The art of marketing in the wine industry is a challenge when bottles look so similar, which makes this Coffee & Catchup’s lineup ideal for anyone looking to stand out. Fran Bridgewater FCIM and Garry James, CMO of FOUNDRY, both join us to share in the latest from Fran’s new brand Volcanic Wines, the latest developments with Poole’s FOUNDRY and Podcast Labs, and even share a few tipple tips ahead of the Christmas period… This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: FOUNDRY and Po...

With an ever-changing economic landscape, any support for small businesses is absolutely vital, a huge focus for this latest Coffee & Catchup episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast. Nick Gregory guides us through the latest in finance, funding and mentorship with Dorset Business Mentors’ Alistair Bayliss sharing more on the process, and Steve Mayell sharing some grant and loan opportunities for SMEs in the local area. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: How mentors can...

Funding and friends are invaluable assets to any small business, and in this episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, we’re focusing on boosting finances and building a community. Recorded at our Coffee & Catch Up event in July, Steve Bulley hosts BCP Council’s Charles Fynn, Mercia Asset Management’s Max Slinger and FOUNDRY’s Ema Armstrong. The panel takes us through a new fund open to businesses in the BCP area, how best to seek venture capital funding, and how the Dolphin Centre’s new ...

Moving forwards and having the right people on your team are two elements of every business’ dream, and between Maggie Lawrie & Toni Taylor, we have two of the most comprehensive answers. Being an Executive Coach with MLA International places Maggie perfectly to share strategies to go above and beyond your business goals, and Tru Talent Founder, Toni, is finely tuned into the talent market. Join us on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast as we break down the answers to two of every entrepreneur’...

Funding, staff and marketing: a holy trinity which covers most top-of-mind issues for businesses right now, all of which are better tackled together. As we convene for another wonderful Coffee & Catchup event, this week Jacqui Rock shares Poole BID’s new schemes and how the local area is evolving for SMEs. Elsewhere in the episode, Steve Mayell covers the opportunities that SWIG Finance can offer, and we chat with ‘TikTok Queen’ Michelle Haslam about how to take on a platform which is dau...

With the recent budget, finance and investment are top of mind for businesses traversing the challenges of 2023. Whether you’re looking for a loan away from the high street banks, or a new way to create business connections, we’ve got you covered - SWIG Finance’s Steve Mayell and Podcast Labs’ Kelly Butler are this week’s guests on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast. Tune into this week’s episode, recorded at our live business breakfast in March, to hear how podcasts are an evolving medium in whic...

The money available for businesses now might not have decreased materially, but the hurdles to securing that funding are certainly larger than they once were. Looking in the right place is key to finding finance for your business at such a time of need, and British Business Bank’s Ed Tellwright joins us on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast to help you increase those chances. We’re also joined on this special live episode by Street Agency’s Founder, Katie Street, who offers some cutting insights o...

Much of the media may be awash with dour predictions for the economy, but as business owners there’s plenty to do, and new initiatives to be excited about in the BCP area. At last month’s Coffee & Catchup, we were joined by the Co-Founder of Foundry, Adam Walker, and Managing Director of digital marketing agency Uprated, John Darch. We hear how Foundry is bringing a fantastic new curated co-working space to spruce up the Dolphin Centre, and John’s insightful tips to pick the right marketi...

The only certainty in 2023 is some degree of uncertainty, so as we wrap up the year it’s a vital time to protect the health of both your business, and yourself. Whether you’re looking for sources of funding to keep up the cash flow, or mental wellbeing support to manage the challenges ahead, we ran through some essential resources on the latest Coffee & Catchup event! The wonderful Marie-Clare Gale from Dorset Mind shares a wealth of information on access to mental health services, and we...

The past month has proven to be most uncertain, but if you owned a business at the start of the pandemic and it’s still running, then you have the tools to tackle the bumpy road ahead. From staying on top of accounts to keeping your staff front of mind and showing them that you care, the latest episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast shines a light on the abundance of resources at your disposal that you need to take advantage of! Recorded at the latest Coffee & Catchup online event in Oc...

