In this episode of The Midlife Entrepreneur Podcast Jo chats to Sophie Rowell, interior designer and founder of Cote de Folk.

Sophie shares her transition from a 24-year career in fashion styling and art direction to interiors after a difficult period that included her marriage breaking down, becoming a single mother, her best friend dying of cancer, and a health crisis that prompted her to rethink her life. After moving from Hackney to Folkstone and renovating a Georgian townhouse, she committed fully to a career change with a three-month deadline and landed her first interiors job three weeks before it ended, quickly gaining more work through referrals. Sophie discusses relying on self-trust, managing imposter syndrome with help from a business coach, and viewing success as a mix of opportunity, effort, and determination rather than luck. She explains her intuitive approach to colour and her focus on how spaces feel, not trends. Sophie talks about scaling the business, hiring staff including her right hand Sarah, bringing in a CFO for financial strategy, and expanding into furniture, fabric, and wallpaper. She also describes her preferred working environment (tidy and uncluttered), the importance of rest for creativity, her working culture mantra 'work hard, rest hard', and generous leave policies.

00:00 Welcome + the mission behind The Midlife Entrepreneur Podcast

00:54 Meet Sophie Rowell: from fashion stylist to interiors with soul

02:34 The breaking point: single motherhood, burnout, and a health scare

04:11 Leaping without training: the 3‑month deadline and going all in

06:56 First commissions to steady pipeline

08:54 Drive and the ‘why’

11:45 Building confidence in a new career

13:04 The signature style: colour as a gift and reading a home’s energy

15:19 Collaboration with clients: trust, pivots, and letting the building lead

16:43 Scaling the studio: hiring, interns, CFO support, and product expansion

18:11 Design philosophy: simplicity, warmth, and how spaces make us feel

22:43 Founder realities: time, holidays, rest, and creating space for creativity

29:17 'Rest Hard': Building Recovery Into Creative Success

29:28 Designing a Rest-First Work Culture

30:33 Early Nights, Deep Sleep & Finding Your Rhythm

31:37 Kids, Co-Parenting & Looking Forward to More Time

33:29 Redefining Success

35:36 3-2-1s: Best Investments

39:43 Imposter Syndrome in Creative Work

43:04 What I’d Do Differently

47:07 One Person to Thank

50:07 Closing Thoughts

Visit https://www.cotedefolk.com/

Shop https://www.cotedefolk.com/shop

Follow @cotedefolk

Support the show

Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025.
Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX
For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk

Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change.

Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur

Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com
www.joglynnsmith.com

MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io
PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

In this episode of the 15 Minute Masterclass, Jo interviews Rachel Carvell-Spedding, Founder and CEO of Navygrey, a B Corp certified clothing brand specialising in high-quality knitwear. Rachel shares three critical strategies for building brand loyalty, community, and trust: 'Tell the truth,' 'Make people feel something,' and 'Keep showing up.'

She underscores the importance of radical transparency, emotional connection, and consistency in business. Rachel also discusses her experiences in running Navygrey, the challenges faced, and how these principles have guided her brand's success. Tune in to hear her invaluable insights and personal anecdotes.

00:00 Introduction to the 15 Minute Masterclass

00:18 Meet Rachel Carvell-Spedding: Building Brand Loyalty

01:13 First Key to Success: Tell the Truth

06:34 Second Key to Success: Make People Feel Something

09:05 Third Key to Success: Show Up Consistently

14:30 Summary and Closing Remarks

16:34 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

You can follow Navygrey on Instagram @navygrey.co

Or head to their website: https://navygrey.co/

Support the show

Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025.
Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX
For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk

Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change.

Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur

Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com
www.joglynnsmith.com

MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io
PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com

Join Jo on The Midlife Entrepreneur Podcast as she converses with Helen Hopkins, also known as the Mealtime Maverick. Helen, a batch cooking specialist, wellness coach, and author with a massive online following, shares her entrepreneurial journey from going viral on Instagram in 2024 to publishing her first book, Mix and Match Batch. Helen discusses the pressures and rewards of her newfound fame, the impact of her personal struggles, and how she efficiently manages her thriving business with the help of her husband. Listen to Helen’s approach to balancing creativity with business strategy, and find out her top three investments, two regrets, and who she thanks for her success.

00:00 Welcome to The Midlife Entrepreneur Podcast

00:54 Introducing Helen Hopkins: The Mealtime Maverick

02:04 Going Viral on Instagram: The Journey

03:15 The Challenges and Realities of Viral Fame

04:47 DM Automation: Managing the Influx

12:11 Balancing Personal Life and Business

16:03 Creating the Mix and Match Batch Cookbook

27:00 Balancing Family Meals

28:20 The Business Evolution

28:41 Membership and Income Streams

29:08 Affiliate Marketing Insights

30:10 The Role of Community

32:40 Working with a Partner

37:46 Future Aspirations

41:35 Reflecting on Success and Challenges

51:41 Closing Thoughts and Tips

You can follow Helen at:

Instagram @mealtime.maverick

https://mealtimemaverick.com/

Her new book ‘Mix and Match Batch’ is available to order on Amazon now.

Support the show

Edited and produced by Jo Glynn-Smith 2025.
Recorded at Eight Works Podcast Studios, 1 Dysart Street, London, EC2A 2BX
For bookings: eightworks@eightclub.co.uk

Jo Glynn-Smith is an entrepreneur, professional coach, writer, and speaker from London, she is an expert in career transformation and change.

Instagram @jojoglynnsmith and @themidlifeentrepreneur

Contact: enquiries@joglynnsmith.com
www.joglynnsmith.com

MUSIC CREDIT Easy Money by REX BANNER licensed by Artlist.io
PHOTOGRAPHY by JONATHAN GLYNN-SMITH www.jonathanglynnsmith.com