The secrets of surviving leadership chaos with Shonagh Primrose, COO at Wylde Market

The STOIX Podcast

The STOIX Podcast
The secrets of surviving leadership chaos with Shonagh Primrose, COO at Wylde Market
Jul 14, 2025 Season 1 Episode 14
STOIX

What happens when a bold COO questions how conscious consumerism really works?

In this episode, Shonagh Primrose, Chief Operating Officer at Wylde Market, rips apart the rules of growth and reveals how to build a purpose-led platform without bowing to the noisy short-term pressures of venture investors.

We get into:

🌱 Why slow commerce might be the most radical growth strategy yet
âš¡ The tough trade-offs every COO faces in the fight between mission and margin
🧩 How to build brand trust in a world wired for instant gratification
💥 The surprising power of friction in a customer experience

If you’re wrestling with how to scale a values-led business or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at the hard choices no one talks about, this conversation is honest, human, and worth every minute.

🎧 Tune in and tell us: Would you choose slower, sustainable growth if it meant protecting your values?

Discover more in this episode:

00:00 - Introduction & background
03:08 - Insights from Shonagh's experience
06:02 - The role of coaching and mentorship
09:04 - Understanding coaching vs mentorship vs therapy
11:47 - Creating safe spaces for difficult conversations
14:59 - The importance of different perspectives
17:55 - Balancing vulnerability and tough decisions in leadership
30:50 - Hiring for diversity fit
37:33 - Navigating different organisational sizes
43:35 - Career strategies for new graduates
50:58 - The importance of networking
55:50 - Career planning and flexibility