The SKoop

When Michelle couldn’t find her perfect wedding invites, she decided to use her card making hobby to make her own. She had often made handmade cards for family and friends and puts her creativity down to a childhood spent watching her mum create displays at the primary school she worked at.

Now, the business is much more than cards, it’s crafting, giftware and all things smiley! Michelle’s motto, “sending smiles in the post” is a true representation of SmileyHiley, whether it’s a card for any occasion, craft kits for children (or adults), craft workshops, printed cards or giftware each piece is made, packed, sent and received with a smile. And what Michelle loves most is that often, her wares bring smiles to many as children enjoy creating cards and gifts from her kits before passing them onto someone else.

Michelle was born and bred in Bramhall, went to school in Cheadle Hulme and left for the Big Smoke in her twenties to chase a career, but says herself she didn’t know her neighbours, yet here, at home, the community is all important to both Michelle and SmileyHiley.

You can find all of Michelle’s contact details in our own directory at

Andy McAnally is a lifelong resident of South Stockport and has set up The SKoop during spring 2020 as a way to draw on the awesome community spirit in the area. The SKoop is for residents and business owners in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple and Stockport.

The SKoop is recorded and produced by Strength In Media.

If you enjoy The SKoop, please leave us a 5 Star review on Apple podcasts and share with your network, to help other people find us too.

Rebecca has worked in and around recruitment for the best part of 30 years and puts her success down to more than just being good at her job.

Rebecca loves recruitment because she likes to help people and see them flourish, both her clients finding the right employees but also the recruits being the right fit and finding the right employer. Having spent some time working with candidates and coaching them to be in the best position to be employed, she understands her role from both sides and knows the candidate is just as important as the recruiter.

As much as this ethos, Rebecca puts a lot of her success down to networking. Within a week of deciding to go on her own, she had googled Stockport Networking and hasn’t looked back since. Rebecca’s sees networking as more than just trying to get the next sale. Its building relationships and again having the opportunity to help others. Networking is collaboration and if it doesn’t directly bring her any work, it helps her do her job better as she has a greater network of contacts to liaise with meaning she can find the right clients and the right recruits.

Stockport born and bred, Rebecca is ambitious yet down to earth, loves the SK postcodes, the people and the community.

Working in the corporate banking world, took its toll on Anna so when she hit burnout, she took a year out. During that year, she took up crochet, planned events in the charity sector and was reading herself to restart as a consultant, once again with corporate clients in mind. At this time however, her father took ill and coincidentally he was knee deep in admin and paperwork at the time. This made Anna take note and this is when Digital Annie was born.

Anna has a vast array of roles within Digital Annie, but essentially she is an expert in Digital Marketing and specialises in Facebook.

Lorna has had a diverse career, from studying Speech and Language Therapy, through sales, Recruitment and Talent. Lorna now works for herself, helping businesses create the right teams, through looking for and finding the right mix of talent.

Lorna has a specific interest in inclusion and diversity and believes it’s an integral part of the talent equation as a diverse team will most often create more efficient business solutions for both business and customer. She has also engaged in International Women’s Day for the last 3-4 years and has presented on Unconscious Bias to senior business leaders.

Lorna grew up in Nottingham, but she has grown fond of Stockport and the SK community, acknowledging the bond and togetherness within the area, particularly over the past 12 months, as well as enjoying the location and proximity to both town and countryside.

Since she was 2 years old, Chloe has loved dance, drama and the arts. A childhood of multiple dance classes a week and further education in Musical Theatre and Performance, however after completing her degree, she realised she maybe loved dancing more than she did performing.

At this point, Chloe was introduced to Community Dance where she started her career with a project in Croydon.

Fast forward a few years and like many, Chloe has moved up north for love but has brought her first love with her as well as falling for Stockport.

Now offering online community dance, fitness and wellbeing sessions, utilising her experience as a performer and dance teacher, she has established a strong local community as well as clients from further afield.

Chloe has always wanted to be a graphic designer. Since she realised her dream at around 11, it’s all she has ever wanted to do. She left school straight for Art College and then straight into a job in graphic design.

With 20 years’ experience in the industry, including 7 years self-employed, Chloe has really nailed down her niche and has a passion for layout design, nod to her previous role at the M.E.N.

