Business and a Brew

Danielle Thompson
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  • Entrepreneurship
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Welcome to Business and a Brew – the podcast where real conversations about business happen over a good drink. Hosted by Danielle and Simon, this show brings together two friends with years of shared experiences, lessons learned, and plenty of stories to tell. We’re here to explore the highs, lows, and in-betweens of business, from awkward challenges to unexpected victories. No topic is off the table – if it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey, we’re talking about it. Whether you’re looking for relatable advice, fresh perspectives, or just a laugh, you’ll find it here. Think of us as your business buddies, chatting over coffee (or something stronger), keeping it real and keeping you entertained. So, grab your brew of choice, tune in, and let’s get talking. Cheers!

  1. 3d ago

    Paid to Care, Paid to Lie: When Funeral Directors Turn Predators : Bodies for Sale Part 2 - The New York Bodysnatchers

    This episode contains descriptions of death, funeral malpractice, and the mishandling of human remains, which some listeners may find deeply upsetting. Listener discretion is advised. If you have recently experienced a bereavement, you may wish to skip this episode or proceed with caution. Business & a brew returns with Part Two of our “Bodies for Sale” series, and this time Dani and Si head to New York to unpack one of the darkest scandals in the human tissue industry. In this episode, they explore the case of former oral surgeon Michael Mastro Marino and his company, Biomedical Tissue Services, which ran a multi-state criminal enterprise harvesting human tissue from more than a thousand bodies without consent. The episode dives into the human impact of the scandal, including real patient stories of infection, disease transmission, and life-altering complications from implants that should never have been used. Si also shares the deeply unsettling British connection through the story of Sir Alistair Cooke, the revered broadcaster whose body was secretly harvested after his death, against everything he and his family would have wanted. Together, they examine the uncomfortable truth about how profitable the legal tissue industry is, where the line between legal and illegal sits, and what happens when consent and screening are treated as optional. The episode closes with a reflection on the vulnerability of the human body after death, the responsibility of those entrusted with our remains, and the urgent need for stronger oversight in industries built on trust. Dani and Si sign off with a promise that the next episode will be less horrific, along with a heartfelt thank you to listeners and to the team. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  2. Aug 10

    Paid to Care, Paid to Lie: When Funeral Directors Turn Predators : Bodies for Sale Part 1

    Disclaimer : This episode contains descriptions of death, funeral malpractice, and the mishandling of human remains, which some listeners may find deeply upsetting. Listener discretion is advised. If you have recently experienced a bereavement, you may wish to skip this episode or proceed with caution. In this episode of Business & a brew, Dani and Si dive into one of the most disturbing business scandals to hit the UK funeral industry: the case of Hull funeral director Robert Bush. They unpack how grieving families were told their loved ones had been cremated and laid to rest, only for police to later discover bodies still on the premises and ashes that were not who families believed them to be. Dani and Si explore the emotional devastation for the victims, the financial exploitation of prepaid funeral plans and stolen charitable donations, and the shocking lack of regulation that allowed this to happen.  They also look at how Scotland responded to a similar scandal with tighter controls, and what needs to change in England and Wales to protect people at their most vulnerable. This episode deals with death, bereavement, and the mishandling of human remains, so listener discretion is advised. Look out for Part 2 - coming out next week! About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  3. Aug 3

    Carpet, Cabbage…and a £571m Black Hole: The Real Story Behind the Fall of BHS

    In this episode, Dani and Si dive into the rise and fall of British Home Stores (BHS), blending nostalgia with a sharp look at corporate responsibility and the changing high street.  They start with childhood memories of rainy Saturdays, fluorescent lighting, and the unmistakable smell of carpet and cafeteria food, before unpacking how a once-solid British institution, founded in 1928, collapsed in less than a century.  The conversation explores Sir Philip Green’s role in turning a healthy pension surplus into a £571 million deficit while extracting hundreds of millions for himself and his family, the controversial £1 sale to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell, and the devastating impact on employees, pensioners, and town centres across the UK.  Danny and Si also zoom out to the bigger picture: the rise of online shopping and fast fashion, the decline of anchor tenants on the high street, and the shift in consumer spending from “stuff” to experiences. With their usual mix of humour, clear explanation, and pointed opinion, they ask whether BHS was doomed by market forces alone -or whether greed and poor leadership sealed its fate. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  4. Jul 27

    Cult Brands Uncovered: The 5 Secrets Behind Obsessive Customer Loyalty

    In this episode of Business&abrew, Dani and Si dive into the fascinating world of cult brands – the ones people queue overnight for, argue about online, and even tattoo on their bodies.  They unpack why some companies, like Harley Davidson, Apple, Beaver Town, Lego, and more, move beyond simple brand loyalty to become part of their customers’ identity.  Along the way, they explore “love marks,” creation myths, enemies, scarcity, and community, and debate whether you can ever truly engineer a cult following or if it’s just the perfect mix of timing, authenticity, and a damn good product.  With plenty of stories, nostalgia, and a few sharp digs at sellouts, this is a must-listen if you’re obsessed with how brands become movements rather than just merch. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  5. Jul 20

    The Ratner Effect: How One “Joke” Wiped £500 Million Off a Brand Overnight

    In this episode of Business & a Brew, Dani and Si dive into the infamous  “Ratner Effect,”  unpacking how a couple of badly judged jokes destroyed a business empire. They trace Gerald Ratner’s rise from inheriting a modest family jewellery shop to building a 2,500-store global chain worth over £1.2 billion, built on the promise of affordable, accessible jewellery for everyday customers. The conversation then zeroes in on Ratner’s 1991 speech at the Institute of Directors, where he called one of his own products “total crap” and compared his earrings unfavourably to a prawn sandwich.  Dani and Si explore how those remarks, amplified by the press, humiliated loyal customers, triggered a collapse in sales, wiped hundreds of millions off the company’s value, and ultimately cost Ratner his job and his name over the door. They also look at Ratner’s later redemption through his online venture and speaking career, before broadening out to similar high-profile blunders from leaders at Uber, BP, J.C. Penney, and Lululemon. Throughout, they reflect on the power of public perception, the risks of careless comments, and why humility and respect for your customers are non-negotiable in business. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  6. Jul 13

    They Were Testing on Your Children: Inside the Treloar College Blood Scandal

    Some stories are difficult to hear. This is one of them. Content Warning: This episode discusses the contaminated blood scandal, including medical negligence, institutional failures, HIV, hepatitis C, serious illness, and the deaths of children and adults. Some listeners may find the content distressing. While we approach these events with care and respect, listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Dani and Si return to the contaminated blood scandal, focusing on the heartbreaking events at Lord Mayor Treloar College in Hampshire. What was meant to be a place of care and opportunity for boys with haemophilia became one of the most devastating examples of institutional failure in modern British history. Together, they explain how revolutionary new blood products, once hailed as life-changing treatments, exposed children to HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated plasma. They explore how warnings were ignored, why unsafe products continued to be used, and the devastating consequences for the young people and families who placed their trust in the system. The conversation also shines a light on the extraordinary courage of survivors and campaigners who spent decades fighting for answers, culminating in the findings of the Infected Blood Inquiry and long-overdue public acknowledgement of what happened. This isn't just a story about medicine. It's a conversation about trust, accountability, informed consent, and the responsibility institutions have to the people they serve. A powerful and emotional episode that asks one simple question: how do we ensure something like this can never happen again? Grab a brew and join the conversation. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  7. Jul 6

    Don’t Buy This Jacket: How Demarketing Secretly Sells More (Ethically)

    What if the smartest marketing strategy was telling people not to buy your product? In this episode, Dani and Si explore the fascinating world of demarketing, the counterintuitive strategy where brands deliberately encourage customers to buy less, consume less, or even walk away altogether. From Patagonia's iconic "Don't Buy This Jacket" campaign to IKEA's repair initiatives, Lush stepping away from social media, and Oatly's brilliantly awkward advertising, they unpack why some of the world's most recognisable brands have discovered that saying "no" can be far more powerful than shouting "buy now." Along the way, they explore where demarketing began, how it evolved from a tool for managing shortages into a modern branding strategy, and why today's consumers are increasingly drawn to honesty, transparency, and businesses that genuinely practise what they preach. Of course, not every "buy less" message is created equal. Dani and Si also dig into the difference between authentic values-led marketing and greenwashing, asking how consumers can spot when a campaign is driven by purpose rather than clever PR. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or simply curious about why some brands seem to grow by selling less, this episode will change the way you look at modern marketing. Grab a brew and join the conversation. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

  8. Jun 30

    Ponzi by Stealth? Inside the Fall of Equitable Life

    What happens when one of the country's most trusted financial institutions stops living up to its name? In this episode, Dani and Si unpack the extraordinary rise and dramatic collapse of Equitable Life, once regarded as one of the safest and most respected pension providers in the UK. Built on centuries of trust and pioneering financial thinking, it became the centre of one of Britain's biggest pension scandals. Together, they explore how guaranteed annuity rates, changing economic conditions, and years of poor decision-making created a financial time bomb that left more than a million policyholders paying the price. As the cracks widened, bonuses continued to be paid, new policies were sold, and questions grew over whether the business had become dangerously dependent on money from new members. The conversation follows the devastating impact on ordinary savers, many of whom saw their retirement plans shattered after doing everything they believed was financially responsible. Dani and Si also examine the failures of regulators, management, and government, alongside the remarkable determination of campaigners who spent years fighting for justice. This isn't just a story about pensions. It's a conversation about trust, accountability, and what happens when the institutions we're told to rely on fail the people they're meant to protect. Grab a brew and join the conversation. About Simon and Danielle: Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.  Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003. Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009. Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.  Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

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About

Welcome to Business and a Brew – the podcast where real conversations about business happen over a good drink. Hosted by Danielle and Simon, this show brings together two friends with years of shared experiences, lessons learned, and plenty of stories to tell. We’re here to explore the highs, lows, and in-betweens of business, from awkward challenges to unexpected victories. No topic is off the table – if it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey, we’re talking about it. Whether you’re looking for relatable advice, fresh perspectives, or just a laugh, you’ll find it here. Think of us as your business buddies, chatting over coffee (or something stronger), keeping it real and keeping you entertained. So, grab your brew of choice, tune in, and let’s get talking. Cheers!

Information

  • Creator
    Danielle Thompson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Business and a Brew
  • Show Website
    Business and a Brew