The Canvas for Change

Ruth Rogers interviews Laurence McCahill, co-founder of the Happy Startup School, which aims to redefine entrepreneurship by prioritising purpose and happiness over just profit. Laurence shares the journey of creating a community-focused business that challenges traditional business norms, emphasising the importance of connection and support among entrepreneurs. Reflecting on the evolution of their initiatives, and the role of blogging in building their philosophy, Laurence reveals the impact of their events on fostering a sense of belonging among like-minded individuals.The Happy Startup School's website: https://thehappystartupschool.com/Follow Happy Startup on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happystartups/Happy Startups on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyStartupSchool/

Ruth Rogers speaks with Ellis Ballard and Bobbie Mills, founding members of the comedy improv group Just Friends that ran for just over a year from February 2019 to March 2020.They discuss the origins of their group, the significance of The Canvas as a creative space in London, and the journey of their improv classes.The conversation also touches on the challenges of running a comedy night, the impact of COVID-19 on performance spaces, and the joy of improvisation and community.Check out True Story LDN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truestoryldnFollow Ellis on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellis.ballardBobbie's book recommendation: Braiding SweetgrassChapters01:15The Birth of Just Friends Comedy Group08:58The Impact of Improv Classes14:13Finding a Home at the Canvas17:06Creating a Unique Comedy Experience17:22Creating a Safe Space for Socializing19:21The Joy of the First Night23:31Sustaining a Regular Night29:20The Impact of COVID on Performance Spaces36:07The Loss of Community Spaces

Ruth Rogers shares warm memories with Arti Lal, the coordinator of Inner Space, a Brahma Kumaris meditation and development centre in Covent Garden, central London that ran free Tuesday Talks at Ruth's community cafe, The Canvas, from 2015-2020.Together, they discuss the importance of community, the evolution of Inner Space, and the impact of meditation on well-being. Arti shares insights on how Inner Space has adapted to serve the community, especially post-pandemic, and emphasises the need for more spaces that foster connection and support. The conversation highlights the power of volunteers, the challenges faced in the current climate, and the shared human experience that brings people together.Experience Inner Space for yourself, wherever you are: https://www.innerspace.org.uk/Chapters02:23The Role of Inner Space in Community Wellbeing05:13The Evolution of Inner Space and Its Philosophy08:06Challenges and Successes in Community Engagement10:39The Shift in Meditation Acceptance Over Time13:12Post-Pandemic Reflections and Community Needs14:46Creating Spaces for Connection and Healing16:40The Importance of Volunteer Energy19:34Reimagining Community Spaces Post-Pandemic22:26The Future of Community Engagement25:05Finding Joy in Community and Connection27:36Final Thoughts and Happy Places

In this conversation, Ruth Rogers interviews Naomi Agyekum, the founder of Kids Deziah Business, a social enterprise aimed at teaching entrepreneurship to young people aged 7 to 17.Naomi shares her journey from being a child entrepreneur to creating a business school that empowers youth with essential skills like budgeting, saving, and creativity.The chat highlights the impact of Kids Deziah Business on young entrepreneurs, the challenges faced during its establishment, and the importance of fostering a spirit of giving back to the community.Naomi's personal reflections on motherhood and her own entrepreneurial journey add depth to this story, making it an inspiring narrative about resilience and empowerment.Follow Kids Deziah Business on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsdeziahbusiness/Follow Naomi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatkidbusinesswoman/Bread pudding recipe (but don't forget to grate the bread!)Chapters02:06Naomi Adjikum and Kids Desire Business05:47The Journey of Kids Desire Business08:49Teaching Vital Life Skills11:35Challenges and Growth of Kids Desire Business14:36Success Stories and Impact17:35Community and Family Involvement20:12Reflections on Entrepreneurship22:13Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

