In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Brian McElderry, founder of UNICHEF, the National Union for Chefs in the UK. With a career spanning over 50 years, Brian shares stories from his journey—from working in Newcastle’s restaurants to fine dining in exotic locations like Libya.Brian recounts the pivotal moment during his travels that inspired him to establish a union dedicated to the chef profession. We discuss the demographics of the typical chef, the challenges they face, and Brian’s unique take on the detrimental impact of celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay on the industry.Whether you’re in hospitality or curious about the life of a chef, this episode is full of insights and inspiration. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more! #AboutSmallBusiness #UNICHEF #ChefLife #HospitalityIndustry #ChefUnion #SmallBusinessStories

From Flags to Family Legacy | Mandy Forster on Running a 30-Year Business

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Jo Long, a strategic marketing consultant and the founder of Jo Long Consulting, based in Barnard Castle, North East England. Jo shares how her private education helped build her networking skills and confidence early on, shaping her approach to business and relationships.

We delve into topics like balancing careers within a couple, managing work-life harmony, and the evolving role of AI in marketing. Jo also emphasizes the importance of looking at the bigger picture when crafting an effective marketing strategy.

If you’re a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur looking to improve your marketing or understand how to leverage AI, this episode is a must-watch. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more small business insights! #AboutSmallBusiness #MarketingStrategy #JoLongConsulting #AIInMarketing #WorkLifeBalance #BarnardCastleBusiness

In this episode of About Small Business, we meet Kim Davis, the founder of a thriving language school in Consett, North East England. After starting her career as a teacher, Kim realized she needed a better work-life balance and discovered it by sharing the joy of learning foreign languages with both children and adults.

Kim discusses her journey from traditional teaching to entrepreneurship and offers insights on running a successful education business while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in starting a language school or seeking inspiration for your own entrepreneurial journey, this episode is filled with valuable lessons.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more inspiring business stories! #AboutSmallBusiness #LanguageSchool #Entrepreneurship #ConsettBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #LanguageLearning

In this episode of About Small Business, we talk with Hazel Oakes, the artist behind Nocciola the Drawer, based in the North East of England. After traveling the world and training as a designer, Hazel found her true calling in street art. Her business specializes in creating stunning murals, running workshops with children, and championing themes of female empowerment.

In this episode of About Small Business, we sit down with Dave Head, the dynamic and enthusiastic founder of Northern Digital Design and Marketing, based in the North East of England. With a wealth of experience designing for various brands across different countries, Dave combines his global perspective with local expertise to deliver measurable results for his clients.

In this episode of **About Small Business**, we meet **Clare Davis**, a dedicated Travel Counsellor based in the North East of England. Clare started her career with dreams of becoming a vet, but it wasn’t long before she discovered her true passion for travel. After a successful career in the travel industry, Clare decided to take the leap into self-employment, craving the flexibility to work around her family.

In this episode of About Small Business, we’re joined by Helene Castle, an online PA and web designer based in the North East of England. Born in France to a French father and English mother, Helene grew up bilingual and used her language skills and love for organization to build a successful career in travel. After traveling the world herself, she decided to venture into self-employment, offering services as an online PA and web designer.

In this episode of About Small Business, we chat with Deborah Wyn, founder of Lotus Aesthetics in the North East of England. Deborah shares her unique journey from working as a project manager at Sun Microsystems, to launching her own estate agency business, and ultimately entering the world of aesthetics after a poor personal experience with treatments inspired her to do better.

In this episode of About Small Business, we’re joined by Matthew James, an author and creative entrepreneur based in the North East of England. Matthew’s journey has taken him from an early interest in journalism to ventures across industries, including running an American Sweet Shop, launching an escape room in Hull, and now working as a writer and greeting card producer.