The Countrywoman’s Guide to Work, Life & You…

This episode was originally recorded as part of a series of interviews that I did for Do Radio, which they have generously allowed me to share with you, and I’m so pleased they did because the insights in these conversations are golden.
Sarah James has been organising multi award-winning arts festivals for over 22 years. She is Managing Director and founder of non-profits Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, Cheltenham and Cardigan.
She also co-founded and produced Nourish Festival (Food, Craft & Music) for 10 years until 2023.
She founded Find a Maker and popular podcast, The Capital of Craft in 2021. She was awarded an MBE for services to Craft in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List.
Born & Bred in Cardigan, West Wales, Sarah is a ceramics graduate from Glasgow School of Art and an avid collector of craft, especially ceramics. She has had a varied career including making, podcasting, writing, curating, retailing, mentoring and lecturing on business start-up.
Sarah has focused on arts event management and business development training since 2003 and works regularly with a variety of universities and national craft organisations providing training at undergraduate and post-graduate level.
Being an obsessive user of social media for business and the ability to think on her feet whilst smiling is a fundamental part of her business strategy.
“Treat people how you would like to be treated and expect the same in return.”
Sarah is mam to Ella and Lewi and lives between Cardigan and Bovey Tracey, Devon with her husband Andy and their dogs.
Aside from so much wisdom in the form of life lessons, this episode will also be really helpful if you’ve ever dreamed of taking a stand at Craft Festival or similar events as Sarah provides so much invaluable advice about securing and making the most of your opportunity.
You can find Sarah’s Craft Festival website here and her instagram here
Thank you for reading and thank you for listening.
Join our growing Community of people who value building a business that fits your life, rather than a life that fits in round your business.



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Introduction
One of the great things about hosting a podcast is that you get to chat to lots of people! I’m always curious to hear how people came to be doing what they do and it seems that serendipity often plays a big part in shaping careers!
Timmy is no exception to this and becoming a multi-disciplined therapist happened organically after she qualified as a sports therapist. She then went on to gain her equine and canine qualifications and is currently studying for a further qualification - she is one busy lady!
Our Discussion covers…
* Career Path
* Business Development
* Work Philosophy
* Challenges of Self-Employment
* Social Media and Branding
* Professional Community
* Personal Well-being
* Advice & Reflections
Key Thoughts Shared
* Authenticity builds trust: Clients appreciate clear, jargon-free communication and a human approach.
* Community over competition: Building relationships with peers strengthens the industry and personal confidence.
* Social media ≠ success: Real business growth comes from word of mouth and consistent service, not follower counts.
* Work-life balance: Recognizing personal limits and seasonal priorities prevents burnout.
Thanks so much to Timmy for being so generous with her experience and wisdom.
As always thank you for listening. Please do like, share and subscribe if you enjoy the podcast.
You can find Timmy on instagram here
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com

So, it was an absolute treat to have an hour with him as part of my recent stint as a Do Radio presenter.
David builds brands from nothing with next to nothing. Having spent a decade of his early years at Saatchi & Saatchi, he left to build his own brands.
He was one of the founders of Howies in the 1990’s, which he exited via a trade sale to Timberland in the mid-2000’s.
In 2008, he and Claire started the Do Lectures. The idea was a simple one. Gather together the world’s leading DOers, disruptors and changemakers, have them share their hearts and stories, and encourage others to DO amazing things too. There are now over 400 lectures available free online to watch, and the latest innovation of the Do Team is Do Radio
In 2011, he took up the manufacturing mantle again, with his wife Claire, in the form of Hiut Ltd, determined to revive jeans manufacture in the town of Cardigan.
In its heyday, Dewhirst, one of the Cardigan based factories used to produce 35,000 pairs of jeans a week, employing 400 people, but closed in 2002.
The skills were all there and Hiut became known for handcrafting high-quality, sustainable jeans, often referred to as "slow fashion".
Their commitment to craftsmanship, the "Do One Thing Well" philosophy, and the re-employing of local "Grand Masters", jean makers who lost their jobs in 2002 became hallmarks of the Hiut brand.
David and Claire sold Hiut in 2025 to concentrate on the Do Lectures.
All of David’s businesses are strong on brand and storytelling and his innovative thinking inspires many.
David’s idea of success is:- Being in charge of your time.- Not worrying about money.- Do work that matters with people you like. And help others.
I think that’s a pretty good success philosophy to have.
In this episode, we talk about story, purpose, community, and why understanding the why of your business gives it wind in its sails.
If you’re building something thoughtful and long-term — this conversation will stay with you.
🎧 Listen now on Countrywoman’s Guide.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com