Joanne Grogan has worked in travel for most of her adult life. Lucky enough to work for The World’s Favourite Airline when she left school, allowed her the opportunity to travel as a young adult. The dream, one off holiday she went on with her parents, soon wasn’t a one off and she says herself that travel is her first love.

After a short break in a totally different sector, Jo returned to travel after a taster day with Travel Counsellors and her husband noted that she was more excited after this day than she had been her whole career. Now a self-employed franchise with Travel Counsellors, Jo clearly has a passion for travel, has been to many places both near and far and can help you through her experience and contacts find your perfect holiday.

Nearly 4 years ago Jo Killgallon left a career in corporate HR and spent a year or so out working in local bar and shop, Vinehop. Spending that year, evaluating her past, present and future, Jo embarked on coaching qualifications and has since gone on to launch her business Orchid Coaching and HR.

Jo moved to the North West 7 years ago and loves the convenience of her home town, Poynton for it’s schools and nurserys, commuting access and amenities, but she did complain about our weather.

With a background as a mental health nurse and a CBT practitioner, Natasha Diskin has found a gap in the personal styling market by combining both her passions, mental health and style.

Natasha won’t hook you up with the latest trendy jacket or designer shoes, she won’t provide a makeover, instead she works with you and your lifestyle to help you bring out your own personal styling as part of as lifestyle overhaul. Whether you’re trying to get a promotion at work, have moved area or just generally want a little more confidence, Natasha will help you to demonstrate to the world and yourself, your personality and how you want to feel through the clothes you wear and how you piece together your wardrobe.

I learned a lot talking to Natasha fir an hour and have genuinely considered what I put on each morning following our conversation. I’ve spent a few moments thinking about how my choice of clothes will make me feel and what I want to achieve in the day, will swapping the hoody for a knitted sweatshirt make a difference to my wellbeing and productivity for the day. I really hope you benefit in the same way and I’ve no doubt Natasha will be ready to help if you need it.

Vicki was a successful market researcher but with a growing family, a husband who worked away and a busy lifestyle, a corporate job in the town centre wasn’t working for her.

She anticipated this with her third maternity leave and dipped her toe into Network Marketing before getting a social media qualification and setting up on her own as a social media manager.

On top of a new business, family life is busy and so flexible working is essential for Vicki but a year on and having overcome the challenge of Covid and Lockdown, she is enjoying building her business and the work life balance it brings.

Angela has literally gone around the houses. With a diploma in interior design, she fell into a career in recruitment, came back to interior design, went back to recruitment and is now once again flourishing as an interior designer.

Angela has done it all, from retail and shop based design studio to now a bespoke service for her clients and some bright plans for 2021 and beyond.

What a story and a journey!! Julie has had a full circle career and has spent the last 10 years as a hypnotherapist.

Her practise is about supporting her clients health and well-being and she has used her training to give back to her customers, something she has always been inclined to do. She also gives back to the community on other ways, supporting local Superheroes and working closely with I Love Bramhall.

With the New Year and this week’s Lockdown announcement, I feel so privileged to have spoken to Julie yesterday as her message resonates so clearly at a time like this. I really hope you enjoy listening to Julie tell her story and take something from this too.

Fed up with employment and with a desire to work for herself, Sharon Jackson – Lewis sat down with her husband and 2 sheets of paper to brainstorm ideas to spark her passion and drive once more… It was like a career game of Mr & Mrs as they both wrote the same word, “Cleaning”

And with that, Sparkle Domestic Cleaning was born. Enterprising rom day one, within a year, Sharon went from purely domestic, to her first commercial contract, and was employing new staff almost monthly.

Fast forward 6 years and an office neighbour was moving premises and invited Sharon to join them. The premises weren’t quite right for Sparkle but there was a coffee shop which needed a new owner. 24 hours after the idea was proposed, she was signing the contract!

Jill is an interior designer with her own fledgling business. After a career in recruitment, that in her own words, didn’t suit her, she spent the last decade making house and looking after her young children. During this period, Jill has pursued her passion of interior design. She has renovated her own home (check out her Instagram, it looks stunning) as well as gaining qualifications and helping friends with their homes.

Now after creating a portfolio and building a website, The Styled Nest is ready to fly and Jill is open for business.

Hopefully Lockdown nearly over, Jill is looking forward to an exciting first calendar year in 2021.

