Perls of Wisdom is a podcast about what it really takes to build a business when you are still in the messy middle.
Hosted by founder and creator Isobel Perl, this podcast goes beyond polished success stories and speaks to founders who are still figuring it out. The ones navigating growth, pressure, uncertainty, and the reality behind building something from nothing.
Each episode explores the honest side of entrepreneurship. The risks, the mistakes, the pivots, the moments where things nearly fell apart, and the lessons that came from pushing through anyway.
Expect open conversations about:
• Starting before you feel ready
• Scaling without burning out
• Building a personal brand alongside a business
• The mindset shifts nobody prepares you for
• What growth actually looks like behind the scenes
If you are building a business, thinking about starting one, or trying to get through the stage where things feel hard but exciting at the same time, this podcast is for you.
New episodes every week.
She Has 700,000 Followers and Still Has No Idea What She's Doing
What happens when the thing you're building starts growing faster than your confidence? In this episode of Perls of Wisdom, I sit down with Sophie, founder of Pretty Little Marketer, one of the most recognised marketing communities in the UK. I've known Sophie since 2020, right at the start of both of our business journeys, so this conversation felt like a full circle moment. From feeling completely underqualified and battling imposter syndrome, to building a thriving platform that supports m...
27 May 2026
They Ran a £30K Scam on My Business. Here's What I Didn't See Coming.
What happens when your business is falling apart at the same time your personal life is too? In this episode of Perls of Wisdom, I sit down with Ramona, founder of Rani & Co, for one of the most candid conversations we’ve had yet. From building a feminist slogan clothing brand to pivoting into jewellery, Ramona opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make it onto Instagram. The messy decisions, the moments where the business feels like it’s crumbling, and the pressure...
20 May 2026
I Made 75% of My Revenue Going Live on TikTok. Here's What It Cost Me.
What does it really take to grow a product-based business from scratch when you’re figuring it all out as you go? In this episode of Perls of Wisdom, I sit down with Zoe, founder of Into The Eve, to talk about the reality behind building a fast-growing beauty brand from her parents’ spare bedroom into a full warehouse operation with a team of five. Because from the outside, growth can look exciting. New products. Bigger spaces. More customers. Momentum. But behind that? Pressure, uncertainty,...
13 May 2026
She Started at 18 With £400. Here's What Actually Happened
Building a business online can look glamorous from the outside. Especially when millions of people are watching. But this episode tells a very different story. In episode five of Perls of Wisdom, I sit down with Amelia, founder of Bijoux De Mimi, the colourful jewellery brand that became a huge success across TikTok and social media. What started with just £400 from selling clothes on Depop turned into one of the most recognisable jewellery brands online. But behind the growth, the viral mome...
6 May 2026
We Had 10,000 Users & the App Was Crashing Every Day
This episode is a real look at what happens when growth comes before you’re ready for it. I sat down with Nicola to talk about what it actually felt like building her business while everything was moving fast on the outside… and breaking behind the scenes. Because from the outside, hitting milestones like 10,000 users looks like progress. But what people don’t see is what comes with that. The pressure. The expectation. The reality of trying to hold something together while it’s still being bu...
29 Apr 2026
I Was the Product. Then I Built Something That Wasn't Me.
This episode feels like sitting down with someone who’s actually in the thick of it. I sat down with Lauren-Nicole, founder and creative director of LND Studio, to talk about what building a creative business really looks like when you’re in the middle of it, not at the finish line. From the outside, it’s easy to look at a beautiful studio, a strong personal brand, and a creative career and assume they all came together seamlessly. But this conversation tells a very different story. Lauren ta...
22 Apr 2026
I Woke Up & Made £40k in 3 Days
This episode is one of those conversations that feels very real, very quickly. I sat down with Lucy, founder of Partner in Wine, and what stood out instantly was just how candid she was about everything that comes with building a business behind the scenes. Because from the outside, it can look like things are stable. But this conversation tells a very different story. We talk about what it feels like to lose multiple clients in a short space of time, and the pressure that comes with having t...
15 Apr 2026
Dragons' Den Didn't Save Us. Here's What Actually Did.
This episode is one of those conversations that stays with you. I sat down with Alex, the co-founder of Nini Organics, to talk about what it actually looks like to build a brand when you’re not backed by huge budgets, big teams, or an easy path. Because from the outside, it’s easy to look at a brand and assume it all just… worked. But this conversation tells a very different story. We talk about what it feels like to be building something meaningful while going up against companies with signi...
7 Apr 2026
From £1,000 to Seven Figures: The Messy Middle of Building My Brand
Most business stories skip the part that actually matters. You hear about the exits, the millions, and the overnight success moments. What you rarely hear about is everything in between. The mistakes, the setbacks and the moments where you question whether you can keep going. This is that part. In this solo episode, I share the real story behind building my skincare brand from £1,000 and an idea during lockdown to a seven-figure business. Not just the wins, but the messy middle that sha...
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