"5 Things I Know Now" A Dorset Growth Hub Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The art of marketing in the wine industry is a challenge when bottles look so similar, which makes this Coffee & Catchup’s lineup ideal for anyone looking to stand out.

Fran Bridgewater FCIM and Garry James, CMO of FOUNDRY, both join us to share in the latest from Fran’s new brand Volcanic Wines, the latest developments with Poole’s FOUNDRY and Podcast Labs, and even share a few tipple tips ahead of the Christmas period…

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• FOUNDRY and Podcast Labs’ latest collaborations at FOUNDRY Poole and beyond
• Fran’s latest venture with Volcanic Wines, and how they’re crafting their latest selections
• How vital it is to nail marketing in an industry with lookalike products
• Tips for wine connoisseurs to enjoy wine at its very best

With an ever-changing economic landscape, any support for small businesses is absolutely vital, a huge focus for this latest Coffee & Catchup episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast.

Nick Gregory guides us through the latest in finance, funding and mentorship with Dorset Business Mentors’ Alistair Bayliss sharing more on the process, and Steve Mayell sharing some grant and loan opportunities for SMEs in the local area.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• How mentors can help small businesses, particularly at an early stage
• Low Carbon Dorset’s pot for funding green and energy saving projects
• Recent economic developments to stay aware of as SMEs
• A raft of resources from Dorset Business Mentors and SWIG Finance

Welcome back to Coffee & Catchup! September marks the grand return of the hugely popular live online events hosted by Dorset Growth Hub’s Nick Gregory, answering questions and offering advice to hundreds of local businesses.

With an economic downturn on the horizon and energy prices at the centre of conversation, it’s high time to offer support to businesses needing assistance with the trying times ahead.

We bring together Low Carbon Dorset’s Heather Kiel, Barclays’ Danny Jones and Dorset Business Mentors’ Charles King to discuss the rising inflation, what we can learn from previous recessions, and what support is available for businesses’ energy costs.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Implications of the recent ‘Mini-Budget’ on inflation
• Looking at prior recessions to help overcome the next one
• Energy price assistance available up until April 2023
• Details of resources for business support

Business ownership is no easy task, so saving your energy to tackle what really matters is absolutely vital for The Happy Blossoms Co-Founder, Lauren Hooper.

We’ve another wonderful episode of the 5 Things I Know Now recorded at We Are F_ND in February, where Lauren shares why finances - boring as they might be - are essential to get right, how to handle copycats, and how she’s grown in confidence & overcome self-doubt.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Preserving your energy for the most fulfilling parts of your business
• Coping with copycats and using it to catalyse your own progress
• The huge impact of choosing the right social media channels
• Strategies for achieving your goals quicker

Regardless of your industry, small businesses are all forced to become social media experts to some extent, so how do you beat the algorithm and gain a following?

James Wythe’s blog, Healthy Living James, is a great example of how to put your story and personality front and centre, even if it means leaping well beyond your comfort zone!

Find out James’ 5 Things He Knows Now on the latest episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, recorded live at January’s wonderful We Are F_ND event, where we hear how to gradually push yourself, build a following, and create content that you can keep up for the long term.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• How to expand your comfort zone and become a more confident presence on social media
• Which content is likely to help grow your business’ following
• Capitalising on emerging platforms & technologies, and directing followers to your own services

Dorset Growth Hub:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dorset-growth-hub/
https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/

James Wythe:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wythe/
https://www.instagram.com/healthylivingjames/
https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Productivity in a digital age is a hot topic, with hybrid workplaces creating opportunities to take advantage of technology - but it’s not without its caveats to look out for…

Carolyn Freeman’s background in marketing followed by a career shift into the intriguing world of CyberPsychology provide her with a myriad of experiences, from the corporate world to mature education to self-employment.

Carolyn, Founder of Cybercology, shares with us her unique take on the 5 things she knows now, from spotting burnout and the self-employed community, to work life balance and de-slaving from our tech.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• The early signs of burnout & how to stop it
• Making career changes at any stage of your life
• Achieving work-life balance on our own terms
• Reforming your relationship with technology

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Whether it’s putting faith in yourself or believing in your team, the power of confidence can truly bring the best out of your business.

It takes a great deal of confidence to set up a business in the midst of uncertainty, but Susannah Brade-Waring did just that in the wake of 2008’s financial crisis, and Aspirin Business Solutions has been co-creating success for leaders ever since.

Susannah joins us to share the 5 things she knows now having seen her business through thick and thin, with a focus on emotional intelligence, relationship building, and being selective in the technological innovation you adopt.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Having greater confidence in yourself and your team
• The value of self-awareness, respect and empathy in business scenarios
• How to be ‘T-shaped’ and communicate with anyone
• Where to innovate and adopt new tech in meaningful ways

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Building a business from scratch presents common pitfalls that many have learned to avoid, but there’s a unique set of challenges and pressures that come with taking the wheel of a brand with a lengthy history.

Rosie Lees has been at the helm of The Embroidery Barn for the past 3 years, building on 20 years of legacy and evolving its mission for premium & eco-friendly embroidery.

On this episode of 5 Things I Know Now we learn the value in staying firm & believing in what you do, growing a support network both within and beyond the business, and even a story about her surprisingly speedy pet tortoise.... 

This podcast is kindly supported by Bournemouth University, so we’re joined in the studio by Tilly, a 1st year Business & Management student for an interesting live Q&A session.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Sticking to your guns and backing yourself
• Surrounding yourself with the right people, both within the business and your external support network
• Taking time out to focus on your mental wellbeing

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

Although we’re firmly within the world of business, it’s important not to forget the human element behind it all, and the personal values that stand to help us all to make better connections.

Andy Brown, a part-time FD/CFO and Founder of 3D FD with experience at Passenger, Armadillo, Salad and many more companies, is well-versed in collaborating with a wide variety of teams. 

Andy shares the 5 things he knows now, from the age-old adages that stand true like treating others how you’d like to be treated, to the more business-focused premise that a lack of cash should never force you into a bad decision.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Staying memorable through surprising kindness
• Following through on your goals
• Not allowing financial difficulty to force a bad decision
• Making everyone feel valued in business conversations

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast

The digital landscape is ever-changing, so to stay at its precipice it’s vital to step out of your comfort zone. Whether by choice or by necessity, accomplished Digital Content Creator Brogan Tate has taken that leap to diversify the videos she makes for her 80k YouTube subscribers, while creating exciting collaborations with the likes of Disney, EE and M&S!

Recorded at the fabulous launch event for WeAreFND, a brand new community for supporting young founders & entrepreneurs, Mary chats with Brogan on episode 5 of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast about overcoming the fear of failure, broadening the scope of your offering, and setting huge goals based on your own definition of success.

This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:

• Breaking away from the crowd & stepping out of your comfort zone
• Setting ambitious goals and celebrating those successes
• Overcoming a fear of failure
• Choosing to niche vs staying broad

Links and references at: https://www.dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk/podcast