Episodes

  • From Passion to Purpose: Emma Sgourakis Journey in Building a Skincare Empire

    From Passion to Purpose: Emma Sgourakis Journey in Building a Skincare Empire
    Jul 28 2025
    In this episode of Women Who Lead & Sell, Kelly and Aliya chat with Emma Sgourakis to share her journey from fashion design student to international skincare founder. She talks about owning her value, building with integrity, and navigating a crowded market — all while staying true to her mission. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on Passion Over Profit: Building a business should stem from what you enjoy and are passionate about, rather than solely focusing on financial gain. This approach can lead to unexpected success and fulfillment. Value Yourself and Your Work: Setting appropriate pricing for services is crucial. If you don’t value your expertise, potential clients won’t either. Doubling prices can lead to increased demand and commitment from clients. Commitment from Clients: Encouraging clients to commit financially upfront can enhance their engagement and results. This approach shifts the focus from transactional interactions to meaningful, long-term relationships. Integrity in Product Development: When creating products, especially in the health and wellness industry, it’s essential to prioritize quality and integrity over profit margins. This commitment can differentiate your brand in a saturated market. Education as a Marketing Tool: Providing valuable educational content helps build trust and loyalty among clients. By informing potential customers about the benefits of your products and the science behind them, you can create a strong customer base that understands and appreciates your offerings. BEST MOMENTS "I think I've always focused on what am I good at, what do I want to do, what can I contribute, what do I enjoy, and do that until it makes me some money." - Emma "If you don't value yourself, no one else will." - Emma "I realized that I had a certain amount of inquiries for my work... but still, things were only chugging along." - Emma "We both kind of said, well, there's not anything we'd 100% endorse." - Emma "To do it in a way where there you go, there are our fees... and now we can just focus on you and your body." - Kelly HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/ https://www.facebook.com/aliya.musa.5/
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Cutting Through the Noise Communication Strategies for Women Founders in Business

    Cutting Through the Noise Communication Strategies for Women Founders in Business
    Jul 28 2025
    In this episode Aliya and Kelly chat with Sarah Lloyd-Hughes of Ginger Leadership Communications about how to cut through the noise and communicate with real impact. Sarah talks about the power of storytelling, human connection, and how leaders can stay authentic in an AI-driven world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Human Connection in Communication: In an age of overwhelming information and AI-generated content, effective communication requires a human touch. It's essential to translate data into meaningful messages that resonate with others, making the information relevant and engaging. Lived Experience Matters: Authentic communication is rooted in personal experiences. Sharing stories and insights from one's own journey adds depth and relatability to the message, making it more impactful and memorable. Adapting to Change: The business landscape is constantly evolving, and founders must be willing to pivot and adapt their strategies based on market needs. Listening to clients and understanding their requirements is crucial for creating valuable offerings. The Importance of Clarity: Clear and concise communication is vital for leadership. Organizations should strive for "diamond clear" messaging that articulates their purpose and vision effectively, ensuring that everyone involved understands and can convey that message. Building Relationships: Successful communication and business growth stem from building genuine relationships. Engaging with clients and stakeholders on a personal level fosters trust and loyalty, which are essential for long-term success. BEST MOMENTS Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: "If we've got all the information we could possibly need, it becomes much less useful than it used to be. We need to become way more skillful at cutting through the noise." Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: "We need to translate information and data to people to make it relevant to them, to make it meaningful to them." Kelly: "You've got to think about it as a movie. It's got to be paced right. It's got to create the emotion. It's got to have the clarity." Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: "The reason why we work with people is not speed. It's not even necessarily the quality of what's on paper. It can be, but it has to come from human experience." Sarah Lloyd-Hughes: "We have to connect that back down to what are people saying they need, because that in the end is what people are going to buy." HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Navigating Psychological Safety: Insights from Rachel Cashman

