A Funny Thing Called Business

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about being the face of your business.   The discuss:  - The challenges of 'putting yourself out there' when it comes to your business  - How much do you share, and what do you keep back?  - What does Weekend Clare look like?   Of course, there are plenty of smiles and laughs along the way too!   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about making sure that you keep developing your skills within your business. They'll discuss:  - Why 'Every day is a school day' applies more in your own business  - How you can keep on top of all of the changes in your industry  - Why does Clare have the OPPOSITE of Imposter Syndrome?  - What is it with Pete and a sty?   Can you keep a secret? Four...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the issue of burnout - something which many business owners have to contend with! They discuss:  - What are the signs of burnout  - How do we deal with it, or prevent it?  - Some of the challenges with having to cope with it whilst running our business  - Did Kate  really have to go to Ibiza because of burnout? As always, plenty of laughs along...

in this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about age. Is there a right age to start a business? Can you be too old? In this episode they discuss:  - Does age influence how you get started?  - Can you life experience actually work against you?  - What is 'other dimension' Kate up to now? As always, there's plenty of vlue in this episode - as well as plenty to smile about.  Remember - you're no...

In this episode, Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about AI; how we currently interract with it, and whether it's due to put us all out of business any time soon. The group discuss:  - Whether not we use AI in our business currently  - Are we in Camp Accept or Camp Fear  - Why AI is like 'Unexpected Item In Bagging Area'! :0) As always, plenty of smiles and laughs along the way. No matter where you...

In this episode Clare, Kate, Darren & Pete all look at what it means to be a leader within your business. They discuss:  - The main challenges in being a leader, as well as a business owner  - When to realise that you are a leader  - How does 'leadership' differ between staff and freelancers?  - What's going on with Darren's pants? As always, there are plenty of laughs and smiles along the way too...

On this episode the group talk about The Customer Journey. Should every business have one? How valuable is it? And how does it tie in with Kate's "mantra" being written on a wall somewhere in New Street station? As well as plenty of opportunity to smile and laugh along, there are some great pieces of value in this episode too!   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collec...

In this episode of the podcast Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk all about video marketing. The group discuss:  - How using yourself in marketing builds personal connection.  - Why video marketing brings personality and interaction.  - What is it with Darren and Spiderman? As always, there are plenty of laughs along the way too! Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collecti...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete look to start the year off right (not that you should set goals JUST at the beginning of the year) by talking about Setting Business Goals. In this episode, the group cover: 00:00 Business growth course led to ambitious goals. 06:21 Initial mindset against setting goals for business. 10:04 Be realistic, fail, but set goals anyway. 12:36 Importance of shar...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about Recurring Income; what is it? How do you start it? How do you maintain it? All of these questions and more will be answered in this episode - as well as some laughs along the way too!   KEY MOMENTS 00:00 Web designer discusses introducing retainer model for regular income and client updates. 06:28 Created subscription service for creative resou...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete go through just some of the questions that we gathered at the Greater Birmingham Chamber Business Expo from a few weeks ago. They discuss:  - the biggest PR disasters that they faced - or nearly faced!  - myths in marketing  - the do's and don'ts of rebranding your business  - does Birmingham do enough to shout about it's creative businesses? As always, i...

In this episode the group are live from the Birmingham Expo at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.   They spoke about the Do's & Don't of Public Speaking - and also asked for advice from a couple of the speakers on the day - Steve Sandycock, Chris Brewerton, and Henrietta Brealey.   We'll hear about:  - the need for prep when it comes to public speaking  - the big turn-offs for the froup when they're attend...

In this episode Kate, Darren, Pete and (special guest!) Anita talk through Traditional Marketing. They discuss:  - What do we mean by traditional marketing? And does it differ industry to industry?  - What is the power of traditional marketing on potential clients?  - Top tips for getting your traditional marketing right  - When did traditional marketing lead to one of the team not being able to g...

In this episode, it's the turn of Podcast Pete (the man who produces this podcast) to sit in the hot seat and be Asked Anything! Hear him talk about why businesses and brands should think about podcasts, and the benefit they bring to a company's digital marketing strategy. Also, we'll hear  - why a trip to the seaside didn't end well for one podcaster  - how Pete believes that everyone has a story...

On this episode, it's the turn of Darren Langley to face a grilling from Clare, Kate & Pete Darren talks through the formation of the business, whilst also covering:  - His thoughts on the website creation platforms, such as Wix and Squarespace  - The big Webby No-No's from other business websites  - What his OWN website is like...  - And why a plumber isn't  always a plumber! Plus, as always, lot...

On this episode of MonkeyPants Productions, we sit down with Kate, the graphic designer and branding expert business owner of the group. Kate shares how to be successful in creative branding while emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions, understanding business growth, and processes. She stresses the need to visualize what the company represents and translate that into the brand's...

In this episode Darren, Kate and Pete turn the tables and ask the questions to Clare. It's Ask Me Anything! Find out just what made Clare become a coach, what is the one piece of business advice she gives EVERY client - and how she manages to turn her phone off for 3 weeks at a time! As always, lots of laughs - as well as some great business advice too.   Change Your Life In 7 Days by Paul McKenna...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete discuss their experiences of scaling up their businesses.   They talk about the challenges of pushing boundaries and taking risks, but also the rewards that come with it.   They share their different approaches to scaling up, from taking a slow and steady approach to growing organically.   The group emphasizes the importance of making a plan, even if it d...

On this episode Clare, Kate, Darren & Pete discuss Values. Well - most of the group do; SOMEONE confesses that they don't really have them!   There are also discussion around:  - How to avoid the cliches of values  - Why you need to live your values, rather than just list them  - Who the values are for - your team, your clients or just you?   As always, there's plenty in this episode that you can...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate and Pete talk about packages.   As far as Clare is concerned, they are vital for so many businesses!   In this episode, you'll hear about:  - the importance of packages for your business  - whether you create the packages for you or the client first  - how you can get your hands on a very interesting reverse camera!   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners...

In this episode Clare, Kate, Darren & Pete look back at how their businesses were affected by the global pandemic - and what is different now about being a business owner. You'll hear:  - Why it wasn't all negative for certain businesses  - What lessons you can take from the pandemic, as a business owner, and what to do differently if it ever happens again  - Which member of the group developed a...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate and Pete talk about the latest apps that they're using in their respective businesses. They talk about some of the challenges in choosing the *right* app - and how much is TOO MUCH to pay?!? Of course, there are plenty of giggles along the way too, including a song that will get lodged in your head for the rest of the day!   Google Workspace - https://workspace....

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about negotiating. Do you do it? Do you clients do it a lot to you? If so, what do you say? In this episode, you'll find out:  - Is there ever a time when you *should* negotiate with clients?  - What the correct response is when you don't want to negotiate  - What do kidneys have to do with it all? Plenty to learn and laugh about in this episode. Tel...

On this episode Clare, Kate, Darren, Pete and *special guest and show sponsor* Kate Hollingsworth talk about stress. Obviously, stress and it's effects are no laughing matter - and the group talk about the stressful moments they've had as business owners - whilst still looking for the lighter side of coping with stress. They talk about:  - is being a business owner a stressful thing? If so, does i...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the thin line that all business owners have to walk along - the work / life balance. What are some of the challenges in trying to achieve it? Can you ever  really switch off from your business? What's the best place to have a home office? What's the ONE thing that all business owners should be doing to try and achieve a good work / life balance...