Sound Media

In this podcast episode, we're joined by Nigel Hartland, co-director of Illustrated Solutions — a family-run, custom-print business based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

He tells James Marriott about transitioning from a 20-year career in IT teaching and student mentoring to running a creative enterprise alongside his wife, and shares how his passion for supporting people naturally carried over into the business world.

Unlike massive print corporations focused entirely on scale and volume, Illustrated Solutions carves out a unique niche by emphasising a "person-first" mantra. Every mug, garment, and accessory is meticulously crafted by hand with strict attention to quality, packaging, and presentation.

Nigel and James discuss the major friction points that small businesses, sole traders, and charities encounter when trying to source branded merchandise — such as sky-high minimum order quantities and hidden setup fees. Nigel explains how his business eliminates these barriers, offering tailored runs of as few as two or three items to keep custom branding accessible, affordable, and high-quality for local organisations.

• From Teaching to Printing: How Nigel’s background in mentoring and adult education shaped the customer-first culture of Illustrated Solutions.
• The "No Minimum Order" Advantage: Why low quantities and zero setup fees are a game-changer for micro-businesses, sole traders, and local charities.
• Merchandise as a First Impression: The critical importance of sharp, high-quality branding on physical items, and why giving out "tatty" merchandise can actively harm your brand.
• Current Trends in Custom Products: A look into the rising popularity of high-end drinkware (like insulated tumblers and advanced water bottles) and quirky fashion trends like contrast-sleeve hoodies.
• The Future of Illustrated Solutions: Nigel discusses their newly launched Shopify store, expanding face-to-face networking events, and diving into custom niche designs, including an upcoming Gothic Steampunk collection.

For more information, head to illustratedsolutions.co.uk

This mini episode from the South Yorkshire Business Expo in June 2025 features Darren Padgett and Andy Froggatt discussing the Damn Good Coffee networking events they're both involved with.

It's a totally unplanned and unscripted conversation.

Find out more about Darren here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenpadgett/

Find out more about Andy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-froggatt-a165662b/

Andrew gives us the lowdown on Datamills and the other businesses within the group, along with a few little future predictions.

Recorded at South Yorkshire Business Expo 2024.

Find out more about Datamills at https://www.datamills.co.uk/

To find out more about Sound Media and how we can help you start a podcast for your business, visit wearesoundmedia.com

Tim explains more about his journey as an empowerment coach, to where he is now with his business Rise and Shine.

Recorded at South Yorkshire Business Expo 2024.

Find out more about Tim and Rise and Shine at https://theriseandshine.co.uk/

To find out more about Sound Media and how we can help you start a podcast for your business, visit wearesoundmedia.com

Simoda are doing awesome things in the tech world and Craig gives us an insight into his role there.

Plus we sets himself a pretty good target in his other life as manager of Hallam FC.

Recorded at the South Yorkshire Business Expo 2024.

Find out more about Simoda at https://www.simoda.co.uk/

To find out more about Sound Media and how we can help you start a podcast for your business, visit wearesoundmedia.com

Laura reveals all about a very unusual client she's just started working with - or rather, doesn't really reveal anything at all!

Recorded at the South Yorkshire Business Expo 2024.

Find out more about Laura at https://laurastead.com/

To find out more about Sound Media and how we can help you start a podcast for your business, visit wearesoundmedia.com

We chat to Ray Byrne about his journey and future targets for Whyy? at the South Yorkshire Business Expo 2024.

To find out about Ray and his business head to https://www.whyychange.com/

To find out more about Sound Media and how we can help you start a podcast for your business, visit wearesoundmedia.com

In our first pilot episode, Heather Mclellan (owner and founder of HKM22 Consulting) chats with Julia Langley, a former featured singer with Cirque du Soleil whose career on tour was impacted by a chance encounter between her bicycle and a jeep - leaving her with multiple injuries and PTSD, and needing a change in her career plan. 

In just over 30 minutes we explore many facets of injury, recovery and their impact on work and running a business, from denial of how bad things really are, developing PTSD down the line, realising "it" takes much longer than you imagined and trying to go back to work a bit too soon (very common in business owners!). 

But then considering the new perspectives and opportunities that a change of life circumstances can be a catalyst for - the choice to return to the way of life before injury, or to create a new way of living and working for the future afterwards that enfolds true self care - prioritising personal health management as a non negotiable part of running a healthy business.

Top tips from Julia include managing anxiety, getting enough sleep, using exercise and moving your body as your super power, and having the unstoppable, unrelenting grit to keep going in the tough times, and ultimately bounce back in business.

Find out about the amazing work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance helping to save lives across Yorkshire.

Helen tells James about what they're up to and how people can help.

Recorded at SAM Networking Expo in Huddersfield in April 2024.

Find our more at yaa.org.uk

Mike Hall takes boring and bland wall and makes them look fantastic using brand colours.

James finds out more about MJH ArtStudio.

Recorded at SAM Networking Expo in Huddersfield in April 2024.

Find out more at mjhartstudio.com