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

Emma Warren
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Countrywoman's Guide is a virtual kitchen table for us all to sit round and learn from each other - whether it be business goings on, life advice or simply a reminder to remember that you matter, we're here. countrywomansguide.substack.com

  1. 21h ago

    Tess Annan - Welligogs: Growing a Heritage Brand Without Losing Your Soul. Episode 49

    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 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

    44 min

  2. 3d ago

    Game Fair ready - Lucy Scudamore - the accidental countryside ambassador...Episode 48

    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 CWG20 for 20% 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

    22 min
  3. Katy Theakston - Summer Solstice Episode - A Witch, a Wild Woman and the Wisdom of the Seasons. Episode 47.

    Jun 21

    Katy Theakston - Summer Solstice Episode - A Witch, a Wild Woman and the Wisdom of the Seasons. Episode 47.

    This week’s guest is Katy Theakston from The Owl and the Apothecary. Now, depending on your perspective, the words witch and wild woman in the introduction may either intrigue you or make you slightly nervous. But you needn’t worry, there’s no hex throwing or cliched pointy hats in this conversation - as long as you too love nature and the countryside, you’re going to find common ground as you listen. As Katy & I chatted together, I realised that whilst Katy speaks about nature, seasons, ritual and wildness, I often talk about fallow periods, transition and creating space to think. We’re using different language perhaps, but we were often describing the same thing from different directions. Katy shares how heartbreak became the catalyst for a completely different life. Leaving a successful career in London, moving to Dorset, becoming a mother through IVF and building a business that helps women navigate some of life’s biggest transitions. Our conversation is a reminder that life moves in cycles. There are seasons for growth, seasons for action, seasons for harvest and seasons for rest. The challenge is often recognising which one we’re in. If you’ve ever found yourself standing at a crossroads in your business or your life wondering what’s next, I suspect you’ll recognise more of yourself in this conversation than you might expect. So often, when we’re trying to solve a problem in our business or our lives, we double down. We push harder. We work longer. Yet some of the best answers arrive when we step away from the desk, take the dog for a walk or simply allow ourselves a little space to think. As someone who spends a lot of time talking about the value of fallow periods, I found myself nodding along throughout much of this conversation. The thoughts that stayed with me after our chat. * Heartbreak was the beginning of Katy’s journey, not the end of it. * Nature isn’t somewhere we visit; it’s something we’re part of. * Rest isn’t the absence of progress, it’s often where progress begins. * Growth takes the time it takes. We don’t always get to rush the season. * Ritual is a part of our everyday life and much of the witchcraft that Katy practices is about bringing her closer to the land and more in tune with the seasons - embracing the old ways. Katy is one of the warmest and most kind-hearted people you will ever meet - so if you want to connect with her and find out more, we’ve linked her website at the beginning of this article and you can find her on instagram here As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below, so don’t be shy, please do engage and let us know what you think. 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

    35 min
  4. Jacob Lockwood : Courage, craftsmanship and starting before you're ready : Episode 46

    Jun 14

    Jacob Lockwood : Courage, craftsmanship and starting before you're ready : Episode 46

    Jacob Lockwood of Lockwood Smocks was a career soldier in the Coldstream Guards and set to stay there for life. Until he got restless and extremely fed up of consistently getting soaked through on exercise, and he became convinced that he could make something better. That started him on a journey that led to him and his ever-supportive partner Ruth starting Lockwood Smocks, a business that has consumed their lives somewhat. However, thanks to Jacob’s social media skills - which as he himself says, is just sharing and telling their story as they go - Lockwood has become a big hit. In this episode, we discuss all the trials and tribulations of starting a business, the added complications of committing to British manufacture and how tenacity and a sheer doggedness to make things happen has catapulted the business forward in ways that Jacob and Ruth could only have dreamt of even a year ago. Jacob shares a lot of wisdom in our interview, but the clearest bit of insight is that many entrepreneurs don’t have all the answers before they start and Jacob’s ‘Just bloody start!’ attitude has carried him a long way. I can’t help but feel that this story has a lot more to tell as the business develops - and I know from talking to him, that there’s news coming out over the next month that will transform the business. You can follow Jacob and Ruth’s Lockwood Smocks story here and Jacob’s instagram is here The Lockwood website is here so you can take a look at their lovely products. 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

