The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…
Countrywoman's Guide is a virtual kitchen table for us all to sit round and learn from each other - whether it be business goings on, life advice or simply a reminder to remember that you matter, we're here. countrywomansguide.substack.com
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Episode 57: From Agriculture to Art, with Tilly Lock Art
<p>What happens when an agriculture graduate decides she doesn’t want to be a farmer, dreams up a fabric business, gets turned down for funding… and ends up becoming a full-time artist instead?</p><p>Well, you get Tilly Lock Art.</p><p>This week on the Countrywoman’s Guide podcast, Emma sits down with Tilly Lock to talk about the rather unexpected route that took her from studying agriculture and working in interior design to building a creative business of her own.</p><p>Tilly had always loved art and design, but it wasn’t initially the plan. After un...
Ep 56: A Deeper Dive into the Countrywoman’s Guide Membership
<p>On Monday 17th August, we held our first CWG Community Zoom, and the following Thursday evening we landed in your inbox with a brief insight into just what our Membership Community could offer you. On today’s Podcast and through this article, we’re exploring the membership even further. Diving deeper into its offerings, and shining a light on the discussions we had during our call.</p><p>Monday was simply an opportunity for those who have been following along with Countrywoman’s Guide to hear more about what we’re creating through our newly launched membership and, perhaps most imp...
A little introduction to our paid membership for women in business who love the countryside.
<p>So here we are.</p><p>I’ve switched on the Paid Membership for Countrywoman’s Guide, quietly and without a lot of fanfare, because we want you to have the space to decide if we’re the right group for you, rather than we hustle you in and you realise we’re not.</p><p>I’ve chatted in the video above about why we’re doing what we do, and how we believe that a group with a mutual aim of helping each other to move forward can help you in your day-to-day lives.</p><p>So what’s going...
Lucy Hall of Peshawar Jackets - How a handful of jackets, a family connection and a willingness to have a go became something much bigger. Episode 55
<p>Some businesses begin with a five-year plan, months of arranging, organising and every fall back plan put in place before they even begin. </p><p>Others begin with a couple of suitcases full of jackets. And that is more or less how the amazing Peshawar Jackets came about.</p><p>The business was born from a connection between Pakistan and the British countryside, when founder Bertie Alexander returned from running riding holidays in the Hindukush Mountains with beautiful Chitrali-style jackets they quickly attracted attention from everyone who saw them.</p><p>Lucy joined the business almost by accident, bringing...
Episode 54: Chatting with Cedric Stonex of Chapman Bags
<p>There’s a lot more to Chapman than just making very good bags, as we discovered when we first met Cedric at Badminton Horse Trials in the early May of this year. </p><p>What began as simply admiring the quality and craftsmanship of the products on their stand, grew into an inspiring conversation around building a business that cares deeply about their values, materials, quality and customer experience. Not only was it a new brand that we wanted to introduce to our Countrywoman’s Guide community, but also a story we had knew we wanted to explore further and...
Enough...
<p>So today it feels appropriate that I write you a letter, from my kitchen table to yours…</p><p>If I had your addresses, I would have written you an ‘in-real-life’ letter that would have plopped onto your doormat and delighted you as you flipped through your post and realised it wasn’t a bill and that someone had taken the time to write your name and address by hand.</p><p>Because that’s what Countrywoman’s Guide feels like to me - a reminder that considered moments are important and need to be honoured.</p><p>So, my dear read...
Megan Haigh - Finding confidence after redundancy, the entrepreneurial loop and the art of patience. Ep. 52
<p>There are some podcast conversations that leave you thinking long after you’ve finished recording, and today’s brilliant episode with Megan Haigh is certainly one of them.</p><p>Megan describes herself as a fledgling business owner. After being made redundant during covid, she found herself starting again, and discovering a love for a new hobby that gradually evolved into the business we see before us today. A business inspired by the English garden and the countryside she calls home.</p><p>But what struck us wasn’t simply her creativity, it was the honesty with which she spoke...
Did you know that there is a Fortnum & Mason sponsored Dalemain World Marmalade Awards Competition? Episode 51.
<p>This week I’m joined by Somerset farmer, ruminant nutritionist and newly crowned Dalemain World Marmalade Champion, David Hinkins.</p><p>After his wife spotted the competition in Country Life magazine and entering it for eleven years, David finally achieved what many would have given up on long ago, winning the World Marmalade Championships with his Seville Orange and Passion Fruit Marmalade. Not only did he win gold, he became the overall champion, earning a place on the shelves of Fortnum & Mason and helping raise money for charity through every jar sold.</p><p>But this conversation isn’t real...
Celebrating Episode 50 of Countrywoman's Guide and some exciting news...
<p>50 episodes, countless stories and one incredible community - that sounds like something to celebrate doesn't it!</p><p>As Emma admits in this week’s podcast, she didn’t even know if Countrywoman’s Guide would make it this far, just like any new venture you always doubt at the beginning whether it will work out, how well it will be received, will people actually like it? But here we are 50 episodes later, and more importantly 50 conversations later, with people who have generously shared their stories, their lessons and the realities of building a life and a business in the co...
Tess Annan - Welligogs: Growing a Heritage Brand Without Losing Your Soul. Episode 49
<p></p><p>This week I’m joined by Tess Annan, whose mum founded Welligogs 26 years ago, starting with hand-painting wellington boots around the kitchen table. Today Tess is leading the next generation of the business, balancing fresh ideas with the heritage that made customers fall in love with the brand in the first place.</p><p>We talk about everything from navigating Covid, building an online business, designing clothes women genuinely want to wear, and why creating timeless pieces matters more than chasing trends. Along the way we also explore the realities of running a small family business, the jo...