Lucy Allen doesn’t do things by halves… Like a lot of local business owners, Lucy was made redundant and made the decision to freelance. As a marketer working within the travel industry, she started off freelancing before finally taking the leap and setting up with her own Not Just Travel franchise. All sounds simple and normal practise, until you factor in the full time job for the first 10 months and the new born baby arriving within her businesses first year.

Lucy has a passion for travel and listening to her talk about both her own travels and her business, you can tell this really is her other baby.

She has developed strong relationships with the local community, utilising networking and mother and baby groups. She has developed a brilliant business and has managed to survive lockdown in the process!

If you’re looking for your next holiday, as a travel consultant, Lucy does more than book your holiday for you. She understands your wants and needs to ensure every booking is her clients dream holiday.

Hey, I’m Andy McAnally, presenter and producer of The SKoop, Stockport’s very own independent podcast and Founder and Race Director for McA Fitness & Events.

I’ll start with the simple stuff. I’m a Personal Trainer by trade and as part of my role within my last gym job; I established a pool triathlon and duathlon series to help provide motivation for members. Fast forward 5 years and my career has moved on (now in a serious corporate job) but I have continued to provide accessible multisport events locally. I only offer Go Tri events, which are short, achievable, accessible, fun and friendly. My mission is to help as many people try triathlon as I can and hope to inspire your sporting journey.

And to the SKoop… my first love was radio, it was always a dream to work in radio, I studied radio production at university and that dream never faded, I just fell into full time work and my life moved on. I got to a stage I suppose where I realised I should have become a tea boy at 16 and forgone university.

This all changed however when an old university colleague set up his own audio production company 2 years ago. He inspired me again and together we hatched a plan to produce a Triathlon podcast for absolute beginners, something to help inspire, educate and entertain.

Then lockdown hit…

Bitten by the bug though, and with some free time on my hands as I’d had to postpone my events, I started The SKoop. The mission here was to help provide a voice for as many local business owners as possible. Those struggling thanks to Lockdown, the ones without a shop front and even the ones with a shop front. On my road, I can think of at least 10 businesses within the houses I can see from my front door and in Stockport there are many more roads just like this.

The first episode aired on all podcast platforms in May 2020 and 6 months later it is continuing to grow listener numbers. I have interviewed some great characters, with successful businesses and I’m looking forward to continuing to do so.

I also have a day job, 2 kids and still love training and listening to audio books and podcasts. You’ll rarely catch me without my headphones in my ears or around my neck and in the spare time I have, I love nothing more than supporting local businesses having breakfast, coffee or beer with family and friends.

Mandy Wong Oultram was a graphic designer with a steady income and a new home when a disaster hit with damage to her home and a lengthy legal battle.

During this time, she got into fitness while preparing for her wedding and used it as an outlet for her stress to the point where she found herself qualified as a Personal Trainer and jumping into self-employment.

In the last 3 years, Mandy and Flex fit have gone from strength to strength (pun intended). She has created a community with her clients; had articles in the press and featured in a published book. Mandy’s most recent success was being nominated for Personal Trainer of the Year.

An inspiring story of hard work, endurance, grit and determination, Mandy has achieved success both physically, mentally and with a resilient and powerful business too.

Clare Hales had a successful corporate career, flying high, travelling and reaping the rewards. Then she had kids…

With the birth of her first child, she found a new problem to solve, she struggled to find maternity wear and knew other mums to be were in the same boat. So after receiving some clothes as a gift, she set upon business number 1, a maternity wear boutique in Wilmslow.

3 years on with increased rent and b aby number 2 on the way, she took an 8 year sabbatical until her husband decided she needed a job.

At this stage her brother had been talking about this new supplement, CBD. He was passionate about how the supplement works for both mental and physical health. He had done the research and found a supplier and asked Clare to help with marketing and operations. He has since moved on to pastures new, leaving Clare to run Synerva CBD.

Four years on and Synerva is going from strength to strength and this week, Clare tells her story.

Angela Dennerley grew up with a dream. All she wanted to do was sell records and after university, her dream came true with a job at HMV Stockport. Angela spent several years with HMV, working as a retail manager around the country, but finally returned home to Stockport and applied for a job at local business Music Zone. She then spent the next 15 years working with her colleagues at Music Zone and then Music Magpie, until she decided to pursue her other hobby and side hustle, Kitsch Republic.

