James Reed: all about business

Reed Global
  • 4.5 (470)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice. Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.

  1. 2h ago

    100. Building a brand people love and when to walk away | Cath Kidston

    The moment a business starts making real money is exactly when it's most at risk of losing what made it work in the first place. In this special 100th episode of All About Business, James sits down with entrepreneur Cath Kidston MBE, who built a single shop into a globally recognised brand, watched its values slip once investors and private equity got involved, and has spent her second business, C.Athaly, making sure it never happens again. Cath breaks down why she believes founders need to define their brand values early and write them down, long before growth, investment, or pressure to cut costs ever arrives. She explains how her first business began compromising on quality once money and new voices entered the business, and why a gut-instinct decision she couldn't justify on a spreadsheet turned out to be the right call all along. The conversation also unpacks why building slowly and deliberately is better than scaling too early. Cath explains why she spent four to five years getting the foundations right in both of her businesses before pushing for growth, and why she believes it's nearly impossible to fix a business's culture or values once they've already slipped. Timestamps (Audio) 01:46 C.Atherly Origins 08:55 Four Signature Scents 14:59 Building Smarter This Time 26:06 Naming Your Business 32:17 Brand Values No Compromise 38:52 Hiring Ops To Scale 43:09 Modern Marketing And Property Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Find out more about C. Atherley and their products here Find out more about Joy of print and their products here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  2. Oct 5

    99. How to cash out without selling out | Guy Singh-Watson

    Every founder eventually hits a decision that determines whether their company survives them or dies with them. Almost all of them get it wrong. In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford Organic Farmers, who turned three acres and a borrowed tractor into a £120 million business, and found a way to cash out on his terms without ever putting the company up for sale. Guy breaks down why he sold shares to his own staff instead of chasing a trade sale or private equity deal, and the near-£2 million mistake Riverford made along the way. He also shares the moment he walked away from a major retail contract and why no single customer, however large, should ever be allowed to dictate your terms. The conversation unpacks what changed once Guy made the shift to employee ownership. He also gets candid about leading as an intuitive, emotionally-driven founder, and how a genuine apology turned out to be one of the most underrated leadership tools he's used. Timestamps 01:31 From Wheelbarrow to Veg Boxes 10:08 Leading Through Constant Change 17:56 Growth Drivers and Father’s Approval 20:15 Leadership Transformation and Coaching 25:27 Employee Ownership in Action 32:09 Why Employee Ownership 41:27 Greenwash and Trust 48:20 Supermarket Bullying Stories Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Guy Singh-Watson on LinkedIn Find out more about Riverford Organic Farmers and their products here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  3. Sep 28

    98. The financial mechanics of scaling a high-value business | Ross Crane

    What if you could see what your Rolex was actually worth before a dealer made an offer? In this episode, James is joined by Ross Crane to explain how that approach became a business, and what other founders can learn from it. Ross Crane co-founded Subdial to make buying and selling pre-owned luxury watches clearer and faster. Its market data helps customers understand watch prices in an industry where values can be difficult to pin down. They discuss how to recognise when an idea has reached a dead end, how to respond when a market drops, and why selling quickly can matter more than holding out for a bigger margin. Ross also shares a difficult decision from before Subdial: closing an earlier venture after six months and returning £220,000 of unused seed funding to investors. Timestamps 01:40 From Consulting to Startups 07:23 Pivoting Into Watches 10:16 Data Driven Pricing Model 21:43 How Subdial Works 32:54 Watches as Investable Hobby 49:32 Consignment Pricing Tiers Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Ross Crane on LinkedIn Find out more about Subdial and their products here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE

  4. Sep 21

    97. How to Scale, Adapt, and Win in a Broken Market | Rio Caraeff

    Building and scaling a venture at the intersection of culture and technology requires deep industry insight, structural thinking, and relentless adaptability. In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Rio Caraeff, Co-President of Musixmatch and former CEO of Vevo. Together they unpack a 30-year career spent shaping how music is distributed, monetized, and consumed globally. Rio shares candid stories from his early life, including how Dolly Parton taught him to read and how his father captured the legendary photo of Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, before detailing his pioneering moves in digital downloads with Steve Jobs and launching Vevo. The conversation delves into the core mechanics and future of the music economy. Rio explains why he views music as a "$10 business stuck in a $5 bag," breaks down the friction caused by fractured global copyrights, and demonstrates how Musixmatch uses AI tools like Sentinel and Music Lens to protect rights holders, while turning decades of lyric metadata into actionable market intelligence. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to move legacy industries forward, a creator navigating the rise of generative AI, or a leader seeking to master complex ecosystems, this episode provides a realistic, forward-looking guide to strategy and innovation. Timestamps 04:36 Growing Up Around Rockstars 07:37 What Music Got Wrong 17:55 Musixmatch Explained 22:44 Administration and Getting Paid 25:24 AI as a Music Superpower 33:30 Creativity Versus AI 39:24 Lyrics as Durable Signal 48:09 Sync and Forecasting Uses 51:52 Optimism and Superpowers Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Rio Caraeff on LinkedIn Find out more about Musixmatch and their services here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  5. Sep 14

