Dorset Business Matters

Simon Ellson - Coach and Author
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Dorset Business Matters is a conversational podcast shining a light on the vibrant local business community across Dorset. Episodes feature candid chats with local business owners and entrepreneurs about the realities of running a business today, from the highs of success and innovation to the challenges of growth and sustainability. The show explores what makes Dorset a unique place to do business, celebrating the people, stories, and ideas driving the economy forward. Informal and inspiring, Dorset Business Matters offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the passion of local enterprise.

  1. 17h ago

    EP-1003 - Women of a Certain Age with Sue Coombs

    In my coaching practice, I meet all sorts of business owners. Every business has a story behind it, but every now and again I meet someone whose story really strikes a chord. Sue Coombes is one of those people. Sue describes herself as a “Nannapreneur” and is the woman behind Woman of a Certain Age and Friends, a business focused on helping women over 45 rediscover their confidence, prioritise themselves and recognise that getting older certainly doesn’t mean being finished. But this conversation goes much further than business. We talk about getting older, feeling invisible, self-confidence and self-care. We explore the roles we adopt throughout our lives, the expectations placed upon us and what happens when you finally start asking: “What do I actually want?” Sue also shares her own journey through self-employment, caring for her disabled husband, training with the Samaritans and a succession of small businesses before eventually realising she had found something that genuinely felt like her thing. We also stray into some bigger territory: life after COVID, loneliness, the pressures facing both women and men, corporate life, identity and why so many of us spend years being the person we think we're supposed to be. Perhaps the biggest question running through our conversation is a simple one: Who are you, and what do you want to do with the time you've got? A very different episode of Dorset Business Matters, and one that struck a chord with me. 🎙️ Dorset Business Matters with Sue Coombes.

  2. Sep 21

    EP-1002 - Vagabond Pilates

    Thirty years in the military. A life-changing cancer diagnosis. Two successful Pilates studios. This is not your usual fitness story. In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, Simon speaks with Millie and Tim Gough, the husband-and-wife team behind Vagabond Pilates. Millie explains how Pilates supported her recovery after major surgery and the unexpected end of her military career. Tim shares his journey from the Royal Marines and Special Forces to becoming a passionate Pilates instructor. They discuss building a business without a grand plan, creating a genuine community, raising standards in an unregulated industry and why Pilates is about far more than flexibility. There is also an honest conversation about purpose, identity, mental health and learning to build a life after the military. A powerful story about resilience, reinvention and finding meaningful work when the original plan disappears. If this got you thinking, there’s more where that came from. Dorset Business Matters podcast on Spotify. My books on Amazon. Both worth your time. Neither will waste it. 🎙 Dorset Business Matters — Spotify | Apple | 📖 Head Down Balls Up · Who the Hell Are You Anyway? · The Messy Middle — all on Amazon

  3. Sep 14

    EP1001 - Supernatural Studio

    What does it really take to build an architecture practice from scratch, and can great design and sustainability genuinely go hand in hand? In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I’m joined by Stephanie Crombie, co-founder of Dorset-based Supernatural Studio, an architecture practice specialising in architecture, interiors and sustainability-focused design. Stephanie shares her journey from studying architecture at Cambridge and the Royal College of Art, through her years working in London and leading sustainability projects, to building Supernatural Studio with her business and life partner, John. We talk about sustainable architecture, natural materials, retrofitting rather than demolishing, designing buildings for a changing climate and where architects really fit into the journey from the first idea to the finished building. But this is also very much a conversation about business. Stephanie talks openly about the challenges of running a small professional practice: cash flow, marketing, building a pipeline, finding the right clients and the very different experience of being good at your profession versus being good at running the business behind it. We also explore how AI is already changing architecture, where it genuinely helps and why Stephanie believes it should remain a tool rather than a replacement for human thinking and creativity. And, as always, we finish with the question every business owner has to answer: if you were starting again with a laptop, £5,000 and a blank sheet of paper, what would you do first? Stephanie’s answer is refreshingly simple: find a client, understand the problem they need solving and work backwards from there. A fascinating conversation about architecture, sustainability, entrepreneurship and building a business around work you genuinely care about.

  4. Aug 17

    EP-0025 - Halo Design - An MBO story with Jessica and Nick Bain

    This one has a strong business story, particularly the MBO, client concentration risk, culture, AI and the lessons for anyone growing a business. Agency By Design_ Leadership, Growth, and Resilience.txtTXT What happens when you remortgage your house, buy the business you work for, have two young children and discover that one client represents 80% of your revenue? You learn quickly. In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I visit Halo Design Associates in Southbourne to talk with husband-and-wife team Nick and Jessica Bain about buying, building and reshaping a creative agency. Their journey began with a management buyout. Rather than starting from scratch, they took over an established agency with an existing team and clients. It gave them a head start, but also brought some significant risks and plenty of lessons they probably couldn't have learnt any other way. We talk candidly about reducing their reliance on one dominant client, growing the team from around 13 people to as many as 27, dealing with economic uncertainty and tougher trading conditions, and their ambition to eventually build a business that can operate without them being involved in every detail. We also get into the changing world of marketing. AI is making some creative work faster and more accessible, but does that make genuine creativity more or less valuable? Nick and Jessica explain how Halo is using AI within the agency, why originality and differentiation still matter, and why businesses cutting marketing when times get difficult could be turning off the very tap that feeds their future pipeline. There is also a fascinating discussion about culture. Halo has deliberately tried to create the agency Nick and Jessica themselves would have wanted to work for. That means putting people first, creating psychological safety, encouraging ownership and having what they call “radical integrity”, honesty with heart, even when that means telling a client something they might not want to hear. And for anyone running or thinking about starting a business, their advice is refreshingly practical. Know your numbers. Build the right systems and processes. Invest in good people and culture. Keep marketing your own business. Use your network. Play to your strengths and get help where you're weak. Because a successful-looking business and a sustainable business are not necessarily the same thing. A great conversation about leadership, resilience, creativity, culture, AI and what it really takes to grow a business when you're learning much of it as you go. 🎙️ Dorset Business Matters, conversations with the people building, running and shaping businesses across Dorset and beyond.

  5. Aug 10

    EP-0024 - Nigel Reeve - From Radio to Local SME Awards

    What do Classic FM, LBC, Concorde, local business awards and a pile of redundant CDs have in common? Nigel Reeve. In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, I sit down with Nigel, founder of Marketing South West and the man behind a growing network of local business awards across Dorset and beyond. Nigel’s career is quite a journey. From local newspapers and commercial radio to helping launch Classic FM, running LBC and taking a radio business to the stock market, he has spent decades in media, marketing and business. We talk about what it was like building radio stations from scratch, the lessons Nigel learnt from hiring the wrong people, why experience can sometimes become a liability if you stop adapting, and the strange identity shift that happens when you leave a senior corporate role and suddenly the phone stops ringing. Then we get into what Nigel is doing today. His first Bridport Business Awards attracted nearly three times the entries he expected. That idea has now grown to 25 awards in 2026, typically attracting between 100 and 200 entries per event, all built around one simple belief: local businesses deserve more recognition. Nigel also explains how the judging really works, why winners need to turn up, and his plans to take the model beyond Dorset through franchising. We also tackle a bigger question. With podcasts, streaming, audiobooks and on-demand content everywhere, what happens to traditional radio over the next ten years? Nigel has a pretty clear view. A fascinating conversation about business, media, reinvention, mistakes, ambition and why sometimes the best advice really is very simple: Have a vision. Stay focused. Listen to good people. Adapt when you need to. And then do it. 🎙️ Dorset Business Matters, conversations with the people building, running and shaping businesses across Dorset and beyond.

