WHAT THEY SAY

WHAT THEY SAY about building a business with your best friend

In this episode of WHAT THEY SAY, Amy-Lee and Jess turn the mic on themselves to talk about how They Say Studios really began, from best friends first to business partners second. What started as an idea, quickly became a conversation about building something bigger together. But starting a business with your best friend is not just about having a shared vision. It is about honesty, hard conversations and figuring out how to grow side by side while being in completely different seasons of life. Together, they get into: • The moment Amy-Lee knew she wanted Jess on board  • What it takes to build a business with someone you love and trust  • Navigating co-founder dynamics while balancing different life stages  • Competitor analysis, trademarking and the financial realities of getting started  • Why keeping it honest is the only way to keep it working  • How to protect the friendship while growing the business Plus, they share the real story behind the early days of THEY SAY Studios. The uncertainty, the laughs, the risks and the lessons they have learned so far. WHAT THEY SAY is the podcast from They Say Studios, where creative meets digital, work meets real life, and there is always a bit of chaos. Made for women building big lives, not just big careers, and for anyone carving out their own path.

WHAT THEY SAY about building a brand with Amy Rollings

In this episode, we’re joined by Amy Rollings, founder of CLUB MERA- a premium non-alcoholic aperitif built for a new way of socialising. We’re in the middle of a cultural shift. More people are drinking less. Gen Z are redefining how they socialise. And at the same time, there’s a growing movement towards independence, ownership and building something of your own. In this conversation, we explore: – Why drinking culture is changing – What that means for brands and experiences – The reality of building a business (beyond the idea) – Why showing up consistently matters more than a five-year plan – And the shift away from traditional corporate paths This isn’t just about one brand. It’s about where culture is heading next. Watch now and tell us what you say.

WHAT THEY SAY about making space when you’re not given it with Ayo Akinsete

In this episode of WHAT THEY SAY, Amy-Lee and Jess sit down with hospitality heavyweight Ayo Akinsete, Chief Operating Officer at The Dean Group, to talk about making space when you’re not given it- and leading with calm, credibility and quiet confidence.  From Ile-Ife in Nigeria to South Carolina, Vegas, London and now Ireland, Ayo has built a global career across some of the world’s most recognisable lifestyle hotels. But this isn’t a CV recap. It’s a conversation about what it really feels like to be the only one in the room - and choose to stay anyway. Together, they get into: * How to build credibility in industries that weren’t built with you in mind * Representation that’s real, not just a line in a strategy deck * Cultural intelligence, mentorship and opening doors for the next generation * Why leadership is less about ego, more about service Plus, Ayo jumps into our They Say / We Say quickfire, giving his take on big leadership clichés like "you have to fit in to lead" and "calm leaders finish last".  WHAT THEY SAY is the podcast from THEY SAY STUDIOS- where creative meets digital, work meets real life, and there’s always a bit of chaos. Made for women building big lives, not just big careers, and for anyone carving out space in rooms that weren’t designed for them.