Behind the SME

From turning a £5 million turnaround story into a £2.2 billion exit to steering a travel brand through the chaos of COVID, Mike Jones has built a career on turning complexity into clarity through technology, leadership and curiosity.

In this episode of Behind the SME, Mike shares 30 years of lessons in scaling fast-moving businesses, rebuilding teams under pressure and creating cultures where innovation thrives.

He talks about why growth doesn’t come from control but from empowering experts, how he rebuilt a company from the inside out during lockdown, and why “weaponising your weirdness” might just be the key to thriving in the age of AI.

🔎 You’ll learn:

• How a failing business became a multi-billion-pound success story
• What it takes to lead through crisis and change
• How to turn a traditional company into a technology-driven one
• Why autonomy and curiosity drive real growth
• How AI can become your thinking partner, not your replacement

Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a business, or exploring how AI can sharpen your edge, this episode is full of practical wisdom and candid stories from a technologist who’s built, rebuilt, and reimagined success more than once.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Nicole Spencer, MD of RMC & Board Member at FESPA UK

From navigating self-doubt at breakfast in a room full of technical jargon, to earning respect and building trust as a new face in the factory, Nicole shares how humility, curiosity, and grit have shaped her leadership journey.

In this episode of Behind the SME, Nicole unpacks how “knowing nothing” became her secret weapon, why the act of asking “why?” matters more than knowing the answer, and how she’s championing change across both her business and the global print industry.

🔎 We cover:

• How starting as an outsider became a surprising leadership advantage
• Lessons from the hardest moments: admitting ignorance and embracing vulnerability
• Why curiosity (and the Ted Lasso credo: be curious, not judgmental) is a leadership superpower
• Changing perceptions: how print shapes daily life more than we realise
• Creating opportunities when none exist, and stepping into them

Whether you’re leading a team, trying to be more authentic at work, or just looking for ways to turn uncertainty into strength, this episode is full of real stories, honesty, and leadership wisdom from someone who’s learned it all the hard way.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Steve Peralta, Co-Founder of Unmind, cultural advisor, and leadership coach.

From redefining psychological safety as a strategic advantage, to exposing why leader well-being is the single biggest predictor of business performance, Steve brings a refreshingly human perspective to the future of work.

In this episode of Behind the SME, we dive into why culture can’t be fixed with a “10-step plan,” how managers “set the weather” inside organisations, and why recovery, rest, and authenticity matter more than ever in high-performing teams.

🔎 We cover:

• The science of psychological safety and how it fuels creativity and collaboration
• Why leader burnout quietly destroys performance across entire organisations
• The overlooked power of managers and why they impact mental health more than therapists
• Why rest and recovery are not luxuries, but the foundation of sustainable performance
• How embracing authenticity transforms leaders and teams

Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading a team, or rethinking your own role at work, this episode is full of practical insights, hard truths, and inspiration for building cultures where people truly thrive.

📌 Useful links from this episode

🌐 Steve's website: https://www.steveperalta.co/

💡 Unmind: https://unmind.com/

🔗 Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peraltasteve/

✍️ Read his Substack: https://substack.com/@steveperalta

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Steve Morris, Senior Leader at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

From helping startups transform Tupperware-box prototypes into world-ready products, to guiding 800+ SMEs a year through automation, funding, and growth - the MTC is quietly powering some of the UK’s most exciting manufacturing success stories.

In this episode of Behind the SME, we go inside the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to explore how the MTC is helping close the UK’s productivity gap. Steve shares what SMEs get wrong about innovation, why adoption beats invention, and how they’re making advanced tech like robotics and 3D printing more accessible than ever before.

🔎 We cover:

• Why the UK lags in automation - and what to do about it
• The funding, tools, and partnerships most SMEs don’t know exist
• Real stories of transformation, from heritage equipment to high-tech lines

Whether you’re a founder, a manufacturer, or just curious about the future of UK industry, this episode is packed with insight, energy and practical advice.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Erika Robinson, UK General Manager at Constant Contact and Founder of PICNIC.

From building a thriving soft play business while raising two small children, to leading the UK arm of a digital marketing company, Erika Robinson’s career has been shaped by curiosity, grit and a love for small business.

In this episode of Behind the SME, Erika shares how she balanced entrepreneurship with motherhood, what she's learned from scaling two very different ventures, and how she’s building Constant Contact’s UK presence from the ground up - with a strategy rooted in product-market fit, data, and unwavering support for SMEs.

