Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs

James Fagan is a multi-instrumentalist, bouzouki, guitar and mandolin player, singer and doctor. James and partner in music and life Nancy Kerr have toured internationally as Kerr Fagan, have thousands of fans across the world, and twice been named Best Duo in the BBC Folk Awards. James has performed with other hugely-acclaimed artists including Eliza Carthy, Spiers & Boden, Bellowhead, Cara D...

Unless you never engage with the news you'll have heard a lot from The CBI (The Confederation of British Industry) lately.  The organisation has been outspoken about the impacts on business of "crippling uncertainty, the stark possibility of a no-deal Brexit, and failed politics," to quote from some of its recent tweets. So I was curious to invite The CBI's new Associate Region...

Mihaela is a data scientist and the founder and MD of Research Retold, an award-winning research communication agency. Her business helps researchers present their findings to stakeholders and the public in creative ways and make a positive impact in society. In this episode Mihaela covers: Why researchers need to communicate their work - and why should they try to do this more effectively. Severa...

This episode of the Business Live radio show features Amanda and Simon Cookson of Northern Value Creators and Jay Bhayani of Bhayani HR and Employment Law. In the podcast you'll learn all about: Amanda, Simon and their business Northern Value Creators, "canny folk who develop people and grow relationships" – what they do, why and how. Tips and advice for anyone in a business partner...

Here's a brand new podcast of the Business Live radio show, first broadcast on Sheffield Live FM radio on Friday 1 February, with guests Lindsay Lonchar and Claire Dove. This episode covers: Mountain cabins, forest retreats and the food that goes with them: Lindsay Lonchar is co-owner of legendary Sheffield brunch spot, The Cabin, and has recently opened The Wildwood cafe and artisan gift sho...

Claire Moore is a former schoolteacher and civil servant who moved from the classroom to the gym. Her business, Believe and Achieve, was named Best Ladies Gym in the UK at the recent National Fitness Awards. In this latest episode of my Business Live radio show, first broadcast on Sheffield Live FM radio on 25 Jan 2019, Claire describes her journey to fitness, how that led to a part time career in...

Lisa Walker runs White Apple Thinking, helping professional people to become more motivated and focused, clarify what they want, and improve results in their working and out-of-work lives. Lisa's been in business for 6 years after a background in HR. Her first 18 months of self-employment involved "staring at a computer waiting for people to find me." But then everything changed. Li...

Foodhall is an award winning community centre, dining room and kitchen in Sheffield city centre with an aim to bring people together. An accessible public space where people can come along and share, Foodhall, which is open daily, has been running for three years. Anyone who comes along can get involved - everyone interacts with everyone else on an equal basis. Foodhall is open on Christmas Day fo...

Here's a sustainable, ethical business, thriving and continuing to grow a decade after launching. It has environmental and social responsibility at its core and its leader shows how businesses can be agents for positive change. Here also is your invitation to an amazing party in a brand new gallery space in Sheffield where you can enjoy exceptional art with "an alternative take on the se...

Chloe Watmore is managing director of Thermotex Engineering, a business specialising in solving "thermal challenges," things at risk of getting too hot or too cold in industrial settings. During the show Chloe talked about: her journey with the business, having joined after her economics degree initially to help with business development on a temporary basis changing systems and processe...

Practical advice on e-commerce and business resilience from two expert guests. Nicola Middleton-Groom runs Waxx, selling men's, women's and kids' underwear, swimwear and other apparel. Her business has the UK distribution rights to this French firm's funky, fresh and colourful products. Nicola's involvement started while she was at University in Manchester. Nicola discusse...

Allen Holland on the Nessh Jacket, a high-tech jacket which smashed its crowdfunding target. For every jacket sold one is given to a person affected by homelessness. Plus manufacturing, product design, licensing and international business advice. Most folk running a crowdfunding campaign might be nervous with 18 days to go. Not Allen Holland. His Kickstarter campaign for "the warmest jacket i...

