At Face Value

Colette Laxton , co-founder of The Inkey List, never set out to start a brand. She started her career making cups of tea at Boots, once dreamed of earning £30,000 a year, and went on to launch one of the biggest British beauty success stories of the last decade.
But this conversation isn’t about scale.
Colette and I talk about what happens when your life becomes bigger than anything you grew up imagining, starting a business with almost no money, the pressure of having more than 100 livelihoods depending on you, burnout, 300% growth still not feeling like enough, and why financial success doesn’t automatically change the beliefs you have about money.
Colette is brilliantly candid about still feeling uncomfortable with money, feeling like a fraud, learning to accept support and questioning what success actually looks like when you’ve spent years constantly chasing the next thing.
And, perhaps most importantly, what it feels like to finally say, "I feel full to the brim."

We talk about:
• Starting The Inkey List with almost no money
• Going from Boots to building a global beauty brand
• Why founder life is far less glamorous than it looks
• The pressure of leading a team of 120+ people
• Burnout and the addiction of always wanting more
• Why 300% growth still didn’t feel like enough
• Women, support and the “I’m fine” mentality
• Growing up without wealth and how that shapes your relationship with money
• Feeling like you don’t belong in financial spaces — even after becoming successful
• Redefining success, fulfilment and what “enough” actually means

WHERE TO FIND COLETTE
https://www.instagram.com/colette.theinkeylist

WHERE TO FIND RHEA
https://www.instagram.com/its_rhea/

At Face Value is a podcast about the women behind the work - the ambition, money, identity, relationships, choices and contradictions that shape how we build our lives.
Subscribe for a new conversation every week.

Dr Sam Ellis is a board-certified dermatologist, content creator and founder of Prequel - the clinically led skincare brand that has become one of beauty’s biggest success stories.
Sam joined me during her first ever trip to London, less than 24 hours after stepping off the plane, to talk about what it has taken to build a brand this trusted, this quickly.
We get into why skincare may have become a little too exciting for its own good, the case for a consistent “unsexy” routine and why Sam was determined to make products people could use generously, rather than save for best.
But, as always, the conversation goes far beyond the business.
Sam is refreshingly honest about motherhood, money, outsourcing and the support systems behind her success. We talk about the guilt women can feel around receiving help, why she does not carry the mental load of her household and what it looks like to make deliberate choices about where your time and energy go.
We also talk about visibility, responsibility, delegation, ambition and what “enough” looks like when both your career and your business are still growing.
Expect a thoughtful, funny and very honest conversation about skincare, success and refusing to do everything yourself.
In this episode:
• Why Sam created Prequel
• The problem with constantly chasing skincare newness
• Why affordability matters so deeply to her
• Building trust and authority online
• Delegation and knowing what to let go of
• Motherhood, support and the household mental load
• Sam’s definitions of success and enough

Where to find Dr Sam:
https://www.instagram.com/drsamanthaellis/?hl=en

Where to find Rhea:
https://www.instagram.com/its_rhea/?hl=en

At Face Value is a podcast about women building their worlds in their own way. Follow, subscribe and share to be the first to catch the next one.

In this episode of No Stupid Questions, Rhea Cartwright is joined by Estée Lalonde - content creator turned entrepreneur and founder of the wellness brand MIRROR WATER. Estée shares the highs and lows of her journey, from the early days of YouTube to navigating the realities of fundraising, profitability, and brand identity.
She opens up about the evolution of content creation, the challenges of leadership, and why self-worth and support systems are essential when building both a business and a life in the public eye. This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal growth - told with Estée’s trademark honesty.
What you’ll learn:
The realities of transitioning from content creator to founder

Why brand building requires both vulnerability and structure

Insights into funding, profitability, and the business of beauty

How leadership and self-worth evolve in the creator economy

The importance of downtime, routines, and collaboration for creative health

Connect with Estée Lalonde and MIRROR WATER:
- Instagram: @esteelalonde
- Website: www.mirrorwater.earth

Follow Rhea on Instagram: @its_rhea

Georgie Coleridge Cole — founder and CEO of SheerLuxe — joins me to talk about building one of the UK’s most influential digital media brands.
We dive into the evolution of SheerLuxe from a shopping directory to a content powerhouse, the role of community in brand loyalty, and how Georgie is integrating AI without losing the human touch.
From leadership lessons to future-proofing a media business, this episode is packed with insight.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
- How AI is reshaping the future of digital media
- Why authenticity drives engagement (and growth)
- Georgie’s leadership style and how she builds trust
- Handling controversy and staying grounded
- Personal reflections on self-doubt and imposter syndrome

In this episode of No Stupid Questions, Rhea Cartwright sits down with April Gargiulo, the visionary founder of cult skincare brand Vintner’s Daughter. Known for its uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship, Vintner’s Daughter has become a favourite in the beauty world with just three meticulously crafted products. April shares how her unique background in winemaking shaped her approach to skincare, focusing on sustainability, intentionality, and delivering transformational results.

They dive into the challenges of navigating the beauty industry, the importance of community and word-of-mouth in building a loyal customer base, and how Vintner’s Daughter thrives by embracing timeless values over fleeting trends.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, beauty enthusiast, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of an iconic brand, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How April’s winemaking heritage shaped her approach to creating high-performance skincare.

Why Vintner’s Daughter focuses on quality over quantity with just three transformative products.

The power of community and word-of-mouth in building a cult brand.

April’s insights on navigating a crowded beauty market with intentionality and focus.

How wellness, connection, and gratitude play a role in April’s life and business philosophy.

The future of Vintner’s Daughter and how sustainability and craftsmanship remain at the core of their growth.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction to Vintner’s Daughter and April Gargiulo’s vision.

[05:22] How winemaking influenced April’s approach to skincare.

[19:45] The value of premium pricing and why quality matters.

[29:56] Vintner’s Daughter’s meticulous product development process.

[46:37] Building community and fostering brand loyalty.

[54:12] April’s personal wellness practices and sources of inspiration.

[01:01:09] The future of Vintner’s Daughter and what’s next for the brand.

Connect with April Gargiulo:

Website: vintnersdaughter.com

Instagram: @vintnersdaughter

Let’s Connect:

Follow Rhea on Instagram:

⁠@its_rhea⁠

Subscribe to No Stupid Questions for more thought-provoking conversations.