The Parenting Business

Stuart Malcolmson with Ben Lovejoy

If you're a parent and you're in business, whether you own it or manage it, then this podcast is for you. Stuart and Ben are both multiple business owners trying to juggle work and family life. We discuss how things are going, the ups and downs of running businesses and how that affects weekly family life. We also talk about other things happening in the world, give our views on it and chat to other parents in business, to discover their stories, secrets, hints and tips for both better business and family life.

  1. My Staff Member Thought I'd Be Fine With Them Bringing Their ...... Into Work!!

    2D AGO

    My Staff Member Thought I'd Be Fine With Them Bringing Their ...... Into Work!!

    SummaryThis week Stuart and Ben waffle on again about real-world challenges faced by business owners, from managing staff behavior and motivation to navigating legal pitfalls with HMRC. This episode offers practical tips on enforcing discipline, improving team performance, and understanding employment law essentials.In this episode:How to implement effective disciplinary procedures and the importance of documentationStrategies to boost staff ownership and proactive behaviorCommon pitfalls with staff bonuses and attendance incentivesDealing with staff illness, repeated sickness, and absenteeism managementLegal realities of employment law and HMRC compliance on wage paymentsThe role of technology, including CCTV, in staff oversight and safetyManaging team conflicts, staff resignations, and handling challenging employee situationsPractical considerations for staff mental health support and workplace wellbeing initiativesDon't forget to hit those Like and Subscribe buttons to catch up with a new show every Thursday. Also, please do get in touch with your own Parenting Business stories, by either leaving us a comment or emailing us directly at podcast@parentingbusiness.comChapters(00:00) - Introduction to managing staff and business challenges(02:15) - Importance of disciplinary procedures posted publicly(04:10) - Strategies for increasing staff accountability and ownership(06:12) - Handling staff sick days and absenteeism thresholds(09:05) - The legal implications of wage underpayment and record-keeping(12:30) - Using CCTV for safety and oversight in the workplace(15:05) - Dealing with staff conflicts and resignations(17:50) - Managing staff mental health and wellness programs(22:00) - The pitfalls of bonuses and incentives for attendance(25:10) - Legal requirements for wage documentation and HMRC compliance(30:50) - Vehicle sale procedures and handling paperwork hassles(37:30) - Staff disputes, team morale, and conflict resolution(40:50) - Staff motivation, ownership, and discipline escalation(45:00) - Handling challenging employee behaviors and mental health issues(50:15) - Benefits and limitations of private health for staff(55:00) - Implementing clear disciplinary steps and consistency(58:30) - Managing repeated sick leave and mental health support(60:10) - Closing thoughts on leadership and business resilience

    1h 2m
  2. How Persistence and Positivity Built A Global Pet Brand: Tarja Keen Shares Her Highs and Lows

    MAY 7

    How Persistence and Positivity Built A Global Pet Brand: Tarja Keen Shares Her Highs and Lows

    Summary This week Stuart and Be chat with Tarja Keen, who shares her remarkable journey through entrepreneurship, personal challenges, and resilience. From managing multiple international moves, building a pet product business, to overcoming cancer and legal battles, her story offers invaluable lessons on perseverance, honesty, and positivity. The guys also share their own personal weekly highs and lows, as well as an interetsing Big Question and Ben's (usually terible) dad joke! Don't forget to hit that follow or subscribe button, to catch a new episode every week. Also, please do get in touch with your own Parenting Business stories, by either leaving us a comment or sending us an email to podcast@parentingbusiness.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to This Weeks Show 18:47 Introduction to Tarja's Journey 21:33 Balancing Business and Family Life 24:35 Cultural Adjustments and Challenges 27:20 Navigating Business Partnerships 30:20 Overcoming Adversity in Business 33:09 The Impact of Health on Business 36:01 Finding Strength in Family Support 39:08 The Role of Passion in Entrepreneurship 41:42 Mental Health and Seeking Help 44:41 Resilience and Moving Forward 55:07 The Turning Point: Seeking Help 57:37 Finding Positivity in Adversity 01:01:29 Lessons Learned: Embracing Change 01:06:12 The Impact of Resilience on Family 01:10:57 Business Breakthroughs: Persistence Pays Off 01:18:54 Reflections on Trust and Regrets 01:21:13 The Joys of Entrepreneurship and Parenting 01:23:41 Looking Ahead: New Beginnings 01:28:02 Resilience in Adversity 01:30:43 The Importance of Focus and Drive 01:33:22 The Role of Raw Conversations in Healing 01:36:12 Mental Health Awareness and Community Support Keywords entrepreneurship, resilience, personal growth, international business, overcoming adversity, pet products, legal battles, cancer survival, parenting, mental health

    1h 37m
  3. Shit Doesn't Just Come From Business Partners But This Episode Might Actually Put You To Sleep!

    APR 23

    Shit Doesn't Just Come From Business Partners But This Episode Might Actually Put You To Sleep!

