The Caro Podcast

Paul Webb of 'Black Bee Honey' has many strings to his bow! With a background in design and branding, he has the discerning eye you need for developing a brand - and a modern approach when it comes to ideas and reaching the right audiences.  Paul’s knowledge and passion for bees and their habitats left me feeling heart warmed and hopeful. ‘Saving the Bees’ is a message that we first heard a few years back but I was keen to hear about what this means for his company, Black Bee Honey, when trying to spread the message to the masses. From creating the brand, and winning awards for its design, to the farming process and then landing on the supermarket shelves I know lots of people will enjoy listening to this episode. Welcome my first man to The Caro Podcast, Paul Webb of Black Bee Honey.

I haven’t met many people like Francesca. Her warmth and generous spirit makes you instantly feel relaxed and want to smile - and she has this Italian accent that is a joy to listen to.But Francesca is also a trailblazer. She started making eco paints before anyone else in the UK launching her company Francesca Paints back in 1996. An expert in colour, she formulates all her own colours to form beautiful palettes inspire day travel and culture. Francesca Paints is well known in the Interiors industry having created colours for designers as well as curating colours for their homes.This was the first episode I recorded that hasn’t been at my kitchen table. I headed to Francesca’s inspiring studio in Clapham, with cuttings of the inspiration she’s collected over the years and her mixing table which looks like a Jackson Pollock installation with its layers of paint from 30 years of mixing up paints.In this episode we talk about the journey of her business and we go deep into her latest palette inspired by women in art from the Renaissance period. I hope you enjoy listening to her passion and warmth. It’s quite infectious. 

Today we have the much loved Anna Murray on the podcast. Anna is best known for co-founding Patternity, a creative agency pioneering change through the use pattern set up back in 2004. We sit down at my kitchen table and talk about a lot. About how she came to live in Bruton and set up Spirals, a space a concept store in Bruton. We talk about the process of creativity and what community brings to our lives as well as spirituality and connection. This is probably the most uncut episode I’ve done and that’s because there’s just so much flow and joy with Anna - She is one of the most reflective and open people I know. Happy listening. 

I was a bit nervous about doing this interview. Not because she’s scary but because I admire her so much - and she’s employed me for one of my first jobs - at The Future Laboratory a good 15 years ago. Caro Till is the Co-Founder of FranklinTill, a design futures consultancy in colour and material innovation for positive social & environmental change. We talk about why sustainability is such a complex subject and the 9 principles for a shift to regenerative materials that FranklinTill came up with. We talk about her experience as the curator for the exhibition ‘Our Time on Earth’ at the Barbican in 2022 which is now on a global 5 year tour and explores the role that the creative industries have in shifting our mindset to an earth-centred one.As a friend, and also a colleague I have always been inspired by Caro’s creativity, knowledge and confidence. She is not only an industry leader but she’s a brilliant speaker. She’s a warm and generous person with a tenacity that I rarely come across. It’s a privilege to have her on this podcast, please welcome Caro Till.

It is a pleasure to welcome Caroline Strecker to the podcast today. Founder of repurposed leatherwork brand, Caroline is a true champion of sustainable style and slow fashion. Each of her iconic bags is handmade which is no mean fete when you see the quality of the bridal leather she works with. I have been lucky enough to see her brand grow from an idea, into a community and now intro a retail space and studio in Bruton which is incredibly beautiful. We talk about her story to getting here, the circular economy, finding sustainable growth in retail and the process behind her unique designs. She’s one of a kind and definitely one to listen too….. 

Welcome to Series 2 of The Caro Podcast. First up is Kitten Grayson. Kitten is a defining name in the world of flowers and growing. You’ve probably seen her on the pages of House & Garden or working with the likes of Jess Wheeler on a beautiful installation.I sat down with Kitten hot off the heels of winning an award at Chelsea Flower Show which was a real privilege. We talk about her passion for biodynamic farming and the lunar calendar which influences her gardening. What Beauty means to us, as well as her business and how it’s evolving with her creativity. She has a true commitment to sustainability which puts her at the pinnacle of a movement of change. A few show notes in case you want to look them up - Grass of the Nettle by Peter Proctor & The Maria Thun Biodynamic Calendars.

Ana Kerin has sent tidal waves through the world of functional ceramics with the launch of her brand KANA in 2012. Her work is experimental and playful yet contemporary and timeless at the same time. A huge highlight running the shop for me, was working with Ana on the LAND range we did at Caro. Our customers loved KANA and would regularly come in to acquire a new piece to add to their collection. Not only has she now successfully moved into drawing and furniture making, her talent has lent itself to filmmaking, photography AND she is hosting retreats set in very chic Sicilian and Italian destinations combining Yoga, Food and Creative Practices. ⁠⁠And of course, Natali Stajcic and I catch up and mull over the best ways to spend a sabbatical, the evolution of business, ⁠the art of play and getting back to our roots.⁠⁠This is a total highlight for me. I hope you enjoy listening to this incredible woman.⁠kanalondon.com@kanalondon⁠⁠

What hasn’t my next guest done within the food industry! Safia Shakarchi’s most recent project was the launch of ANOTHER PANTRY, a platform designed to celebrate contemporary food culture, recipes + stories. It was during my first introduction to Another Pantry, as I pursued the pages of beautiful photography and mouth watering recipes that it dawned on me how in need we were of a space that bridged the gap between the cooking & eating of food, with the creatives that deliver it to us in the form of ‘content.’ With community and design at its heart, Another Pantry connects the dots between photographers, writers, chefs and stylists. I was lucky enough to be in the shop when she popped into Caro and kindly gave me baking recommendations when I needed them.Talking about food is what Natali Stajcic and I like doing most so this was an easy chat. We discuss food memories, pantry essentials, the best way to eat a Yorkshire pudding and living that side hustle.anotherpantry.co.uk@dearsafiaPeople mentioned in the podcast:Melek Erdal - @mels_place_east

Calandre Orton is a name that is becoming more and more spoken of, at quite a speed! Founder of Up With The Lark, a business consultancy for the creative industries, Calandre is the person to chat to if you’re looking to start, refine or grow your business. My first foray with Up With The Lark was as a listener to the podcast. Attracted to the varied and inspiring group of guests, I was lured to listen in the hope that I might be glean a few helpful business tit-bits - or perhaps a few handfuls of it in fact.It wasn’t long before I was taking note of the host, Calandre, as much as I was the guests, thinking ‘What does this person do - she’s so smart and savvy…’ And so, the introduction to her Creative Consultancy was uncovered and I was hooked on her clarity of vision.With the ability to distinguish the foundations of a creative idea and understand what it needs to become a business, it is Calandre’s talent for finding the core truth behind the confusion that is so compelling.@up.witth.the.larkupwiththelark.com