Mind Your Business is the podcast for small business owners who love what they do but want someone to talk it through with. Hosted by sisters and entrepreneurs Sara Davies and Helen Goddard, it brings honest, practical and relatable conversations about the everyday realities of business ownership. Our mission is to make entrepreneurs feel less alone, more understood and better equipped to grow - creating not just a podcast but a community where small business owners can connect, share and thrive together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ian wants advice on how to hire when you can't compete with the big hitters on wages, Caroline is wondering whether to invest in physical premises for her online business, and Heather is worried about President Trump's tariffs. As ever, Sara and Helen have loads of practical advice. Email your questions to hello@mybpod.com, or get in touch via the channels below Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a very candid tete-a-tete, Sara and Helen explore what the goals for your business should be, how you decide upon them, and what impact they have on your life beyond work. As is evident from the discussion - which is as personal as ever - your business and your life are inextricably linked, which means breaking your back to grow isn't necessarily the right course of action. Meanwhile, Helen reveals how she's lost a member of staff as a result of the podcast, and Sara makes a clarion call to our new Prime Minister on behalf of small businesses. We also have our final instalment of Let's Be Frank, for exciting reasons which will become clear ... Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michelle has a seasonal business and needs help getting through the winter, Belle is wondering how to negotiate the minefield that is paid advertising, and Emma has the opportunity to get permanent premises for her floristry business. As ever, our entrepreneurial agony aunts Sara and Helen have plenty of useful thoughts! Email your small business dilemmas to hello@mybpod.com Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's intimidating, as a small business owner, battling sprawling, multinational corporations. But don't forget why people want to bring their custom to you, and the competitive advantage that gives you over the so-called big hitters. That's the 'Special Sauce', as Helen describes it. Celebrity service, attention to detail, trust, that personal touch - all very achievable goals, especially given the (relatively cheap) technology at hand. Here, Sara and Helen share ways in which you can make your little company appear huge - ramping up profits without sacrificing your core values. We also have a welcome return from their dad, Frank, in our regular feature ... Let's Be Frank! Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lovely questions from Karen, Tom and a mystery guest this week, as our entrepreneurial agony aunts assist with the best strategy when it comes to pricing deliveries, dealing with a sudden, unexpected decline in sales and the fear of entering into the world social media. Email info@mypod.com with your queries, or via the channels below. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BHAGs (that's Big Hairy Audacious Goals), work-life balance and staff knocking off early to watch the footy are the amuses bouches for our big chat about why developing your own skills our business is fundamental to its growth. Sara has a great analogy to reinforce this thesis - as the girls discuss self-confidence, developing a positive mindset and how to identify areas of weakness you might need to focus on improving. Sara's Simon, meanwhile, provides our weekly words of wisdom - but will they be numbers related, we wonder? Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Helen is worried about spamming her customers, Jeff is nervous about diversifying his cricket business, and we have an anonymous mum who wants to start her own business but is fearful of taking the plunge. As every, Sara & Helen are here to help. Email your questions to hello@mybpod.com. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Both Sara and Helen are experts in creating a brand using the various tools at their disposal, and fully appreciate the value (considered) self-promotion can add to the growth of your business. Here, they share tips, unfortunate mistakes and hard-fought wins so that you can build a profile that'll punch hard with your customers. in keeping with the honesty the podcast is known for, Helen is currently experiencing a crisis of confidence in this department - it's hard putting yourself out there all the time - so Sara provides reassurance that it's worthwhile persevering. Not least because Helen might very well be the trailblazer when it comes to creating a brand! We also have a newsflash: Sara has been diagnosed with ADHD, and shares her thoughts on how it's affected and defined her life as an entrepreneur. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In our our latest Q&A, Isobel wants to know what to consider when redesigning the signage for her independent shoe shop, Kathryn is worrying about raising prices for the dog-walking company she's taking over, and Heather wonders how to market her bridal service when she doesn't get (many!) repeat customers. Sara & Helen's advice is excellent not just for these three lovely ladies, but for anyone who runs a small business. Send your questions to info@mybpod.com or get in touch via the channels below. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cashflow, software plugins, warehouse management systems and stock & sales reports may not sound sexy to the average entrepreneur, but Sara and Helen are here to assure you that the boring stuff is the foundation of any successful business. Giving the nitty-gritty due care and attention is non-negotiable, and provides your operation with the best opportunity to flourish, grow and realise its full potential. We also find out how Helen almost got scammed (again), and why Sara hates the sunshine. And it's the turn of Uncle Matt to offer his words of wisdom. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Entrepreneurial agony aunts Sara & Helen answer questions from Jenn, Ali, Rosemary. Jennie is weighing up a head versus heart dilemma when it comes to finding a venue for her new performing arts business, Abi is wondering if it's a mentor she needs or something else, and Rosemary is suffering a crisis of confidence as she struggles to reach customers post-pandemic. If you need the gals' help email hello@mybpod.com or get in touch via the channels below Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Simon, Matt, Mam and Dad are all people you're familiar with if you're a regular listener to the podcast. You'll also know how central the husbands and parents are to Sara and Helen's business lives. In this episode, the gals provide a warts and all exploration of what it entails to work with a partner or relative. (Both do, and pretty much always have, in case you aren't aware!) From bringing domestic strife into the workplace to laying down the law to your other half, no stone is left unturned as they reveal the pros and cons of keeping business in the family. Speaking of which, Sara's hubby Simon makes his debut on Let's Be Frank with some choice accountancy advice. USEFUL RESOURCES Gorgias - Helen's customer management software recommendation 5 Dysfunctions Of A Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni - Sara's 'on-topic' book recommendation Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's a momentous day for our entrepreneurial agony aunts, as Sara and Helen receive their first ever voice note. It's from Becky, and it's about the merits of setting up a company versus remaining a sole trader. We also receive a question from Lance about promoting his new invention, and advise Gemma on setting up a newsletter - which, take Sara's word for it, is something every business needs to have. If you have burning question for the girls to answer, send it in either written or spoken form to hello@mybpod.com, or via Instagram or our Facebook community. We really would love to hear your dulcet tones, so don't be a shy bairn! Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Every entrepreneur has a running list of brilliant ideas, half-started ventures, and products that will change the world. But how do you identify which ones actually deserve your time? The girls offer practical advice about how to separate a genuine opportunity from potential disaster, build a business strategy that acts as a filter, and create a culture where the best ideas get a proper chance to work. Sara shares the brilliant eight-question framework she uses to assess every new thought before commiting to it. And, in identifying a deep-and-meaningful business insight relating to the pigs on Clarkson's Farm, Helen sheds a tear or two - much to Sara's derision! Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In our weekly therapy session, Sara and Helen deal with listener queries about how to keep going in the workplace, making the right move after a change of professional circumstances, and what it takes to be a mentor. We also appoint a Japanese ambassador without approval (cheers, Levan), and get a rude - if not terrifying - interruption from the gals' dad, Frank. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The girls are back from a family holiday, and - in addition to sharing poolside antics - can't resist deconstructing their trip from a business perspective. What do you expect? It's in their bones! When it comes buying a package holiday or, indeed, a sausage, there are no shortage of options for the consumer. So how do you differentiate yourself from the competition, especially if you're not as cheap? Sara and Helen have loads of ideas as to how to make your product or service sizzle. We also ave a neat tip regarding credit cards, and their dad Frank makes a welcome return to the pod with words of wisdom about loyalty. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As has become the norm in our weekly Q&A, everyone's favourite entrepreneurial agony aunts, Sara and Helen, field queries from our wonderful community with the help of ... our wonderful community! So it is that Jo, Julie and Ali receive advice and ideas on how to build trust in a new product, broaden a client-base and avoid being a busy fool. If you want help with your business, email hello@mybpod.com. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Risk it all, be hyper-conservative, or position yourself somewhere in between? Growth is sexy, as Sara feely admits, but not necessarily the right way to develop your business. The girls reflect upon the merits of pushing on or holding back when it comes to expansion. And there are merits to both, depending on your circumstances. Plenty to consider, including whether it's an ambition you even want to embrace. Sara's husband, Simon, makes his debut on the podcast with some practical accountancy advice, and Jill wonders if she's the only one who thinks her friends perceive small business owners to have endless amounts of free-time (surprise, surprise - they don't, is the general consensus) ... Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michelle, Jojo & Savannah have queries - with Michelle getting bespoke advice from our Facebook community. Superb advice from the gals, as ever. We'd love your questions, so email us at hello@mybpod.com. Sara also promises you information on franchising, so if you're keen to get involved, here are one or two places to start ... Rightbiz Franchise Direct UK Which Franchise Daltons Business Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Helen describes this as one of the biggest lessons she's learnt in business: if you want to make even a single sale, you have to bend your back. She and Sara have tales to tell as to where they've got it wrong on this front, and plenty practical advice so you can avoid making the same mistakes. Uncle Matt offers words of wisdom on AI, Helen reveals a weekly win regarding her bank account, and Sara explains why she's amassed a wardrobe stacked full of purple garments. We also hear why every business could do with appealing to Janets, Jeans and Emmas ... Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
