How Not to Run a Business

Jeremy Jacobs
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

Tired of business podcasts that feel unrelatable? How Not to Run a Business is for small business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and anyone craving real, honest advice. I'm Jeremy Jacobs: entrepreneur, ICF-certified coach, and proud owner of 20+ years of business failures. I've built and closed businesses, got diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s, and I'm still figuring it out. Featuring solo episodes on the mistakes business owners keep making, and Founders on Failure: honest interviews with UK founders about the stuff they don't post on LinkedIn. Real talk, not motivational fluff.

  1. Apr 28

    People Pleasing Is the Most Expensive Habit in Business | Ep 59

    You know that voice in your head that says, "Don't upset them or they'll leave" That's not good customer service. That's people pleasing. And it's costing you more than you think. In this episode, Jeremy gets honest about his own people-pleasing patterns, where they come from, and how they've shown up across 20 years of running businesses. From a client who walked away when he set a boundary, to an unpaid invoice he avoided chasing for months, this is a raw look at what happens when being nice stops being helpful. What you'll learn: Why people pleasing is actually a survival response (the fourth stress response most people don't know about)The connection between ADHD, rejection sensitivity, and people pleasing in businessHow to tell the difference between doing a good job and people pleasingThe one question to ask yourself every time you're in a difficult client situationWhy managing your own state matters more than managing the situationThis episode is for you if: Have you ever avoided chasing an overdue invoice because you didn't want to be "difficult"You soften your professional advice to keep clients happyYou say yes when you mean noHave you ever thought, "If I push back, they'll leave"Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsukWebsite: jeremyjacobs.co.uk

    16 min

  2. Apr 14

    Here's What I Got Wrong About Consistency | Ep 58

    My last episode was in January. It's now April. I told you I'd be back. I wasn't. In this episode, I break down the three-part trap that kept me away: overwhelm stopped me from starting, perfectionism stopped me from finishing, and shame stopped me from coming back. I also get into ADHD prioritisation, the comparison trap, and why I was scared of both failure and success at the same time. If you've been putting something off because the gap has got too big to face, this one's for you. My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ My Website: https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/

    18 min

  3. Jan 4

    Tired of Everyone’s Business “Success” Posts? You're Not Alone | Ep 57

    Loathe the new year? Hate all these people shoving their business success in your face? This episode is for you. In this episode, I reflect on the past year and share my thoughts on setting goals for the new year. I discuss the pressures of societal expectations around New Year's resolutions and emphasise the importance of defining personal success on one's own terms. I encourage you to embrace your individual paths, navigate uncertainty, and focus on resilience in business. I also highlight the significance of self-reflection and understanding what truly matters in life and business. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on 2025 and New Year Goals 05:46 Challenging the New Year Norms 10:17 Defining Personal Success and Business Focus 15:48 Navigating Uncertainty and Resilience in Business 20:08 Embracing Individual Paths and Perspectives Find me online at jeremyjacobs.co.uk

    18 min

  4. 07/21/2025

    Social Media for Small Businesses - A Different Perspective | Ep 56

    I'm back! In this episode, I share my journey of balancing a social media presence with individual well-being. After taking a five-month break, I reflect on the transformational experiences that have reshaped my approach to business and life. Join me as I explore the pressures of social media, its impact on mental health, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Discover how I've learned to find what truly works for me and my business, and how you can do the same.

    20 min
  5. Sales & Marketing Success for Small Businesses: Focus on These Two Metrics | Ep55

    03/19/2025

    Sales & Marketing Success for Small Businesses: Focus on These Two Metrics | Ep55

    In this episode, I'm sharing the two crucial metrics that most small business owners overlook despite their significant impact on growth, especially if you're in a service-based business. Forget about chasing vanity metrics like followers, views and followers. There are two metrics that are far more critical to your success you should be focusing on. Tune in to discover these game-changing metrics and understand exactly why they're essential for driving genuine, sustainable success in your business. #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation __________________ I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes. 💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your business http://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/ 🏆 Work with me https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/ 🙌 Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  6. How to Make Your Goals Stick Throughout the Year for Small Businesses Owners | Ep 54

    02/08/2025

    How to Make Your Goals Stick Throughout the Year for Small Businesses Owners | Ep 54

    If you’ve ever felt like you started the year with big plans but lost momentum (or ended up feeling guilty about it), this episode is for you. We’ll talk about why it’s completely normal to struggle with sticking to goals, how to build sustainable habits, and how to take a more compassionate approach to self-improvement. Because let’s be real—beating yourself up doesn’t help you achieve anything! What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why goal-setting isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence ✅ The Review, Rinse, Repeat method for staying on track ✅ How to schedule regular check-ins with yourself (and actually stick to them) ✅ The importance of tracking progress—and why your memory isn’t reliable ✅ How to adjust your goals without feeling like you’ve “failed” #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation __________________ I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes. 💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your business http://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/ 🏆 Work with me https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/ 🙌 Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  7. Four Critical Systems Every Business Owner Should Have | Ep 53

    01/08/2025

    Four Critical Systems Every Business Owner Should Have | Ep 53

    In this episode of How Not To Run A Business, I share straightforward advice to make running a business less stressful. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning too many plates or want to get things running more smoothly, this episode’s for you. I’ll discuss some key ways to stay organised, stay on top of things, and free up your time for what really matters, whether that’s growing your business or just having a bit of breathing room. Listen and see how you can make life a bit easier! #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation __________________ I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes. 💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your business http://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/ 🏆 Work with me https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/ 🙌 Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  8. How to Review Your End of Year | Ep 52

    12/18/2024

    How to Review Your End of Year | Ep 52

    Year-end reflections can be painful. I am here to make it less so. In this episode of How Not to Run a Business, I’m talking about the mental and emotional challenges of looking back on your year as an entrepreneur and small business owner. I’ll walk you through the seven common mistakes people make when reviewing their year, and how to approach it with a clearer perspective. We’ll cover things like: Balancing the good and the bad – because it’s rarely all one or the other.Making sense of your finances without getting overwhelmed.Setting goals that are actually achievable.Recognising what was within your control and what wasn’t.The value of getting an outside perspective and documenting your progress properly. Reflection doesn’t have to feel like a punishment or a pointless exercise. Done well, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge your achievements, learn from what didn’t go to plan, and prepare for the year ahead with a bit more clarity. So, if you want to start the new year on the right foot, this one’s for you. #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation __________________ I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes. 💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your business http://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/ 🏆 Work with me https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/ 🙌 Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
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About

Tired of business podcasts that feel unrelatable? How Not to Run a Business is for small business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and anyone craving real, honest advice. I'm Jeremy Jacobs: entrepreneur, ICF-certified coach, and proud owner of 20+ years of business failures. I've built and closed businesses, got diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s, and I'm still figuring it out. Featuring solo episodes on the mistakes business owners keep making, and Founders on Failure: honest interviews with UK founders about the stuff they don't post on LinkedIn. Real talk, not motivational fluff.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeremy Jacobs
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeremy Jacobs
  • Show Website
    How Not to Run a Business