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Bonny Snowdon 01:18
Hello, I'm Bonny Snowdon, ex-corporate person, a mother turned successful artist-entrepreneur. It wasn't that long ago though that I lacked the confidence, vision and support network to focus on growing my dream business. Fast forward past many life curveballs, waves of self-doubt and so many lessons learned and you'll see Ignite, my thriving online colour pencil artists community, a community that changes members' lives for the better and gives me freedom to live abundantly whilst doing what I love and spending quality time with my beloved family and dogs, all whilst creating my best artwork with coloured pencils, and mentoring others to do the same. But this life wasn't always how it was for me, it used to only exist in my imagination. I've created the It's a Bonny Old Life podcast to help increase people's confidence, share mine and my communities experience and hope through fascinating personal stories, champion the other amazing humans in my personal, professional and membership community, and create another channel through which I can support others to realize their dreams. If you're a passionate colour pencil artist or an aspiring one who's looking to create their best work, and a joyful life you love, you're in the right place. Grab a cuppa and a custard cream, and let's get cracking. Good morning.
Hela 01:20
Hello.
Bonny Snowdon 01:23
Well, you look set for a very funny podcast.
Hela 01:31
I thought what can I do, that's a bit heller, I thought I'll probably put these crazy sunglasses on, even though it's not quite sunny. I wear them all the time. But anyway, I felt that would amuse you.
Bonny Snowdon 01:50
Oh, definitely funny. Oh, dear, I don't know. Oh, I mean, I'm recording it. So, we might as well just put the whole lot in without me editing anything else.
Hela 02:02
Absolutely. Let's just rock it and Bonny and the Hela. So, I'm in your hands to whatever it is that you want to know. I will reveal everything.
Bonny Snowdon 02:21
It's going to be one of those episodes.
Hela 02:23
It's good to be definitely. One of those all out. Nothing is not sayable.
Bonny Snowdon 02:29
No. So, I guess the first thing, we haven't known each other for very long, I see you on a regular basis. and we've had one long conversation where we met to see whether I was going to join your networking group. and it was almost like we were lifelong friends. It's just one of those.
Hela 02:49
We knew each other from another era.
Bonny Snowdon 02:52
Yeah. I reckon so. So, I would really, really like to know about you and what your backstory and how you have created this most fantastic networking system of amazing women because I don't know whether you read my Instagram posts last week. But when I was invited to join a networking group, I was like, I can't think of anything more awful for networking groups, because I am used to the corporate networking where you walk in and you've got your business card, and it's all a bit cringy. But yours is just on another level of amazingness.
Hela 03:32
Well, the thing is that first of all, I'm very allergic to the word networking. That is not for me. So, years and years and years ago, Annie and I, we did quite a lot of pitching, and we were here, we were there, we were everywhere. We're decided, well it's getting us nowhere. So, let's do that networking malarkey. So, we did go to so many things, because we've just celebrated our 20th, I was going to say 20 years on the planet, but I've actually been on the planet a few more years than 20. So, my view is it's all about connections. and it's all about building bridges. and it's all about getting down to understand people and link people and collaborate with individuals because what was really lovely on Friday, when we had our little jamboree, is there was a very beautiful book that was presented to us which was 20 Years of Sister Snog. I think if you can kind of make some impact in your world in your life, you've done your job. and then what happens is they flower and they blossom because I know you via Lucy, who I met 15 years ago, who we met, we dipped in, we dipped out. and she told me about this wonderful woman who was really good at drawing in and colouring in and crating stuff, and the way that she described you was not in a business context, was in a human context of your skills and your talents and what you've got, and then you're from up north. and I love northerners not so than I love them more than southerners, but only marginally, because there's something about the northern vibe, which I've always wanted to bring into Sister Snog. Because the northern vibe says that we all look out for each other, we can have a cup of tea, we can borrow a biscuit or a sugar at this or that. and I think that's what, when you find people who were on your beam, and are kind and generous, and are doing crazy things, what you're doing is crazy, and beautiful and wonderful. and I always look at your instance. and I'm like, wow, I'm in awe of your talent. But how do you make your talent into a business?
Hela 06:46
Well, it is quite a big thing. Because how do you make your talent into a business? Sometimes it's quite a challenge. But you have managed to take your talent and create a business, but not just a business, a business that actually empowers people, and makes people want to get up and join in?
Bonny Snowdon 07:04
Well, is that a question?
Bonny Snowdon 07:13
Yeah, it's amazing. It is amazing. It's funny, I don't think that was ever kind of part. I mean, I I have all of these plans and everything like that, but I don't think it was ever, this is exactly what I want to do. I think it's just evolved and emerged, and it's just become this thing. and I'm like, this is I couldn't have planned this.
Hela 07:37
No, you couldn't, it morphed it. Because it was [inaudible]
Bonny Snowdon 07:43
Yeah, and I think if you did plan it, if you did say, right, I'm going to take my talent, and I'm going to build I'm going to teach people to draw and I'm going to build people's self-confidence. and I'm going to do it this way. and it was all very structured, it wouldn't have worked.