    Navigating Psychological Safety: Insights from Rachel Cashman
    Jul 28 2025
    In this episode of Women Who Lead and Sell, Aliya & Kelly chat with Rachel Cashman, an expert in psychological safety. Rachel shares simple, powerful strategies for leading with empathy, curiosity, and accountability. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding Psychological Safety: Psychological safety is about creating an environment where individuals feel safe to express their thoughts, ask questions, and take risks without fear of negative consequences. It is essential for fostering innovation and high performance within teams. Role of Leaders and Team Members: While leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone for psychological safety, it is a shared responsibility among all team members. Everyone has the agency to contribute to a psychologically safe environment, regardless of their position. Foundational Elements for SMEs: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should focus on clear communication of purpose, open conversations about help and mistakes, and fostering equality and inclusion. These elements help create a supportive atmosphere conducive to psychological safety. Curiosity, Humility, and Empathy: To cultivate psychological safety for oneself and others, individuals should practice curiosity about their team members, demonstrate humility by sharing their own vulnerabilities, and show empathy in their interactions. These values help build trust and openness. Impact of Psychological Safety: Organizations that successfully implement psychological safety can experience significant improvements in performance, such as reduced time from ideation to execution of projects. This leads to a more agile and responsive business environment, enhancing overall effectiveness. BEST MOMENTS Rachel Cashman: "Psychological safety is about how we set the conditions for people to be able to ask questions, to be curious, to challenge the status quo, to take a risk, to innovate, without the sense that doing so will mean they will be harmed." Rachel Cashman: "It's not about saying, you know, we disagree, even though it's good to disagree. That's about harnessing that collective intelligence." Rachel Cashman: "As a woman who is leading their own business, it can be hard to ask for help. You might be fearful about taking risks, but you might not want to admit certain things because you've been burnt in the past." Rachel Cashman: "If you're working in a really small team, you're in a startup business... that doesn't mean that you can't do that with your colleagues." HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/ https://www.facebook.com/aliya.musa.5/
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Going All In: Kitty Blomfield’s Journey to Transforming Women’s Lives and Businesses

    Going All In: Kitty Blomfield’s Journey to Transforming Women’s Lives and Businesses
    Jul 28 2025
    In this episode of Women Who Lead and Sell, Aliya and Kelly chat with powerhouse entrepreneur Kitty Blomfield. Kitty shares how she rebuilt her business after a big move to Thailand and why betting on yourself especially during tough times can lead to true success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Commitment to Vision: Going all in on your vision is crucial for success. Believing in your method and staying committed, even during challenging times, can lead to significant breakthroughs and growth in your business. Importance of Community: Building a supportive community, whether through free resources or group coaching, can help potential clients feel more comfortable and ready to commit to your program. This fosters trust and encourages engagement. Simplifying Processes: Focus on creating clear, structured methodologies that guide clients from their current state to their desired outcomes. This clarity helps clients understand the value of your offerings and increases their likelihood of success. Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for regular feedback allows clients to track their progress and receive guidance. This not only enhances their experience but also helps you refine your approach based on their needs. Niche Focus and Consistency: Identifying and honing in on your ideal client and their specific needs is essential. Consistently delivering value through targeted content and maintaining a streamlined approach to marketing and sales can lead to sustainable growth. BEST MOMENTS "You have to believe in it to your core because it's hard. Like it is so hard building a business." - Kitty Blomfield "I think entrepreneurship, like being an entrepreneur is like self-development on crack." - Kitty Blomfield "If you're not so rooted to your why, it's just too easy to give up." - Kitty Blomfield "I would try and keep it as simple as possible. Don't do everything because you'll just be shit at everything." - Kitty Blomfield "It's like simplifying it, picking one platform, and just keep going all in on that funnel." - Aliya HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/ https://www.facebook.com/aliya.musa.5/
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    1 hr
  • From Market Stall to Retail Success: Helen Corsi-Cadmorer

    From Market Stall to Retail Success: Helen Corsi-Cadmorer
    Aug 4 2025
    In this episode Kelly and Aliya engage with Helen Corsi-Cadmore, the visionary behind bringing Flying Tiger to the UK. Helen shares her journey from her childhood experiences in her parents' greengrocers to scaling a successful retail business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Surround Yourself with Supportive Networks: Building a strong network of supportive individuals is crucial for success, especially for female founders. Having the right people around can provide guidance and encouragement during challenging times. Prioritize Personal Well-being: It's essential to remember that personal health and well-being should come first. Taking time to pause and reflect can lead to better decision-making and overall fulfillment in both personal and professional life. Embrace Your Unique Path: Success does not have to conform to societal norms or expectations. It's important to define what success means to you personally and to pursue it in a way that aligns with your values and lifestyle. Learn from Experiences: Every business journey comes with its challenges and lessons. Embracing failures and learning from them can lead to growth and a better understanding of what works for you and your business. Shift Your Perspective on Money: Viewing money as a tool for freedom rather than just a goal can change how you approach business. Focusing on what you truly want to achieve can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. BEST MOMENTS Helen: "Every time we hit a certain milestone... it reminded me how amazing things can come from such small beginnings." Kelly: "I think I associate that with like mega, like mega eight-figure people... But when I meet certain women, there's something like, it's like an indomitable spirit." Helen: "I think you have to remember that your business is important... but I believe everything starts with you." Aliya: "Over a third of businesses in the UK is set up by women, and we get 2% of the funding." Helen: "I was trying to start a family at that time... and that extra pressure that I had externally from the business did have an impact." HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Transforming Mindsets: Emily the Diamond on Instant Belief Change for Female Founders

