• Simplicity and fun in business can be more effective than following trends.
• The importance of listening to your customers and adjusting your services accordingly.
• Transitioning from web and branding to social media was a strategic move based on demand.
• Pricing services is nuanced—consider your experience, time, and the value you provide.
• Business boundaries, mindset, and expectations are crucial for sustainable success.
• Exploring tech and AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly improve business efficiency.

Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Louise Langton and Social Tailor 01:44 – What would your billboard say? 04:12 – Staying in your lane and avoiding comparison 06:42 – Keep moving: the power of momentum 08:30 – Quick decisions and learning through trial 09:24 – How Social Tailor came to be 12:20 – Transitioning from web design to social media 19:44 – Talking on stories and showing up online 25:10 – The pricing mindset: experience, value, and clarity 37:33 – Knowing when to say no to underpriced work 45:50 – The value of honest business conversations 50:10 – Scaling vs. staying solo 57:10 – Email boundaries and workflow strategies 1:00:33 – Using AI to support creativity and business growth 1:10:38 – What’s next for Social Tailor?

Stay connected with Louise Langton:

Website: ⁠https://socialtailor.ie/⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@socialtailor.ie⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Louise Langton⁠⁠

Resources mentioned:

• The Futur Podcast with Chris Do
• AI tools like ChatGPT, Blaze, and Google’s AI features

Stay connected with Roberta:

• Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠@designbyroberta⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@coreandformdesign⁠⁠
• Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠: ⁠Roberta Rechena⁠
• Subscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updates
• Visit the ⁠⁠Core and Form website⁠⁠
• Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠Schedule Here⁠

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, Roberta welcomes Marisa Soares to share her inspiring journey from being a teacher in Portugal to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the field of bilingual education. She discusses her experiences living in Dubai, the challenges of transitioning from a traditional teaching role to running her own business, and the importance of innovation in education. Marisa also offers valuable insights on raising bilingual children, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and the significance of treating a passion-driven business as a legitimate enterprise. The conversation concludes with Marisa's future plans for her educational resources and publishing endeavors.

Takeaways:

• Marisa has lived a diverse life, reflecting on her journey.
• Teaching is a passion that can lead to entrepreneurship.
• Transitioning from teacher to business owner involves significant challenges.
• Building a business requires emotional stamina and resilience.
• Innovative educational resources are essential for effective teaching.
• Raising bilingual children requires understanding and patience.
• Every child's language learning journey is unique and takes time.
• Balancing motherhood and business is a continuous challenge.
• Female entrepreneurs should prioritize financial sustainability.
• Investing in personal development is crucial for success.

Sound Bites

"I've lived a thousand lives."

"It's never too late."

"We are creators of our lives."

"It's a roller coaster."

"Treat your business as a business from day one."

"All the cliches are true."

"I work with kids so I have fun all day."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

02:30 Marisa's Journey to Dubai

06:46 Transitioning from Teacher to Entrepreneur

12:51 Building a Business and Overcoming Challenges

17:40 Innovating in Education: Resources and Publishing

20:57 Raising Bilingual Children: Insights and Advice

28:07 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

31:08 Advice for Female Entrepreneurs

36:16 Future Plans for Yay

Stay connected with Marisa and IEI:

website: ⁠https://iei.pt

instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iei.pt

linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-soares-iei/

Stay connected with Roberta:

• Follow on Instagram: @‌designbyroberta and @‌corenandformdesign
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updates
• Visit the Core Brands website
• Book a Free Discovery Call if you're interested in collaborating!

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, Roberta Rechena discusses the essential elements that every website needs to build trust and convert visitors into paying clients. She emphasizes the importance of clear messaging, professional design, social proof, effective calls to action, and trust signals. By focusing on these key areas, business owners can create a credible online presence that encourages engagement and sales.

Takeaways

Your website is your digital storefront.

Clear messaging is crucial for visitor engagement.

Keep content concise to cater to short attention spans.

