Small Business Retail Sessions podcast returns: inspiring stories from small business owners

Episode 3: Nik Southern, Grace & Thorn

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In episode three, we speak with Nik Southern, founder of Grace & Thorn, the floristry business known for its wild, natural and rule-breaking approach to flowers and plants.
Nik explains how she left a 13-year career in recruitment to retrain as a florist, built the business from her living room, and grew it into one of London's best-known independent florists.

She also shares the realities of running a high-street business, the value of being part of Hackney's thriving small business community, and the lessons she's learned from nearly 15 years of entrepreneurship.

What you'll learn as a business owner from this podcast:

• Building a business from scratch and growing through word of mouth
• Navigating the challenges and pressures of running a high-street business
• The importance of community, resilience and self-belief as a founder

Episode 4: Max Tobias, The Dusty Knuckle

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In episode four, we speak with Max Tobias, co-founder of The Dusty Knuckle, the east London bakery known for combining exceptional bread making with a mission to create opportunities to help at-risk youth take forward steps in their lives through on-the-job training and mentorship.

Max shares how he found himself building a business without initially seeing himself as an entrepreneur, navigating the uncertainty of the early years while balancing the responsibilities of family life and business ownership.

What you’ll learn as a business owner from this podcast:

• How to build a purpose-driven business without compromising quality
• The challenges and rewards of growing a business with a strong community focus
• The importance of creating an inclusive and authentic workplace culture

Episode 5: Jade Georgiou, Hackney Barkers

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In this episode, we're joined by Jade Georgiou, co-founder of Hackney Barkers, the dog grooming business built around community, care and ethical products.

Jade shares how she left her role as a receptionist to train as a dog groomer before opening her own salon in Hackney. She reflects on the challenges of building a physical business from the ground up, learning to set boundaries with customers and creating a salon where dogs, owners and employees feel genuinely cared for.

What you'll take away from this podcast:

• Building a purpose-led local business
• Learning leadership and resilience as you grow
• Creating community through ethical values and partnerships

Episode 6: Charlie Duckworth, Community Sauna Baths

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In this episode, Charlie Duckworth, co-founder of Community Sauna Baths, shares how he built a not-for-profit sauna movement focused on accessibility, wellbeing and social connection.

From launching in a garden space after the pandemic to expanding across London, Charlie discusses scaling a purpose-led business, funding community outreach and his vision to bring community sauna facilities to every London borough.

What you'll take away from this podcast:

• Building a mission-driven social enterprise
• Growing a business with limited funding
• Expanding access to community wellbeing initiatives

Tune in to get inspired 

If you're looking for a business podcast, small business podcast, entrepreneur podcast or practical advice for growing your business; Small Business Retail Sessions offers real-world insights from some of the UK's most inspiring founders. We’ve hope you love listening as much as we do.

Check back every Wednesday for the latest episode and fresh inspiration for your business journey.