Freedom Friendly Business

In this episode I'm talking to Jo McCarthy who has an online shop called Firain. Jo fills her shop with handmade pieces that are not only uplifting to use but also made in an ethical way by super-passionate makers. 

We talk about what Jo's learned from growing her online shop over the last year. She also shares some really useful and actionable tips for makers and designers who are looking to start wholesaling or to up their wholesaling game. Find the full show notes at www.josephinepenelope.co.uk/podcast/episode8

This episode we cover loads of topics starting with where the idea came from for The Botanical Candle company and how the business has grown to where it is now. We also discuss the opening of their new shop in Shaftesbury and the decision behind opening a bricks and mortar shop and growing a team. 

One thing I really admire The Botanical Candle Company for is their branding and sustainably made products that are all wrapped up in eco-friendly packaging, all of which we discuss in this episode of On The Make. 

Find the Full Show notes at josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast/episode7

In this episode I chat to Emma about running her curtain making and soft furnishings business, Emma May Stitching. A big part of her business is teaching her craft and in this episode we talk in depth about where to start with teaching and addressing some common worries.

Emma shares loads of advice and handy tips on teaching for anyone who wants to start teaching craft workshops and also talks about how she juggles her teaching and taking on commissions alongside being a mum. I hope this episode inspires you to give teaching a go!

Find the full show notes and links at josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast/episode6

This episode I talk about how you can get organised over the summer months to prepare for the busy season ahead. For most makers and designers the last four months of the year are generally the busiest. In fact, Amalia from the Botanical Candle Co. who I interviewed for episode 7 (coming soon) mentioned that 80% of their sales come in the last four months of the year, highlighting just how busy those last months of the year can be. Find the full show notes and links at josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast

On this episode of On The Make I talk to Alex Collins who makes beautiful and sustainability made project bags for makers. We talk in depth about her brand values around using sustainable materials, reducing plastic and having a minimal impact on the environment. 

I also adore the cosy, homely feel of Alex's Instagram feed. In this episode Alex also shares her best product and Instagram photography tips as well as how she's grown her audience on Instagram. do go and check out her feed, link below! 

The full shownotes are at josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast/episode4

In this episode of On The Make, Becky shares her journey to creating the slow-living lifestyle she dreamed of by being intentional about creating businesses and income streams that support her need for flexibility. Becky is a slow living expert, artist, mum and farmers wife - she's got a lot going on but she wouldn't have it any other way. All of these strings to her bow supports her in living the lifestyle she adores and her passion for this really comes through in this episode.

Becky shares her tips on how to slow down and live more naturally in the ever changing and fast paced world that we live in. Being a mum has opened Becky's eyes up even more to the benefits of slow living and being intentional about creating a flexible lifestyle. This episode is sure to get you inspired and motivated to seek out the lifestyle you really want and get you thinking about how you can work towards it. 

Find the full show notes at josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast/episode3

In this episode Jen from The Crafty Traveller talks about leaving full time employment to focus 100% on growing her creative business, making personalised, hand embroidered maps with a vintage feel. Jen gives an honest and open account of her first year in business, the peaks, troughs and all. 

If you're growing your creative business and thinking about making the jump to working on your own gig full-time Jen talks about making that decision to leave employment and what her first year has been like, emotional roller-coaster and all.  

Find the full show notes at www.josephinebrooks.co.uk/podcast/episode2

In this episode of On The Make, surface pattern designer, Victoria Jowett talks about getting into surface pattern design, her design process and getting her designs printed on fabrics and manufactured in to physical products, in the UK. If you're a designer who's thinking about getting your designs made into physical products, this episode will give you a head start. The lins mentioned in this podcast can be found in the show notes at http://www.josephinepenelope.co.uk/podcast/episode1/