Conna Walker, the visionary founder of House of CB, has become a global force in fashion, redefining the way women feel in their clothes. Starting at just 17 years old with a borrowed £3,000, Conna turned her bedroom sketches into a multi-million-pound empire, selling a dress every 30 seconds and dressing the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and J.Lo.

Raised by entrepreneurial parents, Conna learned the basics of business on her family’s market stalls before channeling her skills into fashion. Her journey began with buying and selling clothes on eBay, but her desire for more inspired her to design her own pieces. Despite having no formal design training, she built a brand known for its quality, feminine silhouettes, and groundbreaking in-house design ethos.

In this captivating interview, Conna shares her strategies for scaling a business, her commitment to building a strong brand identity, and how she navigated challenges as a young female entrepreneur in a competitive industry. She discusses leveraging organic influencer marketing before it was mainstream, opening stores globally, and her decision to control production through owning her own factory. Conna also reflects on what it means to adapt to trends, create viral campaigns, and manage a brand beloved by customers worldwide.

From the early days of packaging dresses herself to managing a company that turned over £250 million last year, Conna Walker’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a deep passion for empowering women through fashion. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a fashion enthusiast, or someone who loves a good success story, this episode will leave you inspired.

00:00 - Introduction: Who Is Conna Walker?

02:00 - Growing Up Entrepreneurial

05:00 - From eBay to Design

08:00 - The Birth of House of CB

10:00 - Why Quality Is Everything

13:00 - The Power of Social Media

17:00 - Dressing Global Icons

20:00 - Expanding Globally

25:00 - Challenges as a Young Female Founder

30:00 - Designing In-House

35:00 - Sustainability in Fashion

40:00 - Evolving With Trends

45:00 - What’s Next for Conna Walker?

48:00 - Final Reflections

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In this episode of Exhibit A, Abbey Clancy hosts Luke Evans, the Welsh actor and singer best known for his roles in Clash of the Titans, Dracula Untold, The Hobbit trilogy, and Beauty and the Beast as Gaston.

Evans shares his inspiring journey from musical theatre to Hollywood stardom, discussing how he landed his first major role at 30 after years of working various odd jobs, including a VIP host and a PR assistant.

He dives into his struggles with rejection, the challenges of film acting compared to stage performances, and the physical and emotional toll of transforming into iconic characters. Evans also opens up about his love for music, his passion for performing live, and how a heartfelt moment singing to his grandmother became a lasting memory. Finally, Luke talks about balancing life, love, and building a sustainable fashion brand with his partner, offering listeners an authentic glimpse into his life beyond the silver screen.

00:00:00 - Starting Out Late in Acting

00:01:33 - Struggles of Early Acting Career

00:02:14 - The Big Break: From Rent to Hollywood

00:04:33 - The LA Hustle and Early Movie Roles

00:06:00 - Film vs. Stage Acting: Key Differences

00:08:18 - Handling Sex Scenes on Set

00:10:35 - Leaving a Legacy with Iconic Roles

00:13:40 - Physical Challenges and Transformation

00:16:08 - Advice for Aspiring Actors

00:22:02 - Music as a First Love

00:27:04 - The Power of Music and Personal Moments

00:30:16 - Building a Fashion Brand with a Partner

00:33:17 - Looking Back on a Remarkable Career.

00:35:22 - Closing Remarks and Inspiration

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MARVELLOUS NETWORK:

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On this week’s episode of Exhibit A Abbey is joined by Welsh actor and singer Luke Evans who shares his incredible journey from a strict Jehovah’s Witness upbringing to becoming a Hollywood star. Known for his roles in blockbuster films and Disney classics, Luke opens up about the emotional struggles he faced growing up in a restrictive religious environment, hiding his true identity, and finding freedom in the world of acting.

Luke reveals the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from a substitute teacher who encouraged him to sing to the bold move that landed him his first play at the prestigious Donmar Warehouse. He also recounts a harrowing yacht escape that could have ended in disaster and reflects on the life lessons he’s learned along the way.

This conversation dives deep into themes of resilience, identity, and the power of taking control of your own destiny.

00:00 – Introduction:

02:07 The Teacher Who Changed Everything

03:00 The Power of Vulnerability in Acting

06:41 The Card That Landed His First Role

13:17 Growing Up in a Restrictive Religion

18:20 Battling Identity and Religion

27:17 Finding Freedom: Leaving Home at 16

32:01 Escaping a Nightmare on a Yacht

35:31 The Moment He Found Freedom

37:47 Surviving Life’s Challenges

40:00 Advice for Those Facing Hardships

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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/exhibitashow/

FOLLOW ABBEY CLANCY:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/abbeyclancy

THERAPY CROUCH:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thetherapycrouch

TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@thetherapycrouch

YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/ @thetherapycrouch

MARVELLOUS NETWORK:

marvellousclub.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/marvellousclub

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.