Hela 07:55
No, I don't think you could have created what you've created. Because it's actually taken on its own momentum. and what you found is, oh, OMG, there are lots of people who I can empower. and also take my talent because I've for many, many years. So, what is my talent? In all honesty, it's a glue gun. It's just linked.
Bonny Snowdon 08:33
You can't say that when I'm just taking a sip of water. What type is a glue gun,
Hela 08:41
My talent is a glue gun, because once I got the glue gun, I've always liked flowers, and I've liked shoes, and I've liked creating things. and I'm like this little person who's got these little funny fingers that likes to create things. and on Friday, each of the tables at the event had a shoe woohoo, that came out of nowhere, which is basically a charity shop shoe that I stick flowers in and I create something and it links to the themes of my fabulous Friday lunches. and it's really funny because I didn't plan that either. So, just like you didn't plan what you're doing, I didn't plan what I'm doing. But somehow those things that make us tingle a little bit and create something beautiful and I am into beauty in whatever way that you can create it. If you can inspire people and if you can make them go, oh, I think about what you're doing is you make people go oh, how do you do that? How did you create it? Can I even learn a little bit of it? So, you're teaching empowering, and you've built up this wonderful community that I'm rather in awe of.
Bonny Snowdon 10:20
Well, they just kind of appear. and they're wonderful, and they all share very common values and everything. and that is something that I did to kind of aspire to, and why wanted, because I think being with people who have similar values is only a lovely thing to do. Because there's no grating, there's no kind of nastiness or anything like that. It's just all lovely fluffiness, if you like,
Hela 10:55
It is fluffy, but it's also it quite goes to the heart of what we're about. Because I think there's a lot of rubbish going on in the world. and there's a lot of things that we don't understand, but some of the basic beautiful things, which is picking up a pen or a pencil, and drawing, and just expressing yourself not in this sort of, oh, you've got to do this, and you've got to do that you've got a blog, you've got to do this if you can draw, and even if you can't draw, I think we can all draw something.
Bonny Snowdon 11:39
Oh, definitely. We can definitely all draw. and you do get people saying, oh I can't draw at all, I can't draw anything. I've got a quote from somebody that's like, I can't even draw a face in the steam on the mirror. You know, that's how I can't draw. But the problem is that as soon as you say, I can't do anything, then that becomes what you can't do it's you what you focus on, happens. So, if you keep saying I can't, I can't, I can't, then you can't. But actually, if you want to draw, everybody can draw everybody. There are tools you can use to help you, there are techniques you can learn there are processes you can learn, it doesn't all have to be about flamboyancy. and being able to splatter paint all over the place and get a specific likeness of everything or anything like that. Anybody can put pencil to paper and be creative. and creativity comes through in so many different ways; it can be writing or you with your glue gun and your shoes. But though the shoes that you make, are absolutely beautiful.
Hela 12:52
Well, it's really interesting, because we had a Maryann who came over from Switzerland and Bonny, came over from New York on Friday. and at the end of it, they were helping me put things away. and I was like, I'd like you to go home with a shoe whoo-hoo, which is a very, very crazy day. So, for me, I've got this thing that I almost want to create kits, or just around the corner from where I live is a wonderful, like a kind of little flower emporium. and I've got this thing that I want to go to them and say, imagine if a lot of people from Hove brought their charity shop shoes. and then I still coloured a bow as in and created them for Easter. Something has held me back. So, I haven't been brave enough to do it. But I'm thinking I'm going to go in. and I'm going to say look, here's what you could do. and they could instead of having a vase, just create these things. So, I'm on a bit of a different mission to you because yours is more about inspiring people to draw but mine is inspiring people to basically recycle charity shop shoes and turn them into vases.
Bonny Snowdon 14:17
Amazing.
Hela 14:19
We could do that. and it's very simple. It is simple. I think a lot of the things that come out of business and what we're about and what I really like at the moment is the fact that this crafting revolution is going whether you're good at egg whites and creating Marang or whether you're creating sense or whether you're creating things and getting your glue gun out, there's a real, real lovely in us at the moment where we're all going back to another era, where we're making things instead of buying things. I really like that.
Bonny Snowdon 15:07
I do. Because it’s kind of when your hands are busy with whatever it is that you're doing baking or glue gun or-
Hela 15:18
Whatever.
Bonny Snowdon 15:20
Whatever it is, when your hands are busy, your mind becomes stiller.
Hela 15:25
It really does. Yeah.
Bonny Snowdon 15:27
There's so much brilliance that we've got in our world at the moment. and there's so much absolute hideousness and awfulness. and I think it's really, really important to have that kind of a bit of creativity, whatever it is gardening whatever. Because as soon as we start to busy our hands, and we start doing stuff, everything just disappears in our heads. and that's the most wonderful thing, that mindful feeling, where we're not constantly thinking about finances or fuel or what's going on overseas or anything like that. and if you can have just five minutes of just stillness in your head, that can have a really, really profound effect, I think on your well-being.
