
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Episode Title: Turning the Tides: Toni Eastwood on Courage, Confidence & Creating a Life on Your Terms
Podcast: Real Women Stories in Partnership with Women On Purpose
Host: Lisa Quait
Guest: Toni Eastwood OBE MBA
This week, the tables turn. Instead of being the one asking the questions, I step into the guest seat as Lisa Quait interviews me for a powerful, emotional, and deeply honest conversation about confidence, courage, and creating a life on your own terms. From leaving school with no qualifications and being bullied into silence, to becoming a national trailblazer for women in business, building million-pound ventures, and ultimately redesigning life and work from the sunshine of Spain – this episode is not a highlight reel.
It’s the real story. This conversation is for anyone who has ever:
It’s about redefining success, trusting yourself, and having the courage to choose a life that actually feels like yours.
Ready to create clarity, confidence, and freedom in your Business and Life?
Book a call: https://tinyurl.com/BookACallWithToni
Follow Real Women Stories and connect with Lisa
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-womens-stories-with-lisa-quait/id1769667587
https://www.instagram.com/lisaquait?igsh=MWppZ2g4aHFic24yNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
https://www.linkedin.com/in/real-women-coach?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This one is a proper real chat with Jenny Mitchell. Straight talking, no fluff, plenty of laughs, and a few “yep, been there” moments.
We kick off talking about the kind of “free” events that are not really free (you know the ones), and then Jenny takes us into her story. From running a cleaning business, to stepping in and taking the lead on the serviced accommodation business during lockdown, to building a niche in contract bookings and long term stays.
But it’s not just business. We go into the messy midlife mix too. Menopause, ADHD diagnosis later in life, and why so many women are only now realising what’s been going on under the bonnet for years. Jenny’s big message is simple. Stop using labels as the reason you cannot. Put your big girls pants on, build the systems, and keep punching.
And yes, we end with a quick rapid fire, including Jenny’s current favourite book recommendation (and it is a spicy one).
1) Your pivot might start in survival mode
Jenny did not build this business from a perfectly planned strategy. It grew through lockdown pressure, key worker stays, and a willingness to learn fast and step up.
2) Niche beats noise
She is clear that her lane is direct bookings and longer stays, building relationships with companies, not chasing holiday maker bookings.
3) Training matters, not “I did a free course so I’m an expert now”
Jenny calls out the illusion of competence. If you do not truly know your stuff, you cannot sell it properly.
4) Midlife can be the moment you finally understand yourself
Menopause. ADHD. That constant mental load. This chat will land for a lot of women who have spent years thinking they were “just a bit much” or “not normal”.
5) Systems buy your freedom
Lists, structure, and support. Jenny’s proof point is being able to run the business from her phone, and still live her life.
The Power of the Pussy: Get What You Want From Men: Love, Respect, Commitment and More! - Kara King
If you want to connect with Jenny about serviced accommodation, contract bookings, or getting support from her team (including Ops Manager support), check out her links below:
Contact : +441403599341
Instagram: jensm70
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.mitchell.1481
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-mitchell-7886b079/
Website: www.topstayhosting.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode goes a bit deeper.
Not in a dramatic way. Not in a “let’s be profound” way. But in the way that happens when you slow down, sit with people you trust, and talk honestly about why certain things matter.
In Part 2 of this Sir Jacobs mini-series, I’m joined by Mitch and his mum Crystal. And what unfolds is one of those conversations that starts with product, but very quickly becomes about life, values, courage, and the choices we make along the way.
It’s about what we allow into our homes.
This is not a glossy brand story.
It’s a real conversation about craft, care, and building something that actually means something.
There are a few moments in this episode that stayed with me.
Crystal describing her first Sir Jacobs piece as something solid and grounding, almost like it had always existed.
The attention given to the base of a ceramic vessel, even though most people will never look at it.
The honesty about smashing pieces that are not right, even when that hurts financially.
Mitch talking about the courage it took to step away from safe options and back something uncertain.
And the quiet realisation that Sir Jacobs is not just something you buy, it becomes something you live with.
