The Business Babble

In this episode of Business Babble , the lads start with the chaos of World Cup ticket pricing, resale mark-ups, and the reality of the “working fan” getting priced out … then pivot into a proper conversation about mental fitness, routines, mentorship, and why business can feel so lonely . You’ll hear: The real-world value of a morning routine , from faith and quiet time to getting in early and wi...

This week the lads dive straight into the uncomfortable truth that most business owners avoid. If you feel constantly exhausted, stuck in the hamster wheel and wondering why the payoff never seems to match the effort, this episode hits home. Johnny, Mike and Wicus unpack the realities behind burnout, bad clients, rising costs, government pressure and why so many owners end up trading a job for a h...

Are you still turning up, talking too much and wondering why prospects are not buying? In this episode of Business Babble, Mike, Johnny and Wicus sit down with Edinburgh based sales trainer Brendan Walsh (Hawthorne Business Group) to break down what good selling actually looks like in 2025. Brendan shares why old school hard sell tactics fail, why your prospects do not care about your product and...

In this hard-hitting episode, Johnny, Mike and Wicus dive into the looming economic downturn that everyone can feel coming. Rather than sugar-coating it, they break down exactly how business owners should prepare, from stress-testing your numbers to stripping back expenses, strengthening your people, and tightening up your sales process. They explore practical steps to survive and thrive during a...

Is Britain actually broken, or can strong leadership, better standards and personal responsibility turn it around? In this episode of Business Babble , Johnny, Wicus and Mike sit down with Willie Rennie MSP to pull back the curtain on politics, the economy and what all of it really means for small business owners, entrepreneurs and working families in Scotland and across the UK . Willie shares his...

In this episode of Business Babble, Johnny, Wicus and Mike go on a full throttle rant about politics, weak leadership and why the UK feels like it is running on fumes. From Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget and a “black hole” economy, to parenting, policing, cashless payments and spineless politicians, the lads ask one big question If everyone is feeling squeezed and fed up, why are we all just accepti...

In this special Fife Business Week edition of Business Babble , we sit down with Dot Smith (Fife Council Economic Development), Fraser McKee (Business Gateway Fife), and local business leaders Stacey McKinley from Ductform , Pete McDonald & Andrew Nicholson from Viper Applied Sciences , Temi Ajayi-Salami from AYT Foods , and Steve Wilson from Focus Business Consultancy . Together, they share r...

Brand is not a logo. In this Business Babble episode, David Reid from Because Brands Matter joins us to unpack what a real brand is, why it lets you charge a premium, and how to build one that customers trust. We dig into values, positioning, consistency, naming, colours, audience testing, and the practical steps to launch or refresh a brand in B2B and beyond. You will hear clear, usable advice fo...

Entrepreneur, author and NLP trainer Rebecca Bonnington joins Business Babble to spell out why most companies stall. It is not the economy, it is culture. She explains how NLP helps founders and leaders ask better questions, make faster decisions, build resilient teams and scale towards a valuable exit. We get into people first leadership, defining non-negotiables, turning chaos into systems, and...

Belinda Roberts MBE joins Business Babble for a no-filter chat on what it really takes to build and scale a business. We dig into risk, cash flow, funding routes, invoice finance, pitching to angel investors, sales that feel human, and why authenticity matters more than polish. Belinda also lifts the lid on WEDO Scotland, why many firms hit a growth plateau, and how to get past it. If you want str...

In this episode of Business Babble , we sit down with Anna Black of Lindores Stay in North Fife, Scotland. Anna shares her inspiring journey of transforming a third-generation family farm into a thriving hub of luxury lodges, equestrian experiences, whisky collaborations, and unforgettable food & drink events . Discover how Lindores went from traditional farming to one of Scotland’s most uniqu...

Former pro rugby player and Effective Now founder Mark Blair joins Business Babble to tackle a big question: are schools preparing young people for the modern workplace, or are we leaving a massive skills gap for employers to solve? In this episode we unpack how meta skills and soft skills like confidence, resilience and communication are built through sport and real-world experiences, why many CV...

Trying to shift strategy without losing your team? Consultant Alan Russell from Forth Road Ltd joins Business Babble to show how real change sticks when you lead the right conversations. We dig into culture clashes after acquisitions, why listening beats telling, and how to balance fear, reason and data so people come with you. What you’ll learn The first conversation to run when strategy changes...

