In today’s episode of The Enterprise Doctor Business Show, my guest was Emma Sweet, Founder of Ace Places Playing Cards, which celebrate the best bits of places worth visiting.

We started by talking about what the point is of the packs of cards – almost a travel guide to the hidden gems of a town, as well as of course being able to be used as a pack of cards, be that for poker or snap!

We went on to discuss the business model, the ten thousand packs sold in the first twelve months, the lack of logos on the cards and why some of the cards are deliberately mysterious.

But how did the business get started? And how did it reach such heights so quickly?

You can connect with Emma at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sweet-rg10/ and their website is at https://www.aceplaces.co.uk/ .

If you want to connect with me, to talk about the mentoring and coaching I deliver to small businesses, or if you think you'd be a good guest on the show, please do let me know. You can do that via https://www.linkedin.com/in/enterprisedoctor/ .

To contribute to (or just read) conversations about this episode, please join the podcast's Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/enterprisedoctorbusinessshow/ .

And my website is at https://enterprisedoctor.co.uk/.

On the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/EnterpriseDoctor you can hear clips of other episodes – please subscribe there!

And within your podcast app, remember to like this episode (if you like it!), leave us a great review, and please do subscribe there too, to ensure new episodes hit your app as soon as they're released.

These words and the content of the podcast are © Enterprise Doctor 2024.

On The Business Show on Marlow FM on 24th October 2024, my guests were financial advice expert Gemma Wass and marketing expert Sarah Fletcher, who joined me to talk about their work, and to discuss a range of business news stories.

I started the show with one from the Hilary playlist – Uptown Funk from Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars. Listen at https://youtu.be/OPf0YbXqDm0?si=LBBtN5w_1nbgSdy9 along with the other 5.3b views.

Sarah then spoke about her work with Mushroom Soufflé, including why that’s the company name, and the work the do with authors of non-fiction and business books to build their “cookie jar” of marketing content.

Connect with Sarah via https://www.linkedin.com/in/mushroomsouffle/ and her website is at https://mushroom-souffle.co.uk/.

Gemma then spoke about her work for Harding Financial, a firm of independent financial planners who look after private clients with everything from retirement planning to enabling their dreams, as well as helping business clients from start-up to around 300 people with a pick and mix comprising pensions, payroll benefits and more.

For more see https://hardingfinancial.co.uk/ and you can connect with Gemma at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-wass-previously-ryeland-180a3611/ .

Gemma’s music choice was Cold Heart by Elton John & Dua Lipa, because it reminds her of being in a beach bar with a cocktail and a beautiful summer vibe. Hear it at https://youtu.be/qod03PVTLqk?si=4WNY5lojqNVlmA8C.

Sarah's business news story was https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/in-togo-these-school-uniforms-are-at-the-center-of-a-movement-offering-girls-and-women-a-chance-to-build-better-lives/ - a great solution with incredible benefits for people in a very difficult environment, starting by understanding a problem and developing a business to solve that problem.

Sarah’s choice of music was Lone Digger by Caravan Palace because she loves the band and loves the clarity of each instrument. Hear it at https://youtu.be/UbQgXeY_zi4?si=lm6avFpNpGKz2U6y.

Gemma then chose https://www.independent.co.uk/business/what-could-an-increase-in-employer-national-insurance-mean-for-businesses-b2629476.html - has the Government got it right, or are there better ways to raise money from businesses?

The last song is another from the Hilary playlist – Roar by Katy Perry - hear it at https://youtu.be/0Af7ayYIJ9w?si=EfAN82ivmcAxQ6Ay.

You can connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/enterprisedoctor/ and join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/enterprisedoctorbusinessshow/.

My website is at https://enterprisedoctor.co.uk/.

Clips of all episodes are at https://www.youtube.com/user/EnterpriseDoctor/ - please subscribe there, and within your podcast app!

Copyright Marlow FM Ltd 2024. Reproduced here by kind permission of Marlow FM Ltd.

On The Business Show on Marlow FM on 10th October 2024, my guests were branding expert Mark Baxter and behaviour change, energy and wellness coach Sheila Docker, who joined me to talk about their work, and to discuss a range of business news stories.

I started the show with one from the Hilary playlist – Siouxsie And The Banshees with Hong Kong Garden. Hear it at https://youtu.be/Y-l9GQJRl9Y?si=a-7grzfJbg3WTKf7 .

Sheila spoke about The Primal Zone, her coaching business. She works mainly with men and we talked about why it may be that men need / want her help, as well as how attainable their objectives are.

Connect with Sheila via https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheiladocker/ and her website is at https://www.theprimalzone.com/ .

Mark then spoke about his work running brand design consultancy Baggi. He describes the three things that make an effective brand and we talk about why the Marlow FM logo is good, but as he made clear, a brand is so much more than a logo.

For more see https://www.baggi.co.uk/ and connect with Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbaggibaxter/ .

Sheila’s music choice was Highwomen by The Highwomen, because it’s a brilliant song by a supergroup and is the female version of a song released by a male supergroup. Hear it at https://youtu.be/7D-6nklMMbM?si=hmRn9TKN_lRkHax8 .

Her business news story was https://www.fastcompany.com/91051135/what-going-to-the-gym-taught-me-about-running-a-business - the parallels were intriguing and useful to those running businesses.

We then played Mark’s music choice – The Harry J All Stars with Liquidator, which I said I didn’t know but I do – I bet you do too! Listen in to find out the link between the song, a certain football match, and the name of his business. Hear it at https://youtu.be/OTn01jjEFfY?si=v92zesSRNJ7Jjc5J.

Mark then chose https://www.creativereview.co.uk/burger-king-post-birth-ad-controversy/ - the ads have certainly got Burger King noticed, and our conversation covered a wide range, from marketing to breastfeeding and much in between!

My story was https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2024-09-25-upcoming-changes-to-sexual-harassment-legislation-everything-hr-needs-to-know - why do so few people know about this new law, and how can it be implemented, particularly by small businesses?

The last song is another from the Hilary playlist – Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) by Buzzcocks - hear it at https://youtu.be/0Af7ayYIJ9w?si=EfAN82ivmcAxQ6Ay.

Connect with me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/enterprisedoctor/ and join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/enterprisedoctorbusinessshow/.

Clips of all episodes are at https://www.youtube.com/user/EnterpriseDoctor/ - please subscribe there, and here!

Copyright Marlow FM Ltd 2024. Reproduced here by kind permission of Marlow FM Ltd.