🔎 We cover:

• What it really takes to grow a new market inside a global brand
• How AI is transforming opportunities for small businesses
• The mindset shift that helped Erika thrive in both roles

Whether you're scaling a startup or navigating a new leadership challenge, Erika’s story is a masterclass in trusting your instincts and backing yourself.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Alex Merry, Founder of TEDxClapham and Public Speaking Coach at MicDrop

From knocking on doors as a sales rep to helping leaders own global stages, Alex Merry’s journey is rooted in storytelling, tenacity and a mission to make ideas worth sharing truly heard.

In this episode of Behind the SME, Alex reunites with host Adam Kene – his former door-to-door sales partner – to unpack how those early sales days laid the groundwork for his career in public speaking, what it really takes to move people with words, and how he's helping business leaders uncover their message and deliver it with impact.

🔎 We cover:

• The humble beginnings that shaped Alex’s confidence and resilience
• Building TEDxClapham from scratch – and why he fought so hard to do it
• Why public speaking is about change, not ego
• The art of finding your “why" including a live coaching demo with our host, Adam
• Growing a standout presence on LinkedIn through authentic content and bold strategy
• How AI is reshaping thought leadership (and what to do about it)

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or simply someone with a story to tell, this episode will get you thinking about your message – and how to make it matter.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Lyndsay Mason, Founder and CEO of For The Creators.

From climbing the corporate ladder to launching two purpose-led businesses, Lyndsay Mason’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention and relentless curiosity.

In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Lyndsay to hear how growing up in an entrepreneurial household shaped her ambitions, why she walked away from a high-flying corporate career after burning out, and what it really took to build For The Creators — while navigating pregnancy, identity shifts and self-doubt.

🔎 We cover:

• The burnout that sparked a radical life change
• Losing and rebuilding confidence as a pregnant founder
• The gap in the market that inspired For The Creators
• Lyndsay’s honest take on brand-building in today’s market

Whether you're a founder, a mother or someone seeking clarity in your career, Lyndsay’s story is a powerful reminder that the best ideas often come from lived experience.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Tom Parsons, Founder of Aetha Design.

From Dyson engineer to launching his own design studio, Tom Parsons has always believed great products come from asking the right questions.

In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Tom, Founder of Aetha Design, to explore what it takes to build a purpose-led product agency, why simplicity wins, and how his love for nature inspires his work.

🔎 We cover:

• Turning engineering challenges into elegant solutions
• Lessons from working at Dyson and launching Aetha
• How sustainability drives design decisions
• Balancing creativity with commercial thinking

Whether you’re designing a physical product or building a service, Tom’s approach to clarity, craft, and client collaboration is full of insight.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

Contact us: [email protected]

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with Tom Kennard, CEO of Pragma Holis.

What happens when a consultancy puts people before process — and still delivers world-class outcomes?

In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Tom Kennard, co-founder and CEO of Pragma Holis, a strategic consultancy that's rethinking how businesses approach transformation. With a background that spans the public and private sectors, Tom brings a fresh, systems-led approach to helping organisations become more adaptable, regenerative, and truly human-centric.

From working with grants, to guiding clients through complex change with clarity and purpose, Tom shares the mindset and methods that have shaped his journey — and his company’s mission.

We cover:

🌱 Why “human-first” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a business imperative

🗣️ Using simple language instead of technical jargon to help build a better team

📈 Running a business with confidence

🤝 The purpose of grants and their importance

If you're a founder, leader, or changemaker curious about doing business differently — and better — this episode is for you.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

Contact us: [email protected]

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the SME with George Hosegood, Founder & Director at Trailpoint.

What does it really take to build a successful business – and what happens when you do things differently from the start?

In this episode of Behind the SME, we speak with George Hosegood, a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Turvec, a leader in active travel infrastructure, before launching Trailpoint – a company acquiring and growing digital agencies with long-term vision and quality at its core. George shares how his journey from cycle parking systems to agency roll-ups has shaped a refreshingly honest approach to entrepreneurship.

Whether you're a founder looking to scale, exit, or rethink your strategy altogether, George offers sharp insight into what matters most – and what’s often overlooked – in the process of building businesses that last.

We cover:

🚲 Starting a business with zero industry experience

📈 How he learned to sell (badly, then better)

👥 The power of hiring and growing talent from within

🧠 Why a business coach made all the difference during the tough years

📉 When it's time to move on—and how to do it right

If you’ve ever questioned the standard playbook for success, this episode will challenge your assumptions – and give you a new one.

Like what you hear? We'd love to know!

Contact us: [email protected]

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme

Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.