Don't @ Me with Sophie and Belle

Sophie Hood
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Don't @ Me, hosted by Sophie and Belle—two female founders in the growth stage of their businesses—offers an unfiltered look at the balancing act between business, social life, and mental health. Don't @ Me draws from the social media phrase used to set boundaries around bold or unfiltered opinions that don't need validation. Embracing this spirit, Sophie and Belle invite listeners into real conversations about personal branding, the creator economy, and building authentic connections. Each episode brings relatable Don't @ Me moments, tips on staying true to oneself, and insights into navigating the challenges of business growth with integrity and independence.

  1. 04/26/2025

    The Art of Authenticity: Lucinda Jones on Creativity and Growth

    In this episode of Don't At Me, hosts Sophie and Belle chat with artist Lucinda Jones about her transition from fashion to art, embracing vulnerability, and the importance of community support among women in business. Lucinda opens up about overcoming insecurities, navigating the impact of COVID-19 on her art sales, and trusting her intuition in the creative process. They discuss maintaining authenticity in the art world, the power of limited edition prints, and the balance between personal and professional life. The conversation explores themes of inner beauty, inspiration, and the challenges of vulnerability, offering valuable advice for aspiring artists.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unfiltered Insights 03:01 Overcoming Insecurities and Vulnerability 05:56 The Journey of Becoming an Artist 08:54 Transitioning from Fashion to Art 11:52 Building a Business from Passion 15:12 Navigating the Art World and Community Support 18:11 The Impact of COVID-19 on Art Sales 21:06 Shifting Perspectives on Art Value 23:52 Maintaining Authenticity in Business 27:05 The Role of Intuition in Creativity 30:10 Balancing Growth and Personal Touch 32:47 Finding Inspiration and Creative Sources 39:52 Inner Beauty and Fashion Inspiration 40:15 The Role of Inspiration in Creativity 41:48 Navigating the Exhibition Process 44:12 The Pull to New York and Manifestation 47:59 Intuition and Vulnerability in Art 49:15 Balancing Personal and Professional Vulnerability 52:22 Navigating the Creative Process and Productivity 57:40 The Importance of Creativity in Business 01:01:12 Overcoming Creative Blocks and Intuition 01:07:25 Advice for Aspiring Artists   Lucinda Jones Art: https://www.instagram.com/lucindajonesart/?hl=en Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/?hl=en Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en

    1h 8m

  2. 04/23/2025

    Luxury Reimagined: Talitha Cummins, founder of The Cut Jewellery, on Craft, Legacy & Lab-Grown Beauty

    In this episode of Don't At Me, Sophie sits down with Talitha Cummins, founder of The Cut Jewellery, to talk about redefining luxury through lab-grown diamonds. Talitha shares her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, opening up about motherhood, addiction recovery, and the power of self-belief. Together, they explore personal branding, mentorship, and what it takes to build a meaningful business in a changing world.   Chapters 00:00 Don't @ Me Moment 02:33 Navigating Social Media Feedback 04:40 Transitioning from Journalism to Jewelry 06:35 The Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds 09:48 Shifting Perceptions of Luxury 12:52 Building a Personal Brand 15:13 Balancing Business and Personal Life 18:05 Trends in the Engagement Ring Market 20:27 The Importance of Mentorship 22:42 Starting a Business Later in Life 25:41 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose 29:22 Balancing Motherhood and Business 32:44 The Challenges of Growing a Business 36:18 Navigating Social Media and Personal Branding 40:20 Sustainable Growth and Quality Control 45:49 Mentorship and Self-Belief

    50 min

  3. 04/15/2025

    Real legal talk for founders who want to scale smart with Lazarus Legal founder Mark Lazarus