Hela 16:16
So, one of the things I'm quite curious about is you growing up in Yorkshire in a big house with lots of eggs in a big family. You are like the Waltons, as I understand.
Bonny Snowdon 16:30
Or the Von Traps.
Hela 16:32
Or the Von Traps. One of those marvellous families but are your siblings creative?
Bonny Snowdon 16:40
So, I have four sisters and a brother and I'll start from the eldest, my eldest sister, she sings. So, very creative around her singing. The next sister down, actually joined me on a live draw and drew a mouse and did a really good job with it. But she is a dermatologist. and has worked. I knew right from being a baby, that she wanted to be like a doctor or a nurse or something like that. and she is currently actually president of the dermatological society in the UK. So, she's number one.
Hela 17:28
[Inaudible]. Dermatologist.
Bonny Snowdon 17:32
Yeah, very, very, very hardworking. Lovely, lovely, lovely lady. Heart of Gold. Just fabulous. Is she creative? I guess in her own way she edits and writes medical journals, all of that type of thing. So, you know. and there's me. Then there's my brother, used to play the violin used to play the trombone, he was head chorister at Ripon Cathedral, very musical, was a world-class opera singer. and now he's a lay clerk in the cathedral. So, he sings in the cathedral has done for years. and he teaches singing, but he teaches singing in a very creative way. and he's very much about the individual. So, it's not just a one size fits all. He kind of works the individual voice. So, he teaches children at school and he teaches adults as well. Then there are my two younger sisters and they're twins.
Hela 18:37
Twins, wow.
Bonny Snowdon 18:40
My poor mum.
Hela 18:42
I was going to say your mum was a bit busy, wasn't she?
Bonny Snowdon 18:45
She was six weeks away from having the baby and she was like this was back in 76. and she was like I'm worried that this is a very big baby. and the doctor was like there are two. She was like, what? But yes, they're very different, very different people. You know, they're not identical at all but worked very, very well together. and actually, they're doing a little bit of work now. They are very creative. So, my youngest sister, Heidi is the most fantastic artist. I mean, it's very different to me. She's very painterly, and colours and everything. Doesn't like to kind of push it because she has a bit of overwhelm when it comes to kind of doing commissions or painting for people. So, it's really for her own joy. She's an amazing writer. So, she's incredibly articulate with her writing. and so, Gabby, who's her twin, actually, she owns a farm shop the most fantastic farm shop in Blubberhouses about 40 minutes from me.
Hela 20:01
Blubberhouses, I love Blubberhouses.
Bonny Snowdon 20:05
Yeah. So, they've got a farm shop there, which is lovely. But she got into a cake-making business. and then she now makes candles from essential oils.
Hela 20:19
Oh, that's very interesting.
Bonny Snowdon 20:22
Yeah, and Heidi her twin. and now kind of looking at potentially doing some workshops around that kind of pushing the brand a little bit. So, they're working together, which is really, really nice. So, yeah, I think we are all quite creative.
Hela 20:41
Technically, the Von Trapp.
Bonny Snowdon 20:43
Yeah, all when we were younger, we used to put shows on
Hela 20:47
I love the show. It's like a family.
Bonny Snowdon 20:57
Oh, yeah, we'd all sing. and we had this fantastic staircase where we live, so you could fit like 10 people across the staircase. So, it went up, and then it went up. and then it went up like a proper beam. and then we had a big staircase going off with curtains across. So, we use that as our stage.
Hela 21:20
[inaudible]
Bonny Snowdon 21:22
Oh, yeah, somewhere.
Hela 21:24
You’ll have to dig them out. Seriously, you got to dig out them photos of the stage. Because what I think is really interesting is how you're in Harrogate, I'm in Hove. and before we know where we are, we're building a bit of a global kind of vibe and a tribe because you've got tribe, I've got a tribe, you are part of my tribe. and if you're open-minded, and you're willing to give a little bit to take a little bit, you will get so much back from it because one thing I was going to ask though about your drawing penmanship, your artistry is where do you think it comes from?
Bonny Snowdon 22:22
So, I have always been quite artistic. At school, art was my subject. I hated school. Oh, my goodness, I hated school.
Hela 22:36
Where did you go to school?
Bonny Snowdon 22:38
So, I went to school in Ripon. I went to Ripon Grammar. Before that, it was called West End in Harrogate. and it was a private school in Harrogate. I was nearly expelled at the age of eight.
Hela 22:53
You could be expelled at eight, honestly [inaudible]
Bonny Snowdon 23:04
I used to like hamsters into school. and my pocket.
Hela 23:12
I love that.
Bonny Snowdon 23:15
Always outside the headmistress’s office used to be like a board of cupboards. and stand outside. You know, Mrs. Gray's office, she'd stand there.
Hela 23:28
With hamster.
