In this episode of the Mr & Mrs In Business Podcast, Chris and Helen sit down with Marisa Firkins, founder of Safety Forward, a leading health and safety consultancy based in Staffordshire. Marisa brings over a decade of experience as a solo business owner, delivering expert health and safety advice to industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to retail and local authorities. This episode is packed with insights on navigating the challenges of H&S compliance while scaling a business.

Marisa opens up about her transition from law enforcement into the world of health and safety, sharing candid reflections on how her past shaped her passion for protecting people at work. She explains why simplifying health and safety is key for small and medium-sized businesses and how even solo business owners can build strong teams, effective systems and supportive networks.

The conversation dives into the realities of running a business alone, the mental and emotional toll it can take and the strategies Marisa uses to combat loneliness and burnout. From hybrid work arrangements to leveraging AI tools in H&S, Marisa shares forward-thinking ideas to help other business owners future-proof their companies.

As a bonus, the episode touches on the power of accents in the business world , including how Marisa, a proud Brummie like Chris, has learn't to embrace her accent and turn it into a connection point rather than a limitation. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a H&S manager, or just curious about how accents shape business interactions, this episode offers valuable lessons and plenty of laughs.