From Side Hustles to Empires - Histories of Women’s Working Lives, featuring a series of conversations between Dr Amy Edwards and a range of expert historians. This episode takes a closer look at the direct sales industry, from the vantage of the women who helped it boom. From Tupperware to Avon, Dr Amy Edwards will cover what it meant to set up as a doorstop saleswoman in the twentieth century.Amy EdwardsAmy is a senior lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Bristol, where she has worked for the past 10 years. Her research focuses on how ‘ordinary people’ experience large economic changes and how people in the past worked, saved, spent, and invested their money. Her first book, Are We Rich Yet? Told the story of how the worlds of business and finance became part of our day-to-day culture. It looked at things like the business press, financial advice columns, investment based boardgames, and the popularity of the filofax in the 1980s. But more recently she has been carrying out a research project that looks at the lives of self-employed women from the 1950s to the 2000s. Dr Sarah JonesSarah Jones works at the University of Bristol, where she researches and teaches histories of gender and sexuality. Her research has covered topics from Victorian 'free love' movements and transatlantic sex radicalism, to the role of science in shaping modern sex advice. She’s working on an upcoming article about sex advice quizzes in women’s magazines, and she also recently contributed to an exhibition on gender, identity and culture at Bristol Museum. When she’s not busy doing all of that, she researches how to make university-level teaching more inclusive, impactful, and engaging.See this and other episodes in the series at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice

From Side Hustles to Empires - Histories of Women’s Working Lives, featuring a series of conversations between Dr Amy Edwards and a range of expert historians. The series as a whole will explore the relationship between gender, work, and career in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries, asking what’s new (and what isn’t) about the nature of women’s working lives in Britain? Episodes will focus on different industries – from politics and science, to entertainment, sex advice, sales and beyond – through the lives of some of the women who worked in them. The series will explore not only the success stories of famous entrepreneurs and business leaders, but also ‘hidden’ histories of women who made a living in systems and structures not often designed with them in mind. Amy EdwardsAmy is a senior lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Bristol, where she has worked for the past 10 years. Her research focuses on how ‘ordinary people’ experience large economic changes and how people in the past worked, saved, spent, and invested their money. Her first book, Are We Rich Yet? Told the story of how the worlds of business and finance became part of our day-to-day culture. It looked at things like the business press, financial advice columns, investment based boardgames, and the popularity of the filofax in the 1980s. But more recently she has been carrying out a research project that looks at the lives of self-employed women from the 1950s to the 2000s. Helen McCarthyHelen is a professor at the University of Cambridge, where she teaches on different aspects of modern and contemporary British history. This includes a course on Women, Gender and Paid Work in Britain since the 1950s. In 2014 she published a book called Women of the World which was a pioneering study of women’s role in British diplomacy. And more recently, in 2020, she also published a book called Double Lives: A History of Working Motherhood. So this is all to say that she is a foremost expert when it comes to the relationship between gender and work, and we’re very lucky to have her join us to talk to us on the topic of working motherhood. We’ll also hopefully get to hear about what she is currently working on, which is the history of retirement since 1945: so a fun episode ahead!See this and other episodes in the series at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice

In this episode of Women's Business Voice, we’re joined by Sabrina Yegela, the founder of Bantu Vegan - a Tanzanian lifestyle brand that celebrates heritage through organic farming, plant-based products, and immersive cultural experiences. Sabrina combines traditional wisdom with modern innovation to create a business that prioritizes sustainability, community collaboration, and holistic living. She’ll share her journey from her roots in Tanzania to her current studies at London Business School and her vision for expanding Bantu Vegan into a model for ethical entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.Find out more about Women's Business Voice and future episodes at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice and visit Bantu Vegan at https://www.bantuvegan.com

From Side Hustles to Empires - Histories of Women’s Working Lives, featuring a series of conversations between Dr Amy Edwards and a range of expert historians. This episode will focus on the lives of teenage girls, and their pathways to employment.

Dr Hannah Charnock will be talking about what careers advice was like for young women and how it has changed over the decades.

Dr Amy Edwards

Amy is a senior lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Bristol, where she has worked for the past 10 years. Her research focuses on how ‘ordinary people’ experience large economic changes and how people in the past worked, saved, spent, and invested their money. Her first book, Are We Rich Yet? Told the story of how the worlds of business and finance became part of our day-to-day culture. It looked at things like the business press, financial advice columns, investment based boardgames, and the popularity of the filofax in the 1980s. But more recently she has been carrying out a research project that looks at the lives of self-employed women from the 1950s to the 2000s.

Dr Hannah Charnock

Dr Hannah Charnock is a lecturer in history at the University of Bristol, where she studies the history of young people and relationships. Her book, Teenage Intimacies: Young women, sex and social life in England, 1950-1980 came out this year, and tells us all about the role of friends, boyfriends, parents, and teachers in how young women experienced sex in the 1960s and 1970s. She is also currently developing a new project all about school life – which will research schools in terms of their role as places where young people built their social lives: where friends were made and broken, where bullying happened, and people navigated what it meant to be popular. So she is perfectly placed to talk to us today about the working lives of young women and the history of careers advice in schools.

