Advertise on podcast: Mind Your Business With Sara & Helen

Her pod, her rules! Helen goes off script and throws one of her own business dilemmas into the mix - and is probably regretting it given the dressing down she gets from Sara! We also have queries about balancing creativity with the 'boring' everyday stuff, and seeking investment for a new green business. If you want the gals' advice, get in touch via the channels below. We want to hear from you! Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chances are you have a set of core values that underpin the running of your business. But have you ever properly identified what those values are - or articulated them to your staff? Until preparing for this episode, Helen hadn't - and discovered what a worthwhile exercise it is when it comes to providing direction for her, her company and her employees. They explore what happens when values are compromised - as appears to have happened at Manchester City - and how beneficial it can be to your business if they are implemented properly. In our weekly feature, Over A Brew with Not On The High Street, we have words of wisdom from Jack at ArtChocolat regarding social media strategy. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara & Helen flex their consultancy muscles for Abby, Beaut Blooms & Derek, with advice applicable to all small business owners. Abby is wondering whether or not to give up, Beaut Blooms are looking to revitalise flagging sales, and Derek needs help planning his exit strategy. What can we sort out for you? Get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As economic pressure intensify, price rises are gushing down the supply chain, causing considerable stress to businesses big and small. As ever, Sara and Helen are here to help with strategies to work around and mitigate increasing costs. And yes, the starting point is saying no. They even engage in a role play exercise set by Uncle Matt to test their negotiating skills - which, while competitive, also provides pointers with how to approach discussions between suppliers and buyers. In Over A Brew with Not On The High Street, we have tremendous advice from Pamela from Just Like Me, who came up with the concept augmented reality books. And If you're interest one of the FREE HSBC small business events that Sara mentioned, find out more here. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katherine, Jak & Kate are our entrepreneurial interrogators this week, seeking Sara & Helen's expert advice on 'me-time', creating a positive culture within the workplace and securing sales for a new business with zero marketing budget. As ever, the gals' advice is impeccable, but also more than likely applicable to you and your business. If you have a question, get in touch via the channels below, or email [email protected]. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen is initially sceptcal about this notion, but is soon convinced by Sales Pitch Sara. Hardly surprising, given Sara learned how to sell combs to bald men from the very best - namely shopping channel, QVC! And herein lies the essence of becoming a business burglar. We're obviously not advocating copyright theft, but rather taking inspiration from other (often better resourced) companies and applying what they do really well to your own business. By way of example, Sara directly copied KLM's loyalty scheme, while Helen's groundbreaking website benefited hugely from strategies gleaned from mega-corps, Home Depot and ASOS. We also hear words of wisdom from Sanjay - who runs Spice Kitchen with his mum, Shashi. Thanks, as ever, to our partners Not On The High Street for putting us in touch. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel, Lisa and Wendy have questions for Sara and Helen, which undoubtedly have broad appeal for a small business owner. That would be YOU! And just as the girls learn something by putting their shrewd and astute minds to your concerns, so might you all in hearing their answers! If you have a question, email [email protected], or get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's grim out there, but Sara & Helen are glass-half-full gals - and have plenty of ideas as to how you can turn these tricky economic times to your advantage. Where others see only doom and gloom, they see doom and boom, and are here to share their eye for opportunity with you! And in Over a Brew, our partnership with Not On The High Street, Ella from Let's Make & Do has some tremendous words of advice for small business owners about getting into the head of the buyer. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe! Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As well as developing a revolutionary business self-help theory on the fly (needs to be heard to be believed), Sara and Helen answer questions from Catriona, Omid and Penny in our weekly consultancy session. Catriona has three great ideas but isn't sure which one to pursue; Omid is wondering about the merits of accepting money from venture capitalists; and Penny wants to know how to bring the two distinct strands of her business under one umbrella. As always, there's something to be learned for all small business owners. If you are in desperate need Sara and Helen's help, email [email protected] or get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by Sara & Helen's entrepreneurial dad, Frank - who would invariably run with a great, if imperfect, idea - we explore the merits of taking the plunge when it comes to a business concept you believe in passionately, but aren't sure is as ready as you'd like it to be. As always, the gals draw from their well of personal experience, for better and worse. And we have pearls of wisdom from Rachel at Not On The High Street, who also shares a branding exercise you can apply to your own operation. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have questions from Helen, Selina and Pippa about social media promotion, creating a buzz about a new business and how to avoid meltdowns when working with your partner. As ever, Sara and Helen's advice has universal relevance. If you have a question for the girls, email [email protected], or get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The harder it is for your customers to buy, the less they will. So, how do you make their journey as smooth as possible in order to secure sales? Sara and Helen have too many ideas to list here. Suffice to say, adopt at least a couple, and you will reap the rewards. And the best news? All of their learnings can be implemented relatively easily and at very little cost. As the girls say, this could be a huge game-changer for you and your business. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever accepted business you didn't really want, been ignored by a would-be mentor or worried about the pros and cons of making a big hire? If so, you are not alone; Sara and Helen have too! And, rest assured, they've plenty of advice on all of the above - based on personal experiences good and bad. If you'd like to tap their brains in our weekly Q&A, email [email protected] or get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a break from the norm, Sara and Helen ponder your ultimate business no-nos, and decide whether they are worthy of being sent for all eternity to Room 101. Think corporate jargon, absentee interviewees and AI emails! Helen exposes another scammer, Sara extols the virtues of partnering with a charity, and we also hear from Ivy from Wild About Flowers in our Not On The High Street feature, Over A Brew. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you get your product in front of the right people? Sara & Helen know. Should you offer a free trial on your revolutionary software? They have thoughts! Is it a good idea to find a narrow niche, even at the expense of existing custom? Tricky, but ideas abound! Our weekly Q&A is a compendium of useful information for your business. Email your questions to [email protected], or get in touch via the channels below. Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and subscribe - it really does make a big difference. Useful Links Our Website Facebook Community Instagram Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.