Small Business, Big Network

A facilitator, coach and professional speaker for 23 years, Clare Haynes runs award-winning business Wildfire helping people to speak up and have confident conversations. She works with teams and 1:1, building peoples’ communication and business confidence using their greatest asset – themselves. Clare has a psychology background and her career spans television, sport, charity and the social sectors. Clare was named in the UK’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain’s f;Entrepreneur iAlso campaign 2025, celebrating women business leaders, and has won national awards for her coaching and as a service provider. Clare believes networking is like all business success, not being something you’re not but bringing out your best!Website: https://www.wildfireatwork.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarehaynes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfirespark/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clare.haynes.Wildfire/

James Eder is Author of The Collision Code, entrepreneur, work–life coach, speaker with over 20 years of leadership experience. He co-founded Student Beans (Part of Pion), a global platform helping brands connect with Gen Z through insights, engagement, and verification empowering businesses to build trust and lasting loyalty.Passionate about the power of human connection, James has dedicated his career to creating communities and opportunities that bring people together. His recently published book, The Collision Code, explores how genuine relationships can transform both personal fulfilment and professional success. In a world where digital interaction often leaves us more isolated than connected, the book offers a roadmap to spark serendipity, build confidence, and create meaningful collisions that open new doors. You can find out more, see reviews and order the book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4l4XfL5Through his ventures, talks, and writing, James inspires people to embrace possibility, unlock their potential, and create ripple effects of positive change in the world around them.James can be reached on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameseder/ - if you request to connect please mention this recording.

Jenny Green is the Senior Account Manager at 22:22 Marketing. The company work across all aspects of digital marketing but are particularly well known for helping businesses with online ads for platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google.When it comes to networking, Jenny's top tip is to keep your pitch short and sweet!https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-green-080121242/https://www.2222marketing.co.uk/jenny@2222marketing.co.uk

On the Small Business Big Network podcast this week you can hear me talking to Clive Bonny.Clive has been in business for over 30 years and operates as a strategic management partner, management mentor and coach, in association with professional bodies, building capacity in private enterprises and public sector for growth and responsible business sustainability. His work focuses on capacity building, IP protection, risk management, equity funding and supply chain growth via national ESG standards. His scope of work includes designing and delivering programmes for fast growth development, commercialising innovations, HR productivity, quality process improvement, merger and acquisition due diligence, and international business development.As you can imagine Clive has an extensive network, and his networking efforts have even taken him to the House of Lords!

Imogen Ley-Clowes is the founder of London-based Immo Studio. Too often, branding looks polished but doesn’t do much. She’s more interested in the stuff that works: sharp strategy, clear structure, and design that grows with the business behind it. She started Immo Studio to help ambitious teams turn brand confusion into something clear, impactful, and built for what’s next. With over a decade of experience working with startups and global businesses, Imogen likes getting to the heart of what’s not working, untangling the in-between bits, and turning all of it into something strategic, useful, and well-designed.https://www.immostudio.co.uk/

Kevin Crawford is a life and business strategist for owners of Architecture Practices — specifically small to medium-sized practices with 4 to 16 employees. He qualified with a degree in Architectural Technology but his real education has been managing a multidisciplinary Practice of Architects, Technologists and Technicians for over 25 years. He knows exactly what it’s like — juggling projects, people, and profit while trying to find the time and headspace to think clearly. From starting out in the family practice at 14 years old to being the driving force behind a successful transition to employee ownership at the age of 41. A 27 year learning journey, a rollercoaster but the blood, sweat and tears make a story that can now help others.Though his new venture, Designing Success, Kevin has created a framework that helps practice owners go from burnout to balance — starting with the person, not just the business.His experience is that when you’re healthier and happier in all areas of life, you become stronger, more focused, and far more effective in business.www.designingsuccess.co.ukwww.linkedin.com/in/kevin-crawford-a1516158

Serge Santos began his career in physics, earning a PhD before completing a Master’s in Finance at London Business School. He went on to build a successful career as a strategy consultant, investment banker, and hedge fund professional — managing global investments before turning his analytical mindset toward entrepreneurship in 2013.Today, Serge leads Bedrock Enterprises — a group of interconnected businesses that include the fintech lender Funding Alternative Group, the industrial distributor Compressed Air Centre, and Calms Solutions UK, a smart-energy venture helping manufacturers reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint.www.linkedin.com/in/santossergehttps://fundingalternative.co.ukhttps://compressedair.co.ukhttps://calms.com

Raj Thiruchelvarajah is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hytro, the leading human health and performance company known for producing the first wearable Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) garment. After 15 years in global finance and consulting, Raj left the corporate world to build something more purposeful: bringing a proven but complex science out of labs and into everyday sport.Today, Hytro is trusted by over 300 elite teams across the Premier League, NFL, NBA, Formula 1 and rugby, and is even being tested by NASA and SpaceX. Raj’s leadership is rooted in listening, learning from different cultures, and surrounding himself with experts to drive meaningful, long-term impact.hytro.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hytro/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-thiruchelvarajah-89a8b522/https://www.instagram.com/hytro_/

David Barnett's specialism is helping people to buy (and sell) businesses, and though he's based in Canada he's able to help people around the world.He encourages his clients to network in the right places so that they meet the people who might be wanting to sell the kind of business they want to buy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton/www.davidcbarnett.com

Lydia Charilaou is the Founder and CEO of Labyrinth Consultants, where she helps scaling tech teams embed cultures of belonging that people choose to stay in. With 15+ years in L&D and People roles across global industries, Lydia brings a human-centred design lens to retention translating behavioural insight into habit-based systems that future-proof growth. Her work equips leaders to spot quiet churn, foster psychological safety, and build learning environments where people thrive. Lydia’s working style is warm, curious, and grounded in real-world complexity sparking honest conversations and co-creating solutions that stick.https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-charilaou/

Dan Willers is the founder of Yellow Mouse Studios based in Devon. As a 2D and 3D designer and animator he has worked for some of the coolest companies around including Aardman and Paramount.As well as Yellow Mouse, Dan also runs a Community Interest Company, 'Animate Devon', to support the animation and creative community in the county. This provides talks and education, skill sharing, project collaboration, work opportunities and other support/outreach projects to everyone who is on the journey into animation. Whether that's a student, a graduate or a 20's years in professional.Website: Yellowmousestudios.co.ukWebsite: Animatingdevon.comhttps://www.instagram.com/yellowmousestudios/linkedin.com/company/yellow-mouse-studios-ltdThis episode is very kindly sponsored by The Content Consultancy, founded by Content Confidence Coach, Kate Llewellyn. Tell me, are you a business owner who finds content creation overwhelming or inconsistent?It's time to stop doing what you think you "should" or "must." It's time to start doing your marketing, your way!Kate helps serious entrepreneurs and business leaders cut through the noise to build a powerful content strategy that actually drives growth.Join her membership, The Confident Content Creators Club, for the structure and clarity you need to Plan with Purpose and Create Content with Confidence.Ready for an immediate mindset shift?Grab Kate’s free, four-day Content Confidence Audio Series. It’s designed to instantly help you identify your limiting beliefs and the specific barriers stopping your content creation success.Sign up today and stop letting self-doubt drive your business marketing: thecontentconsultancy.com/content-confidence-audio

My guest this week on the Small Business Big Network podcast is Aminata Diallo.Aminata is a French native originally from Mali, West Africa. She has been working in digital marketing and affiliate strategies for over 20 years, primarily in the gambling industry.In 2013, she launched Afiliapub, first in Costa Rica, then expanded to Madrid and Rio de Janeiro and is now planning to open in Nigeria.Her mission is to help businesses grow their online visibility, and revenue through performance-based marketing. Since her niche is the gambling industry, especially sports betting, she believe our success comes from a mix of expertise and strong industry connections.She says that networking has helped her build her reputation as well as helping her career.

Kevin M. Yates is known in the global training, learning, and talent development community as the L&D Detective®. He solves measurement mysteries and investigates how training and development as an experience and L&D as a function contribute to the workplace performance ecosystem. Kevin uses facts, clues, and evidence to uncover the truth about impact, focusing on collective contributions that influence business and human performance. He has used his measurement expertise in roles with world-renowned brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook). He is also president and founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit providing free, fresh, healthy, and high-quality food for people in need through pop-up pantries in the Chicagoland south suburbs.Website: kevinmyates.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kevinmyatesFacebook: facebook.com/kevmyatesThis episode is very kindly sponsored by The Content Consultancy, founded by Content Confidence Coach, Kate Llewellyn. Tell me, are you a business owner who finds content creation overwhelming or inconsistent?It's time to stop doing what you think you "should" or "must." It's time to start doing your marketing, your way!Kate helps serious entrepreneurs and business leaders cut through the noise to build a powerful content strategy that actually drives growth.Join her membership, The Confident Content Creators Club, for the structure and clarity you need to Plan with Purpose and Create Content with Confidence.Ready for an immediate mindset shift?Grab Kate’s free, four-day Content Confidence Audio Series. It’s designed to instantly help you identify your limiting beliefs and the specific barriers stopping your content creation success.Sign up today and stop letting self-doubt drive your business marketing: thecontentconsultancy.com/content-confidence-audio

Laetitia is an internationally awarded model, movement artist, and published muse whose work bridges fine art, photography, and dance. Trained at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School and a former performer with Cirque du Soleil, she brings grace, precision, and theatrical depth to every frame. She has travelled to over 87 countries, published five fine art photo books, appeared on the covers of international magazines, and been immortalised in bronze sculptures such as Little Sister by Basil Watson. With multiple international accolades and a global following of over 100,000, she has built a six-figure creative career rooted in authenticity, independence, and timeless storytelling.https://laetitiamodel.com/https://www.instagram.com/laetitia_channel_model/ https://www.patreon.com/laetitiamodelNew Photo book: https://laetitiamodel.com/product/unseen/

