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

Emma Warren
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

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

    15h ago

    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

  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. What happens when the life you built falls away? Emma talks to Eleanor Mills

    May 24

    What happens when the life you built falls away? Emma talks to Eleanor Mills

    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

  5. 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
  6. “Your audience wants you to succeed” - Emma chats to Dominic Colenso

    May 20

    “Your audience wants you to succeed” - Emma chats to Dominic Colenso

    Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this conversation isn’t for you because you don’t need to know how to make sure that your message lands well, because in so doing you will miss out on a whole raft of great life advice. This week on Countrywoman’s Guide, Emma sits down with presenter, actor and communications expert Dominic Colenso to talk about leadership, clarity and how to communicate in a world full of noise. From starring in the Thunderbirds movie to coaching senior leaders and sales teams, Dominic shares how the lessons he learnt as an actor now help businesses craft messages that truly land. The conversation explores: * why audiences actually want you to succeed * how leaders set the tone without realising it * the importance of simplifying your message * balancing ambition, family life and creative work * why the best communication is rooted in humanity, not performance One of the standout moments comes when Dominic says: “Your audience want you to succeed.” A simple idea - but one that changes how we think about speaking up, presenting ourselves and leading others. Emma and Dominic also discuss the reality of writing books, building long-term businesses and learning to say no to self-imposed pressure. Dominic’s new book Cut Through explores how the messages that truly land are built on: “simplicity, emotion, and energy.” A thoughtful conversation about communication, leadership and being fully present in the room. 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. Episode 41 : Emma talks to Sarah James, MBE. Founder of Craft Festival

    May 13

    Episode 41 : Emma talks to Sarah James, MBE. Founder of Craft Festival

    This episode was originally recorded as part of a series of interviews that I did for Do Radio, which they have generously allowed me to share with you, and I’m so pleased they did because the insights in these conversations are golden. Sarah James has been organising multi award-winning arts festivals for over 22 years. She is Managing Director and founder of non-profits Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey, Cheltenham and Cardigan. She also co-founded and produced Nourish Festival (Food, Craft & Music) for 10 years until 2023. She founded Find a Maker and popular podcast, The Capital of Craft in 2021. She was awarded an MBE for services to Craft in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List. Born & Bred in Cardigan, West Wales, Sarah is a ceramics graduate from Glasgow School of Art and an avid collector of craft, especially ceramics. She has had a varied career including making, podcasting, writing, curating, retailing, mentoring and lecturing on business start-up. Sarah has focused on arts event management and business development training since 2003 and works regularly with a variety of universities and national craft organisations providing training at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Being an obsessive user of social media for business and the ability to think on her feet whilst smiling is a fundamental part of her business strategy. “Treat people how you would like to be treated and expect the same in return.” Sarah is mam to Ella and Lewi and lives between Cardigan and Bovey Tracey, Devon with her husband Andy and their dogs. Aside from so much wisdom in the form of life lessons, this episode will also be really helpful if you’ve ever dreamed of taking a stand at Craft Festival or similar events as Sarah provides so much invaluable advice about securing and making the most of your opportunity. You can find Sarah’s Craft Festival website here and her instagram here 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
  8. Episode 40: Timmy Orritt and Emma chat all things business, instagram and life in general.

    May 3

    Episode 40: Timmy Orritt and Emma chat all things business, instagram and life in general.

    Introduction One of the great things about hosting a podcast is that you get to chat to lots of people! I’m always curious to hear how people came to be doing what they do and it seems that serendipity often plays a big part in shaping careers! Timmy is no exception to this and becoming a multi-disciplined therapist happened organically after she qualified as a sports therapist. She then went on to gain her equine and canine qualifications and is currently studying for a further qualification - she is one busy lady! Our Discussion covers… * Career Path * Business Development * Work Philosophy * Challenges of Self-Employment * Social Media and Branding * Professional Community * Personal Well-being * Advice & Reflections Key Thoughts Shared * Authenticity builds trust: Clients appreciate clear, jargon-free communication and a human approach. * Community over competition: Building relationships with peers strengthens the industry and personal confidence. * Social media ≠ success: Real business growth comes from word of mouth and consistent service, not follower counts. * Work-life balance: Recognizing personal limits and seasonal priorities prevents burnout. Thanks so much to Timmy for being so generous with her experience and wisdom. As always thank you for listening. Please do like, share and subscribe if you enjoy the podcast. You can find Timmy on instagram here Thanks for reading A Countrywoman’s Guide to Work and Life! Please subscribe to receive our updates to your inbox. 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

    40 min
See All (49)

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like