Bonny Snowdon 23:29
With hamsters and then and we used to have to wear berets in the winter with a tassel. My tassel was always missing. and Panama in the summer, you had your summer dress.
Hela 23:41
Oh, that's very painful. It's very posh.
Bonny Snowdon 23:48
My Panama always looked like I had sat on it or been caught in the rain. So, it's gone like a funny colour. and I was always a mess. and oh, God, we have these things where you got a punishment and you didn't get detention, you've got an order mark. So, it's like, right, you've got an order mark. and then on a Friday, if you've got an order mark, you had to stand up on the stage and tell the whole school why you've got an order mark. So, I used to spend every Friday.
Hela 24:21
That's almost like a play, isn't it?
Bonny Snowdon 24:23
Honestly, so I used to stand there every Friday. I received my order mark from [inaudible].
Hela 24:30
With your hamster in your pocket.
Bonny Snowdon 24:32
God honestly, honestly. I was always drawing but then I went to Ripon Grammar and I got into Ripon Grammar and you have to take the 11 Plus and everything like that. and I'm not academic, but I am clever. If I put my mind to it, I can do anything. So, I had extra lessons to get into the grammar school and then once I got there, I just couldn't be bothered. So, I just kind of waltz through school not doing particularly well at all, and being cheeky and what have you and I left at 15. I think I'm always very chaotic. I am a really, really chaotic person, my mind is just kind of everywhere. I'm very messy as you can see from my studio, really messy. I'm one of those people that just kind of put something somewhere and then it stays there for a long time. and then it kind of accumulates other stuff. and I've trained my children to do the same. So, the kitchen table becomes this dumping ground. and I think the drawing side of stuff is the other side of me, which is incredibly ordered.
Hela 25:34
Yes, it is. Because your drawing is my new shy. It's totally and utterly uber attention to detail, which is interesting that you said, because I am the most disorganized, organized a person on the planet. I'm totally organized in a very disorganized manner. So, I always know where everything is, I've got everything up here. But I could create whatever it is, but maybe that's how we roll because we know what we want to get out. and we do get it out. You are definitely a prolific individual and a prolific individual, but sometimes I don't even know how I'm going to do it. But somehow, it's got to be done. and I like things of beauty. Beauty for me and aesthetics. I'm a Virgoan aesthetic person. Virgos like things in order, but I also like to see things that look nice, beautiful, and then hang together well, and I'm also a collector. I'm definitely a collector of eccentrics. I collect butterflies, people that are eccentric, so I'm not really quite sure if there's a phrase for that, but in my world and in my life, because I'm going to hit 60 in September. Absolutely, totally and utterly. and I'm like in terms of yes, some people are very organized on their finances and their pensions and they’re this, and their that, I have collected a whole kind of beautiful set of individuals that I've dipped into who dipped into my world, and maybe that'll be on my epitaph, which is she was always there looking for people. But I also like to, and I've always done this I've never wanted to be an event organizer, but from an early day, when I grew up in Baildon, I was always having parties. and I can remember being inspired. Do you remember Diary box?
Bonny Snowdon 28:02
Yes.
Hela 28:04
Well, I have diary box day where I've got everybody to dress up and we're all like I don't know 14 and 15. and I've never in my life had dinner party and we didn't have a table. But my dad had a pasteboard table. So, we got that and we got one of the sheets from the beds upstairs. and my friend Debbie Leyland made a lasagne and I was like, oh my god, this is so amazing, because being from a Polish background, I was always looking to see what you, English people ate. and I was very fascinated by English people. Because I never quite thought of myself as English. But I guess I would describe myself as a northern Pole. So, I've got the up, north northerners, and I've got the Polish because in Poland Easter, Christmas I like celebrations as well I think we all should celebrate a little bit more whether it's just like a little thing or a big thing or whatever it is and I'm really drawn to those that are individuals with their own superpowers or their super talents, whatever they may be, but I actually think everybody's got a superpower or super talent but they don't always let it fly. They don't create wings.
Bonny Snowdon 29:49
I know. I agree with that. I think a lot of it is kept in because of anxiety or overwhelm or that that that kind of thing. I As soon as you can, well it's very, very difficult to get over overwhelming anxiety. I know that. But if you can work on it, and kind of build strategies to be able to kind of help it. You can come out with the most amazing things
Hela 30:17
You can. I'm constantly overwhelmed and anxious. That's how I live my life. Not that anyone ever truly knows that. and not that I've necessarily really shared that before. But my world is I wake up with a big huh, but then I also get on with it, because I do believe that if you're on some crazy mission, and I've always got a crazy mission or a thing that is impossible. So, my latest thing is, I really want the Sister Snog story to become a Netflix Original.
Bonny Snowdon 30:34
Wouldn't that be amazing?
Hela 31:04
Because it's made for it, because of all the characters and I want everybody to think about who would play them. So, I'm going to ask you, Bonny, who is going to play you in the Netflix original?
