Join Rochelle as she sits down with model, entrepreneur, and founder of Saltair, Iskra Lawrence, for an inspiring and empowering conversation. In this episode, Iskra Lawrence opens up about her journey from growing up in Kidderminster and her early entrepreneurial spirit to breaking barriers in the modeling industry. She shares personal stories of overcoming body image struggles, dealing with rejection, and finding her mission to create change in the world of fashion and beauty.

Discover how Iskra turned internet trolling into a viral moment of empowerment, and how becoming a mother transformed her approach to business and self-care. We discuss real-life lessons about resilience, taking risks, building boundaries, and the realities of launching a successful brand. Plus, Iskra reveals the inspiration behind creating Saltair, a body care brand that champions inclusivity and daily moments of luxury.

In this episode, we cover:

• Early Life and Family Influences

• Body Image and Industry Standards

• Motherhood and Career Balance

• The Vision and Growth of Saltaire

• Empowering Customers and Authentic Marketing

We Are Ladies Who Launch!

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction

01:02 Early Life and Family Influences

02:38 Entrepreneurial Beginnings

10:58 Body Image and Model Industry Standards

13:19 Turning Point and Self-Empowerment

19:19 Experience in Social Media

26:57 Motherhood and Career Balance

39:51 The Brand Incubator Experience

41:48 The Vision and Growth of Saltair

43:06 Product Development and Market Success

47:38 Empowering Customers and Authentic Marketing

53:51 Quickfire Round and Final Thoughts

01:02:53 The Power of Pivoting and Future Plans

🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.

FOLLOW ISKRA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/iskra/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@iskra

Saltair: www.instagram.com/saltair/

FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to my first solo episode as I reflect on my entrepreneurial journey, the lessons learned from building my brand My Little Coco, and the creation of this incredible empowering podcast community. In this episode, I share behind-the-scenes insights about starting and running a business, real talk on overcoming failures, how to build and grow the right team, setting boundaries, and managing the ups and downs of balancing motherhood and my career.

In this episode, I cover:

• Realities and behind the scenes of building of My Little Coco

• Launching, growing and building the Ladies Who Launch community

• How and when to build a team in business

• Finding the right partnerships

• Work-life balance and mum guilt

• Key lesson and advice for upcoming entrepreneurs

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in starting a business, business growth, mindset shifts, personal development, and authentic career stories.

We Are Ladies Who Launch!

CHAPTERS

00:00: Introduction

1:12: Starting My Little Coco

7:00: Trademark Issues & Rebranding

11:06: Building with a Small Team & Unique Business Structure

13:41: Why I Started the Podcast & The Power of Female Community

16:06: Self-Funding, Authenticity, and Evolving the Podcast

21:11: Reflections & Wins of 2025

24:30: Key Lessons & Advice for 2026

29:09: Advice on Building the Right Team and Taking Feedback

32:24: Setting Boundaries & Protecting Your Energy

36:24: What’s Next for 2026: Vision Board & Live Events

38:44: Time Management

41:51: Finding the Right Business Partner

43:48: Dealing with Setbacks

45:12: Juggling Work and Family/Mum Guilt

52:48: Favourite Salad Order

54:08: Final Advice: Taking Risks & Launching Your Ideas

57:21: Closing & Motivation for 2026

🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you turn a childhood tradition into a 31-million-unit global phenomenon?

In this inspiring episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle Humes sits down with Christa Pitts, co-founder of The Elf on the Shelf — a brand that transformed Christmas for families around the world. Christa opens up about the real startup story behind one of the most iconic holiday brands:

• How a family tradition became a bestselling product

• Why every major publisher rejected their book (including being told it was “destined for the damaged goods bin”)

• The scrappy, bootstrapped tactics that got their first 5,000 units made

• How a single paparazzi photo and an appearance on the TODAY Show changed everything

• The power of patience, storytelling, and word-of-mouth marketing

• Managing cashflow, saying “no” to the wrong partners, and building slow, sustainable growth

• How a small family business built its own production company, sold a Christmas special to CBS, and secured a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

• The mindset every founder needs: grit, resilience, and the courage to keep going when no one believes in your idea

If you’ve ever wondered how global brands are built from nothing, or you need a reminder to stay persistent, this episode will light a fire under you.

🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.