    Transforming Mindsets: Emily the Diamond on Instant Belief Change for Female Founders
    Aug 11 2025
    Aliya & Kelly talk about the world of mindset and belief change with Emily the Diamond, a renowned speaker and educator from Australia. Emily shares her journey of creating the Instant Belief Change (IBC) program, driven by her frustration with traditional belief change methods that often took too long. She discusses the importance of understanding and reshaping our beliefs, particularly for female founders on their scaling journeys. KEY TAKEAWAYS Instant Belief Change: The program focuses on quickly transforming limiting beliefs that hold individuals back, particularly for female founders on their scaling journey. The method combines techniques from neuro-repatterning and nervous system testing to ensure effective and rapid belief change. Beliefs and Behavior Connection: Beliefs significantly influence behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Understanding and changing these beliefs can lead to improved actions and outcomes in both personal and professional contexts. Shame as a Barrier: Many women in business experience shame related to their identity and capabilities. This shame can manifest as a belief that they are not good enough or that wanting more for themselves is selfish, which can hinder their growth and success. Leadership Dynamics: Female leaders often struggle with balancing their nurturing instincts with the need for authoritative leadership. Establishing clear agreements about roles and relationships within teams can help mitigate resentment and improve workplace dynamics. Mindset for Scaling: The beliefs that have helped individuals reach their current level of success may not be sufficient for future growth. Emphasising the importance of mindset and personal development is crucial for overcoming plateaus and achieving higher levels of success in business. BEST MOMENTS "I was frustrated that I could see my beliefs affecting my behavior, yet it took me more than 20 minutes to change them." - Emily "Shame is the number one underlying thread that women experience in business." - Emily "Beliefs are at play in that theory of mind where you have this concept of self, things are true and not true for you about yourself, others, life and the world." - Emily "What must I believe to be behaving in that way in order to get those results?" - Aliya HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/
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    1 hr
  • Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Toni Eastwood on Building Confidence & Overcoming Barriers

    Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Toni Eastwood on Building Confidence & Overcoming Barriers
    Aug 18 2025
    Kelly and Aliya engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Toni Eastwood, OBE, about building confidence and overcoming barriers for female founders. Toni shares her insights from raising £23 million and highlights the challenges women face in business, including risk aversion and funding difficulties. Toni also introduces the WHOOP model (Wish, Outcome, Opportunity, Plan) as a practical tool for setting goals and addressing obstacles. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding the "Why": When starting a business, it's crucial to define the vision and purpose behind it. Focusing on what you want to create and why it matters can help align your efforts and overcome obstacles. Targeting the Right Audience: Identifying and understanding your ideal client is essential. Tailoring your messaging and offerings to meet the specific needs and desires of this audience can significantly enhance your chances of success. Valuing Your Worth: Many women tend to undervalue their services and struggle with pricing. It's important to recognise the value you provide and set prices that reflect that worth, rather than underpricing out of fear or insecurity. Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Failure is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Viewing setbacks as learning experiences can foster resilience and encourage continuous growth and improvement. Creating Supportive Environments: Building networks and communities of like-minded individuals can provide the encouragement and resources needed to thrive. Engaging with supportive peers can help combat self-doubt and inspire confidence in pursuing business goals. BEST MOMENTS Toni Eastwood: "Women were much more risk averse than their male counterparts... they were very insecure and worried about... not good enoughness stuff." Toni Eastwood: "It's not about that academic business plan. It is really the why, why are you doing it? And what is it that you really want to create?" Toni Eastwood: "I think you're right. It's like getting real clarity on, okay, what is it my client wants, how much do I want to charge for this?" Kelly: "I really do want to put money in... for the first time, I really want to factor money in." Toni Eastwood: "If you want that, you've got to work hard at it. Every day isn't going to be easy and every day you're not going to be happy." GUEST INFORMATION: https://www.instagram.com/tonieastwood_obe/ https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonieastwoodobe https://quantumvantage.co.uk/ HOST SOCIALS Kelly Quinn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caremetrics/ Aliya Musa https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliya-musa-ab209050/ This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    1 hr and 6 mins