In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of Business Babble, we sit down with Melanie Greenwood, co-founder of Moo Holdings Ltd, who opens up about the raw realities of navigating perimenopause and menopause—while running a business.

From brain fog, rage, and night sweats to the impact on career confidence, workplace leadership, and mental health, Melanie shares how menopause rocked her world but ultimately reshaped her as a more empathetic, open and effective business owner.

💬 Key topics include:

• Early signs of perimenopause and missed medical support
• Creating a supportive workplace culture for women in midlife
• The mental toll of menopause: anxiety, palpitations, memory loss
• HRT, alcohol, caffeine and exercise: what worked and what didn’t
• Why 50% of menopausal women consider leaving their jobs
• The leadership gap: how male employers can support their team
• Building a personal “toolbox” to thrive through hormonal change

Whether you're experiencing menopause, supporting someone who is, or leading a team through it—this episode is essential listening for both women and men who care about health, empathy, and leadership in business.

📱 Resources mentioned:

• Balance App (for menopause support)
• Personal experience, peer advice, and GP insights

In this inspiring episode, Johnny, Mike, and Wicus are joined by entrepreneur and ex-military man Jay Turner—who shares everything from walking Renée Zellweger onto a Hollywood set, to walking the entrepreneurial path with purpose. They explore the gritty reality behind starting and scaling businesses, the true meaning of legacy, and how to keep your cool (and your customers) in a high-speed, hyper-connected world. Expect golden nuggets on networking, mindset, customer experience, and the everyday habits that separate the good from the great.

🔥 Featuring:

• Why your inner circle might not be your biggest supporters
• The power of mentorship (and why it’s never too early to start)
• Small daily wins vs. big flashy goals
• Adapting to fast-paced change and still staying grounded

This one’s a mix of wisdom, wit, and the kind of straight-talking advice every business owner needs to hear.

In this brutally honest and laugh-out-loud episode, Johnny, Mike, and Wicus strip back the glossy façade of entrepreneurship to talk real business. From power naps and bad breath at networking events, to emotional burnout, team culture, and taking ownership when things go wrong—this episode is full of raw insights and no-holds-barred advice. They unpack what it really means to lead, how to avoid becoming the bad boss, and why self-awareness and structure might just save your sanity. Expect unfiltered truth, sharp banter, and practical tips you can actually use.

In this episode of Business Babble, the lads dive deep into the messy reality of acquisitions—from overvalued businesses and risky staff transfers to culture clashes and clawback clauses.

Whether you’re dreaming of buying your first company or gearing up to sell your own, this episode is pure gold. Wicus breaks down the real numbers that matter, Johnny digs into the drama of staff culture, and Mike shares lessons from his own acquisitions.

You’ll learn:

• Why your business is worth less than you think
• How to avoid getting shafted when buying a company
• What “future income” really means (and how to protect it)
• The red flags that kill deals—and how to spot them
• Why culture will make or break your acquisition
• The truth about NDAs, shareholder agreements, and recurring revenue

💬 Real talk, raw lessons, and hilarious banter—this one’s a must-listen for anyone in business.

Built it. Sold it. Watched them wreck it. Iain Stewart on the brutal truths of business and why relationships matter more than revenue.

In this no-holds-barred episode of Business Babble, Iain Stewart joins the crew to share his powerful journey—from Army life to building a hygiene empire that ran like clockwork… only to see it unravel after selling to the wrong buyers.

Expect banter, brutal truths, and business gold as Iain opens up about:

• Why real success is built on relationships, not branding
• The warning signs of bad clients (and how to say no)
• What made his business the most profitable in its sector
• How corporate buyers wrecked everything—and what he learned
• Why empathy, service, and problem-solving still win every time

It’s raw, inspiring, hilarious and honest—perfect for anyone who’s ever thought “maybe I could do this myself”.

