Contacts
Info
A podcast for creative entrepreneurs looking for pithy, actionable advice on how to thrive commercially and creatively.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
26 FEB 2025 · A conversation with Cath Kidston MBE about her new brand, C. Atherley, and the longevity of her creative and commercial success.Â
Most, many or all of us will have interacted with Cath Kidston's products, story and style at some point. It is certainly a story of creativity, of joy, of home, of both a fresh approach and a sense of nostalgia; it is a jewel in the crown of British design. It’s one that expands across the decades, across the globe, across changing styles and trends, across different ways of building brands and doing business. Today we are in the presence of hard won wisdom and someone who has sustained her creativity, and commercial success, for the long term. This is a story that we can all learn a very great deal from.
We are very lucky today to be able to ask Cath that uplifting relationship between creativity and longevity. We will explore the igniting and nurturing creativity, the delight of shop keeping, new ideas and good ideas, taking the long view, risk and growth, her latest enterprise of magical British bodycare brand C.Atherley and what the future holds.
So, welcome to Up With The Lark and Cath Kidston MBE. I’d suggest paper and pencil for this one, there are some insights worthy of scribbling down on their way.Â
C.Atherley: www..c-atherley.com
Up With The Lark: www.upwiththelark.com
19 FEB 2025 · A conversation with Victoria Barker, founder of Studio Faeger, on finding and nurturing your creative identity.Â
The internal life of creative entrepreneurs fascinates me and it is my view that the mental health of this extra ordinary group of people warrants greater discussion. What makes a person create? What makes them keep creating? What part do persistence, patience and pauses play? How do you experience the ‘aloneness’ of it? How do you handle failure and disappointment? What impact does leading a team have? And what part does neurodiversity play? What is burnout and how can it be avoided? How can we keep creative and commercial momentum in the midst of grief, fertility challenges or economic uncertainty? And, as ever, my north star in it all – how can we make the creative commercial and the commercial creative whilst maintaining good mental health?
In this episode I am delighted to say that we are tackling one of my favourite topics – creative identity – with one of my favourite creatives, Victoria Barker founder of Studio Faeger. Studio Faeger has a tangibility to it so often forgotten in the digital age. Her designs lift the soul, are embracing and have just enough humour and lightness in them that your day is better for it. It is a reminder of what interior design is for – it’s not for static crafted images in magazines or videos on social media. It is about the right table to sit and converse at with your best friend, a kitchen that nourishes you, a sofa to sink into with your toddler or your teen, it’s the beauty of living life well. Victoria has swiftly cemented her look and feel alongside what it is to work with her. Both are magical.
We are very lucky to have the chance to explore how you discover, nurture and develop your creative identity. We will consider what actions, people and places augment and affirm that identity. And we will debate how to tackle the challenges, dilutions and distractions that come your way. Victoria has carved out a career, a portfolio of work, a swathe of delighted clients by ever so gently, with ever so much determination focus and grit, expressed her own creative identity. She seems to be able to avoid those pitfalls of comparison, distraction and doubt. Those who have this gift are flames to the rest of us moths and so I very much hope that you will enjoy Up With The Lark and Studio Feager on Creative Identity.
30 JAN 2025 · A discussion with eyewear designer and founder of Soho Bespoke, on the relationship of form and function.Â
A few weeks ago, I stood in a spectacles shop trying on new frames. I found myself selecting a simple gold-rimmed wire pair. And in the mirror, I was reminded—which, I'll admit, took me by surprise—of four-year-old Calandre wearing something very similar, thanks to the design decisions of the NHS. And so today's conversation is perfectly timed. It is one about the relationship between form, function, and fashion.
Most creative entrepreneurs exist at this intersection most of the time. They are drawing together their creative ideas and ideals, colours, materials, combinations, and methods alongside the practical need for things to 'work'. I am quite sure that this tension creates excellence—and, I am sure, many an existential crisis.We are joined today by Charlie Ingham, founder of Soho Bespoke, an eyewear design consultancy. Charlie designs spectacles for both opticians and fashion brands. She works from concept to sampling and manufacture across the UK, Europe, and Asia. With clients including JW Anderson, Margaret Howell, Cubitts and Nanushka, I can safely say Charlie has just the insight we are looking for on this topic.
We are going to explore the eyewear industry and the fine craft of spectacle making. We will consider the importance of function, understanding, and science before looking at the dynamics of look and feel. Finally, we will debate their combination and connection.
16 DEC 2024 · A conversation about the influence of Japanese design, business, retail and gardens on Jake Hobson, founder of Niwaki.Â
A few years ago, I had a conversation with Taymoor Atigetchi, founder of Papier, about the impact of his Iranian roots on the way that he does business. That train of thought stayed with me and stayed with me to the point of preoccupation. And so now, here is the second in our series of interviews with entrepreneurs working in and influenced by a variety of countries and cultures.
