Philippa is a self-proclaimed "shameless techie" with a passion for human connection, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Together with two long-time colleagues (and now co-founders), she launched Share Three – a tech consultancy that delivers document management systems, automated workflows, and AI-ready tools to businesses who want to work smarter, not harder.

But this episode isn’t just about technology – it’s about mindset, motivation, and the often-messy reality of running and growing a small business. Philippa shares her story with warmth, humour, and honesty, offering real-world tools, frameworks, and philosophies that any entrepreneur or solopreneur will find valuable.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ Superpower vs Kryptonite
Philippa reveals how her biggest strength – a genuine love of people and ideas – can sometimes trip her up. She explains how setting clear goals based on who she wants to be helps her stay focused and avoid shiny-object syndrome.

📦 Tackling Digital Clutter
From overflowing inboxes to chaotic file systems, Philippa breaks down the concept of digital waste and why businesses need to take their digital footprint as seriously as their environmental one.

📅 Monday Mindset & Momentum
Hear why Philippa treats every Monday like January 1st, and how starting the week with optimism can help sustain energy through Wednesday wobbles.

🛠️ A Hidden Gem: Microsoft Sway
Discover the underused Microsoft tool that Philippa swears by for client communication, sales brochures, and collaborative content – no developer needed.

🎭 Networking Through Nostalgia
Learn about Philippa’s unique approach to business networking – using pop culture themes like The A-Team, Friends, and Fawlty Towers to spark meaningful conversations and community-building.

📚 Book Recommendations That Matter
Philippa shares the two books she most often gives to friends and colleagues:

Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell – a poetic reminder to stay playful and curious.
Art Matters by Neil Gaiman – a powerful ode to imagination, creativity, and the change-makers within us all.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“My superpower is also my kryptonite – I love people so much that I want to say yes to everything.”

“We think going digital solves all our problems, but it creates new ones – like digital clutter. And it has a carbon footprint too.”

“If you want to stay focused, align your tasks with the person you want to be.”

“Don't beat yourself up for getting distracted. Learn from it and make a different decision next time.”

👥 About the Guest – Philippa Perryman (Coles):
Philippa is a developer, consultant, and co-founder of Share Three, a tech consultancy that believes in the power of collaboration and incremental improvement. She’s passionate about helping businesses use technology with purpose, empathy, and efficiency. When she’s not building systems, she’s probably reading, gifting books, or running themed networking events based on retro pop culture.

Connect with Philippa:
 🌐 https://www.sharethree.co.uk
 🔗 LinkedIn

Susanna’s journey has taken her across three continents, twenty cities, and countless pivots. From her early days navigating online work long before it was mainstream, to publishing The Introvert Way Roadmap and launching the Superfast Authority Summit, she’s become a champion for entrepreneurs who want to share their expertise authentically – especially those who find traditional, extroverted business tactics exhausting.

This conversation is full of practical strategies, honest reflections, and empowering ideas for entrepreneurs who want to grow their influence, simplify their message, and design a business that works with (not against) their natural energy.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ Origin Story: From Nomad to Coach
Susanna shares how moving across continents taught her to embrace online work, and how her recognition of her introversion became the foundation of her coaching practice.

🔄 Pivoting with Purpose
She explains why she moved away from binary labels like “female entrepreneurs” or “introvert vs extrovert” and created a more inclusive, human-first space for authority building.

📣 The Superfast Authority Summit
Learn how Susanna flipped the “speaker-fest” model on its head – prioritising interaction, collaboration, and peer learning – and why attendees found the real magic in the breakout rooms.

🖼️ The Power of Simplicity and Visuals
Why frameworks, models, and visual storytelling cut through today’s avalanche of content – and how entrepreneurs can simplify their ideas to make a bigger impact.

💡 Superpower or Kryptonite?
Discover how Susanna reframed her introversion from a weakness into a superpower – and how you can lean into your own natural strengths to build rapport and authority.

🛠️ Tools That Fuel Creativity
From Instagram Reels and Google Docs to interactive platforms like Miro, Susanna reveals the tools she uses daily to collaborate, co-create, and share ideas with impact.

🌿 Energy, Balance, and Focus
Hear how she structures her week with “task blocking” (not rigid time blocking), why she always takes walks without headphones, and how procrastination can sometimes be your brain’s best problem-solving tool.

📚 Book Recommendation: Playing Big by Tara Mohr
The book Susanna most often recommends, Playing Big inspires entrepreneurs to overcome self-doubt, take bold leaps, and translate ideas into action – perfectly aligned with her philosophy of building authority step by step.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“Introversion isn’t kryptonite – it’s my superpower.”

“Content is overwhelming. The world doesn’t need more noise – it needs clarity, simplicity, and ideas that cut through.”

“Authority isn’t built by shouting the loudest, it’s built by creating frameworks people remember.”

“The magic happens in the conversation, not just in the keynote.”

👥 About the Guest – Susanna Reay
Susanna Reay is an international business coach, author of The Introvert Way Roadmap, and creator of the Superfast Authority Summit. Known as the Authority Architect, she helps entrepreneurs transform their expertise into clear, visual frameworks that build visibility, credibility, and authority. Passionate about inclusivity and simplicity, she empowers small business owners to share their brilliance without overwhelm.