A professional design enhances credibility.

Social proof is vital for building trust.

A clear call to action drives conversions.

Trust signals reassure visitors of your legitimacy.

Include personal elements to foster connection.

Contact information should be easily accessible.

Utilize a checklist to ensure all elements are covered.

Chapters

00:00 Building Trust Through Your Website

11:51 Key Elements for Conversion

Stay connected with Roberta:

Follow on Instagram: @‌designbyroberta and @‌corenandformdesign

Connect on LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updates

Visit the Core Brands website

Book a Free Discovery Call if you're interested in collaborating!

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast our host Roberta is joined by Celine Gill shares her unique journey into interior design, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, sensory experiences, and biophilic design in creating harmonious living spaces. She offers practical tips for homeowners feeling overwhelmed by their spaces and discusses her aspirations for the future of her business.

Takeaways

• Celine's journey into interior design was not straightforward but rather organic.
• Sustainability in design is about long-term thinking and quality over quantity.
• Awareness of sensory experiences in the home can greatly impact well-being.
• Biophilic design emphasizes the importance of bringing nature into living spaces.
• Small changes can lead to significant improvements in home comfort and functionality.
• Clutter can hinder the enjoyment of a space; starting small can help manage it.
• Understanding personal preferences is key to creating a meaningful home environment.
• Celine aims to educate clients about sustainable choices without judgment.
• The role of a designer is to reflect the client's personality in their home.
• Future aspirations include reaching a wider audience through workshops and training.

• "I would love to learn to paint art."
• "It all sort of ties together."
• "Sustainability is thinking long term."
• "It's about your five senses."
• "Clutter is a big thing."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Icebreaker

02:04Celine's Journey into Interior Design

05:04Sustainability in Interior Design

09:55Understanding Sensory and Biophilic Design

22:46Practical Tips for Overwhelmed Homeowners

27:54Future Aspirations and Inspirations

Stay connected with Celine Gill:

website: https://styleatno5.com/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styleatno5/

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celine-gill-2b96753/

Book mentioned:

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

Stay connected with Roberta:

Stay connected with Roberta:

• Follow on Instagram: @‌designbyroberta and @‌corenandformdesign
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updates
• Visit the Core Brands website
• Book a Free Discovery Call if you're interested in collaborating!

In this episode of the Core Brands podcast, Emma Walker shares her inspiring career journey from PR and communications to entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges and rewards of running her own business, the importance of leadership coaching, and her experiences navigating gender dynamics in the workplace. Emma emphasizes that leadership is not about being born a leader but about hard work and authenticity. She also reflects on her recognition in the 30 under 30 awards and offers valuable advice to her younger self about embracing change and the concept of 'never'.

Stay Connected with Emma Walker:

Connect with Emma on Linkedin

Walker & Co website: ⁠walkerandco.ie

Stay connected with Roberta:

Follow on Instagram: ⁠@‌designbyroberta⁠ and ⁠@‌corenanfformdesign⁠

Connect on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Subscribe to the Core Letters newsletter for updates

Visit the ⁠Core Brands website⁠

Book a Free Discovery Call if you're interested in collaborating!

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, Roberta speaks with Michelle Lacey about her transformative journey from being a Montessori teacher to embracing holistic therapy. They discuss the profound impact of grief on personal growth, the healing power of Reiki, and the signs of connection that can be felt after losing loved ones. Michelle shares her experiences with grief, the lessons learned, and how she found her purpose in helping others heal emotionally and spiritually. In this conversation, Michelle and Roberta explore the themes of signs from the universe, energy healing, and the power of manifestation through vision boards. They discuss personal experiences with receiving signs, the importance of intention in energy work, and the transformative nature of group workshops. Michelle shares insights into her healing practices and upcoming plans for retreats, emphasizing the significance of self-care and personal growth.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

11:56 The Impact of Grief on Personal Growth

18:03 Finding Signs and Connection After Loss

24:38 Signs from the Universe

31:49 Workshops and Group Healing

39:59 Vision Boards and Manifestation

Stay Connected with Michelle Lacey:

Stay connected with Roberta:

In this episode of the Core Brands Podcast, Roberta takes you behind the scenes of how she launched her podcast, sharing her simple and manageable process. From planning and recording to editing and publishing, she breaks it all down so you can see how it’s possible to start your own podcast—even with a busy life as a designer, mom, and business owner.