I want to look beyond the accepted cliches to understand and celebrate variety. I want to explore customs, political systems, climate, temperament, geography and expectations. What motivates, delights and disappoints? I hope to celebrate the breadth of style and approach the idiosyncratic, the different.
Today we find ourselves far far away, exploring a country as mysterious as it is magnificent – Japan. And to guide us is Jake Hobson, founder of Niwaki. What began as a trip to Japan in the 1990s has become an exquisite jewel of handmade garden tools, workwear and a thoughtful conversation about gardens and enjoying them. Their look is as distinctive as their approach, quiet yet impactful. And we are lucky enough today to be able to discuss Japanese style influences, the Japanese approach to doing business and the impact of Japanese retail on Niwaki.
Whilst it is simply impossible to summarise an entire nation in one conversation, I wonder if by wondering through the cherry blossom, we might just learn something afresh about design, about selling and about beauty. And so welcome to Up With The Lark And Niwaki - I do think that you are going to enjoy this one.
Niwaki: www.niwaki.com
2 DEC 2024 · The last decade has seen a great deal of change around the interrelationship of digital and bricks and mortar across the creative industries. Disciples of each approach are plentiful but for most, it’s all about the hybrid.
It’s about acquiring, delighting and retaining customers in both formats. It is frankly acrobatic to keep both elements flourishing. One of the tools in this hybrid toolbox is the Pop Up. And that is what we are going to be exploring in this episode with Rachel Carvell-Spedding founder of British Knitwear Brand, Navygrey.
Navygrey is as classic as its namesake. Timeless. Unrippled by trends and fads. A jumper to see you through the seasons, chapters and styles of life. Whether a blustery Norfolk beach, pacing down High St Islington or by the fire in the pub, these jumpers work. Carefully designed and carefully presented with B Corp approval this is a brand growing in stature.
And in amongst it all, it has been Popping Up. In great spaces and places, connecting with their audience and telling the stories that matter most to them. I am looking forward to asking about wool, about Made In Britain, about what growth looks like at this point of the business, the ever lasting power of bricks and mortar and the secrets to popping up well.Â
Navygrey: www.navygrey.co
24 OCT 2024 · Today we will be speaking with Sam Paget Steavenson, co-founder of Botivo. This British non-alcoholic botanical aperitivo has joy, playfulness and vivacity in abundance across flavour, brand and approach to doing business. This is accompanied by a determination, an attention to detail and a focus that means the commercial side is thriving, the company is a certified BCorp and they have been in receipt of some serious funding to make expansion possible. This is, simply, a modern day case study of growing a brand and a business in the 2020s.
This is a great way to begin our new series on mental health, creativity and entrepreneurship. I have long wanted to explore this topic and am so so pleased that Sam agreed to kick things off. It’s not something routinely discussed and often only in hindsight. Creativity and entrepreneurship are adventures, magnificent ones which bring people alive, show them what they are capable off and offer a real thrill and sense of fulfilment. But there are also real challenges, bumps in the road and tough times.
In this series we will look at different aspects of the life of a creative entrepreneur - some light-heartedly and some more challenging. In today’s episode we are going to look at Patience and Persistence. We are going to find out about the trials, tribulations and opportunities of working in the emerging non-alcoholic industry. We are going to dive into Botivo ‘Yellow Hour’ and discover more about the engaging energy of their brand and storytelling. We will hear about the flavour profile and how it takes a year to make a batch of Botivo. And we are going to explore the importance and place of patience alongside the necessity for persistence and determination. And in all of this, how can we keep focused on great mental health as a maker, creator, artisan and founder.Â
10 OCT 2024 · In this episode, we are exploring the alchemy, the mystery and the magic of partnerships. For me it is such an intriguing element of creativity and of entrepreneurship. How do they work? Is it about divide and conquer? is it about contrast, connection and friendship? How are decisions made and conflicts resolved? How can you nurture and enliven them in the long term? How do they impact creativity? Can they be more profitable? Faster moving? More impactful?Â
We are very lucky that in this episode we are joined by Arabella Preston and Charlotte Semler co-founders of two brands - Votary and Verden. Both of these brands are elegant, intelligent, considered and clean. Both have strong identities, stories and frankly cult followings.Â
This is the story of a professional relationship that became a friendship. A chance conversation about skincare became a walk around the Selfridges beauty hall and then that moment of 'shall we?'. Skincare brand Votary was launched in 2015 and thrived. Some years later in 2021, Verden was launched offering fragrance for bath, body and home.
