What connects the Sydney Opera House with Hampshire’s food, drink and craft community? For Natasha Dochniak, it’s people, partnerships and purpose. And there’s plenty in her story to get us thinking about how we communicate our own businesses.
In the latest episode of Get Set, Glow, Lisa Lavis welcomes Natasha, Commercial Director of Hampshire Fare, for a conversation about her career, championing local producers and building relationships that make a difference.
A career built on connection
Natasha’s career has taken her from the National Trust to Australia, where a planned year abroad turned into fifteen. Her experience includes sponsorship and partnerships at the Sydney Opera House, alongside roles in financial services and property.
Across those different organisations, one thing has stayed consistent: her interest in people.
As Natasha explains, successful partnerships start with listening. Understanding what someone wants to achieve helps you spot opportunities to create something valuable together. It’s a principle that resonates with us at Glow, where understanding a business and its audience shapes our design and marketing work.
Brand storytelling starts with people
One part of the conversation that particularly caught our attention was Natasha’s enthusiasm for the stories behind local producers.
Knowing who makes a product, what drives them and where it comes from helps customers connect with it. That connection gives a product meaning beyond what’s on the shelf.
For us, this is where brand storytelling comes to life. The details that business owners sometimes take for granted can be the things their audience finds most interesting.
Natasha’s work brings her into contact with those stories every day, from independent producers to hospitality businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Collaboration in challenging times
The episode also explores the pressures facing small businesses, including rising costs and the challenge of staying visible.
Natasha shares how Hampshire Fare supports its members through introductions, networking and opportunities to work together. Even businesses producing similar products can exchange ideas and help one another.
Lisa reflects on her own experience of running Glow and the importance of maintaining connections when business gets tough. It’s a reminder that a conversation can offer a fresh perspective, introduce a potential partner or help you see an opportunity differently.
Watch the latest Get Set, Glow episode
From working in Australia to finding purpose in her current role, Natasha brings warmth and insight to the conversation.
If you’re interested in business relationships, brand storytelling or the people behind local brands, grab a cuppa and join us.
And if our opening enthusiasm for rain sounds surprising, we recorded during warmer weather, when a shower was still a welcome change!
Watch the full episode of Get Set, Glow with Lisa Lavis and Natasha Dochniak.
