A Funny Thing Called Business

In this episode we look back at just how far we've come in 2022, with excerpts from the episodes on Tax, Visibility, Exhibiting, Presentations, Campaigns, Pet Hates and Launching. If you've ever wondered if anyone is going through what you're going through as a business owners, listen in and know that you're not on your own! This episode is sponsored by Kate Hollingsworth Photography: https://kate...

In this episode Clare, along with Darren, Kate, Pete and special guest Kate Hollingsworth, talk about visibility.    - What does visibility mean when it comes to your business?  - Is there a RIGHT and WRONG way to be visible?  - What do the group see as the biggest challenge?  - And which one of them wants to just 'Let It All Hang Out'   As always, there is a lot of value in this episode - but als...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the things that bother them about running a business; their Pet Hates. Find out which social media platform is bothering Clare, who is calling Kate, how Pete deals with late night messages, which of the group has an email folder labelled 'Bin' and what has any of this got to do with jazz? This is a good one! This should appear at the end of eve...

On this episode Clare, Darren (he's back!), Kate & Pete talk about exhibtions.   What is the benefit of attending, or showing, at a business exhibtion? What should your aim be as a delegate? When is the best time to go to a business exhibition? Also, what does Fart Spray have to do with it all?   As always, there's plenty of stories, examples and memories to make you, as a business owner, realise...

In this episode Clare, Kate and Pete (Darren was away, but with them in spirit) talk about presenting and presentations. Things covered in this episode: - How do you prepare for a presentation?;  -     - What can you do, if anything, to deal with the nerves?  - How do you create a great 60-second pitch for a networking meeting?  - Does 'winging it' ever work? - Also - what does Spider-man and Amst...

On this episode Clare, Darren, Kate and Pete look at Launching - whether it's a product, service or your business as a whole.   There's some great advice about the best way to go about a launch - and the big no-no that so many people make with their launch!   Plus - what has ET, injections and breaking wind got to do with Launching?   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years...

In this episode Clare, along with Darren, Kate & Pete, talk about campaigns; what's worked, what hasn't - and what you'd rather forget! So - what have vacuum cleaners got to do with it all, which one of the group starts to buffer mid-answer, and who delivered 1,000 leaflets with their name spelled incorrectly! Also - Darren mentions a previous episode, all about Google Ads. You can find that episo...

In this episode, listen to Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about tax - and the challenges, silver linings and funny stories around Tax. Find out why Pete's Star Wars DVD's matter so much, who tried to claim a speedboat on their tax returns - and what do dogs think about taxation? As always, there are some great tips and advice for you and your business - delivered with a smile! Tripcatcher - https...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about making goals; do we still do it, is it important for the success of your business - and which one of the group blurs the boundaries between goals for their business and goals in their personal life? Listen, laugh and learn that you're not alone - and how to be a better business owner! This episode is sponsored by Grant McKnight, who can be foun...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about The Joy Of Texts! Those times when texts and WhatsApp messages have impacted on you running your business. As well as talking about the times that we've said 'I love you' to the wrong person, or starting using emojis during a pitching conversation, the guys will also help you set up boundaries with your clients about when they *should* be getti...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete go through those conversations you've had with clients, customers and suppliers that maybe were a little difficult, or awkward. Maybe you'd even like to forget a couple of them? As well as declarations of love, relationship breakup mixups and issues with accents there's also some great practical advice about dealing with your clients that you can put into...

In this episode Clare, Daren, Kate & Pete talk about the perils, problems and palavers with planning within your business.   What kind of plan should you have? How often do you need to plan? What kind of things should you plan for? Will Trello ever listen to Darren and sponsor this podcast?   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under their belts sha...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the ups and down of selling! How is it for you within your business? Do you have a system and a process for selling your business - and would you want to buy a kitchen from Kate? As well as some great excuses to laugh, there's some genuine business advice that you can put to use straight away!   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about ratings and reviews for your business. When should you ask for them? What they *should* and *shouldn't* include! How much you can  guide your client in writing their reviews.   Plus, what does a horses head and the name Phil have to do with it all?   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under thei...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about using apps - whether on a mobile device or your desktop - and how useful they are to the success of your business.   The big question is, though - which is Darren's favourite app? Listen to the episode and see if you can hear it. (HINT - He mentions it about 50,000 times!)   Here's a full list of the apps mentioned by name:   Snapseed - https:/...

IN this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about getting stuff OFF your desk and ONTO someone's else's - Delegating and Outsourcing! Why should you do it? How much of it should you delegate? When is the right time to do it? All the answers are here. Also, hear which one of the group finds solace in Homes Under The Hammer, and who is called 'lazy' by their own family!   Can you keep a secret?...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the business social media platform, LinkedIn.   They discuss the different approaches to it, whether or not accepting all connections is the right way, new rules that should be brought in to LinkedIn - and which of the group dons a DISGUISE when they go on LinkedIn?   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective exp...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about meetings. Whether they're virtual or face-to-face, they're a big part of being a business owner. So - what challenges have the group had with meetings? What do they see as the silver linings of the virtual meetings that so many of us have had to do over the past few months. Also, why is Kate growling? This episode is sponsored by the Sutton Col...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about homeschooling AND running a business. Something that so many business owners are experiencing right now.   They talk about their favourite memories, things they wished they had known, silver linings - as well as practical advice for you and your business.   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience und...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk through their plans for 2021 - and how other business owners can use their methods too. As always, there's plenty to smile about in here; why is Clare a witch, what has Darren done with his children, and how does Pete react when he's finished a phone call with a client? Plus, there's plenty of business advice for you, no matter what the size of your...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about the issue of taking time away from your business.   Do you do it? How easy do you find it? And what is Clare's problem with Candy Crush?   Find out more in this great episode, with plenty of smiles and laughs - and lovely business advice!   Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under their belts s...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete look at the first 12 months of a business. What lessons did we learn? What mistakes did we make? What would we do differently? Of course, plenty to takeaway from this episode - and plenty of reasons to smile too. Plus, find out what a 'podcast mugging' is! Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under their bel...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about Virtual Business Networking, which has become much more of a norm in 2020. What are some of the embarrassing things that they've seen - or had happen to them - during the course of an online networking meeting? And how does Star Trek fit into it all? Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under thei...

In this episode Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete talk about Google Ads. Have they used them? Do they work? How can you make them work for you? Which ones have you seen that haven't *quite* worked? All this and more comes under the microscope in another laugh-out-loud episode Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under their belts share the capers and triump...

In this episode, we talk about your prices! How difficult was the process in setting them? What have been some of the reactions from prospective clients? Clare, Darren, Kate & Pete tell some of their funny and embarrassing stories about them, their businesses and pricing! Can you keep a secret? Four business owners with over 30 years collective experience under their belts share the capers and tr...