Connect with Susanna:
 🌐 https://susannareay.com
 🔗 LinkedIn

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a fellow entrepreneur
⭐ Leave a review to help others find the show
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that keep you going strong into the second half of the week
📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest!

Merewyn’s journey is anything but straightforward. From her roots in Essex and West Sussex, to setting up home in Yorkshire, to travelling and working across Europe, she’s navigated twists, setbacks, and opportunities with resilience and curiosity. Along the way, she discovered a passion for small business marketing and strategy—and for helping others find clarity in their business plans.

In this episode, Merewyn shares her origin story, from early career frustrations at being held back without a degree, to returning to university later in life and discovering that marketing is so much more than “selling.” She explains how her love of community and connection grew into multiple ventures, including Sayers Solutions, a consultancy helping small businesses with marketing and strategic planning, and HD8 Network, a vibrant local business hub she founded to support collaboration in West Yorkshire.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why networking is more than sales—and how to use it for research, collaboration, and genuine support.
The highs and lows of running networking events—from informal pub meetups to structured speed sessions to online FSB calls with 50+ attendees.
How the pandemic reshaped networking and why the FSB’s online model has become a lifeline for business owners nationwide.
The importance of “strong ties” and “weak ties” in building a meaningful network that gives both encouragement and honest feedback.
Merewyn’s Four-Part Plan for simplifying your business strategy: know where you want to go, understand where you are now, identify what to do, and measure your progress.
Why tools like the Remarkable tablet have transformed her workflow—and why sometimes the simplest pen-and-paper scribble still holds the most value.

Merewyn also gets candid about the realities of running a business—the ups, the downs, and the importance of “just keep swimming” when things feel tough. She shares how finding your “tribe” can give you the energy and perspective you need to keep moving forward.

📚 Book Recommendations:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – her go-to classic for inspiration and reflection.
The Smiler – the autobiography of legendary DJ Smiley, a story about resilience, reinvention, and the power of culture and creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and reminders that you’re not alone in your journey. Networking, strategy, and community are not just “extras”—they’re the foundations that help small businesses thrive.

✨ Connect with Merewyn:

LinkedIn – Merewyn Sayers
Sayers Solutions
HD8 Network (now Work Rest & Play)

🙌 If you enjoyed this episode of Halftime Huddle, please remember to subscribe, rate, and share with a friend or fellow business owner. Every share helps us bring more stories and support to small businesses across the UK.

Rachel has built a career spanning local journalism, copywriting, and now public affairs communications. She helps organisations and small business owners uncover their overlooked stories, connect with audiences, and communicate with clarity. Through her workshops, strategy support, and Rachel’s Writing Club, she gives people the tools and confidence to write with impact.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ Finding Your Story
Rachel shares how small business owners often overlook their most powerful stories, and how to identify the unique experiences and values that make you stand out.

🔄 Co-working, Community & Support
From “Co Work Crew” to her Writing Club, Rachel explains why surrounding yourself with peers helps build confidence, accountability, and new ideas.

📣 Superpowers, Kryptonite & Growth
Mark and Rachel discuss how weaknesses often become strengths, and why understanding your “kryptonite” can help you move forward in business.

💡 Tools & Practices That Work
Bullet journaling, Notion, FreeAgent, and Fathom AI – Rachel reveals the practical tools that help her stay organised and productive.

🌍 Social Media & Democracy
A frank conversation about algorithms, echo chambers, and why we need to stay aware of who controls our online spaces.

📚 Book Recommendations

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang – a powerful reminder of the productivity benefits of rest.
Lifescale: How to Live a More Creative, Productive, and Happy Life by Brian Solis – an eye-opening guide to escaping distraction and reclaiming focus.

💬 Quotes to Remember:
“Your values, your personality – that’s what makes you stand out.”
“You have to do the thinking. That’s uncomfortable, but that’s where the magic happens.”

👥 About the Guest – Rachel Extance
Rachel Extance is a communications consultant based in Cambridge with a background in journalism. She works with organisations in public policy, research, and the third sector to help them communicate their impact more effectively. Through Rachel’s Writing Club, she also supports consultants and entrepreneurs who want to write more confidently and consistently.

Connect with Rachel:

 🌐 rachelextance.com
 🔗 LinkedIn – Rachel Extance

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
 🗣 Share it with a friend
 ⭐ Leave a review
 🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
 📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Tania has spent over 20 years in communications, from radio and TV in Mexico to teaching, journalism, and branding. Today, she helps changemakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs find their voice, align with their true selves, and build fulfilling businesses without sacrificing wellbeing.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:
✨ Your Inner Ecosystem – Why business success starts with self-awareness, confidence, and working with your natural wiring rather than against it.
🔄 From Kryptonite to Superpower – How challenges, doubts, and limiting stories can be reframed into strengths that fuel your growth.
📣 Communication vs. Connection – Why true communication is about connection, not just words, and how to bring more humanity into your business.
🌱 Learning from Nature – The cycles, seasons, and rhythms of nature as a guide for building sustainable businesses and avoiding burnout.
🤝 Collaboration and Community – The power of surrounding yourself with others, sharing struggles, and building together instead of in isolation.

