In this episode of Love Local, Jen chats with Charlotte from The Bridal Dress Company in Newbury about how a simple idea during maternity leave turned into an independent bridal shop on the high street.

Charlotte was inspired by her own wedding dress shopping experience and wanted to create the same unforgettable experiences for people getting married in West Berkshire. Just weeks after signing the contract for the premises, she opened the doors launching the business as lockdown restrictions were lifted in April 2021.

Charlotte shares the realities of starting a retail business during such an uncertain time, from sourcing stock and choosing designers to understanding how many wedding dresses a bridal shop actually needs. What began with around 20 dresses has grown to a collection of more than 150, with the business continually adapting its stock, sizing and range to meet the needs of its brides.

We also explore the personal side of finding a wedding dress. Charlotte explains why the experience is about much more than simply selling a dress, how she helps brides find something that feels right for them, and why staying within a bride's budget is so important.

Jen and Charlotte also discuss branding, social media, Christmas window displays, collaborations with other local wedding suppliers, changing bridal trends and the importance of building relationships with other independent businesses.

From the challenges of cash flow and long dress lead times to the power of a great shop window and local collaboration, this episode offers plenty of insight for anyone thinking about starting an independent business.

Find out more about The Bridal Dress Company at https://www.thebridaldresscompany.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/thebridaldresscompany/

Love Local is the podcast by Jennifer Cornish Design, spotlighting incredible independent businesses in Newbury and the surrounding areas.

If you're a small business owner in Newbury or the surrounding area and have a story to tell, Jen would love to hear from you.

Follow Love Local, leave a review and share this episode with someone who'd enjoy it.

Find out more about Jen’s work at https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk

When Shelleigh Butler was on maternity leave, a simple conversation during a playdate sparked an idea that would become one of Newbury's most popular family destinations.

In this episode of Love Local, Jen sits down with Shelleigh, co-founder of Tiny Town Cafe, to discuss how she and her siblings turned a gap in the local market into a thriving family business.

From finding their first premises in the Kennet Centre to relocating into a new High Street home, Shelleigh shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.

The conversation explores the realities of running a family business, balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship, building a loyal customer base, and the importance of creating spaces where families can connect and children can play safely. Shelleigh also opens up about the emotional challenges of relocating the business and how family support has been central to Tiny Town's success.

If you're a parent, local business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest insights and inspiration.

Learn more about Tiny Town Cafe at Tiny Town Cafe, a family-run role play cafe in the heart of Newbury designed to inspire imagination, creativity, and learning through play.

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Love Local, Jen is joined by Julie Taylor from Fenton Elliot Solicitors to break down what small business owners need to know about HR and employment law.

With over 50 years of combined experience and a 95% success rate, Fenton Elliot work with SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and professionals across Newbury and the wider Thames Valley helping them navigate complex employment challenges with confidence.

Julie shares practical advice on:

• When to bring in HR support
• How to avoid common (and costly) employment mistakes
• The difference between employees, workers, and contractors
• Handling grievances, redundancies, and workplace disputes
• How AI is changing HR…for better and worse

Julie qualified in 2007 and previously led a successful employment law team before joining Fenton Elliot in 2023. Known for her calm, pragmatic approach, she works with both employers and individuals to find the best possible outcomes.

If you're hiring your first employee or growing your team, this episode will help you protect your business and get your HR foundations right.

Learn more at https://fentonelliott.co.uk
Get in touch at hello@fentonelliott.co.uk

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

Laura Fishlock's journey into the world of osteopathy and holistic health was deeply influenced by personal experiences with family members who faced health challenges. Witnessing their struggles and the impact it had on their lives ignited Laura's passion for making a difference in healthcare. This personal connection to health and wellness fuelled her commitment to creating a practice that not only addresses symptoms but also empowers clients to achieve lasting improvements in their health circumstances.

You can find out more about Laura Fishlock Osteopathy at https://www.laurafishlockosteopathy.co.uk

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Love Local, Jen sits down with Jenny Bowden, the powerhouse behind Aivilo, a West Berkshire-based digital accountancy firm that is redefining how small business owners view their finances.

With 18 years of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the West Berkshire business community, Jenny shares her journey from working in public practice since 2004 to launching a firm built on the values of growth, groundedness, and local support.

You can find out more about Aivilo at https://aivilodigitalaccountancy.co.uk

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Love Local, Jen is joined by Aggie Niyonsenga, founder of Emmett Bloom, a modern estate agency built around service, strategy, and genuinely supporting people through big life moves.

Aggie shares her journey into property, explaining how her own frustrating experience buying and selling homes revealed a gap in the market. Where traditional estate agency often lacks clarity, communication, and care, Aggie set out to create a more thoughtful, client-led approach.

The conversation explores what it really means to prepare a home for sale, why planning months or even years in advance can make a huge difference, and how Emmett Bloom supports busy families and downsizers with a fully wrapped, end-to-end service. Aggie also discusses discreet marketing, off-market sales, and why many of her properties never even reach Rightmove.

Jen and Aggie dive into branding and marketing decisions, the importance of having the right systems in place from the start, and how your website and online presence often speak for you before you walk into the room. Aggie also shares honest advice for anyone starting a business, from defining your ideal client to knowing when to say no.

A thoughtful and practical episode about property, business ownership, and building a brand that genuinely reflects how you want people to feel.

Find out more about Emmett Bloom:

Instagram: @emmettbloomestates

Website: www.emmettbloom.co.uk

Contact Aggie at team@emmettbloom.co.uk to receive her free Market Ready Guide.

What does it really take to build a thriving community space — one that brings together people from every background, generation, and walk of life?

In this episode of Love Local, host Jennifer Cornish sits down with Janine from Educafe, a Community Interest Company that has grown from a small, council-commissioned idea into one of Newbury’s most impactful grassroots community projects.

Based at Newbury Library, Educafe now welcomes 150+ people every week, supporting refugees, asylum seekers, families, older residents, volunteers, and local organisations — all under one roof.

Janine shares:

• How Educafe began with a simple brief — and quickly outgrew expectations
• The realities of running a CIC and securing grant funding, including National Lottery support
• Why real-life photography and clear branding helped build trust and visibility
• The power of public spaces like libraries in strengthening communities
• How local businesses, volunteers, and residents play a vital role in sustainability
• Why consistency, visibility, and “showing up” matter more than perfection

🔗 Find out more about Educafe: https://www.educafeuk.co.uk

📍 Follow Educafe on Instagram: @educafeuk

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Love Local, Jennifer Cornish chats with Antonia Roskill, founder of Honour and Pop, an independent wedding and event planning business based in Berkshire.

Antonia shares how she turned her natural love for parties and organising into a thriving events business - starting from spontaneous beginnings and growing into a creative brand known for its vibrant style and personal touch. Antonia talks about rebranding from AR Party Planning to Honour and Pop, the meaning behind the name, and the realities of wearing every hat when you launch your own business.

Jen and Antonia also explore the importance of consistent branding, authentic marketing, and showing the behind-the-scenes work that makes events magical. Antonia shares practical tips on SEO, blogging, and using your expertise to attract the right clients — plus honest advice for anyone thinking of starting a business: be brave, collaborate, and just begin.

Find out more about Honour and Pop:
https://honourandpop.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honour_and_pop/

Connect with Jennifer Cornish Design:
jennifercornish.co.uk