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Episoden
15.10.2025
28 Minuten
Once the preserve of pizzas and Nintendo games, mushrooms are
popping up everywhere at the moment (mushroom coffee anyone?). In
this episode, we sit down with Dr Catalina Fernandez, Founder and
CEO of biotech-based wellness company Hifas da Terra, to explore
why mushrooms are so therapeutically powerful – and how they help
train our immune systems to respond faster. Catalina shares
compelling clinical evidence from cancer trials and rare disease
treatments, explains exactly how mushrooms work at a cellular
level, and addresses the quality concerns plaguing the wellness
industry. We also discuss the paradigm shift towards food as
medicine, why integration with conventional healthcare matters
more than alternative approaches, and what the future holds for
mycotherapy as a standard care tool. Whether you're curious about
the science or considering mushroom supplements, this
conversation cuts through the wellness noise with evidence-based
insights.
hifasdaterra.co.uk
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08.10.2025
22 Minuten
In this episode, Viola sits down with Tasha Nickson from the Soil
Association to talk about sustainability storytelling in the
beauty industry. We discuss why vague claims damage consumer
trust, how certifications like Cosmos cut through the noise, and
what brands should focus on when communicating their
environmental and ethical credentials. Tasha explains the
difference between natural and organic, shares insights on
ingredient sourcing as an underused storytelling opportunity, and
reveals which beauty brands are doing sustainability
communication particularly well. We also touch on the reality of
costs for small brands, the "less but better" approach to
consumption, and emerging trends around health and skin
microbiomes. Whether you're building a beauty brand or simply
curious about what's behind those green claims, this conversation
offers practical guidance on navigating sustainability in an
increasingly conscious market.
Find out more about Soil Association certification at
soilassociation.org and follow them on Instagram for their latest
campaigns and beauty industry insights.
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23.09.2025
40 Minuten
When organic beauty pioneer Margo Marrone said she'd never launch
another brand, she meant it (at the time). But watching her
daughter Roxy struggle with severe acne changed everything.
Together, this mother-daughter duo created eyeam - a skincare
range that bridges the gap between topical treatments and
spiritual wellness.
Margo founded The Organic Pharmacy over 25 years ago when
"everyone thought she was crazy" for talking about chemical-free
beauty. Now, as the wellness conversation has caught up, she's
returned to entrepreneurship with Roxy, a certified nutrition and
mindset coach who brings habit stacking and affirmations into
skincare routines.
In this heartfelt conversation, they share Roxy's transformative
healing journey, why they believe mind-body-spirit connection is
essential for skin health, and how they've built authentic
community around holistic wellness. From growing up as mum's
"little organic evangelist" to setting boundaries as business
partners, they reveal what it's really like to work as a family
team.
This is a story about second chances, generational wisdom, and
why sometimes the best brands emerge not from market gaps, but
from genuine need to help others heal.
eyeamworld.com
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15.09.2025
33 Minuten
Ruby Hammer MBE transformed British beauty as the first makeup
artist of colour to be regularly featured on British television.
She was born to Bangladeshi parents in Jos, Nigeria, where she
grew up before moving to London at the age of 12. From working on
the shop floor of Harrods to founding cult 90s brand Ruby &
Millie – and now at the helm of her own eponymous range – Ruby is
a true industry stalwart.
In this candid conversation, Ruby reveals how her young mother's
transformative relationship with beauty shaped her philosophy
that self-care is essential. She shares why she never set out to
be a trailblazer ("I just wanted to be the best"), how she
navigated body image challenges, and the resilience lessons that
carried her through career reinvention.
Now in her 60s, Ruby reflects on aging authentically and why the
beauty industry remains one of the most supportive creative
communities. This is Ruby unfiltered - warm, honest, and
unapologetically herself.
rubyhammer.com
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05.09.2025
45 Minuten
Almost 30 years ago, Abi Cleeve sat down with nothing but a stack
of Yellow Pages and an idea. Long before the internet, she
methodically called pharmacies across the country, persuading
them to try a little-known Swiss suncare brand, UltraSun. Then,
in her battered old Beetle, she personally drove stock to anyone
willing to give it a chance.
To keep up with demand, Abi hired an assistant named Dan to help
pack orders, and he remained with the company ever since.
Fast-forward three decades, and UltraSun is a household name,
stocked by major retailers like SpaceNK and celebrating 20 years
as a QVC best-seller. Abi is also the MD of two other brands –
SkinSense and SBC Skincare – and proudly describes herself as a
“business hippie.”
Her approach is refreshingly rare: she has no shareholders, keeps
six months of salaries and running costs in reserve, and has
built a culture so strong that many of her team have stayed with
her for decades. Ask anyone in the industry, and they’ll tell you
she’s one of the kindest leaders they know.
In this conversation, we explore leadership, the changing beauty
landscape, why she never sold out – and how to stay just as
excited about your business on Day One as you do decades later.
ultrasun.co.uk
skinsense.co.uk
sbcproskincare.co.uk
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Über diesen Podcast
Smart Beauty is a podcast for beauty business owners
(particularly female founders) who are looking for tips on how to
hone their brand voice and the story behind it – or anyone who's
just curious about business and branding. It's hosted by Viola
Levy, journalist and founder of copy-led branding agency Smart
Beauty Creative. We also sit down with guests from some of the
industry’s leading and disruptive beauty brands, as well as
industry-insiders.
To learn more about what we do, visit smartbeautycreative.com or
follow us on Instagram @smartbeautycreative
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