📚 Book Recommendation
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Tania encourages us to revisit this classic through the eyes of entrepreneurs, uncovering lessons on meaning, creativity, and perspective.

💬 Quotes to Remember:
“Communication doesn’t mean we are connecting. Real connection comes when we embrace who we are.”
“Our real purpose in life is not what we do – it’s who we are.”

👥 About the Guest – Tania Blanco
Tania Blanco is an empowerment and self-leadership mentor and holistic communications strategist based in Switzerland. With a background spanning media, education, and branding, she now supports changemakers and entrepreneurs to embrace their inner genius, align with their purpose, and communicate with clarity and confidence. Her approach blends communications expertise with psychology, emotional intelligence, and a deep respect for wellbeing and nature.

Connect with Tania Blanco:
 🔗 LinkedIn – Tania Blanco

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
 🗣 Share it with a friend
 ⭐ Leave a review
 🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
 📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

As the founder of AGame Masterminds, I work with early-stage entrepreneurs (1-5 years in business) who are passionate about making an impact but seem to be stuck in a groundhog day, not making the progress they had wanted. 

AGame Masterminds break that stalemate, by bringing together like minded business owners all looking to build and grow profitable, long lasting and resilient businesses, to support, problem-solve and grow together in mastermind groups and other community spaces.

I have been coaching since 2002, and often work with business owners 1:1.  My approach combines strategic planning, accountability, creative problem-solving, community support, and agile methodologies to help my clients scale with clarity and confidence.

Key Focus Areas:

🌟Small Business Coaching

🌟Mastermind Groups for Entrepreneurs

🌟Business Growth Strategy

🌟Gamification & Play-Based Learning

🌟Creative Problem Solving

🌟Accountability & Peer Support

🌟AI Tools & Technology for Small Business Growth

With a background spanning software development, agile leadership, corporate consulting, and coaching since 2002, I’ve worked with startups, microbusinesses, and global brands like IBM and British Airways. My proprietary frameworks including "54321…Play" and "MAGIC Daily Quest" give business owners actionable tools to build momentum, stay focused, and avoid burnout.

Whether you're launching, scaling, or pivoting, my mission is to help you transform passion into profit, while building a resilient, purpose-driven business that’s built to last.

Also: lifelong journaler and writer, sci-fi and comic fan, gamer and believer in the power of play, collaboration and story.

Currently open to collaborations, speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, and partnerships focused on supporting small business success both through collaborative structures like masterminds, together with leveraging AI and emerging technologies.

Gudrun has been a published writer for nearly three decades and now helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs share their message with clarity and confidence. She’s passionate about supporting people who want to make a difference – guiding them to find their authentic voice and attract the right clients.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ The Journey Back to Writing
From teenage book reviews at Waterstones to a career in copywriting, Gudrun shares how she returned to her first love after years in admin and corporate roles.

🔄 Living and Working in Rural France
What prompted her move from Newcastle to Brittany – and how life among farmers and festivals shapes her business and creativity.

📣 Designing Work Around Your Life
Gudrun opens up about managing her health, setting boundaries, and structuring her business around how (and when) she works best.

📝 Authenticity in Copywriting
Why your voice matters, how to repel the wrong clients, and the importance of consistency across blogs, websites, and social media.

🎙 Accidental Podcaster
How “The Apple Cart” podcast started as a small project and grew into a fully-fledged show with multiple seasons and a queue of guests.

📚 Book Recommendation
Rare Breed by Sunny Bonnell & Ashleigh Hansberger – a bold take on embracing your quirks and standing out in business.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“Make your business work for you – it should support your health and your life, not the other way around.”

“Don’t be afraid to put people off. The wrong clients will drain you; the right ones will energise you.”

Tools & Resources Gudrun Mentioned for Podcasting
Zoom – for recording interviews (paid version, to avoid cut-offs).
Audacity – free audio editing software (used by her husband who edits the podcast).
Canva – for creating simple podcast graphics and visuals.
Captivate – podcast hosting and distribution platform (her main recommendation).
Microphone: Blue Snowball (Yeti Snowball) – affordable external USB mic.
Pop filter / pop shield – inexpensive attachment to reduce plosive sounds.
Music – intro/outro theme (she sourced hers from her musician brother, but mentioned you can also buy royalty-free music).

🔧 Other mentions / resources:

Colin Gray (“The Podcast Host”) – blog and resources for podcasters.
Alitu – an easy-to-use podcast editing/production tool recommended by Colin Gray.
Tim Lewis – guest on her show, with strong advice on podcasting tech.

👥 About the Guest – Gudrun Lauret
Gudrun Lauret is a copywriter, content strategist, and host of The Apple Cart podcast. With 28 years of published writing experience, she helps small business owners communicate their messages clearly, attract the right clients, and stay consistent with content. Now based in Brittany, France, Gudrun combines her love of history, storytelling, and authenticity to support purpose-driven entrepreneurs.

