Building Community, Supporting Local & Growing a Brand With Purpose | Sarah O'Neill on The Cotswold Collective

Building Community, Supporting Local & Growing a Brand With Purpose | Sarah O'Neill on The Cotswold Collective

In this episode of the Built By Her Podcast, Georgie sits down with Sarah O'Neill, founder of The Cotswold Collective, to talk about community, entrepreneurship, and building a business with genuine purpose. What started as a personal desire for connection after moving back to the Cotswolds during COVID quickly grew into one of the region's most recognised local business communities. Today, The Cotswold Collective connects nearly 500 local businesses with thousands of consumers through its app, events, rewards platform, and growing corporate membership offering. Sarah shares the story behind launching the business in just six weeks, the challenges of growing a community-led brand, and why supporting local businesses can have a much bigger impact than people realise. We talk about: ✨ Building a business from an idea during lockdown ✨ Launching a platform with 50 businesses in just six weeks ✨ Growing The Cotswold Collective to nearly 500 local brands ✨ Why community matters more than ever ✨ Supporting local businesses in a meaningful way ✨ Creating an app that helps people discover hidden gems across the Cotswolds ✨ Building partnerships and corporate memberships ✨ The realities of entrepreneurship and wearing multiple hats ✨ Balancing business ownership with raising a young family ✨ Why community-led businesses are so powerful ✨ The importance of connection, collaboration and belonging This episode is a brilliant listen for anyone building a business, growing a community, or looking for inspiration on how a simple idea can evolve into something that genuinely makes a difference. Guest: Sarah O'Neill Founder of The Cotswold Collective [https://cotswoldcollective.co/] Instagram: @cotswold.collective [https://www.instagram.com/cotswold.collective/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596947/fan_mail/new] Follow Built By Her 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her [https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her] 🎟️ Events & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181 [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181] Join the community, come to an event, and be part of the conversations beyond the podcast. 🎙️ Hosted by Georgina McDonald founder of G R Design Studio 🌐 Website: https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/ [https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio [https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio] 🎧 Produced by Richard Lannen at Nozzle Media 🌐 https://nozzle.media [https://nozzle.media] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia [https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something of their own.

The Hidden Power of Visualisation in Architecture & Design | Helga Heins

In this episode of the Built By Her Podcast, Georgie sits down with Helga Heins, founder of Insight Studio 3D, to talk about architecture, visualisation, moving countries, and what it really takes to build a creative business from the ground up. Originally from Colombia, Helga shares her journey from studying and working in architecture alongside her father, to relocating to the UK and navigating an entirely new industry, different regulations, a new language, and eventually taking the leap into self-employment. With a passion for design and 3D visualisation, Helga now helps architects, interior designers, and property developers bring projects to life before they're even built. But this conversation goes far beyond beautiful images. We talk about: ✨ Moving to the UK and rebuilding your career from scratch ✨ The realities of working in a male-dominated industry ✨ Why 3D visualisation is more than just a "pretty picture" ✨ How visualisation can save time, money and costly mistakes ✨ The impact of AI on creative industries ✨ Going from full-time employment to self-employment ✨ The challenges of finding clients and building confidence ✨ The importance of networking and finding your community ✨ Managing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship ✨ Learning to believe in yourself before anyone else does This episode is an honest conversation about resilience, creativity, and having the courage to pursue the life you want, even when it means stepping into the unknown. Whether you're thinking about starting your own business, navigating a career change, or simply curious about the world of architecture and visualisation, Helga's story is a reminder that growth often begins just outside your comfort zone. Guest: Helga Heins Founder of Insight Studio 3D Instagram: @insightstudio3d LinkedIn: Helga Heins Producer: @NozzleMedia Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596947/fan_mail/new] Follow Built By Her 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her [https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her] 🎟️ Events & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181 [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181] Join the community, come to an event, and be part of the conversations beyond the podcast. 🎙️ Hosted by Georgina McDonald founder of G R Design Studio 🌐 Website: https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/ [https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio [https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio] 🎧 Produced by Richard Lannen at Nozzle Media 🌐 https://nozzle.media [https://nozzle.media] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia [https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something of their own.

From Corporate Life to Two Businesses | Claudia Bosin on Spotting Opportunities, Taking Risks & Building Brands People Love