Welcome back to Coffee & Catchup! September marks the grand return of the hugely popular live online events hosted by Dorset Growth Hub’s Nick Gregory, answering questions and offering advice to hundreds of local businesses. With an economic downturn on the horizon and energy prices at the centre of conversation, it’s high time to offer support to businesses needing assistance with the trying times ahead. We bring together Low Carbon Dorset’s Heather Kiel, Barclays’ Danny Jones and Dorset...

Business ownership is no easy task, so saving your energy to tackle what really matters is absolutely vital for The Happy Blossoms Co-Founder, Lauren Hooper. We’ve another wonderful episode of the 5 Things I Know Now recorded at We Are F_ND in February, where Lauren shares why finances - boring as they might be - are essential to get right, how to handle copycats, and how she’s grown in confidence & overcome self-doubt. This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers: Preserving your...

Regardless of your industry, small businesses are all forced to become social media experts to some extent, so how do you beat the algorithm and gain a following? James Wythe’s blog, Healthy Living James, is a great example of how to put your story and personality front and centre, even if it means leaping well beyond your comfort zone! Find out James’ 5 Things He Knows Now on the latest episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, recorded live at January’s wonderful We Are F_ND event, where w...

Productivity in a digital age is a hot topic, with hybrid workplaces creating opportunities to take advantage of technology - but it’s not without its caveats to look out for… Carolyn Freeman’s background in marketing followed by a career shift into the intriguing world of CyberPsychology provide her with a myriad of experiences, from the corporate world to mature education to self-employment. Carolyn, Founder of Cybercology, shares with us her unique take on the 5 things she knows now, from ...

Whether it’s putting faith in yourself or believing in your team, the power of confidence can truly bring the best out of your business. It takes a great deal of confidence to set up a business in the midst of uncertainty, but Susannah Brade-Waring did just that in the wake of 2008’s financial crisis, and Aspirin Business Solutions has been co-creating success for leaders ever since. Susannah joins us to share the 5 things she knows now having seen her business through thick and thin, with a ...

Building a business from scratch presents common pitfalls that many have learned to avoid, but there’s a unique set of challenges and pressures that come with taking the wheel of a brand with a lengthy history. Rosie Lees has been at the helm of The Embroidery Barn for the past 3 years, building on 20 years of legacy and evolving its mission for premium & eco-friendly embroidery. On this episode of 5 Things I Know Now we learn the value in staying firm & believing in what you do, grow...

Although we’re firmly within the world of business, it’s important not to forget the human element behind it all, and the personal values that stand to help us all to make better connections. Andy Brown, a part-time FD/CFO and Founder of 3D FD with experience at Passenger, Armadillo, Salad and many more companies, is well-versed in collaborating with a wide variety of teams. Andy shares the 5 things he knows now, from the age-old adages that stand true like treating others how you’d lik...

The digital landscape is ever-changing, so to stay at its precipice it’s vital to step out of your comfort zone. Whether by choice or by necessity, accomplished Digital Content Creator Brogan Tate has taken that leap to diversify the videos she makes for her 80k YouTube subscribers, while creating exciting collaborations with the likes of Disney, EE and M&S! Recorded at the fabulous launch event for WeAreFND, a brand new community for supporting young founders & entrepreneurs, Mary ch...

The marketing landscape is worlds away from where it was at the turn of the millennium, so for Matt Lawrence (who graduated with a degree in business & marketing in 2000) to stay on top of his game as Head of Marketing with Passenger, consistent learning is foundational to his successful journey. Matt features alongside Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Nicki Cluley on this week’s episode of ‘5 Things I Know Now’ to discuss the essential lessons on their business paths. We dive into why you sh...

The beauty behind Blink Lettering’s captivating calligraphy is the passionate Milly Withers, an aspirational young business owner applying her design skills in a variety of aesthetic applications. As it happens, variety is one of the 5 key things that have helped guide Milly’s exciting career so far. On this week’s ‘5 Things I Know Now’, Milly joins Mary Lloyd to discuss the value of support & community, the indispensable tools available with the latest social media platforms, and her com...