2020 and Lockdown has been a challenge for Kitsch Republic, but Angela has come out the other side bigger and stronger. She has developed an online profile, her own online shop on her own website and has even employed staff.

An incredible result, driven by hard work and dedication, Angela’s story is inspirational and she is one of Stockport’s many successes.

Clare Cliff has worked as a care worker and in the care sector since leaving school, its more than just a career for her, it’s a passion. From studying Health and Social Care at college, to watching her parents in their careers and the roles within their community, this is all Clare has ever wanted to do, so much so that she marks her biggest success as the passion she has for her career.

Clare is general manager at Stockport’s Home Instead Franchise. She has worked with them for the last 5 years and progressed her way through the business. The franchise is owned by local residents, offers care to a large number in the community and also provides employment to nearly 100. This organisation is right at the heart of Stockport’s community.

Clare talks about the work the business do and how they provide care to all ages, as well as respite for carers. They are clearly doing a fantastic job and are also being recognised for their work. A number of employees have recently been nominated for awards both locally and nationally.

One of the things Clare spoke to me about was that as a care provider, Home Instead ensure they are trusted within the community, they support local, they network with local business owners, they are seen around the area, creating a trusted and recognised brand within Stockport.

Becky Field has been freelance for little over 10 months. 3 months in and a global pandemic hit, however this didn’t put her off and in fact, she has been in high demand throughout.

A former English teacher, Becky wanted, nay needed to spend more time at home with her young family and craved a creative output that her teaching job, while she enjoyed, it just didn’t provide. She graduated from university with a degree in both English Language and literature, so it wasn’t too much of a guess to say that her creative output would be writing.

Her business ios growing nicely, with a solid set of clients, a varied portfolio of work and a creative void well and truly filled.

Becky talks with passion and enthusiasm about writing, her clients and the locality. In her interview, she shared many nuggets of golden advice for any small business owner needing to create content. She has a service for all, whether you love writing and just need a proof reader/editor or if you don’t have a creative bone I your body and need somebody to create content on your behalf.

Whether you believe in fate, good luck or simply being in the right place at the right time, Louise Barson has done just that.

From a corporate beginning in accountancy, Louise is now on her second freelance career as an artist. She paints, draws and creates her own original pieces. She works on commissions as well as creating a portfolio, which she then sells as originals, prints, cards and a calendar.

It’s not been a straight forward story as she was successful in her first business, decluttering and organising, however, as she describes so well, she took a step back but didn’t want to retire and here is where the serendipity begins.

Putting artist on her passport renewal was her first signal to the world, even though it was a few months later before she actually started, but that she did. This was followed by an offer to buy a piece after she had shared her work with friends an family on social media and really, 4 years later, she hasn’t looked back!!

Louise’s story has a bit of everything and her attitude is incredible she supports local causes,  while growing her artistic enterprise.

Hazel Grove Yogi, Helen Fenton, left a corporate career in marketing for a life of Zen and followed her passion by opening Orange Bloom Yoga Studio. Two children and nearly to studios later, business is booming and Helen and Orange Yoga are both staples in the community and are helping support through multiple types of yoga session each week.

Orange Bloom Yoga are on the verge of opening their brand new studio, a space that as the business has grown and the customers have stayed, Helen and her small team are ready for the move and the next challenge.

Helen talks about how Yoga has helped her own personal mental and physical health, from her very beginnings and her first few classes, she saw the benefit and her love for it grew as the benefits increased. She discusses how Yoga can help calm and destress while also providing a physical benefit of improving strength, flexibility and mobility.

We also discuss the importance of local business in the community, how her neighbours have missed the studio being closed during lockdown and how it’s important for local business to flourish together for the community. Final Helen also talks about outsourcing and letting go. As a business owner, it’s easy to try and do everything but Helen has found a supportive local group of likeminded business owners who encourage each other to not only live their business and passion, but to take time for themselves and if that means hiring somebody to do her accounts, then Helen can focus on what she is good at and enjoys, to help herself and the business bloom.

Sam’s story started the day after her son was born, the challenges they faced in his first few weeks and years and the way they overcame it as a family was inspiring.