    96. The property market has changed. Here’s where the opportunity is now | David Powell

    Navigating a competitive industry requires adaptability, sharp execution, and a clear focus on long-term value. In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with David Powell, CEO of Andrews Property Group, to trace his rise from a 19-year-old negotiator to leading a major property services firm. David shares candid lessons on managing older teams at age 21, rebuilding after his employer collapsed post-2008 crash, and overcoming the "year-off penalty" after taking a 12-month sabbatical. The conversation also explores broader economic and business realities. David breaks down why single-revenue models are giving way to multi-stream operations, how tax burdens directly suppress hiring and growth, and how emerging tech and AI can automate routine tasks to enhance human connection. Whether you are looking to advance your career, navigate market downturns, or lead a purpose-driven business, this episode provides practical insights into resilience and leadership. Timestamps 01:53 Falling Into Property 10:05 Crash and Starting Over 21:22 COVID Pivot to New Homes 28:24 New Models and Income Streams 34:40 Stamp Duty as a Market Brake 40:10 Taxes and Hiring Costs Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow David Powell on LinkedIn Find out more about Andrews Property Group and their services here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  6. Sep 7

    95. A business growth masterclass: Funding, branding and sales strategy | Emma Jones

    Scaling a business demands a clear story, sales strategies, and a realistic approach to capital. In the third episode of our Summer Shorts series, James sits down with Enterprise Nation founder and UK Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones one final time, to dissect what it truly takes to transition from a running startup to a high-growth company. Emma outlines how to build a distinct brand without a massive budget, leveraging free PR opportunities like #JournoRequest, and why standing out comes down to knowing your exact story. The conversation dives into practical sales tactics such as turning your former employer into your very first client to using persistent, value-led updates to close major buyers. Finally, Emma demystifies the funding landscape. She breaks down the critical difference between debt and equity, explains why you should raise "opportunity funding" before you actually need it, and outlines exactly what investors expect in return. Whether you are looking to secure angel investment or simply expand your reach, this episode provides an actionable roadmap for your next stage of growth. This episode concludes our 3-part masterclass with Emma Jones. From spotting your initial business idea in episode one, to setting up your operational foundation in episode two, and scaling for growth in episode three, this series delivers a complete, practical toolkit for every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. Timestamps 06:21 Standing Out and Social Mission 10:09 Getting First Customers 13:04 Sales Follow Up and CRM 19:12 When to Raise Funding 20:22 Funding Sources and Angels 24:47 Debt vs Equity Decisions Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Emma Jones on LinkedIn Find out more about Enterprise Nation and the support they offer here Find out more about the Small Business Commissioner here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  7. Aug 31

    94. How to write a business plan and manage cash flow in year one | Emma Jones

    You can start a business for under £100, but building one that lasts requires navigating a minefield of practical, legal, and financial decisions. In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Emma Jones to break down the mechanics of turning an idea into a fully operational company. Emma walks through the real-world choices every founder faces. From writing a lightweight five-page business plan to deciding whether to trade as a sole trader or a limited company. Emma shares why cash flow, not profit, is the ultimate reality test for a startup, how to protect your brand name without spending thousands, and why bootstrapping for as long as possible gives you complete commercial clarity. This short episode delivers a practical blueprint for managing your admin efficiently, choosing the right insurance, and ensuring your business stays cash-solvent from day one. Timestamps (Audio) 05:13 Sole Trader vs Limited 07:50 Registering and Accountants 10:08 Outsource and Hire Smart 13:35 Protect Your IP 17:13 Bootstrapping on a Budget 19:02 Funding Options 20:45 Costs, Cash and Getting Paid Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Emma Jones on LinkedIn Find out more about Enterprise Nation and the support they offer here Find out more about the Small Business Commissioner here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

  8. Aug 24

    93. How to start a business: The step by step guide | Emma Jones

    How do you start a business? In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Emma Jones, serial entrepreneur, founder of Enterprise Nation, and the UK’s Small Business Commissioner. This is part one of a three-part masterclass on starting a business from scratch. Emma delivers practical, step-by-step advice on how to spot market gaps, validate ideas through smart market research, and build a focused niche. Emma shares insight on why testing a business as a side hustle gives you the space to refine your model, how to navigate early-stage co-founder decisions, and why sharing your idea early brings crucial feedback rather than stolen IP. This short episode gives a clear, realistic blueprint for knowing if your business idea is worth pursuing, leveraging free resources to test demand, and cultivating the daily resilience needed to keep going. Timestamps 02:48 Why Start a Business 09:03 Test and Hustle 11:03 Common Early Mistakes 16:54 Skills and Resilience 19:16 Co-Founders and Mentors Links Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Emma Jones on LinkedIn Find out more about Enterprise Nation and the support they offer here Find out more about the Small Business Commissioner here Submit your application to Reed’s Entrepreneurs Fund for a chance to a £20,000 grant HERE All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

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'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice. Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.

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