In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by John Hurst, Commercial Director at Clitheroe Football Club and National Account Manager for Bazooka Candy Brands, for a fascinating look at the business behind grassroots football.

John explains how what began as a small volunteer project helping with advertising board renewals quickly grew into a much bigger commercial role at the club. Today, he helps manage sponsorships, partnerships, kit launches and new ideas designed to strengthen Clitheroe FC both on and off the pitch.

The conversation shines a light on how much work goes into running a local football club. Clitheroe FC is a limited company run by volunteers, and John talks openly about the time, energy and commitment needed to keep everything moving. From invoices, kits and maintenance to matchdays, sponsorships and community engagement, there is far more happening behind the scenes than most supporters ever see.

Kath and John also explore why strong relationships matter so much when working with sponsors. Rather than treating sponsorship as a simple transaction, John has focused on making businesses feel visible, valued and genuinely involved with the club. This has helped improve sponsor retention and created partnerships that benefit both the businesses and the wider football community.

John shares the thinking behind the club’s increasingly professional approach, including its popular third kit, creative launch videos and collaborations with local businesses. His philosophy is simple: to reach the next level, the club needs to start operating at that level now.

The episode also celebrates the important role of volunteers and the opportunities that can come from getting involved in a local club. Whether someone can offer an hour with a paintbrush, specialist skills or commercial expertise, there are many ways to contribute and become part of the community.

With Clitheroe FC approaching its 150th anniversary, this is an exciting conversation about football, business, ambition and the people working behind the scenes to build a club the whole town can be proud of.

This Episode is sponsored by https://betternetworking.co.uk/

To contact Clitheroe FC https://www.clitheroefc.co.uk/

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Lara Harrison, Managing Director of Superstar PAs and Entrepreneur in Residence at UCLan, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship and why business owners do not have to do everything themselves.

Lara shares how she left an unsafe home at just 16 with only a small income, a rented room and a determination to build a better life. After learning to support herself from a young age, she joined the RAF before moving into a successful career across insurance, banking and corporate business.

Following a difficult final year at HSBC, Lara made the decision to walk away without a clear plan. A chance conversation with her beautician led to her first freelance personal assistant role, and Superstar PAs was born. What began with Lara helping a handful of clients with presentations, organisation and administration has grown into an established agency with a trusted team of UK-based virtual assistants.

Kath and Lara also challenge some of the common misconceptions around virtual assistants. A VA can do far more than answer emails. From diary management and contracts to social media, events, client gifts, podcast uploads and business administration, the right support can remove the tasks that keep business owners away from clients, marketing and growth.

Lara explains why outsourcing is not simply about saving a few hours. It can reduce overwhelm, create mental capacity and help business owners spend more time working on the business rather than constantly being trapped inside it. She also shares how Superstar PAs carefully supports clients through the process of delegating, starting with one task at a time and building a genuine working partnership.

This is a powerful episode about turning adversity into independence, learning to let go, and building a business and a life that work on your own terms.

Lara's website is here: https://www.superstarpas.com/

This episode is sponsored by Be Better Networking Hubs https://betternetworking.co.uk/

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Helen Clarke, marketing director and co-owner of Bright Red Digital, owner of the Women in Business Network North Lancashire, and marketing director at WIBN HQ, for a lively and inspiring conversation about creativity, marketing, networking and business growth.

Helen shares her wonderfully varied business journey, from studying fashion and building her own clothing line, to running a music pub, managing Oxfam’s first vintage boutique, and eventually stepping into the world of digital marketing. Along the way, she built a career rooted in creativity, people and community, all of which now feed directly into the businesses she leads today. 

Kath and Helen explore the story behind Bright Red Digital, a full-service agency helping small and medium-sized businesses get seen online through everything from websites and social media advertising to software development and strategy. Helen explains why good marketing is never one-size-fits-all, why businesses need to understand what they actually want before spending money, and why measuring results matters just as much as creating content. 

The conversation also dives into Helen’s role in WIBN, the Women in Business Network, and how what started as a personal need for meaningful networking turned into opening and growing multiple groups across North Lancashire. Helen talks about why women’s networking works differently, how powerful the right room can be, and what happens when women have a space to connect, support each other and grow in confidence together. 

This is an uplifting and insightful episode about finding the right fit, following what lights you up, and building businesses and communities that help people be seen, supported and successful.

https://brightred.digital/ - Bright Red Digital

https://wibn.co.uk/page/Find_A_Local_WIBN_Meeting - Find your local WIB

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Fiona Campbell Arrand from The Professional Growth Company for a fascinating conversation about coaching, communication, leadership and the power of trust in business.

