Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Small Business Sessions

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode of the series, we're joined by Dee Omole, founder of Dee's Basement, a confectionery studio specialising in nostalgia-inspired cakes and desserts.

Dee shares how a final-year university project at the University of Westminster became the foundation for Dee's Basement. 

She turned a pandemic‑lost pastry job into a thriving, community‑driven DIY cookie and dessert brand by leveraging affordable pop‑up spaces, relentless social‑media engagement, and small‑batch creativity to grow sustainably while maintaining personal control over her work.

What began as postal cookies and hand-painted madeleines has grown into a business that counts Pinterest and Liberty London among its brand partners.

Dee talks about building a loyal community on social media, learning to spot brands that want free work in exchange for "exposure," expanding from a home kitchen to a commercial kitchen, and writing her first cookbook with Quadrille, an imprint of Penguin.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Dee built an online following, partly through the extra visibility black-owned businesses gained during the Black Lives Matter movement
• Winning brand partnerships with the likes of Pinterest and Liberty London by pitching ideas rather than simply offering catering 
• Learning to spot brands offering "exposure" instead of payment while going viral with 12 million TikTok views from a video of her washing a fake display cake
• Running sold-out pop-up cafés in a neighbouring unit borrowed from her sister, and hosting small, intimate cake-decorating workshops
• Writing and publishing her cookbook, A Little of What You Fancy, with Quadrille, which was built around small-batch recipes designed to reduce waste for beginner bakers
• Learning to say no and protecting her wellbeing

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode of the series, we're joined by Usman Khalid, founder of Haven Coffee, an organic coffee brand and social enterprise with a mission to challenge false narratives about refugees in the UK.

Usman shares how his own experience as a refugee, his work with Counterpoints Arts and support from The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network helped him develop the idea for Haven Coffee.

He talks about building a business with no previous experience, starting with weekend market stalls, opening a small coffee shop and using coffee, barista training, comedy and visual art to create opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Usman's experience of gaining refugee status in 2015 shaped the idea behind Haven Coffee
• Why Haven Coffee is a business first, not a charity, even though social impact is central to its purpose
• Starting with weekend market stalls and coffee sales at events before opening a physical shop
• The reality of running a very small physical coffee shop and the challenge of trying to grow when income is limited
• How Usman created Laff-Uccino, a comedy event that trains refugees and asylum seekers in stand-up comedy
• Working with high-profile comedians including Nish Kumar and Ed Gamble to bring audiences to the events
• Providing barista training for refugees and asylum seekers so they can build practical skills for employment
• The role of supportive people, artists, comedians and local networks in helping Haven Coffee keep going

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode of the series, we're joined by Charlie Duckworth, founder of Community Sauna Baths, the not-for-profit social enterprise making sauna and cold plunge more affordable and accessible across London.

Charlie shares how the idea came together after the pandemic, why he wanted to create a regular, community-focused sauna experience outside of expensive gyms and spas, and how the business grew from a low-cost garden site into a five-site operation.

He also talks about operating as a community interest company, working with local authorities, funding outreach sessions and building a wider movement through the Community Sauna Network.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why Charlie wanted to create a regular sauna experience that focused on heat, cold and social connection
• Setting up as a community interest company and why the not-for-profit model mattered from the start
• Finding a landlord willing to take a chance on the idea and starting in a low-fi garden space
• Funding new sites through pre-sale tickets, discounted sessions, small loans and reinvested income
• How Community Sauna Baths uses paid tickets to fund outreach, free sessions and local community work
• Working with the NHS through social prescribing and bringing people into sauna through GP referrals
• Charlie's ambition to bring community sauna facilities to every London borough by 2030

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode, we're joined by Jade Georgiou, co-founder of Hackney Barkers, the dog grooming business built around community, care and ethical products.

Jade shares how she left her job as a receptionist to train as a dog groomer, later opening her own salon in Hackney after spotting what felt like the perfect sign – an Irish Terrier in the window of the premises.

She talks about the realities of running a physical business, learning to set boundaries with customers, supporting other local dog businesses and building a salon where dogs, owners and staff feel properly looked after.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why growing up in an entrepreneurial family made opening a salon feel like a natural next step
• Building the shop with family help and putting personal money, pride and energy into the space
• The early challenge of saying yes to every customer and learning to set proper business rules 
• Taking on the first employee and realising the business needed stronger processes
• Why community is central to Hackney Barkers, from referrals to sharing local businesses' services
• Offering free grooming for unhoused people's dogs and why Jade wants the business to help beyond paying customers
• How Jade chooses local and ethical suppliers that align with Hackney Barkers' ethos

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode, we're joined by Max Tobias, co-founder of The Dusty Knuckle, one of London's best-known bakery businesses.

Max shares how his experience working with young people in the youth justice system led to the idea for a bakery that could create real opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.

He talks about starting small, growing from a shipping container and building a business whose product has to stand on its own while the social impact sits at the heart of the company.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Max's background in youth intervention and youth justice shaped the idea for his business
• Using a local restaurant's pizza oven early in the morning to test the product and build demand
• How The Dusty Knuckle's youth employment programme supports young people coming from custody, care, insecure housing and other difficult circumstances
• Training the wider team to support young people without making the programme feel separate from the business
• What it's like running a bakery business in 2026, including rising costs, early starts and the pressure on hospitality
• Why Max wants the business to become a London community asset people genuinely care about

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

In this series, we're speaking to founders and entrepreneurs about the real stories behind starting, growing and rebuilding small businesses.

