The Diary of a Brackley Business Owner

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Alderton, a local entrepreneur and the driving force behind multiple Brackleybusinesses. From growing up locally, studying architecture, travelling Australia, working on a prawn trawler, getting run over by a tractor, and finding his way through the construction industry, Ben shares the twists, failures, lessons and decisions that shaped him as a business owner...

In this episode of The Diary of a Brackley Business Owner , I’m joined by Carlo Colucci , founder of Colucci’s Barbershop . Carlo shares how he went from trying a mix of differentjobs, to discovering barbering and building a business with shops in Milton Keynes and Brackley. Carlo opens up about the early days of business, scrapingtogether money to keep the doors open, taking a leap with the Brack...

In this episode, I’m joined by Tom Marchant, owner of 20 Arches on Brackley High Street. Tom shares the story behind building Brackley’s most unique bar, from spotting a gap in the town for craft beer, to growing the business from one small unit into the bigger space so many locals now know and love. But this episode is about much more than beer. We talk about Tom’s unusual route into business, fr...

I sit down with Katie Winters - powerhouse businesswoman, skincare expert, and mum of three - who somehow manages to run thriving businesses without missing a beat. Katie relentless pursuit of success, combined with her down-to-earth approach, has inspired women across the UK and beyond. From her private skincare clinic in Brackley, she’s built a fiercely loyal client base, with people travelling...

In this episode, I catch up with Stephen and Laura Brand, the husband-and-wife duo behind Eleness Events . This bespoke catering business brings top-quality food to events from their stylish kitchen on wheels. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, Stephen and Laura know what it takes to deliver exceptional food. But stepping into the world of a business owner has brought awhole new...

In this episode, I chat with Francesca, the talented business owner behind HAUS – The Home of Nails and Beauty. Francesca shares her whirlwind journey of buying a house,getting married, and launching her dream business all within a short space of time. We explore what inspired her to step away from employmentand create something of her own, and what it’s like to work from her home salon. Francesca...

In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Baldwin, the founder of LB Fitness & Coaching. Lewis takes us through his inspiring journey, from working part-time as a personal trainer while holding down a retail job to leaping into full-time fitness coaching during the pandemic. With the support of his friends, family, anddedicated team, Lewis tells me how he has grown his business into a thriving fi...

In this episode, I sit down with Lucy Garrett , the founder of Lucy G Music , who turned her lifelong passion for music into a thriving business. From telling her mum at 16 that she wanted to teach music to now being fully booked most days, Lucy shares her journey of launching her business in August 2022 and how she lives her dream, day in-day out. We dive into how she adapts her teaching style fo...

In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Higson, co-owner of Brackley Paws, a thriving pet services business offering everything from dog walking and pet sitting to caring for exotic animals like snakes and African snails. Lucy shares how the pandemic threatened to bring everything to a halt. We discuss how the business adapted, becoming stronger and more resilient as a result. Lucy also talks about th...

In this episode, I’m joined by Ash Corbett, a talented videographer and photographer specialising in bespoke content solutions. Ash shares his inspiring journey of taking a leap of faith, leaving his employed role to pursue his passion full-time. We dive into the vital role social media and marketing play for small businesses, the challenges and rewards of working for yourself, and the power of sa...

In this episode, I sit down with Amy, the inspiring founder of The Beauty Room by Amy Louise. Starting out young and navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Amy shares her journey from working in a salon to building her own beauty business. She opens up about the risks, rewards, and lessons of entrepreneurship, her success in growing a loyal following on social media and her exciting plans to o...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Rockell, founder of Eagle AI Labs. Jack shares his journey from working as an electrician in Brackley to building an innovative data analytics company for traders and investors. What started as a simple price prediction tool has evolved into a fully-fledged platform with over 1,000 active users. We dive into the challenges of navigating the volatile world of cry...

In this episode, I sit down with Sara and Jo from The Canine Company, Brackley—a bespoke doggy daycare service offering tailored sessions for each dog’s unique needs. We explore how their passion for canine welfare led to the creation of this elite service. We dive into the story behind how they came up with the business name, the importance of marketing and branding, and discuss the growth of the...