Poland Syndrome is a disorder which people are born with underdeveloped or missing muscles on one side of the body, usually noticed with a smaller hand. It is a rare condition, which doesn’t have a great deal of research and it often goes undiagnosed. Sam tells the story of Ron King who has lived with it all his life but was diagnosed as a young 84 year old.

Sam has used her experience and love for her son to create Pip UK to raise awareness of Poland Syndrome, create a community of people living with the syndrome, both direct and family members, they offer support by being a first point of contact for anyone who needs it.

Sam is doing a fantastic job and couldn’t do it on her own. She has a group of loyal trustees helping her and Pip with their journey. Shirley Proctor, Angel Scott-Bottoms, Sue King and Liz Mckenna, Sam and Pip UK thank you for your generous support.

A Stockport girl through and through, Sam says every road leads to the Pyramid and while her work will help people globally, she continues to base in Stockport and is grateful for the support of locals throughout the years.

This week’s episode is not a short one. Hopefully you will learn something and maybe come away feeling inspired to help support sand raise awareness also. Put the kettle on open a packet of biscuits and share Sam’s story with your friends and family.

This is one journey and a half! Kerry had planned to be a teacher, she went to university to train but then life took a twist when her eldest son arrived. She finished her degree, but decided that a demanding teaching role with a young family wasn’t fore her, so she took the “easy” option and set up a business of her own, selling children’s books. Fast forward a year or two and this ambitious young lady saw another opportunity to expand. She had been attending various local family events and decided she could do something similar to promote Cheshire Books and help other local businesses sell their wares. This expanded to national events and as the business grew, so did her family. Another baby came along and Kerry decided to niche even further to Marketing and Leaflet Distribution with Cheshire Marketing and more recently she saw the need for a local business directory and launched The Cheshire Directory.

Kerry definitely sees an opportunity and a gap in the market and runs with it!!

Kerry has grown up in the SK postcodes and has developed strong relationships with local business owners through her own businesses and in the last year, The Cheshire Directory. She has used various networking events as well as print (leaflets and signage) to build her brand recognition and you can now network along with Kerry at her own events too.

In todays The SKoop, Kerry talks about her challenges and successes and how the local community is important to her business strategy and how her business serves the community too.

Andrew O’Shea, went from brewing hobbyist, to owning 2 bars in 2 years. 4 years on, and both bars are still going strong. Both The Chiverton Tap and the Mounting Stone have a consistent buzz around them, popular for the selection of beer, well stocked Gins, friendly bar staff and general atmosphere.

Andrew though spends his working hours at The Stone and now counts The Chiv as his local. Not only this, but he has been able to expand his hobby, set up a micro-brewery within the Mounting Stone and now sells his craft alongside more commercial offerings in both spots.

Andrew has come full circle in his career, having started out in hospitality, taking some time out for travel, some years teaching, he is now back in hospitality behind the bar or over a barrel at Bramhalls very own micro pub.

The Mounting Stone and Made of Stone Brewery, in his own words are traditional businesses using modern ideas. The pub is small, warm and cosy, has no music or television, but plenty of conversation and laughter throughout. On 2 levels plus a beer garden, The Stone is a bit of a Tardis. They also have 13 pumps on at all times, including up to 9 guest ales, some of which are brewed out the back as well as a host of other local brews. Andrew is clearly passionate about beer and brewing and you can tell this listening to him speak and when you pop in for a pint, he’ll happily help you find one that suits.

Sit back, feet up, crack open a cold one and enjoy this week’s The SKoop.

Andy McAnally is a lifelong resident of South Stockport and has set up The SKoop during spring 2020 as a way to draw on the awesome community spirit in the area. The SKoop is for residents and business owners in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple and Stockport.

The SKoop is recorded and produced by Strength In Media.

If you enjoy The SKoop, please leave us a 5 Star review on Apple podcasts and share with your network, to help other people find us too.

Michelle Kehoe is a 44 year old mum of 2, small business owner. After 3 successful eras of her career, she has spent the last 4 years researching and preparing her little business and the product she is so passionate about.

Straight from school, working in Telecoms, Michelle left the corporate world to help local mothers and women like herself, get fit and healthy as a Personal Trainer and Studio Instructor before returning to sales after an old colleague approached her. Her current occupation is still in sales as well as personal health and wellbeing, Michelle is the proud owner of Leaf Organics, our local CBD supplement supplier.