Key talking points

00:00 — Meet Christa Pitts: Co-founder of The Elf on the Shelf

02:15 — The family tradition that sparked a global brand

05:42 — Every publisher said no (and why they kept going)

09:18 — Bootstrapping: the first 5,000 units

12:27 — Taking on debt and betting on themselves

15:50 — The moment everything changed: TODAY Show exposure

18:30 — From small business to global phenomenon

21:14 — Building a brand through storytelling

24:40 — Managing growth and protecting the mission

27:55 — Launching a production company and TV special

31:10 — Breaking into retail and surviving scaling challenges

34:42 — Leadership, doubt, and building confidence

38:55 — Advice for women building brands

42:10 — Slow growth, grit, and long-term success

45:02 — Christa’s advice for corporate women climbing the ladder

FOLLOW THE ELF ON THE SHELF

https://www.instagram.com/elfontheshelf/

tiktok.com/@elfontheshelf

www.youtube.com/@ElfOnTheShelf

elfontheshelf.com

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, we sit down with Olivia Ferdi, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of TRIP, the CBD brand that transformed an entire category and became one of the fastest-growing wellness businesses in the UK.

Olivia shares the powerful, unexpected journey that took her from a traditional career path, in law, to launching a company now stocked in major retailers and loved by millions. She opens up about navigating burnout, discovering CBD through a deeply personal experience, and realising there was a massive gap in the market for functional, mood-balancing products that actually fit into everyone’s lives.

We dive into:

• The moment that sparked the idea for TRIP

• How Olivia developed emotional resilience as a founder

• Why calm and clarity are superpowers in business

• The reality of fundraising and being underestimated

• What women need to know about leading with both softness and strength

• Building a company with your partner (and doing it well)

• How she handles pressure, imposter syndrome and visibility

• The habits and mindsets that helped TRIP scale

• Advice for aspiring founders and corporate women wanting to grow into leadership

This conversation blends mindset, strategy, wellness, and candid founder truths. Perfect for women building businesses, exploring entrepreneurship, or climbing the corporate ladder.

🎙️ Listen now on Ladies Who Launch. New episodes every week.

00:00 – Olivia Ferdi: TRIP co-founder and her mission

02:14 – Growing up, identity and early career expectations

05:02 – The personal crisis that led to TRIP

08:30 – Creating TRIP: spotting the gap in wellness

11:56 – Stigma, legality, and building trust in a taboo industry

15:42 – Emotional resilience: why calm is a superpower

19:20 – Working with your partner: boundaries, roles & reality

23:18 – Fundraising as a woman: being underestimated

27:33 – Scaling TRIP: community, brand and consistent execution

31:55 – Handling pressure & imposter syndrome

35:40 – CBD education: what people still misunderstand

39:12 – How Olivia leads with softness and strength

42:55 – Advice for aspiring founders

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle Humes down with Susan Yara — journalist, beauty editor, YouTube creator, and founder of Naturium, acquired for $355 million — to unpack the extraordinary journey behind one of the most influential women in modern beauty.

Susan opens up about her upbringing in rural New Mexico, how being “the good kid” shaped her self-worth, and what it really took to break away from expectations to build a life on her own terms. From studying journalism to becoming one of the original beauty creators on YouTube, Susan shares the lessons, mistakes, and mindset shifts that helped her evolve through multiple career chapters.

We dive into:

• How Susan navigated identity, family pressure, and ambition

• The shift from traditional media to online video and influence

• Why transparency and accountability matter in beauty

• The reality of pitching, building, and scaling a brand

• The mindset that led to Naturium's $355M acquisition

• Motherhood, burnout, and choosing yourself

• Why women should “live in the cringe” and take up more space

• Her advice for aspiring founders and creators feeling stuck or scared to start

This episode is filled with honesty, depth, and the kind of perspective you only get from a woman who’s lived multiple lives — and reinvented herself every time.

Perfect for: aspiring female founders, corporate women contemplating a pivot, content creators, beauty lovers, and anyone who needs permission to be bold, imperfect, and unapologetically ambitious.

KEY TOPICS AND TIMECODES

• Early Life & Family Values: 00:02:06 - 00:05:09
• Work Ethic & Parenting Philosophy: 00:05:09 - 00:07:12
• Education & Journalism Career: [00:07:51 - 00:11:16
• Digital Media & Beauty Industry Insights: 00:12:03 - 00:18:41
• Honest Content & Community Trust: 00:18:41 - 00:24:55
• Naturium: Launch & Growth Story: 00:26:02 - 00:42:30
• Brand Acquisition & Leadership: 00:42:57 - 00:47:42
• Accessible Skincare Philosophy: 00:48:13 - 00:51:24
• Founder Role Evolution: 00:51:45 - 00:55:27
• Success, Self-Care & Advice: 00:56:03

FOLLOW SUSAN

https://www.instagram.com/susanyara/

https://www.instagram.com/naturium/

https://www.instagram.com/mixedmakeup/

www.naturium.com

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Bryony Basse (neé Deery), her Cloucha matcha co-founder, wellness expert, podcaster, and founder and creator of Pilates By Bryony — the global wellness platform transforming how women move, strengthen, and reconnect with themselves.

