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

There are some podcast conversations that leave you thinking long after you’ve finished recording, and today’s brilliant episode with Megan Haigh is certainly one of them.
Megan describes herself as a fledgling business owner. After being made redundant during covid, she found herself starting again, and discovering a love for a new hobby that gradually evolved into the business we see before us today. A business inspired by the English garden and the countryside she calls home.
But what struck us wasn’t simply her creativity, it was the honesty with which she spoke about building something before all the answers existed.
Like so many entrepreneurs we know, Megan has more ideas than hours in the day. Licensing her artwork, creating her own products, the prospect of a snail mail club, designing dresses - they’re all exciting possibilities! But, the toughest part isn’t the creativity, it’s deciding which path deserves your energy first, and which to put aside for a little while.
Throughout the conversation, Emma shares some gentle but practical business advice, exploring why so many business owners become trapped in what she calls the ‘entrepreneurial loop’. A loop that may feel familiar to many of you, a loop in which you’re constantly creating ideas, but never quite giving yourself the space or time to grow the ones already in front of you.
It’s a conversation about focus as much as it is creativity, learning that progress doesn’t always happen quickly, and how finding the patience to trust that building something meaningful can take longer than we’d like.
Whether you’re right at the beginning of your business journey, finding yourself at another crossroads, or simply on the look out for some beautiful new homeware, we think you’ll find plenty to resonate with in Megan’s story.
We’d love to know what resonated with you the most after listening…
Today’s episode of the Countrywoman’s Guide Podcast is available now to listen to, wherever you get your podcasts.
If you would like to keep up with Megan, her journey, and her beautiful designs you can find her website here, and her Instagram here.
You can listen to our conversation with Kate Cullen, of Fablefaine, 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

This week I’m joined by Somerset farmer, ruminant nutritionist and newly crowned Dalemain World Marmalade Champion, David Hinkins.
After his wife spotted the competition in Country Life magazine and entering it for eleven years, David finally achieved what many would have given up on long ago, winning the World Marmalade Championships with his Seville Orange and Passion Fruit Marmalade. Not only did he win gold, he became the overall champion, earning a place on the shelves of Fortnum & Mason and helping raise money for charity through every jar sold.
But this conversation isn’t really about marmalade.
It’s about persistence.
It’s about being prepared to learn, adapt and keep going when success doesn’t arrive quickly.
Along the way we talk about:
* The eleven-year journey from bronze medal to world champion
* Why great marmalade takes 24 hours to make, not 15 minutes
* Learning from criticism rather than fearing it
* The hidden role of nutritionists as advisers and listeners within farming communities
* Mental health and isolation in the countryside
* Why farmers often struggle to embrace change
* The importance of holidays, perspective and stepping back
* The value of community and volunteering
* What keeps people going when the odds are stacked against them
One of the things I loved most about this conversation was discovering how many parallels there are between making award-winning marmalade and building a successful life. Both require patience, curiosity, resilience and a willingness to keep refining what you’re doing.
David’s advice is simple:
Never give up. Be prepared to change.
You can find David on Instagram here.
You can buy David’s award winning marmalade in Fortnum & Mason stores and online here. I can vouch for the fact that it’s absolutely delicious and money from every jar goes to Hospice UK and David’s nominated charities.
Photo credit : Hermione Mccosh
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.



