In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Michael Godsmark, Managing Director of Streets Woodville, for a conversation that proves accountancy is anything but boring.

Michael’s route into the profession was far from conventional. After beginning an accountancy apprenticeship at 18, he stepped away to pursue a career as a house DJ, playing clubs and bars across the North West, promoting events and even producing and releasing music. Eventually, his financial skills drew him back into accountancy and planted the seeds for the business he would later build.

What began as a side hustle helping construction workers with tax refunds developed into MG Accountancy, before becoming Woodville Accountancy and growing from Michael working alone in a spare bedroom to a team of 10. In 2025, the business took another major step by joining Streets and becoming Streets Woodville, giving Michael and his clients access to a much wider range of specialist financial and tax expertise.

Kath and Michael discuss why having an accountant should be about far more than submitting accounts and calculating tax. A good accountant can help business owners understand their numbers, identify opportunities, plan ahead and decide what is actually right for the business and the life they want to build.

They also explore one of the biggest challenges facing business owners: you don’t know what you don’t know. From deciding whether to operate as a sole trader or limited company to tax planning, business growth, pensions, investment and specialist tax reliefs, having somebody knowledgeable to talk things through with can provide invaluable peace of mind.

Michael also explains how accountants can become valuable business connectors, introducing clients to finance specialists, solicitors, banks and other businesses within their network.

This is a practical and refreshingly down-to-earth episode about understanding your finances, making better business decisions and recognising that the right accountant can be one of the most valuable people in your business.

https://www.woodvilleaccountancy.co.uk/

https://www.streets.uk/our-offices/chorley/

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In this deeply honest episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Anne King, author of The Advocate You Didn’t Know You Could Be, for a powerful conversation about business, mental health, recovery and using personal experience to help others.

Anne shares how she built a successful HR consultancy over 10 years, growing it to a team of seven before selling the business in 2018. However, after remaining in the business following the sale, taking on additional responsibilities and working through the pressures and isolation of the pandemic, Anne became seriously unwell.

She speaks openly about the mental breakdown that followed, including anxiety, shaking, memory loss, difficulty speaking and reaching a point where she no longer wanted to continue living. Anne also explains how support from family, friends, her doctor and more than two years of therapy helped her begin the long process of recovery.

This is not a story of simply returning to the person she was before. Anne talks about becoming quieter, calmer and kinder to herself, and realising that the confident, extroverted version of herself had often been a mask. She also shares why noticing changes in someone and asking whether they are truly all right can make an enormous difference.

The conversation then turns to Anne’s book, The Advocate You Didn’t Know You Could Be. The book was inspired by Anne’s experience of advocating for her daughter after an unexpected County Court Judgment appeared following a parking dispute. What began as one family’s real situation became a practical, step-by-step guide designed to help other people challenge organisations, ask the right questions and stand up for themselves or somebody they care about.

Anne explains that the book is not only about parking fines or court judgments. Its process can be used for workplace disputes, medical issues, bills, claims, complaints, special educational needs and many other situations where people may feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin.

Accessibility is central to Anne’s work. The book has been intentionally designed to be clear and easy to follow, and it has also been developed into a podcast and audiobook so that more people can access its guidance in a way that works for them.

This is a moving and important episode about surviving a mental health crisis, learning to ask for help, finding a new purpose and discovering that even during the hardest chapter of your life, your experience may become the thing that helps somebody else.

To get Anne's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Advocate-You-Didnt-Know-Could

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In this episode of It’s Your Business, Kath is joined by Laurie MacPherson, LinkedIn visibility strategist, for a lively and practical conversation about how business owners can use LinkedIn to become more visible, build genuine relationships and attract new opportunities.

Laurie explains that simply having a LinkedIn profile is not enough. To be recognised and remembered, business owners need to clearly communicate what they do, who they help and why it matters. Whether the goal is attracting clients, speaking opportunities, podcast invitations, partnerships or a new role, LinkedIn can open doors, but only when people actively use it.

Kath and Laurie explore why so many people still misunderstand LinkedIn, seeing it as either a job-searching platform or an overly formal corporate space. Laurie challenges this idea and explains why personality, opinions and real human stories are becoming even more important as feeds fill with bland and obviously AI-generated content.

They also discuss the importance of consistency. Laurie shares how she posted regularly for four months before gaining her first client through LinkedIn, proving that visibility rarely produces instant results. It is about building a body of work that helps people understand your expertise and remember you when they need your services.

Laurie introduces her REAL content framework, which balances sales content, authority-building posts and personal stories. She explains why business owners should not be afraid to sell, share their views or show more of the person behind the business, as long as the content remains relevant to the audience they want to attract.

The conversation also covers LinkedIn newsletters, thoughtful commenting, voice notes, opinion posts and why meaningful conversations are far more valuable than automated messages and immediate sales pitches.

This is an honest and useful episode for anyone who knows they should be doing more on LinkedIn but is unsure what to post, how often to appear or how to turn visibility into genuine business opportunities.

[email protected]

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

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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/

Want to start YOUR own Podcast? 

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