The Midlife Entrepreneur

EP41: Claire Burrows, Founder of Air & Grace, the footwear brand created around the idea that women shouldn't have to choose between style and comfort.

This week Jo sits down with Claire Burrows, founder of London footwear brand Air & Grace, to discuss building a business in midlife by solving the style-versus-comfort problem. Claire shares how redundancy pushed her to launch in 2014 after 20+ years in buying, design, and product development, funding early work with her life savings, renting out her home, and borrowing money. She explains developing the patented Tender Loving Air technology with technologist Kevin Ban, including setbacks like rejecting the first production run, running out of money, and later winning a Metro Newspaper competition that enabled a pivot from a failed wholesale plan to direct-to-consumer via Shopify. Claire describes learning marketing, e-commerce, and cashflow management, using consumer events to drive early sales and feedback, and later refocusing online. Her advice highlights investing in legal support and knowledge, keeping teams lean, and trusting red flags earlier. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:47 Redundancy Sparks the Leap 02:39 Finding the Comfort Gap 04:25 Building the First Prototype Team 08:02 Naming Air and Grace 09:21 First Product and Early Setbacks 12:51 Tender Loving Air Tech 15:03 Funding and Cost Realities 16:38 Pivot to Direct to Consumer 19:24 Shopify Site and Winning Investment 21:04 Learning D2C Marketing and Finance 22:40 Money Mindset Shift 22:57 First Hire Milestone 23:22 Selling Comfort Online 23:42 Consumer Events Playbook 25:30 Trade Show Chaos Story 26:18 Online Focus Tipping Point 26:59 Back To In Person 27:40 New Product Evolution 28:22 Best Selling Flat 29:27 Color Range Strategy 30:12 Surviving Tough Markets 31:51 Streamlining For Growth 32:54 Team Culture Energy 33:33 Business Owner Surprises 34:40 Shoemaking Complexity 35:46 Three Two One Framework 36:06 Worth Every Penny 40:44 Team Size Regrets 42:25 Quit Earlier Lesson 44:07 Thanking The Technologist 45:02 Final Wrap And Goodbye Visit at https://airandgracelondon.com/ Follow on Instagram @airandgrace Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Innovate when Everyone is Copying You with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore skincare, a US based longevity science company.

This week Jo sits down with Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore, a US-based longevity science company, to share three ways to innovate when everyone else is copying you in a low-barrier, noisy market. First, Melisse advises pursuing technical innovation by identifying unmet, unknown, or evolving needs, and reframing familiar problems (such as “longevity” versus “anti-aging”) while staying open to new formats and delivery systems across categories, from GLP-1s and peptides to sleep and recovery tools. Second, she stresses being honest and authentic in a world where it’s hard to tell what’s real, arguing that trust and truth-telling drive meaningful innovation. Third, she recommends constant discovery—looking in unexpected places, staying curious, and using practices like affirmation—while remaining focused and credible, as Aramore does by targeting cellular health in skin through long-term science. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:34 Why Copycats Win 01:04 Unmet Needs Drive Innovation 01:27 New Longevity Mindset 03:46 Formats and Recovery Trends 04:56 Authenticity in Noisy Markets 07:24 Brave Truth Tellers 08:11 Discovery and Self Belief 12:02 Aramore Inside Out Skin 14:08 First to Market Focus 15:18 Science Led Differentiation 16:13 Wrap Up and Subscribe Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

EP40: Antonia Philp, Paediatric Nurse & Co-Founder of Nursem, the award-winning skincare brand created on a hospital ward.

