She Did That

Sam McAlister is the woman who landed the bombshell Prince Andrew interview for BBC Newsnight, wrote the book Scoops, and then watched her story become a Netflix film starring Billie Piper.

But behind that headline-grabbing achievement is a woman who has had to fight for everything. A former criminal barrister, journalist, producer and single mum, Sam knows what it means to be overlooked, underestimated and forced to kick down doors that others walk straight through.

In this episode of She Did That, we talk about ambition, resilience, motherhood and what it really takes to build a career on your own terms. Sam shares what it’s like to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously, navigate rooms where you don’t always feel you belong, and keep pushing when nobody is handing you opportunities.

Now an international speaker, business adviser and Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics, Sam is proof that there is no single route to success and no substitute for grit, determination and backing yourself.

She’s honest, unapologetic and refreshingly no-bullshit. This is a conversation about refusing to let other people decide your potential, creating your own opportunities and never waiting for permission to go after what you want.

What does it actually mean to teach a kid the value of money and why does it matter before age six?

This week I'm joined by Louise Hill, founder of GoHenry, the prepaid debit card and financial education app used by millions of families worldwide. Louise's journey started in the most relatable way possible: as a single mum of two, watching her kids rack up iTunes downloads without any real grasp of what they were spending - or why it mattered.

That small, everyday frustration turned into a mission. Louise went on to build GoHenry into a multi-million-pound global company, raising millions in funding along the way. But she didn't stop at the product. Backed by research showing that children start forming their spending habits as young as six, Louise took her case to Downing Street and the House of Lords - campaigning for financial education to be taken seriously at a national level. That work paid off: financial education will become mandatory in UK primary schools from 2028.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The "aha moment" that sparked GoHenry
• What it actually takes to build and scale a fintech company from scratch
• Navigating investment, growth, and setbacks as a founder
• How she turned a personal parenting frustration into national policy change
• Why financial literacy in early childhood matters more than we think

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to turn a everyday problem into a global business and a legislative win, this one's for you.

Louise is tenacious, ambitious and above all believes whole heartedly in everything she builds and campaigns for, her success has just come as a result of her standing by her convictions and persevering despite countless of investors turning her business idea down.

In this episode of She Did That, I sit down with entrepreneur, dentist, and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Hanna Kinsella for an honest conversation about ambition, resilience, and building a business on your own terms.

Hanna shares what it was really like being cast on one of the UK's most talked-about reality TV shows, including the challenges of opening up her life to the nation and navigating difficult personal moments in the public eye.

We discuss her journey to becoming a dentist, opening her own dental practice, and launching her teeth-whitening brand, Icy Bear, which has gone on to secure distribution in hundreds of stores across the country. Hanna reveals her vision for building a £50 million brand and the mindset required to pursue goals that others may not always understand.

This episode is a powerful reminder that belief in yourself often has to come before anyone else believes in you. Hanna opens up about perseverance, overcoming doubt, and why staying committed to your vision can be the difference between giving up and achieving your biggest dreams.Whether you're building a business, pursuing a new career path, or simply looking for inspiration to think bigger, this conversation is packed with insights on confidence, courage, and creating success on your own terms.

Lucie Macleod never set out to build a business. While at university, she began concocting a homemade hair treatment in her parents’ kitchen to solve her own hair struggles - what started as a personal fix quickly gained traction, turning her into an accidental founder with a £6M-a-year brand before she ever stepped into the spotlight.

After going viral on TikTok and building a loyal following, Lucie entered Dragons’ Den, where she faced tough criticism from the investors - but what looked like a setback only amplified her momentum.

Today, she’s scaled to £12M in revenue and is setting her sights on global expansion.This is a story of instinct, resilience, and building something extraordinary without ever planning to.

In this episode of She Did That, we sit down with Lillie Bernie, the visionary behind The Glitter Store, to talk about what it really takes to turn creativity into a thriving business. From her early days of experimenting with glitter to building a brand that celebrates bold self-expression, Lillie shares the highs, the hurdles, and the lessons she learned along the way. We also dive into her work producing unforgettable glitter experiences and events for iconic names like Kathy Hilton, Kris Jenner, Fenty and many more bringing her signature sparkle to some of the most sought after brands and parties.