Fiona shares the remarkable journey that shaped her work, from starting out in the civil service and becoming one of the youngest air traffic control assistants in the UK, to working in sales across the Middle East with major companies including Xerox and Yellow Pages, before eventually building her own coaching and leadership development business. With decades of experience behind her, Fiona brings both depth and honesty to the conversation, along with a clear sense of what truly helps people grow in business. 

Kath and Fiona talk openly about the modern coaching world, the difference between real expertise and surface-level labels, and why effective coaching in a business setting often needs more than just questions. Fiona explains how her work combines coaching, mentoring and training, supported by over 35 years of experience in NLP, to help people communicate better, lead more effectively and build stronger teams. 

A big theme of this episode is trust. Fiona shares how the idea for her book Working With Trust grew from conversations with her late husband Duncan, whose leadership style deeply influenced her. Together, Kath and Fiona explore why trust is at the heart of effective leadership, what breaks it, what builds it, and why things like truthfulness, respect, support and timeliness matter so much in teams and organisations. 

This is a thoughtful and inspiring episode for leaders, coaches, managers and business owners who want to grow their confidence, strengthen their communication and lead in a way that creates trust, not just compliance. Fiona’s story is rich with experience, and her insight is both practical and deeply human.

Here is Fiona's website https://www.theprofessionalgrowthcompany.com/

Buy the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Working-Trust-compassionate-empathic-leadership

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Sasha Core, founder of The Salon Owners Club, for a smart and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to build a salon business that is profitable, sustainable and not completely reliant on the owner.

Sasha shares how she started in the beauty industry young, setting up her own business at 25 with just £1,000, a treatment couch and a small rented space above a hair salon. From there, she built her clinic over 14 years, growing a strong team and eventually stepping away from doing treatments herself so she could focus on the bigger picture of the business. 

Now, Sasha helps other salon and clinic owners do the same. She works with established business owners who are busy, booked and successful on the surface, but have hit a ceiling. They are often still the crutch of the business, still tied to clients, and still the one making everything work. Sasha helps them step back, understand their numbers, improve strategy, strengthen the client journey, lead their team better and build a business that can grow without depending on them every day. 

Kath and Sasha talk honestly about the gap between being good at your craft and knowing how to run a business, especially in industries where people are trained in treatments and service but not always in finance, marketing, data or leadership. They also explore why salon owners need to stop burying their head in the sand when it comes to reports and performance, and start making decisions based on what the business is actually telling them. 

This is a brilliant episode for salon owners, clinic owners and service-based business owners who want more profit, more freedom and a business that supports the life they want, rather than one that depends on them for everything.

Find and Follow Sacha on Instagram @thesalonownersclub

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Sarah, CEO of HAPPA, the Horses and Ponies Protection Association, for a moving and inspiring conversation about passion, purpose and leadership.

Sarah shares how her love of horses began as a very small child, despite not coming from a horsey family, and how that passion eventually led her to HAPPA, first as a young supporter adopting a pony called Grey Star, and later as a member of staff. Over more than 22 years, Sarah has grown with the organisation through a wide range of roles, from horse care and equine management to commercial operations, before ultimately becoming CEO. 

What comes through so clearly in this conversation is that HAPPA is about much more than rescuing horses. It is about rehabilitation, rehoming, education, community and creating meaningful experiences for people of all ages. Sarah talks about the emotional reality of the work, the deep bond between humans and horses, and the life lessons horses can teach us around resilience, confidence, empathy and trust. 

Kath and Sarah also explore how HAPPA has evolved into a visitor destination with an award-winning café, educational experiences, pony days, membership and sponsorship opportunities, all helping to support the charity’s core mission. Sarah speaks honestly about the challenges charities face in today’s climate, the need to think entrepreneurially, and her vision for HAPPA’s future as a place where welfare, tourism, education and community come together in a powerful way. 

This is a heartfelt and uplifting episode about following what lights you up, building something that matters, and leading an organisation with both care and courage.

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Suzanne Waring, owner of the Helping Hands Group, for a warm and inspiring conversation about building a business from the ground up and growing it through trust, quality and genuine care.

Suzanne shares how the business began nearly 28 years ago when, after working for Lancashire Constabulary and becoming a mum to twin boys, she decided she wanted a different way of life. Looking for work that would fit around family life, she started a domestic cleaning business herself, armed with a mop, a bucket and a determination to do the job properly. From there, the business grew naturally through client need into domestic and commercial cleaning, laundry and ironing, property maintenance, gardening, power washing and, more recently, home care. 

What comes through so clearly in this conversation is that Suzanne has never built Helping Hands around profit first. She has built it around people. Whether she is talking about cleaning a client’s home, supporting an elderly parent, or developing her new home care company, her standard is simple: if she would not trust someone in her own home or with her own mum, they are not right for the business. That ethos has shaped the whole company and helped her create a loyal, trusted team over nearly three decades. 

