Most people don’t start businesses because they’re ready.

They start because something inside them says, “There’s more than this.”

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, Simon sits down with Michelle Reade, founder of a wellness coaching practice, to unpack what it really takes to move from employed, to franchise success, to building a business of your own.

Michelle spent 17 years helping others grow their businesses through franchising, scaling teams, and developing people — before finally taking the leap herself. What followed wasn’t just a new business, but a complete shift in identity, confidence, and direction.

This is a conversation about more than business strategy.

It’s about fear, confidence, and backing yourself.

Inside this episode:

• Why franchising can be a powerful way to start a business — and where it goes wrong

• The biggest mistake service-based business owners make when they go out on their own

• Why “borrowed advice” and copying others is holding people back

• The truth about networking, confidence, and finding your tribe

• How loneliness is quietly affecting business owners and their performance

• What it really takes to move from practitioner to business owner

Michelle also shares her longer-term vision of building accessible business support for people who wouldn’t normally get it — creating community, not just clients.

If you’re starting out, feeling stuck, or trying to figure out your next move, this episode will give you a clearer direction — and probably a bit of a push.

In the latest episode of Dorset Business Matters, I sat down with Rupert Holloway, founder of Conker Distillery — now 12+ years into the journey.

This isn’t a “look how successful it’s been” story.

It’s a real look at what it takes to build, survive, and evolve a business through:

• A booming start with zero real strategy

• Hitting a plateau when the market catches up

• Navigating COVID, cost of living, Brexit and supply chain chaos

• Competing in an industry dominated by billion-pound brands

• Learning (the hard way) that cashflow and numbers matter more than hype

There’s also a brilliant thread running through this episode around brand.

Not logos. Not colours.

But what your business actually stands for.

Rupert puts it simply:

If people forget what your product tastes like, you’re fine.

If they forget your brand… you’re gone.

We also get into:

• Why he wouldn’t start a gin business today

• How Conker Coffee Liqueur became a real scale opportunity

• The danger of chasing “what’s next” instead of doubling down on what works

• Why staying in your lane might be the smartest move you make

• And the one thing every business owner must understand from day one…

👉 Know your numbers.

Not your turnover.

Not your ego.

Your real numbers.

If you’re building a business, growing one, or thinking about stepping out on your own, this episode is worth your time.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:

[Insert Podcast Link]

From Car Dealer to Independent Finance Broker: Courage, Cashflow and Building a Business the Hard Way

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I sit down with Chris, who made the leap from the motor trade into building his own business as an independent finance broker.

Chris shares the real story behind that move. Not the polished version. The honest one. Leaving a secure role, stepping away from the comfort of a salary, and backing himself to build something of his own in a world where trust, relationships and timing matter more than ever.

We talk about:

• Chris’s background in the motor trade and what selling finance inside dealerships taught him

• Why moving to the “other side of the desk” gave him a stronger understanding of how finance really works

• The decision to go independent, and why it felt both terrifying and necessary

• What the first three months of self-employment were really like

• Building a client base through networking, referrals and consistency

• Why trust matters more than noise in financial services

• Cashflow pressure, invoice finance and the difference between factoring and invoice discounting

• How business owners can use funding properly to support growth instead of panic-filling gaps

• The importance of niching down instead of trying to be everything to everyone

• Why courage, conviction and proper support matter when you’re starting a business

Chris also talks openly about the emotional side of business ownership. The pressure, the responsibility, the family balance, and the reality that when it’s your business, the buck stops with you.

There’s also a brilliant thread running through this episode around research, AI and modern business building. Chris makes the point that there has never been more information, support and technology available to help someone start well, think clearly and move faster. But you still need to be bold enough to act.

This is a grounded, practical conversation for anyone thinking about starting a business, growing one, or trying to get smarter about finance, cashflow and decision-making.

If you want a business episode with real-world lessons, not fluff, this one delivers.

Marketing Without Research Is Guesswork:

Lee Hill on Why SMEs Jump Too Fast

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I’m joined by Lee Hill, founder of Runway.

Lee and his team do two things. For larger businesses and corporates, they deliver customer and market research. For SMEs, they’ve recently launched a drop-in Head of Marketing service for Managing Directors who need proper strategic support, without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

The conversation hits a nerve straight away. Most SME marketing fails for one simple reason: people jump straight to execution. They start posting on social media, hiring a freelancer, running ads, sending emails… but they have not done the thinking first. Lee’s view is refreshingly blunt. If you have not stepped back to answer why the business exists, what problem it really solves, and what customers actually need, then what you are doing is not marketing. It is just activity.