    In this conversation, Mark Lazarus (founder of Lazarus Legal) shares his journey as a lawyer, discussing the importance of boundaries, reputation, and innovative legal strategies for startups. He emphasizes the need for proactive legal advice and the challenges entrepreneurs face in navigating legal complexities. We discuss on the evolving landscape of legal services and the significance of building strong client relationships. We deep dive into the complexities of navigating tax implications for international operations, the critical importance of shareholders agreements, and the evolving role of AI in legal drafting.   Chapters 00:00 Don't @ Me Moment 02:44 Navigating Client Expectations and Boundaries 07:06 The Importance of Reputation in Legal Practice 10:45 Mark's Journey Through the Legal Landscape 18:25 Innovative Legal Structures for Startups 22:46 Proactive Legal Strategies for Entrepreneurs 29:18 Navigating Tax Implications for International Operations 32:25 The Importance of Shareholders Agreements 35:11 AI in Legal Drafting: A Double-Edged Sword 39:53 Embracing AI: A New Approach to Legal Services 43:55 Building a Legal Resource for Startups 48:14 Legal Precautions for Early-Stage Founders 52:10 The Cost of Legal Oversight: A Long-Term Perspective   More information: Mark Lazarus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklazaruslegal/?originalSubdomain=au Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/ Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en

    56 min

  4. 04/06/2025

    Business (& life) advice with founder of The Entourage and seasoned business coach, Jack Delosa

    In this episode, Jack Delosa shares his insights on expertise on entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of time management, understanding business constraints, and the evolution of his company, The Entourage. He discusses his journey from a young entrepreneur to a successful business coach, highlighting the need for intentionality in business practices. We discuss practical advice for scaling businesses, identifying core constraints, and unlocking revenue potential. This is a must listen with so many tangible takeaways and tips - Jack even did a deep dive into our own businesses!   Chapters 00:00 Don't @ Me Moment 03:00 The Importance of Time Management in Business 06:02 Understanding Business Constraints and Growth 09:12 Jack Delosa's Journey and Early Influences 11:55 Evolution of The Entourage 14:57 Scaling Businesses: From Startup to Growth 17:48 Identifying and Overcoming Business Constraints 20:49 Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs 24:04 Navigating Cash Flow and Hiring Challenges 26:55 Unlocking Revenue Potential 29:59 Final Thoughts on Business Growth Strategies 35:28 Navigating Business Metrics and Profitability 38:52 Overcoming Overwhelm in Business 40:49 Recognizing Success and Normalizing Challenges 41:27 Building a Strong Team Culture 43:48 Uncomplicating Business Growth Strategies 47:20 The Unique Strengths of Women in Business 51:58 Balancing Personal Well-being and Business 54:47 Integrating Health into Daily Routines 01:03:06 Delegation and Focus on Core Challenges 01:07:11 Visualizing Business Structures for Clarity 01:09:13 Finding Inspiration and Role Models   More info: Jack Delosa: https://www.instagram.com/jackdelosa/ Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/ Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en

    1h 12m

  5. 03/28/2025

    Building Australia's most innovative facial empire with the Fayshell Co Founders

    This exciting podcast episode dives into the world of Katelin & Ella, the co founders of Australia's first membership based skin clinic. We discuss their journey as female entrepreneurs, the challenges of navigating social media criticism, and the innovative business model they created to make skincare more accessible. The conversation delves into their funding journey, the importance of customer feedback in their rebranding efforts, and the strategic changes they are implementing to enhance their services and customer experience.  We discuss the importance of complementary skill sets, and the dynamics of maintaining a friendship while running a business whilst maintaining boundaries.  We also speak to their new venture, Skimchi, their OWN skincare line which focuses on mixing Korean & Western skin methodologies.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Navigating Social Media Criticism 05:46 The Birth of Fayshell: A New Business Model 11:57 Funding and Pitching the Idea 17:49 Rebranding and Customer Feedback 24:10 Implementing Changes and Future Plans 26:23 Navigating Pressure and Decision-Making as Co-Founders 29:10 Complementary Skill Sets and Co-Founder Dynamics 30:53 Establishing Boundaries in Work and Friendship 32:39 Innovative Marketing Strategies for Growth 42:34 Launching a New Skincare Brand: Skimchi   More information: Fayshell: https://www.instagram.com/fayshell.au/?hl=en Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/ Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en

    49 min

  6. 03/18/2025

    Your friend swipes FOR YOU, building a new age dating app with Bridget Gale

    In this episode of 'Don't At Me', Sophie discusses the challenges and insights of being a female founder in the tech industry with Bridget Gale, the co founder of Hello Darling, a new age dating app where you FRIEND swipes for you. They explore the dynamics of gender in business, the innovative concept behind the dating app Hello Darling, and the marketing strategies employed to engage users. The conversation also delves into the importance of user feedback, the unique demographics of their user base, and the significance of maintaining healthy co-founder relationships while navigating the fundraising landscape.   In this conversation, the speakers delve into the challenges and triumphs of balancing parenting with running a business. They discuss a significant collaboration with EmRata that boosted brand awareness, the importance of mental health and therapy in navigating motherhood, and the insights gained from the dating world.   This is a must listen: Hello Darling: https://www.instagram.com/myhellodarling/?hl=en Bridget Gale: https://www.instagram.com/bridgettegale_/?hl=en Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 03:07 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Tech 06:06 The Concept Behind Hello Darling 08:48 Challenges of Transitioning Industries 12:02 Marketing Strategies for a New App 14:56 User Feedback and App Development 18:01 Understanding User Demographics 20:55 The Importance of Co-Founder Relationships 24:06 Raising Funds and Overcoming Doubts 29:52 The Unicorn Dad: Parenting and Business Balance 32:02 Collaborating with EmRata: A Game Changer 34:49 Navigating Motherhood: Mental Health and Business 38:50 Therapy and Mindset: A Journey to Balance 40:56 The Dating App Landscape: Insights and Experiences 44:07 Building a Brand: Marketing Strategies and Partnerships 53:49 Resilience in Business: Lessons Learned

    56 min

  7. 02/20/2025

    How to thrive in fashion retail with Liv Keonnecke, founder of Maison Essentiele

    Summary In this episode, the founder of Maison Essentiele, Liv Keonnecke, shares her journey building a fashion business within the Australian retail environment. We discuss the evolution of the brand from a sleepwear focus to a direct-to-consumer model, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and customer interactions. We delve into various elements of the fashion industry, focusing on seasonal collections, influencer partnerships, sales strategies, sustainability, and the journey of starting and scaling a business.   We LOVED having Liv on and think there are so many tangible take aways from this episode, particularly if you are interested in the behind the scenes of scaling a brand.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Maison Essentiele 03:02 Customer Interactions and Challenges 05:56The Evolution of Maison Essential 11:53 Building a Direct-to-Consumer Brand 19:04 Community Engagement and Brand Awareness 23:51 Retail Store Dynamics and Seasonality 27:36 Seasonal Collections and Strategic Drops 30:27 Influencer Partnerships and Gifting Strategies 31:45 Sales, Discounts, and Consumer Behavior 35:18 Sustainability in Fashion: A Double-Edged Sword 39:49 Starting a Business: Financial Insights and Resourcefulness 45:01 Retail Experience: Feedback and Adaptation 51:05 Future Goals: Expansion and Community Engagement   As always - please follow us on: Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/?hl=en Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en Liv Keonnecke: https://www.instagram.com/livkoennecke/

    57 min

  8. 02/13/2025

    Getting granular with start up Q's - finances, manufacturing & negotiations

    In this episode of 'Don't At Me', Sophie and Belle discuss their experiences as female founders navigating the challenges of trademark opposition, startup costs, and finding reliable suppliers.   Chapters 00:00Introduction to the Podcast and Personal Updates 05:04 Trademark Opposition and Small Business Challenges 09:57 Startup Costs and Financial Planning for New Businesses 15:01 Finding Suppliers and Manufacturing Challenges 19:58 Navigating International Trade and Language Barriers 26:59 Trademark Challenges and Legal Battles 30:08 Negotiation Skills in Business 34:41 Building Relationships with Suppliers 40:13 Financial Literacy and Business Management 49:52 Parting Advice for Entrepreneurs   As always follow us on socials at: Sophie Hood: https://www.instagram.com/sophiehood1/ Belle Maartensz: https://www.instagram.com/bellemaartensz/?hl=en

    51 min
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About

Don't @ Me, hosted by Sophie and Belle—two female founders in the growth stage of their businesses—offers an unfiltered look at the balancing act between business, social life, and mental health. Don't @ Me draws from the social media phrase used to set boundaries around bold or unfiltered opinions that don't need validation. Embracing this spirit, Sophie and Belle invite listeners into real conversations about personal branding, the creator economy, and building authentic connections. Each episode brings relatable Don't @ Me moments, tips on staying true to oneself, and insights into navigating the challenges of business growth with integrity and independence.

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