Beyond events, Lillie reveals how she’s expanded the brand into retail glitter kits, with ambitious plans to make them available globally and turn glitter into a true household staple. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, confidence, and staying true to your vision even when it feels risky and others don't believe in your capability to achieve great success.

Whether you’re a creative, a business owner, or someone with a dream you’ve been sitting on, this episode is a reminder that sparkle and strategy can absolutely coexist.

In this episode, we sit down with Darcy Laceby, the powerhouse co-founder behind Absolute Collagen - now a £30 million-a-year brand and home to the highest-concentrated collagen supplement available in the UK.

Darcy opens up about the surprising truth behind the supplements industry, including how loose regulation means a product only needs 15% of the active ingredient to legally make a claim - a loophole that inspired her to do things differently and set a new standard for honesty and potency.

We dive into the unique story of how a mother–daughter partnership sparked a wellness revolution: Darcy, armed with her studies in food science, and her mum Maxine, navigating post-menopause and searching for a way to feel stronger and healthier from the inside out. Together, they created a product born from real need, real science, and real women.

This episode is a candid look at innovation, integrity, and the magic that happens when women build businesses for women. Expect empowering insights, practical lessons, and the inspiring journey behind an empire that’s redefining beauty and wellbeing.

When the world shut down in 2020, Laura Riches swapped her corporate career for an adventure in sustainable winemaking - launching Laylo, the boxed (and can) wine brand that’s redefining what “premium” looks (and tastes) like.

In this episode, Laura shares how a lockdown idea turned into a fast-growing business, the challenges of shaking up an old-school industry, and why the future of wine might just come in a box. From bold branding decisions to lessons in resilience and risk-taking, Laura’s story is proof that great ideas can come from unexpected places - and that sometimes, thinking outside the bottle really pays off.

In this episode, I sit down with Kim Innes, the inspiring founder of Humble Crumble - the viral dessert brand that transformed the humble crumble into an £8 million sensation. Starting from a single market stall in London, Kim turned a simple idea into a cult favourite, redefining street food and creating queues down the block.

Kim shares the real story behind the rise of Humble Crumble - from early challenges and self-doubt to viral moments on social media and scaling the brand across multiple locations. She opens up about building a business with heart, the power of staying authentic, and what it really takes to create a food brand that sticks.

Whether you're an aspiring founder, foodie, or just love a good underdog story - this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few sweet surprises.

✨ From Bold Idea to Cult Brand: Connie Nam’s Astrid & Miyu Journey ✨

What does it take to turn a quiet vision into a standout jewellery brand loved by thousands? In this episode, I sit down with Connie Nam, the powerhouse founder of Astrid & Miyu, to talk about her fearless leap from finance to fashion, the highs and lows of building a brand from scratch, and how she’s redefining what it means to be a modern entrepreneur.

Connie opens up about the mindset shifts, the hustle, and the moments that made her—and nearly broke her. If you're building something of your own or just need a shot of inspiration from a woman who’s done it with style and soul, this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in for real talk, smart strategy, and a dose of sparkle.

Ellie joined The Trouble Club as an Intern straight out of University. Imagine joining the workforce for the first time in your life and all the unknowns it brings. We all know an Intern has to do all the bits no one else has time for/wants to - it's a tough slog.

When the business started struggling during the Covid pandemic and decided to close its doors, Ellie felt they could weather it, be bigger and were destined for so much more.... So she took over the business becoming CEO in less than four years. I mean who knows a business better than the intern?

Ellie talks about the fascinating guests she has interviewed at their live and online events, she talks world domination and how she is creating an inclusive space where women from all walks of life can respectfully voice opinions, build lasting friendships and elevate one another with the power of knowledge.

Watch this space, The Trouble Club is going to be the next big thing and Ellie is a prime example of a woman who smashes through the glass ceiling, challenges every stereotype and inspires any woman who is told 'they can't'.