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What if small businesses could outpace big brands by making simpler, smarter choices? We dive into the practical side of digital transformation where it matters most: seamless payments, recurring bookings, faster quotes, and fewer evening admin marathons. Our goal is simple—strip away the friction that pushes customers to abandon carts and owners to burn out, and replace it with tools and processes that quietly do the heavy lifting.

We share concrete examples you can copy this week. Picture a trades business that auto-renews annual services, fills the diary via an online calendar, and collects payment instantly—no phone tag, no chasing. Think transparent pricing calculators that empower your team and speed up sales. We talk frankly about costs and complexity, why most software is cheaper than you expect, and how to get help if tech feels overwhelming. The advantage of being small shines through: you can decide today, implement tomorrow, and improve next week without waiting on a committee.

Tool choice and discipline sit at the heart of the conversation. Pick strong platforms, go deep, and resist the lure of the latest shiny app. Then layer in AI as a force multiplier: use it to draft, research, and outline, but always review and refine. We cover professional guardrails, practical prompting, and how to keep your brand voice human. Finally, we walk through a simple process mapping method—Post-it notes and all—that turns scattered steps into a smooth customer journey. Subscribe, share this with a fellow business owner, and leave a review with your biggest bottleneck—we’ll tackle the most common ones in an upcoming show.

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January always brings pressure to do more – grow faster, add services, chase ideas. But in reality, trying to fix everything at once is often what stalls good businesses.

In this episode, we start with a few real-life updates, then get straight into what actually moves the needle when cash feels tight and headspace is limited. We share a simple but powerful framework: stop what drains you, start what compounds, and fix what quietly leaks profit. No buzzwords, no overcomplication – just practical decisions that protect profit and focus.

We tackle one of the biggest traps for business owners: comparison. Copying competitors with totally different pricing, margins, or team structures can do real damage. Instead, we walk through three KPIs that genuinely change outcomes:

• Revenue tracked live against plan
• Gross margin percentage
• Operating cash available

You’ll learn how to build a clear, lightweight dashboard, why daily visibility beats nasty month-end surprises, and how a 20% growth target becomes achievable when you can actually see where you stand.

Then we get practical with money. Dead stock isn’t just clutter – it’s trapped cash. We explain how to clear it and reinvest into faster-moving lines. Pricing gets a proper review too, with rising costs across wages, insurance, and suppliers, and how to adjust prices without losing client trust. We’re honest about tools and software: a £22-per-month fix with a clear return can be a great decision, but expensive, time-heavy migrations without payback usually aren’t. Delegation comes back into focus as a profit lever, with simple steps to document, train, and free yourself from tasks that block sales, billing, and growth.

Finally, we talk habits – because strategies only work if they’re lived. Drawing on behavioural insights, we show why small, consistent actions beat grand plans every time: checking one key number daily, reviewing pricing weekly, and tightening invoicing routines. We also touch on real-life curveballs – health, family, and unexpected disruptions – and why systems, teams, and cash buffers are what keep a business steady when life gets messy.

If you want a calmer, more profitable year, start with clarity, keep it simple, and let the numbers guide your next move.

If this episode helped sharpen your thinking, follow the show, share it with another business owner, and leave a quick review – it really helps more entrepreneurs find us.

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"Breaking the System: Why Processes Matter" explores the transformative power of well-designed business processes through the candid lens of a father-daughter business team. When Paul initially built his accountancy practice, everything remained locked in his head - a common entrepreneurial trap that creates an invisible ceiling on growth. Enter Jade, who implemented systematic processes that helped triple the business.

The episode reveals how proper processes aren't just about organisation but serve as the foundation for sustainable scaling. Through personal anecdotes and hard-earned wisdom, Jade and Paul discuss how implementing their 85-step onboarding process ensures nothing falls through the cracks - from technical requirements to sending new clients celebration cake. They share how technology tools like Carbon, Asana, and Loom support their systems while emphasising that processes should remain flexible enough to adapt to unique situations and evolving business needs.

