In this deeply moving episode of It’s Your Business, Kath sits down with Gemma Anyon for a conversation that is as powerful as it is inspiring. Gemma shares the raw truth of her early life, from growing up in an abusive household and entering the care system at the age of 10, to leaving care at 16 without the support she needed, and spiralling into drink, drugs, debt and deep trauma in her teenage years.

But this is not a story about giving up. It is a story about survival, healing and extraordinary purpose.

Gemma opens up about the journey that changed everything, the deep personal work she did to rebuild her life, and how that transformation led her to create Inspired Empowerment CIC and Next Gen MeM, supporting young people through mentoring, mental health empowerment and early intervention.

Now, Gemma is on a mission to make one-to-one mentoring a statutory right for children in care and care leavers, so that no young person is left to face adulthood alone. Her work is already changing lives, with schools, mentors and organisations across the UK seeing the impact of giving young people the tools, support and belief they need to thrive.

This episode is honest, emotional and unforgettable. It is about trauma, resilience, self-belief, second chances and what can happen when someone decides to turn their pain into purpose. Gemma’s story will move you, but more than that, it will make you think about what needs to change and why her campaign matters so much... (please sign the petition) https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/762405

Gemma's Details: @Gemwes / next_gen_mem (IG)

Gemma Anyon (LinkedIn)

Gemma@nextgenmem.com

nextgenmem.mykajabi.com/next-generation

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In this week's episode of It’s Your Business, Kath chats to Liz, of Liz Henson Photography about what it really takes to stay in business for 20 years.

From university and dark rooms to digital photography, branding shoots, events and people-led business photography, Liz shares how she built her business step by step while adapting to changes in both the industry and family life.

They also talk about confidence in front of the camera, the importance of lighting, authenticity in photography, and Liz’s honest thoughts on AI. It is a warm, practical and inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience and building a business that works for real life.

You can find Liz here: https://www.lizhenson.co.uk/

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Sarah Griffin from SMILE Mediation for a powerful conversation about conflict, communication and the journey that shaped her career. Sarah explains how mediation can help in workplaces, neighbourhoods and communities by giving people a safe space to be heard, challenge assumptions and work towards their own solutions. She shares real examples of how quickly things can change when people finally start talking properly.

But this episode goes much deeper than business. Sarah opens up about becoming homeless at 16, living in a hostel, and later returning to that same environment as a support worker helping young people facing similar struggles. It is a story of resilience, lived experience and using your past to make a real difference to others.

She also talks about her move into SMILE Mediation, the organisation’s growth, and why helping people communicate better can change lives.

To contact Sarah or contact Smile Mediation:

https://www.smilemediation.co.uk/

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In this powerful first episode of the new It’s Your Business series (5), Kath speaks to business growth coach Andrea Rainsford about a career built on connection, a life-changing stroke at 32, and the long road back to rebuilding both herself and her business.

Andrea shares how years of pushing through illness, tying her identity to success, and ignoring the warning signs led to a devastating collapse that changed everything.

Now, after years of recovery, Andrea has turned her experience into a mission. She talks about her "Buyology" methodology, why people still buy from people in an AI-heavy world, and why human connection, intuition and values matter more than ever.

She also opens up about her new and exciting "fractional "movement, helping brilliant women work on their own terms without sacrificing their health or their lives.

This is a moving, honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, purpose and the courage to build success differently.

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In this special solo episode of It’s Your Business, KLG (Your Fairy Podmother®) shares the story behind her 25+ years in audio, from radio news and presenting to podcast production and training.

Kath breaks down what a podcast really is, why audio is one of the most underrated tools in business marketing, and how local businesses can use podcasting without the pressure of weekly episodes forever.

You’ll also hear why adding audio versions of newsletters, updates and FAQs can boost accessibility, build trust faster, and help your message reach people who simply will not read another email.

