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Show Notes

In this special and very personal episode of the Women on Purpose, Toni Eastwood OBE sits down with a close friend Ben Colling whose relationship with this series sponsor Sir Jacobs, didn’t begin as an investor - but as a genuine admirer, user, and believer.

This conversation traces the journey from loving the product, to living with it in everyday spaces, to recognising that what had been created was more than beautiful objects - it was a brand with depth, story, and emotional resonance.

Toni chats with Ben, who openly shares the realities of the early stage:

the brand initially being a side project

the pivotal moment where growth required commitment and capital

the clarity around what level of investment was needed

and how trust, shared values, and belief shaped the partnership

At its heart, this episode is about organic investment - the kind that comes from emotional connection, lived experience, and alignment, not pitch decks and pressure.

A powerful listen for founders navigating funding, partnerships, and the vulnerable leap from passion project to serious business.



Key Highlights

The brand was loved before it was invested in - The relationship began with genuine admiration for the product - its look, feel, and presence in the home.

This started as a side project, not a polished business - The brand was originally a “job on the side,” before reaching a natural turning point.

Living with the product changed everything - Seeing and using the pieces daily created a visceral, emotional connection that went far beyond “this is nice.”

Investment came from belief, not persuasion - The decision to invest followed deep understanding of the story, values, and future potential — not a hard sell.

Partnership was formed with clarity and trust - The investment amount, shareholding structure, and timing were all handled transparently, reinforcing mutual respect.


Best Bits

“It wasn’t just ‘this is lovely’ - it was something you felt when you picked it up.”

“At that stage, it was still a hobby… a good one, but a job on the side.”

“You live with it - it becomes part of your home, part of your everyday.”

“There’s always that pivotal moment in small business where you realise you can’t grow without investment.”

“That was when the partnership was born - and the shareholding structure followed.”


Why this episode matters

This isn’t a funding story. It’s a belief story. It shows what happens when:

the product speaks for itself

trust exists before contracts

and investment is a natural extension of love for the brand


Visit Sir Jacobs and use code LAUNCHUK20 for 20% Discount

🌍 www.sirjacobs.co.uk


Find and connect with Ben

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-colling-3b251133a/


Follow Sir Jacobs

https://www.instagram.com/sirjacobs_com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjacobs.com?lang=en


If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe to Women on Purpose so you never miss a conversation like this. And if you’re enjoying the show, we’d love you to leave us a 5-star review - it genuinely helps more purpose-driven founders discover the podcast and keeps these honest, meaningful conversations reaching the people who need them most. Thank you for being part of our community. Toni x 💛

","author_name":"Toni Eastwood OBE, MBA"}