    51 min

  5. Jun 7

    Hannah Russell: Little Alf, Big Dreams and the Courage to Keep Going. Episode 45

    This week I’m joined by author, illustrator and entrepreneur Hannah Russell. Many people will know Hannah through Little Alf, the miniature Shetland pony who first inspired a series of children’s books that went on to become bestsellers. What began as a blog written during recovery from a serious back injury has grown into a career spanning 20 published books, a thriving creative business and a loyal community of readers. But this conversation goes far beyond books. Hannah shares the twists and turns of a career that has evolved through opportunity, challenge and a willingness to keep trying new things. We talk about the confidence it takes to put yourself out there, the lessons learned from navigating cancer at a young age, and why sometimes the bravest thing we can do is return to the work that feels most like home. Together we explore: * Building a business from a passion rather than a plan * How Little Alf changed the course of Hannah’s life * The role animals played during recovery and treatment * Why every chapter of your career teaches you something useful * Learning to say no after saying yes too often * The challenge of confidence, even after success * Finding your way back to the work that lights you up * The importance of community, connection and word of mouth One of the things I loved most about this conversation was Hannah’s honesty. Despite publishing 20 books and building a substantial following, she openly admits that confidence doesn’t always come naturally. It’s a reminder that many of the people we admire are simply feeling the fear and doing it anyway. For anyone wondering whether it’s too late, too difficult or too risky to follow something they genuinely care about, Hannah’s story is a wonderful reminder that the most meaningful journeys often begin with a single step and a willingness to keep going. You can find Hannah here and here and look out for her new book for 2026! 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

    42 min
  6. Marv Vaghetti : Building Lanx Shoes from the Fields Up - Episode 44

    May 31

    Marv Vaghetti : Building Lanx Shoes from the Fields Up - Episode 44

    I’d seen Lancashire-based footwear brand Lanx pop up on the show circuit that we’re on with Hiho, and their boots have become firm favourites with the menfolk in my family, but I didn’t really know that much about the brand. So when I was thinking of people to interview for the Making Stuff Up channel I was presenting for Do Radio, Marv immediately came to mind. At the end of the 2025 show season, I sat down with Marv for a chat and it’s time to share it with you, our CWG Community. Marv’s path to creating Lank Shoes was far from conventional. Growing up in a family rooted in craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, he was surrounded by the sounds and sights of his father’s furniture-making business. This early exposure ignited a passion for creating and marketing products. Marv recalls spending summers helping his father in the workshop, which laid the groundwork for his appreciation of manufacturing and design. Although he initially leaned towards marketing, it was his experiences with local footwear brands that drew him into the shoe industry. It’s all too easy, especially when a brand is doing really well, to think that their journey to that point was a walk in the park. But when I sit down and have these chats with Founders, that’s never the case. There are always points where they nearly gave it all up, where they didn’t have the answers and where the sweetest of successes is preceded by a very rough time. But a bit of serendipity and a lot of tenacity usually sees them through the storm and they soldier on, learning to trust their own instincts as they go. We talk about the moment Marv nearly closed the business, why becoming comfortable in your own skin matters more than following someone else’s blueprint, and how LANX found its true identity by returning to its Lancashire roots. Huge thanks to Marv for joining me and to Do Radio for allowing me to share this with you. You can find Lanx here You can find Marv here As always, 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. 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

    1 hr
  7. Eleanor Mills - Former Editorial Director of The Sunday Times - what happens when the life you built falls away?

    May 24

    Eleanor Mills - Former Editorial Director of The Sunday Times - what happens when the life you built falls away?