  6. Jul 17

    EP-0023 - Jacqui Rock - CEO Poole BID

    How do you keep a town centre alive in one of the toughest retail environments in decades? In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, Simon Ellson is joined by Jacqui Rock, Chief Executive of Poole Business Improvement District (Poole BID) and one of our key strategic partners. Jacqui shares the remarkable work happening behind the scenes to make Poole a safer, cleaner and more vibrant place to live, work and visit. From tackling retail crime and antisocial behaviour to supporting local businesses, securing investment and creating events that bring thousands of people into the town, this is a fascinating insight into the work most people never see. The conversation explores the challenges facing Britain’s high streets, why collaboration is more important than ever, and how strong local leadership can make a real difference to businesses and communities alike. Whether you’re a business owner, retailer, local authority leader or simply passionate about the future of our town centres, this episode offers practical insights into what it takes to build thriving local economies. In this episode: What a Business Improvement District actually doesSupporting over 500 businesses across PooleTackling retail crime and improving public safetyGrowing footfall through events and community initiativesThe future of Britain’s high streetsWhy collaboration beats competitionPractical advice for anyone starting a business today A huge thank you to Jacqui Rock and the team at Poole BID, one of our valued strategic partners, for the incredible work they continue to do in supporting businesses and strengthening the local community.

  7. Jul 10

    Ep022 - Ben Chick - Winner BGT - Farmer & Padel Club Entrepreneur

    From the farm to the Britain’s Got Talent stage, Ben Chick is redefining what it means to be a modern farmer. In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, Simon Ellson sits down with third generation Dorset farmer, entrepreneur and Britain’s Got Talent winner Ben Chick to explore the realities of farming today, the challenges facing British agriculture, and why diversification is no longer optional. Ben shares the remarkable story behind The Farmers Choir, their Golden Buzzer moment, and how their success is helping raise awareness of mental health in rural communities. He also talks openly about overcoming chronic fatigue, finding purpose through adversity, and why health really is wealth. The conversation also explores Ben’s ambitious new venture, Chalk & Padel – an innovative destination combining indoor padel courts, speciality coffee and wellness facilities on the family farm. It’s a fascinating insight into how traditional businesses can evolve for the future. Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, sports fan or simply interested in the future of British farming, this is an inspiring conversation about resilience, community and building something that matters. In this episode: The truth about modern British farmingWinning Britain’s Got Talent with The Farmers ChoirMental health in agricultureRecovering from chronic fatigue and burnoutWhy diversification is essential for family farmsThe vision behind Chalk & PadelLeadership, resilience and building a life with purposeIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow Dorset Business Matters, leave a review and share it with someone who’ll find Ben’s story inspiring.

  8. Jun 29

    Ep0021 - Luke Fribbens - Cold Banana

    Spotify Episode Description What does it take to build a successful digital agency from a bedroom business selling cufflinks at the age of 13? In this episode of Dorset Business Matters, Simon Ellson sits down with Luke Fribbens, Founder and CEO of Cold Banana, to explore an entrepreneurial journey driven by curiosity, technology and a willingness to take calculated risks. Luke shares how an overnight decision led to the launch of Cold Banana, why specialising in a niche has helped the business thrive, and how building genuine relationships has always mattered more than traditional selling. The conversation also explores the realities of scaling a business, managing cash flow, recruiting specialist talent, expanding into Dubai and leading teams across different cultures. Simon and Luke dive deep into artificial intelligence, discussing whether AI is an opportunity or a threat, what it means for the next generation of developers, and why the UK’s education system may need to evolve faster than ever before. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or simply fascinated by technology and the future of work, this is a conversation packed with practical insight and honest experience. In this episode, you’ll discover:• Why niching down can create a powerful competitive advantage.• The lessons learned from starting a business overnight.• How partnerships can become your most valuable sales channel.• The challenges of hiring skilled developers in the UK.• Why Dubai became the perfect location for international expansion.• How AI is transforming software development and business.• Why cash flow remains one of the biggest challenges for growing companies.• Advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business. A fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, technology, leadership and preparing for a rapidly changing world.

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About

Dorset Business Matters is a conversational podcast shining a light on the vibrant local business community across Dorset. Episodes feature candid chats with local business owners and entrepreneurs about the realities of running a business today, from the highs of success and innovation to the challenges of growth and sustainability. The show explores what makes Dorset a unique place to do business, celebrating the people, stories, and ideas driving the economy forward. Informal and inspiring, Dorset Business Matters offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the passion of local enterprise.

Information

  • Creator
    Simon Ellson - Coach and Author
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Simon Ellson - Coach and Author
  • Show Website
    Dorset Business Matters