The Business Growth Show

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Wilson, founder of Connections Legal Management, to explore the story behind a fast growing UK business supporting utility connections, legal agreements and development projects across the country. Laura shares how she entered the industry, learned the trade through hands on experience, and eventually took the leap into building her own business with the sup...

In this episode, we sit down with Steven to explore the story behind Boom 7, MK Eats, the Milton Keynes Food Awards and the wider world of local marketing, events and entrepreneurship. Steven shares how his success has been shaped by decades of relationships, reputation and community connection in Milton Keynes. Having lived in the area for 45 years, he has built a powerful local network and uses...

In this episode, we sit down with Saran from Katana Restaurant in Peterborough to explore the story behind one of the city’s most distinctive dining destinations. With a family history in food spanning more than 50 years, Saran brings together deep hospitality experience, international training and a genuine passion for creating memorable restaurant experiences. From working in restaurants and hot...

In this episode, Adam and Jon sit down with Kate, founder of Chequered Fox, to explore the story behind a specialist fit out business supporting nurseries, schools and offices. Kate shares how her competitive nature has shaped her approach to both personal and professional growth. Rather than surrounding herself with people who think and work in exactly the same way, she has learned to build relat...

In this episode, we sit down with Lucia to explore the often overlooked gap between career success and genuine happiness. Many people spend years chasing development, promotions, job titles and the next step on the corporate ladder, only to realise that progression does not always equal fulfilment. Lucia specialises in career happiness coaching, helping people understand what they truly want, why...

In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Hughes to explore the deeply personal story behind Renegade, a mindset and personal development programme created to help people overcome adversity, unlock potential and build their own version of success. Leslie speaks openly about her own journey, including a fractured family background, abuse and the difficult decisions she faced as a young mother. At on...

In this episode, Adam and Jon sit down with Maryann, founder of Jetway Communications, to explore the specialist world of aviation public relations, airline technology and international business communications. Jetway Communications is a boutique aviation PR firm that helps companies communicate with airline executives, industry decision makers and the wider aviation market. Rather than trying to...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, we sit down with Chris Wardle: a Videographer and the founder Eldraw Creative Media, to discuss his journey from a wannabe Graphic Designer to a pioneer of Digital Marketing with the rise of Video based content. Chris shares how his creative journey started long before running a business. As a kid, he spent hours photoshopping body kits onto cars, devel...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, we sit down with Dean Lynn, Entrepreneur, multi-venture operator and co-founder of PlayFundWin, to discuss his unconventional journey through technology, digital marketing, music and sport. Growing up as a disruptive student who didn’t fit the traditional path, Dean found his direction through the early internet and online gaming. What started as curios...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, we sit down with Emily Baxter, Personal Trainer and founder of Method Gym in Oakham, Rutland, to talk about building a modern fitness space rooted in education, confidence and long-term results. After five years of hands-on 1-to-1 Personal Training experience, Emily returned to Rutland with a clear vision. She wanted to create more than just another gym...

Most business owners think they know how their business is doing… until someone asks for the numbers. In this episode of The Business Growth Show, we sit down with Angela & Rupert Turton from Blue Dragonfly Group to talk about the most common growth blocker they see in SMEs: not having a clear grip on your numbers. We unpack why relying on your accountant for outdated reports holds you back, h...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and Jon (Octopus Computers) chat with Michael Parry, co-founder of Frank Modern, about building a modern estate agency in the Peterborough and Rutland market. Michael breaks down what’s really happening right now, why getting the setup, pricing and marketing right from day one is everything, and how listening properly has led to a big rise in off-market sales. He a...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and Jon (Octopus Computers) chat with Toby Thomas, founder of Love Stamford. After moving from London to Stamford just before the pandemic, Toby went from online business training to a hyper-local project designed to connect residents, visitors, and businesses. He shares lessons from past ventures, including speed dating, domain hoarding, and a short-lived spinning...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and John (Octopus Computers) sit down with Andy Nisevic, founder of One Degree and leadership coach. Andy shares his journey from property investment into people development, and why he believes that small, intentional shifts can create extraordinary results in business and leadership. We dig into the power of DISC reports for building self-awareness, how COVID res...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and Jon (Octopus Computers) sit down with Simon Morris, entrepreneur, M&A operator, and coach. Simon shares his journey across sales, mail order, coffee, and buy and build, and why simple, people first moves often beat shiny tactics. We dig into how to make a business “buyable,” the Virtual Territory Management model that helped major brands cover more accounts...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and Jon (Octopus Computers) sit down with leadership coach and motivational speaker Pete Rushmore from Flagship Partners. Pete shares how he helps business owners and senior leaders unlock performance through clarity, confidence, and accountability. He explains why great leadership comes down to direction, skills, and energy - and how understanding your people thro...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and John (Octopus Computers) welcome James Belderbos, founder of Belderbos Solicitors. James shares how he launched his firm mid-lockdown in 2020 after a career spanning criminal advocacy, litigation, and family law. We dive into challenges of location, why community presence trumps footfall, and how mediation and collaborative law keep families intact through sepa...

Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and John (Octopus Computers) sit down with Kevin, founder of Landmark IFA and chair of Landmark Financial Group. He shares why he left large institutions, opened the doors with staff but no clients, and scaled to 37 advisers and 65 staff through smart hiring, acquisitions, and an employee ownership trust. We dig into culture (“ego-less,” team first, DYP (deliver yo...

Welcome to The Business Growth Show with Jo from The Blonde Beet, Stamford’s first and only plant-based café, bistro, and community space. Join Adam and Jon as they explore Jo’s fascinating pivot from sustainability work and student behaviour change to launching a thriving, welcoming café right in the heart of Rutland. Jo walks us through her journey, from cozy supper clubs and lockdown takeaways...

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Business Growth Show! Join hosts Adam and Jon as they chat with Tony Gardner from Hegarty Solicitors, a pillar of the Stamford and Rutland business community with over 35 years of leadership and networking experience across multiple industries. Tony opens up about his unique career journey, from roles in sales, marketing, and organisational leadership to stepping into l...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon sit down with Joanna Aikens, founder of Aikens Media, to hear how she went from freelancing in PR to running a successful global content marketing business, all from her home office in Rutland. Joanna shares her inspiring story of entrepreneurship, building a career in marketing before remote work was the norm, and raising two sons while gr...

If you had to start a business today with next to no money, where would you begin? In this episode, Adam and Jon break down exactly what they’d do (and what they’d avoid) if they were launching from scratch in 2025. From getting your first customer quickly and avoiding branding rabbit holes, to leveraging local communities, testing your idea on the high street, and learning how to fail forward - t...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon tackle a hot local topic: Rutland’s potential loss of county status. With central government pushing for council mergers, what does that mean for one of England’s smallest, and proudest, counties? They break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes, what it could mean for residents and business owners, and why local identity matters...

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon explore the local networking landscape in the East Midlands, sharing honest insights on everything from BNI and the Rutland Chamber of Commerce to more relaxed events like In the Hive and walking networking groups. They talk about what works, what to watch out for, and how to approach networking without pressure. Whether you're just startin...

In this episode, Adam from Active Internet Marketing shares how he transitioned from selling Yellow Pages ads to running a cutting-edge digital agency generating thousands of leads each year. We talk about the evolution of SEO, investing in R&D, helping clients hit personal goals (like buying that van or taking that long-overdue holiday), and the highs and lows of scaling a business. Adam also...