Being a Business Owner

A friend of mine, who's self-employed and runs a few different businesses, text me last week and said, "Lex, I know you'll understand this stuff, but what the heck is MTD and where do I even start?" So that's exactly what we're talking about today! Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) is the biggest tax reform in 40 years, and if you're self-employed or a landlord, it's about to change h...

I burst someone's bubble on a prospect call recently. And I felt terrible about it. They'd set up as a limited company specifically to protect their business name. It made complete sense to them. The only problem? Registering at Companies House doesn't actually protect your name at all. It's one of the most common misconceptions I come across, and it can leave your business completely exposed with...

Growth in business is exciting. But nobody really prepares you for what happens to the relationships around you when you start to level up. In this episode I'm getting honest about something I'm seeing play out more and more...the way your network, friendships and professional circles naturally shift as your business evolves. It's not dramatic, there's no falling out. It just happens. And it can f...

Someone waved a £50 note at me at AccountEx. So naturally, I stopped. What followed was a conversation that didn't sit right with me...and the more I thought about it, the more I realised why. In this episode I'm talking about commission-based services, why they make me uncomfortable, and the very real, very public case that explains exactly why that instinct exists. If you're a business owner who...

Once a year I make the trip to London for AccountEx, the largest finance expo in the world. And every year I come home buzzing.   This episode I'm taking you behind the scenes of what it's actually like to attend an event like this as a small practice owner; why I go, how I plan my time, and what I came away thinking about this year.   This isn't just an event recap. I'm sharing conversations that...

Something is happening in the accountancy world that nobody is really talking about, and I think it's time someone did. Accountants are leaving. Practices are being sold. People are retiring early. And if you work with an accountant or rely on one for your business, this episode is worth a listen. I'm pulling back the curtain on what's really going on inside the industry; from the shift to digital...

It doesn't matter how long you've been in business or what your turnover looks like. At some point, every founder hits a wall. And more often than not, it's not the business that's the problem…it's everything around it. This episode is inspired by real conversations from a cohort of established founders I ran earlier this year. And what struck me most? The challenges were almost identical across t...

Nobody's talking about this enough. So I am. Every UK business owner is feeling right now, whether they want to admit it or not. It's hard out there. Really hard. And it's not just me saying it. I've been in the rooms with some of the most respected voices in UK accountancy and tax, and even they're saying it. In this episode I'm breaking down exactly what's going on in the UK business landscape r...

I said I was taking the summer off. Then summer turned into months. And if I'm being honest, it wasn't just a break. I'd lost my voice. Somewhere along the way I'd convinced myself that unless I had a hot take or something controversial to say, maybe I didn't have anything worth saying at all. (Spoiler…I was wrong!) In this episode I'm getting honest about where I've been, what's been building beh...

In business  (and in content)  what works one month, won't always serve you in the next. In this episode of Being A Business Owner, I'm sharing why I'm reshaping the podcast format to better reflect where I'm at in my business journey, and why taking space this summer is an intentional move, not just a break for the sake of it. This isn't just about schedules or structure...it's about energy, alig...

It's everywhere....ChatGPT, Copilot, Canva's Magic Write…AI is no longer just a buzzword; it's creeping into how we write, plan, design, and do business. But how are we really feeling about it? In this episode, I'm diving into the real talk around artificial intelligence. Not just the tools, but the fears, the overwhelm, and the big opportunities it brings for business owners. This isn't a tech tu...

What does it really look like to build a business that works for your life, not the other way around? In this episode, I'm joined by Kate Brooks, equestrian coach turned driving instructor, outdoor adventurer, and long-time friend. She's spent the last 25+ years building a business that fits around family life, personal values, and (most importantly) her own definition of success. From freelance b...

You know that feeling when you've finally got your business systems working...and then the software company gets bought out? Or goes under? Or completely changes everything you relied on? It's happened to me three times now. And honestly, I'm tired of rebuilding the same processes over and over again just because I can't control what happens to the tools I'm using. But the problem isn't just picki...

What happens when you stop building for someone else and finally take the leap for yourself? In this episode, I'm joined by Olya Grovel (a growth consultant turned founder) who's right in the middle of that messy, brave, and transformational journey. After years scaling startups behind the scenes, she's now building her own AI-powered product and facing all the mindset shifts, habit rewiring, and...

Most of us didn't start our business with a perfect system in place. We figured it out as we went. We Googled the gaps. We made it work. But at a certain point, those short-term fixes start to catch up with you. In this episode, I'm talking about the stage no one prepares you for: when things are working , but still feel way too fragile. When you're not trying to get clients anymore, but you are t...

Transitioning from a traditional service-based career to the online world isn't without its challenges, but it can lead to incredible opportunities. In this episode, I sit down with Leah, an expert in the hair and beauty industry, to discuss her journey from working as a hair stylist to becoming an online educator. Leah's story is about more than just making a career change; it's about evolving an...

Running a business when everything feels more expensive is tough, and if you're feeling the pinch right now...you're not alone. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to navigate the cost-of-living crisis while building a stronger, more sustainable business behind the scenes. From the challenges of delegation and streamlining systems, to redefining what "work-...

In this episode, I'm joined by photographer and videographer Jon Plimmer to discuss his journey through 17 years in the industry. We delve into the trials and triumphs he has faced, from dealing with unscrupulous client poaching and the complexities of self-employment, to the fulfilling moments that reaffirm his passion for capturing life's special events. Whether you're a budding photographer or...

Running a business is challenging enough without unexpected changes throwing you off track. In this episode, we're diving into some major shifts in the tax system and what they mean for business owners. From Making Tax Digital (MTD) to changes in how businesses report income, it's crucial to stay informed - because what you don't know can cost you. We'll be covering: ✅ How Making Tax Digital will...

Starting a business is just about having a great idea and running with it, right? If only. In this episode, I sit down with Business Mentor and Head of Commercial Development at Welsh ICE, Tom Phillips, to talk about what really goes into building a successful business. From bootstrapping a vintage clothing business at 16 to mentoring startups and scaling social enterprises, Tom's journey is packe...

Running a business isn't just about strategy, sales, and scaling - it's about YOU. As your business evolves, so do you, and that shift can feel both exciting and unsettling. In this episode, I'm getting real about the changes I've noticed in myself, how self-reflection (and a little bit of hot yoga) has played a role, and why personal growth can sometimes make others uncomfortable.   We'll be talk...

Running an online business is easy, right? Work from your laptop, sip coffee, and rake in the cash? Yeah, right. In this episode, I chat with Business Growth Specialist, Cassie Evans, about the realities of entrepreneurship - the highs, the lows, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. Cassie shares her journey from Virtual assistant to Business Growth Strategist, the lessons she's le...

Ever feel like you're riding the rollercoaster of business growth while trying to stay true to yourself? Same here! In this episode, I'm opening up about the real behind-the-scenes moments of balancing leadership, personal growth, and building a culture that feels good to everyone involved. I also get a bit spicy as I dive into the UK tax system - why it's a bit of a mess (to put it lightly) and w...

Ever feel like you should magically know everything about running a business just because you're great at what you do? I meet incredible business owners every day who can create stunning products, and deliver amazing services, but feel almost ashamed that they don't understand the "business side" of things. In this episode, I'm getting real about why 2025 is my year of championing confidence over...

Tired of the "bigger is better" narrative? You know, the one that says success means fancy offices, huge teams, being everywhere on social media and working 15-hour days just to look "successful". Well, I'm sharing why I'm actually celebrating downsizing my business - giving up my office space to work from co-working spaces and client locations instead! Plus breaking down my practical, happiness-f...