Get Financially FIT with Debbie Bailey

In this episode, Debbie Bailey tackles one of the most overlooked parts of running a business: follow-up. From the sofa cleaner who lost two years of repeat bookings to the window cleaner who drove past the same house for two years without ever knocking, Debbie shares real stories that show exactly what it costs when we don't stay in touch. She breaks down who you should be following up with (it's...

Most managing directors at the £1–5m stage are chasing one headline number. Revenue. Growth. Cash. And that appears to make sense. But when you focus on one KPI in isolation, you can hit it and still damage the business underneath it. In this episode, I break down: Why growth without guardrails can erode profit What happens when behaviour is driven by narrow measurement The gym example: revenue up...

Risk rarely shows up where you expect it. In this episode of Get Financially Fit , Debbie Bailey explores the kind of risk that sits quietly in the background while the numbers look fine, the sort that keeps business owners awake at 3am but never appears in the P&L until it’s too late. Drawing on a real client story and her experience in corporate finance, Debbie explains how larger organisati...

You can be profitable and still feel stuck. You can have cash in the bank and still feel nervous. And you can look at your numbers regularly and still feel unsure what decision to make next. In this episode, I explain why that happens and why profit, cash and the balance sheet only make sense when you look at them together. This isn’t about learning accounting. It’s about understanding why decisio...

The balance sheet is one of the most misunderstood reports in a small business and one of the most important. In this episode of Get Financially FIT with Debbie Hancock , Debbie explains how corporates really use the balance sheet as a control and decision-making tool, not just a year-end formality. Drawing on real-world examples from gyms and growing businesses, Debbie walks through: what the bal...

Every corporate finance team runs a monthly budget vs actuals review. Not because it’s glamorous, but because it keeps the business honest, stable and moving in the right direction. Most small businesses never do this and it shows up in stress, confusion, and that feeling of “I’m busy, but I’ve no idea where the money’s going.” In this episode, I walk you through the exact process an FD would guid...

This final episode of 2025 isn’t about targets, tactics, or spreadsheets. It’s a pause, a moment to breathe, reflect, and recognise who you’ve become this year. Instead of diving straight into budgets vs actuals, I’m guiding you through something I do every December for myself and my clients: a human and financial review using the Four Ls: what you Loved, the Lessons you learned, what you Loathed,...

In this episode of Get Financially FIT , Debbie Hancock breaks down one of the most overlooked areas of small business finance: stock . Stock isn’t just “stuff on shelves”, it’s money, it lives on your balance sheet, and it affects your profit, your cashflow, your insurance, and your ability to run your business with confidence. Debbie shares two real stories from clients: • one who accidentally o...

Welcome back to Get Financially Fit with Debbie Hancock and to Series Three: Steal from Corporate . This week, we’re talking about something corporates are quietly brilliant at, expense discipline. But this isn’t about cutting back or endless sign-off forms. It’s about spending with intention and making sure every pound in your business is working hard for you. You’ll learn: How corporates keep sp...

Welcome back to Get Financially Fit with Debbie Hancock and Series Three: Steal from Corporate . In this episode, we’re talking about one of the simplest but most powerful corporate habits, the pay run. This isn’t about payroll admin. It’s about being intentional with when and how you pay your suppliers so you can manage cash confidently, protect your cashflow and keep your business steady. You’ll...

Welcome back to Get Financially Fit with Debbie Hancock and to Series Three: Steal from Corporate . In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools you can steal from corporate, the rolling cashflow forecast. This simple habit is the heartbeat of every successful business. It gives you clarity about what’s coming in, what’s going out, and when it’s happening, so you can make smar...

Welcome to Series 3: Steal From Corporate , where I’m pulling back the curtain on how big businesses manage their money and showing you how to steal the best bits for your own. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple truth: corporates aren’t clever, they’re just consistent. They plan, measure, and review over and over again, creating rhythm and predictability that gives them control. We’ll look at...