    Summary This week Ben and Stuart are talking Shit and it's not just their usual drivel! The chat openely about theri usual weekly lows and highs, the shit achievements of their kids, creating routines in life and then generally waffle about their lives and experiences. All of this coupled with the Big Question,Dad Joke of the Week and Ben is pleased to finish the show a bit differently, with a relaxing story to help you really drift off to sleep! Don't forget to subscibe, so that you can catch up with us every Thursday and please do leave us a comment and reiew, to help us spread the message and show other business and parents that they are not alone in their Parenting Business. If you have any stories, hints, tips or just generally want to share your thoughts, please drop us an email to podcast@parentingbusiness.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Catch-up 01:16 Celebrating St. George's Day and Naval Delays 02:15 Family Routine and Personal Updates 03:03 Business Challenges and Company Closure 05:21 Positive Business Developments and Client Trust 06:10 Parenting Milestone: Daughter Sleeps Through the Night 07:26 Children's Sleep Patterns and Bedtime Routines 09:16 Playdates and Socializing Kids 11:27 Parenting Perspectives on Social Play 12:44 Child's Progress and Nappy Off Incidents 14:05 Weekend Plans and Routine Appreciation 15:38 The Power of Routine and Habits 16:48 Setting Goals and Training for Races 19:26 Returning to Fitness and Habit Formation 21:07 Using Challenges to Motivate Change 22:03 Celebrating Recognition and Achievements 23:03 Humorous Questions and Kids' Curiosity 24:58 Humor in Language and Cultural Differences 26:39 Language and Spelling Fun with British and American English 28:09 Uncertainty About Why Jumpers Are Called Jumpers 28:35 Dad Jokes and Parenting Humor 30:53 Upcoming International Guest and Future Plans 31:32 Bedtime Stories and Parenting Humor 32:54 Storytime and Parenting Relaxation 34:25 Humor in Bedtime Routines and Sleep Challenges 35:49 Closing Remarks and Parenting Reflections Keywords parenting, routines, dad jokes, family milestones, humor, parenting challenges, bedtime stories, personal stories

    36 min
  4. Finding The Happiness Beyond Family Challenges

    APR 16

    Finding The Happiness Beyond Family Challenges

    Summary This week Ben shares a lot about the challenges he's faced over the year with members of his family and the effect it's had on him personally. With, at times, very strained relationships between himself and certain family members and how the very sad death of a relative allowed reconciliation for a while. He then shares how a shift in mindset has allowed him to accept that despite the difficulties, he knows there is always reciporical love, no matter what. Coupled with the usual highs and lows, Big Question and Dad joke of the week, it's not all doom and gloom in this heart opening episode. Don't forget that you can contact us to talk about your Parenting Business by either leaving a comment or emailing us at podcast@parentingbusiness.com Please also fo remember to hit the subcribe button and leave us a 5 Star review, to share your love and support, across the world of business ownership and parenting. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Parenting Business Podcast 02:56 The Swear Jar Challenge 05:49 Highs and Lows of Parenting and Business 11:33 Family Time and Quality Experiences 16:17 Exploring Side Hustles and Reselling 19:15 Consumer Tips and Insights 19:32 The Value of Resale and Reuse 20:54 Navigating Family Dynamics and Insecurities 21:22 Understanding Family Relationships and Personal Growth 26:10 The Impact of Family on Personal Identity 29:39 Finding Strength in Adversity 34:36 Rewiring Personal Narratives 37:12 Embracing Change and Moving Forward 44:02 Life Choices and Regrets 45:19 Defining Success 47:53 Happiness and Family Dynamics 50:36 The Pursuit of Happiness 53:57 Understanding Food Sources and Respect for Animals Keywords personal growth, family relationships, insecurities, self-awareness, happiness, life lessons

    1h 4m
  5. From Milkman to Mentor: Chris Morris's Journey Through Adversity - Part 1

    APR 2

    From Milkman to Mentor: Chris Morris's Journey Through Adversity - Part 1

    Summary In this weeks episode, we start our chat with Chris Morris about his profound journey through both personal and professional challenges, including family seperatation, legal battes in the family court and mental resilience. Both Chris and Stuart share a lot of their personal experiences around the family court system and their personal co-parenting challenges, whilst trying to maintain apositive relationship with teir children. They share their insights of the legal system and the importance of remaining child focused, in any seperation. This is just part 1, so don't forget to follow the show, so you can be the first to have access to part 2, next week. Remember, you can get in touch with your stories, questions, tips and dad jokes, by emailing us at podcast@parentingbsusiness.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction, Highs and Lows 21:21 Chris Morris's Early Life and Local Roots 22:49 Initial Court Battles and Emotional Impact 24:32 Chris's Work Background and Entrepreneurial Spirit 25:56 Legal Strategies and Court Order Challenges 27:13 From Milkman to Business Owner: Career Evolution 30:12 Building Relationships with Children Post-Separation 31:30 Personal Tragedies and Family Separation 34:22 The Impact of Family Breakdown on Mental Health 35:26 Managing Mental Health and Personal Resilience 38:08 Balancing Business and Personal Life Challenges 39:55 Negotiation, Flexibility, and Co-Parenting Dynamics 42:53 Legal Battles and Court Experiences 45:28 Reflections on Parenting, Legacy, and Moving Forward 46:25 Reuniting with Children and Overcoming Obstacles 52:38 Advice on Navigating Family Law and Contact Centers 59:42 Mental Health, Coping, and Support Systems 59:45 Round Up and Ben's Dad Joke of The Week Keywords personal resilience, family separation, legal battles, mental health, overcoming adversity, parenting, life challenges, mental strength, family law, personal growth co-parenting, court battles, emotional resilience, legal advice, family relationships, mental health, parenting challenges, court orders, child custody, personal stories

    1h 3m

About

If you're a parent and you're in business, whether you own it or manage it, then this podcast is for you. Stuart and Ben are both multiple business owners trying to juggle work and family life. We discuss how things are going, the ups and downs of running businesses and how that affects weekly family life. We also talk about other things happening in the world, give our views on it and chat to other parents in business, to discover their stories, secrets, hints and tips for both better business and family life.