Mr & Mrs In Business Podcast

Episode 20 - What Is An Entrepreneur

This weeks podcast starts a little differently as there is some tension between Chris & Helen. Chris calls it out and the pair start this weeks episode with let's say some disagreements.
They discuss what an Entrepreneur is, both the actual definition but also how the pair see this person differently.
They ask each other if they would start a business again knowing what they know now.
Chris gives a little insight into what it's actually like running a business, it isn't all a bed of roses as many people would have you believe.
Helen shares how she had to make a difficult call at the start of her business owner journey and how it's shaped her for dealing with similar situations.

Episode 19 - The Impact Of What You Wear

In this weeks episode Chris finds his inner Victor Meldrew and complains about how he is still feeling ill after weeks and is totally fed up of this awful weather. And why is January the longest month of the year?
Helen talks about her passion for fashion and how women are subjected to negative comments about how they look and what they wear where as men seem to not to have these comments.
Helen goes on further to talk about how impactful what you wear actually is, not only does it change how people perceive you but also it can have an positive or negative impact on how you feel.
Why do we all use acronyms and how many of us just make them up on the spot? And is it okay to say to someone you don't know what that means?
Chris's quick tip of the day is to stand when making phone calls and he explains why and how it can help.
Helen's constant thread throughout is can I sing this section 🤣.

Episode 18 - The Importance of Brand Consistency

The pair are back with their first episode of 2025 in the same studio, discussing the same topics relating to business but a few pounds heavier after all the Christmas festivities.
 
In this episode Chris & Helen talk all about the importance of brand consistency, how you can achieve it and why if you haven't already need to make time to get this right before it's too late.
 
Chris talks about a current customer of Two Kraken's that is going through a re-brand at present and how the customer understands the true value of getting it right where so business owners unfortunately don't. Is that due to a lack of education on design agencies part?
 
The pair briefly touch on SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) and why it's important to have them, even when you only have 1 staff member as well urging all listeners to build at least a word document for a basic brand guidelines document to get them started.
 
Helen ends the show telling Chris that her mom listens to the podcast and says and quote "We waffle". How will Chris react?

Episode 17 - It's Christmassss

The pair get all festive as Christmas draws closer and this being the last episode of 2024. Wearing their Christmas jumpers and Helen making the effort to put on Rudolf's antlers.
 
Talking about Christmas traditions, the things you only do or have at Christmas whilst Helen talks about how she punishes herself when she forgets to take a bag when shopping.
 
They talk about everything that has happened in 2024 and a new document they implemented to help them track changes and also help in reflecting on the year with all the amazing things they've achieved.
 
And last but not least, Chris & Helen thank all their amazing customers for their support yet again in 2024. Wishing everyone a fantastic Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
 
It's Chrismasssssss

Episode 16 - We Discuss the Important of Customer Service & Reviews

This week the duo talk all about customer service and how important it is but so many companies get it so wrong as well as customer reviews.
 
They talk about how long it takes to edit the podcasts & Chris battles with his cushion and is convinced it's been changed.
 
We've all good service and bad, the pair discuss past experiences and how they have impacted purchasing decisions.
 
Chris asks Helen if during a buying decision if she likes being called Madam or is just old fashioned and not needed now?
 
Chris goes on to talk about his experience when working for Apple and how they prepare all their sales floor team before they can engage with customers.
 
Helen gives us some states including 93% of people say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions.

Episode 15 - Why Do So Many Of Us Know So Little About Perimenopause?

It’s been eye opening to Helen how many of her peers in their 40s who don’t know anything about perimenopause and that it was even a thing!
 
Luckily enough Helen’s doctor is a menopause specialist and she was treated from her symptoms but all too often women are not listened to and are left to deal with this with no support for long periods of time.
 
Helen shares the tips she’s learning so far to help others.
 
With there being as many as 52 symptoms it can be hard to navigate but listening to our bodies and talking to others will help tremendously.
 
Tracking certain behaviours helped Helen to also identify some of her regular new symptoms.
 
Whilst HRT may not be for everyone for whatever their personal reasons there are so many natural ways in which to navigate this journey too.
 
Helen and Chris discuss how these new behaviours and emotions can also affect many relationships and work environments too and so everyone having a better understanding can only be helpful for everyone involved.

Episode 14 - Did We Do The Right Thing To Bootstrap Our Businesses?

In this weeks episode Chris & Helen talk open and honestly about whether or not bootstrapping their business was the right decision to make? Exploring past decisions and seeing what impact they have had on the business years later.
 
Now they’re filming the podcast in the office it makes life easier but they always end up jumping on the pod only half ready each week.
 
Did Chris overstep the mark when he made an “investment” as he puts it in some lego for him and his son, Helen seems to think not.
 
