Ladies Who Launch

Rochelle Humes

Ladies Who Launch is an empowering podcast serving up the aspirational journeys of women who have made their mark in the world of business. Starting from scratch to cooking up empires, join our host, Rochelle Humes, as she dives into the successes and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Sink your teeth into the inspiring stories of those who have fearlessly pursued their dreams whilst dishing out invaluable insights to listeners. Get ready to be motivated and uplifted as Rochelle elevates the voices of these extraordinary women, showcasing their resilience, creativity and a side of determination to launch. This is your girls’ group chat for business and beyond. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch?_t=8sJkmbK9JlQ&_r=1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Building NEOM: Nicola Elliott on £45M Turnover, 150 Products & Self-Funding vs Investment

    16 hr ago

    Building NEOM: Nicola Elliott on £45M Turnover, 150 Products & Self-Funding vs Investment

    In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Nicola Elliott, founder of NEOM, takes us behind the scenes of building a brand in a category that barely existed when she started. From the early days of product creation to scaling to 150 products, 150 employees, and £45M in annual turnover, Nicola gets into the mechanics of strategically building for long-term growth. We unpack the real decisions most founders agonise over: the benefits of taking investment versus staying self-funded, and the personal sacrifices that come as a direct consequence of business ambition. Beyond the numbers, this conversation digs into what makes NEOM genuinely stick, how Nicola has built a deep consumer-to-brand connection at scale, and perhaps more importantly, how she's designed the business around the life she actually wants to live. It's an honest, tactical conversation for founders who want to build something substantial without losing themselves in the process. In this episode, we cover: The journey of starting & building NEOMBuilding in a ‘unique’ category150 products, 150 employees, £45M in annual turnover Strategically building for long term growth, not paceBenefits of investment vs self funding Real life sacrifices as a consequence of business Creating consumer x brand connectionDesigning business around your life We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Before Wellness Was a Thing 03:41 Anxiety Sparking the NEOM Idea 06:15 From Blends to NEOM 08:27 First Products and Candles 11:40 Green Lights to Quitting Your 9-5 14:29 Building the Right Team 17:58 Creating a New Category 23:11 Retailer Placement Challenges 26:32 Sponsor Break: Starling Tools 27:42 Scaling With Steady Growth 33:33 Slow Growth Wins 34:00 Realities of Raising Money 35:50 Founder Lifestyle Questions 36:58 Motherhood While Building a Business 40:01 Sacrifice And Seasons 41:50 Work That Feeds You 43:06 Protecting Brand Identity 47:32 Customer Moments Strategy 49:06 Founder Role Today 52:39 Realistic Wellness Positioning 53:47 Future Growth And Collabs 55:56 Rocket Round 58:15 Curating Your Circle 59:35 Patience Builds Brands 01:00:34 Nicola’s Dream Collab  01:02:00 Finding A Mentor 01:03:14 Founder Money Habits 01:07:21 Financial Myths Debunked 01:09:30 Profitability Over Hype 01:12:23 Design Success Your Way 01:14:55 Nicola’s Ideal Lunch  01:17:49 Wrap Up And Subscribe 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #AD Powered by  @StarlingBankApp  FOLLOW NICOLA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaelliottneom/ NEOM: https://www.instagram.com/neomwellbeing/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 19min
  2. Founder of Beauty Works: The Molly Mae Partnership & What Really Happened Behind The Business Sale

    24 Jun

    Founder of Beauty Works: The Molly Mae Partnership & What Really Happened Behind The Business Sale