Kath and Suzanne also talk about the realities of employing staff, running vehicles and teams across the county, adapting services over time, and dealing with the hidden complexity behind what some people might wrongly see as “just cleaning”. This episode is a brilliant reminder that every successful business starts by solving a real problem and that growth often comes from listening carefully to what clients actually need. 

This is an uplifting and practical episode about service, resilience, standards, family, and building a business that truly helps people.

To find out more: Follow Suzanne Waring on LinkedIn

https://thehelpinghandsgroup.co.uk/

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Rebecca Moloney from The Career Garage for a practical and timely conversation about careers, confidence, LinkedIn and getting hired in an increasingly tough and confusing job market.

Rebecca explains the thinking behind The Career Garage, a business designed to help people “pop the bonnet” on their job search, work out what is not quite working, and make the right changes without the process feeling overwhelming, expensive or endless. She works with individuals at all stages, from school leavers and graduates to people changing careers, and also supports HR teams, employment lawyers and organisations dealing with redundancy, off-boarding and career transition. 

Kath and Rebecca explore the challenges facing job seekers today, especially younger people leaving education without the tools to market themselves properly. Rebecca shares why transferable skills, soft skills and self-awareness matter so much, and why LinkedIn can be one of the most powerful platforms for building a network, finding opportunities and creating conversations that lead to work. 

The conversation also takes a really important turn into AI and recruitment. Rebecca talks honestly about how automated screening has changed the application process, why even strong candidates are being filtered out, and why tailoring every CV and application has become more important than ever. She explains the difference between being the best candidate and being the best applicant, and why understanding how hiring systems now work can make all the difference. 

This is an insightful, useful and encouraging episode for anyone looking for work, changing direction, supporting young people into employment, or trying to understand how to stand out in a crowded and increasingly automated hiring process.

To find out more: Find Rebecca on LinkedIn or go to the website

https://career-garage.co.uk/ 

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Darren Bentham, founder of Interact Digital and The AI Works, for a fascinating conversation about AI, digital marketing, compliance and the future of business visibility.

Darren explains how Interact Digital supports businesses with websites, content and online marketing, while The AI Works helps organisations use AI, machine learning and software development to improve efficiency, streamline processes and work more intelligently. With decades of experience in both AI and digital, he brings a rare long-view perspective to a subject that many businesses are only just starting to explore.

The conversation looks at the huge opportunities AI offers, but also the growing need for businesses to use it carefully and responsibly, especially where sensitive data, internal systems and future compliance are concerned. Darren talks about why businesses need to start thinking now about governance, security and how AI is being used behind the scenes, rather than waiting until regulation catches up with them.

Kath and Darren also explore where human connection still matters most. As more content becomes automated, businesses need to think about how they show up in a way that builds trust and reflects real expertise. That is where Darren’s podcast studio comes in, giving businesses a professional space to create podcast and video content that feels personal, useful and authentic. Together, they discuss why podcasting can be a powerful part of a business marketing strategy, from answering frequently asked questions to creating long-form content that can be repurposed across websites, social media and AI search.

This is a practical and forward-looking episode for business owners who want to understand AI more clearly, stay aware of what is coming with compliance, and make smarter decisions about the way they market, communicate and grow.

Find Darren Bentham on LinkedIn 

https://theaiworks.co.uk/about-us/

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Dan Armitage, co-founder of Neuro-Sparks Business Solutions, for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about neurodiversity, identity and building a business from lived experience.

Dan shares his journey from school, where he always knew he processed the world differently, through a successful career in banking and financial services, to later being diagnosed with ADHD at 32, after already having a dyslexia and dyscalculia diagnosis from the age of 16. 

He speaks openly about the challenges of trying to fit into workplaces that were not designed with neurodivergent minds in mind, the burnout that followed, and the moment he decided enough was enough.

Together with his mum, Dan founded Neuro-Sparks Business Solutions to help neurodivergent people feel understood, supported and able to thrive at work. Through Access to Work support, coaching, screening, workplace training and awareness sessions, Neuro-Sparks is helping individuals and organisations better understand neurodiversity, make meaningful adjustments and create environments where people can succeed as their true authentic selves.

Kath and Dan also talk about the strengths that often come with neurodivergent thinking, the importance of focusing on what people can do rather than what they struggle with, and why businesses that get this right are not only more inclusive, but often more productive too.

This is a hugely important episode about self-understanding, workplace culture, late diagnosis, and the power of building something positive out of personal struggle. Dan’s story is inspiring, honest and full of practical insight for individuals, employers and anyone interested in creating better workplaces for everyone.

To contact Dan or find out more here is their website https://neurosparksolutions.com/

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