This week Jo speaks with Antonia Philips, a pediatric nurse and co-founder of Nursem, an award-winning handcare brand created to solve the cracked, bleeding hands caused by constant handwashing with harsh antiseptics. Antonia shares how she and her husband Jonny spent seven years researching and testing products (including Manuka honey) while raising three children and continuing her nursing career, eventually moving to flexible bank shifts after burnout. They discuss finding support through the Newcastle Science City incubator, standing out in a saturated skincare market, listening to customers via a 2,000-person testing panel requiring 90% approval, and scaling a small team as they aim to enter grocery. Antonia explains the Nursem Promise, donating a month of free handcare per product sold, with 700,000 promises delivered and a million targeted by 2027, and reflects on working with her husband, managing energy, and planning for an investor exit without losing purpose. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:50 Balancing Nursing and Business 04:15 Staying Connected to Nursing 07:31 Handwashing Damage Explained 09:01 Searching for a Real Solution 11:46 Building the Formula and Testing 14:57 Packaging and Early Feedback 16:13 Funding and Incubator Support 17:07 Launch and Giving Back 18:38 Burnout and Energy Management 23:36 Sleep and Support 24:13 Running as Therapy 24:24 Standing Out in Skincare 25:58 Customer Led Product Expansion 27:40 Working With Your Spouse 31:36 Team Growth and Grocery Plans 33:38 Exit Pressure and Purpose 39:59 Three Two One Reflections 45:45 Final Thanks and Wrap Up https://www.nursem.co.uk/ Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Avoid Burnout with Rosie Nixon, Coach, Founder & Best Selling Author.

This week Jo speaks with Rosie Nixon, coach, founder of Rosie’s Reinvention Retreats and author of The PRO Method, about three ways to avoid burnout before it derails you and your business. Rosie explains burnout as a workplace-based syndrome where demand outstrips recovery, often showing up as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, overwhelm, low motivation and reduced creativity. Her three tips follow the PRO framework: first, Pause—calm the nervous system through micro-pauses like getting outside, breathwork (count four in, hold two, release six), or exercise, and take longer time away if needed. Second, Reflect—get curious about what’s happening, name emotions, clarify what matters now, and identify unmet needs and values. Third, Organise—map small, values-aligned steps forward, including letting go of responsibilities, work or relationships that no longer serve you. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:34 What Burnout Looks Like 02:11 PRO Method Overview 02:31 Pause to Reset 07:19 Reflect with Curiosity 09:36 Organise Next Steps 12:21 Reinvention Mindset 14:33 Book and Farewell https://www.rosienixon.co.uk/ Follow on Instagram @rosiejnixon Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP39: Vivien Wong, Co-Founder of Little Moons, the brand that's turned a niche product into a global obsession.

This week Jo sits down with Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, to discuss how the brand introduced mochi ice cream to the UK in 2010, grew from restaurants into FMCG, and scaled after going viral on TikTok during the pandemic with user-generated “Tesco adventure” videos that drove immediate purchase. Vivien shares the operational strain of a sudden “hockey stick” demand surge—COVID hiring constraints, machinery limits, and supply shortages—plus lessons on maintaining quality, retailer relationships, and culture while expanding into more supermarkets and selling in over 38 countries. She explains how her father’s cancer diagnosis prompted her to leave a city finance career, why she self-funded through five years of restaurant sales, and how she and her brother managed a sibling partnership. Vivien reflects on burnout, the impact of private equity bringing in a CEO, investments in coaching/therapy/training, and announces Mini Moons launching exclusively in Sainsbury’s. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:43 TikTok Viral Breakthrough 03:47 Scaling in a Pandemic 06:56 Pivotal Leap from Corporate 09:08 Building with a Sibling 12:21 Perfecting Mochi from Scratch 14:39 Landing Yo Sushi Deal 16:42 From Restaurants to Retail 19:51 Hiring and Letting Go 22:30 Burnout and Better Boundaries 25:07 Learning to Slow Down 25:26 Working On Business 25:42 Flavor Trend Hunting 26:36 Stepping Back With CEO 27:43 Trusting Leadership Team 28:47 Favorite Flavors Origins 29:47 Three Two One Segment 30:45 Coach Versus Therapy 32:54 Dog As Investment 35:06 Working Mum Lessons 37:44 Hiring Mistakes Regrets 38:48 Questions For Dad 40:03 Thanking Key Advisor 42:00 Networking And AI Tools 43:14 Mini Moons Launch 44:22 Closing And Farewell Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Attract more Clients using TikTok with Kate Waterfall Hill, Leadership Coach, Author & Creator of 'Linda the bad manager'.

This week Jo sits down with Kate Waterfall Hill, a leadership coach, author, podcaster and creator of 'Linda the Bad Manager', to share three ways to attract more clients using TikTok. First, Kate advises making TikToks and shifting mindset by recognising that business owners and decision-makers are on the platform, then creating content that educates, entertains and engages without feeling high-handed. Second, she recommends finding a repeatable format that fits your brand, testing different styles, and sticking with what works rather than constantly switching when early posts get little engagement. Third, she stresses that consistency beats perfection: record and edit on your phone, repurpose across platforms, batch record, and keep showing up, noting that in her first year 97% of revenue came from TikTok and that visibility matters more than going viral. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:34 Tip One Mindset Shift 01:41 Facing TikTok Fears 03:35 Linda Origin Story 05:05 Building Linda Universe 06:18 Tip Two Find Format 07:11 What Is Linda 08:40 Sticking With It 10:03 Tip Three Consistency 10:23 Repurpose and Batch 11:25 Results and Revenue 14:38 Final Recap and Close Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP38: Anna Richards, Founder and CEO of FrolicMe, the pioneering female-led ethical erotica platform created for women and couples.

This week Jo sits down with Anna Richards, founder and CEO of FrolicMe, to discuss building a female-led ethical erotica platform in midlife and redefining how adult content can centre female pleasure, consent, and authentic connection. Anna shares how a lack of erotic content reflecting women’s desires led her to start a blog in 2013–14, then launch FrolicMe in 2015 with 20 self-produced films alongside stories and galleries, funded with limited resources and without investors. She explains how she learned production by finding mentors and industry contacts, kept teams small and collaborative, and built growth largely through SEO because advertising options were limited, reaching 1.6 million monthly visitors and breaking even around year three. Anna describes expanding into audio in 2019, banking a year of content post-COVID, navigating age verification requirements, and the challenges of social media bans. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:08 Why FrolicMe Began 04:50 Fear and Going Taboo 06:00 Testing the Idea With a Blog 07:23 What Women Want From Erotica 10:20 From Stories to Films 13:34 Breaking Into Production 18:00 First Shoots and Self Funding 22:23 Ethical Erotica and Consent 24:54 Growing With SEO 29:21 Competition and Cultural Pushback 30:50 Early Website Panic 32:04 Organic Growth Milestones 33:24 Breaking Even Without Investors 35:04 Production Costs Evolve 36:45 Location Shoots Aesthetic 37:46 COVID Audio Pivot 39:30 Fantasy Storytelling Details 41:38 Age Verification Challenges 46:13 Marketing and Social Media 48:15 Family Reactions and Normalizing 50:07 Founder 321 Takeaways 55:48 Final Thanks and Wrap Visit at www.frolicme.com Follow @frolicme_anna or @frolicme_offical Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways for British Brands to Succeed in America with Thea Green MBE, Beauty Entrepreneur and Founder of Nails.INC

This week Jo sits down with Thea Green MBE, founder of Nails INC. and Holler & Glow, to share three ways British brands can succeed in America. First, Thea says distribution is your best advert: focus on one key retail partner where you’ll get strong visibility, prove performance with clean data, and consider short-term exclusivity rather than spreading thinly across multiple retailers with poor shelf placement. Second, because it’s hard to outspend US corporates on advertising, she advises leaning into your USP and founder storytelling and using partnerships, collaborations, and retailer exclusives so bigger brands and retailers amplify your launch. Third, she recommends celebrating European heritage and quality—standards, ingredients, and manufacturing stories—to appeal to Americans’ perception of European-made products as premium and safer, while noting US retail buying cycles can be slower and require long lead times. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:39 Advice One Distribution First 02:37 Win One Retailer 04:34 Advice Two Outsmart Ad Budgets 05:39 Partnerships and Collaborations 06:53 Advice Three Sell Europe 09:35 US Market Watch Outs 11:56 Retail Timelines and Seasonality 13:51 Recap and Closing Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP37: Lucy Macnamara, Founder of Aspiga, the award-winning sustainable fashion brand celebrating 20 years in business.

Building Aspiga: Sustainable Fashion, Slow Growth, and ADHD in Entrepreneurship This week Jo speaks with Lucy Macnamara, founder of Aspiga, an award-winning sustainable fashion brand built on ethical production and positive impact. Lucy shares how she started with 250 hand-beaded sandals from Kenya sold through friends while working full time, then left her charity role after gaining early wholesale traction. She explains Aspiga’s steady, long-term growth through wholesale, online and pop-ups, later moving operations to London and building teams, and how retail stores began unexpectedly during lockdown through low-risk landlord offers, eventually expanding to around 10 shops. Lucy discusses the realities of managing staff, cashflow, supplier problems, and crises, her ADHD diagnosis in her 50s and how openness helped the team adapt, and her focus now on creating a sustainable business that can rely less on her while maintaining long-standing investments in artisans and community projects in Kenya. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:42 Slow Growth Mindset 02:49 First Product and Early Sales 03:32 Leaving Charity to Go Full Time 05:10 Wholesale Growth and Cash Flow 05:56 Early Money Struggles 06:46 Midlife Advantage and Self Belief 08:53 Hiring and Building a Team 11:33 Managing Staff Expectations 14:27 Going Above and Beyond 15:47 From Pop Ups to Stores 18:29 Retail Expansion Challenges 20:11 ADHD Energy and Routines 21:52 Sleep and Night Worries 23:34 Entrepreneurship Ups and Downs 24:25 ADHD and Crisis Mode 25:18 Late Diagnosis Realizations 26:34 School Struggles and Self Doubt 28:38 Leading Teams with ADHD 32:13 Future Plans and Ownership 34:12 Funding and Industry Know How 36:40 Three Two One Advice 37:01 Sustainability Roots in Kenya 41:15 Money Mistakes and AI Checks 44:40 Mentors and Asking for Help 46:26 Final Thanks and Wrap Up Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Increase Engagement on Instagram with Milla Richardson, Instagram Expert and Founder of Pink Storm Social.

15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Increase Engagement on Instagram with Milla Richardson This week Jo sits down with Milla Richardson, Instagram expert and founder of Pink Storm Social, to share three ways to increase engagement on Instagram, explaining that engagement now includes comments, saves, shares and DMs and directly impacts reach via the algorithm. First, Milla advises grabbing attention in the feed with strong visuals, curiosity-driving hooks/headlines, and faces or behind-the-scenes people content, noting Instagram is increasingly personality-driven. Second, she recommends starting more conversations by asking questions in captions, replying to Stories, using Story engagement stickers (polls, sliders, question boxes) with simple prompts, and using DMs to build relationships, even setting short daily engagement windows. Third, she encourages being more personable and relatable through storytelling, sharing experiences and business journeys without oversharing; Jo recaps and asks about planning, and Milla describes loosely rotating selling, connecting, relationship-building and useful content. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:39 Why Engagement Matters 01:58 Tip One Grab Attention 02:27 Hooks Visuals and Faces 05:51 Tip Two Start Conversations 07:27 Stories Stickers and DMs 09:30 Tip Three Be Personable 12:13 Storytelling Without Oversharing 12:55 Recap and Content Planning 15:19 Wrap Up and Subscribe Follow Milla @pinkstormsocial Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP36: Maxine Laceby, Co-Founder of Absolute Collagen, from stay-at-home mum to creating one of the UK's fastest-growing direct-to-consumer businesses.

Maxine Laceby: Starting Absolute Collagen at 50 and building a £30m DTC Brand This week Jo sits down with Maxine Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen, to discuss how she built a pioneering liquid collagen, direct-to-consumer brand in midlife. After 25 years as a stay-at-home mum, turning 50 and studying fine art led Maxine to a self-identity project, “Dare to Go Bare,” and a wellbeing journey that began with homemade bone broth and evolved into discovering collagen. In 2017 she launched Absolute Collagen with her daughter Darcy, growing it from a kitchen-table idea into a £30m business, raising £15m investment, and earning major rankings and awards. Maxine credits transferable “mum skills” like emotional intelligence, intuition, and reading people, alongside a consumer-first mindset, strong team culture, hiring to offset weaknesses, and choosing aligned partners over money. She emphasizes authenticity, integrity, and scientifically proven claims in a “Wild West” supplement market. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:23 Motherhood Skills to Boardroom 03:06 Emotional Intelligence as Superpower 05:11 Designing for the Absoluter 08:01 Dare to Go Bare Origins 10:51 Finding Maxine Under the Masks 13:47 Kids Reactions and Leading by Example 15:39 Always a Problem Solver 17:51 Collagen Discovery with Darcy 19:13 Early Results and Hair Science 21:55 Mother Daughter Business Dynamic 23:28 Empowered Family Collaboration 26:08 Respect and Boundaries 27:07 Scaling With Great Hires 29:29 Authenticity Versus Celebrity 32:09 Brand Integrity and Science 33:58 Culture Fit and Team Freedom 34:53 Investment and Valuation Lessons 38:39 New CEO and Absoluter Mindset 40:44 Three Two One Advice 43:33 Thanking Brad and Closing Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Scale Your Productivity with AI with Georgie Barrat, AI Expert, Broadcaster, Founder & Creator of The AI Method.

This week Jo sits down with AI expert, broadcaster, and AI Method founder Georgie Barrat to share three ways to scale productivity with AI. First, Georgie advises “onboarding” your AI like a new employee by creating an AI blueprint: a North Star vision document, ideal audience details, and “voice DNA” samples for emails, newsletters, and social posts, stored via tools like memory, projects, or custom GPTs to improve outputs and avoid confusion from overly long threads. Second, she recommends using voice input to reduce friction, brainstorm more naturally, and let AI consolidate ideas into well-formatted drafts you can refine. Third, she suggests building a simple toolkit by choosing one main AI tool and targeting repeat weekly workflows for small, high-impact time savings, while factchecking and ensuring the final work still sounds like you. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:59 Tip 1 AI Blueprint Onboarding 03:16 Where to Store Context 04:34 Avoid Long Threads 06:06 Tip 2 Talk to AI 07:57 Tip 3 Workflow Toolkit 10:36 Small Wins Over Hype 11:37 Recap and AI Sandwich 15:32 Closing and Subscribe Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP35: Kate Cotterill, CEO and Co-Founder of She Grows Veg, empowering more people to grow their own.

From City Marketer to Heirloom Seed Disruptor: Kate Cotterill on Building She Grows Veg in Midlife Jo kicks off a new season by speaking with Kate Cotterill, CEO and co-founder of She Grows Veg, an heirloom seed company launched in November 2023 with Instagram grower Lucy Hutchings. Kate shares how a garden design course led to their partnership, how Lucy’s 120,000-strong following revealed pent-up UK demand for heirloom seeds, and how Kate left a 25-year marketing career to start the business at 46. They discuss what heirloom seeds are versus hybrids, She Grows Veg’s rapid growth from a £17,000 crowdfund to £1.4m turnover and a 30+ person team, two Chelsea Flower Show gold medals, and the challenges of funding, scaling operations, website crashes, and seed production lead times. Kate also describes their women-focused hiring model, AI-driven content and customer support, new veg-growing app, charity work, and advice to research then act. 00:00 Welcome and guest intro 01:55 Why seeds 04:58 Market shift to growing 07:51 Heirloom seeds explained 10:46 Funding and crowdfunding 13:22 Product build and packaging 15:49 Chelsea spotlight and website crash 19:07 Scaling team and operations 22:13 Energy routines and tech 24:59 Co-founder roles and balance 25:28 Finding Your Yin Yang 25:59 Seed Hunting Secret Sauce 26:26 Funding the Fast Growth 28:44 Angel Investing Explained 30:17 Scaling Teams and Roles 31:14 Production and Stock Fears 32:54 Customer Support with AI 34:00 Family Support and Midlife Drive 36:33 Pinch Me Chelsea Moments 37:45 Digital Marketing Disruption 39:39 Next Phase and Veg App 41:04 Joy of Growing and Reviews 42:41 Advice to Just Go 44:23 321s People AI Premises 47:22 Do Differently and Thank You 50:35 Final Wrap and Goodbye Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Lead with more Purpose and Positive Impact with Mirry Christie, CEO and Founder of B.Able.

Jo hosts the 15 Minute Masterclass and interviews Mirry Christie, CEO and founder of Be.Able, about three ways to lead with more purpose and positive impact. Mirry advises starting with the business by identifying priority social and environmental focus areas, engaging teams beyond the boardroom, and making practical improvements that add brand value, reduce waste, improve staff wellbeing and retention, and prepare for investors and future regulation. Second, she encourages action closer to home through conscious consumption, reusing, recycling, repairing, community support, and projects like selling clothes on Vinted and local initiatives such as Remnant Revolution. Third, she stresses talking honestly and transparently about impact to counter greenhushing/greenwashing, build communities of brands, and inspire others, noting resource use is at 1.8 Earths today and heading toward two by 2030. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:35 Purposeful Leadership Question 00:54 Start With Business Impact 02:11 Social and Environmental Priorities 03:43 Making Change Practical 06:20 Advice Two Home Habits 07:51 Community Projects and Brands 09:53 Advice Three Talk About It 11:08 Building Communities for Impact 12:51 Recap and Final Thoughts 15:30 Subscribe and Contact Connect with B.Able here: https://www.bable.world/ Follow on Instagram @bable.world Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP34: Zoe Levey, Editor and Founder of Wildflower Press, publisher of Wildflower Magazine.

This week’s guest is Zoe Levey, founder of Wildflower Press and editor of Wildflower Magazine. With over two decades in senior commercial roles across major magazine titles, Zoe left Conde Nast in 2017 after her son’s SEN diagnosis to create more flexibility, moved to the Cotswolds, and launched an independent publishing business designed to feel special, seasonal, and collectible. Eight years on, Wildflower is distributed nationally in the UK and stocked by Waitrose, M&S and WH Smith, and has expanded into Wildflower Live events, the Little Green Book for independent businesses, and a Wine Club. Zoe explains her brand-led approach, self-funding and lean resourcing model, the skills she had to rebuild outside a large company (distribution, subscriptions, finance, digital), where AI may help efficiency, and the importance of boundaries, patience, and trusted people. 00:00 Welcome and Mission 00:55 Meet Zoe Levey 02:02 Why Start a Magazine 02:51 Designing Wildflower 04:57 Naming the Brand 06:45 Building the First Issues 08:48 Lean Team and Finances 09:52 Growth Pains and Skills 12:03 AI for Efficiency 14:36 Live Events Return 16:28 Seasonal Editorial Process 18:43 Weekly Rhythm and Balance 22:18 The Turning Point Story 23:31 Chasing Work Life Balance 24:07 Lists And Starting Projects 25:07 Eat The Frog First 25:47 Rest And Self Care Boundaries 27:04 Protecting Mornings And Breaks 28:46 Phones And Blurred Work Lines 30:33 Three Two One Framework 31:00 Worthwhile Investments 34:49 Career Skills And Confidence 36:29 Mistakes Hiring And Structure 39:35 Distribution Lessons And COVID 42:39 Thanking A Key Mentor 44:08 Final Wrap And Call To Action Find out more about Wildflower here: https://wildflowermagazine.co.uk/ Follow them on Instagram @wildflowermagazine Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Create Events with Impact with Camilla Newman Co-Founder of Baillie Newman

In this episode of the 15 Minute Masterclass Jo Glynn-Smith chats to Camilla Newman, co-founder of Baillie Newman, who shares three ways to create events with impact that build memories and shift brand perception. First, she advises “engineer the feeling” by prioritising how guests feel from arrival, then choreographing the event’s cadence with connection points, surprise, momentum, and a strong finish rather than letting it fizzle out or over-focusing on VIP moments. Second, she highlights a 2026 trend: create participation, not spectators, using interactive experiences that build “body/muscle memory,” deepen connection, and strengthen brand loyalty. Third, she recommends not letting perfection ruin presence, switch from planner to host, stay calm if details or tech go wrong, and keep guests centre stage so the room’s energy reflects positively on the brand. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 01:12 Engineer the Feeling 02:37 Finish Strong and Flow 04:52 Participation Not Spectators 06:34 Why Body Memory Works 09:11 Perfection vs Presence 12:51 Recap and Sign Off 14:51 Subscribe and Contact You can find out more about Baillie Newman here: https://www.baillienewman.co.uk/ Or on Instagram @baillie_newman_events Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP33: Amanda Hall, Co-Founder of Beck & Hall, a company redefining luxury relocation.

In this episode Jo chats to Amanda Hall, co-founder of Beck and Hall, a luxury relocation service that goes beyond removals to deliver fully installed, home-ready moves (layouts, installations, stocked cupboards, flowers) using trusted specialist partners, with recognition from media including Condé Nast Property, House & Garden, and Vogue. Amanda explains how the end of her 23-year marriage, financial insecurity, and moving from a renovated “forever home” into a rental pushed her to focus on creating calm through an expertly managed move, which later became the inspiration for her business which she launched with partner Louise Beck. She discusses transferable skills from years of renovation project management, challenges re-entering work, scaling via subcontract teams, pricing transparently by time, the value of therapy, relationships, and support from Louise, her children, and clients’ feedback. 00:00 Welcome and Mission 00:55 Meet Amanda Hall 02:18 Divorce and the Move 04:08 Making a Rental Home 05:40 Turning Skills Into Business 07:49 Job Hunt and Transferable Skills 11:46 Louise and Launching Beck and Hall 15:29 Money Pressure and Resilience 16:57 Early Clients and Proving Experience 23:14 Scaling and Service Breakdown 25:36 NDA Marketing and Starting Lean 26:56 Transparent Pricing Plan 28:02 Building a Discreet Team 29:43 Pride After Upheaval 31:22 Emotions of Moving 33:59 Bespoke Move Blueprint 34:34 Design and Sourcing Extras 36:02 Restoring Your Energy 38:34 Three Two One Ritual 38:53 Therapy and Relationships 44:34 Dogs and Acceptance 47:38 Solutions Mindset Lesson 50:15 Defining Success and Farewell You can find out more about Beck and Hall here: https://beckandhall.co.uk/ Or follow them on instagram here: @beckandhall.co.uk Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to Maintain Brand Relevance with Rebecca Hopkins, Co-Founder of Balance Me

Jo speaks with Rebecca Hopkins, co-founder of Balance Me, a B Corp certified skincare brand rooted in science and naturally active, clinically backed formulas. Marking 20 years in business, Hopkins shares three ways to maintain brand relevance: evolve brand expression without losing the brand’s core essence, amplifying what the brand can authentically and legitimately own (including clinical credibility and wellness roots); stay obsessively close to customers by gathering data and feedback through founder-led skin consultations, product testing with customers, WhatsApp groups, surveys, community days, ambassadors, and social media presence; and innovate intelligently by keeping up with scientific advances and ingredients while simplifying language and guidance so customers can trust the essentials without feeling overwhelmed. Jo recaps the three tips and closes with subscription and guest-nomination details. 00:00 Welcome to Masterclass 00:19 Meet Balance Me Founder 01:10 Tip One Brand Essence 01:17 Origins and Evolution 03:17 Modern Market Positioning 06:03 Tip Two Customer Closeness 07:45 Community and Feedback Loops 10:50 Tip Three Smart Innovation 11:52 Simplify the Science Story 13:37 Recap and Final Thoughts 15:21 Subscribe and Contact You explore all the wonderful products at Balance Me here: https://www.balanceme.com/ And follow them on instagram @balancemeskincare Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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EP32: Nadia Hussain, award-winning Hair and Beauty Stylist and Founder of Hair Loving, the British brand helping women manage hair loss through life’s hormonal transitions.

Jo hosts The Midlife Entrepreneur Podcast and interviews Nadia Hussein, a multi award-winning hair and makeup artist, educator, and founder of Hair Loving, a UK-made brand supporting women experiencing hair loss from menopause, postpartum changes, PCOS, cancer treatment, and hormonal shifts. Nadia shares being diagnosed with early menopause at 18 due to thalassemia-related iron overload damaging her pituitary gland, leading to severe symptoms, hair loss, and fertility challenges, and explains how treatment helped restore cycles. She describes transitioning from estate agency into beauty, building a training academy now teaching 500+ artists yearly, and creating her first hair oil from her mother’s formula, initially sold from her car before formal regulation, manufacturing, and testing. Launched officially in 2019/2020, Hair Loving grew via digital marketing, a constantly improved website, and platform-specific sales strategies, with goals to expand internationally and into more retailers, including Holland and Barrett. 00:00 Welcome and Mission 00:55 Meet Nadia and Hair Loving 02:13 Early Menopause at 18 04:34 Hair Loss and Confidence 05:53 From Clients to First Oil 07:43 Career Pivot and Academy 10:23 Entrepreneur Mindset Lessons 11:50 From Kitchen to Compliance 13:43 Manufacturing and Product Line 16:27 Brand Launch and Early Growth 17:37 Staying Calm Under Pressure 21:53 Team, Challenges, and Growth Channels 25:10 Platform Sales Insights 25:50 Five Year Brand Vision 26:12 Retail Expansion Strategy 27:19 Customer Testimonials 29:18 Staying Ahead in Beauty 31:03 Product Development Timeline 32:14 Three Two Ones Framework 32:43 Investing in Marketing 34:38 Founder Mental Health 39:14 Lessons and Regrets 43:08 Thanking Her Parents 46:04 Closing and Farewell Discover all of Nadia's amazing products, here: https://www.hairloving.com/ Or follow Hair Loving on Instagram @hairlovingco_ Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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15 Minute Masterclass: 3 Ways to be Yourself as a Public Speaker with Caroline Goyder, Speaker Coach and Author of Gravitas.

Jo interviews Caroline Goyder, speaker coach and author of Gravitas, about three ways to be yourself as a public speaker. Caroline explains that many people fear speaking due to past experiences of judgment and offers practical tools to feel safer and more authentic. First, shift focus from impressing to asking “How can I help?” by understanding what the audience needs and simplifying the message. Second, use the body to create calm and energy by moving, breathing, and getting present before speaking so the room feels less threatening. Third, use breath and pauses, voice is out-breath and pauses are in-breath, to slow rushing, reset the nervous system, and make speaking more conversational, supported by rehearsal, recording, or visualisation. 00:00 Welcome to the Masterclass 00:43 Why Speaking Feels Risky 02:09 Tip 1 Help the Audience 03:08 Audience First Preparation 05:43 Tip 2 Get in Your Body 07:03 Warm Up and Energy 09:51 Tip 3 Pause and Breathe 13:40 Practice to Beat Fear 14:51 Key Takeaways and Wrap You can discover more about Caroline and her work: https://carolinegoyder.com/ Or follow her on Instagram @carolinegoyder Support the show Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025. Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change. Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com www.joglynnsmith.com MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

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