Building a business is equal parts graft and grief. In today’s episode, Charlie Smith Workware Innovation breaks down how a family stationery company survived lockdowns, pivoted to branded workwear, and is now posting ~500% YoY growth while still in the “do-everything” phase. We talk real hiring beyond family, SOPs, content consistency, and resisting shiny-object syndrome.Takeaways:🧵 Pivot playbook: how they went from paper & pens to embroidery/print without blowing up the brand.📈 Compounding growth: consistent content + keeping customers beats new tricks.👨‍👩‍👦 Family first… until it isn’t: culture, loyalty, and hiring your first non-family member.🗂 SOPs save sanity: standardisation that lets you scale without losing your soul.🧠 Mindset: frustration, patience, and celebrating small wins on the way up.Guest / Resources:Workware Innovation: https://workwareinnovation.co.ukLinks:🎧 Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4uqUUHLdho0f9o3hc0WjLZ📺 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@BritishBusinessPodcast🌐 Follow Matthttps://linktr.ee/mrmattholland🌐 Follow Tomhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcilvenny-b15b9555/🎙 Morgan / Podcast Studiohttps://cheshirepodcaststudio.com