Bonny Snowdon 31:25
So, who would play me? Well, I don't know. Oh, do you know, it will be Melissa McCarthy.
Hela 31:34
Excellent. I would really say is not would be it's going to be.
Bonny Snowdon 31:47
Oh, God, I love her. Do you know we watched Bridesmaids? Maise and I my daughter had a movie night. We had a movie night because we had to go and pick my flipping son up from Knaresborough because he'd had a night out. and he wanted both of us to go so she could bring his car home. and we had a movie night and we watched Bridesmaids. and I've watched it so many times. Have you watched bridesmaids?
Hela 32:11
Do you know what? I haven't, but I'm going to. In the next two days, I'm going to watch it. Yeah.
Bonny Snowdon 32:22
Well, my favourite, favourite scene is where they've come from the, what do they call it? The bridal shower or whatever when they've [inaudible]. and it's very posh. and she's giving away these Retriever puppies. So, she's giving away these Retriever puppies. The bride is going no, because they've had this big bust-up and she's kicked like big hearts. and she's kind of pulled all of the chocolate dip out of the fountain. and she's like, no, she doesn't get a puppy, she doesn't get a party raver. and then she's driving home and her old thing kind of going on and getting all cross about it. The next minute, Melissa McCarthy comes past in this big blue estate thing and she has 12 of these puppies in the car and she's like.
Hela 33:17
I love it already.
Bonny Snowdon 33:19
Oh my god, that is my favourite ever.
Hela 33:24
Somehow [inaudible] seen in exactly the same. Because for me I think the movie people need content. and I think that Sister Snog and all those kinds of crazy individuals, we could make a really, really, really good series. It could be part one, part two, part three, because I've just watched Tales from the City and it really moved me it was really lovely. I don't know if you've watched it, but I don't know if it's Netflix or Amazon. But there's a woman who's 90, and she celebrates her birthday. and it's all about kind of her life and everything because I'm from really old bones my parents were both hitting 90 before they floated off to another place. So, although I'm going to be 60 in September, I think I've got at least another 30 years of crazy behaviour. and what I'm really into is, yes, creating a tribe, but I'm into collaborations because I think if you get two crazy minds together, you can create something, you can collaborate on something. I don't know you and I are definitely going to collaborate on something. I don't know what it is at the moment. It doesn't matter right this second, but I also want to encourage to people to think it's not just about what I can do. Imagine if I, one on one, is not two, it's like four or seven or 21 and I think that is the beauty of hanging out with people. Because my view is that eventually, we will all be running our own business the day of the corporate is, it’s kind of gone.
Bonny Snowdon 35:29
I do think that things have really changed over the last few years. and more and more people are wanting to work from home because more and more people are becoming entrepreneurial and wanting to kind of start their own business and all of that type of thing. I think it's great.
Hela 35:29
So, I've got a question for you. Where is your empire heading?
Bonny Snowdon 35:59
Well, I'm 51, and at the moment, I'm really, really happy in my space. Like, really happy in my space. and I love what I do. I work hard. I do work hard. and I put a lot of hours in, and I do take time off, and I relax and everything. I've got a big project that I'm just starting with Lucy, we've had one call about it. I think it's going to take about six to eight months to actually come to fruition because I'm one of those people that kind of needs to have a bit of a discussion about things before it actually happened,
Hela 36:49
Unrumple it and think about it.
Bonny Snowdon 36:54
Yeah. So, that's what we're working on at the minute. So, I've done the Academy, which is teaching people to draw, like I draw, but actually, it's more about confidence and mindset, and kind of getting people out of their shells, really and showing them that they can do whatever they want to do. and that to me is really, really important. So, this next bit is more around the people who are really hungry for success.
Hela 37:28
Hungry for success. That's interesting because I do actually think if you were to ask a lot of people, there is that hunger there, whether they will admit it or not. But you've got to almost let it be okay to say yes, I am hungry for success. Sometimes people don't want to even go there, because they don't think they're going to get there. [inaudible] when there's a beautiful thing.
Bonny Snowdon 37:58
Yeah. and I think also there's this stigma about being successful.
Hela 38:03
Yes, there is. There is. It's interesting, because, on Friday, Vache Pappier who I was sitting with said she has created amazing success, and rocked it. and she said, but there are times and there are situations where people are actually not clapping your success, they're just not loving it. I think we need to clap success. Because if someone's got there, it little generally has been through blood, sweat, tears, late nights, early mornings anxiety, but still keeping going. and let's encourage the next generation to say, we can, and we should, and successes are funny old phrases, but it's about waking up and being happy. and doing that thing that you kind of love and maybe dealing with your demons and realising if they're okay because everybody's got a way.
Bonny Snowdon 39:11
Exactly, exactly. and I think the other thing about success, as well, is that it shows other people that it can be done.