Finally, Kath introduces Poducation CIC, a new not-for-profit focused on podcasting education and digital skills for people who are not in education, employment or training, and invites local businesses to explore CSR partnerships that create real outcomes.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a podcast is (and what it is not)
• Why audio fits into real life better than many formats
• How radio skills translate directly into podcasting
• Easy podcast ideas for busy businesses (including audio newsletters)
• How podcasting supports visibility, credibility and long-term marketing
• What it’s like working with Kath as your podcast producer and mentor
• Introducing Poducation CIC and how businesses can support the mission

Links and contact

• Book a pod-chat: https://www.fairypodmother.co.uk/pod-chat
• Website: www.fairypodmother.co.uk
• Email: kath@fairypodmother.co.uk

Poducation CIC

• Email: kath@poducation.co.uk

Call to action

If you’re a local business and you’re curious about starting a podcast, adding audio into your marketing, or exploring a CSR partnership with Poducation CIC, book a pod-chat and let’s talk.

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Your Fairy Podmother®️www.fairypodmother.co.uk

In this Ribble Valley Business Awards Special, I’m joined by Oliver Alcock, CEO and owner of The Printed Cup Company, for a brilliant, honest conversation about business growth, reinvention, and keeping your local roots no matter how far your work travels.

Oliver takes us back to the beginning, when he launched Oliver Alcock Computers in Clitheroe as a one-man band, simply aiming to replace his salary and take control of his own future. He shares why he rebranded to Bowland IT, how that change helped the business scale, and why he believes failure is part of the process, because it is how you find your niche and move forward stronger.

We hear how Bowland IT grew far beyond what most people would imagine, supporting multi-site organisations and even high-profile, high-security environments, while still keeping a friendly, “local IT company” feel that clients valued. Oliver also shares the emotional decision to sell Bowland IT after receiving an offer he could not refuse, and how quickly the next chapter arrived.

That next chapter is The Printed Cup Company, where Oliver did not just buy a business, he bought a culture. He talks about the joy of working with customers who are excited about their brands, from independent coffee vans to larger chains, and how he is bringing his tech background into manufacturing by improving systems and exploring automation.

Finally, Oliver explains why The Printed Cup Company is proud to be the headline sponsor of the Ribble Valley Business Awards, championing the local business community that shaped his own journey.

https://www.printedcupcompany.com

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In this Ribble Valley Business Awards Special, I’m joined by Sarah Lynas of Sarah Lynas Coaching, who helps women build real confidence, not the loud, surface-level kind, but the steady self-belief that changes how you show up in business and life.

Sarah shares why her work is so personal: she has lived the self-doubt, the feeling of being stuck, and the frustration of knowing you are capable of more but not quite being able to move forward.

Today she supports female business owners, leaders, and teams, as well as working closely with charities, helping women take brave steps, shift their inner language, and stand a little taller.

We talk about the power of tiny changes that create big results, especially the words we use about ourselves. Sarah explains a couple of the key tools in her coaching toolbox, including NLP (how language shapes our thinking) and Human Design, which helps people understand who they are, what they naturally do well, and what they can finally stop forcing.

It is a conversation about confidence and clarity and the little things that can make such a difference.

Sarah also shares why she proudly sponsors the Health and Wellbeing Award at the Ribble Valley Business Awards, and why the judging process matters so much, celebrating businesses properly and fairly, with stories of courage, growth, and leadership that deserve to be recognised.

https://sarahlynas.co.uk/

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In this Ribble Valley Business Awards Special, I’m joined by Judith Dugdale from PM+M Accountants, a Lancashire-founded firm that has been supporting businesses for over 100 years, with offices across Lancashire.

Judith explains what “modern accountancy” really looks like today, from the familiar essentials like accounts, tax, payroll and audit, to more specialist support such as corporate finance for fundraising, growth, acquisitions and business sales. We also chat about PM+M’s cloud team, using software and automation to make finance functions quicker, smarter and more efficient for clients.

Judith shares her own journey into accountancy (which started with a dream of becoming a PE teacher), and why her client base often centres on family businesses, where people dynamics and succession planning can be just as important as the numbers.

She also talks about PM+M’s Positive Impact Team, which puts charitable giving decisions into the hands of staff, supporting causes across Lancashire through donations, volunteering and initiatives like their Christmas present appeal.

Finally, Judith explains why PM+M sponsors the Hospitality Business Award at the Ribble Valley Business Awards, and how judging entries helps them stay connected to the real challenges and innovations happening across local businesses of every size.

www.pmm.co.uk

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