Berko & Beyond – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to Berko and Beyond, the podcast celebrating the people who live, work, and do business in Berkhamsted and the surrounding areas.

In this week's episode, host Ben Baldwin sits down with two brilliant local creatives and recent winners of the Decorum's Den competition: Illustrator Debbie Shrimpton and Makeup Artist Becky Brotherton.

Both Debbie and Becky share their unique journeys of navigating the leap into running their own businesses. Debbie discusses transitioning from a fashion background into launching a thriving illustration business during lockdown, while Becky shares her passion for providing empowering makeup lessons and tutorials specifically tailored for women in midlife.

If you are a local entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Debbie and Becky pull back the curtain on the Decorum's Den experience, discussing:

1. The Power of a Business Plan: How the application process forced them to step out of their comfort zones, set clear goals, and stop "floating around".
2. Pitching with Confidence: Behind-the-scenes details on practice pitches, overcoming nerves, and the invaluable mentorship they received from local experts.
3. Levelling Up: How they utilised their grant money to stop doing it all themselves and bring in experts for web design (Shopify), SEO, and marketing.
4. Community & Collaboration: The unexpected networking doors that opened simply by entering the competition.

Important Deadline: Applications for Dacorum's Den 2026 close on March 25th. As both of our guests advise: "Just do it!". www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/business/business-services/dacorums-den

Subscribe: Like and follow wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe if you're watching on YouTube.

Follow: Berko & Beyond on Instagram | Facebook Web: https://berkoandbeyond.com/

Be a guest on the show: Drop us an email podcast@berkoandbeyond.com

Guest Links:

Debbie Shrimpton Illustrator on Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | https://debbieshrimptonillustrates.co.uk/

Beccy Brotherton MUA on Instagram | Facebook | https://www.beccybrothertonmua.com/

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Episode Resources:

Bloom with BB www.bloomwithbb.co.uk Leigh Cohen - Sales Geek www.salesgeek.co.uk

Christy Evans, the Place Officer for Economic Development at Dacorum Borough Council, joins Ben Baldwin on this episode of Berko & Beyond to shed light on the resources available for local businesses.

First up is Maylands Business Centre, a fantastic hub offering support from workshops to flexible office spaces, perfect for those just starting out or looking to expand.

Listeners will get a glimpse into Dacorum’s Den, a unique competition designed to help small businesses secure funding, which has distributed over £114,000 in grants to local entrepreneurs over the past 12 years. Christy touches on the current challenges facing businesses, from rising costs to recruitment hurdles, while emphasising the importance of community collaboration.

This episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in the local business landscape or seeking support in their entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways:

1. Christy Evans discusses the importance of fostering local businesses through initiatives like Dacorum’s Den, which provides funding for small enterprises.
2. The Maylands Business Centre offers flexible, affordable office space that is crucial for startups and small businesses looking to grow.
3. Evans highlights the significant challenges businesses face today, particularly rising costs and recruitment issues, stressing the need for supportive measures.
4. Free business support workshops at the Dacorum Business Centre empower local entrepreneurs with practical skills and knowledge to thrive in their ventures.
5. Collaboration among local businesses is key to success, as evidenced by partnerships that form within the community, leading to shared resources and mutual growth.
6. Christy emphasises the value of creating a strong local economy by supporting both micro and larger businesses, ensuring sustainable development in the area.

Subscribe: Like and follow wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe if you're watching on YouTube.

Follow: Berko & Beyond on Instagram | Facebook Web: https://berkoandbeyond.com/

Be a guest on the show: Drop us an email podcast@berkoandbeyond.com

Links:

Ben Baldwin on LinkedIn Chuffed Productions on LinkedIn Web: https://chuffed.video/

Episode Resources:

Dacorum’s Den Application: www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/business/business-services/dacorums-den

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 25 MARCH 2026

Maylands Business Centre: www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/business/business-services/maylands-business-centre Tel: 01442 531002

Dacorum Business Support Workshops: www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/business/business-services/workshops

Herts Opportunities Portal: https://www.hopinto.co.uk/ University of Hertfordshire: https://www.herts.ac.uk/

West Herts College: https://www.westherts.ac.uk/

Dacorum’s Den Sponsors:

Sureserve Compliance Central: https://www.sureserve.co.uk Beeches Group: https://beechesgroup.uk/

West Herts College: https://www.westherts.ac.uk/ Cardo: https://cardogroup.co.uk/

Dacorum’s Den Business Support Providers

Bloom with BB: http://www.bloomwithbb.co.uk/ Sales Geek: https://www.salesgeek.co.uk/

Connect Dacorum: https://www.communityactiondacorum.org/local-business/

Welcome back to Berko and Beyond, the podcast celebrating the local business community in Berkhamsted and the surrounding areas.

In episode three, host Ben Baldwin sits down with a guest mentioned lots of times in our first two episodes: Leigh Cohen from Sales Geek. Leigh brings over 25 years of diverse sales experience, from running his own IT business and working with corporate giants like Virgin Media, to building sales teams for Silicon Valley startups. Now, through the Sales Geek franchise, he brings that wealth of corporate knowledge to help local small businesses.

If the word "sales" makes you picture a pushy, secondhand car salesman and leaves you feeling a bit "icky," this episode is for you. Leigh breaks down why we need to change our perception of selling, explaining that it is actually 80% science and problem-solving, and 20% authentic personality.

Whether you are a sole trader or running a scaling B2B company, Leigh drops incredible value on how to grow your business, including:

1. Ditching the Ego: Why the biggest mistake businesses make is talking too much about themselves, and how to shift your focus to the customer's pain points.
2. The Power of the ICP (Ideal Customer Profile): Why niching down to a specific audience doesn't mean losing business, but actually allows you to speak their language and become highly relevant.
3. The Four Pillars of Sales: A breakdown of Proposition, Pipeline, Process, and People to help you systemise your revenue.
4. Professional Persistence & Follow-Up: Why you should stop sending "just checking in" emails, how to add value in every interaction, and why every meeting must end with a diarised next step.
5. Introverts Make Great Salespeople: Why "the gift of the gab" is a myth, and how the ability to actively listen and ask the right questions is the true superpower in sales.
6. Dacorum's Den & Pitching: A behind-the-scenes look at the pitching bootcamps Leigh ran to help local businesses tell their stories to the "dragons".

Leigh also discusses his free local networking and training events, the Sales Club, which runs every six weeks in Watford, Hemel Hempstead, and soon, Berkhamsted.

Subscribe: Like and follow wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe if you're watching on YouTube.

Follow: Berko & Beyond on Instagram | Facebook Web: https://berkoandbeyond.com/

Be a guest on the show: Drop us an email podcast@berkoandbeyond.com

Guest Links:

Leigh Cohen - Sales Geek - LinkedIn |https://www.salesgeek.co.uk/franchise/south-and-west-hertfordshire/

Sales Club Booking Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1984826226674?aff=oddtdtcreator

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Many small business owners find themselves as "accidental leaders" burdened by the immense pressure to micromanage and have every solution ready for their team. In this episode, leadership expert Ben Morton reveals why flipping your organisational chart, letting your team speak first, and showing genuine care are the real secrets to empowering staff and driving business success.

1. [00:00] Intro: From the military and Tesco to local leadership expert.
2. [05:30] The crucial difference between business administration (MBAs) and true people leadership.
3. [10:15] The Accidental Leader: Why your duty of care directly impacts your employees' families at home.
4. [15:45] Flipping the Org Chart: Why leaders belong at the bottom of the hierarchy.
5. [19:20] Why leaders should always speak last in meetings and ditch the pressure to know everything.
6. [25:00] The "Two-Man Sniff Test": Building ultimate trust and connection under pressure.
7. [36:00] Finding community in Berko and the "Man Up and Talk" walking group.

Key Takeaways

1. Speak Last in Meetings: If you share your opinion first, you will unintentionally bias your team to simply agree with you. Ask for their input first to show you value their intelligence and to gather the best ideas.
2. Flip Your Org Chart: Instead of viewing yourself at the top of the pyramid delegating downwards, draw yourself at the bottom. A true leader's job is to support and enable the rest of the team so they can effectively execute the work.
3. Schedule "Leadership Time": Step away from the daily grind and allow your mind to wander; neuroscience shows this is exactly when you tap into the brain networks responsible for generating fresh ideas and problem-solving.

Subscribe: Like and follow wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe if you're watching on YouTube.

Follow: Berko & Beyond on Instagram | Facebook Web: https://berkoandbeyond.com/

Be a guest on the show: Drop us an email podcast@berkoandbeyond.com

Guest Links:

Ben Morton LinkedIn Tiktok Instagram https://www.ben-morton.com/training/leadership-training/

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Struggling to build deep customer loyalty in an era of fleeting, AI-generated short-form content? Discover how starting a local podcast can establish your brand’s authority, foster genuine human connection, and create a dedicated community.

Key Takeaways

• Batch your content creation: Record multiple episodes in a single day to maintain a consistent publishing schedule without burning out your team.
• Prioritise audio quality: Outsource your production to professionals because while audiences might tolerate subpar video, poor audio quality will instantly drive them away.
• Leverage long-form attention: Use long-form podcasting to humanise your business and build deeper customer loyalty that short-form AI content simply cannot match.

Resources Mentioned

Who Not How: A recommended business book focused on scaling by outsourcing tasks instead of learning to do everything yourself. https://whonothow.com

Guest Links:

Azim Sha - Red Branch Studios Instagram Website: https://redbranchstudios.com

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

The tables have turned on Berko and Beyond! Regular host Ben Baldwin steps into the guest chair while Azim takes over interviewing duties. In this "meet the host" episode, Ben shares his personal background - from failing his first year of drama school and presenting live unscripted television, to eventually founding Chuffed Productions. He also discusses why he moved out of London to settle in the Berkhamsted area, the true value of curiosity-driven conversations over traditional networking, and his motivations for starting a podcast aimed at connecting the local business community.

Episode Chapters

[00:00] Azim takes over the podcast to interview regular host Ben Baldwin

[03:35] Drama school, live unscripted TV, and picking up a camera

[05:57] Moving out of London to start a family and find a local community

[13:09] The work behind Chuff Productions and shortening sales cycles

[19:08] Why the Burko and Beyond podcast was created

[22:25] Skipping bad networking for meaningful business conversations

[27:35] Why every business owner needs a mentor or mastermind group

Key Takeaways

• Relocate out of London before having a baby so you can organically build a strong, local network of friends by attending NCT and childbirth classes. As Ben and his guest host Azim discuss, these modern "bump and baby" classes are exactly where you will meet your new local community.
• Avoid networking events where people blindly pitch to the room, and focus instead on curiosity-driven, one-on-one conversations.
• Seek out a mentor or join a local business group to help you navigate universal operational challenges like HR, recruitment, and sales.

Subscribe: Like and follow wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe if you're watching on YouTube.

Follow: Berko & Beyond on Instagram | Facebook Web: https://berkoandbeyond.com/

Be a guest on the show: Drop us an email podcast@berkoandbeyond.com

Guest Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Discover how to build an authentic local business community with Corinne Wallington. Learn "ick-free" networking strategies, simple social media tips, and how stopping the overthink can naturally grow your small business. Press play to simplify your marketing!

Key Takeaways

• Ditch high-pressure elevator pitches and try low-pressure formats like "net-walking" to build authentic, supportive relationships with other local business owners.
• Maximize your social media reach effortlessly by using collaborative posts, adding specific location tags, and always including a clear call-to-action.
• Stop overthinking your content by using AI for brainstorming and SEO, and focus simply on answering your customers' questions so they become the hero of the story

Guest Links:

Corrine Wallington on LinkedIn

Chiltern Biz Collective on Instagram Website

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Links & Resources :

They Ask, You Answer book https://marcussheridan.com/they-ask-you-answer/

This special compilation gathers the most actionable advice from our first ten shows. We cover the transition from business owner to effective leader, how to retain top talent through workplace culture, and why your marketing needs to stop talking about you and start focusing on your customer. You will hear practical strategies from peer founders on securing referrals, delegating tasks effectively, and pushing past the comfort zone to grow your operations.

Episode Chapters

[00:00:00] Welcome and podcast milestones

[00:01:10] The privilege of leadership and duty of care

[00:05:15] Why leaders should be at the bottom of the org chart

[00:08:27] Why great leaders always speak last

[00:09:22] Getting comfortable being uncomfortable [00:11:58] Making networking conversations count

[00:14:26] You don't have to be an expert in everything

[00:16:05] Retaining staff and protecting mental health

[00:17:44] The "Who Not How" approach to delegating [00:19:39] Building an attractive workplace culture

[00:22:24] Stop talking about yourself on your website

[00:26:22] Asking for referrals at the point of maximum wow

[00:29:11] Overcoming the hurdle of overthinking content

[00:31:19] Seeking meaningful community sponsorships

Key Takeaways

• Invert your organizational chart: Act as the foundation supporting your team rather than managing from the top down, and always speak last in meetings to get the best ideas from your staff.
• Ask for referrals early: Request client recommendations at the "point of maximum wow" right after you deliver great initial work, rather than waiting years.
• Audit your marketing copy: Shift the focus of your website and proposals away from your company history and speak directly to your customer's specific problems

Guest Full Episode Links:

Christy Evans, DBC Episode https://youtu.be/2JN4ay19uSc?si=jo4bgZGS_orVH1vl

Dacorum’s Den Winners Episode https://youtu.be/SuP5vJzUCWg?si=QeMw_td8vSSsLigV

Leigh Cohen, Sales Geek Episode https://youtu.be/mIKreMJPYS0?si=FffFg2jJd1XyMnHG

Ben Morton Leadership Episode https://youtu.be/oAvcjZG-lzk?si=5Dj-YQtqAb-_9vGj

Azim Shah, Red Branch Studios Episode https://youtu.be/CcbCGci3TUM?si=lBR2HP8ToAzydVQx

Corinne Wallington, Chiltern Biz Episode https://youtu.be/BEH9kBwl3Jk?si=qeacu5N53Sjeo7nN

Ben Baldwin, Meet The Host Episode https://youtu.be/7xAo3U2npYw?si=CmZ5bxQo6C_qdHlP

Our Heath Barn Episode https://youtu.be/fZ8ebvmfDnE?si=-bTZFJqayh4G6BbI

Wendy Lewington, DENS Episode https://youtu.be/Vj7Hy41KO2U?si=KTmy8GUU58ehhHCx

Gordon Hall Peer Group Episode https://youtu.be/cvqybJCFq8o?si=eiybEPXaSg0CAQEU

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbaldwinchuffed/

Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Support Local!

Don't forget to like, follow, and share Berko and Beyond wherever you get your podcasts, and hit subscribe if you're watching on www.youtube.com/@BerkoAndBeyond.

If you'd like to be a guest on the show, drop us an email at: podcast@berkoandbeyond.com.

In this conversation, executive coach and Vistage chair Gordon Hall breaks down the mechanics of peer groups and masterminds and how they help business leaders identify operational blind spots. The discussion covers the practical differences between coaching, mentoring, and consulting, alongside actionable advice for navigating economic sluggishness. Gordon also highlights the specific reasons why many small businesses struggle to scale and explains why getting comfortable with discomfort is a necessary skill for long-term business growth.

Episode Chapters

[00:00:29] Welcome Gordon Hall: From negotiation to executive coaching

[00:01:42] What happens inside a peer advisory group or mastermind

[00:08:56] The role of vulnerability and issue processing

[00:13:18] How peers help identify leadership blind spots

[00:25:51] The difference between a coach, a mentor, and a consultant

[00:27:40] Navigating economic sluggishness and delayed decision-making

[00:29:15] The exact right time to ask a client for a referral

[00:32:16] Why UK businesses start strong but fail to scale up

[00:36:07] Why business leaders avoid negotiation

[00:41:41] Moving from work-life balance to work-life blend

Key Takeaways

• Identify your leadership blind spots: Actively seek unbiased feedback from other business owners outside your organization to uncover operational issues and bottlenecks you are too close to see.
• Ask for referrals at the peak of satisfaction: Request referrals or testimonials at the very beginning of a new client relationship when they are most impressed, rather than waiting years to ask.
• Embrace discomfort to scale: Practice pushing slightly outside your operational comfort zone regularly—such as directly asking clients why they chose to work with you—to break past growth plateaus.

Guest Links:

Gordon Hall on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gohall/

Gordon Hall at Vistage http://vistage.co.uk/chairs/gordonjohnhall

Gordon Hall Website www.hallsexecutiveedge.co.uk

Resources:

Nigel Taberner https://www.nigeltaberner.com

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbaldwinchuffed/

Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Support Local!

Don't forget to like, follow, and share Berko and Beyond wherever you get your podcasts, and hit subscribe if you're watching on www.youtube.com/@BerkoAndBeyond.

If you'd like to be a guest on the show, drop us an email at: podcast@berkoandbeyond.com.

In this episode, Wendy Lewington, CEO of DENS, explains how local businesses can make a tangible difference in tackling hidden homelessness across Dacorum. She breaks down the operational realities of running a mid-sized charity like a business, navigating the cost of living crisis, and how business owners and private landlords can practically support vulnerable community members through regular giving, mediation, and consistent CSR initiatives.

Episode Chapters

[00:00:26] – Introducing Wendy Lewington and the core mission of DENS

[00:02:36] – The root causes of homelessness and breaking the cycle

[00:09:33] – Addressing hidden homelessness and the cost of living crisis

[00:13:20] – How DENS supports private landlords to prevent evictions

[00:14:01] – The financial and operational realities of running a charity

[00:26:55] – Concrete ways local businesses can support the community

Key Takeaways

• Set up a regular, monthly corporate donation to a local charity to provide them with the reliable baseline income they need for long-term strategic planning.
• If you operate as a private landlord, partner with charity mediation programs that provide 24/7 property support and direct benefit payments to reduce tenancy risks and prevent evictions.
• Incorporate simple charity support into your weekly business operations, such as adding high-need food bank items or cleaning supplies to your company's online grocery orders.

Guest Links:

Wendy Lewington on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/wendy-lewington-2162703b

DENS Website https://www.dens.org.uk/

DENS Castle Walk https://www.dens.org.uk/event/castle-walk/

Host Links:

Ben Baldwin LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbaldwinchuffed/

Chuffed Productions LinkedIn | https://chuffed.video/

Support Local!

Don't forget to like, follow, and share Berko and Beyond wherever you get your podcasts, and hit subscribe if you're watching on www.youtube.com/@BerkoAndBeyond.

If you'd like to be a guest on the show, drop us an email at: podcast@berkoandbeyond.com.