As part of our We See You series championing women in business, we’re shining a light on three more inspiring founders. Meet Sophia Yarrow of The Yarrow Cookery School, Ruth Heath of Eat Sleep Colour and Nicola Fraser of Organised Living with Nicola. They share their stories, lessons learned and advice for others walking their own paths.
Sophia Yarrow, Founder, The Yarrow Cookery School
Entrepreneurship runs deep in Sophia’s blood. From selling handmade jewellery on the beach as a child to launching a (school-banned!) jumper business at 13, she’s always followed her instincts and creativity. This energy and belief in building beautiful, useful things led to the creation of The Yarrow Cookery School in East Lothian - a hands-on, joyful, inclusive space that’s about more than just recipes, it’s about building confidence, connection, and creativity through food.
“I come from a family of self-starters,” Sophia says. “My mother left tradition behind and moved to London to build her own PR firm in her early twenties, and my dad came from a stockbroking business. That drive rubbed off on me early. I caught the bug early”
“I never really fit in at school. I was always questioning things. I wasn’t rebellious to cause trouble; I just didn’t see the point in rules that didn’t make sense.” After years of forging her own path and living in an ashram teaching yoga, Sophia created the learning environment she never had: one that’s welcoming, empowering and rooted in creativity.
Who do you go to for support?
“Friends, family, and free resources from places like Business Gateway and VisitScotland.”
A system that changed everything?
“Wix. Learning how to use it properly felt like a superpower. It’s a fantastic platform as it continues to improve.
How do you lead?
“My dad used to say, ‘As a leader, you should try to speak last.’ The art of really listening is the most important thing you can do. Thats what I always try to remember.
Biggest challenge?
“Applying for a major sustainability grant to fund our expansion was a huge learning curve. It dragged on for two years, full of changing goalposts and delays - all before we’d even officially opened! One of the biggest barriers to small businesses is just being small.”
Advice to your younger self?
“Don’t worry. It will all work out in the end, and if it doesn’t, it’s not the end—it’s all part of life’s rich tapestry.”
Advice for someone starting out?
“Just go for it. Test it with as little money on the line as possible. You don’t need to have it all figured out.”
How has egg helped you?
“It has helped me connect with old and new friends and reminded me how empowering it is to be surrounded by other females navigating the world of work.”
Ruth Heath, Founder, Eat Sleep Colour
Interior designer Ruth believes every space tells a story - and hers is full of colour. “Growing up, my mum loved colour - lilac bedrooms, lots of pink! I didn’t always love it at the time, but looking back, it sparked something in me.”
She studied PR, advertising and multimedia before building a career in digital and e-commerce. “I always found myself thinking about colour and interiors. it was clear where my passion really lay.”
Though Ruth initially considered studying interior design after school, life took her in other directions. “My mum suffered from a severe mental illness and this definitely disrupted my education. For me art was a great distraction.”
30 years later, she returned to her dream, studying interior design and launching Eat Sleep Colour, an affordable, online interior design service that brings personality and colour to every space.
Tool you can’t live without?
“Milanote - each client gets a design board and this helps all the designs and info stay in one place. I create design boards for every client. It keeps everything in one place — and clients love being able to revisit their designs anytime.”
Biggest challenge?
“Turning leads into sales. A mentor helped, but the biggest shift came from building my confidence and mindset. I started winning clients and growing my business.”
Greatest lesson so far?
“Do what you love. I get to help people every day but I also get to do a job that I love. What a privilege.”
Advice to your younger self?
“Things will work out. Try not to worry so much.”
Any regrets?
“No. I like to learn and make improvements. I feel you can't look back but look forward.”
What’s next?
“New services, more workshops, and hopefully my own studio space with a shop and café one day.”
How has egg helped you?
“It’s raised awareness of my business and connected me with so many amazing women.”
Nicola Fraser, Founder, Organised Living with Nicola
Professional organiser Nicola helps people regain calm and control by decluttering their homes with zero judgment and a whole lot of heart. But she wasn’t always so tidy.
“As a kid, my idea of cleaning my room was stuffing everything under the bed. It looked fine until you opened the wardrobe!”
University wasn’t part of her plan, but work was. Nicola started as a youth trainee at Scottish Enterprise and later gained qualifications in health and safety, eventually earning a degree while working full time. After 15 years with the City of Edinburgh Council, she took a break, unsure of her next step.
“I nearly went back to my old job, but I just knew it wasn’t right.” Inspired by Dilly Carter from BBC1's Sort Your Life Out, Nicola signed up for her How to become a professional organiser’ course while on holiday. Five months later, she launched her business on her birthday in December 2023.
“I had my first client before Christmas. I then had a steady trickle of wonderful new clients over the next couple of months. After Easter last year is when things really picked up with enquiries and bookings increasing and it's continued since then. It’s been incredible.”
Who do you go to for support?
“My husband, kids, friends, fellow organisers and my amazing business coach. They're always there to offer support, cheer me on, listen to my moans - never about clients, usually social media grumbles! I’d be lost without them.
How are the finances?
“The financial side hasn't been a problem. Everything I’ve done training wise was self-funded. I've been very fortunate to be busy with wonderful clients from the offset, all my costs were covered quickly and I'm now running a profitable small business."
Tools you can’t live without?
“Xero accountancy software. It keeps all the financial stuff in order and my accountant has access to everything she needs for those all-important tax returns. And my label maker. Who doesn’t love a label?”
How do you lead?
“By example. I’ll never ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself.”
Biggest challenge?
“Never being able to switch off from work. It's very much 24/7. In my old job, holidays meant switching off completely. Not once did I think about my job while I was away. Running your own business, however, is a whole different ball game.”
Advice to your younger self?
“You didn’t take the traditional route, but you’ll build a life and career you’re proud of. Stay strong. There's a new chapter waiting for you and it's the best one yet.
Advice for someone starting out?
“Believe in yourself and take the leap. Focus on you and your business. Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy."
What’s next?
“I started this at 48, so I may retire before I hit 10-year mark! But I’m loving every minute.”
How has egg helped you?
“The egg business club has been fantastic. The webinars are helpful, and I’ve even had egg members become clients. It’s a lovely, supportive community.”
www.organisedlivingwithnicola.co.uk
All the female founders featured are part of the egg business club. It’s a membership which helps you grow your reach, build your brand and connect with a network of women who get it. It’s a place to make business feel a little less lonely. Sound like your kind of thing?