This conversation is about integrity.
About not cutting corners.
It’s also about pride.
And if I’m honest, it’s also about noticing how rare that is.
“When you build something with care and intention, people feel it. They might not be able to explain why, but they know.”
That’s what stayed with me.
This episode is a reminder to pause and notice what’s around you.
Not just what looks good.
Because the things we surround ourselves with shape our days more than we realise.
Visit Sir Jacobs and use code LAUNCHUK20 for 20% Discount
🌍 www.sirjacobs.co.uk
Find and connect with Ben
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-colling-3b251133a/
Follow Sir Jacobs
https://www.instagram.com/sirjacobs_com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjacobs.com?lang=en
If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe to Women on Purpose so you never miss a conversation like this. And if you’re enjoying the show, we’d love you to leave us a 5-star review - it genuinely helps more purpose-driven founders discover the podcast and keeps these honest, meaningful conversations reaching the people who need them most. Toni x 💛Thanks for listening. And thanks for being part of these conversations with me.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s episode is a little different… and honestly, it’s one of my favourites to record.
Because behind every brand we admire, every beautiful product we bring into our homes, there are people. Real voices. Real relationships. Real stories.
In Part 1 of this two-part mini-series, I’m joined by Kerry, Sean, and Alicia (Ben’s neighbours and Ben’s mum) for a relaxed, laughter-filled conversation, complete with mimosas, all about what Sir Jacobs feels like when it’s not a marketing campaign… but something you actually live with.
What comes through so clearly isn’t just appreciation for the ceramics or fragrances.
It’s the connection to the intention.
This episode is about trust.
It’s about what happens when something is made slowly, thoughtfully, and with purpose.
And it’s about how a brand doesn’t just land on shelves… it lands in lives.
Kerry describes discovering Sir Jacobs without realising it, then walking out of the bathroom basically demanding to know where it came from. That moment of genuine surprise is everything.
Sean (and Ben!) love smelling good, and the conversation about fragrance being something that lingers, lives in a space, and becomes part of your identity is honestly brilliant.
Alicia’s story is priceless: being told to get rid of the plastic bottles and suddenly being introduced to something that looks stunning everywhere, bathroom… kitchen… the whole house.
We talk about how every vessel is handcrafted in South Africa, one-of-a-kind, and made with serious standards, including the reality that if it’s not perfect, it doesn’t pass.
There’s a beautiful thread running through this episode about belief, how Ben encountered the product, got goosebumps, and knew he needed to be involved. Not because he was sold to… but because he felt it.
Here are some gorgeous moments you could also pull as clips:
What this conversation really highlights is this:
When something is created with integrity and care, people don’t just buy it, they champion it.
And they feel proud to support it because it represents something deeper than “stuff.”
And honestly… that’s what brand is.
Not marketing. Not noise.
But meaning.
Sir Jacobs have kindly given Women On Purpose listeners a discount code for your first order:
www.sirjacobs.co.uk Use Code: LAUNCHUK20 for 20% Discount
🌍 www.sirjacobs.co.uk
Find and connect with Sir Jacobs
https://www.instagram.com/sirjacobs_com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjacobs.com?lang=en
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe to Women on Purpose so you never miss a conversation like this. And if you’re enjoying the show, we’d love you to leave us a 5-star review - it genuinely helps more purpose-driven founders discover the podcast and keeps these honest, meaningful conversations reaching the people who need them most. Thank you for being part of our community. Toni x 💛
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this deeply inspiring conversation, Toni Eastwood OBE, MBA sits down live with Stephan and Neil Jacobs, founders of South African luxury ceramics and fragrance brand Sir Jacobs. What begins as a creative side project in a garage becomes a masterclass in purpose-led entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, partnership, and perseverance.
This episode is a powerful listen for creatives, founders, and anyone feeling the pull to leave the familiar behind and build something meaningful.
Neil’s shift from law to perfumery wasn’t about abandoning success - it was about honouring creativity that had nowhere to go. Discomfort was the signal, not the problem.
