This week, I am delighted to bring you Steph Hannington-Suen, who is a dear friend and 50% of the London-based scent brand Homework, which she founded and runs together with her husband, Ross.

When it comes to scent-making, I truly think Steph is one of the most talented noses in London, if not the whole country.

I've been a hardcore fan of homework since pretty much the beginning, back when they had a stall in a tool market. I am such a groupie, in fact, that a lot of my guests have commented how they have come to associate my house with their scents.

Steph and I talk about her background as the daughter of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner; how those principles have influenced this new iteration of the brand, which is the fifth, as she will explain herself; how sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is to just start again; how she views scent making as a very logical storytelling process; the challenges of becoming a mother (especially when both you and your partner are involved in the same business) as well as some practical tips for budding entrepreneurs.

We also somehow end up talking about the uncanny similarities between the Chinese and Italian cultures – especially when it comes to health beliefs – and I think you can hear what a field day we had on that topic.

Find out more about Homework:

Website: homeworkstore.co.uk

Instagram: @homework.store

Take the test to find out which is your element:https://homeworkstore.co.uk/pages/tcm-quiz

Check out my Substack for behind the scenes and extra content from this episode

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This episode is sponsored by Avantcha.

With over 100 different teas in their collection, Avantcha is truly a one-stop destination for tea lovers like me. If you don't know where to start, check out Avantcha's Tea Silkbag Explorer box and take advantage of their limited-time offer for new customers: the cost of the box (£15) will be credited back to you as a voucher to spend on your favourite tea.

Find out more at

https://uk.avantcha.com/silk-teabag-explorer/

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