Work This Way

In this episode of Work This Way, Nikola Pottinger shares her journey from driving a Cadbury van to building and ultimately closing her own craft subscription business, Little Miss Sew'n'Sew. With honesty and reflection, Nikola talks about how ambition shaped her early career and the realities of balancing big goals with motherhood.

She explores launching a fabric shop, pivoting into e-commerce, and experiencing rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as demand shifted post-pandemic, overstocking and financial pressure led to some of the toughest decisions of her life, including voluntary liquidation.

Nikola opens up about the emotional impact of that chapter, the lessons learned from listening to both heart and head, and how those experiences shaped her next step as an operations manager at FOUNDRY. A candid conversation about resilience, perspective, and starting again.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, we sit down with Hanna Searle, a FOUNDRY team member whose journey has taken her from cruise ship stages to community building in FOUNDRY Eastbourne. Hanna shares what it was like growing up by the coast and spending years travelling the world as a professional singer at sea.

When COVID brought the cruise industry to a halt, Hanna returned home to face a series of personal challenges, including the loss of her father, career uncertainty, and navigating her husband’s complex immigration situation. These experiences forced an unexpected career shift and a complete rethink of her path.

Hanna eventually found her place at FOUNDRY as a Membership Manager, where community and connection are at the heart of her work. This episode is a powerful story of resilience, family, and how life’s detours can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, we sit down with Stuart McFadden, founder of Refundee, recording live from FOUNDRY Wandsworth in London. Stuart shares his career journey from studying law to working in financial services during the 2009 financial crisis, before experiencing the highs and lows of startup life at Monzo.

After a short stint at NatWest, Stuart co-founded Refundee in 2021, bootstrapping the business with minimal funding. Refundee helps victims of financial scams recover money from banks, tackling increasingly complex and modern fraud schemes.

Stuart discusses the ethical responsibility behind the work, the importance of transparency, and building a strong remote-first company culture. With nearly £100 million recovered for clients, Refundee is on a mission to lead the industry while protecting consumers.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, we talk with Matt Evans, co-founder of Garden Room Studio. Matt shares how he and his wife Elle combined their backgrounds in marine industries, photography, and design to create a business focused on stylish, functional garden and interior spaces.

He reflects on the early challenges they faced, from launching the company shortly after their honeymoon to navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt also speaks honestly about balancing work with raising young children and the importance of setting boundaries to keep family life strong.

Alongside the business journey, Matt discusses his involvement in the local community, including coaching lifesaving at Sandbanks and competing in national championships. His story highlights the value of determination, balance, and staying connected to the things that inspire you.

In this episode of Work This Way, host Adam Walker sits down with Adas Goldshtein-Coleman, a FOUNDRY Eastbourne member with an extraordinary life story.

While most UK teenagers move straight into work or university, Adas took a very different path, completing two years of mandatory military service in the IDF after growing up in Israel. She opens up about her experiences living in Israel, her travels through South America and India, and how these journeys shaped her worldview.

Adas also shares deeply personal moments, including the loss of her father and how discovering Buddhism influenced her life. Adas talks about founding her innovative child-led preschool in Tel Aviv, her move to the UK, and her current venture: Visibly Authentic Brands (VAB), a female-led creative hub, offering branding and marketing services rooted in authentic storytelling.

The conversation also explores her ADHD diagnosis, the impact it’s had on her work and personal life, and her commitment to living authentically. Adas’ story is one of resilience, curiosity, and boldly creating a life aligned with her values.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, Adam Walker sits down with George Meressa, founder of Clear Ads and member of FOUNDRY Poole. George shares his incredible journey, from challenging beginnings to building one of the leading Amazon advertising agencies in the world.

He opens up about the bold risks that shaped his career, including sponsoring major events to connect with Amazon sellers and travelling globally to win high-value clients. George also discusses why he pivoted early from Google Ads to Amazon Ads, spotting the platform’s untapped potential before most people did.

We dive into his recruitment philosophy, how he adapts to the fast rise of AI in advertising, and the mindset that’s kept him pushing forward through uncertainty. If you’re an entrepreneur or marketer looking for real-world insights on growth, resilience, and staying ahead of industry shifts, this conversation is packed with value.

In this episode of Work This Way, Adam sits down with Karolina Ahmed — a dedicated midwife who transformed her career to become a successful aesthetics entrepreneur. Karolina opens up about her journey from emigrating from Lithuania to London at just 15, navigating cultural and language barriers, and pursuing her long-held ambition to work in midwifery.

She speaks candidly about her fertility struggles, a period that prompted her to step back from healthcare and eventually discover her passion for aesthetics. That path led her to create Face Up, a practice known for its professionalism, care, and personal touch.

Karolina reflects on the emotional demands of midwifery, the challenges and triumphs of being a female entrepreneur, and the vital role community and personal support have played along the way. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a commitment to providing care on her own terms.

This week on Work This Way, Adam Walker interviews Callum Campbell, a dynamic young entrepreneur who has successfully launched a variety of business ventures, including student fight nights, drive-in cinemas during the pandemic, and TED Talk-style events in pubs across London. Originally from outside Glasgow and having studied in Edinburgh, Callum shares his story of moving to London for its vibrant energy and opportunities. His entrepreneurial journey began with promoting and organising club nights at university, leading to the creation of white-collar boxing events, which have now spread across multiple UK cities. The conversation delves into his successful pivot during COVID-19 to start a drive-in cinema and his new venture, 'Pints of Knowledge,' a public speaking event series in London pubs. Callum emphasises the importance of market testing, rapidly adapting to new opportunities, and not trying to reinvent the wheel. His story is an inspiring testament to resilience, creativity, and the constant pursuit of new ideas.

Sharon New, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, moved to the UK at the age of 12. After various roles in retail and recruitment, she brought a children's footwear brand named Toughies to the UK, and then created the successful brand Term Footwear. Despite facing challenges like a warehouse fire, Sharon navigated the company to success, culminating in a major partnership with Costco. Eventually, Sharon and her husband sold Term Footwear to a school uniform supplier. She now continues to work as the Term Footwear brand manager, integrating the brand into its new parent company. Sharon's story is marked by resilience, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode of Work This Way by FOUNDRY, Adam Walker interviews Chris Kane, co-founder of Greendale Construction, recording at FOUNDRY Poole in the Dolphin Centre. Chris shares his journey from co-founding the company in 1990 during a recession to working on landmark projects for clients like JP Morgan and the Royal Household. He discusses the challenges and successes of running a construction business for over three decades, his dedication to fitness, and his commitment to community and mentorship. Chris also offers valuable advice for new startups and entrepreneurs, emphasising resilience, networking, and a structured lifestyle. The conversation highlights personal anecdotes, including memorable high points such as meeting the Queen and nurturing young talent within his company.