What makes this conversation particularly relatable is Paul's honest admission of sometimes avoiding the very processes Jade implements - a dynamic many business partnerships will recognise. Their playful banter illuminates a crucial truth: even the most process-resistant entrepreneurs eventually see the value in systems that create consistency, reduce stress, and enable growth. Whether you're just starting out or looking to break through a growth plateau, this episode provides practical insights on creating processes that support rather than suffocate your business vision.

Subscribe to Business with Swoey for more candid conversations about family business dynamics and practical strategies to overcome common entrepreneurial challenges. Have you implemented processes that transformed your business? We'd love to hear your story!

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Have you ever felt guilty saying "no" to a potential client or business opportunity? You're not alone. As business owners, we're conditioned to chase every pound and please every customer—but what if this approach is actually holding you back?

In this candid conversation, we pull back the curtain on one of the most challenging yet powerful business skills: the ability to say "no." We share real examples from our own practice, including the recent decision to turn down a client worth £8,500 annually because they simply weren't the right fit. While painful in the moment, this decision created space for better opportunities that aligned with our values and business model.

We explore how setting clear boundaries—from payment terms to communication expectations—doesn't just protect your sanity but actually strengthens client relationships and team morale. When we immediately disengaged from a client who was disrespectful to our staff, we sent a powerful message about what we stand for.

For those struggling with the guilt of refusal, we offer practical strategies to reframe "no" as a positive choice rather than a rejection. It's not about turning people away; it's about saying "yes" to what matters most. We discuss how outsourcing certain tasks (like our new PA arrangement) can help maintain these boundaries without burning bridges.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, mastering the art of the strategic "no" might be the most important business skill you'll ever develop. It's not just about avoiding burnout—it's about creating a business that truly serves your goals, values, and vision.

Like, follow and subscribe to join our ongoing conversation about building a business that works for you, not the other way around.

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Ever noticed how successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson seem to have endless time while running massive companies? Their secret isn't superhuman productivity—it's strategic delegation.

After encountering a relaxed business owner at an exclusive golf club who credited his personal assistant for his balanced life, we decided to take the plunge ourselves. Enter Nicole from MIPA, who in just her first week has transformed how we manage our time and mental energy. Those 800+ unread emails? No longer our immediate concern. The dental appointment that's been postponed for six months? Finally scheduled.

What's fascinating is how quickly this decision has paid dividends. We've recognized that tasks taking just "five minutes" actually consume far more time and mental bandwidth—especially when they involve waiting on hold, making follow-up calls, or simply remembering to do them at all. Every interruption costs not just the time of the interruption itself, but the additional 20 minutes needed to regain focus afterward.

For small business owners hesitating about the cost, consider this: if you charge £50 per hour for your services, but spend hours on tasks someone else could handle for less, you're effectively losing money. More importantly, you're sacrificing the strategic thinking time that actually grows your business. We've already seen new work come in that more than covers our investment.

The hardest part? Relinquishing control. Watching that unread email count climb without diving in requires trust and patience. But the freedom to focus on high-value work is worth the initial discomfort.

Whether it's booking golf tee times, organizing birthday flowers, or managing client meetings, the right assistant creates space for you to be the best business owner possible. What tasks are stealing your time that someone else could handle better?

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The AI revolution isn't just for tech giants—it's transforming how small businesses operate right now. In this eye-opening conversation, Jade and Paul Dono break down the practical ways artificial intelligence is already working behind the scenes in businesses of all sizes, and how savvy entrepreneurs can harness its power without complex technical knowledge.

Discover how a simple plumber's business can be completely transformed through AI-powered booking systems, automated payments, and review collection. Learn why the dreaded admin work that plagues tradespeople can be reduced to simply taking photos of receipts with the right tools in place. The Donos share real examples from their accounting practice, where automated systems handle client onboarding, invoicing, and payment collection without human intervention.