In this episode of the Built By Her Podcast, Georgie sits down with Claudia Bosin, founder of LNO Piercing Studio [https://www.lnopiercing.com/] and co-founder of SoFetch, [https://sofetchstudio.com/]to talk about entrepreneurship, building multiple businesses, and the realities of creating brands from the ground up. After leaving the corporate world, Claudia spotted a gap in the market for a dedicated piercing studio in Cheltenham and taught herself an entirely new skill to make it happen. Fast forward a few years, and she's now running two successful businesses while preparing for her biggest new role yet: becoming a mum. This episode is packed with honest insights into what it really takes to start a business, from trusting your instincts and finding the right premises, to hiring a team, securing funding, and learning everything on the go. We talk about: ✨ Leaving the corporate world to start a business ✨ Teaching yourself a completely new skill ✨ Why trusting your gut matters in business ✨ Building Cheltenham's first dedicated piercing studio ✨ Opening and growing SoFetch dog grooming salon ✨ Spotting gaps in the market and turning ideas into reality ✨ Funding, business plans and approaching banks ✨ Hiring the right people and building a strong team culture ✨ The realities of running multiple businesses at once ✨ Entrepreneurship, freedom and designing your own life ✨ The importance of networking and finding your people ✨ Why research is one of the most valuable tools for any entrepreneur This episode is a brilliant listen for anyone thinking about starting a business, growing an existing one, or wondering whether they should take the leap on an idea they've been sitting on. Guest: Claudia Bozin Founder of LNO Piercing Studio & SoFetch Instagram: @lnopiercing @sofetchchelt Producer: @NozzleMedia Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596947/fan_mail/new] Follow Built By Her 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her [https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her] 🎟️ Events & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181 [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181] Join the community, come to an event, and be part of the conversations beyond the podcast. 🎙️ Hosted by Georgina McDonald founder of G R Design Studio 🌐 Website: https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/ [https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio [https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio] 🎧 Produced by Richard Lannen at Nozzle Media 🌐 https://nozzle.media [https://nozzle.media] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia [https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something of their own.

Energy, Clutter & The Reason Your Home Feels “Off” | Chrissie on Feng Shui & Lifestyle Design

In this episode of the Built By Her Podcast, Georgie sits down with Chrissie Steinham, Energy Design Consultant & Strategist and founder of, to talk about the connection between our homes, our nervous systems, and the way we feel day to day. From interior design and Feng Shui, to clutter, burnout, motherhood, and building a business around your life, this episode explores how our environments can either support us or completely drain us, often without us even realising. After experiencing post-natal depression and anxiety following the birth of her son, Chrissie began exploring the deeper relationship between people and the spaces they live in. What started as curiosity around Feng Shui and environmental psychology eventually led her to completely retrain and launch a new business helping people create homes and workspaces that feel calmer, more aligned, and more supportive. We talk about: ✨ How your environment impacts your mood, stress & nervous system ✨ The psychology behind clutter ✨ Feng Shui explained in a realistic, practical way ✨ Creating homes that feel calm, supportive & intentional ✨ Using your home like a vision board ✨ The “messy middle” of building a business ✨ Identity shifts after motherhood ✨ Entrepreneurship, personal growth & imposter syndrome ✨ Why your home should support the life you actually want This episode is such an interesting conversation around self-development, interiors, energy, and the emotional side of building both a home and a business. Guest: Chrissie Steinham, Feng Shui Lifestyled [https://fengshuilifestyled.com/] Instagram: @fengshuilifestyled Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596947/fan_mail/new] Follow Built By Her 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her [https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her] 🎟️ Events & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181 [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181] Join the community, come to an event, and be part of the conversations beyond the podcast. 🎙️ Hosted by Georgina McDonald founder of G R Design Studio 🌐 Website: https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/ [https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio [https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio] 🎧 Produced by Richard Lannen at Nozzle Media 🌐 https://nozzle.media [https://nozzle.media] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia [https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something of their own.

The Truth About Money, Motherhood & Running a Business | Hannah Matthews on Leadership, Finance & Doing It All

In this episode of the Built By Her Podcast, Georgie sits down with Hannah Matthews, Head of Assurance & Accounts at Optimum Accountancy, to talk about the realities of finance, leadership, business growth, and balancing motherhood alongside a demanding career. From returning to work just three months after maternity leave, to navigating leadership whilst raising young children, Hannah shares the honest reality behind building a successful career without completely losing yourself in the process. We also dive into: ✨ The difference between accountants and bookkeepers ✨ Why business owners need strategy, not just spreadsheets ✨ Financial planning, pensions & future-proofing your life ✨ Delegation, burnout & learning to ask for help ✨ The pressure women put on themselves in leadership ✨ Why money conversations shouldn’t feel so taboo ✨ AI, automations & tools that can genuinely save time in business This episode goes far beyond finance. It’s a conversation about ambition, identity, confidence, and creating a business that supports your life, not just your workload. Guest: Hannah Matthews Head of Assurance & Accounts at Optimum Accountancy [https://www.optps.co.uk/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596947/fan_mail/new] Follow Built By Her 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her [https://www.instagram.com/builtby_her] 🎟️ Events & Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181 [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/114520957181] Join the community, come to an event, and be part of the conversations beyond the podcast. 🎙️ Hosted by Georgina McDonald founder of G R Design Studio 🌐 Website: https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/ [https://www.grdesignstudio.co.uk/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio [https://www.instagram.com/g_r_designstudio] 🎧 Produced by Richard Lannen at Nozzle Media 🌐 https://nozzle.media [https://nozzle.media] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia [https://www.instagram.com/nozzlemedia] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something of their own.