Connect with Gudrun:
🌐 https://gudrunlauret.com/
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gudrunlauret-communications/

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
 🗣 Share it with a friend
 ⭐ Leave a review
 🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
 📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Amanda’s journey is anything but linear – from assistant director in the Irish film industry to award-winning blogger and social media consultant, she’s built a career helping business owners make sense of their digital marketing. Now, she’s passionate about turning analytics from something overwhelming into a practical tool for smarter decision-making.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ A Creative Path to Clarity
Amanda shares how her early career in film and her first business selling corporate gifts led her into the world of social media and digital marketing – and how each pivot taught her to embrace change and learning.

🔄 Finding Focus through Analytics
Why knowing what questions to ask is the real key to making analytics useful, and how Amanda’s ACEE Framework (Ask, Collect, Evaluate, Execute) helps business owners track what truly matters.

📈 The Tools That Keep Her on Track
From Trello and Toggle Track to Microsoft Clarity and Analytics Debugger, Amanda reveals the apps she uses to stay productive and informed without losing her creative edge.

🧭 Productivity with Purpose
Amanda’s practical routines for structuring her week, avoiding burnout, and balancing creativity with discipline – including her “no weekend work” rule.

📚 Book Recommendations

Content Fortress by Lindsay Cambridge and Martin Atch – a guide to building trust and protecting your business with the right content.
Content Chemistry by Andy Crestodina – a visual, practical manual for crafting high-performing websites and content.

💬 Quotes to Remember:
“Analytics works as long as you know what you’re focusing on.”
“You can’t just ask ‘Why isn’t my website converting?’ – you need smaller questions that lead to the big one.”
“It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing what makes the most impact.”

Tools Mentioned:
Analytics & Marketing Tools
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) – Amanda’s main area of expertise; used for tracking website performance and visitor behaviour.
Microsoft Clarity – A free session recording and heatmap tool that shows how users interact with your website (great for spotting UX issues).
Google Tag Manager – Mentioned as part of analytics setup to track custom events.
Analytics Debugger (Chrome Extension) – A small tool (with a duck icon 🦆) used to check whether analytics and tag manager are installed correctly on a website.

📋 Productivity & Focus Tools
Trello – Used for weekly planning, task management, and structuring workdays.
Toggl Track – Time-tracking app Amanda uses to stay focused, measure productive hours, and avoid overworking.
Google Calendar / Scheduling (implied) – For structuring workdays (client days, creative days, and learning Fridays).

👥 About the Guest – Amanda Webb
Amanda Webb is the founder of Spiderworking, where she helps small business owners turn digital analytics into meaningful action. A pioneer in social media marketing and former film industry professional, Amanda combines creativity with analytical thinking to make data accessible, engaging, and empowering. She also runs Analytics Ace, a group training program designed to help entrepreneurs master Google Analytics.

Connect with Amanda:
 🌐 www.spiderworking.com
🔗 LinkedIn – Amanda Webb

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing their businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave a review
🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Suzan shares how one simple “no” from a client years ago sparked her mission to redefine how introverts approach marketing. She now guides entrepreneurs to find strategies that fit their personality, build confidence over time, and make marketing fun again.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode:

✨ Marketing That Fits You
Suzan explains why marketing should feel natural, not forced — and how to design a strategy that reflects your strengths and comfort zone.

🔄 From Perfection to Progress
You don’t need to be perfect to get started. Suzan and Mark discuss the power of “messy first drafts” and learning through doing.

📣 Energy Management for Introverts
Discover how to manage your energy midweek, create sustainable routines, and honour your natural rhythms without guilt.

💡 Confidence Comes After Action
Suzan breaks down why confidence isn’t a prerequisite — it’s a result of trying, adjusting, and trying again.

🧩 Marketing as a Habit
Learn why consistency and small habits matter more than grand plans, and how Suzan’s Introverts Marketing Academy (IMA) helps clients build habits that last.

📚 Book Recommendation:
Atomic Habits by James Clear – a powerful guide to building better habits through small, consistent actions. Suzan rereads it regularly and even includes it in her coaching program.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“Confidence doesn’t come before action — it comes after you’ve done the thing.”
 “There’s perfection in our imperfection — people connect with the real you.”
 “Marketing isn’t about being everywhere; it’s about being yourself where it matters most.”

👥 About the Guest – Suzan Czajkowski
Suzan Czajkowski is a marketing consultant and communication coach who specialises in helping introverted entrepreneurs thrive authentically. Through her Introverts Marketing Academy and group programs, she empowers clients to create sustainable marketing systems that work with their energy and personality. Suzan’s thoughtful, practical approach helps small business owners build confidence, consistency, and joy in how they show up online. Checkout the Quiet Marketing Handbook (note affiliate link so if you follow up then I may get some support from Suzan - but you still pay the same price)

Connect with Suzan:
 🌐 www.suzancz.com
🔗 Instagram: @suzancz

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing their businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave a review
🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Mark shares his journey from graphic designer to coach and author, and how understanding the four core fears—I’m not ready, I’m not good enough, I don’t have time, and what if I fail—can unlock personal and professional growth. This is a conversation about mindset, motivation, and learning to move forward with gentle confidence.

✨ From Design to Mindset Coaching
Mark reveals how a career in visual communication and creativity led him to discover the real magic behind motivation—helping people reconnect with their “why.”

