"5 Things I Know Now" A Dorset Growth Hub Podcast

Funding, staff and marketing: a holy trinity which covers most top-of-mind issues for businesses right now, all of which are better tackled together. As we convene for another wonderful Coffee & Catchup event, this week Jacqui Rock shares Poole BID’s new schemes and how the local area is evolving for SMEs. Elsewhere in the episode, Steve Mayell covers the opportunities that SWIG Finance can offer, and we chat with ‘TikTok Queen’ Michelle Haslam about how to take on a platform which is daunting to many, but powerful to all. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

With the recent budget, finance and investment are top of mind for businesses traversing the challenges of 2023. Whether you’re looking for a loan away from the high street banks, or a new way to create business connections, we’ve got you covered - SWIG Finance’s Steve Mayell and Podcast Labs’ Kelly Butler are this week’s guests on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast. Tune into this week’s episode, recorded at our live business breakfast in March, to hear how podcasts are an evolving medium in which to network and build brands, and what a CDFI can do to provide new avenues for funding. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

The money available for businesses now might not have decreased materially, but the hurdles to securing that funding are certainly larger than they once were. Looking in the right place is key to finding finance for your business at such a time of need, and British Business Bank’s Ed Tellwright joins us on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast to help you increase those chances. We’re also joined on this special live episode by Street Agency’s Founder, Katie Street, who offers some cutting insights on how to strategize your content, boost your marketing and even find growth overseas. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

Much of the media may be awash with dour predictions for the economy, but as business owners there’s plenty to do, and new initiatives to be excited about in the BCP area. At last month’s Coffee & Catchup, we were joined by the Co-Founder of Foundry, Adam Walker, and Managing Director of digital marketing agency Uprated, John Darch. We hear how Foundry is bringing a fantastic new curated co-working space to spruce up the Dolphin Centre, and John’s insightful tips to pick the right marketing channels at a time where they all matter most. In this episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast:

The only certainty in 2023 is some degree of uncertainty, so as we wrap up the year it’s a vital time to protect the health of both your business, and yourself. Whether you’re looking for sources of funding to keep up the cash flow, or mental wellbeing support to manage the challenges ahead, we ran through some essential resources on the latest Coffee & Catchup event! The wonderful Marie-Clare Gale from Dorset Mind shares a wealth of information on access to mental health services, and we also dive into the energy price guarantee and what the Autumn Statement means for you. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

The past month has proven to be most uncertain, but if you owned a business at the start of the pandemic and it’s still running, then you have the tools to tackle the bumpy road ahead. From staying on top of accounts to keeping your staff front of mind and showing them that you care, the latest episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast shines a light on the abundance of resources at your disposal that you need to take advantage of! Recorded at the latest Coffee & Catchup online event in October, Nick Gregory is joined by a wonderful panel consisting of Debbie Greenwood, Elizabeth McCormick, Andy Headington and Steve Bulley. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

Welcome back to Coffee & Catchup! September marks the grand return of the hugely popular live online events hosted by Dorset Growth Hub’s Nick Gregory, answering questions and offering advice to hundreds of local businesses. With an economic downturn on the horizon and energy prices at the centre of conversation, it’s high time to offer support to businesses needing assistance with the trying times ahead. We bring together Low Carbon Dorset’s Heather Kiel, Barclays’ Danny Jones and Dorset Business Mentors’ Charles King to discuss the rising inflation, what we can learn from previous recessions, and what support is available for businesses’ energy costs. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

Business ownership is no easy task, so saving your energy to tackle what really matters is absolutely vital for The Happy Blossoms Co-Founder, Lauren Hooper. We’ve another wonderful episode of the 5 Things I Know Now recorded at We Are F_ND in February, where Lauren shares why finances - boring as they might be - are essential to get right, how to handle copycats, and how she’s grown in confidence & overcome self-doubt. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

Regardless of your industry, small businesses are all forced to become social media experts to some extent, so how do you beat the algorithm and gain a following? James Wythe’s blog, Healthy Living James, is a great example of how to put your story and personality front and centre, even if it means leaping well beyond your comfort zone! Find out James’ 5 Things He Knows Now on the latest episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, recorded live at January’s wonderful We Are F_ND event, where we hear how to gradually push yourself, build a following, and create content that you can keep up for the long term. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Dorset Growth Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dorset-growth-hub/ https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/ James Wythe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wythe/ https://www.instagram.com/healthylivingjames/ https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/ Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Productivity in a digital age is a hot topic, with hybrid workplaces creating opportunities to take advantage of technology - but it’s not without its caveats to look out for… Carolyn Freeman’s background in marketing followed by a career shift into the intriguing world of CyberPsychology provide her with a myriad of experiences, from the corporate world to mature education to self-employment. Carolyn, Founder of Cybercology, shares with us her unique take on the 5 things she knows now, from spotting burnout and the self-employed community, to work life balance and de-slaving from our tech. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Whether it’s putting faith in yourself or believing in your team, the power of confidence can truly bring the best out of your business. It takes a great deal of confidence to set up a business in the midst of uncertainty, but Susannah Brade-Waring did just that in the wake of 2008’s financial crisis, and Aspirin Business Solutions has been co-creating success for leaders ever since. Susannah joins us to share the 5 things she knows now having seen her business through thick and thin, with a focus on emotional intelligence, relationship building, and being selective in the technological innovation you adopt. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Building a business from scratch presents common pitfalls that many have learned to avoid, but there’s a unique set of challenges and pressures that come with taking the wheel of a brand with a lengthy history. Rosie Lees has been at the helm of The Embroidery Barn for the past 3 years, building on 20 years of legacy and evolving its mission for premium & eco-friendly embroidery. On this episode of 5 Things I Know Now we learn the value in staying firm & believing in what you do, growing a support network both within and beyond the business, and even a story about her surprisingly speedy pet tortoise.... This podcast is kindly supported by Bournemouth University, so we’re joined in the studio by Tilly, a 1st year Business & Management student for an interesting live Q&A session. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Although we’re firmly within the world of business, it’s important not to forget the human element behind it all, and the personal values that stand to help us all to make better connections. Andy Brown, a part-time FD/CFO and Founder of 3D FD with experience at Passenger, Armadillo, Salad and many more companies, is well-versed in collaborating with a wide variety of teams. Andy shares the 5 things he knows now, from the age-old adages that stand true like treating others how you’d like to be treated, to the more business-focused premise that a lack of cash should never force you into a bad decision. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

The digital landscape is ever-changing, so to stay at its precipice it’s vital to step out of your comfort zone. Whether by choice or by necessity, accomplished Digital Content Creator Brogan Tate has taken that leap to diversify the videos she makes for her 80k YouTube subscribers, while creating exciting collaborations with the likes of Disney, EE and M&S! Recorded at the fabulous launch event for WeAreFND, a brand new community for supporting young founders & entrepreneurs, Mary chats with Brogan on episode 5 of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast about overcoming the fear of failure, broadening the scope of your offering, and setting huge goals based on your own definition of success. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

The marketing landscape is worlds away from where it was at the turn of the millennium, so for Matt Lawrence (who graduated with a degree in business & marketing in 2000) to stay on top of his game as Head of Marketing with Passenger, consistent learning is foundational to his successful journey. Matt features alongside Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Nicki Cluley on this week’s episode of ‘5 Things I Know Now’ to discuss the essential lessons on their business paths. We dive into why you should ‘eat the frog’ when it comes to gruelling tasks & never stop taking learning opportunities, as well as how Nicki has nurtured her ability to stay adaptive & agile, and the importance of surrounding yourself with trusted, supportive people. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

The beauty behind Blink Lettering’s captivating calligraphy is the passionate Milly Withers, an aspirational young business owner applying her design skills in a variety of aesthetic applications. As it happens, variety is one of the 5 key things that have helped guide Milly’s exciting career so far. On this week’s ‘5 Things I Know Now’, Milly joins Mary Lloyd to discuss the value of support & community, the indispensable tools available with the latest social media platforms, and her commitment to creating a life she’s passionate about. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Welcome back to 5 Things I Know Now: the latest podcast series from Dorset Growth Hub! Condensing the spirit behind Nathan Roach’s successful route into business ownership down to just 5 tips is a difficult task, especially for someone whose innate mindset had him catching ragworms and selling them to tackle shops at just 12 years old... Now the Founder of Founders, a brand creating ‘Cloud Kitchens’ which are facilitating small food businesses and giants in the delivery space alike, Nathan brings a whole host of tales from his journey so far, as he shares his 5 things that helped him become a successful business leader. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Welcome to 5 Things I Know Now: A DGH Podcast - the innovative and practical new series from the Dorset Growth Hub. Following on from the first two series of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast, we’re bringing an exciting spin to the format, where top business leaders share the five lessons that helped them find success. Kicking off this series are the Dorset Growth Hub’s very own Nick Gregory, Mary Lloyd & Rich Burn, each of whom have brought their own thought-provoking lists in a series premiere that lauds the importance of confidence, creativity, empathy, and travel. This episode covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

We’re all tired of hearing how tired we are of Zoom events by now - 2021 is the year that events change forever. Whether you’re together in an auditorium or halfway round the globe, Mark Masters’ vision is to craft an experience that’s equally engaging for both parties with the advent of hybrid events. Having staged the first of the ‘You Are The Media Online Offline’ events at the start of July which, very conveniently, is our Future Events month, we hear Mark’s debrief on the lessons learned about this pioneering format, the dangers to consider if you’re planning your own hybrid event, and how he managed to drum up such enthusiasm from both sets of attendees. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

The lava lamp is a legendary product that, while recognisable when compared with its original 1963 design, has continued to be iterated upon throughout its illustrious history. Who better to divulge how such a long-standing business like Mathmos continues to innovate well into the future than Cressida Granger, who’s owned the Poole-based company for over 30 years. In this episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, themed around innovation, we learn how inspiration for new products can come from anywhere, the business’ solutions to Brexit barriers as a D2C brand, and the support available to manufacturing businesses in the Dorset area. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast