If you've ever struggled to explain what you really do in your business, or felt like your message just isn’t connecting, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m joined by the incredible Susan Payton, story strategist, copywriter, and bestselling author of The Business of Stories. Susan helps entrepreneurs and business owners craft powerful, authentic stories that build trust, create connection and ultimately lead to more sales, without ever feeling pushy or fake.

I’ve worked with Susan myself, and I can honestly say her approach has transformed how I talk about my own work, especially when speaking on stage or creating content. But what’s even more powerful is Susan’s own story…

In this episode, she shares her business journey from working at Capital Radio, meeting Chris Tarrant in an A3 layby, to building and growing a successful online business that’s fully aligned with who she is.

We talk honestly about:

• Finding your voice and building confidence in your pricing
• The surprising beliefs that can limit your income, even if you think you have a great relationship with money
• How storytelling can drive not just emotional connection, but financial growth in your business
• The routines and mindset shifts that helped Susan go from £100k business, to her biggest-ever launch

It’s a really inspiring, practical conversation that I know it will leave you feeling energised to speak up, charge correctly for the value you are offering, and run your business your way.

Susan is also running a brilliant offer this August: daily story prompts every weekday, to help you show up and be seen consistently in your business. If content creation ever feels like a struggle, this is a great place to start.

You’ll find the link to sign up in the show notes or head to:

thebusinessofstories.com/prompts

And you can sign up on 31st August and still receive all the prompts!

Let’s dive in.

Other ways to connect with Susan:

Free book: https://thebusinessofstories.com/freebook/

https://www.facebook.com/SusanPaytonUK/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanpaytonuk/

https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofstories/

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In this episode of 'Get Financial Fit', Debbie Hancock speaks with Kate Gathard from Elysian Services about the transformative role of fractional HR in businesses. They discuss the evolution of HR from a mundane function to a strategic partner that can significantly impact a company's bottom line. Kate emphasises the importance of understanding market rates for employee retention, the necessity of open communication, and the emotional challenges faced during redundancies. The conversation also touches on the cost-effectiveness of fractional HR services, the impact of employee costs on business success, and the importance of maintaining a good reputation. Finally, they explore upcoming changes in employment law and the lessons learned from running a business.

takeaways

• Fractional HR can provide tailored support without the cost of full-time staff.
• Effective HR should focus on people, profit, and process.
• Market rates are crucial for retaining top talent.
• Open communication is key to successful people management.
• Difficult conversations should be handled with empathy and professionalism.
• Redundancy processes can be managed with care to protect employee dignity.
• HR plays a vital role in maintaining a company's reputation.
• Understanding employee costs is essential for business sustainability.
• Social media policies are important for protecting brand reputation.
• Upcoming employment law changes require businesses to stay informed.

Find Kate on LinkedIn

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In this episode of 'Get Financially Fit', Debbie Hancock and Jo Stimson discuss the critical role of sales in business success. Jo, a fractional sales director, shares insights on how to transform chaotic sales processes into structured, profitable systems. They explore the importance of follow-up, the collaboration between sales and finance, and the distinction between marketing and sales. Jo emphasizes the need for effective communication and systems to ensure consistent sales and business growth, ultimately leading to a healthier financial state for businesses.

takeaways

• Sales chaos is a common issue for many businesses.
• A fractional sales director can provide immediate expertise without the need for onboarding.
• Effective follow-up processes can significantly increase sales conversion rates.
• Sales and finance departments should collaborate closely to avoid conflicts.
• Marketing and sales must work together to understand customer needs better.
• Every piece of communication should serve a sales purpose.
• Sales should be viewed as a service, not a pressure tactic.
• Building systems within sales can prevent money from leaking out of the business.
• Communication is key in sales, both internally and with customers.
• Success in sales often means making yourself redundant as a leader.

• "Sales chaos is a real problem."
• "Follow-up is you being helpful."
• "Make the offer, do you want to buy it?"

Please connect with Jo here: Linkedin

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In this special episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Kier Adair — brand photographer, speaker, and co-founder of the Speak and Shine Summit — as we celebrate the launch of our brand new collaborative book, Empowering Women to Rise.

Kier shares what happened when a simple shower idea collided with a difficult season in life and business, how she turned frustration and burnout into a bold, energising movement, and the reality of creating a live event and bestselling book in under 8 months.

We dive into health, midlife shifts, visibility struggles, and rediscovering joy in your work — and how courageously backing yourself can change everything.

You’ll also hear about my chapter, Anyone Can Be Good With Money, and why financial confidence isn’t reserved for the chosen few.

The book is packed with powerful, honest stories covering everything from nutrition, branding, energy, anxiety, visibility, and breathwork, to reclaiming your truth, navigating midlife, surviving loss, finding joy, and stepping unapologetically into who you really are.

It’s about rising — whatever that looks like for you.

Grab your Kindle copy for just 99p on launch day (Tuesday8th July) here: Here is the link FOR THE 8th!

Please purchase on TUESDAY 8th to support all these ladies in hitting "Best Seller".

This one’s for every woman sitting on an idea, waiting for the perfect moment. Spoiler: the moment is now.

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Let’s be honest — most business owners avoid dealing with legal until they absolutely have to. Whether it’s fear of cost, confusing language, or bad memories of past family disputes, legal carries a lot of baggage.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ian Greig, founder of New Legal, a modern legal consultancy rethinking how legal services should work for business owners. Ian shares why so many entrepreneurs avoid contracts and legal advice, the risks of putting it off, and why the industry’s reputation for jargon and condescension puts people off before they even start.

We also get into how New Legal does things differently — focusing solely on the essentials businesses actually need (corporate, commercial, IP and data) and treating legal documents like user-friendly products, not just risk management tools.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused or patronised by legal stuff — this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what it could be like instead.

Get in contact with Ian:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-greig-new/

https://new-legal.com/

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In this episode of Get Financially FIT, Debbie Hancock is joined by Ashley from Vaandi to unpack the world of fractional marketing — what it really means, when businesses should consider it, and how to choose marketing support that feels right for you.

They dive into why many growing businesses are avoiding full-time hires and opting for flexible, part-time marketing expertise, especially in today’s cost-conscious climate. Debbie and Ashley also explore how AI is reshaping marketing, the importance of ethics and authenticity (yes that word!), and how mindset blocks might be holding business owners back from promoting themselves confidently.

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with manipulative marketing tactics or wondered when to invest in expert support without the overhead, this conversation will help you decide what’s right for your business and your values.

Topics covered:

• What is fractional marketing?
• Why businesses are moving away from full-time marketing roles
• How to recognise when you need external marketing support
• The rise of AI and why strategy still needs a human touch
• How to find marketing strategies that align with your values
• Building confidence in marketing your business ethically
• Finance and marketing working together for sustainable growth

Connect with Ashley:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-challis-marketing/

https://vaandi.co.uk/

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In this episode of Get Financially Fit, I chat with Wayne Heath, founder and CEO of ClubRight, about his inspiring move from corporate careers to entrepreneurship in the fitness industry. Wayne talks openly about the financial challenges faced in the early days, why cash flow management is absolutely vital, and how recurring revenue has helped fuel ClubRight’s growth. We cover the importance of systems, building a strong team, retaining customers, and the financial lessons every business owner should hear. A brilliant listen for anyone navigating business growth.

Takeaways:

Wayne transitioned from a corporate career to entrepreneurship in the fitness industry.

The need for systems became apparent as the business grew.

ClubRight was built with a focus on gym owners' perspectives.

Cash flow management is crucial for business survival.

Reinvesting profits has been key to ClubRight's growth.

Recurring revenue is essential for sustainable business.

Building a strong team is vital for success.

Pre-selling memberships can help with cash flow.

Customer retention is a significant challenge in the fitness industry.

Communication with customers can enhance retention rates

Connect with Wayne and ClubRight:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-heath-6a5b1914/

https://clubright.co.uk/

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In this episode of 'Get Financially Fit', Debbie Hancock speaks with Brad Ainsworth BCAv, a financial advisor and founder of Cathedral Wealth Management. They discuss the importance of personal financial planning for business owners, the significance of setting personal financial goals, and the need for financial education from a young age. Brad emphasises the importance of planning for retirement, utilising pensions for tax efficiency, and building good financial habits. They also touch on the role of financial advisors and the balance between planning for the future and enjoying life in the present.

takeaways

• Financial freedom is essential for business owners.
• Understanding personal financial goals is crucial.
• Business owners often overlook personal financial planning.
• Pensions can be used to reduce corporation tax.
• Building financial habits early is key to wealth.
• The Milly effect helps in monitoring finances.
• Financial advisors provide valuable expertise.
• Planning for the future should not come at the expense of enjoying life now.
• Wills and power of attorney are vital for financial security.
• Supporting new business owners with financial education is important.

Sound Bites

• "Financial freedom is so important."
• "You need to know what your number is."
• "Get the foundations in place first."
• "Pensions are a vehicle to save tax."
• "What are you saving for?"
• "It's about what do people want."
• "You don't know what you don't know."

Contact Brad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradainsworth/

https://www.cathedralwealthmanagement.co.uk/contact-us/

https://springboard2business.org/s2b-mentors

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In this episode of ‘Get Financially Fit,’ Debbie Hancock talks with Alex Cooper from Bibby Foreign Exchange about managing foreign exchange risks for SMEs. They explore how hedging with forward contracts differs from spot trading and how businesses can protect profit margins, reduce costs, and avoid common mistakes with currency management. If your business deals with international payments, this episode offers practical insights to help you improve profitability and cash flow by taking control of foreign exchange.

Takeaways 

• Foreign exchange management is crucial for businesses involved in importing and exporting. 
• Hedging is a strategic decision to protect profit margins, not a gamble. 
• Spot trading is for immediate currency needs, while forward contracts secure future rates. 
• Understanding the spread in foreign exchange can lead to significant cost savings. 
• Many SMEs are unaware of their foreign exchange exposure and potential savings. 
• A 0% deposit forward contract can help businesses manage cash flow better. 
• Regularly reviewing foreign exchange strategies is essential for cost management. 
• Communication between finance and supply chain is vital for effective foreign exchange management. 
• Businesses should not ignore foreign exchange losses; they can be mitigated. 
• Bibby Foreign Exchange offers tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes. 

Sound Bites 

"There are significant savings to make." 

"Do you want to increase prices?" 

"It's a no-brainer, isn't it?" 

"Are you using a budget rate?" 

"Do they know what it's costing them?" 

Alex contact details:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-cooper-95b70525/

[email protected]

07469 088424

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We don’t talk about money enough — and when we do, it’s often wrapped in guilt, awkwardness, or comparison. In this episode, I’m opening up the conversation about wealth, what it really means, and why it’s not just for 'other people.'

I’ll share how creating personal wealth gives you more freedom, confidence, and choices — whether that’s overpaying your mortgage, investing for the future, or simply spending without guilt on what truly matters to you.

We’ll dive into:

• Why normalising money conversations changes lives
• What wealth looks like for you, not anyone else
• Practical ways to start building financial freedom now
• How money is a tool to open doors, not just pay bills

It’s time to stop playing small with your money conversations — and start creating a future you actually want.

Let’s talk about it.

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