Five years since lockdown changed the world, what’s really stuck—and what’s still in flux? In this reflective and wide-ranging episode of Business Babble, the team is joined once again by HR expert Ali to explore the profound and lasting impact of the pandemic on work, culture, and society.

From hybrid working and generational gaps to leadership, mental health, and the hidden cost of lost social skills, this candid conversation dives deep into how the last half-decade has shifted our expectations—and the challenges businesses face as a result.

They explore:

• The rise of digital nomads and the fall of the city centre coffee shop
• Why leadership, not perks, is the key to attracting and retaining talent
• The growing disconnect between young workers and workplace expectations
• How remote work has impacted training, culture, and real-life experience
• If Covid gave us clarity—or created a gap we’re still trying to bridge

Topped off with honest reflections, a few laughs, and plenty of questions about the road ahead, this one’s for anyone leading, working, or wondering what comes next.

🎧 Golden Takeaway:

“Change is good, but it’s been dramatic. Now it’s time to realign.”

#BusinessBabble #FiveYearsOn #WorkCultureReset #PostCovidWorkplace #LeadershipMatters #HybridWorking #DigitalNomads #SMEs #TeamCulture #ModernWorkplace #HRInsights #GenerationGap #FutureOfWork

In this unforgettable episode of Business Babble, we sit down with the fierce and fabulous Jade Wood—founder of Thrive Marketing—for a candid conversation about life, business, and bouncing back when everything changes.

Jade shares how a life-altering accident left her unable to walk and speak, and how she fought her way back—step by literal step—to build a thriving business on her own terms. We dive into what marketing really means, why honesty beats hype, and how not every entrepreneur wants (or needs) a million-pound agency.

She unpacks her three biggest marketing mistakes businesses make, explains why being different matters, and drops gold for anyone trying to market without losing their mind—or their money.

Whether you’re a startup stuck in spreadsheets or a seasoned pro in need of a mindset refresh, this one will hit you in the heart and the strategy centre.

🎧 In this episode:

• Jade’s personal journey from disability to determination
• Brutal truths about marketing (and why it’s not one-size-fits-all)
• Why most businesses talk too much about themselves—and how to fix it
• ADHD, authenticity, and building something meaningful
• Community, connection, and creating marketing that actually works

📣 Standout Quote:

A mediocre business sells features. A good business sells outcomes. An exceptional business sells a feeling. — Wicus Van Biljon

#BusinessBabble #ThriveMarketing #JadeWood #MarketingWithHeart #ResilienceInBusiness #NeurodivergentEntrepreneurs #ScottishBusiness #RealTalkRealGrowth #WomenInBusiness #StartupSupport #BuildDifferently #MarketingTruths #AuthenticBranding #SmallBizWisdom

In this energising episode of Business Babble, we’re joined by Fraser from Business Gateway—a man with 20 years of experience guiding businesses from idea to execution. He shares real talk on why he does what he does, what it means to be a “critical friend,” and how Business Gateway supports entrepreneurs across Scotland.

We’re also joined by young entrepreneur Murren, one half of the team behind Stand, a bold new clothing brand born from our Queen Anne High School mentorship programme. Murren talks through the brand’s vision, the nerves and wins of pitching at a BNI event, and why confidence, connection, and quality are everything when you're building something from scratch.

From life lessons to leadership truth bombs, this one’s packed with golden nuggets for anyone on their own business journey.

🎧 Tune in for:

• What Business Gateway really does (and why it’s a game-changer)
• How Stand went from concept to premium clothing brand
• The real power of confidence, clarity, and community
• Fraser’s advice on resilience, imposter syndrome, and telling the hard truth with heart

#BusinessBabble #BusinessGateway #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #ScottishBusiness #YouthEnterprise #LeadershipLessons #ConfidenceInBusiness #StandOut #MindsetMatters #SmallBusinessSupport #FifeBusiness #YoungEntrepreneurs #BusinessMentorship #RealTalkRealGrowth