Lindsey Moore: In Conversation with SMEs (Seriously Motivated Entrepreneurs)

Lindsey Moore

Lindsey Moore has spent the last 15 years growing, advising and empowering small businesses. These conversations aim to provide inspiration, motivation and energy to those looking to start, scale or pivot their business, by hearing the stories of others who have been brave, followed their heart, kept their nerve and grown something quite remarkable.Lindsey speaks with her favourite small businesses and acclaimed entrepreneurs and asks them about their highs, their lows, their wish-I'd known's, and what single piece of advice they would give themselves now if they were starting out.

  1. Series 1, Episode 7: Andy Poplar founder of Vinegar & Brown Paper on having a business plan of 'do what makes you happy'

    07/05/2021

    Series 1, Episode 7: Andy Poplar founder of Vinegar & Brown Paper on having a business plan of 'do what makes you happy'

    Send us Fan Mail It was a privilege speaking to Andy Poplar, founder of Vinegar and Brown Paper for the final episode in this series of In Conversation with SMEs. I started this podcast with a single aim – to provide inspiration, motivation and energy to those looking to start, scale or pivot their business by telling stories of others who have been brave, followed their heart, kept their nerve and grown something quite remarkable. And for me, Andy’s story is the epitome of this, and I can’t think of a more perfect story to end this current series with. Andy had a successful career in the advertising industry, working as a creative copywriter, but reached a point of burnout and left the industry altogether, wanting to put as much distance as possible between him and what he had always loved which was the magic and beauty of words, the interplay of words and their ability to come off the page and create something much more powerful – real emotion. But thankfully after a few years the green shoots of his love for the written word started to return and he began to explore other avenues for his creativity. He had an idea about etching words onto glass, and within a year his brand – Vinegar and Brown Paper - had gone viral and Oprah Winfrey was just one of the people who was captured by the beauty, simplicity and poignancy of his unique creations. This conversation was like food for my soul. Andy and I talk about our love of working for ourselves, the sense of freedom you have in being able to explore new ideas, try new things and feel empowered to say ‘no’ to things that you don’t want to do. So, sit back and grab a cuppa, I think you’re going to enjoy this. Follow [Vinegar & Brown Paper]: Website Instagram @mendyourhead Twitter @mendyourhead Facebook Follow Lindsey Moore, Agnes Marketing: Website LinkedIn (Lindsey Moore) LinkedIn (Agnes Marketing) Facebook Twitter: @AgnesMarketing   Website: https:agnesmarketing.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnesmarketing/ LinkedIn: - www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyagnes - https://www.linkedin.com/company/5241351

    42 min
  2. Series 1, Episode 6: Jack Foster of Crosby Coffee, on starting a business in his early twenties and the importance of having a business mentor

    19/02/2021

    Series 1, Episode 6: Jack Foster of Crosby Coffee, on starting a business in his early twenties and the importance of having a business mentor

    Send us Fan Mail As a coffee lover and Crosby-born girl I was super excited to interview Jack Foster, founder of Crosby Coffee, an independent coffee roastery based in Crosby, Liverpool which is dedicated to sourcing, roasting and serving unique coffees from all around the world.   I first came across Crosby Coffee about five years ago on one of my frequent trips home to visit family. I popped into Crosby Coffee and was captivated by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the staff who's passion for coffee drew me in and gave me a whole new appreciation for something I'd always enjoyed but taken for granted.  I learnt about their 'bean to cup' journey, where the various beans originated from; in some cases I discovered the stories of the people who grew the beans, and I gained an insight into the art of Crosby Coffe's roasting and hand blending process to create coffee that is unique.  I literally drank it in. Jack developed a passion and interest in coffee roasting almost ten years ago after visiting roasteries frequently when down in London.  He began roasting and blending coffee at his mums house as a hobby. He says he was drawn into the ‘rabbit hole’ of wanting to learn more and more about coffee. The popularity of his blends soon stretched beyond family and friends who he was giving it away to and local people began seeking him out at local food markets.   Seven years later Crosby Coffee has a successful retail café, a wholesale arm which supplies Crosby Coffee to bars, cafes and restaurants, and they have an online business which sells roasting equipment and coffee subscriptions delivered to your door. During our conversation Jack talks about how, from a very young age he always wanted to run his own business, inspired by his auntie and uncle who owned their own business where he loved to spend time the school holidays - his uncle is still a mentor to him now. We talk about the love he has for his home town and the pull he felt to move back home and bring something new and exciting to his local community. And we talk about the impact of the pandemic on our daily routines, which pre Covid often involved picking up a coffee on the way into the office, and even though our routines may have changed our love of coffee remains which Jack has witnessed in the growth of his home brewing equipment and online coffee subscription service.   So, grab yourself a coffee and sit back…I think you’re going to enjoy this. Website: https:agnesmarketing.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agnesmarketing/ LinkedIn: - www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyagnes - https://www.linkedin.com/company/5241351

    33 min
4.8
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Lindsey Moore has spent the last 15 years growing, advising and empowering small businesses. These conversations aim to provide inspiration, motivation and energy to those looking to start, scale or pivot their business, by hearing the stories of others who have been brave, followed their heart, kept their nerve and grown something quite remarkable.Lindsey speaks with her favourite small businesses and acclaimed entrepreneurs and asks them about their highs, their lows, their wish-I'd known's, and what single piece of advice they would give themselves now if they were starting out.