They discuss Chris & Helens different approaches to money, saving and spending it. Who’s is right? And they look at would they do it differently if they had to do it all over again.
 
Chris finally agrees that maybe he should listen to Helen a little more but will he regret saying this as Helen goes onto tell more?
 
Chris goes on to say that learning as much as you can means you’re in a much better position to be able to hire and buy in services.
 
They end by discussing looking at secondary schools for their son and how they always get a guy feeling when they enter a building, spooky or a sixth sense?

Episode 13 - Mental Health for Business Owners.

This week Helen and Chris touch on mental health, but more specifically mental health for business owners. They discuss the limited support that seems to be available for business owners and mental health and that we all need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves.
 
The podcast studio has moved finally from the garden office and is now at Thread A Pixel HQ with a dedicated podcast studio space as they now threaten to have guests on the show. And Helen is finally stating to keep her audio levels down as she is now conscious she is recording the podcasts at work.
 
Chris is suffering from the dreaded man flu, the worst kind as he goes on to tell us, and tells us briefly why podcasts are so important and how you can leverage them for great social media content.
 
And finally, the dog Bella is getting in on the action and trying to distract Chris & Helen. Will she ruin the podcast? Will she be allowed on the set again? You’ll have to find out.

Episode 12 - We're Back With A Brand New Season, Look & Vibe.

It's been a hot minute and Chris is feeling a little bit nervous about starting the podcasts again. However Helen and Chris do both agree they enjoy the podcasts together as they see them as therapy. 
 
It's been a good few months since their last podcast together. There's a new look to the podcast, a new look to them both with a little bit more timber and there is just a new vibe.
 
It's only just begun and Chris is telling Helen off for the way she has moved her initial mic position and so it will effect the way her voice sounds on the microphone so she must correct herself. First argument on camera and counting!
 
Since they released their season one podcasts there were a couple of negative nancy comments from some, but on the most part everyone has been so supportive and very positive and this has really spurred them both on to carry on with their therapy sessions, we mean podcast sessions!
 
Helen and Chris explain how they've been busy with new team members, completely changing the look of the showroom and have felt really humbled and supported by their customers with many of them becoming from trusted friends.
 
They're filming in the same location as season one, in the back of their garden in their converted office, where it's a complete mess behind the scenes with Chris' tools and Christmas decorations in the background. 
 
They’re excited about a potential new business idea that they would love to do with the podcast but that's a secret for now. But we can let you into that secret because it was so long before they filmed the next episode after this one that we can confirm that the new podcast set is now located in their Two Krakens and Thread a Pixel office space now with the podcast area that you can rent for podcasts or video interviews that you wish to carry out. Exciting times!
 
They share a laugh with the new pouting facial expression they've taken on since watching the apprentice series and have a giggle about how silly they look. You kind of have to see the video for this one. However it's now become habit to them both. They discussed their admiration for the team that run the apprentice and how they both have a crush on Karen Brady!
 
Helen discusses the different change in her personal circumstances entering perimenopause and how she wants to be open with others going through this as it's such a huge life change to women as they get older and how so many women and men don't know much about it. So she's very passionate about discussing what she learns along the way in order to help others feel a little more at ease going through this huge change in women's lives.
 
After Helen and Chris briefly explain what they've been up to for the last couple of months along with the new vibe and look to the podcast and how they've managed to create it on a tight budget, Chris shares his passion about how he wants to share on their podcasts how you can create new marketing material for your business and change things in your business that don't need to cost the earth. They want to continue to be open honest and share the good and bad about business and life. It is not always easy and being vulnerable can be really helpful. Chris explains how he feels businesses in America are so much more honest and open and seem more willing to work and support each other more than some businesses in the UK.
 
They wrap up with some songs with some rude words in that their son had heard and discuss some old school past time songs before signing off until another two weeks time to discuss more business and personal aspects in life.
 
Hope you liked the new look, the new intro, the few songs, the arguments, the honesty and the new vibe!

Change in Work & Personal Lives

In this weeks episode we welcome back Helen & Chris from their Christmas break and talk about change in both work and in their personal lives.
 
But before they get into change they fumble their way from an intro as Chris struggles to get in podcast mode with awkward silences and lots of deep thinking.
 
When is it too late to say to someone “Happy New Year”? Helen thinks it’s already too late where as Chris isn’t quite sure.
 
Chris goes onto to discuss change at work and how it’s inevitable that change will come and both try not to burst into song every-time they say change.
 
To sum it all up Chris forgets to check the batteries on the mic recorder but doesn’t realise until the recorder switches off just as they start to wrap up the podcast.
 
Chris promises to do better next time and be better prepared. 
 
Enjoy!