Mind Your Business With Sara & Helen

Helen is worried about spamming her customers, Jeff is nervous about diversifying his cricket business, and we have an anonymous mum who wants to start her own business but is fearful of taking the plunge. As every, Sara & Helen are here to help. Email your questions to hello@mybpod.com. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Both Sara and Helen are experts in creating a brand using the various tools at their disposal, and fully appreciate the value (considered) self-promotion can add to the growth of your business. Here, they share tips, unfortunate mistakes and hard-fought wins so that you can build a profile that'll punch hard with your customers. in keeping with the honesty the podcast is known for, Helen is curren...

In our our latest Q&A, Isobel wants to know what to consider when redesigning the signage for her independent shoe shop, Kathryn is worrying about raising prices for the dog-walking company she's taking over, and Heather wonders how to market her bridal service when she doesn't get (many!) repeat customers. Sara & Helen's advice is excellent not just for these three lovely ladies, but for...

Cashflow, software plugins, warehouse management systems and stock & sales reports may not sound sexy to the average entrepreneur, but Sara and Helen are here to assure you that the boring stuff is the foundation of any successful business. Giving the nitty-gritty due care and attention is non-negotiable, and provides your operation with the best opportunity to flourish, grow and realise its f...

Entrepreneurial agony aunts Sara & Helen answer questions from Jenn, Ali, Rosemary. Jennie is weighing up a head versus heart dilemma when it comes to finding a venue for her new performing arts business, Abi is wondering if it's a mentor she needs or something else, and Rosemary is suffering a crisis of confidence as she struggles to reach customers post-pandemic. If you need the gals' help e...

Simon, Matt, Mam and Dad are all people you're familiar with if you're a regular listener to the podcast. You'll also know how central the husbands and parents are to Sara and Helen's business lives. In this episode, the gals provide a warts and all exploration of what it entails to work with a partner or relative. (Both do, and pretty much always have, in case you aren't aware!) From bringing dom...

It's a momentous day for our entrepreneurial agony aunts, as Sara and Helen receive their first ever voice note. It's from Becky, and it's about the merits of setting up a company versus remaining a sole trader. We also receive a question from Lance about promoting his new invention, and advise Gemma on setting up a newsletter - which, take Sara's word for it, is something every business needs to...

Every entrepreneur has a running list of brilliant ideas, half-started ventures, and products that will change the world. But how do you identify which ones actually deserve your time? The girls offer practical advice about how to separate a genuine opportunity from potential disaster, build a business strategy that acts as a filter, and create a culture where the best ideas get a proper chance to...

In our weekly therapy session, Sara and Helen deal with listener queries about how to keep going in the workplace, making the right move after a change of professional circumstances, and what it takes to be a mentor. We also appoint a Japanese ambassador without approval (cheers, Levan), and get a rude - if not terrifying - interruption from the gals' dad, Frank. Useful Links Our Website Facebook...

The girls are back from a family holiday, and - in addition to sharing poolside antics - can't resist deconstructing their trip from a business perspective. What do you expect? It's in their bones! When it comes buying a package holiday or, indeed, a sausage, there are no shortage of options for the consumer. So how do you differentiate yourself from the competition, especially if you're not as ch...

As has become the norm in our weekly Q&A, everyone's favourite entrepreneurial agony aunts, Sara and Helen, field queries from our wonderful community with the help of ... our wonderful community! So it is that Jo, Julie and Ali receive advice and ideas on how to build trust in a new product, broaden a client-base and avoid being a busy fool. If you want help with your business, email hello@my...

Risk it all, be hyper-conservative, or position yourself somewhere in between? Growth is sexy, as Sara feely admits, but not necessarily the right way to develop your business. The girls reflect upon the merits of pushing on or holding back when it comes to expansion. And there are merits to both, depending on your circumstances. Plenty to consider, including whether it's an ambition you even want...

Michelle, Jojo & Savannah have queries - with Michelle getting bespoke advice from our Facebook community. Superb advice from the gals, as ever. We'd love your questions, so email us at hello@mybpod.com. Sara also promises you information on franchising, so if you're keen to get involved, here are one or two places to start ... Rightbiz Franchise Direct UK Which Franchise Daltons Business Usef...

Helen describes this as one of the biggest lessons she's learnt in business: if you want to make even a single sale, you have to bend your back. She and Sara have tales to tell as to where they've got it wrong on this front, and plenty practical advice so you can avoid making the same mistakes. Uncle Matt offers words of wisdom on AI, Helen reveals a weekly win regarding her bank account, and Sara...

This man is a GENIUS, and you need to hear what he has to say about the power of celebrity service for your small business. In fact, you need to hear what he has to say if you want to be a better human. Geoff is flown around the world and paid big bucks to share his razor-sharp insights into how to make your customers love your offering and themselves. (Spoiler: these two things are not mutually e...

From state-of-the-art software, special offers and social-media-savvy to canny collaborations, email marketing and good-old-fashioned ear-bending, Sara and Helen share tips on how to sell your company and secure a competitive edge with limited financial resources. Uncle Matt makes a surprise appearance to explain the pros and cons of AI, while it's the turn of Mam Sue to provide our weekly words o...

We take questions from listeners Ruth, Linda and Ben about judged entrepreneurial mothers, the pros and cons of leaving secure employment to start a new business, and what to do if you're not being paid for services rendered. Sara and Helen are here to help every Thursday, so email your questions to hello@mybpod.com. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hos...

In these most testing of economic times, it's imperative you take the initiative when it comes to boosting your margins. Sara and Helen offer practical advice about how to get something for nothing from suppliers, clients and customers - in turn improving your bottom line. Uncle Matt also makes his debut on the pod with words of wisdom about growth. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Inst...

We have questions from CroCreate, Carrie and Tracy about online trolls, when it's right to promote staff to a management role, and the pros and cons of finding a permanent home for a mobile business. Email your questions to hello@mybpod.com Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's easy to be distracted by your competitors, but never forget you are where you are because you had a great idea and the drive and dedication to realise it. Sara and Helen evaluate the merits of assessing what your rivals are up to - and potentially doing better - against the fundamental need to concentrate on your business's core strengths. We also hear from their mam, who has some extremely w...

We answer queries from Fiona, Abby & Wooden You Love about falling out of love with your business, how to go about hiring staff when it feels time to grow the business, and the merits of shipping to America in the current climate. Our entrepreneurial agony aunts are here to help you, so email hello@mybpod.com ... Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hos...

From timekeeping to tea rounds and toilet breaks, the standards you set in the workplace can make or break your business. Sara and Helen lay down the laws to help you create a positive culture in the office, which will ensure both you and your staff are happier and more productive. Meanwhile, Sara's incessant bragging about her VIP treatment on flights (eventually) proves to be a valuable lesson f...

Entrepreneurial agony aunts Sara and Helen answer your questions about dealing with underperforming staff (who are friendly and loyal), invigorating a stagnating business and attracting investors (if that's even a good idea). Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: hello@mybpod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From costly mistakes and missed opportunities to lessons learnt, fresh motivation and building resilience, Sara and Helen explore why failure is so often part of the road to success. We discuss some of our biggest business setbacks, what they taught us, and why a failure in your business should never be mistaken as a failure in yourself. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email:...

From making big decisions alone to keeping a brave face on when the pressure is mounting, this episode tackles one of the most overlooked parts of business: loneliness. We discuss why entrepreneurship can feel so isolating, why Helen’s experience of it helped inspire this podcast, and how connection and community can make all the difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Em...