S23 Ep4: Nikki Trott — Author, Speaker, Strategist & Advisor — Trusting your gut: why following intuition is better than a business plan
Warning: This podcast could change your life!
What if business wasn’t just about profit — but about purpose, joy and soulfulness too? What if trusting your instinct could lead you to achieve great things?
In this episode of Conversations of Inspiration, Holly is joined by Nikki Trott — author, speaker, strategist, and advisor — whose journey has taken her from consulting for iconic luxury brands like Mulberry and Mercedes, to writing her visionary book, Sacred Business.
Nikki shares how returning to her roots after years of nomadic living, and relying on her intuition, has shaped every step of her journey: from walking away from a successful but unfulfilling career, to reimagining entrepreneurship as a practice rooted in values and fulfilment.
Together, Holly and Nikki explore the blending of spirituality and business. They also reflect on feminine strength, navigating grief, personal growth and letting go — while offering practical wisdom for building businesses with authenticity.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that success can be redefined. Business can be both strategic and sacred, ambition can be reimagined and trusting your intuition can open doors you never expected to walk through.
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to build a business that truly reflects who you are — and do it with joy, purpose and depth — this episode will speak straight to your heart.
What does it take to design a wedding dress—or build a business—that’s not just beautiful, but deeply meaningful and empowering?
In this heartfelt conversation with celebrated bridal designer Kate Halfpenny, you’ll find yourself wanting to be her BFF as she speaks with refreshing honesty about the magical journey of creativity, courage, and self-belief.
From growing up in a creative household and interning with Vivienne Westwood, to styling Rihanna and repurposing fabric scraps with her late mum, Kate carved her own place in a fiercely competitive industry. She shares how resilience, individuality, and kindness shaped her brand, while opening up about the pandemic, bucking trends, and the underestimated power of body confidence. Kate also reveals why dyslexia isn’t a flaw but the “secret source” to unstoppable creativity.
At the heart of it all is her mission: to design dresses that are far more than fabric and lace—garments that empower women to feel extraordinary on their own terms. This is a love letter to confidence, creativity, and the quiet bravery of trusting you’re already enough.
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S23 Ep2: A RUDE awakening – why creativity should rule the world: Abi & Rupert Meats, Founders of RUDE
What happens when you refuse to colour inside the lines?
In this joyful episode, Holly chats with Abi & Rupert Meats — the powerhouse couple behind RUDE and Everyday Sunshine, a gallery and coffee shop dedicated to optimism and community.
Purveyors of positivity in every sense, they’ve been creating unapologetically bold, colourful work for 25 years. From hustling in their first studio to collaborating with Apple, Vogue and the Tate, they share the highs, lows, wins and losses of building a life around creativity.
Now, they’re driving a movement to bring creativity back into children’s lives. Their new book, CREATE, is a rallying cry for a generation growing up in a world where art is being sidelined in schools. Abi & Rupert talk openly about why creativity isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a lifeline — and how they’re on a mission to put a copy of CREATE in every primary school in the UK.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what the world might look like if we treated joy and imagination as seriously as maths and science, this episode is for you.
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S23 Ep1: Sarah Chapman, founder of Skinesis & Sarah Chapman London: How passion and perfectionism can prevail
In this episode, skincare pioneer Sarah Chapman — London’s most celebrated facialist and founder of the award-winning brand Skinesis — reveals the integrity, passion and perfectionism that took her from childhood kitchen experiments and special effects makeup, to treating A-list clients including Victoria Beckham and the Duchess of Sussex.
Sarah’s journey is not just about building a global skincare empire, but also about staying true to her vision, growing with integrity and having meticulous attention to detail that she never let go. Through trust, authenticity and a great deal of care, she was able to create real impact. Whether you’re a founder, a beauty lover or simply curious about the power of building a heritage brand, Sarah’s story is an inspiring masterclass in determination, connection and the art of slow, steady success.
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S22 Ep7: Ned Trier, Founder of The Gluttonous Gardener & Growbar: Growing a business with heart
What if one small idea — dreamt up in a London traffic jam — could grow into a business that’s brought joy to people for over 30 years? In this gentle, charming and inspiring episode, Holly sits down with Ned Trier, founder of The Gluttonous Gardener & Growbar, to hear how a simple love of growing and giving, blossomed into something truly lasting.
Ned shares the story behind his slow, thoughtful journey — from the early gardening days to sending grapevines and Growbars across the country — and why staying small, honest and hands-on has been the secret all along. Expect reflections on creativity, sustainability and finding delight in the peculiar.
So whether you’re dreaming up your own venture, in need of a little perspective or just love stories with soil under their nails, this conversation is a true reminder that good things really do take time to grow. It might even leave you inspired enough to plant something beautiful in your own life.
Conversations of Inspiration brings you life changing wisdom along with heartbreaking stories of resilience, tenacity and triumph. Since launching two small business marketplaces (Holly & Co and notonthehighstreet), Holly Tucker MBE has spoken with more than 200 founders, creatives and entrepreneurs on this podcast who have been vulnerable enough to share what it really took to get them where they are today, with warmth and wisdom. Prepare to be inspired.
UK