Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Episode 19 of the Local Business Podcast, where today we talk to mortgage and protection expert Ross Stisi – Ross’ journey to running his own business came via retail – somewhere that many self employed people have a background in – and it was because of his retail work that Ross was able to become an expert when it comes to handling customers and delivering the very best in customer service.  Have a listen and you’ll find Ross’s business journey compelling.https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Local Business Podcast

Episode 19: How To Provide The Best Customer Service

On Episode 18 we talk to a local business owner who runs something a little bit out of the norm.  We met with Douglas Shaw, the owner of Edinburgh Bike Fitting who told us an interesting and thought-provoking story on how his company came to be and how it grew.https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 18: Riding to Success and Expansion

We had the pleasure of journeying to London in order to visit Jamien Middleton of the Animation Guys –keen listeners out there may remember Jamien from our trip to SME Live last year and his company left such an impression on us that we thought we’d go visit the team at the Animation Guys to see what they could tell us about video marketing and the work that they do.https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 17: Video Marketing with The Animation Guys

This time, we’ve done something a little bit different and explored the world of franchises.  Often referred to as a half-way house between employment and self-employment, becoming a franchise owner has a number of benefits that make it more appealing than owning your own business.  We had the pleasure of speaking to James Tucker, a franchisee of CEX who spoke to us about why he got involved with, their interesting marketing and why you shouldn’t immediately dismiss the idea of going down the same route as him.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 16: The Franchise Option

This time around we’re looking at creativity and positivity – two aspects that are needed if you’re to take your business forward but like the hardest things in life, they’re not easy to come by.  But what if your business is dependent on a constant flow of both?  We got the chance to speak to Ryan Powell, founder of Colourvision after he reached out to the Local Business Podcast via our Facebook page and started telling us about his and his companies’ story.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 15: Creativity and Positivity

To those outside of the profession there’s a stigma and stereotype that finance is all about looking at spreadsheets and that everything is a little bit grey and uninteresting.  As you’re about to hear though, the reality is a little bit different.  For Episode 14 we got the chance to meet Sam Teller at Bluefish Financial Services in Bristol who talked to us about the profession, why he got involved, what the future holds and why taking care of your finances is so important for the early years of business in order to set you up for a prosperous future.The podcast is purely for information purposes and does not constitute advice.As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage repayments. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 14: Is Finance Boring?

For Episode 13 of the show I met up with two people who decided that working a 9 to 5 job just wasn’t good enough.  So they quit their jobs and started making video games for a living.Simon and Ed created a business: Sole Survivor Studios and went to work on their game: Honey, I Joined A Cult as they chased a dream away from the sometimes soul destroying life of being employed.  We spoke about not just what it meant to chase what they loved doing, but also the advantages of building a community and interacting with other businesses – really important if you’re in a similar position as Simon and Ed, even if you’re not making video games for a living.  You’ll get more than a few ideas out of this episode.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 13: Playing The Game

For Episode 12 of the Local Business Podcast we travelled to Wales and visited the King Alf pub in the small town of Maesteg near Bridgend.  I talked with the pub’s owner Gareth Watkins and its’ manager Sian Maddock  - as we looked at the decline of the pub industry, the difference between operating in more populated areas compared to rural and the tale of how they turned a building with a giant hole into a flourishing pub with a vibrant community.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 12: The Rebirth of King Alfred

For this episode we decided to look into a subject that affects every business, no matter how big or small. Human resources, or HR as it more commonly known, is an area of business that looks at the people within a company and what happens to them.  Whether that be positive or, as is often the case, negative.If you want to know more about the work Christine does, then feel free to get in touch with her at the following:HR & Diversity Management Limited is 01793 338888Website: www.hrdiversity.co.ukYou’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 11: What is Human Resources?

Looking for business tips for the new year?  Well, we've got just the podcast for you.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 10: 2019 Business Tips from Local Business Owners

Welcome to a very special episode of the Local Business Podcast that we've put together just for you!We hope you've had a great year, a Merry Christmas, have a great New Year and a wonderful 2019!You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 9: A Christmas Treat

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Local Business Podcast where we found ourselves in Wales, visiting the Director of the Academy of Hair and Beauty: Ceri Edwards.  During my time with Ceri she spoke about her academy, the importance of training and development and also why the hair dressing industry isn’t taken as seriously as it probably should be.  Towards the end of the show she also provides a variety of tips for those of you looking to help develop your own staff.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 8: The Beauty of Training

For Episode 7 we’re going back to Scotland, this time to the small town of Dunblane, just north of Edinburgh where we met Ross Poole - owner of Murray and McGregor stoves and fireplaces.  Ross’ story is one that really touches the heart at times.  During the interview he speaks of his difficulties in getting to where he is today, how writing one word down on a piece of paper was the moment where his life changed and why he’s so passionate about selling in the right way.You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 7: One Word: Now

Welcome to Episode 6, a show that that looks at a subject that should be impossible to ignore.If you aren’t already aware, this week in the UK is national anti-bullying week and while it might be something that’s usually associated with schools and education, bullying is an issue that affects everyday life for many, even in the workplace.  In fact, it might be an issue that’s happening in your work place right now.  For employers it’s sometimes difficult to spot amongst the everyday running of a company and for those affected by it, it can often be hard to speak up about it.  We invited Christine Pratt onto the show to talk about the issue.  She’s the founder of the National Bullying Helpline and helps people to deal with bullying on a day-to-day basis.  We talked to Christine about what bullying actually is, how it can affect the workplace and what can be done if someone in your company is being bullied – or, if you yourself are in fact a victim of bullying.If you want to know more about the National Bullying Helpline then make sure you get in touch with them:https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/0845 22 55 787You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below:https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/https://twitter.com/LB_Podcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.ukWe’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 6: Business Bullying

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Episode 5 of the Local Business Podcast. We stay in Scotland for this episode and visit the husband and wife team of the Crafty Connoisseur, an importer of a range of different whiskeys, gins, rums and a whole lot more. Brenda and Steve McKenzie met me in Edinburgh and told me how they got through sleepless nights, networked and took on customer feedback in order to create a business, that in their eyes, is different. Make sure you check out Crafty Connoisseur and have a look at what they've got on offer: https://www.craftyconnoisseur.co.uk/ You’ll also find images of Crafty Connoisseur on our social media channels which you’ll find below: https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LB_Podcast https://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/ If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: show@thelocalbusinesspodcast.co.uk We’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like your business’s story out there for all to see.

Episode 5: Crafty Networking

Discover local business tips, insight, knowledge and expertise from business owners who have been there and done it via The Local Business Podcast.