The conversation tackles the common misconception that AI means replacing employees with robots. Instead, Paul explains how automating 80% of administrative tasks can make businesses more efficient while creating more growth opportunities. As he pointedly observes, "I've always done it that way" is the number one killer of businesses—especially in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Jade reveals their exciting new venture, Be An Esther, which combines business efficiency coaching with wellness support to help small business owners thrive. Their upcoming "ChatGPT for Beginners" workshop promises to demystify AI tools with practical, accessible guidance for everyday business needs like email writing and social media content creation.

Whether you're a tradesperson drowning in paperwork, a service business looking to streamline client management, or simply curious about what AI could do for your company, this episode offers clear, jargon-free insights that will change how you think about the future of small business operations.

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The workplace has undergone a seismic shift since 2020, leaving business owners grappling with fundamental questions about where and how their teams should work. Jade and Paul Dono tackle this pivotal debate with refreshing honesty and practical insights from both sides of the generational divide.

Drawing from their experience running One Accounts through the pandemic—where they achieved remarkable 67% growth during remote working—the father-daughter duo dismantles outdated thinking around office presenteeism. "That lack of trust," Jade points out, "is never going to build a good culture with your team." Paul adds that businesses forcing full-time office returns are "missing out on talent," highlighting how their competitor's rigid "must work from office" job posting received minimal interest while their flexible approach attracted numerous qualified candidates.

The conversation explores nuanced realities often overlooked in the work location debate. They acknowledge that apprentices and new team members genuinely benefit from in-office learning—"you learn by osmosis," Jade explains—while experienced staff can thrive with greater autonomy. Their balanced approach includes mandatory "collaboration Mondays" when everyone connects face-to-face, combined with flexible arrangements throughout the week.

Beyond theoretical discussion, the Donos offer practical guidance for small business owners navigating these waters. From establishing proper KPIs to measure remote productivity to leveraging technologies like Loom for remote training, their advice is grounded in real-world application. They also address the potential downsides of home working, including boundary issues and isolation, providing a thoughtfully balanced perspective.

Whether you're struggling with talent recruitment, questioning your current workplace policy, or simply curious about effective models for today's changing landscape, this episode delivers actionable insights without oversimplified answers. The Donos' refreshing conclusion? There's no universal right approach—each business must find its unique balance based on industry, roles, and culture.

Looking to modernize your workplace approach while maintaining productivity and team cohesion? This episode is your essential guide to navigating the new world of work with confidence and clarity.

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Fear of crossing the VAT threshold is stunting the growth of countless UK small businesses. We've witnessed business owners take drastic measures—including temporarily shutting down operations—just to stay below the £90,000 mark and avoid VAT registration. This mindset creates an artificial ceiling that prevents scaling, expansion, and ultimately, success.

The apprehension typically stems from misconceptions about what VAT registration actually means for a business. Many fear the administrative burden or worry about raising prices and losing customers. What they're missing is the complete picture: yes, you'll charge VAT on sales, but you'll also reclaim VAT on business expenses—potentially offsetting much of what you collect. Modern accounting software has dramatically simplified the process, making VAT returns far less daunting than most imagine.

From practical banking tips (using Monzo or Starling "pots" to automatically set aside VAT funds) to exploring simplified schemes like the Flat Rate option, we break down exactly how to handle VAT registration smoothly. We also address common pitfalls, including the dangerous practice of artificially splitting businesses to avoid registration—a strategy that can lead to severe penalties. With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on the horizon for businesses over £50,000, understanding these threshold psychology issues becomes even more crucial.

We share our unfiltered thoughts on recent experiences too, including Paul's acceptance into the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and Jade's observations on Virgin Voyages' remarkable culture consistency—proving that brand values can permeate every aspect of customer experience. Whether you're approaching the VAT threshold or simply planning for future growth, this episode delivers practical wisdom for building a business without self-imposed limitations.

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