In this insightful and uplifting episode, I chat with Sophie Wharton, the inspiring founder of The Glow Room in Brackley, where she provides a range of skincare treatments. Sophie shares her journey that took her from a part-time side hustle to a thriving full-time business, giving listeners a peek behind the scenes of the challenges and rewards along the way. Sophie’s story is one of resilience a...

In this episode, I explore the remarkable and inspirational story of Sarah Stamp, the founder of Olive Tree, one of Brackley’s longest-serving small businesses. Sarah shares how she built her Acupuncture and Well-being business against the odds while managing her health challenges. Sarah launched Olive Tree from her home in 2009, and spills the beans on her secret to longevity with regular trainin...

In this episode, I chat with Katie Appleton who is the business owner of KT's Photography. Katie’s journey is an inspiring one, as she transformed her love for photography from a hobby into a flourishing and well-established business in Brackley We explore how Katie navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emotional toll of missing out on capturing those special moments. Ka...

In this episode, I sit down with Danny Webster, an award-winning chef and owner of The Old Fire Station in Brackley. After honing his culinary skills in the military, Danny made a successful transition to civilian life, and his Brackley-based business has flourished ever since. Danny talks about how consistency, hard work, and attention to detail have been the lynchpin to his success. Join me as w...

In this episode, we are joined by John Taylor, the owner of Taylor Vets. John’s journey in veterinary medicine included a distinguished stint in the army. After his military service, he transitioned to civilian veterinary practice, founding a practice in 2005, which he successfully ran until 2019. Despite the success, John felt significant regret after selling and has since embarked on a new ventu...

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Munro, who shares his unconventional journey into the world of carpentry. Scott opens up about his life in the army and the challenges he faced when transitioning to civilian life. He discusses his early days as a subcontractor, where he quickly realised he didn't enjoy making profits for others and always harbored a dream of working for himself. Scott set a...

Join us for another inspiring episode as we sit down with Laura Turner, the owner of Tranquil Touch Therapies. She offers a range of wellness therapies including sports massage and reflexology. In this episode, Laura shares her remarkable journey of starting her business at the young age of just 19. We delve into the financial pressures she faced as a young entrepreneur and the invaluable support...

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial spirit of Brackley's favourite cheeky chappy as Jamie reveals the stories and experiences that have shaped his successful ventures. Jamie Potter is a dynamic entrepreneur who owns Elements Heating Installations, AKA Events, and Brackley Self Storage, making him a well-known figure in the Brackley business community. We delve into Jamie...

In this episode, we sit down with Will Grashoff, owner of two successful recruitment companies, Ox Seven and You Exclusive. Join us as we dive deep into Will's journey of steering his businesses through the turbulent waters of the pandemic, managing cash flow pressures, and maintaining the balance between family life and business responsibilities. Will shares the innovative strategies behind their...

Meet Jessica Hayward, the powerhouse behind Boughtons Estate Agents in Brackley. Starting her journey with long hours at a car dealership, Jessica's determination led her to launch her own estate agency at just 25. In this compelling podcast, Jessica opens up about her mental resilience, where failure simply wasn't an option. Discover how she stays disciplined with her mantra, "what gets scheduled...

Join Jessica, the creative force behind Bespoke Events and Decor, as she shares the journey of her business specialising in bespoke decor for events, parties, and businesses. The brand behind the iconic Christmas garlands, which adorn Brackley's shop fronts over the festive period. Discover how Jessica's creative drive, combined with the challenges of lockdown, sparked the flourishing of her busin...

In this episode, we unravel the remarkable journey of Anthony Parry, a successful social media manager. Hailing from pulling pints on the pub scene, Anthony discovered his passion for social media marketing amidst the chaos of COVID pandemic. Now, at the helm of his flourishing enterprise, Anthony spearheads social media campaigns for a number of local businesses. Join us as we delve into Anthony'...