We are going to explore these two exemplary brands, their story, their interrelationship and the partnership that binds all of this together. So if you have ever had that moment of wondering about someone that you would like to go into business with or if you are ten years down the line and simply interested to know how others share decisions, celebrate their differences and relate to risk and to failure and chance, then this is for you.Â
Votary: www.votary.co.uk
Verden: www.verden.world
22 MAY 2024 · In this episode I speak with Pip Durell founder of With Nothing Underneath to explore having singular focus at your business grows, how to lead, the reality of what it takes and how to celebrate the journey .
Start ups are exciting and much discussed but there is something particularly intriguing about those companies that make it to adolescence. You realise what really matters, you start to understand yourself better, you analyse what ‘works’ more effectively, your team becomes increasingly essential, your confidence grows, so does the risk. In my experience, something happens at around the five to seven year mark. And that is where we meet today’s guest. Pip Durrell is the founder of With Nothing Underneath.
I’m sure that she needs no introduction. Her shirts are renowned. Her Instagram feed documents life as the founder of one of the most successful brands in this generation; we feel that we know her. Her beautiful shirts are worn far and wide by the great and the good, I imagine her enviable press clippings as a teetering mountain and her Elizabeth Street shop is delight. Beauty and brains – the ultimate combination sit at the core of this brand. Perhaps that’s its magic. The style, the glamour, the beautiful women sit confidently alongside BCorp status.
Too often, people feel that talent is enough. That creativity is enough. That financial investment is enough. That great connections are enough. None of these are true. Dedication is the name of the game. And Pip demonstrates that dedication consistently. This isn’t luck. This is grit.Â
In this episode, we talk about doing one thing well. Dedicating yourself to one thing and having singular focus. We are going to find out about the With Nothing Underneath Woman. The value of bricks and mortar. Sticking with a singular vision despite all the distractions and temptations. And what’s next for this adolescent brand.Â
With Nothing Underneath: www.withnothingunderneath.comÂ
16 MAY 2024 · Gemma Moulton is the founder of East London Cloth. Gemma has crafted a visual narrative, a sensibility, a place and space all of her very own. It is both timeless and of the moment. It draws intelligently and interestingly on the past. The business has evolved quickly from making curtains, to café curtains by post and now as a fabric house of its very own. East London Cloth has made the old, new.
Time. The Right Time. Good Timing. The Right Moment. The Passage Of Time. The Right Age. Time is money. Time flies. In the nick of time. Time For A Change. Timing and business. It’s something that I think of often. It is often the olive in the martini. Get the timing right and talent sings, businesses flourish. Gemma Moulton has a great sense of time and of timing.
In the spirit of making Up With The Lark And a more interactive experience, I asked you what you’d like to ask Gemma. And without fail, every question related to her sense of style, her confident aesthetic, the space she has created. So in this episode, we are lucky enough to be able to ask Gemma all about her distinct visual narrative, her space in East London, the fabric collection, the photography and how she has made the old new in each and every area of the business.
East London Cloth: www.eastlondoncloth.co.uk
1 MAY 2024 · We ask Ben Watkinson, Creative Director of GF Smith, about the power of paper, the work of a paper merchant, resilience, innovation, company culture, longevity and what the next one hundred years might bring.
When I begin work with a new client, their specific understanding of success is a vital first step. Often I find myself ushering people towards adding ‘longevity’ to the list. In an era where everything seems to happen ever faster, comparison is rife and the state of the world makes it hard to visualise what the future will hold, this is not an easy aspiration to have. But it is a highly valuable one.Â
Today’s guest certainly has achieved it. Let me take you back to 1885. George V was on the throne here, Mark Twain published Huckleberry Finn, the football association recognised professional footballers, the Glasgow Boys first exhibited collectively and George Frederick Smith founded a new paper merchant called GF Smith and S on to supply printers with the finest papers.
For over 135 years, GF Smith has been obsessed with the simple beauty and limitless possibilities of paper. Their desire is that, through the hands of the design community, they can bring creativity to life and constantly innovate with one of the world’s oldest materials.
Today’s guest is one of the custodians of this great legacy. Ben Watkinson is the Creative Director of GFSmith. ‘Founded in 1885’ isn’t a marketing slogan; it’s an approach to doing business.Â
A podcast for creative entrepreneurs looking for pithy, actionable advice on how to thrive commercially and creatively.
Information
| Author | UP WITH THE LARK AND |
| Organization | UP WITH THE LARK AND |
| Categories | Business , Arts , Entrepreneurship |
| Website | www.upwiththelark.com |
| - |
Copyright 2025 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