    In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Penelope Cheshire takes us back to where it all began: an £8,000 leap of faith funded by selling her partner's Rolex, and a belief that premium hair extensions didn't have to feel exclusive or unapproachable.  What followed was a masterclass in retail grit, from cold-pitching salons and building a team from the ground up, to navigating investment rooms where beauty wasn't taken seriously, and a partnership with Molly-Mae that sent the business into a different stratosphere.  Penelope gets refreshingly honest about what actually happens during and after an exit, why she's channeling everything she learned into her next venture Killer Brush, and the moments that shaped her as a founder along the way. In this episode, we cover: The build of Beauty Works from an £8,000 Rolex watch saleBusiness growth through hair salonsFacing stereotypes against the beauty industryBehind the Molly-Mae partnershipThe story of the Beauty Works sellLaunching her new business, Killa Brush If you’re a founder with an idea mixed with grit and determination, this episode is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Penelope Cheshire, Founder of Beauty Works 05:35 Beginning of Beauty Works  06:38 Selling My Partners Rolex to Start 11:17 First Big Retail Order 18:42 Rejected by Investors 23:47 Creating a Premium Positioning 29:28 Behind The Molly Mae Partnership 35:49 Leadership & Letting Go 47:38 The Truth Behind Leaving Beauty Works 57:57 Private Equity Reality Check 01:01:37 Starting Killa Brush 01:12:12 Sharing Entrepreneurship Truths 01:15:40 Rocket Round  01:22:57 Final Advice & Wrap 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW PENELOPE Penelope’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penelopecheshire/ Killa Brush: https://www.instagram.com/killabrushofficial/ Killa Brush Website: www.killabrush.com FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 27min
  3. The Jane Birkin Moment That Changed Everything | Behind Building Sellier

    17 Jun

    The Jane Birkin Moment That Changed Everything | Behind Building Sellier

    In this week's episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Hanushka Toni, to unpack her journey from law to launching Sellier, the luxury handbag brand that caught the attention of Flannels and the moment her Jane Birkin auction went viral. She also gets candid about building a business alongside family, the realities of entrepreneurship no one talks about, and her bold move into feminine hygiene with JUICE, breaking taboos in real time. In this episode, we cover: How Hanushka transitioned from Law to luxury retailBuilding luxury handbag retailer, Selier Behind the Jane Birkin auction Effectively growing a business through social media Benefits of the Sellier x Flannels partnershipWhat people are getting wrong about entrepreneurshipIntroducing JUICE and taboos around feminine hygiene  Whether you're a founder, a creator, or someone with a big idea and no idea where to start, this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Hanushka  03:24 Building Sellier 09:10 Creating Virality on Social 14:12 Behind The Jane Birkin Auction 20:50 Viral Marketing Playbook 25:21 Behind The Flannels Partnership Expansion 28:00 Navigating Motherhood & Ambition 31:25 Introducing JUICE 33:09 Handling Business Criticism 37:58 Redefining Success 40:18 Embrace The Cringe 41:22 Rocket Round Advice 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW HANUSHKA Hanushka’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanushkaa/ Sellier: https://www.instagram.com/sellierknightsbridge/ JUICE: https://www.instagram.com/wearejuicers/  FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  4. Building The Girls Bathroom | Sophia & Cinzia on Community, Live Tours & Founding rooms

    10 Jun

    Building The Girls Bathroom | Sophia & Cinzia on Community, Live Tours & Founding rooms

    This week's episode of Ladies Who Launch is with Sophia & Cinzia, the powerhouse duo behind one of the UK's most-listened-to podcasts, The Girls Bathroom. From building a loyal online community from scratch to launching a sold-out live tour, this episode is a masterclass in building an audience through genuine connection and having fun while doing it.  We get into the founding of their new venture rooms, what it really takes to build a team of women who are aligned with your vision, and because no Ladies Who Launch episode is complete without it, a Greek lunch moment that you absolutely need to hear.  In this episode, we cover: How Sophia & Cinzia built their online followingLaunching The Girls Bathroom Building up to the live tourThe realities behind launching roomsWhy Sophia & Cinzia decided to build a team of womenA Greek lunch moment  Whether you're a founder, a creator, or someone with a big idea and no idea where to start, this one is for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Sophia & Cinzia 01:12 Where It All Began 07:17 Launching Their YouTube Channel 13:19 How They Got Management  20:14 Naming The Girls Bathroom 22:22 Growth Through Lockdown 24:07 Behind Recording The Girls Bathroom 25:41 Behind The Live Tour 30:03 Building The Vision For rooms 34:53 Building An All Female Team  37:14 Navigating Rooms Critique 40:45 Backing Themselves On The Jelly Vase 44:55 Co-Founders and Friendship 47:34 Future Plans for rooms 49:32 Rocket Round  58:29 A Greek Lunch Moment 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW SOPHIA & CINZIA  The Girls Bathroom: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlsbathroom/ Sophia: https://www.instagram.com/sophiatuxford/ Cinzia: https://www.instagram.com/cinziabayliszullo/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 1min
  5. Building Little Moons: From 80% Ready to a Multi-Million Pound Empire

    3 Jun

    Building Little Moons: From 80% Ready to a Multi-Million Pound Empire

    From a viral TikTok moment to one of the UK's most beloved supermarket staples, this week on Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, to unpack the real story behind building an iconic brand from the ground up. Vivien gets refreshingly honest about starting before you're ready (the 80% rule), protecting product quality under explosive demand, and navigating the noise to find the advice that actually moves the needle. Together, we dig into the sibling dynamic that powers the business, the nostalgia-first brand identity that made mochi ice cream a cultural moment, and what it really looks like to bring in investment and external leadership without losing what made you special in the first place. This one is equal parts strategy and soul and a masterclass in building a brand people genuinely love. In this episode, we cover: Building a career and brand foundation from scratchKnowing which advice to take and which to ignoreCreating the Little Moons brand identityManaging explosive growth with effect Bringing in investment without losing the soul of your brand If you're a founder who's overwhelmed by the pressures of starting, this episode is designed to inspire you to start before you’re ready. We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction and Little Moons as a Family Favorite  00:03:08 The Inspiration Behind Starting Little Moons  00:07:06 The Challenges of Creating Mochi: Craftsmanship and Manufacturing  00:12:33 How Vivien's Finance Career Helped Launch the Business  00:14:40 Launching Little Moons 00:16:07 Building the Brand; From White Label to Little Moons  00:19:31 Founding the Business as Siblings 00:23:02 Breaking Into First Major Retail Partnerships  00:28:38 The Viral TikTok Moment and Managing Sudden Demand  00:34:13 Amplifying Virality and Managing Retail Logistics  00:37:07 Business Scaling Challenges 00:41:07 Bringing in Private Equity and a New CEO after 12 Years  00:44:29 The Myth of Overnight Success vs. A Slow and Steady Journey  00:47:27 The Complexities of International Expansion to 38 Countries  00:52:56 Rocket Round: Non-Negotiables, Launch Moments, Daily Habits  00:58:37 Advice for New Founders 01:07:38 Celebrating Success and Vivien's Gratitude 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #LadiesWhoLaunch #NeverFullyDressed #FashionFounder #BuildingABrand #CultBrand #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast #BrandBuilding #SlowGrowth #StartupStory FOLLOW VIVIEN & LITTLE MOONS Vivien’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevivienwong/ Little Moons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemoonsmochi/ Little Moons TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlemoonsmochi FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 9min
  6. Behind Space NK's Viral Miami Influencer Trip

    27 May

    Behind Space NK's Viral Miami Influencer Trip

    The Space NK Miami trip went viral and this week we discussed everything that happened behind the scenes. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Jini Sanassy, Head of PR at Space NK, to unpack the influencer marketing strategy that turned one brand trip into one of the most-talked-about campaigns of the year. From the first mood board to the final metric, Jini reveals exactly how Space NK built an experience rooted in community, inclusivity, and creator relationships that actually convert. In this episode, we cover: How Space NK planned and executed the viral Miami Summer TripBuilding the perfect guestlistSelecting and integrating brand partnerships Myth-busting the influencer trip rumorsMeasurement and impact metrics We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 The Space NK Miami Trip That Went Viral 01:59 Setting Campaign Goals 03:26 Selecting The Guest List 07:41 Myth Busting The Trip 10:01 Partner Brands And Activations 17:00 Creative Freedom Vs KPIs 24:30 Measuring Success With EMV 28:58 EMV Vs Sales 30:07 Top Brands And Halo Moments  31:28 Addressing Media Backlash 33:52 Space NK’s PR Team  37:00 Next Years Campaign Plans  43:14 Beauty Is Democratic 48:12 What To Repeat & Refine 50:44 PR Campaign Do’s & Don’ts 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW JINI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jinisanassy/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  7. Building Luxury Mum Guide | How Federika Turned Motherhood Into a Movement

