Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Diary of a Brackley Business Owner

In this episode, I sit down with Amy, the inspiring founder of The Beauty Room by Amy Louise.

Starting out young and navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Amy shares her journey from working in a salon to building her own beauty business.

She opens up about the risks, rewards, and lessons of entrepreneurship, her success in growing a loyal following on social media and her exciting plans to open a training academy in 2025.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion into a booming business, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Rockell, founder of Eagle AI Labs.

Jack shares his journey from working as an electrician in Brackley to building an innovative data analytics company for traders and investors. What started as a simple price prediction tool has evolved into a fully-fledged platform with over 1,000 active users.

We dive into the challenges of navigating the volatile world of crypto, Jack’s move to Dubai, and how he’s now partnering with major institutions.

Tune in for an inspiring story about risk-taking, resilience, and turning a bedroom idea into a thriving business.

In this episode, I sit down with Sara and Jo from The Canine Company, Brackley—a bespoke doggy daycare service offering tailored sessions for each dog’s unique needs. We explore how their passion for canine welfare led to the creation of this elite service.

We dive into the story behind how they came up with the business name, the importance of marketing and branding, and discuss the growth of their franchising proposition.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a thriving, compassionate business for our four-legged friends!

In this insightful and uplifting episode, I chat with Sophie Wharton, the inspiring founder of The Glow Room in Brackley, where she provides a range of skincare treatments. Sophie shares her journey that took her from a part-time side hustle to a thriving full-time business, giving listeners a peek behind the scenes of the challenges and rewards along the way.

Sophie’s story is one of resilience and determination, as she juggles the demands of running a business with family life—often spending countless hours in and out of hospitals with her daughter.

We explore her leap of faith in leaving a stable NHS job, her experiences with renovating her studio space, and the huge milestone of hiring her first employee.

Sophie offers a look at how she navigates challenges with a positive and outgoing approach along with the support network of friends and family making this episode both inspirational and uplifting.

In this episode, I explore the remarkable and inspirational story of Sarah Stamp, the founder of Olive Tree, one of Brackley’s longest-serving small businesses. Sarah shares how she built her Acupuncture and Well-being business against the odds while managing her health challenges.

Sarah launched Olive Tree from her home in 2009, and spills the beans on her secret to longevity with regular training and self-development. For Sarah, success is about working on her own terms, rather than chasing material goals. She also opens up about the need for business owners to invest in themselves, offering insights on preventing injuries and staying healthy.

Tune in for this valuable episode that is jam-packed with inspiration.

In this episode, I chat with Katie Appleton who is the business owner of KT's Photography. Katie’s journey is an inspiring one, as she transformed her love for photography from a hobby into a flourishing and well-established business in Brackley

We explore how Katie navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emotional toll of missing out on capturing those special moments. Katie also shares some of her most memorable photographs and the unforgettable experiences she’s had throughout her career.

Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a small business owner, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and heart-warming stories from Katie’s journey.

In this episode, I sit down with Danny Webster, an award-winning chef and owner of The Old Fire Station in Brackley. After honing his culinary skills in the military, Danny made a successful transition to civilian life, and his Brackley-based business has flourished ever since.

Danny talks about how consistency, hard work, and attention to detail have been the lynchpin to his success.

Join me as we explore Danny’s journey from military kitchens to running one of Brackley’s favourite cafes. We discuss the importance of small details that make a big difference, the challenges of managing a large team, and how his experiences in the military shaped his approach to business.

Danny’s story is one of resilience, growth, and persistence, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and food lovers alike.

In this episode, we are joined by John Taylor, the owner of Taylor Vets. John’s journey in veterinary medicine included a distinguished stint in the army. After his military service, he transitioned to civilian veterinary practice, founding a practice in 2005, which he successfully ran until 2019. Despite the success, John felt significant regret after selling and has since embarked on a new venture with Taylor Vets.

Join us as we explore John’s fascinating career path, from his military service to his entrepreneurial ventures in veterinary care. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of running a veterinary practice, the lessons learned from his previous business, and the motivations behind starting Taylor Vets.

Whether you’re passionate about animal care, interested in the journey of a seasoned vet, or looking for entrepreneurial inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in to hear John Taylor’s compelling story and discover how Taylor Vets is making a difference in the community with its compassionate and comprehensive approach to animal healthcare.

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Munro, who shares his unconventional journey into the world of carpentry. Scott opens up about his life in the army and the challenges he faced when transitioning to civilian life. He discusses his early days as a subcontractor, where he quickly realised he didn't enjoy making profits for others and always harbored a dream of working for himself. Scott set a bold goal of establishing his own business within five years of leaving the army, a goal he achieved under extraordinary circumstances. When the pandemic hit, it became the catalyst for Scott to finally create his own carpentry business. He talks candidly about the struggles he faced in adapting to life after the army and the significant decisions he made along the way, including the pivotal moment when he decided to expand his business by hiring his first employee. Tune in to hear Scott Munro's remarkable journey and discover the lessons he learned on his path to building a business on his own terms.

Join us for another inspiring episode as we sit down with Laura Turner, the owner of Tranquil Touch Therapies. She offers a range of wellness therapies including sports massage and reflexology. In this episode, Laura shares her remarkable journey of starting her business at the young age of just 19. We delve into the financial pressures she faced as a young entrepreneur and the invaluable support she received from her family that helped her thrive. Laura also speaks about the parallels between spending time in the gym and running a successful business.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial spirit of Brackley's favourite cheeky chappy as Jamie reveals the stories and experiences that have shaped his successful ventures. Jamie Potter is a dynamic entrepreneur who owns Elements Heating Installations, AKA Events, and Brackley Self Storage, making him a well-known figure in the Brackley business community. We delve into Jamie's journey, exploring how his early days working in bars around Brackley and his love for the lively pub atmosphere led to the creation of AKA Events. Jamie also introduces us to his latest venture, Brackley Self Storage. Jamie shares his strategies for marketing his businesses and effectively leveraging social media to reach his audience. Tune in for this fascinating episode with one of Brackley’s best known business owners.

In this episode, we sit down with Will Grashoff, owner of two successful recruitment companies, Ox Seven and You Exclusive. Join us as we dive deep into Will's journey of steering his businesses through the turbulent waters of the pandemic, managing cash flow pressures, and maintaining the balance between family life and business responsibilities. Will shares the innovative strategies behind their viral and comical social media content. We also explore Will’s passion for community involvement through his volunteering role at his beloved Brackley Town Football Club. Tune in to discover how Will Grashoff manages to juggle it all while making a positive impact both in business and the community.

Meet Jessica Hayward, the powerhouse behind Boughtons Estate Agents in Brackley. Starting her journey with long hours at a car dealership, Jessica's determination led her to launch her own estate agency at just 25. In this compelling podcast, Jessica opens up about her mental resilience, where failure simply wasn't an option. Discover how she stays disciplined with her mantra, "what gets scheduled gets done," and tackles unexpected obstacles head-on. Jessica also shares her insights on balancing motherhood with the demands of running a successful business, offering valuable lessons in time management and prioritisation. Learn how she harnesses the power of social media to sell houses. Join us as we delve into Jessica Hayward's inspiring journey, filled with grit, determination, and the unwavering belief that success is within reach for those willing to seize it.

Join Jessica, the creative force behind Bespoke Events and Decor, as she shares the journey of her business specialising in bespoke decor for events, parties, and businesses. The brand behind the iconic Christmas garlands, which adorn Brackley's shop fronts over the festive period. Discover how Jessica's creative drive, combined with the challenges of lockdown, sparked the flourishing of her business. Jess reveals the legacy of entrepreneurship in her family, her father was a successful Brackley business owner and the youngest ever mayor of Brackley Town. Tune in for an inspiring tale of resilience, creativity, and community support.

In this episode, we unravel the remarkable journey of Anthony Parry, a successful social media manager. Hailing from pulling pints on the pub scene, Anthony discovered his passion for social media marketing amidst the chaos of COVID pandemic. Now, at the helm of his flourishing enterprise, Anthony spearheads social media campaigns for a number of local businesses. Join us as we delve into Anthony's narrative, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped his ascent to business ownership.

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Billy, a former footballer turned top personal trainer who has revolutionised the Brackley fitness industry. With a track record of helping hundreds individuals shed fat and break free from yo-yo dieting, Billy shares his secrets to success. Join us as we delve into Billy's entrepreneurial voyage, examining his use of social media and the symbiotic relationship between fitness and business.