We got chatting about EDF Energy, the power giant that’s got its fingers in sockets across more than 30 countries. Known for banging the sustainability drum and offering decent perks like job security, flexible working, and proper training, it’s easy to see why people line up to work there.

But, like most corporate giants, it’s not all sunshine and solar panels. Projects like Hinkley Point C have spiralled way over budget... starting at £18 billion and now heading for £46 billion. Ouch.

And then there’s the spicy stuff. A €1.5 million fine for hacking Greenpeace (yes, really) and some heavy accusations of human rights issues in Mexico. EDF’s got a shiny image on one side and a bit of corporate murk on the other.

There’s a lot to unpack, part green energy champion, part eyebrow-raiser. Stick the kettle on, we’ve got a lot to say about this one.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got into the seriously dramatic sibling story behind two of the biggest sports brands on the planet: Puma and Adidas. What started as a shared passion for making top-notch running shoes turned into a full-blown family feud with global consequences.

Back in 1924, Rudolph and Adolf Dassler set up a shoe factory powered by a stationary bike. Their designs took off, especially with German athletes, and things were looking pretty solid. But then World War II happened, and tensions between the brothers exploded. By 1943, their partnership was over for good.

After the war, things got even messier. They testified against each other during the denazification trials, and Adolf ended up banned from business for years. When they did finally go their separate ways, it got real. Rudolph launched Puma in 1948. Adolf followed with Adidas in 1949, and yes, the famous three-stripe logo was born.

Despite their shared roots, Adidas went on to leave Puma in the dust. Family drama, global brands, and a rivalry that shaped the world of sportswear.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We dove into the chaos of the Torrey Canyon oil spill, one of the first major environmental disasters of its kind, and let’s just say, it was an absolute mess. Back in 1967, the SS Torrey Canyon, a huge oil tanker, hit Pollard’s Rock in the Seven Stones Reef and dumped over 31 million gallons of crude oil into the sea.

Cornwall, the Channel Islands, and parts of Brittany took the brunt of it. Coastlines were wrecked, wildlife devastated, and thousands of seabirds lost. It was a wake-up call for the shipping world and sparked a serious rethink of how we navigate, regulate tankers, and respond to spills.

The whole disaster led to big changes, including the birth of MARPOL (fancy name, important job), which now sets the global standard for preventing pollution from ships.

So yes, we got a bit nerdy with the history, but it’s the kind of story that shows how one disaster can shape the rules we live by today. Stick the kettle on and join us for a deep dive, minus the crude oil.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got chatting about greeting cards... and trust us, it’s a juicier topic than you’d think. From ancient Egypt and China to the boom during the Industrial Revolution, we took a little stroll through history and realised just how iconic that folded bit of card really is.

The UK greeting card industry is no small thing either, bringing in a whopping £1.5 billion a year. With 94% of households buying an average of 10.5 cards annually (who’s buying the half?), it’s clear we’re a nation that still loves a handwritten note. And yes, despite all the tech, 78% of us are still walking into actual shops to get them. Wild.

We also explored the emotional magic behind card-sending, thanks to a study by Dr. Emma Lawrence, we learned it’s not just nice, it’s scientifically good for your mental health. Who knew a bit of card could pack such a punch?

So pop the kettle on and have a listen, because there’s more to greeting cards than dodgy rhymes and glitter explosions.

Credits: GCA Market Report 2024; Dr Emma Lawrence "The Psychology of Greeting Cards".

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

Love them or loathe them, Spanx has become a wardrobe staple for millions of women looking for that smooth, sculpted silhouette. But where did it all start? We’re going back to 1998, when Sarah Blakely, armed with nothing but a pair of scissors, a pair of sheer tights, and a frustration with visible panty lines, created what would become one of the most successful fashion inventions of all time.

Blakely had zero experience in fashion or business, but that didn’t stop her from building a billion-dollar empire. Spanx gave women a secret confidence boost, smoothing lumps and bumps without the need for complicated corsetry. But as the brand skyrocketed, so did the criticism. Does shapewear empower women, or does it reinforce impossible beauty standards? Are we choosing to wear it for us, or is it just another symptom of a world that still expects women to ‘fix’ their natural bodies?

Beyond the spandex and control panels, we’re also looking at the ethics behind the brand, Blakely’s surprising generosity when she sold the company, how Spanx compares to the growing trend of body positivity, and whether the shapewear industry still has a place in 2024. Are we all secretly still reaching for our Bridget Jones-style big knickers, or is it time to ditch the squeeze and let it all hang out? Let’s get into it!

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

James Dyson built an empire on relentless innovation, testing 5,126 prototypes before finally cracking the vacuum cleaner game. That kind of persistence is impressive, but does it mean Dyson is the golden standard of engineering, or just another brand riding on clever marketing?

We’re diving into Dyson’s rise from scrappy inventor to billionaire businessman, comparing his journey to other accidental innovations like bubble wrap and Post-it notes. But not everything about Dyson’s success story is spotless. His controversial decision to move operations from the UK to Singapore, despite being a vocal Brexit supporter, raises questions about loyalty versus business strategy. And then there’s the more uncomfortable side: allegations of poor labour conditions in Malaysia, a topic that continues to shadow the company’s global reputation.

On the flip side, Singapore offers undeniable benefits, favourable tax policies, cutting-edge tech infrastructure, and a strong talent pool. But at what point does business strategy cross the line into hypocrisy? And does Dyson still deserve its premium reputation, or has it become just another corporate machine, prioritising profits over principles?

From ethical dilemmas to whether their products actually live up to the hype, we’re breaking down the story behind the brand, and whether Dyson really sucks in more ways than one.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.