After discovering the supplement for her own wellbeing, easing her anxiety, and maintaining her mental health, she found that CBD also helped support her physical fitness and recovery, which as an elite obstacle racer, was also a priority. Michelle spent 4 years researching CBD oil, learning everything she possibly could before deciding to give up the day job and start selling er own rand full time.

Michelle is passionate about ensuring she provides the best quality product, offers top quality advice and also ensures that she stays ahead of legislation in what is a minefield of an industry.

This is a fascinating story and I was able to get a great understanding of a subject that has interested me for a while, not only that, but within about 20 minutes of recording, Michelle and Leaf Organics found a new customer.

Andy McAnally is a lifelong resident of South Stockport and has set up The SKoop during spring 2020 as a way to draw on the awesome community spirit in the area. The SKoop is for residents and business owners in Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple and Stockport.

The SKoop is recorded and produced by Strength In Media.

If you enjoy The SKoop, please leave us a 5 Star review on Apple podcasts and share with your network, to help other people find us too.

How do you write about a Copy Writer?

Kate Godfrey, to put simply, Writes Stuff. Born and Bred in Cheadle Hulme, she knows her customers and more importantly, she knows their customers. Kate has spent 5 years building her business and honing her craft, writing copy for local businesses and residents.

Anything goes, from Ghost Stories to Property Particulars and even the odd dating profile. Kate uses her ability to write to help local businesses build and maintain relationships with their ideal customers through her copy for their websites, blogs and social media feeds.

Kate is also a mum of 4, a coffee lover and a lady what lunches. She has been working with I Love Cheadle Hulme since it’s conception in 2015 and is passionate about the area, local businesses and residents and wants to use her writing to help build a flourishing community.

Michelle is a former professional dancer, but with time between jobs and an uninspired career in retail, she took an opportunity to retrain in fitness. Having built up a successful client base, Michelle took inspiration from her own struggles with endometriosis, has developed her knowledge of fitness, health, nutrition and lifestyle to be able to specialise and help women live their best life.

We talk to Michelle about her journey to Personal Training, from Leeds via Alsager, France and finally settling down in Cheadle Hulme. Michelle has had a varied career in dance, hospitality and retail before making the jump into fitness and honing her niche.

Now working out of her home studio, she has built a community of clients, is helping support them regain their health and fitness and even encourages a cheeky night out on occasion.

During Lockdown when the health and fitness has been hit hard with her studio having to close, Michelle has been able to pivot and offer online coaching with her 1 to 1 clients as well as group training sessions by video call.

With restrictions easing we couldn’t think of a better time to speak to Michelle as she prepares to open her studio on Saturday. Along with the whole fitness industry, this is very exciting time for Desired Physique and we wish Michelle and her clients the very best of luck.

Rick Belizidia-Carroll spent 20 years in corporate sales and after finding himself without a full time job at the start of lockdown, two kids to entertain and a battle with his mental health, Rick put his passion to work and made steps towards his lifelong dream by bringing beigels to the masses.

Rick loves cooking, spends a lot of his spare time in the kitchen or watching cooking shows on Netflix and felt the time was right to take the leap.

Beigel established 4 weeks ago, delivered 130 lunches on day one and has gone from strength to strength since. Rick uses restaurant inspiration in his menu and his long term goal of running a local deli also inspires. Rick is clearly passionate about food and flavour combinations and having tried the food myself I can vouch for the quality.

As well as providing lunchtime treats to paying customers, Rick has very kindly offered delivery to shielding residents, Stepping Hill hospital and local schools as his way of paying back the community and key workers during current times.

Keep an eye out on their social media feed for the special menu with some tantalising treats coming soon.

On episode 9 of The SKoop, I  speak to Karen Hargreaves of Guinot Bramhall. Karen has been a business owner in Bramhall village for nearly 3 years and has gone from strength to strength. Like all of us, she has faced difficult times of late and reopening is still uncertain, however, Karen hasn’t let time pass her by and she has been offering valuable content across her social media platforms. She has been putting together videos with her team and her Mum, providing DIY beauty advice, product education as well as other entertaining titbits.

Guinot Bramhall is one of 9 Guinot franchises in the UK and has been popular with local residets since the business opened in 2017. Karen spotted a gap in the market and while there are other beauty salons and therapists in the area, she felt the specialism in the brand would set her apart from the rest.

