Aston means business

Dr Mark Prince, a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Aston University, explains how 3D printing provided a vital solution to a medical problem caused by COVID-19. Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Beltagui, a lecturer in operations and information management at Aston Business School, says  ‘Imagination is the only limit’ for additive manufacturing’s future, which is already used to make hearing aids,...

Dr Isabella Moore, the chair of Comtec Translations who became an entrepreneur again aged 60, discusses the greater disadvantages that women in 'later life' face when it comes to setting up their own business. Businesswoman Merle Palmer also explains how she overcame a lack of confidence to launch her own company after redundancy.

Dr Geoff Parkes discusses new research by Aston Business School that proves how SMEs embracing language capabilities are 30% more successful at exporting. Rob Mannion, founder of e-commerce platform B2B.Store, says his business is now reaping benefits of languages investment, starting with its first overseas client in Mexico.

Helena Hogarth, owner of Hogarths Hotels, plans to bounce back from a 90% downturn during COVID-19 by switching from large corporate events to smaller weddings, staycations and spa offerings. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in Marketing and Strategy at Aston, has been helping the group to rebrand and identify new target markets. The pandemic has devastated many businesses, but Dr Thomas says: “It...

James Morris, managing director of Trafalgar Marquees, explains how he initially lost 90% of revenues in the lockdown but is now growing again after switching from corporate events to providing extra space for NHS COVID-19 testing centres and school classrooms. Mark Hart, professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston, praises the turnaround, and highlights the new government-backed Hel...

Amy Foster, founder of Nomad HR and Recruitment in Atherstone, Warwickshire, has launched a social enterprise to help find jobs for the young unemployed. She's already got six back into work, including a homeless youth. Nathalie Ormrod, local director of the UN's Principles for Responsible Management Education at Aston Business School, praises Ms Foster's “inspirational journey” as “heart-warming”...

Nathan Tromans, the founder of NLT Electrical, explains how a new marketing strategy has helped him revive his company's fortunes after its revenues were halved by COVID-19. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in marketing and strategy at Aston Business School, praises Mr Tromans for his “exemplary” approach in developing a stronger market orientation, improving customer relationships and realigning...

Sarah Beattie, owner of a full-time nursery and the Fun Fest holiday club franchises, explains how government finance helped her businesses survive COVID-19 and is now funding her launch of a new nursery franchise. Martin Potts, a senior lecturer in the Accounting department at Aston Business School, praised Sarah's “financial literacy” and explained how a “working capital cycle” can be used to mo...

Sandra Berns, founder of Centric HR, explains how her revenues have tripled in the last year, partly as a result of an initial investment of free and low-cost advice to companies at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, says this was a great example of how SMEs can invest to grow.

Adnan Khalid, founder of Integritax Accountants, explains how his revenues doubled by using the latest digital accounting tools to help SMEs survive COVID-19. Matt Davies, of the Accounting Department at Aston Business School, says undergraduates are now using the latest Xero software on compulsory undergraduate accounting modules.

Tommy Sandhu, founder and director of the Smart Learner driving school, explains how the business has continued to grow and now has a four-week waiting list, despite COVID-19. Dr Geoff Parkes of Aston Business School says it's crucial for SMEs to "be focused, listen to your customer, and look beyond the crisis".

Iain Collis, managing director of Metal Assemblies, hopes a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) will drive better data management to increase the car parts firm's efficiencies and profits. Prof Ben Clegg, head of the Operations and Information Management Department, says Aston Business School will act as a change catalyst to help the company's productivity.

Steve Barbour, managing director of Composite Braiding, describes how angel investors helped his component company’s plans to double in size in the next couple of years, despite COVID-19. Angel investor Liz McKenzie said she funded the firm because Steve was “switched on, knew his numbers, was realistic, and had a determined glint in his eye”. 

Amy Seton, owner of The Whisky Club in Birmingham, lost 95% of her revenues because of lockdown. She explains how a loan and small grant have helped her to invest in a new website and casks for online deliveries of bottle collections to customers across the UK. Prof Mark Hart of Aston Business School praises how Amy is keeping her brand alive and said: “Once you put your business on a website you...

Marc Hornby and Jonathan Carter-Morris own specialist catering company Caviar and Chips and the 16th century Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Marc was first interviewed in episode 13 during lockdown. Marc explains how the pub has reopened and how they are looking after their wedding customers. Professor Mark Hart of Aston Business School says hospitality businesses need clear gu...

Sasha Radwan, the founder of the Special Kids Company, tells how focused online marketing has helped her special needs clothes business to grow despite COVID-19. Prof Mark Hart, of Aston Business School, says Sasha's company was able to adapt because she already had the right systems and people in place.

Refugee businessman Osama Al Assaf quickly ‘pivoted’ from sports retail to the crafts sector during lockdown to cope with import issues and meet new demand. He also became an NHS volunteer. Dr Muhammed Al Mahameed, an accounting lecturer at Aston, explains how refugee entrepreneurs often react more quickly than many businesses to the pandemic because they're so used to facing crises.

Joe Poxon, who graduates with a Product Design and Management degree this summer, tells how winning £50,000-worth of advertising helped his start-up male grooming business adapt to the lockdown. Professor Kate Sugden, Deputy Dean at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, explains how their students are taught a range of practical skills in entrepreneurship.

Anwar Karim, of Karim Supermarkets in Lozells, Birmingham, explains how Asian convenience stores continued to serve communities throughout COVID-19, despite losing staff, friends and family. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, said Asian retailers played a vital social role and were among the 'heroes' of the pandem...

Experienced curry house owner Shahab Uddin predicts up to 30% of Indian restaurants may struggle to reopen after COVID-19 because of social distancing rules. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, agrees traditional cheap curry nights out will be over if venues cannot pack diners in. Prof Ram adds that the sector need...

Byron Dixon, founder and chief executive of Micro-Fresh Ltd talks about their ‘fogging’ machine that can coat surfaces in places like health centres, shops and restaurants with its anti-bacterial agents. Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business advises Byron on how to expand to a national and global scale.

Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company which produces organic and ethical soap products explains how she is dealing with an upsurge in demand. We also talk to Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business about some of the operational challenges that small businesses are facing during the lockdown.

Geeta Salhan, co-founder of Green Sisters, which makes homemade Indian snacks for people with dietary restrictions, explains how they're now providing full seven-day meal parcels for customers in isolation. We also talk to Paula Whitehouse, the director of Aston Centre for Growth, about how micro start-ups need more assistance from government.

Marc Hornby, co-founder of wedding caterer Caviar & Chips, explains how they're working hard with all customers, venues and suppliers because in return they'll look after the business in the long term. We also talk to Dr Julius Stephan, a marketing lecturer at Aston Business School, about how consumers' buying behaviour changes during crises.

Simon Greenfield, the managing director of Colour Cubed Creative Communications, tells how his £1 million turnover business has been severely hit by the COVID-19 lockdown, and how he's been let down by insurers. We also hear from Mark Hart, professor of small business and entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, who's been researching the pandemic's impact on businesses.