Built Not Born In Business Podcast

Is growth always the goal? In this episode of Mr & Mrs in Business , Chris and Helen dive into the idea of scale asking the question: is bigger better in business , or is there a smarter way to grow? They share how their business has grown by 27% in the past year without adding a single new team member, proving that growth doesn’t always have to mean more people, more stress, or more hours. In...

In this episode of the Mr & Mrs In Business Podcast, Chris and Helen sit down with Marisa Firkins, founder of Safety Forward, a leading health and safety consultancy based in Staffordshire. Marisa brings over a decade of experience as a solo business owner, delivering expert health and safety advice to industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to retail and local authorities. This...

Chris and Helen from Mr and Mrs in Business share their top 10 business growth strategies that have transformed their companies from chaotic operations into efficient, scalable enterprises. This episode reveals practical time management tips and leadership strategies that busy entrepreneurs can implement immediately to drive meaningful business growth. The couple discusses their proven goal settin...

Chris and Helen from Mr and Mrs in Business are joined by HR expert Emma Cromarty from EC Human Resources for an in-depth discussion about navigating HR laws and hiring tips for small businesses. This episode provides essential guidance on how to hire employees while avoiding common legal pitfalls that could cost your business thousands. Emma shares crucial insights about upcoming changes in HR la...

In this episode of the Mr & Mrs in Business podcast, Chris and Helen dive into a hot topic for small business owners: is growth always the goal? Drawing from their own journey running two businesses, Thread A Pixel and Two Krakens they discuss whether a bigger team or higher turnover really equals success. With candid stories, lessons learned, and a few laughs along the way, they share how fin...

In this milestone episode of the Mr and Mrs in Business podcast, Chris and Helen take you behind the scenes of their brand-new podcast and content studio, built right here in the West Midlands and now available to hire. They reflect on their own podcasting journey, how it unexpectedly helped grow their business, and why launching a podcast is one of the smartest moves a business can make in 2025....

In this episode of Mr & Mrs in Business , Chris and Helen are back with a relaxed, unscripted chat from their usual podcast corner, sharing the kind of raw honesty that keeps listeners coming back. Helen's under the weather, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing warmth, humour, and plenty of real talk to the mic. With the grand opening of their Two Krakens Podcast Studio just days away, the...

In this powerful and emotional episode of Mr & Mrs in Business, Chris and Helen dive into the extraordinary Netflix series Adolescence and unpack the artistry, storytelling, and emotional impact that has left audiences speechless. With their usual light-hearted approach, they reflect on the series' technical brilliance and the deeper social questions it raises. The conversation quickly turns i...

In this episode the pair have travelled to Morocco, Marrakesh for their next podcast. The different setting is starting to become a theme although both Chris & Helen are happy to get back into their own studio soon. It's also their first holiday without their son so a very different experience, instead they're known as Chris & Helen instead of mom and dad. Today they're talking about when...

On this episode the pair are all out of sorts as they aren't in their usual comfy studio. Instead they're in a building site, well not literally. Chris has been busy building a purpose built Podcast Studio that will be available to hire. And normally they do a live one take episode however as both are out of sorts, this is their third attempt. With the new studio launching soon Chris & Helen t...

This weeks podcast starts a little differently as there is some tension between Chris & Helen. Chris calls it out and the pair start this weeks episode with let's say some disagreements. They discuss what an Entrepreneur is, both the actual definition but also how the pair see this person differently. They ask each other if they would start a business again knowing what they know now. Chris gi...

In this weeks episode Chris finds his inner Victor Meldrew and complains about how he is still feeling ill after weeks and is totally fed up of this awful weather. And why is January the longest month of the year? Helen talks about her passion for fashion and how women are subjected to negative comments about how they look and what they wear where as men seem to not to have these comments. Helen g...

The pair are back with their first episode of 2025 in the same studio, discussing the same topics relating to business but a few pounds heavier after all the Christmas festivities.   In this episode Chris & Helen talk all about the importance of brand consistency, how you can achieve it and why if you haven't already need to make time to get this right before it's too late.   Chris talks about...