Expect honest conversations, practical lessons and first-hand insight from people who have built businesses with purpose.

In this episode, we're joined by Nik Southern, founder of Grace & Thorn, the floristry business known for its wild, natural and rule-breaking approach to flowers and plants.

Nik shares how she moved from recruitment into floristry, built the business from her living room and grew it into one of London's best-known independent florists.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why Nik left recruitment after 13 years and retrained as a florist in her mid-30s
• Starting Grace & Thorn from her living room and selling flowers through friends, pubs and word of mouth
•  Moving from a small basement studio to a Hackney Road shop as the business started to grow
• The challenges of running a high-street shop, from service charges to safety and rising pressure
• Why Nik closed the shop and moved to a more manageable studio model
• How Grace & Thorn built strong roots in Hackney's creative small business community
• The burnout, guilt and pressure that can come with running a creative business for nearly 15 years

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.

In this episode, we're joined by Rob Wilson, co-founder of Toast Brewing, a brewery that makes craft beer using surplus bread.

Rob shares how Toast Brewing began as a project to raise awareness of food waste, why the team turned surplus bread into beer, and how the business has grown into a mission-led brand stocked by major retailers.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why food waste is one of the biggest environmental issues the planet is facing
• How getting hold of surplus bread is, as Rob puts it, "depressingly easy"
• Why Toast donates 1% of revenue or 100% of profits to environmental charities
• Attracting investors including National Geographic and Heineken International
• Becoming a B Corp and why the process helped Toast improve its internal culture
• Expanding internationally through licensing, collaboration and local brewing partnerships
• Why Rob believes purpose-led businesses still need to focus hard on product quality

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Get free support now

Welcome to Small Business Sessions, brought to you by Enterprise Nation as part of Powering Local Businesses, our collaboration with EDF Small Business and Square.

This series explores the practical steps small businesses can take to grow and thrive – from improving energy efficiency and embracing sustainability to creating a lasting impact in their local communities.

In this first episode of the series, we're joined by Renée Elliott, founder of Planet Organic, the UK's first fully certified organic supermarket.

Renée shares how she launched Planet Organic in 1995, why values were at the heart of the business from day one and what happened when she returned years later to rescue it from administration.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why Renée started the business to do something meaningful, not simply to make money
• The slow start after opening in November 1995, and why Renée feared the business might not survive
• What happened when Renée was pushed out of the business and had to reinvent herself as a mentor
• Why she returned in 2023 to help rescue Planet Organic from administration
• Rebuilding the business by reconnecting it with its original values, product standards and community
• Why community events, in-store expertise and team training matter in modern high street retail
• How Planet Organic has approached sustainability through core values and evolving, aspirational standards

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Powering Local Businesses

We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably. 

Get free support now

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the 10th and final episode in the series is Susan Allen, co-founder of sustainable period care products business Here We Flo.

Susan Allen and her co-founder Tara Chandra started Here we Flo after being disappointed at the lack of organic and sustainable personal care products in the market.

The business is now stocked in major retailers and has several big name advisers and investors on board. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Running a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
• How Here We Flo got stocked in Sainsbury's, Boots, Whole Foods and more big retailers.
• Susan's brilliant advice for making a success of being stocked in big retailers.
• Securing advisers and investors from Graze, Charlotte Tilbury, Unilever, M&S, L'Oreal, and more.
• Becoming a B Corp.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the ninth episode is Millie Flemington-Clare, founder of accessible and inclusive makeup brand Human Beauty.

Millie was born with a rare genetic condition called Cystinosis, which affects only 3,000 people worldwide. Her frustration with the lack of accessible products in the beauty industry inspired her to start her own brand. 

Human Beauty sells product designed for disabled and neurodivergent people, featuring anti-roll packaging, sensory-friendly formulas, and QR codes with audio descriptions.

Millie has won several awards and secured funding from a range of sources, including a £50,000 grant from Innovate UK and investment on BBC TV's Dragons' Den.

Beyond Human Beauty, Millie works as a design and accessibility consultant, helping brands and institutions build inclusion into their foundations.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Turning ideas into physical products.
• How Millie is shaking up the makeup industry. 
• How Millie won a £50,000 funding and her tips for successful grant applications.
• The impact of appearing on Dragons' Den.
• What more needs to be done to support disabled entrepreneurs.
• Why Millie's community is so vital to the business and how she engages them. 

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the eighth episode is Dominic Mills, co-founder of local experiences marketplace Yuup.

Dominic was inspired to start Yuup after struggling to find the gift of a local experience for his wife. He could only find the usual experience offerings from national providers, and nothing that reflected Bristol, the city where he lives.

Yuup is now a thriving marketplace of experiences offered by hundreds of small businesses in Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Durham, Northampton, Nottingham. Yuup has also branched out into its running its own events such as a spectacular drone show this Christmas.

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Dominic's experience of growing and selling a marketing agency before he started Yuup and lessons he learnt.  
• His start-up challenges and how he overcame them.
• Launching a platform for physical experiences during a global pandemic. 
• How he convince the first businesses to join Yuup.
• How Yuup crowdfunded almost £1m.
• Building a team. 
• How Yuup decides which cities to expand to.  
• How Yuup measures its mission for delivering a positive social impact. 
• Branching out into running Yuup's own events such as drone shows and immersive experiences.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode six, we're joined by Sam Matanle, the co-founder of Batch LDN, a clothing company with a focus on sustainability.