Hela 39:20
Yeah. I mean, you are such a beautiful example of that, really. I mean you've created something down to something that is something you love, but it's not about drawing. It's about empowering. and I think that it's where you've helped because it was interesting. There was a lovely, lovely, one of the waitresses on Friday was liking the shoe woo-hoo. and she said do you mind if have to take photos and I was like, oh, of course not. and then I just told her how to do it. and she's like, oh my god, they look so. I'm just like, it's really quite simple. Here is the A, B, C, step-by-step guide, get a glue gun, go to the charity shop, get an old pair of shoes that look quite nice, get some flowers off Amazon. and then she was going, I could do that. and I actually thought for that moment, I've kind of shared my thing with somebody, share your thing, whatever your thing is, and then meet others who have got their own thing. and between us and well, we know that we're in like a good groove, where people are talking, being honest, celebrating each other. and we all need to have a little bit of bigging openness because sometimes you can wake up and feel a bit crappy dodder. We're not all full of confidence, it might seem that way, but we're not.
Bonny Snowdon 41:01
No, absolutely. and little things can kind of just knock you down a little bit. But with the resilience and with that confidence and the mindset and everything you can get yourself going again.
Hela 41:14
So, are your children walking in your footsteps in any way? I'm curious.
Bonny Snowdon 41:23
So, I've got three children, but the eldest two are quite similar to me, in that they do have confidence, that they're quite tenacious. and they can chat for England.
Hela 41:47
They're good raconteurs, then.
Bonny Snowdon 41:52
Yeah, my eldest son, honestly, he is a heating engineer. So, he's done his apprenticeship. He is 22, he is now a heating engineer. So, he goes around people's houses and puts boilers and stuff in and he works with quite a lot of older people. and they absolutely love him. The old ladies they absolutely love him.
Hela 42:16
They love him. Is there a fan club?
Bonny Snowdon 42:18
He's got his own little Instagram. He's brilliant, I've said to him, you've got to start doing these dances. Not that I watched young tradesmen dancing.
Hela 42:33
He should probably do, because he could just become one of those hipsters
Bonny Snowdon 42:37
He is so good. and he's so good-looking. and he's just charming. and he's just fantastic.
Hela 42:44
I need to meet him immediately.
Bonny Snowdon 42:48
Wonderful. and my daughter so, she's the top salesperson in the company that she works for. She wants to get into a state agency. I think she's just the most beautiful thing you've ever seen in your whole life. She's really glammed. So, messy, you would not believe it. So, she gets that from me as well. She just drops stuff. and that's it just walks away, and then I'm like, can you just [inaudible] and she's like, I'm far too busy. But yeah, and she's fab and then my youngest is very much like his dad. So, he's a bit more of a worrier he's quite deep. He's incredibly kind.
Hela 43:31
Kindness is such a beautiful thing we love kind [inaudible].
Bonny Snowdon 43:37
But he is much more reflective. I mean, I worry about them all, but I worry about him because of the mental health side of stuff. Obviously, when his dad was alive suffered a lot. You know, but we're kind of getting there but he is much more like his dad than the other two are the other two are very much like me. I wouldn't say they're creative. You know Maisie sings, my daughter sings beautifully. In fact, all of them sing, and they love music. So, music is something that kind of runs through them. I mean, I like music too. But they don't do drawing or anything like that. So, I'm not creative comes from Frankie likes things very ordered. The pictures of his plumbing, it’s all like beautiful pipes.
Hela 44:36
The pipe of pipes. It's really interesting, isn't it, as to what one creates from the next generation, what are they about? How are they? What do they do? What foibles do they inherit and what beautiful things do they inherit? Do they all live at home or are they in or out?
Bonny Snowdon 45:06
No. They're all at home still. My youngest is at school, but he'll be finishing his A-level soon. For me, it's just amazing that they're all at home with me. I love it. I absolutely love it. and I know that they will leave at some point. and I think this is part of, kind of going back a little bit, this is part of me wanting to grow my business so that it's a legacy for them. So, that I can provide to make sure that there's always something there for them. and that's really, really important for me, so everything that I do is for my children.
Hela 45:43
Yeah, well, I guess that's kind of sometimes what we're here for really, isn't it? To leave something behind that is beautiful, that hopefully has a few notes attached to it. But in terms of what I'm curious to know is, in the Harrogate Yorkshire area, do you hang out with other artists? Are other things that you go to that you do?
Bonny Snowdon 46:10
You see, I'm sociable. But I'm not very sociable.
Hela 46:21
Me too. [inaudible] I'm doing Sister Snog because I am sociable. But I'm not actually super sociable. I mean, I am. So, I understand what you're saying.
Bonny Snowdon 46:32
Well, I do. and to be honest, I've been incredibly social this last week, I've had the people who are in my tribe, one of my members, her fantastic husband contacted me about three months ago, and said, it's Helen's 50th birthday. We're coming to Yorkshire for the weekend. Do you know where we can meet up?
Hela 46:55
Oh, my God. That's amazing.
Bonny Snowdon 46:57
I was like, why don't just come around, come on cup of tea. So, this was a big surprise for her. So, they rocked up. Just fabulous people and they stayed for the afternoon. and we had cake and we had tea and we just chatted and it was really, really nice.
Hela 47:13
I love that.
Bonny Snowdon 47:14
Oh, it was so nice. and it makes me, I don't know, it's really strange for somebody who's just oh, my god, I can't believe I'm meeting you. and I'm like, get in there and have a cup of tea. Come on. and then another friend of mine on Facebook. She was, I think down south somewhere. and she said, oh, we're going on our holidays, we're going to Thirsk first and blah, blah, blah. and I was like, you're going to Thirsk? Actually, you're going to come and see me. So, they popped in yesterday. and she was like, God, I can't believe I'm meeting. I was like, oh and it was so nice. and her husband just loves the dogs. Pete just absolutely loves the dog. and he's like, oh, can I meet the dogs? I was like, well, I've got them in the other room at the minute because I've seen them in your face. and I really, really, really want to meet your dog. So, he's cuddling the dogs and Slipper is there gazing up at him with a paw on his knee. But it's just really nice too, and that thing.
Hela 48:14
That's last amazing. I mean, if you can grow up community, because I mean, a lot of the people in your world, obviously, you don't know you're not going to be but you are definitely empowering them with something. I mean, I think it's many things. and maybe it's as simple as I want to know how to draw or I want to know how to be confident or anything in between. Because I think whatever we're creating, it's beyond the obvious. I mean, I don't know if you imagined that you would inspire and touch as many people as you are and have when you first thought I'm going to create this thing.
Bonny Snowdon 49:03
No, no, I don't think that was ever on the agenda. I don't think it was there. I mean, I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn't quite know the impact, that it would have but actually one of the biggest things about what I've done is particularly around meeting Lucy, she's an amazing connector and an amazing lady and through meeting Lucy, my world has opened up astronomically meeting you being part of your fantastic Sister Snog. You know meeting people like Louise. So, I've got Louise Bulldog now is helping me and I never would have met her before if I hadn't joined you and your group and I just wanted you to talk about Sister Snog just for a minute before we finish because that that has made a big, big, big impact. I know I don't always make all of the meetings because I [inaudible] but it's made a massive impact on my life, on my business because meeting some of the people so we had the lovely Susan Payton.
Hela 50:18
Oh, yes. I love her.
Bonny Snowdon 50:20
Oh, do you know what a fantastic session all about the storytelling?
Hela 50:24
Yeah. I mean, your stories are mental.
Bonny Snowdon 50:29
But what's great about it is that when somebody says this is what you should be doing, you then think what I'm doing that anyway, few thank God for that, I'm doing something all right.
Hela 50:40
It's interesting, because we're all doing different things. and we the thing is, we all need it. It's a little bit like Hogwarts in a way or St. Trinian's IE, but the 60s version, obviously, with George Karl in the bushes. I actually feel that members of sister, we're all kind of seasoned businesswomen in one shape or another or season in life. But everyone has got this kind of beautiful youthfulness. and that's why I do sometimes think of the tribe as St. Trinian's because if you lose your youthfulness, and become old, nobody needs to be old, when I grow up, I'm going to be Iris Apfel isn't everybody and she hit 100 and was on the front cover of Vogue or wherever. and she's got a great life, and sharing wisdom. and being kind of knowing that you could maybe bust someone, ring someone, chat to someone, get someone more people to like what you're doing, have a little comment let's be engaged with each other, because the world is a funny old place at the moment. and yes, there are as many in-person events, but I actually think, because there are a couple of people that I met on Friday that I had never met in person before. But it didn't matter. I still knew them. I still knew them beautifully. and wonderfully in person is great. I love it. I love parties, I love get-togethers. But I think my view is that everybody should find their tribe, and join it. I'm not saying that this is not a tribe for everyone. There's a tribe for everyone. and we need to be more connected, engaged, and just occasionally pick up the phone and make a little comment and say nice things and rejoice in what we're all doing because the world needs to have community. and I don't know, have you heard of Blue Zones?
Bonny Snowdon 53:09
Yes.
Hela 53:10
Well, I'm a big fan of them. and I think there are eight or nine or whatever, but there are not loads, but Blue Zones. and the people who live in Blue Zones, eat well, do other stuff. But one of the things that they do is that they have a sense of belonging to something. If you're solo, I know Amy Johnson flew over to Australia in a gypsy moth. But ultimately, we will thrive only if we're together. and if you feel that you are part of something, and everybody needs to do that, you need to put something in to get something out. But whatever you put in; you get loads more out of it. I remember I love [inaudible] even though I hadn't been there for a long time. and I like the fact that if you stand at the bus stop for three consecutive days, you've got a new best friend. It doesn't always happen down south. It happens a little bit more but I've always had a northern approach to getting to know people. and I've started to do a few little funny little dances on Insta and TikTok, but I've got Budgens, they got to do one, the flower shop we're going to do one. I'm going round. I'm going to get the whole of home do little crazy dances with me over the next six months, because it's free and why not. and I think we also need to inject fun and a bit of schwa. and just, I don't know, I just think there's something really good about being part of a community that's on your beam where you can be who you are. Not what they say you should be. I'm really into that. I think we should all be our own individual selves.