See this and other episodes in the series at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice

From Side Hustles to Empires - Histories of Women’s Working Lives, featuring a series of conversations between Dr Amy Edwards and a range of expert historians. The first episode of this series will offer a brief history of women’s working lives from the early modern industrious household, through the industrial revolution, to the ‘return to work’ during WW2, and the push for gender equality. We’ll be joined by Dr. Eve Worth who will also talk to us about social mobility, adult education, and the occupational trajectories of women in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.Amy EdwardsAmy is a senior lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Bristol, where she has worked for the past 10 years. Her research focuses on how ‘ordinary people’ experience large economic changes and how people in the past worked, saved, spent, and invested their money. Her first book, Are We Rich Yet? Told the story of how the worlds of business and finance became part of our day-to-day culture. It looked at things like the business press, financial advice columns, investment based boardgames, and the popularity of the filofax in the 1980s. But more recently she has been carrying out a research project that looks at the lives of self-employed women from the 1950s to the 2000s. Dr Eve WorthEve is a social and women’s historian of contemporary Britain based at the University of Exeter. She is particularly interested in women’s experience of social mobility and class, ranging from working class to the increasing public role of elite women in Britain since 1945. Through her research she also explores women’s changing relationship to employment and education. Her first book The Welfare State Generation: Women, Agency and Class in Britain since 1945 was published by Bloomsbury in 2022. She is also a member of the Department of Work and Pensions’ Methods Advisory Group. And today we are lucky to have her joining us to discuss her research on social mobility, and the importance of women’s work for helping us to understand the major social and economic changes that Britain has gone through in the past 100 years or so.See this and other episodes in the series at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice

BTVadventures  (Beyond the Valley), whose bold mission is putting Pakistan’s Karakoram range on the global adventure travel map—while championing sustainability, empowerment, and cultural preservation. What began in 2022 as a travel startup has quickly evolved into a force for responsible tourism, women’s inclusion, and global storytelling.

From launching female-led cultural tours in Hunza to earning international recognition from the GSTC and ATTA, Hina is building far more than a tour company—she’s reshaping perceptions of Pakistan and uplifting local communities in the process. Join us as we explore how Hina is turning mountains into movements and changing the narrative—one traveller at a time.Find out more about BTV at https://btvadventures.com and see future Women's Business Voice episodes at https://womensbusiness.club/s/voice

In this electrifying episode of Women's Business Voice, we meet Christine Marsh - a Top 10 Voice and unstoppable changemaker who proves that age is no limit to reinvention. At 84, Christine has just signed a five-year modelling contract, all while continuing to empower leaders and transform organisations across four continents.

From her adventurous military childhood in India and Singapore to launching her consultancy, Prime Objectives, at 50, Christine’s life has been anything but ordinary. A corporate trailblazer turned crisis transformation expert, author, artist, and now model - Christine lives by the powerful belief that life is circular, not linear. Her 'Yes' philosophy, captured in her book Flashpoint Transformation, has guided leaders through turbulent times and sparked personal breakthroughs around the world.

Join us for an unforgettable conversation filled with wisdom, wit, and a whole lot of inspiration. Christine’s story is living proof that the best is always yet to come.

We’re thrilled to be joined by Jemima Gray, the founder of Cotswold Fox, a brand that blends equestrian heritage with timeless British fashion. What started as a university project has evolved into a thriving business, known for its signature style and commitment to quality.

In this episode, we’ll explore Jemima’s journey- from her early inspirations and the challenges of building a brand to her vision for the future of Cotswold Fox. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about innovation, resilience, and the art of balancing tradition with modern trends!

In this captivating episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Elizabeth Ashcombe, the longest-serving Chatelaine of Sudeley Castle. Born in America, Elizabeth’s journey took an unexpected turn when she met her future husband—an heir to the castle—on a blind date in New York. After settling in Holland Park with their two young children, the family moved to Sudeley in 1969 when the castle was passed down to them.

Following the tragic loss of her husband in 1972, Elizabeth dedicated herself to preserving Sudeley’s rich history. Under her leadership, the castle opened to the public in 1970, enchanting visitors with its historical significance, stunning architecture, and magnificent gardens. For over 50 years, she has ensured Sudeley’s continued success, safeguarding its treasures and overseeing its restoration and regeneration.

Join us as we explore Elizabeth Ashcombe’s remarkable story—one of resilience, duty, and an unwavering commitment to protecting this historic gem for generations to come.

In this special tenth episode of "Women's Business Voice," host Angela turns the mic over to her 15-year-old daughter for an insightful and heartwarming conversation about business, career aspirations, and life choices from a teenager's perspective. Together, they explore the hopes, dreams, and challenges that the next generation faces as they think about their futures. This unique episode offers a rare glimpse into the thoughts of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, providing valuable insights into how the younger generation views the world of work, success, and personal growth. Join us for an engaging and enlightening discussion that bridges generations and opens up new dialogues about what the future holds.women entrepreneurs, business stories, female leadership, Women's Business Club, entrepreneurship, generational perspectives, career advice, life choices, family conversations, next generation, youth perspectives, career aspirations, inspirational women, business podcast, personal growth, parenting, mentoring, future of work, career development, teen voices, women in business.