In this episode, Sue Pryke shares her inspiring journey through ceramics, from learning how to cut leeks to prescribed lengths for supermarkets in her father’s business as a youngster, to working at Wedgwood and subsequently establishing her own design studio.
She explores the importance of heritage craft skills, balancing industry with handmade quality, and how her upbringing influenced her meticulous approach and love for design and the ability to produce beautifully designed and ergonomic pieces at scale.
Key Topics:
* Sue’s early passion for pottery sparked by A-level coursework in the 1980s
* The influence of Lincolnshire’s landscape on her appreciation for precision and uniformity
* Transition from craft-based work to design at Leicester, including her degree in Design for Manufacture
* Her experience at Wedgwood and involvement in traditional model and mold making and the challenges faced in preserving heritage skills
* Moving into her own business and collaborations with IKEA
* The significance of mindful, detail-oriented craftsmanship
* The role of failure and iteration in creative development
* Reflections on parenting, balancing family life, and fostering entrepreneurial instincts
* Participation in The Great Pottery Throw Down and media influence on ceramics
* Future projects involving creamware molds and a return to studio practice
* Embracing change, re-evaluating life phases, and the importance of adaptability
“Understated, afford-able, functional and elegant. Sounds easy but is very hard to achieve.
Designs that fit in rather than stand out, a true test of excellence. ”
— Barbara Chandler, The Evening Standard
This podcast was originally recorded for Do Radio, so huge thanks to them for letting me share this episode with you.
Connect with Sue Pryke:
* Instagram
* Website
Resources & Links:
* Oliver Burkman’s 4000 Weeks – on managing time and life priorities
* The Great Pottery Throw Down Series 3– TV Show promoting awareness of ceramics
* Royal College of Art – The home of ideas
* Wedgwood Official Site – Historic ceramic manufacturer
* Royal Society of Arts Awards – Recognition in ceramic design
* Prince’s Youth Business Trust – (Now the King’s Trust) business support and funding

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com

I’ve known Dan Kieran for a little while now and first came across him when I read his book Do Start - How to Create and Run a Business (that doesn’t run you). It’s a great read and I loved the way he talked about his journey through starting and running a business.
Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur and author. We’re both members of the Do Lectures community and connected on Linkedin, but our conversations started after I watched a presentation that Dan gave about his thoughts on Leadership.
In it, he discussed how leadership isn’t just about hierarchy, control, or endless grind, it’s about fluidity, connection, and understanding the natural currents within your business and yourself.
So, when I was recording the Do Radio interviews, Dan was on my list of people I wanted to interview.
In this captivating episode, Dan shares his transformative insights inspired by ancient rivers and hunter-gatherer societies that thrived through cooperation and adaptability.
He reveals how adopting a “river-like” mindset can empower you to guide your organization with strength and grace, no matter the turbulence.
Dan candidly discusses the mental toll of scaling, the loneliness at the top, and how shifting to a flow-based leadership style can restore joy, resilience, and sustainable success.
We break down his powerful analogy of leading like a river, emphasizing the importance of context, collaboration, and trusting the natural course of growth. You’ll discover how ancient societal structures and natural laws hold the key to modern leadership practices that actually work - and you all know how important our connection to the countryside is!
We explore:
* How the word “lead” originally meant “flow” and why understanding this can revolutionize your leadership approach.
* Practical strategies for navigating entrepreneurial transitions, from burnout to renewal.
* The importance of vulnerability, community, and mentorship in driving lasting success.
* The critical role of nurturing feminine qualities like intuition, empathy, and psychological safety in today’s business landscape.
* How to craft your personal origin story to rewire limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from hearing Dan’s take on life - his curiosity and way of connecting history to how we live our life today is both enlightening and fascinating.
NB: This episode was originally recorded for my Making Stuff Up show on Do Radio, which they are kindly letting me share with the CWG audience.
As always, thank you for reading and thank you for listening.
Guest Dan Kieran is a prolific entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for human-centered leadership, known for building Unbound, a pioneering crowdfunding platform, and his passionate work on the future of business and feminine leadership.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit countrywomansguide.substack.com