Laurie Macpherson is a respected Career and LinkedIn mentor and job search strategist who has been supporting people to find work for the last 10 years. Nowadays, she mainly supports mid/senior women to identify and take the next steps in their career through her knowledge of the job market and practical support around CV's, applications, interviews and LinkedIn. She is a regular contributor to career conversations in the press, and her expertise and no-nonsense manner have allowed her to support hundreds of women to find the role they love at the salary they deserve.She also supports brilliant business owners who have built their businesses on other platforms to translate that to LinkedIn using her R.E.A.L method. This allows them to use the content they already have to attract a whole new audience, and grow their authority and revenue.She has always used networking to grow her business and make genuine connections, friendships and referral partners.You can find her on LinkedIn here www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemac and Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/_laurie_macpherson/

After a successful 10-year career running busy bars and restaurants in London’s West End, Chris McLoughlin discovered a new passion. In 2023, after a lot of changes in his work and personal life, he decided it was time to get serious about organising his own personal finances. The process ignited his interest in financial planning, showing how having clear goals and a strategy to achieve them can provide security and open up future possibilities.He was inspired to build a career where he could help others achieve that same clarity, and so he pursued his professional qualifications and joined Frontier Wealth, which is part of the St. James’s Place Partnership, in 2024. He now works with clients to build personalised roadmaps that allow them to achieve their life goals, giving them a sense of security and control over their future.Chris believes that financial literacy is empowering for everyone. This conviction drives him to work with businesses, schools, and community organisations, providing financial wellbeing workshops and support to help people build confidence in managing their money.chris.mcloughlin@sjpp.co.uk

Melissa Grewar, known as The Spiritual Engineer, is an author, intuitive guide, and founder of In Us We Trust CIC: a community supporting people facing hardship to find meaningful answers about their lives through personal acceptance, transformation, and support. Her book In Us We Trust is a practical tool to build self-awareness that empowers people to help themselves through their inner guidance. Melissa is on a journey to create The Muses, a community theatre space designed to foster connection, support, and growth through creative expression. Drawing from her own experience, she offers clear, grounded guidance without spiritual buzzwords, helping others unlock their potential and move forward with confidence.Website: www.inuswetrust.co.uk (stacks of free stuff-Reiki meditations, Moonmanifesting etcKindle: In Us We Trust out 29th September - 99p https://amzn.eu/d/hqZrMQt This episode is kindly sponsored by the Empowered Extend Podcast, the podcast where the hosts talk openly about poo, sex, and disability. Yep, the real stuff that too many people shy away from. The team are there to break taboos, spark conversations, and inspire change — together. 💪Join the team on Empowered Extend to amplify voices, smash stigmas, and create space for every story.Find Empowered Extend on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or given them a follow on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1272812477330471

Connor Docherty is an Executive Director of Bell4Business. They provide reliable business support services in East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire. This includes admin, call handling & social media help.Connor began working at Bell4Business as a 16 year old apprentice and is still often the youngest person in a networking room!He says it's important not to overlook someone as being a potential decision maker just because they are young...www.bell4business.co.ukThis episode is kindly sponsored by the Empowered Extend Podcast, the podcast where the hosts talk openly about poo, sex, and disability. Yep, the real stuff that too many people shy away from. The team are there to break taboos, spark conversations, and inspire change — together. 💪Join the team on Empowered Extend to amplify voices, smash stigmas, and create space for every story.Find Empowered Extend on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or given them a follow on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1272812477330471

Michael Walsh is a visionary leader, speaker, and author known for igniting passion in the business owners and senior leaders he works with by helping them to drive their established businesses to growth levels beyond their expectations.Michael has quietly served the owners and leaders of small to medium sized businesses for 30 years. He has supported hundreds of company owners in their quest for business growth and 3 core freedoms: Freedom in their business, from their business and because of their business.LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-walsh/Website www.walshbusinessgrowth.com

Brooke Bownes is an accredited trauma coach, therapist & global No.1 bestselling author & speaker. She works with ambitious women who struggle with feeling stuck and have blocks that are holding them back to help them find their power, confidence and release any limiting beliefs.She is passionate about this as she once felt powerless & was scared to show up in the world as herself. She then started working on her mindset, discovered who she was and loved the feeling of inner contentment & confidence. She went from scared to speaking on stageBrooke is an introvert who discovered how to rewire her mind, regulate her nervous system, and release her blocks so she could achieve the dreams she wanted to achieve. Now she helps other people do the same.A bit about Brooke's background: She had an abusive relationship growing up with a narcissistic mother, she then moved on to two abusive relationships, she's been homeless, brought up 4 children single handed, and she has a unique way of understanding people where they are at and helping them to find their power.EventFRIDAY 24th OCT 2025https://www.eventbrite.com/e/powerfully-youtm-tickets-1563409573119Book You Can Have It! How to breakthrough the self sabotage cycle (this is the UK link but it is available in most countries from Amazon)https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DX7PB11