In this episode, Sam reflects on turning a 2024 break-in into a bold, humorous campaign. He also shares how crisis storytelling, transparency and resilience have shaped his approach to leadership, building a brand and navigating failure.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• The simple problem that sparked Batch LDN's made-to-order approach
• Tackling smart-casual dressing and the waste that traditional fashion models create
• The emotional impact of failure and why accepting "it might fail" builds clarity
• Knowing when to push through a setback and when a pivot is genuinely needed
• Impostor syndrome as a sign of growth (not inadequacy)

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the seventh episode is Ryan Panchoo, founder of gluten free doughnut brand Borough 22.

What started as making doughnuts for his children due to a frustration at the lack of allergen-free treats at events is now a brand that regularly sells out in Selfridges.

Ryan has grown his business from hand delivering his products on the London Underground, to going full time after nine years, being stocked in one of the UK's most iconic retailers and selling overseas. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Hand delivering his doughnuts on the London Underground.
• How he used social media to promote his products from day one. 
• How a follower tagging Selfridges on Instagram led to Borough 22 being stocked.
• Switching from running the business as a side hustle to going full time.
• How he raising investment to fund a commercial kitchen.
• Letting go of doing everything and decided to grow a team. 
• Borough 22's global fans including one who flew from Norway to get the products and an American fan who offered to pay for Ryan's flight to Detroit to make his doughnuts!

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode five, we're joined by Daisy Morris, social media strategist, community builder and bestselling author.

Daisy shares how creativity, vulnerability and connection have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also opens up about the realities of failure, how to make authentic connections online and why building community is the foundation of sustainable growth.

From creative flops to finding freedom in doing things your own way, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success is as much about people as it is about purpose.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How building connection became the driving force behind her business
• How to build meaningful relationships in a digital world 
• The "we vs. me" approach to social media and creating content that resonates
• The importance of sharing failures online when things go wrong
• Taking ideas from seed to reality – and knowing when to pivot or persevere

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the sixth episode is  Zoë Chapman, founder of The Whizzer, the revolutionary portable toilets for adults and children. 

Zoë started her business in 2020 while recovering from spinal surgery. She decided to turn into reality a portable toilet invention she had come up with in 2015 when she was potty training her son and looking after her disabled father. 

Since then, she has gone on to sell thousands of products and land an investment deal on BBC TV's Dragons' Den.

Throughout her journey, networks and networking have been crucial to Zoë's success. That includes joining Enterprise Nation, getting a contact for a trusted manufacturer from a fellow entrepreneur, getting Instagram followers to test products and recruiting customers as freelancers to help her business.

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Finding a manufacturer with a limited budget and getting the product manufactured.
• How Enterprise Nation has helped her business.
• How a customer helped Zoë get stocked in a national retailer.
• The impact of appearing on TV's Dragons' Den.
• The other female entrepreneurs who inspire and influence Zoë.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode four, we're joined by Tom Voller, the co-founder of global creative production agency Dojo Films.

Tom shares the messy realities behind running a creative business. From early missteps and undercharging to losing major projects and learning to own mistakes publicly, Tom opens up about what failure really looks like in the world of creative entrepreneurship – and why honesty has become his biggest business tool.

Topics discussed in the episode:

·        Why not knowing what you're doing can be an advantage when building a creative career

·        How therapy, coaching and community can help founders become resilient

·        Why publicly owning your failures builds trust with clients and audiences

·        How honesty online has helped Tom attract new business and find peace with vulnerability

·        The need for more open conversations about undercharging, ghosting and client challenges in the creative industry

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fifth episode is Julianne Ponan, founder of Creative Nature, the range of snack bars and other products that are free of the top 14 allergens.

Julianne was inspired to start the business after suffering with anaphylaxis and allergies from the age of two. Her conditions have led to her being admitted to intensive care several times. 

Creative Nature products are now stocked in hundreds of stores and sold in countries around the world. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• How she got started with Creative Nature.
• How she got her products stocked in several large retail chains. 
• Why she pulled out of having her products in Holland & Barrett.
• Her experience appearing on Dragons’ Den and why she turned down the deal. 
• Her advice for growing a team.
• Lessons from failing at crowdfunding before she successfully crowdfunded £500,000.
• Securing significant media coverage and how other entrepreneurs can do the same. 
• Exporting her products to over 16 countries. 

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode three, we're joined by Anisah Osman Britton, an award-winning tech entrepreneur, writer and business founder who received an MBE for services to diversity in technology.

Anisah talks about her journey into tech, founding 23 Code Street, navigating start-up culture, representation and the pressures of being a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Anisah entered the tech world and what she learned in the early days of start-up life
• Why she founded 23 Code Street to get more women – especially women of colour – into technical roles and decision-making spaces
• Navigating identity beyond your first venture and learning to reinvent yourself
• The toll of purpose-driven entrepreneurship on health, including stress-related illness and recovery
• What needs to change in the ecosystem to normalise failure for women founders

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fourth episode is Theo Paphitis, Dragons' Den investor and entrepreneur. 

As one of the UK's most high profile entrepreneurs, Theo is known as being one of the investors on BBC TV show Dragons' Den. He is also famous for turning around struggling high street brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas.

Theo does much to support small business owners, including through his #SBS Small Business Sunday community. 

In a wide ranging and inspiring converation, Theo discusses his extensive entrepreneurial career with loads of insights and advice. Don't miss this episode!

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• His early entrepreneurial experience including running a school tuck shop. 
• The impact of dyslexia on his entrepreneurial career.
• Transitioning from working as a tea boy to starting his own property finance company at age 23. 
• How he has turned around struggling retail brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas. 
• What is it like running high street businesses right now and what the government needs to do to support them.
• Stories from TV's Dragons' Den. 
• Why he started his Small Business Sunday competition in 2010.
• Why he still gets imposter syndrome.
• What he thinks about AI. 
• His top advice for business success.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode two, we're joined by Deepak Ravindran, co-founder of Oddbox, the UK’s first sustainable fruit and veg box delivery service. Deepak is now an executive coach for startup founders and leaders, helping others navigate the personal and professional challenges that come with building mission-led businesses.

In this conversation, Deepak shares the personal and leadership lessons behind building a food-waste-fighting business — from early doubts and bold career moves to burnout, identity shifts, and the surprising ways failure shaped the journey.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• The leap from a stable career in finance to founding Oddbox
• The tough early years — self-doubt, rejection, and redefining success
• How to separate your self-worth from your business identity
• Burnout, therapy, and rebuilding purpose after growth and pressure
• Leadership lessons learned the hard way
• Why founders should reframe “failure” as an experiment, not an identity
• The importance of reconnecting with your “why” and values

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the third episode is Will Pearson, co-founder of Ocean Bottle, the reusable bottle brand that funds the collection of ocean-bound waste amounting to the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles for each product sold. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• What inspired him to launch the mission-led business
• How he turned the idea into a tangible product
• How Ocean Bottle balances function, sustainability, and style 
• Advice for raising millions pounds in investment for a purpose-driven business
• How businesses can be sustainable  
• Building a team that shares the founder's values and passion for the mission  
• Becoming a B Corp and advice for others wanting to do the same  
• Building strong partnerships to benefit a business

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode 1, we're joined by Kirsty Hulse, an international speaker, author and award-winning voice on confidence at work.

Kirsty shares how she built a global speaking career. She talks about walking away from a successful business, navigating burnout and what she's learned about confidence, failure and being human.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Kirsty built a successful marketing agency working with global brands from a young age
• Why she walked away from a profitable business and why closing a company can be braver than starting one
• The health scare and burnout that forced her to reassess success, ambition and pace
• How she built a second career as an international speaker focused on confidence at work
• Why she doesn't teach confidence, but self-acceptance
• The role of self-talk, self-compassion and accepting your flaws in becoming genuinely confident
• What stand-up comedy taught her about failure, resilience and recovering from mistakes
• Why failure still hurts (and that's OK), and how to keep going without numbing the emotion
• How to recognise your personal signs of burnout and work with your natural energy cycles
• The danger of "self-care as isolation" and why community and connection matter more
• Why work should feel playful, not heavy – and how joy fuels creativity and performance

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the second episode is Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm. 

Joanna came up with the idea for the business when looking for a natural and effective product for her daughters who struggled with sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

The business launched with independent retailers and online in 2012, before expanding to national retailers including Boots and Waitrose in 2014. In 2022, Childs Farm was sold to PZ Cussons for £40 million.

Joanna has recently published a book, Making Business Child's Play: How to Build a Winning Brand

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Insights into the process of manufacturing a product
• The impact of a viral Facebook post that led to thousands of new sales
• Brilliant advice for getting into retailers like Boots and Waitrose 
• Tips for hiring a good team 
• Why she decided to sell the business and advice for negotiating a good deal
• How she works with businesses as an angel investor
• Her thoughts on female entrepreneurs' access to finance 
• Her new book, Making Business Child's Play: How to Build a Winning Brand

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the first episode in the new series is Louise Hill, founder of GoHenry. 

Louise was inspired to start GoHenry after being frustrated by her own children's understanding of money management and hearing other parents complain about the same thing. She launched the app in 2010 to teach kids "to be smart with their money" and provide parents with a "tool to nurture healthy financial habits". 

Louise has raised tens of millions in investment for the business and acquired Pixpay, a competitor in France. 

In 2024, the business was bought by US company Acorns which means it now has around six million subscribers in the UK, US and Europe. In the UK, one in five children between the ages of 10 and 12 has a GoHenry card.

In an inspiring episode, Louise shares insights on how she has built such an amazing million-led brand, and her tips covering areas including launching an app, raising millions in funding, growing a team and expanding overseas. 

Topics discussed include:

• Coming up with the idea for GoHenry.
• Building the first app and the challenges she had to overcome. 
• Getting big partners, such as Visa, on board.
• Breaking an equity crowdfunding world record in 2016 when she raised £4m. 
• Tips on finding investors, pitching etc from her experience raising over $100m in venture capital funding. 
• Advice for building a team.
• Expanded into other markets and acquiring Pixpay. 
• Why she decided to sell to Acorns. 

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In the 10th and final episode of the series, we're joined by Sam Matanle, co-founder of Batch.

Batch is a menswear brand whose mission is to raise the standard of sustainability in fashion by eliminating overproduction and waste.

Founded in 2021, it produces high-quality casual suits made to order – manufacturing only what's needed. With a flagship store in Covent Garden and a growing online presence, Batch is redefining what the modern suit can be: versatile, well-made and built to last.

In this episode, Sam shares the story behind Batch's launch, the challenges of building a slow fashion brand and how transparency, customer experience and relentless focus have driven its growth.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Sam and co-founder Julian spotted a gap in the market for casual suits
• Why Batch makes everything to order – and how it drastically reduces waste
• The difference between made-to-order and made-to-measure (and why it matters)
• Lessons from entering the fashion world without a fashion background
• Why off-the-shelf sizing and a single perfected fit works for most customers
• How the in-store experience builds trust, loyalty and higher conversion rates
• Managing customer expectations in a world of next-day delivery
• Why sustainability isn't the lead message – and what actually motivates shoppers
• How Batch has used celebrity and influencer partnerships to build credibility

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode nine of the series, we're joined by Camilla Cole, founder of Hypha Studios.

Hypha Studios is a charity that connects artists with vacant high street spaces in exchange for community-focused events.

Launched during lockdown in 2021, Hypha has since provided over £2.7 million worth of free space to creatives across more than 60 locations. Through temporary galleries, workshops and pop-ups, Camilla’s model brings culture, community and innovation to the high street – while also supporting landlords, councils and the wider local economy.In this episode, Camilla shares how Hypha Studios helps regenerate town centres by putting creative energy at the heart of local places, and why flexibility, collaboration and rethinking retail are key to building high streets that work for everyone.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• The lockdown walks that sparked the idea for Hypha Studios
• How the model works – free space for artists, community benefit for towns
• Why creativity plays a vital role in high street regeneration
• How landlords benefit – from reduced costs to better long-term tenants
• What makes a great space – and why it depends on location and use
• The importance of local context and hyper-specific programming
• How Hypha builds trust with landlords, councils and communities
• Supporting emerging artists with space, skills and visibility
• Turning vacant shops, offices and supermarkets into cultural hubs
• Why collaboration across sectors is key to creating thriving high streets

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode eight of the series, we're joined by Dionne Palmer, the co-founder of My Signature Aroma.

My Signature Aroma is a scent bar based in Brixton Village that allows customers to craft their own bespoke fragrance in-store.

Alongside her co-founder Frank, Dionne launched the business in 2020 with a mission to make niche fragrances more accessible and personal. What began as an online-only store during lockdown is now a vibrant bricks-and-mortar destination where scent meets creativity, community and self-expression.

In this episode, Dionne shares the story behind the business, the value of face-to-face connection in retail and how personalisation, fun and empowerment are at the heart of everything My Signature Aroma does.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How lockdown inspired Dionne and Frank to fill a gap in the fragrance market
• The challenges of selling scent online – and why in-person experiences are so powerful
• How they created a "cocktail-style" scent bar where customers mix their own signature fragrance
• What it means to centre creativity and individuality in product design and customer service
• The role of workshops and education in deepening customer engagement
• The power of community: how Brixton has shaped the business
• Building customer loyalty through personal connection and meaningful interactions
• Marketing lessons learned – from social media to viral moments and local word of mouth
• Plans for growth, including new store locations, international expansion and team building
• Why empowerment and joy are the feelings every customer should leave with

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode seven of the series, we're joined by Rob Ely, co-founder of TOAST.

TOAST is a proudly independent chain of coffee shops launched in Essex in 2020.

Alongside his co-founders Daniel and Louis, Rob has grown TOAST from one quirky, toast-themed café into a people-first coffee brand with six thriving locations – and big ambitions for the future.

In this episode, Rob shares how TOAST has created a loyal customer base by delivering exceptional service, investing in its people and staying true to its values.

From lockdown pivots and brand lessons to the power of community and choosing the right high street locations, Rob talks candidly about the highs and lows of building an independent hospitality business that's genuinely built to last.

Topics discussed in the episode

• How TOAST evolved from a toast-themed concept into a coffee-led brand
• What Rob learned from launching just weeks before the first COVID lockdown
• Why a heartfelt social media post helped turn the tide in TOAST's early days
• The challenges of scaling while staying proudly independent
• Why location is critical – and how being "too far" from footfall can make or break a shop
• How TOAST empowers staff to shape the business and values people over profit
• Lessons from a failed expansion and how it reshaped their growth strategy
• The importance of operational consistency across several sites
• How TOAST supports its communities through its "Coffee for a Coffee" initiative
• What's next: refining the brand, expanding regionally and creating a new kind of coffee culture

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode six of the series, we're joined by Sol Escobar, founder of Give Your Best.

Give Your Best is a "tech for good" social enterprise tackling clothing poverty and fashion waste through an innovative online platform and physical store.

Launched during the 2020 lockdown, Give Your Best allows refugee women and other marginalised people to shop donated clothing for free – restoring not only their wardrobe but their dignity and agency too.

Since then, the enterprise has grown into a thriving community-led organisation, combining digital tools, peer-to-peer giving, and inclusive retail experiences.

In this episode, Sol shares her journey from humanitarian volunteer to award-winning founder, and explains how businesses of all sizes can take small, impactful steps toward more ethical and sustainable practices.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Give Your Best was born during lockdown and grew from a bedroom project into a national platform
• Why choice, dignity, and agency are central to ethical clothing donations
• How the platform works – like "Vinted for good" – allowing people to donate and shop for free
• The role of peer-to-peer giving in building empathy and community connection
• How the Islington store operates as a pay-it-forward space, mixing sales with free access for people in need
• Tackling fashion waste through upcycling, repair stations and brand partnerships
• The importance of trialling and testing before launching retail concepts
• What it means to build a social enterprise – and why it’s a different mindset from traditional business
• Advice for retail businesses looking to operate more sustainably or partner with impact-driven organisations
• Why slow growth, long-term thinking and collaboration are key to building a business for good

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode five of the series, we're joined by Jon Perks, small business director at EDF, one of the UK's largest energy suppliers.

With over 25 years in the energy industry, Jon has guided thousands of businesses through energy challenges – from volatile markets to net zero ambitions. At EDF, his mission is simple: help small businesses grow by making smarter, more sustainable energy choices.

In this episode, Jon breaks down the energy landscape for small businesses, sharing clear, practical advice on how to cut costs, improve efficiency and navigate change with confidence.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Why energy is no longer a "set and forget" cost for small businesses
• The impact of rising energy prices on the retail sector
• Common pitfalls small businesses face with contracts and tariffs
• How smart meters and energy data help business owners take control
• The importance of employee engagement in reducing energy waste
• What drives fluctuations in global and UK energy prices
• How small businesses can future-proof with clean energy tech
• Why timing your energy use is increasingly important
• How EDF and Enterprise Nation are working together to provide free energy advice
• The future of the UK's energy system and what it means for small firms

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

Alice Mayor is a creative entrepreneur and founder of We Built This City and London Made Me – two pioneering platforms that have championed independent artists, designers and makers by putting them at the heart of the high street.

From opening a central London souvenir store celebrating local creatives to partnering with the Mayor of London on a retail training programme, Alice has spent over a decade empowering creatives to build meaningful retail experiences.

In this episode, Alice shares her journey from pop-up pioneer to retail mentor, and explains why supporting artists and independent makers is vital to the cultural and commercial future of the high street.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How We Built This City brought creativity to Carnaby Street
• Why independent makers deserve visibility in central retail spaces
• The power of storytelling in connecting customers with local products
• How London Made Me helps creatives learn, build and trade on the high street
• Advice for creatives looking to run a pop-up or try physical retail
• Why footfall data – and real customer insight – matters more than intuition
• The emotional and economic value of products with meaning and provenance
• The role of humour and accessibility in breaking down retail barriers
• How artists can turn retail into a workshop, event or community space
• The future of retail as collective, purpose-driven and deeply human

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode three of the series, we're joined by Mike Turner, co-founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Bird & Blend Tea Co. is a creative, purpose-led tea brand that has grown from humble beginnings in a bedroom to 25 UK high-street stores and an international online business.

With co-founder Krisi Smith, Mike launched the business in 2012 with a mission to make tea fun, sustainable and community-driven. The brand is also a proud B Corp and a strong advocate for values-led business.

In this episode, Mike shares the brand's journey from start-up to national retail success, the importance of customer experience and how sustainability, empowerment and gut instinct continue to shape the company's growth.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Bird & Blend grew from market stalls to 25 high-street shops
• The importance of testing, learning and taking calculated risks
• Creating memorable, experience-led retail environments
• Why empowered teams are at the heart of customer experience
• Building a business rooted in values, sustainability and community impact
• Becoming a B Corp and using it as a tool to guide better decision-making
• Balancing scale with purpose – growing at the right pace for the right reasons
• Navigating supply chain complexities and the realities of sustainable sourcing
• How staying true to your gut can lead to your best business decisions
• Advice for entrepreneurs who want to build mission-driven retail brands

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In episode two of the series, we're joined by Aimee and Lily Barrett, the co-founders of Candid Studios.

Sisters Aimee and Lily started self-portrait photography studio Candid in May 2023. Based in Westbourne Grove in London, the business is built around a simple but powerful concept: customers take their own professional-quality portraits in a private, feel-good environment.

With a mission rooted in empowerment, self-expression and self-love, the Barretts have grown Candid into a community-driven brand that's transforming how people show up – in both personal and professional spaces.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How a personal breakthrough inspired the concept for Candid Studios
• The sisters' transition from actors to first-time entrepreneurs
• Building a retail experience with community and emotion at its heart
• The role of social media and storytelling in driving early growth
• Creating an inclusive, accessible space where every client feels seen
• Expanding the business with help from angel investors and brand partnerships
• How they're navigating the challenges of running a high street studio
• The importance of showing up authentically as founders and leaders
• Plans to scale Candid beyond London and bring the experience to new locations
• The sisters' advice for anyone looking to launch a purpose-led brand

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Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

Welcome to the Small Business Retail Sessions podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation's Powering the High Street programme, in collaboration with EDF.

This series explores the major challenges that today's retailers are facing – from declining footfall and vacant shop-fronts to the post-pandemic recovery and increasing demand for sustainability.

In this first episode of the series, we're joined by Gbemi Okunlola, founder of Alonuko.

Started in 2012, Alonuko is a world-renowned women's fashion brand celebrated for its iconic bridal designs, intricate embroideries and inclusivity.

Gbemi's fashion journey began in her teenage years, and she's since grown Alonuko into a global name in luxury bridalwear, known for offering highly personalised and inclusive experiences for brides around the world.

Here, Gbemi shares how her early passion for design evolved into founding Alonuko. She reflects on the value of in-person retail experiences and offers advice for building a global brand.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• Where Gbemi's passion for fashion and entrepreneurship began
• How Alonuko transitioned from a small custom-dress service into a luxury bridal brand
• Key turning points in the brand's growth, including viral success and celebrity exposure
• The importance of designing for inclusivity across skin tones, sizes and cultures
• Why a high-touch, personalised customer experience is central to Alonuko's approach
• The role of physical retail experiences in a digital age, especially in bridalwear
• Navigating international demand and building a global presence – particularly in the US

-----

Through the Powering the High Street programme, we're bringing new energy to retail in the UK. We're helping small businesses thrive on the high street – through expert support, smart energy advice and practical tools to grow sustainably.

Find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringthehighstreet/

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the eighth and final episode in the series is Olly Tyler, owner of greetings card business, Shroot.

Shroot creates eco-friendly, biodegradable cards that come with everything you need to grow microgreens, including the pot. It's a gift, card, experience and snack all in one.

