Throughout this season of Life & Smile Dr Reena particularly wanted to focus on the idea of a ‘lifestyle approach’. Not only focusing how leaders within many contrasting industries get to the top of the ladder but also how they continue to make it work once they have got there – thriving on pushing the boundaries and creating their own space to reinvent the dynamics of an everchanging market.
Bringing in Serena Hood. With her meticulous style credentials combined with a mindset for business, she is the Co-Founder & CEO of Collagerie.com, a world of inspiration and style curation which allows you to ‘shop the one thing over everything’. Join the conversation now.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Dr Reena welcomes Serena Hood to her Harley Street office, kicking off their conversation by summarising Serena’s impressive career to date. As the former Executive Fashion & Market Director at British Vogue, Dr Reena introduces Serena, who has not only created sold-out events but also written numerous celebrated style and fashion edits for Vogue and various media outlets. Prior to this, Serena graduated from Georgetown University with a double major in History of Art and Sociology, before embarking on a career with Vogue US, Giorgio Armani, and Marc Jacobs.
Serena shares that fashion has always been a part of her life, remembering how her mother’s love for style influenced her early years. However, she didn’t initially realize that fashion could evolve into a career. Much of her inspiration came from the blend of vintage pieces and high-style brands that defined that era. While at university, Serena continued to nurture her passion for fashion, taking on her first job working on the shop floor at Abercrombie & Fitch, before later interning at Elle Magazine.
After graduation, Serena reflects on the early hustle of sending letters and knocking on doors to land her first role as a merchandising intern at Marc Jacobs, a brand she had long admired. Her experiences across different brands piqued her interest in fashion journalism, ultimately leading to a celebrated career with Vogue.
Years later, after leaving the title, Serena embarked on her most ambitious project yet. Referred to by the press as “the face-lift online fashion has long been waiting for,” she co-founded Collagerie.com with Lucinda Chambers, the former Fashion Director of British Vogue for 25 years. Together, the pair have redefined fashion and inspired the wardrobes of millions of women. Dr Reena asks, “What was the ‘lightbulb’ moment?”
Serena explains that the inspiration behind Collagerie was to create a platform that offered fashion, interiors, and beauty at every price point—a need both she and Lucinda recognised despite their generational differences. The website has become the ultimate shortcut to style, expertly curating the best in fashion, interiors, beauty, and lifestyle. Dr Reena discusses how the site brings an exquisite edit that allows the modern consumer to shop with ease at any price range, while Serena shares her personal favourite picks for the season.
At the heart of Collagerie is the aim to simplify the digital shopping experience. Serena emphasizes how important it is to provide a seamless and enjoyable platform for their customers, which has become a cornerstone of their brand.
As a first-time founder, Serena notes how valuable having a business partner like Lucinda has been. Their long-standing professional relationship has allowed them to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with ease. Serena also credits the generosity of her network, and while ambition is essential, she has learned that taking things one day at a time often proves to be the most manageable approach.
Serena’s family is at the centre of everything she does and is, of course, her proudest achievement. Balancing multiple roles has become a way of life for her, and she has learned to embrace the hustle.
Among the industry figures who have inspired her are Whitney Bromberg-Hawkins and Lauren Santo Domingo. Today, Serena finds daily inspiration in the simplest of moments. She shares a heartwarming story of how her daughter, aware of Serena’s New York roots, drew a picture of the Statue of Liberty. This gesture sparked ideas for how Collagerie.com could tie into the essence of the city.
In conclusion, Serena shares that there is no typical week for her, but with numerous exciting projects and collaborations on the horizon, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Networking is essential – When you’re passionate about what you’re working on, networking becomes a natural instinct.
Value your connections – Don’t hesitate to reach out to people you know; relationships are key.
Great ideas can emerge from simple moments – Sometimes, the best breakthroughs happen over a casual coffee chat.
Successful businesses often stem from personal challenges. Many entrepreneurs start businesses to solve a problem they themselves face.