Plenty of folk talk the talk when it comes to business advice and motivation. Advisors, consultants or people in high-faluting business roles may be free with their opinions but some have never actually grown an enterprise of any sort. But from teenage entrepreneur to the youngest ever President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Steve Manley has certainly “walked the walk.” And in his intervie...

The hallmarks on gold, silver, platinum and palladium don't only prove the validity of precious metals. They tell a story. And the story of hallmarks themselves (the " marks of the hall" ) and of how Sheffield's Assay Office came to be after an act of Parliament is absolutely riveting. Sheffield's Assay Master, Ashley Carson joined me in the radio studio on Friday. There a...

"Young people are taught to be good at exams, but with very little context of how what they’ve learned will apply to real life," according to Jon Maiden, co-founder and CEO of Panjango. That means, he says, they don't have the skills they need for work and society, for the jobs of today, and the new jobs of the future. But serial social entrepreneur Jon has come up with a powerful,...

By writing "Rob the cartoonist" I'm not imploring you to go and mug an illustrator. Please don't. But do listen to this new interview with Rob Middleton, a cartoonist, illustrator and teacher based in Japan, on my latest radio show. The programme also features studio guests James Barthorpe and Paul Simpson of Food Circle Supermarket. James and Paul cover: Food Circle Supermarke...

PLUS new report reveals £60bn contribution made by social enterprises to the UK's economy and other facts and figures. It's International Translation Day this Sunday. What better time then for a radio interview with consultant translator Sarah Silva. Sarah is a chemist who translates science into sales for international clients and the author of "Small Island Big Business – The Insi...

This week's Business Live programme covers winning government contracts, writing a business book, undertaking education as an adult and more. The podcast is below – guests are Emma Jones and Peter Byrom . Emma Jones founded Enterprise Nation, a network helping people to start and grow small businesses, and is the SME Crown Representative, working with Government to hit a target of spending on...

Two super guests joined me in the Sheffield Live radio studio this morning: Madge Woollard and Steve Pipe. The podcast is below. It covers: why using business as a force for good, for positive changes NOW and without guilt-tripping (but with smiles) is great for the world and great for your business, learning to play piano with a person-centred approach; finding a piano teacher; and building a pia...

On the programme today: Ashley Martin, Michael Hudson and Felix Barr, 3 members of the Sheffield Vulcans Rugby Club. Since launching last year, the Vulcans have had an action-packed first season as a club. Sheffield Vulcans is a member of International Gay Rugby. Ashley, Michael and Felix told me about why and how the club was founded; their ethos and values; their first season's successes on...

What does it take to succeed as an artist? Talent. Persistence. Consistency. And business acumen. My latest Business Live radio show, broadcast on Sheffield Live! FM radio on Friday and available as a podcast below, examined the commercial perspective of working as an artist. Tom Vickers of Stoneface Creative and businessman and mentor, Steve Eyre (who runs World of Superheroes) joined me in the s...

Catch22 traces its history back to 1788, the beginning of the enlightenment. 230 years later this social business delivers a wide range of public services up and down the country. As a "cradle to career" organisation Catch22 supports children excluded from mainstream education, delivers justice services working in 24 prisons across the country, runs victim support services, supports chil...

Got an idea for a brilliant product or new business? Wonderful. But how do you test it? It's easy to get positive feedback from folk who believe in you but aren't your future customers. Or to be dissuaded by others projecting their fears at you. Who are the right people to speak with? How do you find them? How do you have a meaningful conversation without folk lying to you because they&a...

Kate Welch is founder and CEO of Social Enterprise Acumen, a community interest company (CIC) which supports social entrepreneurs to develop their concepts or grow their businesses. She joined me for an extensive radio interview on this morning's show – and the podcast is below. It's crammed with great advice for leaders of businesses and social enterprises. Kate covers: Acumen's wo...

This week's radio show features live studio guest Al Daw and an interview with Lucy Findlay, founder and MD of Social Enterprise Mark CIC. Al discusses his unique immersive Soviet soccer experience, Kickov. Celebrating all nations in one city, the Kickov festival at Abbeydale Picture House starts on 14 June with a World Cup opening party featuring live traditional Russian music, street food a...