Check the tools used and mentioned on the episode:

Recording and Magic clips: Riverside

Project Management: Dubsado

Editing episodes: Premiere Pro

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The planning process: How to outline topics, schedule episodes, and invite guests.

• Recording tools and equipment: Roberta keeps it simple with a Blue Yeti microphone, Google Docs, and Riverside for intuitive recording and editing.

• Editing and publishing: Why templates and tools like Premiere Pro and Spotify Creators make the process easier.

• Promotion and guest collaboration: Using clips from guest episodes to boost reach and engagement on social media.

• Key takeaways for keeping your podcast low-stress, fun, and rewarding.

Takeaways:

• Start simple: Use tools and equipment that fit your budget and skills.

• Plan ahead: Create lists of topics and guests to stay organized and consistent.

• Automate when possible: Tools like Riverside’s “Magic Clips” make editing and social media sharing easier.

• Collaborate with guests: Share clips and promote episodes together for mutual growth.

• Have fun: Focus on enjoying the process and connecting with your audience.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Inspiration Behind the Podcast

02:00 - Planning Episodes and Inviting Guests

03:30 - Preparing for Guest Recordings

05:00 - Tools and Equipment for Recording and Editing

07:00 - Publishing and Distributing Episodes

08:30 - Promoting the Podcast and Engaging with Guests

Big Shoutout To: Abby from Wayfarer Design Studio for her valuable tips and inspiration.

Stay Connected with Roberta:

Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @designbyroberta and @coreandformdesign and @thecoremakers

Subscribe to the Core Letters Newsletter for updates.

Visit the Core Brands Website.

Book a Free Discovery Call to collaborate!

Join the Conversation:

Thinking of starting your own podcast? Roberta would love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or tips by sending her a message or tagging her on Instagram.

Tune in next week for another episode of the Core Brands Podcast!

In this episode of the Core Brands podcast, host Roberta chats with Niamh Moynihan, founder of Better Workday. They discuss Niamh's journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the importance of tracking time for productivity. Niamh shares her insights on hustle culture, transitioning to a limited company, and building a flexible team. The conversation concludes with practical tips for creating a better workday and Niamh's future plans for her business.

Takeaways

Niamh's journey to entrepreneurship was fueled by her desire to help others succeed in their careers.

Balance in life is a dynamic process, not a fixed state.

It's important to focus on small moments that create a positive ripple effect for future generations.

Hustle culture can lead to burnout; intentional work is key.

Tracking hours can provide valuable insights into productivity and time management.

Transitioning to a limited company can simplify financial management.

Building a flexible team allows for adaptability and support in business.

Focusing on refining existing offerings can lead to greater success than constant expansion.

Practical tips can enhance daily work experiences and overall joy in work.

Embracing the good days and accepting the challenging ones is essential for a fulfilling work life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

06:09 Balancing Work and Family Life

12:03 Navigating Hustle Culture

17:47 Building a Flexible Team

24:49 Practical Tips for a Better Workday

Stay Connected with Niamh Moynihan:

abetterworkday.com

Stay connected with Roberta:

In this solo episode, Roberta reflects on her experiences in 2024, sharing both the highlights and challenges she faced. She discusses her personal and professional growth, including networking successes, a rebranding journey, and the importance of maintaining boundaries. Despite encountering difficulties, such as project delays and a troubling personal experience, Roberta emphasises gratitude for the positive aspects of her year and outlines her intentions for 2025, focusing on health, creativity, and connection.

Takeaways

Stay connected with Roberta: