Business Class

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Maddie Borge, founder of Pastael, the travel accessories brand that's redefining the way we travel.
What started as a simple idea to solve a common travel problem has grown into a thriving e-commerce business, with Maddie building a loyal community through social media, smart branding and a relentless focus on creating products people genuinely love.
In this episode, Maddie shares the reality of launching a product-based business, building a brand from scratch and turning an idea into a fast-growing company.
Together, Vicky and Maddie discuss:
How Maddy founded Pastael
Turning an everyday problem into a successful business
Building a product-based brand from scratch
Growing an e-commerce business through social media
Product development and bringing ideas to life
The power of branding and customer experience
Manufacturing, logistics and scaling a business
Lessons from entrepreneurship and startup life
Overcoming challenges as a founder
Creating a loyal community around your brand
The realities of running an online business
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Whether you're launching a product, building an e-commerce business or dreaming of becoming a founder, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice from someone who's built a brand with purpose.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens shares the honest lessons she's learned from building and managing a growing team.
From hiring your very first employee to leading a larger business, Vicky opens up about the mistakes she's made, the challenges of managing people in your twenties, and the leadership lessons she wishes she'd known from day one.
Managing a team isn't something anyone teaches you. Whether it's setting boundaries, building company culture, giving feedback or learning to lead with confidence, Vicky shares the real experiences behind growing a business and the people within it. 
In this episode, Vicky discusses:
Hiring your first employee and growing a team
The biggest mistakes first-time managers make
Leading a business in your twenties
Setting boundaries without losing approachability
Building a positive company culture
Managing difficult conversations with confidence
Delegating effectively as a founder
Why making leadership mistakes is part of the journey
Creating a team that supports business growth
Learning to become a better leader every day
Balancing empathy with accountability
Scaling your business without losing your culture
Whether you're hiring your first employee, growing a startup or leading an established team, this episode is packed with practical leadership advice and honest reflections from a founder who's learning in real time.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit that helps you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and sell products, services and digital downloads, all from one platform.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership and business growth.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Delphi and David, the husband and wife founders behind By Teddy, one of the UK's fastest growing pet lifestyle brands.
In just a few short years, By Teddy has grown from an idea into a nationally recognised business, securing partnerships with major retailers including John Lewis, Pets at Home, Pets Corner and Very. But behind the growth is a story of persistence, strategic networking, bold decision-making and building a brand customers genuinely love.
In this episode, Delphi and David share the realities of scaling a product-based business, navigating cash flow challenges, securing retail partnerships and growing a brand in a highly competitive market.
Together, Vicky, Delphi and David discuss:
• How By Teddy went from startup to stocked in major retailers
• Building a business with your partner
• The challenges of scaling a fast-growing e-commerce brand
• How to get your products into major retailers
• The power of networking and relationship building
• Why persistence is one of the most underrated business skills
• Cash flow, inventory management and growth challenges
• Leveraging TikTok Shop and social media for business growth
• Brand collaborations and creating standout marketing moments
• Building a premium brand in a crowded market
• Lessons learned from rapid business growth
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and founders
Whether you're launching a product-based business, building an e-commerce brand or looking to scale your company, this episode is packed with practical insights and actionable advice from two founders who are doing exactly that.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business online.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens answers your biggest questions about building a personal brand, growing on social media and turning your online presence into real business opportunities.
From whether founders should show up on camera, to balancing entertaining content with credibility, avoiding burnout and building an audience that actually converts into customers, Vicky shares the honest advice she gives clients every day. 
If you're an entrepreneur, founder, creator or business owner looking to grow your personal brand in 2026, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
In this episode, Vicky discusses:
• Whether every founder needs a personal brand
• Founder-led content vs faceless business content
• Building trust and authority on social media
• How to grow without chasing every trend
• Why respect is more valuable than viral views
• Creating content that attracts customers, not just followers
• Managing social media burnout
• Building a sustainable content strategy
• Outsourcing your marketing effectively
• Balancing business growth with your personal life
• The mindset required to build a successful personal brand
Whether you're just starting your business or looking to take your content strategy to the next level, this episode will help you build a brand that creates long-term opportunities, not just short-term attention. 
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, social media and business growth.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with entrepreneur, author and founder of the global movement F*ck Being Humble, Stefanie Sword Williams.
Known for helping people build confidence, advocate for themselves and stop playing small, Stefanie has spent the last eight years challenging the way we think about self-promotion, personal branding and career growth. In this powerful conversation, she shares what it really takes to build a movement that lasts, stand out in a crowded market and create meaningful impact through your work.
Together, Vicky and Stephanie discuss:
• How to build a personal brand people remember
• Why most businesses focus on trends instead of solving real problems
• Creating a movement instead of just creating content
• The power of bold messaging and strong positioning
• Confidence, self-promotion and overcoming self-doubt
• Dealing with criticism and fear of judgement online
• Why authenticity matters more than ever
• The difference between vulnerability and oversharing
• Building a brand with purpose and longevity
• How to stop gatekeeping your brilliance
• Creating opportunities instead of waiting for them
• The mindset shifts that help founders grow
Stefanie also shares her personal journey, the challenges she's faced behind the scenes, and the lessons she's learned from building one of the UK's most recognisable personal development brands.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, founder or professional looking to build confidence and visibility, this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business online.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk