'"F*** Everything I've Ever Been Told": How Katie Lopes Got Over £1.5m Debt To Build Stripe & Stare

Katie Lopes is a woman with resilience. She’s the founder and creative director of sustainable underwear brand Stripe and Stare, but her journey to get there has been anything but smooth sailing.
Katie has faced more than your average setbacks, and today she tells me about the tools she used to overcome £1.5 million in debt, a relationship breakdown and heartbreaking loss, and to come out the other side with a growing company and growing self-confidence.
She says “I didn’t have the confidence in myself until life tested me and I had no choice.” Her story is incredible, and a real testament to the fact that sometimes you just have to put your “big girl pants on” and find your way through. I can’t wait for you to hear her story.
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Follow me here: gracebeverley.komi.io/
Shop Stripe & Stare here: stripeandstare.com/
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CHAPTERS
0:00: Intro
0:57: Sponsored by Revolut
2:03: Her career aspirations
4:47: Why she joined & left the TV industry
8:20: Moving into retail
9:15: Her first underwear design
12:38: Losing her business to legal wrangle
15:01: The week that changed her life forever
19:29: The dangers of financial dependency
21:00: How she gained her confidence
22:05: The story of Stripe & Stare
27:48: Her biggest marketing wins
30:19: How to find your inner strength
35:10: Being brave enough to fail
37:20: The advice she'd give to every female entrepreneur
42:05: How do we fix the funding gap?
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THE PRODUCTIVITY METHOD, SHREDDY and TALA are my own brands, therefore any mention of them - whilst not being a sponsorship - is monetarily endorsed. As usual, sponsorships do not change my opinions nor my honesty, but I will always disclaim to make sure motives are clear

[@LamiAtZenith]

Finding out about a £1.5m debt would simply send me into cardiac arrest! Brilliant episode, love Katie’s resilience

[@Grace-Beverley]

Thank you!

[@sikhan9394]

The revolut ad is the most jarring Ad 😭😭

[@irinaj8716]

I keep trying to get into these podcasts because the guests seem interesting most of the times, but I can’t shake off the impression that Grace doesn’t properly listen/converse with them. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s like she’s reacting to the script order rather than the emotion and actual words of the guest. I’ll continue dipping in and out in the hopes that she improves as an interviewer because I do like her in general and know she works for it. For now, though, I am left with a surface level feeling after each episode..

[@victoriab09117]

I think she is inspired by mostly Stephen Bartlett and she is trying in a good way to imitate his way of interviewing, she will find her own ways, just give her time

[@user-tq6mt1rf4x]

One of the most honest, vulnerable and inspiring episodes I’ve ever heard here ❤

[@brontekent1078]

Loved this lots ❤

[@donnaalpert]

Inspiring and intelligent. Great interview, Grace.

[@KristineandMorgan]

Enjoy these interviews! Would be cool to see you do an interview with a black woman in this space (inspirational, business woman, etc).

[@debbie8304]

Great podcast 👏

[@valentinakusnirova5775]

Someone needs to tell her that there is a new U.K. underwear brand called Cheek Frills selling sustainable knickers.