Jen welcomes Amy from AP Massage Therapy to share her journey from working as a personal trainer on the gym floor to building a multi-faceted practice offering sports massage, pregnancy massage, C-section scar massage, personal training and Pilates.

In this conversation Amy explains how early PT work revealed the gaps in her knowledge around injuries, why ongoing training changed the way she supported clients, and how she rebuilt a client base after moving to Newbury. She talks candidly about the challenges of COVID, the switch to online sessions, and the value of swapping services with other professionals when funds were limited. Amy also discusses her recent rebrand from Rock Your Body to AP Massage Therapy and how the softer, care-led identity reflects the direction her business has taken.

The episode explores what C-section scar massage is, who it can help and why it can make a difference even decades after birth. Amy explains how she combines massage, Pilates and personal training to support long-term health, why boundaries and confidence in pricing matter for sole traders, and how simple steps such as a clear website and word of mouth marketing have supported her growth.

Listeners will come away with a clear understanding of the role scar massage can play in recovery, practical advice on building a sustainable business in health and fitness, and the reassurance that asking for help is not a weakness but a key part of success.

Links:

AP Massage Therapy website: https://www.apmassagetherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_apmassagetherapy_

Jennifer Cornish Design: https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk

If you are a small business owner in Newbury or the surrounding area and would like to share your story, get in touch with the show.

This podcast was produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

In this episode of Love Local, Jen chats with Michelle, founder of Little Ocean, a family-run brand creating stylish, practical beach products for children and parents. From a cold day in Cornwall with her young son to launching a bestselling range of beach pools and bags, Michelle shares the behind-the-scenes journey of starting and growing a product-based business from scratch.

You'll hear how Michelle developed her idea into a tangible product, working with factories via Alibaba, testing fabrics with her kids in the kitchen, and overcoming production setbacks (including 300 beach bags with the wrong straps!). She also opens up about navigating influencer marketing, balancing business with family life, and selling both via her website and on Amazon.

This episode is a must-listen for:

Aspiring product-based business owners

Parents looking to launch their own brand

Founders curious about using Alibaba to manufacture a custom product

Small businesses exploring influencer marketing or Amazon as a sales channel

Anyone who’s struggled with stock decisions or finding the right factory partners

Michelle also shares:

How she used her holiday time to shoot all her launch content

Why authenticity and visibility as a founder boosted her sales

How a shoutout from Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s Parenting Hell podcast led to real growth

The biggest mistake she made in her first year and what she’d do differently

With honest advice, real talk about mistakes, and practical tips for others launching a brand, this episode is full of lessons for anyone building a small business while raising a young family.

Find out more:

* Website: https://www.littleocean.co.uk

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_little_ocean_

* Also available on Amazon (search “Little Ocean Beach Pool”)

Connect with Jennifer Cornish Design:

* Website: https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercornishdesign

If you're a small business owner in Newbury or nearby and have a story to tell, Jen would love to hear from you.

This is podcast is Recorded, edited and published by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk/

In the very first episode of Love Local, host Jen Cornish is joined by Katie Evans, founder of The Shire Collective, a community-driven networking group supporting independent business owners across Berkshire and beyond.

Katie shares the journey of how The Shire Collective began—born from her own need for connection after moving out of London—and how it’s grown into a nurturing space for entrepreneurs to meet, share, and grow together. From her signature Coffee with Purpose mornings to coaching programmes and wellness events, Katie talks about the importance of building authentic relationships in business and why traditional networking doesn’t work for everyone.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for small business owners, especially those who:

• Feel isolated or overwhelmed running a business solo
• Are looking to build meaningful, supportive business connections
• Want to lead with values, not just hustle
• Are considering networking or coaching as a path to growth
• Struggle with visibility or confidence when marketing themselves

• Katie and Jen also discuss the importance of brand identity and tone of voice, how lived experience and formal training shaped Katie’s coaching approach, and why small, intimate events can lead to deeper, more impactful business friendships.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your business, this episode offers a gentle but powerful reminder: you don’t have to do it all alone.

Links and Resources:

Visit The Shire Collective: https://www.theshirecollective.co.uk

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshirecollective

Join a Coffee with Purpose event or coaching group via Eventbrite (links available through the website and Instagram)

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk