In this episode, I talk to Stephen Clark, one of the partners of Johnson Clark, residential and commercial surveyors for the northeast of England and North Yorkshire.
 
 Stephen & I discuss
 
 ♻️ how important sustainability and becoming more responsible as a business are prime values to the business and although they have made huge inroads to date, where they see more opportunities may lie.
 
 📈 how important marketing is to their business, some inventive tactics, and if they could be doing more.
 
 You can contact me at jo@jolongconsulting.com or find me on LinkedIn.
 
 You can see more about Johnson & Clark on their website www.johnsonclark.co.uk.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

My guest on this episode is Allison, one half of the husband-and-wife partnership that is Teesdale Cheesemakers, an award winning artisan cheesemaker in the heart of Teesdale, County Durham.

Teesdale Cheesemakers are based at Pond Farm, and offer an event space, home produce as well as 2 beautiful glamping pods and a shepherd's hut for a truly 'off the grid' experience.

Allison and I discuss
 
🧀 how the business has changed over the last few years, and what challenges and rewards that has brought with it.
 
 ♻️ the complexities of looking to drive sustainability and responsibility in an industry that perhaps doesn't have the best reputation for that.

🔮 plans for the future and how marketing and communication play their part.
 
 You can contact me at jo@jolongconsulting.com or find me on LinkedIn.
 
 You can find more about Teesdale Cheesemakers on their website www.teesdalecheesemakers.co.uk, emailing allison@teesdalecheesemakers.co.uk, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

My guest on this episode is John Atkinson, infamous in the northeast of England for his career as a business advisor for County Durham and beyond. Now retired, John still has his finger on the pulse of what is happening in the northeast in terms of funding and business support for organisations of all sizes and statuses.

John and I discuss:
 
↻ how recent events that affected businesses across the globe aren't too dissimilar from years gone by.
 
 🧱 foundations to ensure longevity and success for organisations.

🔮 the outlook for the future of the enterprise landscape in the northeast of England.
 
You can contact me at jo@jolongconsulting.com or find me on LinkedIn.
 
You can hear John's Business Bulletin on Bishop FM Radio (0830 & 1730) and Aycliffe Radio (1030) 5 days a week, relaying information and positivity via local and regional business news.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

My guest this time is Owen from 3D Virtual Spaces, which provides 3D and 360-degree representations of commercial, public, and historical places.

Based in the northeast of England, Owen is currently working on a UK government-funded project with several North East culture and heritage sites.

Owen and I chat about
 
💡 how recreating places in this forward-thinking way can provide accessibility.
 
🪄  how even the smallest of businesses can 'make a difference' in how they run their businesses and engage with communities.

🏆 the wins and challenges of being a small business owner.

You can catch a demo of the work that Owen creates on the YouTube channel for the podcast - https://youtu.be/rYGRM9dE7Jo

You can contact me at jo@jolongconsulting.com or find me on LinkedIn.

You can find more about 3D Virtual Spaces on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/owen-weightman-362773176

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode I talk with Paul Lancaster, Business Startup and Growth Consultant, founder and event producer of UK Start Up Week and PlatformNE, offering practical, actionable advice and exposure for business growth and development.

Paul is an incredible business owner and connector of businesses, as well as an avid champion of the northeast of England.

Paul offers free weekly events through PlatformNE in Sunderland and Newcastle, as well as the now infamous UK Start Up Week, 5 days jam-packed with advice, speakers, and connections for startups and growth organisations.

Paul and I discuss:

📈 how adding and sharing value is paramount in creating sustainability and longevity in a business.

💡 the current challenges of social media and some golden nuggets on how to make your marketing deliver.

♻️ what sustainability means at different levels within the current business landscape and whether it's obvious what we should be doing.

⚔️ and whether Paul is a real Lord...
 
You can find out more about Paul on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), and find information about PlatformNE and UK Start Up Week on these socials:

PlatformNE - Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn.
UK Start Up Week - Website, Facebook, Eventbrite, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.

And huge thanks to Flok, in Middlesborough, for allowing the use of the fabulous podcast studio for this episode.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

My guest on this episode is Niall, the compelling founder of Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce Ltd., based in County Durham.

Since 2015, Niall has been producing and diversifying his award-winning range of chilli sauces, mayonnaise, chutney, and oils, made with natural ingredients and responsibly sourced materials, to an ever growing and demanding customer base, in the north-east of England, across the UK and overseas.

Niall and I discuss:
 
🌶️ how the business started and how it has changed over the almost ten years of business,
 
 📈 the challenges of growth in business and dealing with large distributors and legislation like Natasha's Law,

☯️ Niall's 'love-hate' relationship with marketing,

♻️ and what the term 'sustainability' means to Niall and his business.
 
You can find out more about Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce Ltd., on their website www.screamingchimp.com, by emailing niall@screamingchimp.com, or find them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this final episode of Season 1, I talk with Rachel Tweddle, CEO of TCR The Hub, a charity based in Barnard Castle whose vision is to develop the local community positively and creatively.

Rachel, head of the organisation, has the unwavering support of a phenomenal team of both paid and voluntary workers, bringing new ideas, support, and a trustworthy, honest, non-judgmental, and fully inclusive culture approach to Teesdale and the surrounding area.

Known for their funded community work, TCR The Hub has had to adapt to the changing funding landscape and bring new initiatives to ensure their longevity, continued delivery for the community and a holistic and diverse offering working in collaboration with a number of other local organisations across the northeast of England.

