Welcome back to Make It Your Business! In this episode, James Murray and Duncan Casey dive into the real-world experiences of using social media as a UK business owner. From winning enquiries through TikTok to navigating the evolving landscape of digital marketing, they share practical tips, challenges, and strategies for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs.

We cover which social media platforms work best for small businesses, how to stay authentic on camera, when to hire a marketing expert, and why writing a blog can massively boost your SEO. Plus, we discuss using AI tools, the importance of knowing your audience, and clever ways to approach B2B outreach.

If you’re a business owner in the UK looking to grow your brand online without wasting time or money, this episode is packed with actionable advice based on real experience — not theory!

👔 Whether you're a start-up founder, a growing SME, or just starting to explore digital marketing, Make It Your Business gives you honest conversations designed to help you succeed.

Timecodes

00:00 - Introduction & Podcast Purpose: Social Media

01:45 - I Got an Enquiry from TikTok

03:07 - Duncan Explores New Tactics: B2B Outreach Strategies

06:35 - Today's Topic: Social Media Tactics for Small Businesses

09:48 - Different Platforms: Client Avatars and Content Placement

18:42 - Startups & SMEs: Key Marketing Moves for New Businesses

26:39 - Employing a Marketing Expert: Should You Hire or DIY?

27:10 - Video for Marketing: Why Authenticity Matters

31:26 - Knowing Your Audience: Does Accent Affect Trust?

33:21 - Advertising vs Marketing: What’s the Difference?

35:41 - Best Social Media Platforms for Business

38:54 - Writing Blogs: Boost Your Business SEO

41:07 - Using CapCut: Easy Video Editing for Businesses

42:50 - Should You Use AI to Create Your Content?

🔗 Learn more about your hosts:

James Murray Finance: https://www.jamesmurrayfinance.co.uk

Copper Sprocket Content Marketing: https://www.coppersprocketcontent.com

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone else navigating the wild ride of business ownership. We’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or message us with your thoughts!

Parenting and entrepreneurship: can you really do both? In Episode 3 of Make It Your Business, UK-based small business owners James Murray (finance broker) and Duncan Casey (content marketing producer) share the real-life struggles and strategies of raising children while building their businesses.

Expect honest chat on cash flow, mental health, seeking investment, content marketing, and how to grow sustainably—without losing your mind. Perfect for UK entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and anyone balancing ambition with everyday life.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Make It Your Business, James Murray and Duncan Casey dive deep into the chaos and clarity of running a small (or micro!) business while raising young children. From sleepless nights to strategic investments, this brutally honest conversation strips away the glossy entrepreneur façade and gets real about what it’s like to juggle family life with startup ambitions.

If you’re a UK business owner, parent, or aspiring entrepreneur wondering how to build something sustainable without burning out, this one’s for you.

You’ll hear candid stories, practical tips, and refreshingly honest perspectives from two founders navigating it in real time—not from the top, but from the trenches.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro & podcast purpose: The problem with advice from people who’ve "made it"

01:40 - Meet your hosts: James introduces himself and explains what James Murray Finance does

02:20 - Parenting & public sector partners: Balancing home life with startup pressures

04:51 - Seek counsel, not opinions: Why you shouldn’t take advice from Dave down the pub

06:57 - Business & burnout: Maybe the kids are sleeping, but you’re not

11:32 - Risk, reward & growth: There's always going to be an element of risk, but it depends on your business model

15:30 - Cash flow & investment mindset: Playing the £100k fantasy business game

17:15 - LinkedIn & cold outreach: James reflects on his experience with Sales Navigator

20:24 - Bootstrapping & CRM alternatives: Finding smarter ways to grow

21:09 - What makes great content?: A videographer might make it look pretty, but can they tell a story?

24:34 - Branding, ROI & storytelling: Why message clarity matters before pressing record

27:15 - Content strategy dilemma: Is there a strategy to just pick a platform and master it?

30:55 - Local reach or national play?: Who are you going to sell to, and what does that mean for your content?

34:55 - Vanity metrics vs business metrics: Why quality of views beats quantity

37:05 - Wrap-up & quote of the week: "Give away the secret. Sell the implementation."

🔗 Learn more about your hosts:

James Murray Finance: https://www.jamesmurrayfinance.co.uk

Copper Sprocket Content Marketing: https://www.coppersprocketcontent.com

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone else navigating the wild ride of business ownership. We’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or message us with your thoughts!

Make It Your Business – Episode 2: The Filmmaking and Cultural Impact of AdolescenceEpisode Summary

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Adolescence, the new Netflix drama that has everyone talking. As filmmakers, we examine the show’s storytelling techniques, cinematography, and direction—what works, what doesn’t, and what makes it stand out. We also discuss its broader cultural impact and explore what marketers can learn from its success.

• Filmmaking Insights: How Adolescence uses visual storytelling, pacing, and character development to create an immersive experience.

• Cultural Relevance: Why the show resonates with audiences and the themes that make it so compelling.

• Marketing Lessons: What brands and content creators can take from the show’s success, including audience engagement strategies and the power of strong narrative branding.

• Watch Adolescence on Netflix

• Behind-the-scenes featurette (if available)

• Previous episode: [Episode 1 – The Reality of Starting a Business]

Join the conversation! Let us know your thoughts on Adolescence and what you took away from it.

Follow us on social media and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into filmmaking, culture, and marketing.

Key TakeawaysLinks & Mentions

In the debut episode of Make It Your Business, Duncan and James dive into the real, unfiltered struggles of growing a startup. From navigating cash flow issues to handling imposter syndrome, this episode is packed with honest insights and hard-learned lessons.

Join us as we share our experiences, mistakes, and strategies to help fellow business owners and entrepreneurs push through the toughest stages of building a business.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The hardest challenges we faced in our first year of business
• The mental game of entrepreneurship: dealing with stress, doubt, and burnout
• Balancing ambition with realistic growth
• How to know when to pivot or push through
• The biggest lessons we’ve learned so far

👉 Follow us for more real-talk on entrepreneurship!