The Amaiz Podcast

Oliver Shaw from Kalibrate talks to us about planning for the unseen. We’ve all experienced the unprecedented, but what does the remainder of 2021 and Covid-recovery hold? It’s still difficult to see what normality might look like, but Oliver singles out some key themes:The way people work will change, and that will knock on to many other parts of the economy.That money switch, particularly in retail, will be the critical focus - is your business hypothesis ready?The government will be lookin...

“Early-stage investment is often the trickiest to get, but also the most precious”Joe Inglis joins us to talk about fundraising for his new business, VetChef. A fully qualified vet, with successful businesses and media career under his belt, Joe’s new venture disrupts the market from the simple point: We can do better for our best friends than processed food. VetChef has sailed past its initial investment round, generating funds earmarked to ready the product for launch. Joe shares how h...

We catch up with Rich Irving, owner of Squeezed Media, an established video and animation company. Covid accelerated its shift towards graphics and animation after Covid halted video production in its tracks in march 2020. Animation quickly became the main part of the business and sustained Squeezed, in spite of rising competition in that area during the pandemic. This is a great chat with an experienced business owner and an interesting exploration of the opportunities and obstacles pos...

“Don’t panic, run with it.”Verity Clarke was one of the exceptional case studies that emerged from Amaiz’s survey on the effect of lockdown on UK small businesses in 2020. Verity started her current company in 2019, and, as she says, "they say your first year of business is challenging, but come on now." Verity talks through her experience in setting up and running her business and the COVID uncertainty that has defined the past year in this pragmatic chat. She describes the “Mad Max moment” ...

We catch up with Carla Watkins, who we spoke to earlier in this series. Carla’s previously talked about her portfolio of small businesses and the many strings she has to her bow… But professional mermaid? That’s right. Here we talk to Carla about this one particular and unusual occupation as a professional mermaid - a wander through the realms of possibility and imagination and a great example of the essence of a successful small business coming from anywhere. A lot of this success comes from...

“A moment in history when you can be a business owner and performer”Nicole set up Manic Stage Productions 15 years ago and have since performed for clients of all sizes, including P&O, for the past few years. The entertainment business had grown every year until it… Was stopped in its tracks by the global pandemic. Nicole explains the grief that came with the abrupt halt and the mentality of keeping going, which defined Manic’s response. But there were dependent employees, who even if the...

“You have to get online, even partially and focus on the things you can control.”Lucy Shrimpton’s experience with her newborn inspired her to start a business that provides a valuable service to other parents with recent arrivals. This fascinating chat covers how The Sleep Nanny has developed behavioural-based support to coach parents and how Lucy’s business has grown and adapted during the pandemic. Lucy started with face-to-face visits and meetings in family homes, but moving the service on...

“The fantastic adventure of running a business.”Carla Watkins is a brand and photographer specialist, who relishes the freedom of being self-employed. She’d built a quartet of businesses before the effects of the pandemic hit them all in 2020. Carla chatted to us about her various businesses, how she’s built them up and developed their messaging. She believes her photography business in particular will become more important as the pandemic recedes. Here’s hoping for a boom in photograph...

Darryl Bannon returns to the Amaiz Podcast to talk about starting a business in the luxury sector. Now? Yes, it’s an ideal time to get an idea off the ground, but it requires a particular mix of psychology, acumen and hard work. Luxury means high margins and high standards to match. It’s crucial to target your customer. Darryl talks to us about the practicalities of setting up a brand, including:How the definition and experience of luxury changes.Why it’s critical you think about what your br...

Georgina started up her egg delivery service during the first lockdown, rapidly expanding it to bring the best of Sussex produce straight to the doors of Lewes. Soon, Georgina’s Eggspress was delivering produce ranging from South Downs honey to asparagus and cheese across East and West Sussex. Georgina’s background is in creative event production and as she says, she’d have laughed at her new enterprise in January 2020. The events industry was among the first to be affected by the growing pan...