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

50 episodes, countless stories and one incredible community - that sounds like something to celebrate doesn't it!
As Emma admits in this week’s podcast, she didn’t even know if Countrywoman’s Guide would make it this far, just like any new venture you always doubt at the beginning whether it will work out, how well it will be received, will people actually like it? But here we are 50 episodes later, and more importantly 50 conversations later, with people who have generously shared their stories, their lessons and the realities of building a life and a business in the countryside.
So, to mark this milestone, today’s episode of The Countrywoman’s Guide Podcast is a little different. Instead of welcoming a guest, Emma sits down with Charlotte Hurst and Photographer Rachel Collins (the other two faces behind CWG) to reflect on the stories that have stayed with them, the community that has grown from the podcast, and where Countrywoman’s Guide is heading next.
As always, the conversation meanders as it should…
Looking back on 50 Conversations
Emma, Rachel and Charlotte discuss the themes that have emerged across all 50 episodes of the podcast, and reflect on some of the stories that really stuck with them.
They revisit our conversations with Lara Protheroe of Coombe Head House, Lucy Scudamore of the Defender Deli, Jacob Lockwood of Lockwood Smocks, Sophie Gregory organic dairy farmer, Gemma Standeven of Gattertop Drinks, Maddie Beaumont from The Cotley Inn & Candlelight Inn, Tess Annan of Welligogs, and Eva Humphries the Wholefood Warrior. Each one offering a different perspective on business, countryside life and following your own path.
What we’ve learnt
From trusting your instincts and embracing the messy middle, to finding community instead of competition, the team reflects on the lessons that have emerged naturally through 50 honest conversations.
Why community matters
The discussion turns to the heart of Countrywoman’s Guide: creating a space where women can share experiences, support one another and realise they’re not navigating business or countryside life alone.
Looking ahead
Emma and Charlotte share what’s coming next, including more Countrywoman’s Guide lunches, opportunities to meet the community in person, and plans for a new Substack membership offering practical business support alongside the free podcast and articles.
Thank you
Whether you’ve listened to one episode or all 50, thank you for being part of the Countrywoman’s Guide community. We hope you’ll join us as we look ahead to the next chapter…

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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

This week I’m joined by Tess Annan, whose mum founded Welligogs 26 years ago, starting with hand-painting wellington boots around the kitchen table. Today Tess is leading the next generation of the business, balancing fresh ideas with the heritage that made customers fall in love with the brand in the first place.
We talk about everything from navigating Covid, building an online business, designing clothes women genuinely want to wear, and why creating timeless pieces matters more than chasing trends. Along the way we also explore the realities of running a small family business, the joy of the Game Fair and why sometimes the smallest design details make all the difference.
Whether you love country style, run your own business or simply enjoy hearing honest stories from people building something they care deeply about, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation.
Photography credits: Something From The Hart & Higginson Hart

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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

Lucy Scudamore is one very driven lady and as we heard last time we chatted, her juggling skills have to be supremely efficient to fit everything in.
Given that she only started her business last year and had been really busy during the 2025 Game season, Lucy was expecting the Defender Deli to slow down a bit out of season especially as her other equestrian job is busier in the summer.
But it seems that Lucy’s adoring customers extend out from her usual circle and she’s been catering everything from corporate lunches and private events to Royal Ascot and, this summer, the VIP Bronze Lounge at the Game Fair.
So, as a result her Summer is shaping up to be just as busy, if not busier than the Winter season.
Her passion for field-to-fork game cooking continues unabated and she’s fast becoming an unofficial ambassador for the countryside way of life, chatting away about provenance and the importance of the food we eat as she serves her delicious canapes.
In this catch-up conversation we talk about what happens when demand arrives faster than expected, the realities of juggling two careers, why hospitality is about far more than food, and how a passion for game has unexpectedly turned Lucy into an ambassador for the countryside.
You can find Lucy on instagram here and she has been invited to cater in the Bronze VIP area at the Game Fair at Ragley Hall from 24th - 26th July 2026.
The Game Fair is a fabulous day out if you’re passionate about the countryside, curious about field sports, or simply looking for a great day out with the family.
We’re delighted to be accredited media partners for the Game Fair so please use code CWG15 for 15% off the ticket price.
We also have a competition to win VIP Bronze tickets to the Game Fair and prizes from Hiho Silver, Mackenzie & George and Welligogs running at the moment so if you win, you can go and see Lucy in person and try her delicious canapes!
Head on over to our Countrywoman's Guide profile on instagram to enter.
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.



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