In this opening episode of What One Thing?, Hayley sits down with co-host Phil to uncover the story behind his IT business, Affirm IT.
Phil shares how he went from redundancy (just a week before his daughter was born) to building a growing managed service provider — with nothing more than a £250 credit card, one client, and a whole lot of drive.
They cover:
✔️ The mindset shift from employment to business ownership
✔️ How he landed his first client (before he even quit his job)
✔️ Why hiring an apprentice early was a game-changer
✔️ The importance of cultural fit over technical skill
✔️ The one thing that’s rocketed business growth in the past 18 months
Phil’s journey is relatable, honest, and full of moments most business owners will recognise — from self-doubt and burnout to bold decisions and real progress.
🚀 Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, this one’s for you.
🔗 Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: Phil Davenport
💼 Learn more about Affirm IT Services Ltd: www.affirm-it.co.uk
🔗 Connect with Hayley on LinkedIn: Hayley Baxter
💼 Learn more about Corbar Accounting: www.corbar.uk
👂 Follow What One Thing? for weekly real stories and real lessons from real businesses on the grow.
What One Thing Podcast – with Phil & Hayley
Each week, business owners share the one thing that made the biggest difference in their business journey — and hosts Phil (Affirm IT Services) and Hayley (Corbar Accounting) dive into the lessons, laughs, and lightbulb moments along the way.
If you’re a UK business owner looking for real stories and practical insights on growth, leadership, IT, and finance — this is the podcast for you!
Connect with the hosts
Phil Davenport | Affirm IT Services
LinkedIn
https://affirmit.co.uk/
Hayley Baxter | Corbar Accounting
LinkedIn
https://corbar.uk/
Follow What One Thing
Listen & watch on: https://www.pod.whatonething.uk/
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#UKBusinessPodcast, #SmallBusinessGrowth, #BusinessLessons, #EastMidlandsBusiness
