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It Runs In The Family

It Runs In The Family

By: Liz & Leila Willingham
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About this listen

Hello! We're Liz & Leila Willingham and welcome to "It Runs In The Family". We're the mother and daughter duo working within the public relations and communications agency, Liz Lean PR. Running a business is hard - really hard. Every business has its challenges and it's own ups and downs - but in a family business, this is often exaggerated by the willingness to speak your mind. But it also has some huge advantages that the corporate cultures just can't compete with. In this podcast, featuring a different family business guest in each episode, we're going to be digging into the stories, values and traditions of other family and multi-generational businesses. We'll explore their history, learnings and how they've developed through the generations and the unique advantages they've had over their competitors. We discover where human relationship migrates into business; the ups, downs, twists, turns and landmark moments that seal the fate of these fascinating organisations. You’ll get to hear some brilliant life stories too; some to make you laugh and others that’ll warm your heart. Many of our clients are family businesses who we've worked very closely with over a number of years - we've heard brilliant stories that reveal true values and fun operating as a family business. We want you to feel inspired by stories of others, find their honesty relatable and reach out to us with your own experiences. If you have any questions for future guests, have a story of your own or have any feedback please do feel free to get in touch on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrunsinthefamilypodcast/

© 2026 It Runs In The Family Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Inside 50 Years of London Glassblowing with Peter and Sophie Layton #134

    Inside 50 Years of London Glassblowing with Peter and Sophie Layton #134
    Apr 22 2026

    The idea that glass can be worked in a small studio, rather than a closed-off factory, was once novel. Thanks to Peter Layton, it’s become an icon of London.

    He discovered studio glass in the US, and has since built one of the UK’s most influential glass studios, thriving for over 50 years and now boasting a site on Bermondsey Street.

    We’re joined by Peter and his daughter, Sophie, who share how family, community and a deep love of craft have kept the fires burning through recessions, big commissions and the handover to the next generation.

    🔑 Key Themes

    • The Craft and “Magic” of Glass
    • Community, Mentorship and Open Studios
    • Resilience and Creativity
    • Succession Planning

    🔗 Connect with us

    • Guest Website: https://londonglassblowing.co.uk/
    • London Glassblowing IG: https://londonglassblowing.co.uk/
    • London Glassblowing LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-glassblowing/
    • Peter Layton LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-layton-7a04996/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • How to Hire Your Parents with Forbes 30U30 & Founder of Xi Home Dumplings, Wenjun Xiang #133

    How to Hire Your Parents with Forbes 30U30 & Founder of Xi Home Dumplings, Wenjun Xiang #133
    Apr 8 2026

    Food is more than food for the Founder of Xi Home Dumplings Bay - whether it’s love or an apology, it’s the strongest language shared by this family.

    Wenjun Xiang launched her career while she was still in school, starting the business with her mum at age 17, and while Forbes 30 Under 30 is a mighty accolade to achieve in that time, it’s not the only definition of success for her.

    Join us for a truly unvarnished take on the family business journey with Wenjun, as she describes what makes the relationship with her maternal co-worker a unique challenge…

    🔑 Key Themes

    • The messy reality of family business
    • Resilience and risk
    • Cultural identity, love and communication
    • Ambition and redefining success

    🔗 Connect with us

    • Xi Home Dumplings Bay Website: https://www.wjxfoodculture.co.uk/
    • Xi Home Dumplings Bay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wjx-food-culture/
    • Wenjun Xiang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenjun-x-9716811b8/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Don’t Get It Right, Get It Going: Lessons from the Vineyard with Velfry Vineyard’s Fiona and Ryan Mounsey #132

    Don’t Get It Right, Get It Going: Lessons from the Vineyard with Velfry Vineyard’s Fiona and Ryan Mounsey #132
    Mar 25 2026

    Velfrey Vineyard began life as a field beside a family magazine business. Reinvention took the Mounsey family to pastures new.

    Fiona is a Director in the business alongside her son, Ryan, and both of their spouses, making their award-winning wine business a wide-spanning family affair.

    Ryan and Fiona join us on the podcast this week to share how a chance tasting of local wine, a well‑thumbed vineyard handbook, and a willingness to “just get it going” led them from animal feed trade titles to an internationally acclaimed vineyard in Pembrokeshire.

    🔑 Key Themes

    • Reinventing a Family Business
    • Long-Term Risk and Reward in Starting a Vineyard
    • Weather, Wildlife and the Realities of Farming
    • Family Dynamics and Shared Decision-Making
    • Balancing Tourism, Provenance and Growth

    🔗 Connect with us

    • Velfrey Vineyard: https://www.velfreyvineyard.com/
    • Velfrey Vineyard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/velfrey-vineyard/
    • Velfrey Vineyard IG: https://www.instagram.com/velfreyvineyard/
    • Ryan Mounsey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-mounsey-6b34aab1/
    • Fiona Mounsey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-mounsey-09551272/

    Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/

    Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

    Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/

    https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
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