If you've ever struggled to explain what you really do in your business, or felt like your message just isn’t connecting, this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by the incredible Susan Payton, story strategist, copywriter, and bestselling author of The Business of Stories. Susan helps entrepreneurs and business owners craft powerful, authentic stories that build trust, create connection and ul...

In this episode of 'Get Financial Fit', Debbie Hancock speaks with Kate Gathard from Elysian Services about the transformative role of fractional HR in businesses. They discuss the evolution of HR from a mundane function to a strategic partner that can significantly impact a company's bottom line. Kate emphasises the importance of understanding market rates for employee retention, the necessity of...

In this episode of 'Get Financially Fit', Debbie Hancock and Jo Stimson discuss the critical role of sales in business success. Jo, a fractional sales director, shares insights on how to transform chaotic sales processes into structured, profitable systems. They explore the importance of follow-up, the collaboration between sales and finance, and the distinction between marketing and sales. Jo emp...

In this special episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Kier Adair — brand photographer, speaker, and co-founder of the Speak and Shine Summit — as we celebrate the launch of our brand new collaborative book, Empowering Women to Rise . Kier shares what happened when a simple shower idea collided with a difficult season in life and business, how she turned frustration and burnout into a bold, energisi...

Let’s be honest — most business owners avoid dealing with legal until they absolutely have to. Whether it’s fear of cost, confusing language, or bad memories of past family disputes, legal carries a lot of baggage. In this episode, I’m joined by Ian Greig, founder of New Legal, a modern legal consultancy rethinking how legal services should work for business owners. Ian shares why so many entrepre...

In this episode of Get Financially FIT , Debbie Hancock is joined by Ashley from Vaandi to unpack the world of fractional marketing — what it really means, when businesses should consider it, and how to choose marketing support that feels right for you. They dive into why many growing businesses are avoiding full-time hires and opting for flexible, part-time marketing expertise, especially in toda...

In this episode of Get Financially Fit , I chat with Wayne Heath, founder and CEO of ClubRight, about his inspiring move from corporate careers to entrepreneurship in the fitness industry. Wayne talks openly about the financial challenges faced in the early days, why cash flow management is absolutely vital, and how recurring revenue has helped fuel ClubRight’s growth. We cover the importance of s...

In this episode of 'Get Financially Fit', Debbie Hancock speaks with Brad Ainsworth BCAv, a financial advisor and founder of Cathedral Wealth Management. They discuss the importance of personal financial planning for business owners, the significance of setting personal financial goals, and the need for financial education from a young age. Brad emphasises the importance of planning for retirement...

In this episode of ‘Get Financially Fit,’ Debbie Hancock talks with Alex Cooper from Bibby Foreign Exchange about managing foreign exchange risks for SMEs. They explore how hedging with forward contracts differs from spot trading and how businesses can protect profit margins, reduce costs, and avoid common mistakes with currency management. If your business deals with international payments, this...

We don’t talk about money enough — and when we do, it’s often wrapped in guilt, awkwardness, or comparison. In this episode, I’m opening up the conversation about wealth, what it really means, and why it’s not just for 'other people.' I’ll share how creating personal wealth gives you more freedom, confidence, and choices — whether that’s overpaying your mortgage, investing for the future, or simpl...

In this episode of Get Financially FIT with Debbie Hancock , we’re diving into one of the most overlooked but critical areas of business finance — cash management . I’ll explain why cash is not profit , and why understanding the difference is essential for the survival and growth of your business. I’ll be sharing some practical cash management techniques you can start using right away to stay in c...

Q1 is over—how did it go for your business? In this episode, I take you through a full review of the first quarter, looking at key financials like sales, profit, and loss, as well as the bigger picture—how you feel about your progress. I’ll also share my own Q1 reflections, key takeaways, and how to assess your variances to set yourself up for a strong Q2. Let’s make the next quarter even better!...

In this episode, I share my personal struggles with money blocks, including my fear of creating offers and being worthy. I'll discuss how I overcame these challenges by: Clearing my mental and physical space: Decluttering my workspace, refreshing my wardrobe, and creating a renewed sense of focus. Giving myself the space to create: Stepping back from the pressure and allowing myself the time and m...