The pair get all festive as Christmas draws closer and this being the last episode of 2024. Wearing their Christmas jumpers and Helen making the effort to put on Rudolf's antlers.   Talking about Christmas traditions, the things you only do or have at Christmas whilst Helen talks about how she punishes herself when she forgets to take a bag when shopping.   They talk about everything that has happ...

This week the duo talk all about customer service and how important it is but so many companies get it so wrong as well as customer reviews.   They talk about how long it takes to edit the podcasts & Chris battles with his cushion and is convinced it's been changed.   We've all good service and bad, the pair discuss past experiences and how they have impacted purchasing decisions.   Chris asks...

This week Helen and Chris touch on mental health, but more specifically mental health for business owners. They discuss the limited support that seems to be available for business owners and mental health and that we all need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves.   The podcast studio has moved finally from the garden office and is now at Thread A Pixel HQ with a dedicated podcast studio spa...

It's been a hot minute and Chris is feeling a little bit nervous about starting the podcasts again. However Helen and Chris do both agree they enjoy the podcasts together as they see them as therapy.    It's been a good few months since their last podcast together. There's a new look to the podcast, a new look to them both with a little bit more timber and there is just a new vibe.   It's only jus...

In this weeks episode we welcome back Helen & Chris from their Christmas break and talk about change in both work and in their personal lives.   But before they get into change they fumble their way from an intro as Chris struggles to get in podcast mode with awkward silences and lots of deep thinking.   When is it too late to say to someone “Happy New Year”? Helen thinks it’s already too late...

Today, Helen and Chris are in the festive spirit with their branded Christmas jumpers on for Thread A Pixel and reflecting on the year 2023. Both feeling grateful for various things in life and how we can learn to enjoy the small things in life and pat ourselves on the back for what we have all achieved in the last year. It’s not been easy for anyone, but sometimes we need to all reflect upon what...

In this weeks podcast, Helen and Chris discuss how they have found running more than one business at the same time, and the pros and cons for this. Running your own business is an additional rollercoaster in life, and in true Helen and Chris style they naturally jump in with both feet to run more than one business together alongside their family life too. They both discuss honestly, the pros and c...

In this weeks pod Helen and Chris discuss over hot drinks in the morning, how they deal with stress in their lives and how they have supported each other through this. Once again, they are chalk and cheese in their approach to this, and what they have as their own levels of stress and dealing with this. Helen speaks candidly about how some brief therapy got her through a tough time a few years ago...

Helen and Chris are back from holiday and would love to say they’re feeling refreshed. However it’s not the case. They’ve both come back with, let’s call it “plane flu”. Whilst it’s been sunny and they’ve been California dreaming on the beach, visiting Disney, Universal and spending quality time with family, the jetlag is playing its toll on them both this week. They are filming on a Sunday and pe...

Today Helen and Chris try a Sunday afternoon podcast. Today it’s left to Helen to plan today’s discussions. She generally tends to put a lot of trust into Chris so let’s see how today goes! With the new mic covers removed as per Helen‘s request, do they sound different? Chris thinks it’s better with but Helen prefers the look without. She also feels they give more of a retro look, but is it more o...

Well this week we are filming the podcast after another crazy week on a Friday night.  Let’s do this! Helen has had a week of numerous breakfast meetings and a jampacked good week had by Chris. Although Chris is upset that this weeks camera angles are slightly off as this week he didn’t put his markers in place for when he returned the cameras back to film, but does anyone notice or does anyone ev...

This week we are trying a Sunday morning podcast, no wine, just hot caffeinated drinks to keep us going!    Helen introduces the podcast and what its all about in the most long winded way possible but its ok because girls are the best and girls rule!   We may have bickered before going live, but will we carry it on with the cameras rolling!?   Will we need a divorce lawyer?!   They say you spend t...