🔄 The Four Fears Framework
Discover the four fears that hold so many business owners back and how to transform them from barriers into opportunities for growth.

📣 Progress Over Perfection
Why chasing “perfect” often prevents progress—and how learning to act, test, and adapt helps us move forward.

💬 The Power of Connection
How networking and finding your “tribe” can quiet the inner critic and help business owners stay focused, supported, and inspired.

💡 Self-Reflection and Ongoing Learning
Mark discusses the value of continued self-work, accountability, and learning from the very people he coaches.

📚 Book Recommendation
Life Will See You Now by Gavin Oates – a funny, uplifting reminder to make the most of the time we have and to live with more intention and joy.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“You can’t destroy fear—you can only learn to work with it.”

“It’s okay not to be where you planned to be today. Give yourself permission to adjust and keep moving.”

“When you’re alone, the fears get louder. When you’re connected, they get quieter.”

👥 About the Guest – Mark Franklin
Mark Franklin is a mindset strategist, business coach, and author helping entrepreneurs and creative professionals overcome the four core fears that hold them back. Drawing on his background in graphic design and leadership development, he now works with individuals and teams to build clarity, confidence, and momentum. His gentle yet powerful approach helps business owners rediscover their purpose and reconnect with what truly drives them.

Connect with Mark Franklin:
 🌐 markfranklin.co.uk
🔗 LinkedIn: @markfranklinuk

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave a review
🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Alan shares his journey from choosing yellow as his personal colour at 18 to building a business all about helping others shine. Through practical stories and genuine reflections, he and Mark unpack visibility, balance, and building a business that fits your life — not the other way around.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode

✨ The Power of Standing Out
How a bold yellow suit and a desire to be authentic became the foundation for a business built on visibility and connection.

🔄 Business on Your Terms
Alan explains why no two routes to success are the same — and how to tune out the noise of “you must” advice to find what works for you.

📣 The Analogy That Keeps on Giving
Mark and Alan’s journey-to-Scotland metaphor explores how knowing your destination is one thing, but understanding your way of getting there is what really matters.

💡 Making the Internet Work for You
Alan’s practical visibility tips: connect your digital dots, label your content so people can find it, and make sure your hard work online works for you.

💬 Quotes to Remember

“If you’re going to put something online, make sure the librarian knows where to file it.”

“Business should be on your terms – your route, your pace, your Scotland.”

📚 Book Recommendations

Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins – A powerful story of mental toughness and pushing past limits.
A Beastly Adventure – Sarah Beeny – On building a life and career through bold choices.
A Mad World, My Masters – John Simpson – A reflection on adventure, courage, and the power of curiosity.

👥 About the Guest – Alan Braithwaite
Alan Braithwaite is the co-founder of Yellow Tuxedo, a business focused on helping entrepreneurs and small business owners boost their online visibility. With his trademark yellow attire and down-to-earth approach, Alan champions authenticity, community, and making marketing simple, human, and fun.

Connect with Alan:
 🌐 https://yellowtuxedo.co.uk
🔗 LinkedIn – Alan Braithwaite

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
 🗣 Share it with a friend
 ⭐ Leave a review
 🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
 📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Janine shares her journey from corporate marketing to helping service-based business owners craft clear, confident messaging and offers that sell without sleazy tactics. It’s an honest, practical, and often funny conversation about self-belief, creativity, and finding a rhythm that works for you.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode

✨ From Corporate to Coaching
Janine explains how leaving the corporate world led her to discover her passion for helping small-business owners clarify their positioning and message.

🔄 What It Means to Be “Coach-Shaped”
Not every coach fits the same mould – Janine breaks down her inclusive idea of “coach-shaped people,” from mentors to consultants who bring a coaching mindset to their work.

📣 Finding Your Voice (and Using Humour)
Drawing on her experience with stand-up comedy and singing, Janine shares how creativity and play can make marketing more authentic – and more fun.

📋 The Power of Messaging
Why clear, confident messaging is at the heart of good marketing – and how revisiting it regularly keeps you aligned with your ideal clients.

🧩 Routines, Gratitude, and Productivity
From morning rituals to realistic to-do lists and the Pomodoro timer, Janine reveals the small daily habits that keep her momentum going.

💡 Support Networks and Consistency
We talk about accountability partners, peer masterminds, and how showing up consistently (even with repurposed content!) builds trust over time.

📚 Book Recommendations

The Content Fortress by Lindsay Cambridge & Martin Huntbach – for building stronger, clearer content boundaries.
Don’t Eat the Frog by Vicki Quinn Fraser – ADHD-friendly productivity advice that flips the “eat the frog” idea on its head.
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – a reminder that creativity often begins with borrowing well.

💬 Quotes to Remember

“There’s no magic formula for marketing – it only works if it works for you.”

“If your messaging is right, you’re already 80 percent of the way there.”

👥 About the Guest – Janine Coombes
Janine Coombes is a marketing strategist and the author of The Easy Yes: No More Maybes – How to Land Your Ideal Coaching Clients Without Sleazy Tactics. She helps “coach-shaped people” – coaches, consultants, and mentors – position their businesses, refine their messaging, and build offers that feel good and sell well. Her style blends smart marketing with warmth, humour, and a healthy dose of self-awareness.