Rachel and I discuss:

💷 the challenges of the charity sector regarding financial stability and how politics can affect what can be delivered to communities.

🤝 how networks and collaboration are vital for enterprise.

‼️ how commercial revenue streams have become so important for the charity sector and the priorities of marketing to support these commercial revenue streams.

📡 and how communication, values and culture are absolutely key to success.

You can help support this fabulous community-led charity by booking events, facilities and meetings at the venue and know that you and your organisations are 'giving back' to this vibrant local community (and contribute to your own Social Impact and Responsibility 😀).

Shout out to Jonny (master of outdoor activities and all-around good egg!) and his cameo role in the YouTube recording 👏🏻, as well as local community collaborators The Witham, Nobia & Sons and House of Tutor).

You can find out more about TCR The Hub on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 Midway through Season 2, my guest for this episode is Mollie Nathan, Creative Lead & Art Direction for Creative Projects at redpill marketing agency.

redpill is a market leading and groundbreaking influencer marketing agency, setting the industry alight with a more conscious and impactful project creation and delivery.

Influencer marketing hasn't always had the best reputation but redpill's outlook and values are definitely turning that on its head.

We chat about:

🤝 how culture has become paramount in creating an environment that produces the best output for employees and clients alike,

✅ how being transparent and authentic in sharing culture, values, back stories and personality is what consumers want,

👍🏼 how redpill are changing the perceived negative face of the influencer marketing industry,

🏅 redpill's journey to B Corp status and why they decided to do it,

🎥 if short form video content is dead & why longer form is a growing requirement

🔮 and Mollie's top predictions for SME's and markets for 2025. 

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

And here we are already at episode 4 of Season 2!

In this episode, I talk with Simon Raybould, known as the Presentation Genius and total guru for effective communication.

We had such a lot of fun recording this episode, not least of all due to a little furry friend of the canine type who kept us on our toes. See if you can spot any references to her 🤣

We chat about:

🔬how Simon’s career in human science research led him into heightening communication,

📖 storytelling and how to use it more effectively to make a real difference,

🧠 insights into the human brain that can make communication more difficult as can the social impact of our own past experiences in business

🪄 plus tips and tricks on the science of presenting, and how it can positively impact human sustainability, productivity and the working culture.

Please note, there is a reference to grief and suicide in this episode.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, I chat with the always joyful Andy Read from Resilient Business Systems, a tech based solution provider based in the north east of England and servicing organisations across the UK.

Andy has been in his industry literally man and boy & it was fascinating to discover how he made the steps from starting out to where he is now, and what an incredible brain he has for learning tech.

Andy & I talk about:

🕵🏼‍♂️ how Resilient Business Systems looks to alleviate the pain out of continuous tech developments for their customers,

😌 how change and embracing tech can deliver an easier life and make everyday activities more accessible,

👍🏼👎🏼🙈 the good, the bad, and the ugly of tech and its speed of development,

♻️ and the fabulous work Andy and the team are doing to extend the lifecycle of tech and deliver on the important values within the business.

Whether it's hardware, software, business support or cyber security, Resilient Business Systems could be your perfect trusted partner. Find Andy and the team via their website, https://www.resilientsystems.co.uk/, on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, and you can catch the 'Tech A Break' podcast on Apple, Spotify and the Hubspoke Media YouTube channel.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the first episode of Season 2, I am joined by Chris and Issy, the dad & daughter super team from Howell Media, based in the northeast of England.

Howell Media are multi-award winning experts in film, content creation, animation and live event streamers, offering end-to-end solutions in creativity, project management, and delivering tangible results, as well as training courses in media.

Their energy is infectious and reflected throughout the team, which makes them an absolute joy to work with, as well as the one-liner cliches and life statements often peppered in with the conversation. See how many you can spot (no prizes, just for fun).

We talk about:

↻ how the business has changed since it began,

🫂 how working with multi-generational family members can bring a whole new dynamic, insights and skills to a business,

🎬 the challenges of the film industry and where a professional outfit works in an uprising of amateur filmmakers,

💎 the values within the business and how these are vital to Howell Media’s success,

💡 as well as some hot tips about how to make sure your content creation is really hitting the mark

You can contact Chris or Issy through the website, https://www.howellmedia.co.uk/, or find them on LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

My guest on this episode is Tony Underwood, Co-founder of Believe Solutions Ltd. an organisation championing positive outcomes for all stakeholders through social action and impact.

You might know Tony from his previous careers as an England Rugby Union player turned pilot, but now is bridging the gap between communities and the private sector through a new enterprise, Believe Solutions alongside business partner Liz Byrne, reinforcing the importance and benefits of fierce care.

I can’t deny the reason this came about is because I stayed at an expo to hear Tony speak specifically because I was a total fan from when he played rugby, and I am so glad I did. Believe Solutions is a fantastic organisation that is already bringing true and measurable positive impact and disrupting how we, as businesses, look at Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Values and Social Impact going forward.

We discuss:

🫂 How Tony’s career and upbringing created an innate quality for caring 

🧱 Why it’s important for organisations to foster a culture of care for their employees and communities,

📖 The impact of true information transfer between the sectors and how the bad stories are equally as important as the good,

💡 And of course Tony’s new venture, Believe Solutions.

 You can find more about Believe Solutions on the website, or find Tony on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Website

LinkedIn


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/