From buying a kiln on Facebook Marketplace to teaching themselves ceramics via YouTube, Sir Jacobs proves that momentum beats mastery at the beginning.
There was no single “lightbulb moment.” The brand emerged through repeated experimentation, failed ideas, and relentless refinement.
Both founders openly share that even now, they feel like amateurs - and that’s the point. The joy is in chasing improvement, not arriving at perfection.
Working together nearly broke them - until they defined ownership. Delineating responsibility transformed both their marriage and the business.
Sir Jacobs’ refillable, long-lasting vessels challenge throwaway luxury. True sustainability was designed in from day one.
Customers don’t just love how Sir Jacobs smells or looks - they connect with the story, the intention, and the people behind it.
Best Moments
“This opportunity comes once in a lifetime… and not taking it would be very stupid.”
“Eventually, you run out of time. You can’t be a full-time lawyer and a full-time creator.”
“I still feel like I know nothing and that’s what gets me out of bed every morning.”
“When you chase two rabbits, you catch none.”
“Our ceramics aren’t meant to be thrown away. They’re meant to outlive us.”
“People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it.”
This is more than a brand story - it’s a reminder that:
If you’re standing at a crossroads between what’s safe and what feels true - this conversation is for you.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For this episode, Toni is joined by Helen Tudor a dynamic force in the world of LinkedIn lead generation who is about to switch directions a bit and help people to identify and market to their ideal client. Over the years she has enabled people to transform how they run their business and connect with clients using the power of LinkedIn.
This episode is packed with information you can use to take your understanding of your ideal client and turning them into loyal customers to the next level.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Be clear on what you do and how it helps your customers.
Creating client personas really does work. Helen explains how she does this during the podcast.
Regularly update your client persona. As your business changes so will your ideal client.
Even if your business does not change much, the way your ideal clients are living will evolve.
When you bring your ideal client to life in your mind and focus on them you attract them to your business. It is a highly effective form of manifestation.
Combining spirituality with strategy is powerful. Understanding and tapping into your energy and applying it in the right way is incredibly effective.
LinkedIn does not need to be complicated.
The method Helen teaches for LinkedIn, with a few tweaks, works for other social media platforms.
Be yourself people appreciate honesty.
Not being you is exhausting and damaging.
Invest in yourself and spend money on the things you want and like.
BEST MOMENTS
“I find clients everywhere. “
“When you change your business, your ideal client is going to change. “
“I had no idea how to really use LinkedIn or how to market myself online, I just went with radical honesty.“
“I spent from the age of 24 till 44 basically collecting certificates … it was driven by my demons - that I never thought I was good enough.·
“I think I'm open and out of the closet with my wooness.”
“In two weeks of taking my advice, she signed up 10 new clients.”
ABOUT THE GUEST
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helentudor
https://www.facebook.com/LinkedInLeadGen
WORK WITH ME
If you're ready for greater clarity and confidence to create the freedom and alignment, you crave in business and life. Places Limited to 5. Book a Call to secure yours
Click Here to Book A Call With Me
My Signature Programme – Visionary You – The Awakening – CLICK HERE
*Note: To secure your space for August, join my waitlist now*
Join My Mastermind Membership - Click Here
Free Resources - grab a copy of my e-book or one of my free guides right here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
The Woman Beyond Six Secrets to Success – e-book – Click Here
101 Affirmations For Living Your Best Life Right Now – Click Here
60 Tips For Success – Click Here
Daily Attitude Shower – Click Here
10 Day Self Care Challenge – Click Here
HOST BIO
Toni C. Eastwood OBE, MBA, (Business Transformation Coach and Facilitator)
Award-winning entrepreneur, who knows exactly what it’s like to start and scale NFP Business, raising multi-millions in funding. She has served as a non-executive board member and Chair of several charities and NFP organisations. With 30 years’ experience in SME, Business startup and growth, as Director of an FTSE 30 Company, starting and growing two businesses over the last 12yrs. Toni knows what it’s like to leave the familiar behind, to personally risk everything to follow your passion for service and importantly to handle the inevitable obstacles along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For this episode, Toni is joined by Amy Bird, the CEO of Connolly´s Scrap Metals and Countrywide Metals, the founder of Women in Recycling and a former model. She explains what it was like for her to take the reins of a family business in what is still a male-dominated industry. She and Toni discuss how to be successful in that environment and what women can do to support each other and break down the barriers that are still there.
