It Runs In The Family cover art

It Runs In The Family

It Runs In The Family

Written by: Liz & Leila Willingham
Listen for free

About this listen

Hello! We're Liz & Leila Willingham and welcome to "It Runs In The Family". We're the mother and daughter duo working within the public relations and communications agency, Liz Lean PR. Running a business is hard - really hard. Every business has its challenges and it's own ups and downs - but in a family business, this is often exaggerated by the willingness to speak your mind. But it also has some huge advantages that the corporate cultures just can't compete with. In this podcast, featuring a different family business guest in each episode, we're going to be digging into the stories, values and traditions of other family and multi-generational businesses. We'll explore their history, learnings and how they've developed through the generations and the unique advantages they've had over their competitors. We discover where human relationship migrates into business; the ups, downs, twists, turns and landmark moments that seal the fate of these fascinating organisations. You’ll get to hear some brilliant life stories too; some to make you laugh and others that’ll warm your heart. Many of our clients are family businesses who we've worked very closely with over a number of years - we've heard brilliant stories that reveal true values and fun operating as a family business. We want you to feel inspired by stories of others, find their honesty relatable and reach out to us with your own experiences. If you have any questions for future guests, have a story of your own or have any feedback please do feel free to get in touch on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrunsinthefamilypodcast/

© 2026 It Runs In The Family Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From Pandemic Tech to Period Care: Writing New Chapters of Your Family’s Legacy #128

    From Pandemic Tech to Period Care: Writing New Chapters of Your Family’s Legacy #128
    Jan 28 2026

    What began as a temporary move to "help dad out" during a global crisis quickly evolved into a high-stakes mission to reinvent women’s health.

    Lucy Hope’s family journey is rooted in a century-old story, sparked by the loss of her great-grandfather in the 1919 flu pandemic.

    She’s been a huge part in the story of Virustatic for years, and is now branching into her own field, founding The Daughters of Mars.

    Join us to explore how Lucy is pioneering her family’s scientific research for a new age, the emotional reality of your parents’ legacy, and what it’s like to go solo from your family’s firm!

    🔑 Key Themes

    • Family legacy and intergenerational impact
    • Pivoting careers and finding purpose
    • Innovation in women’s health care
    • The realities of building and spinning out a family business
    • Resilience, sacrifice and radical candour

    🔗 Connect with us

    • The Daughters of Mars Website: https://www.thedaughtersofmars.com/
    • The Daughters of Mars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-daughters-of-mars/
    • The Daughters of Mars IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedaughtersofmars/
    • Virustatic Website: https://virustatic.com/
    • Virustatic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virustatic/
    • Lucy Hope LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hope/
    • Lucy Hope IG: https://www.instagram.com/lucyhopelove/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Sisterhood as a Superpower with Cubbi’s Co-Founders Olivia and Tanyka Davson #127

    Sisterhood as a Superpower with Cubbi’s Co-Founders Olivia and Tanyka Davson #127
    Jan 14 2026

    Sisterhood is a superpower.

    Once Olivia and Tanyka Davson understood each other as both siblings and as professionals, the foundations were laid for them to finally go all-in with Cubbi.

    Their business was born out of personal experiences in motherhood, which places family values at the heart of their business before it’s even taken its first steps.

    So join us for a look at how these Co-Founders took the leap together, why their dynamic is far different from any normal Co-Founder duo, and the bright future ahead for Cubbi!

    🔑 Key Themes

    • Bootstrapping & Testing the Idea
    • Balancing Startup Life with Motherhood and Work
    • Sisterhood as a Business Superpower
    • Growth, Brand Partnerships & Future Vision

    🔗 Connect with us

    • Cubbi: https://www.cubbi.uk/
    • Cubbi IG: https://www.instagram.com/cubbi.uk
    • Cubbi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cubbiapp/
    • Olivia Davson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-davson-1998ab82/
    • Tanyka Davson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyka-davson-315766134/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Small Business, Big Values - Behind the Compassionate Success of Small Family Business with Founders Elliot and Eva Harris #126

    Small Business, Big Values - Behind the Compassionate Success of Small Family Business with Founders Elliot and Eva Harris #126
    Dec 17 2025

    Just because something’s labelled ‘small’, that doesn’t mean it’s incapable of achieving great things - it’s all about opportunities, not limitations for Small Family Business.

    Elliot and Eva Harris represent two of the three generations that comprise Small Family Business, whose name alludes to the way they operate - not to the limits of their success.

    Join the father-daughter duo on this week’s episode to explore how reclaiming ‘small’, leading with compassion, and combining generational wisdom is a golden recipe.

    🔑 Key Themes

    • The Power of Multi-Generational Collaboration
    • Leading With Kindness and Authenticity
    • Defining “Small” Businesses Beyond Size
    • Navigating Family Dynamics Through Open Communication and Shared Respect
    • Building Legacy and Choosing Clients Wisely

    🔗 Connect with us

    • Small Family Business Website: https://www.smallfamilybusiness.com/
    • Small Family Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-small-family-business/
    • Small Family Business IG: https://www.instagram.com/small_family_business/
    • Eva Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-harris-44015122a/
    • Elliot Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/infoelliot/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
No reviews yet