We talk about:

• Why marketing gets cut first when times are tough, and why that is usually the worst move

• The difference between marketing and sales, and why most businesses confuse the two

• How research often saves companies a “bucket load” of money by stopping them choosing the wrong channel

• What “lightweight” research actually looks like (and why you do not need 1,000 survey responses)

• Why websites were originally built like print brochures, and why that mistake still kills conversions today

• How brand trust can make people tolerate a clunky website, but new businesses do not get that luxury

• The smart way to use AI in marketing (hint: not asking it to invent your strategy from outdated online data)

• Lee’s real business lessons from COVID, scaling too fast, and building the second business with more discipline

• His practical advice for anyone about to leave employment and start a business

• His book recommendation: Good to Great by Jim Collins, especially the part about hiring self-motivated people

If you’re building a business and your marketing plan is “in your head”, this episode will give you a friendly shove. Lee’s core message is clear: start with research, get confident in the problem you solve, then spend money on execution.

From Teen IT Fixer to Trusted MSP: Building OTECH with Confidence, Character and Care

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I sit down with Kyle Sharland, founder and Managing Director of OTECH, a managed service provider supporting businesses across the UK with IT, cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Kyle’s journey didn’t start with a grand plan or corporate backing. It started at 15 years old, fixing servers on an industrial estate, learning the trade hands-on, and building trust one relationship at a time. Ten years on, OTEC is a growing, values-led business with a strong reputation and a clear view on where IT, cyber and responsibility are heading.

We talk about:

• Starting young and learning by doing

• Building a business without losing your humanity

• The loneliness of early-stage business ownership

• Why confidence matters more than credentials

• Pricing, churn and having the courage to charge properly

• Cybersecurity myths and what small businesses really need

• When to bring in external help and why support networks matter

• Responsibility, leadership and carrying other people’s livelihoods

• Giving back through OTEC’s laptop donation scheme for schools and charities

This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about business growth, pressure, purpose and doing the right thing — even when it’s hard.

If you’re a business owner, founder or leader navigating growth, self-doubt or complexity, this episode will give you perspective, reassurance and practical insight.

From Garden Shed to 7,000 Sq Ft: Building Mad Mowers

What started as a home-schooling project fixing broken lawnmowers in a garden shed has grown into a serious Dorset business with a 7,000 sq ft unit, commercial contracts, cutting-edge technology and a clear plan for the future.

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I sit down with Michael and Andrew Drapper of Mad Mowers. Michael, just 18 years old, is Managing Director. Andrew is his dad, business partner and the steady hand behind the scenes. Together, they share an honest, no-nonsense account of what it really takes to build a business from scratch.

We talk about:

• Growing a business without a grand plan – and why that’s more common than people admit

• The reality of being a teenage Managing Director

• Cashflow shocks, seasonality and nearly getting caught out

• Why shiny object syndrome kills progress

• Moving from paper tags to fully customised systems using Notion

• The shift from petrol to battery and robot mowers

• Commercial contracts, service plans and recurring revenue

• Hiring, process building and stepping out of the day-to-day

• Why getting a business coach earlier would have saved pain and time

This is a grounded, practical conversation about learning the hard way, staying focused, and building something that lasts.

If you’re starting out, scaling up, or wondering why running a business feels harder than you expected, this episode will resonate.

Photography, Self-Doubt and Saying Yes: Building Folio Creative

In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I’m joined by Beth, founder of Folio Creative — a personal brand photographer and content creator working with female founders across Dorset to elevate their online presence with confident, warm, story-led brand visuals.

Beth started her business in 2020, right in the middle of COVID, after finishing a photography degree and finding the traditional career path had basically vanished overnight. Instead of waiting for opportunities, she created them. Doorstep shoots, small local makers, side hustles turning into real businesses, and a steady climb built on showing up, building trust and learning as she went.

We talk about:

• Starting a business with passion, but no clue how business works

• How networking helped Beth learn faster than any course could

• Why Instagram is still her best lead generation tool

• The reality of being a solo founder and pushing through self-doubt

• Building a reputation that creates referrals over time

• Creating and hosting sold-out events for female founders

• What it really takes to grow when your work is personal and relationship driven

• The long game: freedom, flexibility, travel, and building a business that supports a life

This is a thoughtful, encouraging conversation for anyone starting out, feeling behind, or wondering if they’ve got what it takes. Beth’s message is simple and powerful: say yes, learn fast, and back yourself.