All About Holly
Today we are having a chat with Holly Thomson, co-founder of Countrywoman's Guide alongside our managing director Emma Warren.
Find out more about Holly and what makes her tick.
Holly, please tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do, where are you from?
Firstly, thank you for having me, I’m Holly Thomson and I’ve just recently turned 28 and I’m from West Sussex, at the foot of the South Downs to be precise, or at least that is where I spend most of my time. Some of you may know, or remember me as Hollie-Ella or inthecountryinsta back when I ran In The Country Magazine which I first founded in 2017 aged 21. Now though, I keep myself busy as a passionate rural storyteller, freelance writer and if that wasn’t enough, I also run a livery yard too! I know I must be mad right?
Can you tell us how you came to run your livery yard, and where your love for horses comes from?
It was a turn of fate really, there’s no other explanation. I could romanticise the story, but the yard I now rent and run my livery business from, was the very same yard I kept my first pony at, and would frolic around at as a little girl.
I remember gazing out of my bedroom window, which overlooked the paddock that my pony grazed in and wish that one day, I could call it mine. The rest can only be described as a twist of fate. I took on the yard in January 2021 in the midst of a lockdown, it was in a dire state, and together with a few good friends whom I bribed with Domino’s takeaways, we mucked in and transformed it to a horse-friendly haven.
It’s hard to believe I have just entered my fourth year at Littleheath Stables. My love for horses can be blamed on my Dad. He would take me across the road to the yard I mention above, every evening after he finished work to give the horses a polo, from there I suppose a life-long love story blossomed. I think my parent’s had hoped it might be a phase, but that pony-mad little girl grew into a devoted horsewoman. I cannot imagine my life without horses in it.
You have recently founded Countrywoman’s Guide with Emma Warren, our MD, we would love to hear more about where this idea came from and what it is all about?
Yes, we have and we are loving it so far, people’s response to CWG has been amazing too which is so lovely to see.
Emma first approached me shortly after I closed down In The Country, seeking to find a possible solution to restart printing. When we eventually came to put our heads together, we explored my ideas for a new and improved publication, but felt there was huge potential in a digital-first publication given our ultimate goal was to share stories that bought countrywomen together. The initial digital format gave us the best chance at achieving this.
My favourite thing about producing the magazine, was always the stories within it. I loved delving into conversations with people and then weaving together their story in words that would resonate and connect with my readers. Everyone has a story, and by sharing these, Emma and I hope to be able to to inspire, inform and create an across the ages country community of guidance and empowerment. The countryside community celebrates wisdom without the barriers of age and our partnership is proof of that. Watch this space I say!
Emma first approached me shortly after I closed down In The Country, seeking to find a possible solution to restart printing. When we eventually came to put our heads together, we explored my ideas for a new and improved publication, but felt there was huge potential in a digital-first publication given our ultimate goal was to share stories that bought countrywomen together. The initial digital format gave us the best chance at achieving this.
My favourite thing about producing the magazine, was always the stories within it. I loved delving into conversations with people and then weaving together their story in words that would resonate and connect with my readers. Everyone has a story, and by sharing these, Emma and I hope to be able to to inspire, inform and create an across the ages country community of guidance and empowerment. The countryside community celebrates wisdom without the barriers of age and our partnership is proof of that. Watch this space I say!
Where can we find you on socials?
I’m keeping it fairly simple over here, you can find me on Instagram by searching @holllythomson (keep an eye out for a cute photo of me and Nellie my Fox Red Labrador).
Can I give CWG a cheeky plug too? We’re at @countrywomansguide on both Instagram and Facebook and we’d love to introduce you to our growing community of likeminded women.
Can I give CWG a cheeky plug too? We’re at @countrywomansguide on both Instagram and Facebook and we’d love to introduce you to our growing community of likeminded women.
What do you do in your spare time and what do you get up to when you’re offline?
This one took me a moment, what spare time? Joking aside, I spend much of my spare time and time ‘offline’ either exploring the countryside with my dog, Nellie or riding my horse Simba who’s a 17.3hh coloured gelding. His breeding is unknown, and he cost me £500 as an unhandled 3 year old. He has become my horse of a lifetime.
When I’m not with the animals, you’ll find me having a coffee and catch up with my Dad or close friends. I do love road trips in my truck, when time allows, adorned with fairy lights and more duvets than you have probably ever seen, Wales is probably my favourite spot so far.
When I’m not with the animals, you’ll find me having a coffee and catch up with my Dad or close friends. I do love road trips in my truck, when time allows, adorned with fairy lights and more duvets than you have probably ever seen, Wales is probably my favourite spot so far.
What is your ultimate Hiho love (favourite piece from the collection) and why?
My favourite piece would have to be, the Sterling Silver Hoof Ring. I adore the design and the detail. I wear it every day, along with the Sterling Silver Snaffle Ring - for me, jewellery needs to be durable to withstand my very horsey lifestyle as a livery yard manager.
My favourite piece would have to be, the Sterling Silver Hoof Ring. I adore the design and the detail. I wear it every day, along with the Sterling Silver Snaffle Ring - for me, jewellery needs to be durable to withstand my very horsey lifestyle as a livery yard manager.
These rings are worn when I muck out, groom, wash out buckets, hose off horses, make haynets, make feeds, tack up, change rugs, ride… you name it, they endure it! And, even after all of that, at the end of the day, they are still sparkling and help to make my ‘horse girl hands’ look slightly more feminine when I go out.
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in business or just in general life?
This was a tough one and I have been so lucky through my many interview conversations to hear some incredible words of wisdom, I don’t really think I can pinpoint one personally. Though, in a recent CWG interview with Hannah Russell, award winning children’s author, owner of Little Alf and all round inspirational young woman, we asked her what piece of advice would she share, her response really resonated with me, maybe it will with you too:
“Take one step at a time. It's important not to rush anything and let things happen over time. I think in today’s society it's very easy to get wrapped up in social media and business ambitions, but you have to try and let yourself follow your heart and discover who you are at the same time.”
You can find Holly on Instagram
@holllythomson