Episode index
Every conversation in one feed. Filter by topic, guest, or series to surface the straight-talking stories your business needs this week.
Total episodes
Belinda Roberts MBE joins Business Babble for a no-filter chat on what it really takes to build and scale a business. We dig into risk, cash flow, funding routes, invoice finance, pitching to angel investors, sales that feel human, and why authenticity matters more than polish. Belinda also lifts the lid on WEDO Scotland, why many firms hit a growth plateau, and how to get past it.
In this episode of Business Babble, we sit down with Anna Black of Lindores Stay in North Fife, Scotland. Anna shares her inspiring journey of transforming a third-generation family farm into a thriving hub of luxury lodges, equestrian experiences, whisky collaborations, and unforgettable food & drink events.
Former pro rugby player and Effective Now founder Mark Blair joins Business Babble to tackle a big question: are schools preparing young people for the modern workplace, or are we leaving a massive skills gap for employers to solve?
Trying to shift strategy without losing your team? Consultant Alan Russell from Forth Road Ltd joins Business Babble to show how real change sticks when you lead the right conversations. We dig into culture clashes after acquisitions, why listening beats telling, and how to balance fear, reason and data so people come with you.
Landlord and former ad man Guy Harrower joins Johnny and Mike to share how he pivoted from running a creative agency to managing a mixed commercial and residential property portfolio across Edinburgh, Dundee and beyond. We get into why he sold Edinburgh rentals and moved into Dundee student lets, the real pros and cons of commercial leases with national tenants, and how Scottish regulation, rent caps and Section 24 have reshaped the market. Guy talks candidly about failing fast, learning faster, and why due diligence beats auction “bargains”. You will hear practical tips for first-time landlords on choosing a strategy, financing without overreach, picking the right streets, and managing risk after Covid and rising rates. We also cover business mindset, networking, NLP, protecting your health, and knowing when to pivot or let go.
In this episode of The Business Babble, Johnny, Mike, and Wicus dive into a practical exercise that reveals the nine essential roles every business owner takes on — from thinker and finder to hunter, farmer, organiser, and analyst. Discover why scaling your business isn’t about doing it all yourself, but about knowing when to delegate, outsource, and build the right structure around you.