Bryony shares her deeply personal story:

• Growing up with instability and anxiety

• Her life-changing accident which led her to Pilates

• Navigating burnout in her corporate years

• How Pilates became her anchor, and then her calling

• Building a digital wellness brand with global impact

• The discipline and mindset behind her success

• The truth about wellness, routine, and inner work

This episode is raw, grounding, and inspiring — the kind of conversation that reminds you it’s never too late to rebuild, reroute, or rise.

🎙️ Listen now on Ladies Who Launch — new episodes every week.

• Early Entrepreneurship & Independence [00:00:56]
• Family Influence & Work Ethic [00:03:15]
• Discovering Pilates & Turning Point [00:12:13]
• Building the Business from Scratch [00:19:01]
• Breakthrough Moment: January Challenge [00:24:39]
• Transition to the App Model [00:30:43]
• Brand, Community, and Team Building [00:34:26]
• Future Vision & Wellness Expansion [00:56:13]

FOLLOW BRYONY

https://www.instagram.com/bryonydeery/

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemat.podcast/

https://www.instagram.com/pilatesbybryony/

https://www.pilatesbybryony.com/

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-mat/id1747375211

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

www.weareladieswholaunch.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don’t need to be “techy” to thrive in the age of AI — you just need to know where to start.

In this empowering Launch Box episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle Humes sits down with Chloe Watts, founder of ChloéDigital, to demystify AI and show how women can use it to save time, scale their businesses, and unlock creative freedom.

From coding MySpace pages at 15 to “vibe coding” — where women can build websites and apps just by typing — Chloe’s journey proves that technology is no longer a barrier. It’s a bridge.

They talk:

💡 How AI can streamline your business and reduce burnout

💻 The truth about “AI taking jobs” and why women should lean in

✨ The new wave of female founders using AI to create change

Whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or leader in corporate, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to build the future on your own terms.

FOLLOW CHLOE

https://www.instagram.com/chloeadelia/

https://www.instagram.com/chloedigital.ai/

www.chloedigital.com

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Chloe Digital’s Tech Journey

[00:00:12] – [00:02:59]

Founding the Business & Empowering Women

[00:05:01] – [00:07:26]

Adapting to AI and Changing Client Demands

[00:08:05] – [00:13:06]

AI Fears vs. Empowerment

[00:13:07] – [00:16:30]

Practical AI Tips for Entrepreneurs

[00:15:49] – [00:18:55]

Human Element in AI

[00:19:58] – [00:21:37]

Vibe Coding: AI for Website & App Creation

[00:21:46] – [00:25:14]

AI Success Stories & Streamlining Workflows

[00:28:05] – [00:29:55]

Actionable Takeaways

[00:38:57] – [00:46:49]

Resources

ChatGPT

Claude

Replit

Lovable

There's An AI For That

Gemini

Perplexity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marisa Hordern turned a childhood love of crystals into MISSOMA, now one of the world’s leading jewellery brands. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Marisa sits down with Rochelle Humes to reveal how she grew a global business from her kitchen table, navigated tough industry “wilderness years,” and stayed true to her creative vision.

She shares the truth behind startup struggles, lessons on building a strong team culture, and the importance of trusting your instincts. From overcoming burnout to scaling with limited resources, Marisa’s journey is packed with practical advice and inspiring real talk for founders and creatives alike.

If you’re curious how to launch and lead a brand on your own terms, this episode is full of actionable insights and motivation. Hit subscribe and join us for another empowering conversation!

Key Talking Points

00:12: Introduction & Marisa Hordern’s Beginnings

05:35: School Years & Finding Purpose

10:23: First Job & Corporate Life

12:46: Launching MISSOMA

23:40: Scaling Up & Raising Investment

39:17: Burnout & Rebirth

43:18: Digital & Influencer Shift

51:42: Team Building & Culture

52:53: Women’s Health & Advocacy

01:00:25: Founder Evolution

01:06:44: Rocket Round

01:15:32: Final Advice & Lunch Habits

FOLLOW MARISA

https://www.instagram.com/marisahordern/

MISSOMA: https://www.instagram.com/missomalondon/

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

✨ About Ladies Who Launch

Hosted by Rochelle Humes, Ladies Who Launch dives into the untold stories of female founders, leaders, and changemakers redefining success in their own words. Expect real conversations, honest lessons, and plenty of inspiration to help you launch whatever’s next — in business and in life.

🔗 Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.