The Small Business Sessions

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the eighth episode is Dominic Mills, co-founder of local experiences marketplace Yuup.

Dominic was inspired to start Yuup after struggling to find the gift of a local experience for his wife. He could only find the usual experience offerings from national providers, and nothing that reflected Bristol, the city where he lives.

Yuup is now a thriving marketplace of experiences offered by hundreds of small businesses in Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Durham, Northampton, Nottingham. Yuup has also branched out into its running its own events such as a spectacular drone show this Christmas.

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Dominic's experience of growing and selling a marketing agency before he started Yuup and lessons he learnt.  
• His start-up challenges and how he overcame them.
• Launching a platform for physical experiences during a global pandemic. 
• How he convince the first businesses to join Yuup.
• How Yuup crowdfunded almost £1m.
• Building a team. 
• How Yuup decides which cities to expand to.  
• How Yuup measures its mission for delivering a positive social impact. 
• Branching out into running Yuup's own events such as drone shows and immersive experiences.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode six, we're joined by Sam Matanle, the co-founder of Batch LDN, a clothing company with a focus on sustainability.

In this episode, Sam reflects on turning a 2024 break-in into a bold, humorous campaign. He also shares how crisis storytelling, transparency and resilience have shaped his approach to leadership, building a brand and navigating failure.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• The simple problem that sparked Batch LDN's made-to-order approach
• Tackling smart-casual dressing and the waste that traditional fashion models create
• The emotional impact of failure and why accepting "it might fail" builds clarity
• Knowing when to push through a setback and when a pivot is genuinely needed
• Impostor syndrome as a sign of growth (not inadequacy)

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the seventh episode is Ryan Panchoo, founder of gluten free doughnut brand Borough 22.

What started as making doughnuts for his children due to a frustration at the lack of allergen-free treats at events is now a brand that regularly sells out in Selfridges.

Ryan has grown his business from hand delivering his products on the London Underground, to going full time after nine years, being stocked in one of the UK's most iconic retailers and selling overseas. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Hand delivering his doughnuts on the London Underground.
• How he used social media to promote his products from day one. 
• How a follower tagging Selfridges on Instagram led to Borough 22 being stocked.
• Switching from running the business as a side hustle to going full time.
• How he raising investment to fund a commercial kitchen.
• Letting go of doing everything and decided to grow a team. 
• Borough 22's global fans including one who flew from Norway to get the products and an American fan who offered to pay for Ryan's flight to Detroit to make his doughnuts!

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode five, we're joined by Daisy Morris, social media strategist, community builder and bestselling author.

Daisy shares how creativity, vulnerability and connection have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also opens up about the realities of failure, how to make authentic connections online and why building community is the foundation of sustainable growth.

From creative flops to finding freedom in doing things your own way, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success is as much about people as it is about purpose.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How building connection became the driving force behind her business
• How to build meaningful relationships in a digital world 
• The "we vs. me" approach to social media and creating content that resonates
• The importance of sharing failures online when things go wrong
• Taking ideas from seed to reality – and knowing when to pivot or persevere

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the sixth episode is  Zoë Chapman, founder of The Whizzer, the revolutionary portable toilets for adults and children. 

Zoë started her business in 2020 while recovering from spinal surgery. She decided to turn into reality a portable toilet invention she had come up with in 2015 when she was potty training her son and looking after her disabled father. 

Since then, she has gone on to sell thousands of products and land an investment deal on BBC TV's Dragons' Den.

Throughout her journey, networks and networking have been crucial to Zoë's success. That includes joining Enterprise Nation, getting a contact for a trusted manufacturer from a fellow entrepreneur, getting Instagram followers to test products and recruiting customers as freelancers to help her business.

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• Finding a manufacturer with a limited budget and getting the product manufactured.
• How Enterprise Nation has helped her business.
• How a customer helped Zoë get stocked in a national retailer.
• The impact of appearing on TV's Dragons' Den.
• The other female entrepreneurs who inspire and influence Zoë.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode four, we're joined by Tom Voller, the co-founder of global creative production agency Dojo Films.

Tom shares the messy realities behind running a creative business. From early missteps and undercharging to losing major projects and learning to own mistakes publicly, Tom opens up about what failure really looks like in the world of creative entrepreneurship – and why honesty has become his biggest business tool.

Topics discussed in the episode:

·        Why not knowing what you're doing can be an advantage when building a creative career

·        How therapy, coaching and community can help founders become resilient

·        Why publicly owning your failures builds trust with clients and audiences

·        How honesty online has helped Tom attract new business and find peace with vulnerability

·        The need for more open conversations about undercharging, ghosting and client challenges in the creative industry

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fifth episode is Julianne Ponan, founder of Creative Nature, the range of snack bars and other products that are free of the top 14 allergens.