Olly didn't start the business, but bought it as a failing venture. He has since turned it into a great success, and has also purchased two other businesses; Kabloom and Bottle Farm. 

In the inspiring episode, Olly and Dan discuss topics including:

• Why Olly bought Shroot and his advice to others for buying a business
• How he turned a failing business into a success
• Oliver's advice for entrepreneurs struggling with their business
• Funding strategies for growing a business
• How being an Enterprise Nation member has benefitted Olly

Big thanks for tuning into series eight of the Small Business Sessions. Look out for series nine coming soon!

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 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the seventh episode is Saasha Celestial-One, co-founder of local sharing app Olio.

The idea for Saasha's groundbreaking business came about when her business partner Tessa Clarke trawled the streets looking for someone who might be able to use her spare food when she was moving house.

The two friends tested their solution in a WhatsApp group for neighbours in North London, and it's now an app used by millions around the world for finding what they need and sharing what they don't with local people.

In an inspiring episode, Sasha and Dan discuss:

• tips for growing a successful app
• how to use business to benefit the environment
• the UK as a good place to grow a technology company
• how Saasha funded the company
• running a business with a co-founder
• how to build partnerships with big organisations
• how businesses can continue to innovate

-----

 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the sixth episode is Jake Bucknall, co-founder of pizza business Dinner for One Hundred.

Chef Jake started the company in South London in 2020 with his former tour guide friend Jacob as a dinner for 100 people. 

But then lockdown hit so they decided to sell pizzas outside Jacob's mum's house. The popularity was so great that they ran out of space and moved to a pop-up site. 

That has now been developed into a permanent pizzeria, alongside another bar, selling their pizzas in a central London pub and running four events a month. 

In the show, Dan and Jake discuss topics including

• the impact of the pandemic
• tips for setting up a restaurant
• how to be successful at crowdfunding 
• the secrets to putting on a great event
• tips for business success

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 The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fifth episode is Josh Kleiner, who runs sandwich shop chain Sandwich Sandwich with his dad Nick.

The family business started with a small shop in Bristol in 2010 and now has three branches in the south west city.

In 2023, the business was named Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year and won £100,000. This allowed the father and son team to open a flagship London store which is so popular that people queue for up to an hour to buy their lunch.

The success of the business has also been helped by social media. Its famous giant sandwiches have gone viral many times, with TikTok influencer Kalani Ghost Hunter telling his three million followers that it was "one of the best things he has ever put in his mouth".

In the show, Dan and Josh discuss:

• how the business has grown from the first small shop
• the reasons behind its popularity on social media
• the impact the social media buzz has had on the business
• opening a flagship branch in London
• his advice for running a high street business
• his tips for business success

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fourth episode is Elyssa Desai.

Elyssa is a mindset expert, speaker and coach who guides business owners and others through their what am I doing with my life moments. A huge focus of her work is helping individuals to understand and reprogramme their mindset so they can confidently achieve their dreams.

In the inspiring episode, Dan and Elyssa discuss topics including:

• How to manage imposter syndrome as a business owner
• Dealing with burnout
• How being an Enterprise Nation adviser has helped her business
• Starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Tips for podcasting

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the third episode is is Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean.

Lynsey first joined Instagram in 2016 and posted an image of her newly clean floor with a bottle of product. Despite having only 40 followers, she got 190 likes and realised she was on to something. 

Within six months, Lynsey had 7,000 followers, started being paid by brands to promote their products and became the UK's first cleaning influencer. 

Nearly a million people now keep up to date with Lynsey's cleaning tips on social media, she has written several books, and she makes regular appearances on television shows including ITV's This Morning and Good Morning Britain. 

In the episode, Lynsey and Dan discuss topics including:

• becoming a social media influencer
• how to grow a following online 
• negotiating influencer deals with brands
• building a career as a TV expert 
• the power of Facebook groups
• managing a work/life balance

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the second episode is Clare Andrews, the home cook turned social media sensation who's known as the Air Fryer Angel. 

Clare's culinary journey began during the lockdowns of 2020 when she was gifted an air fryer. 

She began to explore the full potential of the popular kitchen gadget and shared her air fryer recipes on Instagram. 

Clare now has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, has published three bestselling cookbooks and has appeared on several air fryer-themed TV programmes. 

In the show, we discuss Clare's journey to becoming a social media influencer plus her tips for growing a following online, writing a book and attracting media coverage. 

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a eighth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the first episode in the new series is entrepreneur and investor Richard Harpin.

Richard is best known as founder of home assistance company, HomeServe, but his entrepreneurial journey began at an early age. That included selling rabbits at age 6, and running a fishing fly-tie company, which earnt him enough for the deposit on his first house.

Richard grew HomeServe into a FTSE 100 listed business, with thousands of employees serving millions of customers around the world. In 2023 he sold it to Brookfield Asset Management for £4.1 billion.

Richard has stayed on as chair of HomeServe EMEA. He also invests in other entrepreneurs via Growth Partner and in 2023, he acquired Business Leader, a platform and membership community supporting mid-sized firms.

With Richard's huge entrepreneurial experience, this is a podcast you don't want to miss!

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the ninth and final episode in the current series is Steve Folland, a freelancer podcaster and video editor. 

With a long career in radio, Steve went freelance in 2013 and hasn't looked back! 

Alongside his work creating videos and podcasts for other people, he launched his own show, Being Freelance, in January 2015, followed by the Being Freelance vlog in 2016. 

Steve, who has been using Dropbox since 2013, also runs the Being Freelance community and is the co-host of Doing It For The Kids, a podcast for freelance parents which won gold for Best Business Podcast at the British Podcast Awards in 2021.