Connect with Janine:
 🌐 https://janinecoombes.co.uk
🔗 LinkedIn
📘 Book site: https://easy-yes.com

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small-business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing their businesses.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave a review
🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
📩 Get in touch if you’d like to be a guest

Vanda’s journey began in neurorehabilitation, working with people rebuilding their lives after major neurological conditions. When her own health forced a career change, she discovered NLP and the incredible potential of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Now, she helps others do just that: intentionally reshape their thoughts, habits, and self-beliefs to create lasting change.

🧠 Highlights from the Episode

✨ From Neuro Rehab to NLP
Vanda shares how a slipped disc led her from working with patients recovering from strokes and Parkinson’s to helping people rewire their thinking through NLP and hypnotherapy.

🔄 The Power of Reframing
She explains how shifting perspective can transform perceived weaknesses into strengths—and why our so-called “limitations” often hide our greatest superpowers.

💬 Cause vs. Effect Thinking
Discover how taking responsibility for what you can control helps you move from feeling powerless to empowered.

🕯️ Becoming a Tour Guide to Your Own Mind
Vanda unpacks how she helps clients navigate their inner world—holding up a metaphorical torch so they can see, understand, and shape their own thoughts.

☕ Micro Breaks that Make a Macro Difference
Her practical tip for midweek slumps: take short, mindful breaks. Even two minutes of grounding or box breathing can reset your energy and focus.

📚 Book Recommendation
Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross — a powerful look at how our self-talk shapes our wellbeing and how to turn inner chatter into a strength.

💬 Quotes to Remember

“There is no failure, only feedback.”
 “You are not broken. You just need someone to hold the light while you explore your own mind.”

👥 About the Guest – Vanda Varga
Vanda Varga is a Certified NLP Trainer, Hypnotherapist, and Mindfulness Practitioner based in Hampshire. Originally trained in neurorehabilitation, she now helps individuals and teams enhance their mental fitness, resilience, and self-belief. Known for her signature yellow brand and her warm, practical approach, she’s passionate about guiding people to become their own “tour guides” to the mind.

Connect with Vanda:
 🌐 vandavarga.co.uk
🔗 LinkedIn – Vanda Varga
📸 Instagram: @nlpwithvanda

🎙 About Halftime Huddle
Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

✅ If you enjoyed this episode:
🗣 Share it with a friend
⭐ Leave a review
🔔 Subscribe for more midweek conversations
📩 Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Mike Garner has spent nearly 30 years "being responsible for his own income" – from translator in France to copywriter to storytelling expert. After 2020's personal traumas became his breakthrough year, Mike discovered that the stories we think are boring are often the most remarkable. In this conversation, you'll hear honest, practical insights about overcoming self-doubt, using AI as a tool (not a replacement), and celebrating progress with done lists instead of drowning in endless to-do lists.

Mike shares how writer Neil Gaiman met "a little old man called Neil" at a gathering of achievers – both feeling like they'd done nothing special. That man was Neil Armstrong. If the first person on the moon can feel ordinary, there's hope for us all.

How his mother's death from Alzheimer's and his wife's cancer diagnosis became the unexpected catalyst for finding his voice after 40 years of silence – and why rolling with the punches is sometimes your only option.

Mike's brilliant "meat and veg" analogy: AI provides the structure, but you add the ketchup, the HP sauce, the Tabasco – your personality is what makes content yours.

Why tracking accomplishments on a Trello board fights negativity bias and helps you see what you've achieved, not just what's left to do.

Know who you DON'T want as clients. The massive red flag? "I want to target everybody."

Why "Don't brag" and "Stay in your lane" messaging keeps entrepreneurs from sharing their stories – and how to break free.

"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel – Life-changing for Mike's relationship with wealth and success; explores how we think about money beyond the numbers.

"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks – Practical storytelling techniques including the "Homework for Life" practice: capturing one story-worthy moment each day to mine your timeline for hidden gold.

"If Neil Armstrong can feel that he's done nothing special in his life, then I think there's hope for us all."

"The content that comes out is your meat and veg. But I need to put the ketchup on, the HP sauce. I give it the flavor."

"The day I stopped trying to be someone I'm not, I gained so much energy."

Mike Garner is the founder of Stories That Matter, a consultancy helping entrepreneurs discover and share their authentic stories. With nearly 30 years of self-employment experience spanning translation, copywriting, and storytelling expertise, Mike brings a history graduate's perspective to personal branding – viewing careers as transformational narratives rather than linear paths. He maintains a 600-day writing streak on 750words.com and a 2,500-day Duolingo streak, embodying the consistency he preaches.

Connect with Mike Garner:

- LinkedIn: Mike Garner

- Website: How to Show Off - Stories That Matter

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

1. Share it with a friend who battles imposter syndrome

2. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform

3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations

4. Reach out if you'd like to be a guest

James West is a former journalist turned networking entrepreneur learned that treating people well before you need them always pays off. In this conversation, you’ll hear honest, practical stories about his journey from unemployed to building a thriving online business network, the mental health lifeline networking provided, and why curiosity beats pitching every time.

The “Married on Second Date” Networking Mistake – James explains why asking people to buy before they know you never works. Hit-and-run networking fails because people need to validate who you are before they’ll work with you or refer you.
Dunbar’s Number Strategy: Why 8 People = 1,200 Connections – You don’t need to meet 1,000 people. James breaks down the mathematics of smart networking: 8 genuinely engaged people × 150 connections each = 1,200 potential second-degree connections.
Online Networking is More Accessible Than You Think – Who’s missing from in-person networking events? Working parents, full-time carers, introverts, people with disabilities, and anyone more than 20 miles away. James and his wife Kelly built ONLE specifically for people who can’t attend traditional events, including themselves as carers for their special needs daughter.
Mental Health and Meaningful Connections – In a vulnerable moment, James shares how networking saved his mental health during a difficult period as a solo entrepreneur. The meaningful connections he found in his networking group became his lifeline when he felt isolated and bereft. Running a business is tough, and genuine community matters.
Curiosity as a Networking Superpower – Stop pitching and start asking questions. James’s journalist background taught him that genuine curiosity about people opens doors that sales tactics never will.

“Flip It” by Michael Heppell – James credits this book with helping reshape his worldview during difficult times. The core premise: if the same event happens to 100 people, why don’t they all react the same way? It’s about how you position events in your mind.

“The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” by Kobe Bryant – Not about the flash and fame, but about learning to enjoy the process – even the hard parts like ice baths and overtime games. If you can learn to enjoy the worst bits of what you do, that’s when you’re winning.

“We ask people to get married on the second date. Hi, you don’t know me. Do you want to buy this thing for 3000 quid?”

“The best way to get attention is to give it.”

“At a time when my mental health was really poor, networking was the one time I actually felt all right.”

James West with his wife and co-founder Kelly, (whom he met at a networking event) founded of ONLE Networking (Online Networking Live Experiences), a thriving online business network built on the principle of relationship-first connections. A former magazine journalist and editor, James transitioned into networking after losing his job.

Connect with James West:
- Website: https://www.theonlenetwork.com/
- LinkedIn: James West LinkedIn profile

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

If you enjoyed this episode:
1. Share it with a friend
2. Leave a review
3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations
4. Reach out if you’d like to be a guest -> podcast at agamers.co

Kate Llewellyn is a content marketing strategist. In this conversation, you’ll hear practical and permission-giving stories about creating content consistently, redefining success around happiness, and supporting entrepreneur mental health.

The MCC (Minimum Content Commitment) Framework – Kate introduces her signature system for sustainable content creation. The magic? Permission to do LESS often means you actually do it CONSISTENTLY.
Permission to Repurpose Content – Stop feeling guilty about reusing content. The algorithm means not everyone saw it the first time, you have new followers who’ve never seen it, and people consume content at different stages.
The Done List Productivity Hack – Instead of focusing on what’s left undone, track everything you accomplish.
Happiness is the Highest Form of Success – Kate shares her lightbulb moment about constantly chasing goals without feeling satisfied. What if happiness IS the measure of success? Do more of what brings you joy.
Mental Health Support Gap for Entrepreneurs – Kate co-founded the Mental Health in Small Business Conference to address a critical gap with practical support for entrepreneurs.
Content as Continuing Professional Development – Reframe content creation as learning in public. If you can write 1,000 words on a topic, you probably know what you’re talking about. Creating content doubles as professional development.

“The Dictionary of Lost Words” by Pip Williams – Historical fiction about a girl involved in creating the first Oxford English Dictionary. Perfect for word lovers and anyone fascinated by how language evolves.

“Coach Yourself Confident” by Julie Smith – A practical guide to building confidence and overcoming self-doubt. Kate’s favorite concept from this book is “humble confidence”. Essential reading for entrepreneurs battling imposter syndrome.

“Happiness is the highest form of success. I had this light bulb moment: if I feel happy, isn’t that what I went into business for?”

“No one knows how good your business is before they buy from you. They only know how good your marketing is.”

“Set a minimum content commitment - this could be as little as one post a week on your hero social media platform. What this really does is it puts a boundary around how much content should I create.”

Kate Llewellyn is the founder of The Content Consultancy and The Content Club, a membership community helping small business owners build content confidence and consistency. Kate discovered her calling helping local small businesses with their content marketing needs after taking voluntary redundancy from Palgrave Macmillan. The pandemic prompted her to launch The Content Club, teaching business owners to create their own content with confidence and community support. Kate is also co-founder of the Mental Health in Small Business Conference.

