About Small Business

Season 3 of the About Small Business Podcast. In this episode of About Small Business, we sit down with Niall McKay-Mount, founder of Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce, a bold and unique brand born in County Durham. From a career that’s taken him across different industries to creating a range of award-winning hot sauces, Niall shares how he turned his passion for flavour into a business loved by foodi...

A snapshot of what we have coming in season 3 of the podcast.

In this insightful episode of About Small Business, we’re joined by Alison Smith, experienced accountant from Mark Stanley Accountants, based in the North East of England. Alison shares valuable advice and perspectives on how small businesses can stay afloat and thrive amidst a constantly evolving UK tax system. We discuss how legislation and compliance are becoming increasingly complex, the impor...

🎙️ About Small Business Podcast |In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Rachel Jewson, owner of the award-winning Knitsley Farm Shop in County Durham, to discuss the challenges facing the UK food and agricultural industry. From rising costs to supply chain struggles, Rachel offers an inside look at what it's really like to run a farm shop and support local British farmers during difficult...

From Muscle to Mind: How Body Blitz Gym is Supporting Men's Mental Health | Paul Reay Henderson InterviewIn this inspiring episode of About Small Business, we revisit Paul Reay Henderson, owner of Body Blitz Gym in Burnopfield, County Durham. Paul shares how the gym is evolving beyond physical fitness to become a vital support hub for men's mental health, building a strong, inclusive commu...

Finding Your Niche in Tough Times – Graeme Richardson (The White Room Café) | About Small Business PodcastIn this follow-up interview, we catch up with Graeme Richardson, owner of The White Room Café in Stanley, County Durham. Graeme opens up about the realities of running a café in 2025, navigating rising costs, staffing challenges, and shifting customer habits. Despite the tough climate, The Whi...

In this powerful follow-up interview, we reconnect with Simon Bourne, former owner of Jim Charles Shoes, who shares how the past year has completely transformed his professional journey. After realising that his handcrafted shoe business wasn’t financially sustainable, Simon made the bold leap into a brand-new industry. Now the proud owner of Bourne & Co Estate Agents, based in the North East...

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we sit down with **Sophie Dodgson**, the founder and Managing Director of **BeeSure HR**. Sophie shares her inspiring journey from a seasoned HR professional to establishing her own firm, which specialises in providing practical and accessible HR support to startups and SMEs.With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Sophie discusses the challenges and...

In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Dan Bowes, the man behind Mr Mixologist—or as he's better known, Mr Mix! Dan has turned his bar expertise and love for cocktails into a thriving business, hosting Hen Parties across the North East of England with his signature flair. With over a decade of experience, Dan has built a strong personal brand and now uses his skills to support other...

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Jemma Bushby, the owner of Creative Kitchen in Consett. Jemma’s journey began as a Business Studies graduate with a passion for working with children, leading her into teaching. However, the demands of family life pushed her to seek a better work-life balance, and entrepreneurship was the answer. Jemma shares how she turned her love for nutriti...

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we meet **Emma Driver**, the owner of **Ivy Rose Bridal Company** in Consett. Emma has carved out a niche in the **bridal wear industry**, taking her idea from concept to a successful **brick-and-mortar shop**—all without formal business training. Emma shares her **entrepreneurial journey**, revealing the key principles she followed to build her busines...

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we talk to **Jake Thirlaway**, the owner of **Houghton Thai Boxing Academy**, about how martial arts changed his life and became his career. After an uninspiring time at school, Jake found **direction and focus** through Thai Boxing. Balancing multiple jobs to support his demanding hobby, he eventually realized he wanted to **turn his passion into a pro...

In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Ann English, a visual strategist from the North East of England with a fascinating career journey. Ann started as a dancer before discovering her passion and expertise in window dressing. As she honed her skills, she realized she had a unique visual way of thinking, which she has since turned into a thriving business, helping others harness the powe...

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Sarah Jane Phelps, founder of Practically Positive in Every Way, a North East-based business dedicated to helping people harness the power of the mind. Sarah Jane’s journey began in retail, where she mastered the art of sales, before transitioning into entrepreneurship as a nail technician. Along the way, she discovered the transformational pow...

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we sit down with **Dr. Kelly Smith**, the founder of **SPELK Studios**, a North East-based furniture manufacturer with a strong focus on ethics and sustainability. Kelly’s journey is a fascinating one—starting as a **Physics graduate**, driven by a passion for understanding how things work, before making a career shift into **design**. Now, through **SP...

In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Brian McElderry, founder of UNICHEF, the National Union for Chefs in the UK. With a career spanning over 50 years, Brian shares stories from his journey—from working in Newcastle’s restaurants to fine dining in exotic locations like Libya. Brian recounts the pivotal moment during his travels that inspired him to establish a union dedicated to the ch...

From Flags to Family Legacy | Mandy Forster on Running a 30-Year Business In this episode of About Small Business, we talk with Mandy Forster, the driving force behind AA Flags, a flag manufacturing business based in Consett, North East England. With over 30 years of experience, AA Flags is a true family business, employing many of the same dedicated staff and preparing for the next generation as...

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Jo Long, a strategic marketing consultant and the founder of Jo Long Consulting, based in Barnard Castle, North East England. Jo shares how her private education helped build her networking skills and confidence early on, shaping her approach to business and relationships. We delve into topics like balancing careers within a couple, managing wo...

In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Kim Davis, the founder of a thriving language school in Consett, North East England. After starting her career as a teacher, Kim realized she needed a better work-life balance and discovered it by sharing the joy of learning foreign languages with both children and adults. Kim discusses her journey from traditional teaching to entrepreneurship and o...

In this episode of About Small Business, we talk with Hazel Oakes, the artist behind Nocciola the Drawer, based in the North East of England. After traveling the world and training as a designer, Hazel found her true calling in street art. Her business specializes in creating stunning murals, running workshops with children, and championing themes of female empowerment. Hazel shares her journey fr...

In this episode of About Small Business, we sit down with Dave Head, the dynamic and enthusiastic founder of Northern Digital Design and Marketing, based in the North East of England. With a wealth of experience designing for various brands across different countries, Dave combines his global perspective with local expertise to deliver measurable results for his clients. Dave shares his entreprene...

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we meet **Clare Davis**, a dedicated Travel Counsellor based in the North East of England. Clare started her career with dreams of becoming a vet, but it wasn’t long before she discovered her true passion for travel. After a successful career in the travel industry, Clare decided to take the leap into self-employment, craving the flexibility to work aro...

In this episode of About Small Business, we’re joined by Helene Castle, an online PA and web designer based in the North East of England. Born in France to a French father and English mother, Helene grew up bilingual and used her language skills and love for organization to build a successful career in travel. After traveling the world herself, she decided to venture into self-employment, offering...

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Deborah Wyn, founder of Lotus Aesthetics in the North East of England. Deborah shares her unique journey from working as a project manager at Sun Microsystems, to launching her own estate agency business, and ultimately entering the world of aesthetics after a poor personal experience with treatments inspired her to do better. Deborah talks abo...

In this episode of About Small Business, we’re joined by Matthew James, an author and creative entrepreneur based in the North East of England. Matthew’s journey has taken him from an early interest in journalism to ventures across industries, including running an American Sweet Shop, launching an escape room in Hull, and now working as a writer and greeting card producer. Matthew shares the uniqu...