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

What would you do to if a friend came to you and casually asked you to make a waterproof riding skirt for her? For Odette Insoll, of Nouvelle Habit, this casual question and her answer of “of course, how hard could it be?” took her on an unexpected but career changing journey.
At the time, Odette was retraining in traditional upholstery after stepping away from life as a riding instructor following a serious accident. What followed was a educational rabbit hole of ancient riding history & traditions, four years of design & creation, and 13 product prototypes - leaving her with a unique and genius collection of practical overskirts designed for women who spend their time in the great outdoors. Be it riding, working around the yard, walking the dog, or out in the field these skirts are your classic, elegant and timeless answer to warmth, comfort and staying dry.
In Episode 67 of the Countrywoman’s Guide Podcast, Odette shares the full story behind the business, including the imposter syndrome that has followed her along the way. She talks openly about the reality of growing a business with no outside investment, the values she holds close and her honest views of social media. Through it all, she’s had to find confidence in doing things her own way and allowing herself to acknowledge just what she has achieved. Six years in, only now is Odette beginning to recognise all her hard work becoming the fully fledged business that is Nouvelle Habit
There was no ready-made pattern for this business or product when Odette first started out, and perhaps that's what makes her story so interesting. So join us today as we discover the full journey of Odette Insoll.
If you would like to discover more about Odette, Nouvelle Habit and her incredible Riding Habits you can find their website here, and their Instagram here.

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What happens when we make a little more room for curiosity?
In this week’s 10-minute Field Notes, Emma reflects on two brilliant conversations she has recorded this week for the CWG Podcast and Do Radio - both of which offered the same piece of advice: stay curious.
Whether it’s discovering traditional rural crafts like Andy Cutbill, learning from people who have built businesses around their values in CWG, or just taking the time to question what you really enjoy doing like Paul Cameron, there’s so much to be gained by looking beyond our usual day-to-day.
It can be so easy to get caught up in the hamster wheel of running a business and the pressure of keeping up with those around you, but when you take a moment to step out of that routine, follow the interest or even give yourself some space to just think, you’ll be amazed by the fresh perceptive you gain.
So join Emma for a little reminder to keep asking the questions, stay open to the new ideas and, above all, run your own race.

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Have you ever found the things that bring you the most fulfilment, are often the ones you stumbled across when you least expected to?
For Zoe Blair and Ellie Loveday, this happy stumble led them to the world of ceramics. What began as a pottery course has since grown into a creative business, a close friendship and a shared passion for making beautiful, functional pieces.
On today’s episode of the Countrywoman’s Guide Podcast, Emma chats to Zoe and Ellie all about their individual journeys into pottery, leading them to the creation of the beautiful ceramic business the pair share today, Blair Loveday Ceramics. In their riverside studio in Cambridge, Ellie and Zoe blend traditional ceramic techniques with modern day designs to create unique, functional and utterly gorgeous ceramic kitchenware.
Zoe and Ellie are wonderfully honest throughout their conversation with Emma, generously sharing with us the realities of what it takes to turn a creative passion into a livelihood. As we discuss the less glamours sides of running a small business, the pair also share with us the therapeutic benefits they have discovered of working with clay, and just how they manage to find the energy to keep creating when the making itself is only one part of the job.
There is so much to learn from the way they’ve built their partnership. Through the honesty of tricky conversations and the freedom of allowing each other to experiment, the pair have found a way of working together that allows them to grow both as individuals and as a business.
And do you know what Ellie said to us after the podcast? She worried they had talked too much (!) - so you know it’s going to be a fabulous listen! There is no such thing as talking too much on a podcast, and the value both Zoe and Ellie share with us today throughout the episode is testament to that. It’s an episode that explores creativity and resilience, finding your people and making space for the things that bring you joy. Coupled with a few honest reminders along the way that running your own business isn’t always quite as idyllic as it might look from the outside!
So settle in with a cuppa, pop your headphones on for your dog walk, or take us in your ears as you enjoy some garden pottering, and join us today as we discover how this pair have made a business of creativity.
You can listen to the full episode now, wherever you get your podcasts.
If you would like to discover more of the wonderful ceramics on offer at Blair Loveday (hint hint - their ceramics would make beautiful Christmas gifts!) then you can peruse their website here, follow them on Instagram here, and on Facebook here.
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It’s the first week of November, the clocks have gone back, winter seems to have arrived in a flash with chilly and grey days - it could be easy to feel a little despondent…
But for our Emma, November has started with a bang, and we don’t mean the firework kind!
Instead, Emma’s week has been one of new ideas, lots of learning, and even a new addition to the family.
A highlight being her trip to the Farm Business Innovation Show and Festival of Entrepreneurs in Birmingham.
With talks covering everything from turning business plans into results and understanding the metrics that really matter, to building a personal brand and creating a brilliant customer experience.
One message in particular stayed with Emma: in a world increasingly shaped by AI, the value of genuine human connection and looking after your customers has never been more important.
And today, Emma is unpacking all she learnt with you, in this little bonus ‘field note’ podcast.
Emma also takes a moment to reflect on the things we discussed in our November Monthly Masterclass with our Countrywoman Members, and reminds us that that business isn’t always quite as it looks from the outside. It’s easy to spend a lot of our time looking at what everyone else appears to be achieving and forget that we’re only seeing a small part of their story.
There are also a few familiar faces mentioned along the way, a rather good tip for making proper tea on the road, an exciting new four-legged addition to the Warren family and a little insight into what’s happening behind the scenes at Hiho and Countrywoman’s Guide.
So, put the kettle on and join Emma for ten minutes of thoughts, ideas and takeaways from the first week of November.

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For Hollie Savage, farming has always been a part of her life. But how do you help children who haven’t grown up around farms understand where their food comes from?
It’s this question that fuelled the inspiration behind Moor Farm Stories, Holly’s new venture creating children’s books that bring farming to life in a way that’s gentle, engaging and rooted in reality.
Her first book A Christmas to Remember which is being officially published tomorrow (November 2nd), introduces little readers to the journey from seed to harvest, with a festive story woven in along the way.
But as Hollie tells Emma in their conversation today, the idea grew from more than just a love of farming. Writing gave her the opportunity to find a little piece of herself again after becoming a mum and, to take a leap into something that was entirely her own.
From the moment that helped her finally take the plunge, to the rather lovely reaction from her own children, Hollie’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to give an idea a go.
Listen to the full conversation with Hollie on Episode 65 of the Countrywoman’s Guide podcast - available now wherever you get your podcasts

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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