Things took a darker turn with the story of DePuy’s ASR hip replacements, a medical device that promised mobility but ended up causing chaos inside the body.

The ASR model used an all-metal design, which turned out to be a massive problem. Over time, metal debris would shed into the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like metallosis, pseudo tumours, and even cognitive decline. The worst part? It skipped the usual rigorous safety checks thanks to a fast-track approval route known as the 510(k) pathway.

By 2008, more than 100,000 of these devices had been implanted around the world, raking in over $1 billion in sales. But the fallout was huge. Thousands of patients suffered, and DePuy eventually had to pay out $2.5 billion in settlements.

It’s a case that raises big questions about medical ethics, corporate responsibility, and how something so dangerous made it into so many bodies.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

Let’s talk about BrewDog! The punk of the beer world that’s built its brand on disruption, bold claims, and a whole lot of attitude.

Founded in 2007, they went from a small start-up to striking major deals, including one with Tesco, all while shaking up the industry with rebellious marketing and unapologetic messaging. In 2020, they bought 2,000 acres of Scottish land for their “Buy One Get One Tree” campaign, aiming to go carbon negative. It sounded impressive, but by 2023, things weren’t looking great. Over half the Scots pines, nearly all the broadleaf oaks, and half the birch saplings had died.

Despite receiving nearly £700k in Scottish forestry funding, the failed project sparked some serious questions. Still, BrewDog’s ability to pivot quickly, with launches like their alcohol-free “Nanny State” beer, and their ongoing commitment to ethical practices keep them relevant.

This one’s got it all: ambition, controversy, clever branding, and a few very dead trees. Grab your brew of choice!

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got into the glossy world of luxury brands and asked the question no one really wants to answer: how much of what we buy is about status, and how much is actually about ethics?

Dior and Armani took centre stage after a 2024 report revealed they’d been slapping “Made in Italy” labels on goods actually produced in China. Bit awkward, considering the whole luxury vibe rests on craftsmanship and authenticity. Then there’s the price tags. A Dior bag that sells for $2,800? Costs just $57 to make. We’ll let that sink in.

We also talked about the big gap between what people say they care about, like ethical sourcing and sustainability, and what they actually do when there’s a shiny logo involved. It’s easy to judge until you’re staring at a designer label in your dream colour.

It’s a chat about branding, consumer psychology, and whether luxury can ever really be ethical without losing its high-end sparkle.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got chatting about EDF Energy, the power giant that’s got its fingers in sockets across more than 30 countries. Known for banging the sustainability drum and offering decent perks like job security, flexible working, and proper training, it’s easy to see why people line up to work there.

But, like most corporate giants, it’s not all sunshine and solar panels. Projects like Hinkley Point C have spiralled way over budget... starting at £18 billion and now heading for £46 billion. Ouch.

And then there’s the spicy stuff. A €1.5 million fine for hacking Greenpeace (yes, really) and some heavy accusations of human rights issues in Mexico. EDF’s got a shiny image on one side and a bit of corporate murk on the other.

There’s a lot to unpack, part green energy champion, part eyebrow-raiser. Stick the kettle on, we’ve got a lot to say about this one.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got into the seriously dramatic sibling story behind two of the biggest sports brands on the planet: Puma and Adidas. What started as a shared passion for making top-notch running shoes turned into a full-blown family feud with global consequences.

Back in 1924, Rudolph and Adolf Dassler set up a shoe factory powered by a stationary bike. Their designs took off, especially with German athletes, and things were looking pretty solid. But then World War II happened, and tensions between the brothers exploded. By 1943, their partnership was over for good.

After the war, things got even messier. They testified against each other during the denazification trials, and Adolf ended up banned from business for years. When they did finally go their separate ways, it got real. Rudolph launched Puma in 1948. Adolf followed with Adidas in 1949, and yes, the famous three-stripe logo was born.

Despite their shared roots, Adidas went on to leave Puma in the dust. Family drama, global brands, and a rivalry that shaped the world of sportswear.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We dove into the chaos of the Torrey Canyon oil spill, one of the first major environmental disasters of its kind, and let’s just say, it was an absolute mess. Back in 1967, the SS Torrey Canyon, a huge oil tanker, hit Pollard’s Rock in the Seven Stones Reef and dumped over 31 million gallons of crude oil into the sea.

Cornwall, the Channel Islands, and parts of Brittany took the brunt of it. Coastlines were wrecked, wildlife devastated, and thousands of seabirds lost. It was a wake-up call for the shipping world and sparked a serious rethink of how we navigate, regulate tankers, and respond to spills.

The whole disaster led to big changes, including the birth of MARPOL (fancy name, important job), which now sets the global standard for preventing pollution from ships.

So yes, we got a bit nerdy with the history, but it’s the kind of story that shows how one disaster can shape the rules we live by today. Stick the kettle on and join us for a deep dive, minus the crude oil.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got chatting about greeting cards... and trust us, it’s a juicier topic than you’d think. From ancient Egypt and China to the boom during the Industrial Revolution, we took a little stroll through history and realised just how iconic that folded bit of card really is.

The UK greeting card industry is no small thing either, bringing in a whopping £1.5 billion a year. With 94% of households buying an average of 10.5 cards annually (who’s buying the half?), it’s clear we’re a nation that still loves a handwritten note. And yes, despite all the tech, 78% of us are still walking into actual shops to get them. Wild.

We also explored the emotional magic behind card-sending, thanks to a study by Dr. Emma Lawrence, we learned it’s not just nice, it’s scientifically good for your mental health. Who knew a bit of card could pack such a punch?

So pop the kettle on and have a listen, because there’s more to greeting cards than dodgy rhymes and glitter explosions.

Credits: GCA Market Report 2024; Dr Emma Lawrence "The Psychology of Greeting Cards".

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.