Julianne was inspired to start the business after suffering with anaphylaxis and allergies from the age of two. Her conditions have led to her being admitted to intensive care several times. 

Creative Nature products are now stocked in hundreds of stores and sold in countries around the world. 

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• How she got started with Creative Nature.
• How she got her products stocked in several large retail chains. 
• Why she pulled out of having her products in Holland & Barrett.
• Her experience appearing on Dragons’ Den and why she turned down the deal. 
• Her advice for growing a team.
• Lessons from failing at crowdfunding before she successfully crowdfunded £500,000.
• Securing significant media coverage and how other entrepreneurs can do the same. 
• Exporting her products to over 16 countries. 

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode three, we're joined by Anisah Osman Britton, an award-winning tech entrepreneur, writer and business founder who received an MBE for services to diversity in technology.

Anisah talks about her journey into tech, founding 23 Code Street, navigating start-up culture, representation and the pressures of being a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• How Anisah entered the tech world and what she learned in the early days of start-up life
• Why she founded 23 Code Street to get more women – especially women of colour – into technical roles and decision-making spaces
• Navigating identity beyond your first venture and learning to reinvent yourself
• The toll of purpose-driven entrepreneurship on health, including stress-related illness and recovery
• What needs to change in the ecosystem to normalise failure for women founders

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.

The Small Business Sessions, Enterprise Nation's podcast, is back for a ninth exciting series of inspiring entrepreneurial stories and expert business tips! The podcast is powered by the business.connected online training programme and our partner Vodafone Business.

Joining freelance journalist Dan Martin for the fourth episode is Theo Paphitis, Dragons' Den investor and entrepreneur. 

As one of the UK's most high profile entrepreneurs, Theo is known as being one of the investors on BBC TV show Dragons' Den. He is also famous for turning around struggling high street brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas.

Theo does much to support small business owners, including through his #SBS Small Business Sunday community. 

In a wide ranging and inspiring converation, Theo discusses his extensive entrepreneurial career with loads of insights and advice. Don't miss this episode!

Topics discussed in the episode include:

• His early entrepreneurial experience including running a school tuck shop. 
• The impact of dyslexia on his entrepreneurial career.
• Transitioning from working as a tea boy to starting his own property finance company at age 23. 
• How he has turned around struggling retail brands like Ryman and Robert Dyas. 
• What is it like running high street businesses right now and what the government needs to do to support them.
• Stories from TV's Dragons' Den. 
• Why he started his Small Business Sunday competition in 2010.
• Why he still gets imposter syndrome.
• What he thinks about AI. 
• His top advice for business success.

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This episode is brought to you in partnership with Vodafone Business, the Nation’s Network*, as part of the business.connected campaign which helps small businesses embrace digital change and grow online.  

Access free training in a range of digital business areas, from online marketing to AI and smarter working at www.enterprisenation.com/businessconnected  

Listen to and watch previous podcast episodes at www.enterprisenation.com/podcast

*The Nation's Network: Vodafone - nation's most valuable brand, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supporting the nation since 1984 through to 2025's major summer events. See full verification of the substantiation: www.vodafone.co.uk/TNN 

Welcome to the Small Business Sessions: Founder Fails podcast, brought to you by Enterprise Nation, in collaboration with Hiscox.

In this series, we're sitting down with bold business voices to talk candidly about their biggest fails, unexpected lessons and the power of getting back up.

Expect honest conversations, tales of resilience and real talk from founders who turned mistakes into movement.

In episode two, we're joined by Deepak Ravindran, co-founder of Oddbox, the UK’s first sustainable fruit and veg box delivery service. Deepak is now an executive coach for startup founders and leaders, helping others navigate the personal and professional challenges that come with building mission-led businesses.

In this conversation, Deepak shares the personal and leadership lessons behind building a food-waste-fighting business — from early doubts and bold career moves to burnout, identity shifts, and the surprising ways failure shaped the journey.

Topics discussed in the episode:

• The leap from a stable career in finance to founding Oddbox
• The tough early years — self-doubt, rejection, and redefining success
• How to separate your self-worth from your business identity
• Burnout, therapy, and rebuilding purpose after growth and pressure
• Leadership lessons learned the hard way
• Why founders should reframe “failure” as an experiment, not an identity
• The importance of reconnecting with your “why” and values

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Whether you're a sole trader, scaling a start-up or running a growing enterprise, Hiscox business insurance could protect you if the worst happens. Their policies are built around your business to protect you from the real risks you face every day.

Head to https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance to learn more.