Landlord and former ad man Guy Harrower joins Johnny and Mike to share how he pivoted from running a creative agency to managing a mixed commercial and residential property portfolio across Edinburgh, Dundee and beyond. We get into why he sold Edinburgh rentals and moved into Dundee student lets, the real pros and cons of commercial leases with national tenants, and how Scottish regulation, rent c...

In this episode of The Business Babble , Johnny, Mike, and Wicus dive into a practical exercise that reveals the nine essential roles every business owner takes on — from thinker and finder to hunter, farmer, organiser, and analyst. Discover why scaling your business isn’t about doing it all yourself, but about knowing when to delegate, outsource, and build the right structure around you. Packed w...

In this explosive episode of Business Babble , Wicus, Johnny, and Mike dive into the uncomfortable truths every entrepreneur needs to face in 2025. From protests and cultural attitudes toward change, to recession-proof strategies and the dangers of complacency — nothing is off the table. The hosts debate: Why some businesses thrive in downturns while others collapse. The ruthless truth about cutti...

In this episode of the Business Babble Podcast , Wicus, Johnny, and Mike strip business growth back to its foundations. 👉 Are you clear on who your ideal client really is ? 👉 Do you know why people actually choose YOU over competitors? 👉 Are you focusing on value, or just competing on price? The guys get brutally honest about their own podcast journey, exploring: Why businesses lose sight of th...

In this powerful episode of Business Babble , Wicus, Johnny, and Mike lift the lid on a topic often left in the shadows – the emotional and mental battles men face in business. From the pressures of being the provider, to silent struggles with anxiety, burnout, and depression, we explore what it really takes to stay resilient as an entrepreneur. You’ll hear honest conversations about panic attacks...

In this episode of Business Babble , Johnny, Wicus, and Mike dive deep into the real, raw truths facing business owners in 2025. From political and economic shifts to changing customer behaviours and rising operational costs, this candid conversation covers what it really takes to survive and thrive this year. 🔍 Topics Covered: Why most business owners fear change (and how to overcome it) How to...

In this episode of the Business Babble podcast, we dive into the real-life challenges of running a business with a hilarious and honest chat about risk, mindset, and decision-making. Fresh from a weekend of chaos, the team explores the Six Thinking Hats framework — a powerful tool used by entrepreneurs and leaders to improve business strategy, manage risk, and encourage creative thinking. We discu...

This week Johnny and Wicus go unscripted while Mike’s away, diving deep into what it really means to be a business owner. From summer holidays and stepping back from the grind to the uncomfortable truth about why most entrepreneurs are still stuck working like employees, nothing is off-limits. Expect blunt honesty on leadership, scaling, parenting, politics, porn, OnlyFans, societal collapse, data...

In this episode of Business Babble, we’re joined by stand-up comedian Connor Burns, who shares the real behind-the-scenes graft that most people never see. From ditching a steady job three weeks before lockdown to playing sold-out shows across the UK, Connor talks about what it’s really like to build a career in comedy from the ground up. We talk about the realities of self-employment, chasing gig...

In this episode, we sit down with Craig and Ross from Dofos , a third-generation pet business with a story that’s anything but ordinary. From painting shop walls in -4°C to rebuilding from bankruptcy, these brothers share how they transformed a struggling family store into a thriving brand with four locations, their own product lines, and a booming e-commerce arm. They open up about tough beginnin...

In this moving and essential episode of Business Babble , we sit down with Kenny , a passionate advocate and facilitator from Andy’s Man Club —the grassroots movement changing the landscape of men’s mental health across the UK. From suicidal thoughts to social connection, Kenny shares his personal journey of struggle, sobriety, and transformation. With over 300 clubs and nearly 6,000 men attending...

In this no-filter episode of Business Babble , Johnny and Mike are back from their mini break in Munich and diving headfirst into the brutal truths facing businesses today. They unpack the fall of high-street giant River Island, discuss the bold moves of Pure Spa’s Becky Lumsden—who turned her 200-strong team into empowered self-employed mini-franchisees—and explore how brands like Next and Screwf...