Amy shares the ups and downs, including how she and her husband coped with being ripped off and losing a business worth millions, despite winning a court case against the perpetrators. She explains how she and her husband found the strength to rebuild and create a new six-figure business. Toni and Amy discuss finding a strong why and building resilience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
· There are still not many women working in scrap or recycling. At last year´s industry dinner, only 6 of the 500 guests were women.
· Women are still not helping other women enough.
· When Amy and her husband were conned out of their business, they were devastated but still found the strength to start again.
· Having a strong why helped them to work their way back up to owning a highly profitable business.
· Physical exercise massively helped Amy to cope and work to rebuild.
· Taking little steps each day stops you from wallowing.
· Don´t let others project their insecurities onto you.
· You don´t have to tick every single requirement to apply for the job you really want.
· Learn to trade the money you earn multiple times.
BEST MOMENTS
“I just felt this real pull that Bella (her daughter) would get to go on and do at least as much as I did, and hopefully more. “
“It's easy to, like you say, roll over and just wallow in this, but equally, it is easy to take some little steps every day, “
“It just really befuddles me that there aren't more women that are actually supporting women. “
ABOUT THE GUEST
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bird-connolleys
https://www.instagram.com/womeninrecycling
https://www.womeninscrap.com
WORK WITH ME
If you're ready for greater clarity and confidence to create the freedom and alignment, you crave in business and life. Places Limited to 5. Book a Call to secure yours
Click Here to Book A Call With Me
My Signature Programme – Visionary You – The Awakening – CLICK HERE
*Note: To secure your space for August, join my waitlist now*
Join My Mastermind Membership - Click Here
Free Resources - grab a copy of my e-book or one of my free guides right here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
The Woman Beyond Six Secrets to Success – e-book – Click Here
101 Affirmations For Living Your Best Life Right Now – Click Here
60 Tips For Success – Click Here
Daily Attitude Shower – Click Here
10 Day Self Care Challenge – Click Here
HOST BIO
Toni C. Eastwood OBE, MBA, (Business Transformation Coach and Facilitator)
Award-winning entrepreneur, who knows exactly what it’s like to start and scale NFP Business, raising multi-millions in funding. She has served as a non-executive board member and Chair of several charities and NFP organisations. With 30 years’ experience in SME, Business startup and growth, as Director of an FTSE 30 Company, starting and growing two businesses over the last 12yrs. Toni knows what it’s like to leave the familiar behind, to personally risk everything to follow your passion for service and importantly to handle the inevitable obstacles along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For this episode, Toni is joined by Pam Greenhill who runs the popular YT channel Bloo´s Self Reliance urban homesteading and wellness channel. Through it, and her hands-on workshops Pam teaches people how to grow, stock up on food bargains and preserve while on a budget. She is a qualified chef, nutritionist, dietitian, herbalist and naturopath, mother of 2 sons and foster mother of 72 children.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
“Every spare inch of my front and back garden is growing food. “
“Preparedness is more about life happening but you not being inconvenienced by it. “
“What you can grow yourself, or what is locally grown is so completely different. It's like they were grown on different planets. . “
ABOUT THE GUEST
Pam Greenhill is a dietician, nutritionist, herbalist, naturopath, retired chef, creator of the Rainwater Self Sufficiency program and owner of The Bloo Pixie Studios which is soon to be registered as a PCIC.
A single parent at 17 with 2 sons, Pam has fostered 72+ children. Raising them in a home where growing and garden-to-table cooking is the norm. Teaching them life skills to help them on their healing journey.
Pam runs Bloo’s Self Reliance YT channel where she teaches self-sufficiency and helps those with few resources to plan for life’s unexpected emergencies in a no-nonsense but light-hearted way.
https://bloos.food.blog
https://www.youtube.com/@BloosSelfReliance
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087737348646
https://www.instagram.com/bloosselfreliance
Threads - Bloo's Self-Reliance
BlueSky - @thebloopixie.bsky.social
https://www.tiktok.com/@bloos_self_reliance
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebloopixie
WORK WITH ME
If you're ready for greater clarity and confidence to create the freedom and alignment, you crave in business and life. Places Limited to 5. Book a Call to secure yours
Click Here to Book A Call With Me
My Signature Programme – Visionary You – The Awakening – CLICK HERE
*Note: To secure your space for August, join my waitlist now*
Join My Mastermind Membership - Click Here
Free Resources - grab a copy of my e-book or one of my free guides right here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
The Woman Beyond Six Secrets to Success – e-book – Click Here
101 Affirmations For Living Your Best Life Right Now – Click Here
60 Tips For Success – Click Here
Daily Attitude Shower – Click Here
10 Day Self Care Challenge – Click Here
HOST BIOS
Toni C. Eastwood OBE, MBE is an award-winning entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in SME, business startup, and growth. She has served as a non-executive board member and Chair for several NFPs, raised multi-millions in funding, and grown two businesses. As a former Director of an FTSE30 company, Toni brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of scaling businesses and pursuing a passion for service.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah Jayne (SJ) is a former event pro turned holistic healer with 20+ years of experience. She is now a certified Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Therapist, Chopra Yoga, and Meditation teacher who specialises in pregnancy massage and Vedic mantra meditation. Her dance background and diploma in Ayurveda give SJ a unique, intuitive approach to wellness and helping others find balance and relaxation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
“Ayurveda is so relevant in today´s world. “
“Find out what you enjoy and put that into your daily practice. “
“It's finding or being more aware of ourselves and finding those balances.“
Sarah Jayne: Event Pro Turned Holistic Healer
After two decades in event production, SJ felt the call of the cosmos and dove into the world of holistic wellness. Now she's a Level 6 Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Therapist with mad skills in pregnancy massage too.
With a background in dance, SJ has a 6th sense for bodies in motion and how to mend what's broken. She's all about that Vedic Meditation life, daily mantras and spreading the good vibes as a certified Chopra Yoga and Meditation teacher. With a desire to share all the benefits, she’s experienced through 11 years of meditating through Ayurveda massage, meditation & yoga.
SJ's got an Ayurveda Diploma with Distinction. She's not just qualified; she's top of the class. SJ's superpower? Tuning into your needs and limits like a pro, so you always hit that sweet spot of zen. Her mission: spread kindness and help others level up through Ayurvedic Yoga Massage, Yoga and Vedic Mantra Meditation. Get ready to feel clear, rested, and cooler than the other side of the pillow.
https://linktr.ee/sagestudioaym
Https://www.sageayurvedic.com
WORK WITH ME
If you're ready for greater clarity and confidence to create the freedom and alignment, you crave in in business and life. Places Limited to 5. Book a Call to secure yours
Click Here to Book A Call With Me
My Signature Programme – Visionary You – The Awakening – CLICK HERE
*Note: To secure your space for August, join my waitlist now*
Join My Mastermind Membership - Click Here
Free Resources - grab a copy of my e-book or one of my free guides right here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
The Woman Beyond Six Secrets to Success – e-book – Click Here
101 Affirmations For Living Your Best Life Right Now – Click Here
60 Tips For Success – Click Here
Daily Attitude Shower – Click Here
10 Day Self Care Challenge – Click Here
HOST BIOS
Toni C. Eastwood OBE, MBA, (Business Transformation Coach and Facilitator)
Award-winning entrepreneur, who knows exactly what it’s like to start and scale NFP Business, raising multi-millions in funding. She has served as a non-executive board member and Chair of several charities and NFP organisations. With 30 years’ experience in SME, Business startup and growth, as Director of an FTSE 30 Company, starting and growing two businesses over the last 12yrs. Toni knows what it’s like to leave the familiar behind, to personally risk everything to follow your passion for service and importantly to handle the inevitable obstacles along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the publisher's feed
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.