In the show, Dan and Steve discuss topics including:

• how to succeed as a freelancer
• how to set your prices as a freelancer
• how to win new freelancer clients
• tech tools to boost productivity and efficiency
• the impact of AI on the creative sector

Dropbox is the one place to keep life organised and keep work moving. Tools include Dropbox, File Request, Dropbox Replay and Dropbox Sign.

Big thanks for tuning into series seven of the Small Business Sessions. Look out for series eight in January 2025! 

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode eight is Stephen Lane, founder of entertainment memorabilia business Propstore. 

In the early 90s, movie lover Stephen began hunting for the props and costumes that were used to create his favourite films. 

His collecting hobby became a business in 1998 and more than 25 years later, Propstore has 70 employees in London and Los Angeles and more than 25,000 square feet of archived props and costumes. The business also turns over £35m despite Stephen having taken on no external investment. 

Since it started, Propstore has located and auctioned thousands of famous items to collectors around the world. Items include the lightsaber used by Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back, Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones Fedora, and guitars played on stage by the Gallagher brothers from Oasis. 

In an insights and advice packed episode, the entrepreneur discusses turning a love for movie props into an actual business, how he tracks down memorabilia to sell, reaching a £35m turnover despite taking on no external investment, establishing a business in the US, running a business during several economic downturns and lots more. 

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode seven is mixed media visual artist and Enterprise Nation member Christian Azolan. 

After a work contract ended due to the coronavirus pandemic, he began creating digital illustrations. That hobby soon turned into a business as Christian used the downtime during lockdown to create a brand for selling his limited edition artwork online. 

Since then, Christian has had several successful exhibitions, and achieved a significant amount of press coverage for his work. 

In the episode, Dan and Christian discuss how artists can commercialise their work, his brilliant advice for how small business owners can make media headlines, the importance of knowing your numbers, how he is bringing artists together via a social enterprise collective, the business boosting benefits of being an Enterprise Nation member, and lots more!

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode six is Kat Pither, founder of eco-friendly yoga mats and accessories brand Yogi Bare. 

Kat first got into yoga while in rehab to deal with anxiety, PTSD and addiction. That love of the practice led her to becoming a yoga teacher, and she started Yogi Bare as a side project.  

During the brilliant conversation, Dan and Kat discuss using yoga to deal with mental health, starting a product business, encouraging a strong and supportive community around a business, building an ethical and sustainable company, growing a team and lots more.

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode five is Erika Robinson, UK general manager at digital marketing platform Constant Contact, one of the partners of Enterprise Nation's business.connected programme. 

During her career, Erika has spent two decades working across strategy and finance for some of the UK's most recognisable brands, including financial software giant Intuit, and mental health company Headspace. 

Erika is also a small business owner herself so has an in-depth understanding of entrepreneurs' priorities and predicaments. 

In 2019, she founded Picnic, a play centre where children can learn about the world by acting out roles in everyday life, such as putting out a fire, delivering the post and serving customers in a shop. The business has employed over 30 people and welcomed 200,000 parents and children through its doors. 

In the show, we discuss Erika's tips for how to succeed with your digital marketing, her lessons from working in top companies, why she believes small businesses have several superpowers that big companies don't have and her experiences running her own small business. 

Constant Contact offers email and digital marketing tools that make it easy for your small business or nonprofit to get the attention and revenue it deserves.

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode four is Dhruvin Patel, co-founder of blue light screen eye protector brand Ocushield. 

Whilst studying optometry at university, Dhruvin launched the initial development of his blue light filtering technology that make eyes healthier, improves sleep and boosts happiness. 

Since then, the business has grown into an international brand that has helped more than 300,000 eyes in over 147 countries. 

Ocushield also appeared an BBC TV's Dragons' Den and secured investment from Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani. The deal ended up not going through, but Ocushield went on to get £1m in funding, much more than they secured on the show. 

In the episode, Dhruvin discusses what happened on Dragons' Den, why the deal ended up not going through, how he raised more funding, his tips for accessing finance, managing relationships with investors and lots more. 

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode three is Jade Beason, founder of The Creator Project, who helps entrepreneurs to grow their online presence, multiply their income streams and create profitable businesses.

Jade began her career in marketing and sponsorship, but quit corporate life in 2021. She used her eight years of experience to turn her YouTube channel into a six-figure business shortly after uploading her first video. 

In the show, we discuss switching from a side hustle to a full-time business, and how to grow a successful YouTube channel, plus Jade's tips for growing a subscription service and making the most of social media to power your entrepreneurial success.

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a seventh exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partners Vodafone Business, Constant Contact, JP Morgan and Dropbox.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for episode two is Marnie Swindells, founder of Bronx Boxing Club, who won BBC TV's The Apprentice in 2023. 

Marnie started boxing at the age of 17 and dreamed of opening her own club. She did just that in February 2023 when she launched her business in South East London, and is going for growth with the help of the £250,000 investment she won from Lord Sugar on the show. 

During our conversation, we discuss how Marnie's long held love for boxing became a business, what it's really like to appear on The Apprentice, the experience of working with Lord Sugar and her tips for entrepreneurial success.

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The business.connected hub is a free online training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules designed to help businesses go digital and adopt new technology.

To find out more, go to www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected

For a free one-to-one consultation with an expert business adviser from Vodafone's V-Hub, visit www.vodafone.co.uk/business/sme-business/small-business-advice/personal-advice

To listen to previous podcast episodes, go to www.enterprisenation.com/podcast