Just get started – Don’t overthink the beginning of your career; action is the first step.
Seeking advice and guidance is vital – Asking for help when needed is a strength, not a weakness.
Partnerships matter – As a founder, it can feel isolating, so having a business partner can be invaluable.
Embrace the chaos – It’s okay not to have everything under control, especially when balancing family life and entrepreneurship.
As both a dental expert and entrepreneur, Dr Reena is able to see first-hand on a daily basis how the media industry plays an invaluable role in the world of business and one she has been particularly keen on exploring further with an insider insight for our third season of Life & Smile.
By popular demand, Dr Reena was particularly keen to be joined in conversation on this very inspiring and motivating episode by a household name who many of us will of course recognise instantly from his Blue Peter years. He has since gone on to create a hugely successful career across the media industry as a sports broadcaster, speaker, author and notably president of Blood Cancer UK. It is of course Simon Thomas.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Simon joins Dr Reena directly in the Harley Street recording studio, kicking off the conversation by recounting how many podcast listeners will likely have followed him since his renowned years as a Blue Peter ‘crew member’, as Simon humorously self-describes. He spent six years on the iconic children’s show before transitioning to present live Premier League football on Sky Sports as a sports broadcaster.
Dr Reena is intrigued to learn more about how Simon’s career in media began, prompting her to ask what first inspired him to pursue a career in such a competitive industry. Simon admits that, while he had always loved Blue Peter, he never imagined he would one day be presenting it.
Before entering the media world, Simon graduated from Birmingham University with a BA Hons degree in History. It was during his time at university that he first caught the media bug and decided to pursue it professionally. Simon recounts how his journey was initially sporadic, auditioning for Blue Peter on several occasions. It was a famous sacking that ultimately led him to his big break on the show. Simon confirms that he had always felt comfortable in front of the camera, enjoying the act of communication and recalling how, as a child, he admired how the presenters were often taken out of their comfort zones.
Dr Reena shifts the topic to what advice Simon would give his younger self and whether he would have done anything differently. Simon reflects on how the media landscape has dramatically changed. He notes that there are now countless opportunities in the digital era to create your own platform and share content—something unimaginable back in the days of VHS tapes.
When discussing the nature of live broadcasting, Dr Reena is curious about how Simon has managed to stay at the top of his game when live in front of the camera. They discuss memorable live outtakes, particularly from Simon’s Blue Peter years, moments that Simon admits he’ll never quite live down. He fondly mentions his friendship with former co-star Matt Baker, with whom he remains close.
In terms of daily inspiration, Simon shares that the driving force behind his continued success is the simple love and appreciation of life. He observes that many people take things for granted, assuming they will always be there—but, of course, that is rarely the case.
Simon also opens up about his shift to a freelance role, which has brought both joy and uncertainty. He emphasises the importance of taking a step back and appreciating how far you’ve come. In this discussion, both Simon and Dr Reena agree that in today’s world, being constantly busy has become a forced habit, and it’s essential to recognise that being busy isn’t always synonymous with being productive or successful.
When reflecting on his typical day, Simon describes the perfect balance he’s created. His routine includes presenting for Sky Sports, complemented by a freelance schedule that ensures every week is different. He maintains a dedicated family life and travels extensively across the UK to participate in everything from panel talks to corporate opportunities. Both Simon and Dr Reena conclude that the flexibility and the joy of enjoying every step of the journey are key to maintaining balance and fulfilment.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Some people may be at the right place at the right time, but for the vast majority of us, success is often a much longer journey.
Sometimes, it’s the final attempt—the last stretch—that brings success. Don’t give up when you’re so close.
You can always prove people wrong. In today’s media landscape, there are countless opportunities to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Never underestimate the value of the small, simple things. Appreciate life in its purest form—you never know when it could be taken away.
Don’t feel pressured to always project a busy image. Sometimes, not being busy is the most important thing for your well-being and focus.