Bonny Snowdon 55:21
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. Being you is just so, so, so, so important. So, we've been talking an hour.
Hela 55:32
Oh my God. I don't believe that. Just like what you did already.
Bonny Snowdon 55:40
Looking at your clock and thinking it's half-past seven.
Hela 55:47
It's wonderful. and I know we haven't met in person yet, but in a way for me. It doesn't matter. We will and I will be coming to your house and have an afternoon tea.
Bonny Snowdon 55:58
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Hela 55:59
In due course, I don't know when that'll be but the thing is, I know that will happen. No one you're always
Hela 56:06
All right.
Bonny Snowdon 56:06
No, you're always welcome. I have a posh drive now. Well, nearly a posh drive.
Bonny Snowdon 56:07
I'm not stuck to it anymore. I'm posh.
Hela 56:17
I think you having this beautiful dip into your world, your life non-prescribed, let's see where the music takes us. Let's see where the conversation goes. Because that's kind of what like to listen to beautiful rambles of a few rather eccentric ladies.
Bonny Snowdon 56:47
Brilliant. I'm going to use that in the show notes.
Hela 56:51
You can because that is exactly what this has been. and I know when I first had a little flirt and tater tate with you, I was like Bonny belongs.
Bonny Snowdon 57:03
Yeah. Oh, that's very sweet of you. Well, I'm delighted that I'm part of your community and Sister Snog. Honestly, it's made a massive, massive difference. and I'm just so happy that you've come and chatted to me this morning.
Hela 57:15
I've loved it. It's kind of made my day. It has truly literally made my day and I held that your, I forgotten your dog's name but I will come to it in a minute. It was lost his toe.
Bonny Snowdon 57:32
Oh, Vinnie.
Hela 57:33
Vinnie, as in Vincent, as in Van Goff, there as in Vinnie from [inaudible]
Bonny Snowdon 57:41
Yes, well actually, he was named after Vinnie Jones, but then I've changed it. It's my son who named him so he's after Vinnie Jones, but I've changed it so his posh name is-
Hela 57:54
Vincent [inaudible] is far, far more.
Bonny Snowdon 57:55
Well, it's called Seaton Valley Starry Nights.
Hela 58:02
Is he all right?
Bonny Snowdon 58:07
We have matching socks. He has one of the pairs of socks now [inaudible]. He's just walking around with a sock on take to his leg. But he's doing really well actually. Yeah, he's okay.
Hela 58:21
He's All right. Well, I got to say thank you Bonny for joining my world. and let's see where the music takes us.
Bonny Snowdon 58:34
[inaudible]
Hela 58:36
We'll be going somewhere. and we might even go to Betty's.
Bonny Snowdon 58:41
Oh, well that's a given.
Hela 58:43
Obviously. Goes without saying.
Bonny Snowdon 58:47
Thank you very much.
Hela 58:48
It's been the best start of Wednesday I can think of. I am very thankful to be invited.
Bonny Snowdon 58:58
Oh, no. Well, thank you ever so much. I've got a big smile on my face now. [inaudible] when I talk to you. It's just wonderful. Thank you.
Hela 59:07
Brilliant. Listen, December 2nd, in your diary. [inaudible] Friday will be the next big large outrageously humongous and I think the theme is Heavenly Angels just to let you know.
Bonny Snowdon 59:26
And it's a live.
Hela 59:28
It's live.
Bonny Snowdon 59:32
I'll get that in my diary.
Hela 59:33
It's first Friday of December. You will be there.
Bonny Snowdon 59:37
I promise.
Hela 59:38
Put it in your diary.
Bonny Snowdon 59:39
Right doing it now.
Hela 59:41
Bye. Thank you very much indeed. I really appreciate being invited.
Bonny Snowdon 59:53
Oh, well. It's just so nice to chat to you.
Hela 59:58
Bye.
Bonny Snowdon 59:59
I really hope you enjoyed listening to this episode of my It's a Bonny Old Life podcast. If you did, I'd be so grateful to you for emailing me or texting a link to the show, or sharing it on social media with those you know who might like it too. My mission with this podcast is all about sharing mine and my communities experience and hope by telling your fascinating personal stories, championing the other amazing humans in my personal, professional and membership community, and to create another channel through which I can support you to realize your coloured pencil and life dreams. If you haven't done so yet. Please help me on my mission to spread positivity and joy throughout the coloured pencil world by following me on my socials at Bonny Snowdon Academy, or by getting on my list at bonnysnowdonacademy.com, and remember, I truly believe if I can live the life of my dreams doing what I love, then you can too. We just need to keep championing and supporting each other along the way in order to make it happen. Till next time