    24 May

    Building Luxury Mum Guide | How Federika Turned Motherhood Into a Movement

    In this weeks episode of Ladies Who Launch, Frederika, founder of the Luxury Mum Guide, joins us to unpack the motherhood identity shift that no one prepares you for and how she turned that gap in support into the ultimate family travel guide for luxury-minded mums.  From navigating who you are before and after kids, to curating the world's best family-friendly experiences, this is the blueprint for building a community born from lived experience. In this episode, we cover: Why Federika built the Luxury Mum Guide from scratchThe support system mums actually needWho you are before kids vs. the woman you become afterCurating the world's best family-friendly experiences for luxury-minded mumsWhere Federika is taking the Luxury Mum Guide nextWhy maternity fashion is broken and what needs to change We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Sunday Launch Intro 00:57 Using Motherhood To Fuel Ambition 02:29 Why The Mum Guide Was Needed 06:03 Identity Shift and Work 16:22 From Social Posts to Events 19:31 Family-Friendly Venues In London 21:11 Journey of the Luxury Mum Event Breakthrough 24:01 Scaling Events and Brands 28:03 Dream Collabs and Future Plans 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. FOLLOW FEDERIKA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxurymumguide_/ FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  8. Building Never Fully Dressed: Turning Customers Into Lasting Community

    20 May

    Building Never Fully Dressed: Turning Customers Into Lasting Community

    Lucy Aylen built Never Fully Dressed into one of fashion's most coveted cult brands; without investors, without chasing trends, and without ever optimising for virality. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Lucy shares the philosophy behind building slow, why she resisted the pressure to scale before she was ready, and how growing a fiercely loyal community from day one became the brand's greatest competitive advantage. From navigating the devastating business impact of COVID to knowing exactly when and how to grow a team, Lucy gives us the unfiltered blueprint for building a brand that lasts.  In this episode, we cover: Why Lucy Said No To ViralityThe Power of Building SlowGrowing the Never Fully Dressed CommunityWhen & How To Build Your TeamSurviving COVID As A Fashion BrandBuilding Without InvestmentIf you're a founder who's tired of being told you need to move faster, raise money, and go viral to win this one's for you. We Are Ladies Who Launch!  CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Lucy Aylen 02:51 Never Fully Dressed Anti Viral Strategy 07:52 Bootstrapped Ownership 13:51 Building Through Customer Feedback 20:10 Inclusivity and Sizing In Fashion 29:11 Community Loyalty Lessons 32:27 Small Team Big Energy 33:38 Founder Role Evolution 37:31 Motherhood and Boundaries 39:50 Detaching From Business Drama 45:19 Brand Identity to New Venture 50:05 Advice for New Founders 55:46 Work Life Blend Choices 59:05 The Beyonce Topshop Moment 01:00:03 Family First Routines 01:04:46 Mum As Mentor 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch. #LadiesWhoLaunch #NeverFullyDressed #FashionFounder #BuildingABrand #CultBrand #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast #BrandBuilding #SlowGrowth #StartupStory FOLLOW LUCY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyaylen7/ NFD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverfullydressed/ NFD TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neverfullydressed FOLLOW US Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 14min

About

Ladies Who Launch is an empowering podcast serving up the aspirational journeys of women who have made their mark in the world of business. Starting from scratch to cooking up empires, join our host, Rochelle Humes, as she dives into the successes and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Sink your teeth into the inspiring stories of those who have fearlessly pursued their dreams whilst dishing out invaluable insights to listeners. Get ready to be motivated and uplifted as Rochelle elevates the voices of these extraordinary women, showcasing their resilience, creativity and a side of determination to launch. This is your girls’ group chat for business and beyond. FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch?_t=8sJkmbK9JlQ&_r=1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Might Also Like