Two pints of lager and a spreadsheet

On this week’s episode we’re joined by Freelance General Counsel Maddie Rippon. Join us as Maddie explains what life is like as a lawyer and fearlessly talks us through her trans journey. You’ll hear all about the importance of being you and not letting anyone hold you back, proving everyone wrong, the impact of misgendering, being transgender in the 90’s and how much the world has changed in 25 y...

In this episode we’re joined by Strategic Partnerships Manager at Generator and Executive Director at Festival of Thrift Emma Whitenstall! We’re discussing all things thrift and sustainability (including net zero), what businesses are doing now and what they should be doing in the future to improve. Emma tells us all about the wonderful festival of thrift, why you don’t need a career plan at 21 to...

In this episode we’re joined by Angel Groups founder, and avid fisher, Martin Avison. We discuss how to get out of your comfort zone and take your business to the next level with determination. The importance of having people around you to hold you accountable and question your business decisions. Acknowledging that you don’t know everything and always being open to learning. And of course... Fish...

In this episode we hear from past president of ICAEW, Paul Aplin OBE. You’ll hear why building a career is all about taking the right opportunities. How Paul ended up working in accountancy and tax, having studied to be a biochemist. Why tax and accountancy is a people business and why tax advisors are like astronauts.

In this episode we hear from interaction designer, founder of consumer tech company Little Riot and maker of award-winning Pillow Talk, a product designed to connect families. Joanna is dedicated to creating a world that puts being human first and building things that help people do the things they need to do. She’s also a TEDx speaker, weight lifter and won Britain's Strongest Woman 2017. Hear ab...

This week, we're joined by Transmission Dynamics founder Jarek Rosinski. In this episode you'll hear what it's like to be a founder of an interdisciplinary business. Trains with brains, yes you read that right, trains with brains and all the exciting technology working towards the reduction of carbon emission. Why an innovative mindset can be your company's greatest strength. How great technology...

Ever wondered what TED stands for? We've got that covered thanks to TEDx Curator, Thinking Digital Founder and guest lecturer Herb Kim. Tune in to hear from a native New Yorker living in Northern England! We're also covering what it's like like to be a creature of habit, why a growth mindset is so important to building a team and the business, along with the power and influence of telling a s...

Jon and Dave are back and this week they're joined by Jill McKinney, Head of Skills at Sunderland Software City and director at Dynamo North East. Ever wondered what a pit yakka is? Jill’s got it covered! We’re talking about the North East, historic jobs and how we’ve evolved. The importance of wind down Wednesday’s and why you should consider implementing them. We’re also discussing thinking outs...

Tune in for episode 13! We're covering what it's like living and working in Vancouver, the importance of observation and spending one on one time with your team. Along with how scaling a glacier and mountaineering can help you learn a lot about yourself, along with helping you make important life and business decisions. Join Dave and Steve (he's back to co-host for the second time!) as they speak...

Tune in to episode 12 to hear us speaking with Senior Manager, UK Network - North East at British Business Bank, Shaun Fooy. We discuss why innovation can be generated by adversity. Why four legs can be more loveable than two. Why revenue is vanity, profit is sanity and cash will always be king!  Along with the fact that more than 50% of people work for SME's in the UK and what life is like a...

Join us for episode 11! This week we're joined by Mark Renney, co-founder and managing director at Wubbleyou. Wubbleyou specialise in building smart and efficient software systems that automate your day-to-day manual and repetitive tasks. In this weeks episode you'll hear all about the future of software development, what's in store and what to expect. The evolution of working 9 to 5 and personali...

Join us for Episode 10. Hear about being in the right online space at the right time. Not falling out as founders by sorting equity early and why it's vital for co-founders to have specific accountabilities. Developing a solution that will help enable property developers to be more productive and build more homes and properties to help tackle the housing crisis. Having a culture that can adapt and...

It's a podcast of firsts! This week we're joined by TWO guests, 50:50 Future's Lyndsey Britton-Lee and Lynsey Harbottle - founders, diversity and inclusion trainers and consultants. We're also joined by Steve, COO at Blu Sky. Join us as we talk all things diversity, equality and inclusion. From the importance of workplace culture in hybrid teams, to how we’re all responsible for creating inclusion...

Hear what it’s like to be born a lawyer, prove people wrong and make it happen - despite it all. Shutting off the mainstream media, shifting focus to doing your own research, forming your own opinion and experiencing the things you’re interested in. How the UK Accelerator space has changed significantly in the last 10 years. Along with the importance of finding your tribe as a business owner, so y...

In episode 7, we’re discussing the difference in business markets across the globe, particularly in Australia and the UK. How progressive the UK’s tax regime is for startups. Why kids tv is a great place to start when forming values needed to start and scale a business. Along with the importance of following your interests and that gut feeling if you want your business to grow. Our guest is tailor...

We’re back with another episode. This week you’ll hear all about life as a semi-professional footballer turned performance consultancy business owner. Ever wondered what impact your behaviour has on those around you? How you can increase staff engagement by being a great role model? Improving your overall leadership performance by changing your behaviour? This episode is for you. We’re joined by p...

We’re back for episode 5! What can a good mentor help you with? What’re the benefits of continuing to learn? What does it take to work in professional services sales? And why do experts need experts? We’re joined by Xero’s Kat Bond who’s covering it all. Tune in and you'll also hear about life at Xero over the years, the importance of workplace culture and the best freebies.

Join us for episode 4! Making tax digital, what’s involved? What does the future hold for accountants, will robots replace us? Starting your day a little earlier, what’re the benefits? Tune in to hear all the answers! In this episode we’re joined by HMRC’s (and Blu Sky alumni) Sam Wood. Sam works as Agent Lead on HMRC's Making Tax Digital programme. You’ll also hear us discuss appreciating what’s...

Join us for episode three! Should leaving school with no qualifications hold you back from building a successful business? Where would you even start if that was the case? Need to speak frankly with your team but you’re worried they’ll hate you for it? Tune in! We’re also covering historical North East jobs, running a marathon and biking. Our special guest is Neil Capstick, founder of Executive Co...

We’re back with another episode! Life as an investment director, what’s that like? Curious about the state of the North East tech sector and what it takes to secure venture capital? We’re covering it all. Alongside paddle boarding and the positive impact it has on your mental health! Our special guest is Rick Charnley, Investment Director at Northstar Ventures, a venture capital firm based in the...

The FIRST ever Blu Sky podcast! Ever wondered what it feels like to quit your job and move to a remote island? Return and start your own business all in aid of our planet? We’ve got it covered. Alongside saving turtles, encouraging an ecological society and the blue economy. Our special guest is Harry Wright founder and director of Bright Tide, an environmental service dedicated to empowering orga...