    Eleanor Mills is a Founder, Speaker, Bestselling author, Award-winning journalist (ex Editorial Director of the Sunday Times and Editor of the Sunday Times Magazine) - and now the UK’s premier expert on all things midlife. After a 30-year career at the top of British journalism, including senior roles at the Sunday Times, Eleanor suddenly found herself out of the corporate world at 50 - a huge shift that forced her to rethink identity, purpose and what the next chapter might look like. As a result, Eleanor founded NOON.org.uk, a media platform and 50K+ community of midlifers to change the narrative around ageing; after all in the 100 year life, 50 is only halfway through. It’s Noon - lunchtime - and midlife isn’t a crisis but a chrysalis when we finally get to become the people we’ve always wanted to be. Together Emma and Eleanor talk honestly about: * the shock of losing a role you thought defined you * why experience should make us more valuable, not less * the freedom and fear that comes with entrepreneurship * intuition, vulnerability and learning to trust yourself again * building businesses rooted in purpose and values * the courage it takes to speak truthfully and live more honestly * why reinvention is becoming an essential modern life skill The conversation moves from boardrooms to retreats, from journalism to entrepreneurship, and from external success to a more grounded and resonant way of living and working. This is a rich, thoughtful and very honest conversation about transition, identity and discovering that sometimes situations not of your choosing can lead you to a fulfilling and purposeful life that you never knew you needed. You can find Eleanor and NOON here You can find Eleanor’s best-selling book “Much more to come” here (this is an affiliate link which means that CWG will get a small commission if you buy a book) 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

    1 hr

  8. May 22

    A job for the weekend...🍅🪏🌱

    We’re no Monty Don (sadly!), and this certainly isn’t Gardeners World… But we do have a great little suggestion for your bank holiday weekend in case you were having a think about how to spend your time. Plus it may require a pre-planting trip to the garden centre…which can also involve coffee and cake. A match made in heaven for a spring weekend! There is something rather special about planting some plug plants on a mid-May weekend, after the frosts of winter are a thing of the past. Nestling seedlings of tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and herbs into the soil knowing in a few months time they’ll become part of summer suppers enjoyed in the garden. I think the appeal of growing our own food for us now is not in perfection, productivity or rows of immaculate vegetable beds that are insta worthy, but instead in the feeling of working in harmony with our world’s natural seasons. It can be as simple as a tomato plant in a terracotta pot, basil on the windowsill, courgettes slowly taking over more space than anticipated and mint that refuses to stay where it was originally planted! They’re just small ordinary things but grounding ones, ones that root us in how we used to grow and eat - seasonal and from home. Having tried a few different veggie cycles, our founder Emma and her husband now make sure that they grow the ingredients to make ratatouille. The beauty of planting and growing your ratatouille ingredients is how achievable it feels. You don’t need acres of land, a greenhouse the size of a small village hall or an encyclopaedia of gardening knowledge, just a few pots by the kitchen door and a small veg bed can be enough to kick start your connection to the process of growing your own. Growing your own ingredients is a process, one that takes time, cannot be rushed and requires us to return repeatedly with patience and care. It brings with it new rituals in the form of watering before work, checking back to see what has appeared overnight, pinching out tomato shoots with your morning coffee and just stepping outside in the evening to ‘have a look’. An abundance of small rhythms that can help soften the edges of our busy lives. For many of us living rural countryside lives home is rarely still. There’s always animals to feed, children to collect, businesses to run, washing to fold, dogs muddying freshly cleaned floors and endless jobs lists that move quietly through our mind. Which is perhaps why these slower rituals in the garden matter. Not because life transforms into some idyllic kitchen garden dream, but because they anchor us gently into the seasons unfolding around us. Growing your own ingredients for a simple and rustic dish like ratatouille (along with many others) feels in a way quite symbolic. It’s not elaborate food, just humble, generous, easy cooking - your homegrown vegetables softened slowly together in a pan, eaten over a long lunch with friends and leftovers reheated for the night after. It’s food that feels welcoming rather than performative, and even more special when you were the ones to nurture it. Any ratatouille over-production can be frozen in tubs and rediscovered in the depths of winter, bringing you right back to your memories of summer as you stir it into a quick and easy spaghetti bolognaise. Your garden does not have to be immaculate to bring joy. Your home does not have to look untouched to feel beautiful. A weekend does not have to be super productive to be worthwhile. Planting something and trusting it will grow is enough. So if you need a few jobs for the garden that actually bring you joy and aren’t the usual household tasks we all know (and love…?!) consider this a little nudge. To plant the tomatoes, sow the basil, purchase the courgette plant and water the herbs. Not for aesthetic or the algorithm, but for the quiet satisfaction of creating something slowly, season by season, meal by meal. 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

    4 min
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Countrywoman's Guide is a virtual kitchen table for us all to sit round and learn from each other - whether it be business goings on, life advice or simply a reminder to remember that you matter, we're here. countrywomansguide.substack.com

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