Adam (Active Internet Marketing) and John (Octopus Computers) sit down with Kevin, founder of Landmark IFA and chair of Landmark Financial Group. He shares why he left large institutions, opened the doors with staff but no clients, and scaled to 37 advisers and 65 staff through smart hiring, acquisitions, and an employee ownership trust. We dig into culture (“ego-less,” team first, DYP (deliver your promise) and how Landmark handles regulation, training, and AI as a force-multiplier, not a headcount reducer. If you’re growing a professional services firm, this is a blueprint for sustainable scale without losing your soul.

Key takeaways from our talk with Kevin:

• Employee ownership locks in independence and adviser confidence.
• Growth lever: acquire retiring books and use them to recruit rising advisers.
• AI is a tool to lift capacity, not replace people.
• Reputation is the moat. You only keep it by doing what you said you’d do.

Discover the story behind Landmark IFA’s impressive growth and how an employee-owned business model helped scale the firm to 65 staff. In this episode, Kevin shares practical insights on building a thriving financial services business with a purpose-driven culture.

If you’re interested in IFA growth, employee-owned businesses, or strategies for scaling with strong leadership and values, this conversation is full of inspiration and takeaways.

Subscribe, like, and comment - we’d love to know which part of Kevin's journey inspired you most!

#EmployeeOwnership #IFAGrowth #BusinessGrowth #PurposeDrivenLeadership #CompanyCulture #FinancialServices #TheBlondeBeat #BusinessGrowthShow

Welcome to The Business Growth Show with Jo from The Blonde Beet, Stamford’s first and only plant-based café, bistro, and community space.

Join Adam and Jon as they explore Jo’s fascinating pivot from sustainability work and student behaviour change to launching a thriving, welcoming café right in the heart of Rutland. Jo walks us through her journey, from cozy supper clubs and lockdown takeaways to acquiring a charming, slightly hidden premises and transforming it into a vibrant, inclusive space.

Discover how Jo built a café that caters to everyone:

• Thoughtful, seasonal, zero-waste menus that appeal beyond the vegan niche.
• The creative use of textural delights like toasted seeds and nuts to elevate dishes.
• Community-driven programming, from art displays and book clubs to workshops and supper clubs.
• The power of collaboration and intentional choices, including local refill partnerships and sustainable sourcing.
• The ongoing challenge and joy of staying true to mission while managing growth.

Whether you're into hospitality, community-building, or purposeful entrepreneurship, this episode is full of feel-good inspiration and practical insights.

Subscribe, like, and comment - we’d love to know which part of Jo’s journey inspired you most!

#PlantBasedBusiness #CommunityCafe #SustainableGrowth #LocalEntrepreneurs #FoodAndCommunity #TheBlondeBeat #BusinessGrowthShow

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Business Growth Show! Join hosts Adam and Jon as they chat with Tony Gardner from Hegarty Solicitors, a pillar of the Stamford and Rutland business community with over 35 years of leadership and networking experience across multiple industries.

Tony opens up about his unique career journey, from roles in sales, marketing, and organisational leadership to stepping into legal services. Discover how he uses his diverse experience to help businesses flourish, not just legally, but through genuine human connection and strategic networking.

We dive into:

• The power of authentic networking and how Tony connects businesses, even beyond legal solutions.
• Why local businesses thrive with relational outreach, not just transactions.
• Navigating the rise of AI in legal work, and why combining AI with human oversight is more important than ever.
• His top tip for growing teams: empowering people, driving accountability and supporting them to shine.
• And a sneak peek at upcoming local initiatives, including an Invest‑for‑Growth workshop coming this summer - small, personable, and designed to support business expansion.

If you're intrigued by building resilient brands rooted in community, or curious about legal strategies that embrace innovation, this episode is a must-listen.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment. Tell us which part of Tony's story struck a chord with you!

#BusinessGrowth #NetworkingTips #AIinLegal #LocalEntrepreneurs #EmpowermentLeadership

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon sit down with Joanna Aikens, founder of Aikens Media, to hear how she went from freelancing in PR to running a successful global content marketing business, all from her home office in Rutland.

Joanna shares her inspiring story of entrepreneurship, building a career in marketing before remote work was the norm, and raising two sons while growing her business. We dive into the realities of working solo, her early experience in the PR world (and modelling!), the evolution of tech in marketing, and how she’s embracing AI tools today.

This one’s full of useful insight for anyone in marketing, PR, content creation, or starting a business from home.

Topics we cover:

• Building a content agency from scratch
• Working remotely long before it was cool
• Freelancing, resilience & risk-taking
• Navigating the future of AI in marketing
• Why human connection still wins in business

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and drop a comment - what part of Joanna’s story did you connect with most?

#ContentMarketing #WomenInBusiness #FreelanceLife #PRStrategy #MarketingTips #WorkFromHomeSuccess #EntrepreneurJourney #AIinMarketing #BusinessGrowthShow

If you had to start a business today with next to no money, where would you begin? In this episode, Adam and Jon break down exactly what they’d do (and what they’d avoid) if they were launching from scratch in 2025. From getting your first customer quickly and avoiding branding rabbit holes, to leveraging local communities, testing your idea on the high street, and learning how to fail forward - this is a real-world, practical guide for anyone looking to bootstrap a business the smart way. They also dig into pricing strategies, referrals, processes, and why asking for help might be your best growth move. Whether you’re thinking of starting something new or trying to get traction with what you’ve already begun, this episode is packed with honest advice and low-cost strategies that actually work.

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon tackle a hot local topic: Rutland’s potential loss of county status. With central government pushing for council mergers, what does that mean for one of England’s smallest, and proudest, counties? They break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes, what it could mean for residents and business owners, and why local identity matters more than ever. The conversation also explores the risks for small business funding, infrastructure changes, and whether the tight-knit Rutland community could be diluted as part of a wider region. It’s a grounded, honest look at how local decisions can ripple through the business world - and why it’s worth speaking up.

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon explore the local networking landscape in the East Midlands, sharing honest insights on everything from BNI and the Rutland Chamber of Commerce to more relaxed events like In the Hive and walking networking groups. They talk about what works, what to watch out for, and how to approach networking without pressure. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your approach, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world experience that can help you build stronger business relationships.

In this episode, Adam from Active Internet Marketing shares how he transitioned from selling Yellow Pages ads to running a cutting-edge digital agency generating thousands of leads each year. We talk about the evolution of SEO, investing in R&D, helping clients hit personal goals (like buying that van or taking that long-overdue holiday), and the highs and lows of scaling a business. Adam also gets personal about his upcoming wedding and his long-term vision of achieving financial freedom. If you're growing a business or just curious about how modern marketing really works, this one's packed with honest advice and valuable insights.