The SME Growth Podcast by Wellmeadow

Starting a business often begins with a spark of enthusiasm; a great idea, a passion, or a skill we think others might value. In this episode, we discuss why that spark, while important, is rarely enough on its own. Drawing on real examples, hard-won experience, and some uncomfortable truths, we explore why so many promising ideas struggle to become sustainable businesses, particularly in the earl...

In this episode, we discuss why so many business leaders start January with good intentions around fitness, only to see those habits slip by February, and what we can do differently to build routines that last. We explore the real motivations behind staying active, how to set goals that genuinely matter, and why sustainable improvements often come from small, well-designed changes rather than dras...

Over the past year, we’ve been making bold predictions about how technology, work and leadership would evolve for SMEs. In this episode, we return to those forecasts with a healthy dose of honesty, humour and hindsight. We score ourselves on what landed, what partially emerged, and what, thankfully or otherwise, failed to materialise. From AI-enhanced meetings and natural language automation to di...

In this special, seasonal episode of the SME Growth Podcast, we reflect on a year that has tested even the most resilient business leaders. Against a backdrop of rising costs, legislative pressure, economic uncertainty and rapid change, we pause to acknowledge the strain many leaders are under, and the fact that simply keeping going has been an achievement in itself. With a blend of humour, realis...

As we reach the end of the year, we take a clear-eyed look at what 2025 has really meant for UK SMEs, the highs, the headaches, the policy shifts and the practical realities that have shaped day-to-day business life. We discuss everything from sluggish productivity and rising labour costs to the rapid shifts in AI, cybersecurity, cloud dependence and energy challenges. Rather than dwelling on doom...

In this episode, we explore the challenges many business owners face when shifting from being the chief “doer” in the business to becoming a confident and capable delegator. We discuss why so many leaders struggle to let go, what sits behind the reluctance to hand over responsibility, and how this hesitation ultimately restricts scalability, resilience, and business valuation.  We reflect on the p...

In this episode, we explore one of the most important, and most misunderstood, decisions for any business owner: whether to scale or deliberately stay small. Drawing on ideas from Mike Jones' Happy Business Revolution , along with our own experience of working with hundreds of SMEs, we discuss the realities behind “systemising before scaling”, the hidden costs of growth, and why many owners un...

In this episode, we revisit the fast-moving world of HubSpot and explore what its latest developments actually mean for business leaders. We reflect on how the CRM has evolved far beyond a marketing tool and is increasingly becoming a central operational platform, one that can shape data quality, streamline processes, and even act as an AI-powered “team-mate” inside your business. We discuss the b...

In this episode, we discuss why the business sale market is fundamentally broken, and what that means for owner-managers who expect to sell one day. Joined by Neil Ackroyd, founder of Precision Corporate Finance, we explore the uncomfortable truth that for every one business sold, three are liquidated. Through Neil’s personal experience and candid insight, we examine why many companies, despite so...

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Hodgson, former Bentley senior leader turned high-performance team strategist, to explore the realities of burnout in leadership and business. We discuss how success at the surface can mask deeper misalignment, and why being out of touch with your authentic self often accelerates exhaustion rather than achievement. Angela shares her powerful personal story...

In this episode, joined by guest Mike Jones, we explore the psychology of business owners; what drives us, what holds us back, and how our mindset can be both our greatest strength and our biggest obstacle. We discuss the unique pressures that come with leading a business, from managing risk and control to balancing ambition with well-being. Drawing on insights from experience and behavioural scie...

In this episode, we round off our six-part series exploring the Wellmeadow 6 Box Model, our framework for understanding how marketing and sales work together to drive sustainable growth in SMEs. We discuss the often-overlooked final stage of the model: customer retention and satisfaction. Once a deal is done, the real work begins, ensuring your clients stay happy, engaged, and ready to buy again....

In this episode, we discuss one of the most critical boxes of our 6 Box Model: Box 5, the sales pipeline. As the bridge between lead generation and revenue, a healthy pipeline determines whether your business is poised for growth or facing a dry spell. We explore how business leaders can maintain visibility across their opportunities, ensure data integrity within their CRM, and make informed decis...

In this episode of the SME Growth Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked but critical role of nurturing within the sales and marketing process. We discuss how nurturing acts as the bridge between marketing and sales, ensuring your business stays front-of-mind for prospects who are not yet ready to buy. Far from being a one-size-fits-all approach, effective nurturing requires thoughtful planning,...

In this episode, we explore referrals as a cornerstone of sustainable business growth, continuing our journey through the Wellmeadow 6 Box Model. Having already examined inbound and outbound approaches, we now turn to the often underappreciated but highly powerful world of referrals. We discuss why referrals carry greater weight than most other lead sources, the trust dynamics that underpin them,...

Outbound Marketing often gets a bad reputation, whether through memories of cold calls, inbox spam, or intrusive interruptions. But in this episode, we explore why outbound remains a valuable part of the sales and marketing toolkit, particularly for SMEs. We discuss how to approach it thoughtfully, blending technology, creativity, and human touch to create a consistent and scalable process that ac...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into inbound marketing, the first “box” in our 6 Box Model . We explore how SMEs can attract and qualify leads in a way that builds relationships rather than scares prospects off. From lead magnets and scorecards to CRM automation and lead scoring, we discuss how to make inbound a structured, disciplined process that fits with today’s buyer behaviour. We also l...

In this episode, we introduce "The 6 Box Model" , our framework for building a growth engine that connects marketing, sales, and customer retention in a way that’s simple, structured, and practical. Too often, growth strategies are presented as complex diagrams or a maze of disconnected activities. We’ve distilled our experience into six clear boxes that help business leaders understand...

In this episode, we explore why September is one of the most powerful points in the business year to reset momentum. Unlike January, which often feels sluggish and weighed down by dark mornings and holiday excess, September brings with it a natural energy. People return from summer breaks refreshed, school terms start, and businesses have a clear run through to Christmas. We discuss how to harness...

In  this episode, we discuss how artificial intelligence is shaping the way small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) approach growth, efficiency, and problem-solving. Our guest, Lee Russel, a digital nomad and founder of Minimum Viable Launch, shares practical insights on helping companies adopt AI tools without falling into the trap of hype. Together, we explore the realities of using AI as an ac...

In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur and author Steve Brown to explore the realities of starting and growing a business. Drawing on his own experience building a recruitment firm, Steve shares lessons on resilience, decision-making, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. We also discuss his new book 'Start & Build a Successful Business', which serves as the...

In this episode, we tackle a topic that many business leaders quietly admit they should know more about, the basics of finance. From profit and loss to balance sheets and cash flow, we strip away the complexity to show that understanding your numbers is not only manageable, but essential for making sound business decisions. Drawing on real-world examples, we discuss the warning signs to look out f...

In this episode, we explore the transformative potential of “vibe coding”, a new frontier in how businesses can develop digital tools and software without requiring traditional coding skills. By simply describing what you want a tool to do, platforms like Base 44 can now generate entire applications using AI, essentially allowing us to prototype and build systems in real time with natural language...

In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood yet critically important aspects of business ownership: planning and executing a business exit. Joined by Oliver Wadlow, Director at Alinea Corporate Finance, we explore the practical and emotional complexities that come with selling or transitioning ownership of an SME. Whether you're eyeing retirement, a strategic pivot, or simply thinkin...

In this episode, we explore the real-world implications of hybrid and remote working, especially as the dust settles post-pandemic and long-term patterns begin to emerge. Drawing on new research from the Harvard Business Review, we examine seven major problems now evident with hybrid work arrangements, from weakened workplace culture to misjudged promotions and the silent rise in employee loneline...