Connect with Kate Llewellyn:
- Website: thecontentconsultancy.com
- LinkedIn: Kate Llewellyn (her “hero platform” - she’s most active here)
- Mental Health in Small Business Conference: https://thecontentconsultancy.com/mental-health-small-business/

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

If you enjoyed this episode:
1. Share it with a friend who needs to hear that simplification isn’t settling - it’s strategy
2. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations
4. Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Work-Life Blend vs Balance – Emily challenges everything we’ve been told about separating work from life. Learn why embracing the blend creates less stress than fighting for balance.
Building Business in Plain Sight – Tired of the “10K months” hype and perfect highlight reels? Emily shares Yellow Tuxedo’s approach of showing the messy reality, sharing when campaigns don’t work, and why authenticity is your competitive advantage.
“Is It Making the Boat Go Faster?” –  This one question refocuses conflicts from emotion to shared goals and keeps their partnership strong.
Dropping the Facade – Why showing up on camera pre-coffee and unperfect builds stronger customer relationships than polished perfection. Emily explains how facades create barriers and exhaust you while authenticity connects.
Marathon vs Sprint Work Styles – Emily and Alan run the same successful business with completely opposite productivity approaches. Discover why understanding your work brain (and working with it, not against it) matters more than following expert advice.
Raising Entrepreneurial Kids – How Emily’s 7 and 9-year-old sons are learning about ROI, reinvestment, and business thinking: skills they can’t learn at school but will benefit from whether they become entrepreneurs or employees.

“Rare Breeds” by Sunny Bonnell – A book about doing your own thing, being a risk-taker, and rejecting the noise to stand out. It was the last business book she read before deciding to stop consuming and start acting.

Ali Abdaal on YouTube – Emily recommends this YouTuber and storyteller who creates 4–5 minute inspirational videos that leave viewers feeling energized rather than overwhelmed with information to implement.

“Stop trying to balance, try and blend it. If you are a small business owner, you’re an entrepreneur and it is your life. You stopped your corporate job to build the life you want. So stop trying to make it separate. It is who you are.”

“The minute you put that facade on, you put a barrier in front of you and your customer. Stop trying to be something you’re not.”

“Is it making the boat go faster? If it’s not, back away.”

Emily Braithwaite is co-founder of Yellow Tuxedo, an online visibility specialist business that helps small business owners navigate the noisy digital landscape without needing expensive marketing agencies. Alongside her husband and business partner Alan, Emily guides entrepreneurs to maximize their online presence using practical, accessible strategies. As a mother of three entrepreneurial children and advocate for authentic marketing, Emily proves you can run a successful business without sacrificing family time or losing your mind – as long as you stop trying to balance and start learning to blend.

Connect with Emily Braithwaite:
- Website: https://yellowtuxedo.co.uk
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-braithwaite/
- Instagram: @yellowtuxedo
- Facebook: @yellowtuxedo
- TikTok: @yellowtuxedo

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

If you enjoyed this episode:
1. Share it with a friend
2. Leave a review
3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations
4. Reach out if you’d like to be a guest

Lesley Andrew is an artist at her core who spent 11 years as an art teacher before retraining as an art therapist 12 years ago. Now she combines art therapy with confidence coaching to help people express their authentic selves. In this conversation, you'll hear honest, inspiring stories about her journey, debunking creative myths, and the tools she uses to help people navigate transitions in business and life.

## Highlights from the Episode:

- **Art Therapy is for Everyone** – It's not just for children. Art therapy helps anxious yet ambitious people, those navigating loss or transitions, and anyone needing to express themselves. When words fail, art steps in.

- **Everyone is Creative** – Adults say "I'm not creative" because of childhood messages. Lesley's mission: help people unlock their creativity. You ARE creative—you've just been told you're not.

- **A Minute to Learn, A Lifetime to Master** – Archery instructor wisdom that reframes learning. Children find things easy because they have a beginner's mindset. You don't have to be good to start.

- **The Messy Middle** – The frustrating stage past beginner excitement where it's not looking how you want. This is where most people quit. Overcoming small technical blocks helps you push through.

- **Upper Limit Problems** – From "The Big Leap." You might be about to do something big and suddenly self-sabotage. Recognizing these patterns helps you break through to your zone of genius.

- **Learning in Public** – Lesley introduced herself as "an artist with an identity crisis" and people connected more than when she was robotic. Authenticity beats perfection.

## Book Recommendation

**"The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks** – This book explores Upper Limit Problems (ULP)—the ways we self-sabotage before breakthroughs—and the concept of moving from your Zone of Excellence (comfortable success) to your Zone of Genius (transformative growth). A game-changer for anyone hitting invisible ceilings.

## Quotes to Remember:

> "Everybody's creative. Part of my mission is to help other people unlock their creativity."

> "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master."

> "Zone of genius is at the top, zone of excellence can feel like success but it's become your comfort zone."

## About the Guest – Lesley Andrew

Lesley Andrew is an artist at her core who spent 11 years as an art teacher before retraining as an art therapist 12 years ago. She now works with adults navigating life transitions—perimenopause, health challenges, identity shifts—combining art therapy with confidence coaching to help people express their true selves. Lesley hosts "A New Pace" podcast (PACE = Pause, Act, Create, Empower) and serves as Specialist Interest Group Coordinator for the British Association of Art Therapists. She practices authentic expression by learning in public and embracing imperfection.

- LinkedIn: Lesley Andrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-andrew/

- Podcast: "A New Pace" (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube)

- YouTube: Lesley Andrew - https://www.youtube.com/@LesleyA

- Facebook Group: [Lesley's creative community] - https://www.facebook.com/groups/709921627380084

## About Halftime Huddle

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

1. Share it with a friend

2. Leave a review

3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations

4. Reach out if you'd like to be a guest