Covid hit the majority of businesses hard. And as a small business owner myself, I know only too well the difficulties of staying positive and motivated during these times of uncertainty.
But hard times are a part of life and it’s crucial to learn from them – to adapt and be flexible, just for starters.
But what are the traits of a good leader? Which company cultures fare better than others?
These are among the questions I ask of well-known business leaders, startup entrepreneurs and other experts in my new podcast, Backing Brilliant Business.
I’ve always been curious as to how and why people become entrepreneurs. But I’ve been even more fascinated with what they do when things aren’t going their way.
I’m motivated by real people – their stories and experiences. I always think that if they can do it, so can I. That’s what inspiration looks like to me.
Each of my podcast guests provides guidance, insight and inspiration to help others develop the skills needed to grow a business.
They talk about the most rewarding aspects of their career, as well as the biggest challenges they have faced.
My first interviewee is retail magnate and former Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis, who I discover suffers with dyslexia and is incredibly shy.
He tells me: “I struggled at school. I was dyslexic and that was an issue with exams.
“It wasn’t recognised either and I was encouraged to leave school – it wasn’t my choice.” For others coping with this learning disorder, I urge you to listen to Theo. He certainly didn’t let his condition stop him wanting to go on and achieve.
Another guest is Roger Saul, who founded British fashion label Mulberry.
He talks openly about the highs – and the lows, which saw his beloved brand sold to investors due to the economic crisis in the 1980s. He went from being very wealthy to struggling to make ends meet.
We focus on just how he bounced back and recreated a brand.
I am keen that my guests come from all different backgrounds, truly reflecting the diverse business community out there.
One person I really do relate to is Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.
She talks about being the first Muslim to serve in the Cabinet.
A trained lawyer, she shares her experiences of following her dreams, and standing up for her values and beliefs.
You don’t need to be a business owner to get something out of these interviews.
You’ll be amazed and enthralled by the subjects’ stories, tips and advice. They are all motivational and positive people – an example to anyone who needs to move forward with their life objectives.
Each podcast is just 25 minutes long, so you can easily listen to them while walking the dog or on your daily commute.
I can assure you that by the end of each one, you will be smiling – feeling positive and empowered, believing in yourself and assessing which direction you want to take yourself or your business in next.
Happy listening.