In this week’s episode, I talk to Karen about home and Stockport after she had lived abroad for many years, the many hats of a small business owner, we talk about how her Mum has been a part of her recent marketing and she offers me some advice on my skin care routine.

Karen was great to talk to, she has some excellent tales to tell and you can really hear her passion for both beauty and the SK postcodes in her stories.

Linda Lam, well what can i say?

Linda has spent 27 years honing her trade, 20 of which she has taken centre stage in her restaurant, Rainbow 88, situated in the heart of Cheadle Hulme on Station Road.

Rainbow 88 is more than a Chinese restaurant. it is well know for it's Sunday buffet and Fancy Fried Rice, but what Linda has created goes far beyond. It is a community hub, and place for friends to meet or to meet new friends.

Linda spends most of her time Front of House, but don't let that fool you, shes cooked over 2000 meals herself in the last 12 weeks for the local community since COVID - 19 caused lockdown, but it's in amongst the diners where she really shines. Linda has created friendships, family and community within her business and it is that and her ability to create relationships that has enabled Linda to not only run a successful business, but to raise nearly £300,000 for multiple charities with proceeds from her event nights and Children's buffets being donated to great causes.

In this week's The SKoop, Linda opens up about the challenges she has faced and the success she has created, how she turns everything into a positive and thrives on helping the community through both food and her charity work.

Quite possibly the newest business in the SK postcode, Pink Punch Design opened it's website doors last Thursday (11/06). We spoke to owner and artist Vee Gunn all about fitting in a new business alongside a high pressure day job, family and keeping house, The challenges she has faced to pull everything together to get Pink Punch off the ground and how an Essex girl has made home in Stockport and now feels part of the community.

Sian Pelleschi is a declutterer and organiser. After moving to Manchester for university, she had a successful career in events, running her own event business for 7 years (In fact, she still runs it now too).

Four years ago, she took the plunge to start her current business, Sorted! Starting initially with the idea of helping local businesses organise office space and filing areas, but now she spends a lot of her time working with customers in their homes too.

In this week’s episode, we talk about changing career, work life balance, the power of change and habit and the psychology of decluttering. Sian talks openly about her challenges, particularly current challenges and how she has been able to adapt her business during Lockdown.

Sian wasn’t born and bred in Stockport, in fact, she grew up in West Yorkshire, before moving to the right side of the Pennines for university and hasn’t looked back since. Sian talks fondly of Stockport and Cheadle, discussing the local community and business networks.

The SKoop – Episode Four – Daisy Imprints

Amanda Briscall lives a charmed life as a Cheadle mum and business owner. This week, we talk about starting a business with young children, supporting the community through local networks and relationships and embracing change in both maternity leave and global pandemics..

Find Amanda at

The SKoop – Episode Three – Not Just Travel

This week we talk to Independent travel consultant Chris Quinn about starting a new business after a lifetime in employment, current challenges for a travel agent and holiday maker and how best to work around the circumstances and Chris tell's us about his dream holiday.

Chris is contactable via

The SKoop – Episode Two – Coach Rimmer

Last week was Mental Health awareness week and so this week as part of our launch, we spoke to Online Fitness & Nutrition Coach, Andy Rimmer.

Andy has spent 10 years as a Personal Trainer and has recently become a father. Andy made the decision to move away from a gym and operate purely online.  This is Andy’s story and you can find him at

The SKoop – Episode One – With You In Mind

Last week was Mental Health awareness week and so with that in mind, this week as part of our launch, we spoke to Hypnotherapist and Mental Health First Aider, Jo Quinn.

Jo swapped South Wales for Stockport when she met her husband, Chris and has since brought up three children here. In September 2019, she swapped a corporate career in recruitment for her own business, With You In Mind. Here is her story.

For more information, find Jo at:-

Each week, we will bring an interview with a local business owner, we will find out about their journey to independence and what they can offer to our community.

As a resident and business owner myself, I think it’s important to give other locals a voice and a platform to share their stories, challenges and importantly successes. We live in a fantastic, vibrant and friendly area and we will also find out how our guests and their businesses contribute to the success of the community.

The SKoop is available to subscribe on all podcast platform, so make sure to listen to next weeks show.