In this engaging conversation, Ruth Rogers speaks with Sarah Weiler, a creative entrepreneur who has built a diverse portfolio career over the past decade. Ruth invites Sarah to discuss her journey from starting Power of Uke to creating a community home, a 'Creative ResidentSEA' in Brighton. The conversation explores the importance of following one's passion, the process of turning ideas into reality, and the significance of community in fostering creativity and well-being. Sarah shares her insights on navigating change, the power of visualisation, and her aspirations for the future, emphasising the need for spaces where individuals can connect and thrive.Chapters05:44From Idea to Reality: Power of Uke07:40Creating Safe Spaces for Creativity09:57The Journey to a New Home12:24Establishing a Creative Residency15:33The Importance of Community and Connection18:23Future Aspirations and Professional Goals20:26Advice for Aspiring Community Builders22:57The Role of Cafes in Community Building22:57Final Thoughts and ReflectionsFollow Sarah on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahweilermusicSarah's Substack, 'Carousel': https://sarahweiler.substack.com/Sarah's website: https://sarahweiler.com/'A Decade in Drawings': https://sarah-weiler.medium.com/from-high-school-teacher-to-glasto-dj-comedian-and-uke-trepreneur-my-decade-in-drawings-220a6e82342

Trigger warning: mentions of suicide at 25 mins.This warm chat between Ruth Rogers and Karen Stenning, a social impact events organiser who works in sustainable and ethical fields such as female investment, social enterprise and the environment.What links these two business women is The Canvas, a cafe and community space run by Ruth Rogers between 2014-2022. Karen's events business, Absolute Alchemy, developed at The Canvas and memories of her first event, The Summer of Change, are among many memories shared between the two friends.Chapters00:00Introduction to The Canvas and Its Impact02:33The Birth of Absolute Alchemy04:51The Summer of Change Festival07:28Challenges in the Impact Space08:57The Importance of Live Events10:21Diversity in Themes and Topics12:22Female Investment Journey and Mentorship13:56The Role of Community in Impact15:48Reflections on Personal Experiences16:28Conclusion and Future Aspirations

Ruth Rogers and Louise Holstein discuss the inception and evolution of Mike's Table, a unique supper club that combines paying guests with invited guests from local charities. Louise shares her personal journey of creating this initiative as a legacy for her late husband, Mike, emphasising the healing power of communal dining. The chat covers the challenges and successes of the two-night concept, the impact of paying it forward, and the future aspirations for expanding the initiative beyond London, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the shared humanity that emerges from breaking down social barriers through food.Chapters00:00Ruth Rogers' Introduction of Louise Holstein and Mike's Table02:49The Start of Mike's Table03:32The Concept of Mike's Table08:04Two Nights of Dining12:44Reaction of Guests to Paying It Forward14:24Regular Guests and Paying Customers15:23Direct Impact and Financial Aspect17:03The Clever Business Plan of Mike's Table19:08Keeping Things Simple: The Growth of Mike's Table22:57The Unchanging Concept of Mike's Table26:22From Pop-Up to Social Enterprise: The Expansion of Mike's Table28:20The Future Plans of Mike's Table: Introducing Our Table

In this conversation, The Canvas founder Ruth Rogers speaks with Dani Castelucci about her transformative journey creating AlterEd, a business school for immigrants and refugees.Dani shares her emotional connection to The Canvas, the challenges faced by her students, and the impact of the pandemic on their programmes when The Canvas was forced to close.She discusses the importance of community support and the need for cafes to adopt a community-centric approach.Dani's story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of giving back.Dani's book recommendation: Inés de la Alma Mia by Allende IsabelChapters00:00Introduction to The Canvas and Its Impact01:37Dani's Transformative Journey with The Canvas04:24The Birth of AlterEd: Empowering Immigrants and Refugees09:02Challenges Faced by AlterEd and Personal Impact11:58The Inspiration Behind AlterEd17:58The Vision for Canvas Academy22:03Memorable Moments from AlterEd26:32The Future of Community-Centric Cafes