"5 Things I Know Now" A Dorset Growth Hub Podcast Dorset Growth Hub

The art of marketing in the wine industry is a challenge when bottles look so similar, which makes this Coffee & Catchup’s lineup ideal for anyone looking to stand out.
Fran Bridgewater FCIM and Garry James, CMO of FOUNDRY, both join us to share in the latest from Fran’s new brand Volcanic Wines, the latest developments with Poole’s FOUNDRY and Podcast Labs, and even share a few tipple tips ahead of the Christmas period…
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
FOUNDRY and Podcast Labs’ latest collaborations at FOUNDRY Poole and beyondFran’s latest venture with Volcanic Wines, and how they’re crafting their latest selectionsHow vital it is to nail marketing in an industry with lookalike productsTips for wine connoisseurs to enjoy wine at its very best

With an ever-changing economic landscape, any support for small businesses is absolutely vital, a huge focus for this latest Coffee & Catchup episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast.
Nick Gregory guides us through the latest in finance, funding and mentorship with Dorset Business Mentors’ Alistair Bayliss sharing more on the process, and Steve Mayell sharing some grant and loan opportunities for SMEs in the local area.
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
How mentors can help small businesses, particularly at an early stageLow Carbon Dorset’s pot for funding green and energy saving projectsRecent economic developments to stay aware of as SMEsA raft of resources from Dorset Business Mentors and SWIG Finance

Funding and friends are invaluable assets to any small business, and in this episode of The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast, we’re focusing on boosting finances and building a community.
Recorded at our Coffee & Catch Up event in July, Steve Bulley hosts BCP Council’s Charles Fynn, Mercia Asset Management’s Max Slinger and FOUNDRY’s Ema Armstrong.
The panel takes us through a new fund open to businesses in the BCP area, how best to seek venture capital funding, and how the Dolphin Centre’s new coworking space is catalysing collaboration.
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and how to apply for some of BCP Council’s allocation of the fundMaximising your chances when seeking financial backing from venture capitalFOUNDRY’s stellar opening in Poole’s Dolphin Centre and the community being built around it

Moving forwards and having the right people on your team are two elements of every business’ dream, and between Maggie Lawrie & Toni Taylor, we have two of the most comprehensive answers.
Being an Executive Coach with MLA International places Maggie perfectly to share strategies to go above and beyond your business goals, and Tru Talent Founder, Toni, is finely tuned into the talent market.
Join us on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast as we break down the answers to two of every entrepreneur’s most pressing questions, in an episode recorded at our latest Coffee & Catch Up event!
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
Riding out recent movements in the market with inflationA fun and innovative way to motivate yourself with stretch goalsHow to inject passion and energy into your business plansGenerational shifts and values in the workforceWhy retainment is about asking the right questions of your team

Funding, staff and marketing: a holy trinity which covers most top-of-mind issues for businesses right now, all of which are better tackled together.
As we convene for another wonderful Coffee & Catchup event, this week Jacqui Rock shares Poole BID’s new schemes and how the local area is evolving for SMEs.
Elsewhere in the episode, Steve Mayell covers the opportunities that SWIG Finance can offer, and we chat with ‘TikTok Queen’ Michelle Haslam about how to take on a platform which is daunting to many, but powerful to all.
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
Three key business issues right now, and how to get on top of themPoole BID’s new initiatives and how the BCP area is evolving for businessesHow to break into the TikTok space to find your audienceSWIG Finance’s alternative route for those struggling with obtaining funding

With the recent budget, finance and investment are top of mind for businesses traversing the challenges of 2023.
Whether you’re looking for a loan away from the high street banks, or a new way to create business connections, we’ve got you covered - SWIG Finance’s Steve Mayell and Podcast Labs’ Kelly Butler are this week’s guests on The Dorset Growth Hub Podcast.
Tune into this week’s episode, recorded at our live business breakfast in March, to hear how podcasts are an evolving medium in which to network and build brands, and what a CDFI can do to provide new avenues for funding.
This episode of The Dorset Growth Hub podcast covers:
Impacts of the recent budget on SMEsWhat a CDFI is and how they support financing small businessesUtilising the podcasting platform to reach new audiences and build bonds within your network