From Hospital Bed to High Street Hero: The Inspiring Story of Scamp & Dude with Jo Tutchener-Sharp
Welcome back to a special episode of the Small & Supercharged Podcast celebrating, You’ve Got This, the book! Today, I speak to the incredible Jo Tutchener-Sharp, the force behind a brand I LOVE, Scamp & Dude. From a serious health condition that led to realisation in a hospital bed, Jo has built an incredible B-Corp certified company that gives back and has created a community that is something else. Her story, filled with resilience and purpose, perfectly embodies the spirit of You’ve Got This – and I am SO grateful that she agreed to be interviewed for my book, and let me share the recording of the interview with you too.
You’ve Got This, Jo Tutchener-Sharp
Jo shared unusual beginnings of Scamp & Dude. After a successful PR career, a health crisis became a catalyst. Facing brain surgery, her biggest fear was leaving her young children without a mum. Then, she began to question whether she’d done enough to make a positive difference to the world. She vowed that, if she survived the operation, she’d change things up and do projects with purpose. Emerging from surgery and unable to see her children for a while, she set herself a ‘get well goal’ of creating a product that would give children comfort if they were unable to see their parent for whatever reason. This became the Superhero Sleep Buddy. And this was just the start. Despite having no fashion background, this cuddly toy started it all, and Jo launched Scamp & Dude with a full clothing line in Liberty within a year.
Purpose and giving back
We discussed the brand’s rapid growth and the importance of delegation. At the heart of Scamp & Dude lies in its powerful purpose. The brand’s commitment to giving back through initiatives like the Super Scarf Mission and the Superhero Sleep Buddy has cultivated a deeply loyal community, a testament to building a values-driven business that so many people know and love!
Imposter syndrome and so much more
Jo also shared her journey through imposter syndrome and the pivotal role of her husband joining the business and her participation in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses course in providing the confidence and strategic direction for growth. This journey of continuous learning and overcoming challenges was so good to hear and share- it really does prove that we all have so much in common, wherever we are on our journey.
The Duders!
The Scamp & Dude community is exceptional, thriving in their “Scamp & Duders” Facebook group. The brand’s purpose may have brought the group together, but inside the group the connections extend to a personal level, with Duders offering support to others whenever needed.
Jo’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the incredible things that can be achieved when driven by purpose.
Key takeaways from my chat with Jo Tutchener-Sharp:
- Purpose-driven success: Scamp & Dude’s mission is central to its impact.
- Resilience fuels innovation: Overcoming adversity can spark incredible ideas.
- Community creates connection: A strong customer base built on shared values is invaluable.
- Delegate to elevate: Knowing when to seek support enables growth.
- Never stop learning: Continuous development builds confidence and strategy.
If Jo’s inspiring journey resonates with you, you’ll find more stories of strength and determination in my new book, You’ve Got This! Find it online or in your local bookshop.
Explore the wonderful world of Scamp & Dude at www.scampandude.com and follow their inspiring journey on Instagram @scampandude
Thank you for listening!
