Welcome to Episode 7 of The Business Growth Show! Join hosts Adam and Jon as they chat with Tony Gardner from Hegarty Solicitors, a pillar of the Stamford and Rutland business community with over 35 years of leadership and networking experience across multiple industries.

Tony opens up about his unique career journey, from roles in sales, marketing, and organisational leadership to stepping into legal services. Discover how he uses his diverse experience to help businesses flourish, not just legally, but through genuine human connection and strategic networking.

We dive into:

• The power of authentic networking and how Tony connects businesses, even beyond legal solutions.
• Why local businesses thrive with relational outreach, not just transactions.
• Navigating the rise of AI in legal work, and why combining AI with human oversight is more important than ever.
• His top tip for growing teams: empowering people, driving accountability and supporting them to shine.
• And a sneak peek at upcoming local initiatives, including an Invest‑for‑Growth workshop coming this summer - small, personable, and designed to support business expansion.

If you're intrigued by building resilient brands rooted in community, or curious about legal strategies that embrace innovation, this episode is a must-listen.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment. Tell us which part of Tony's story struck a chord with you!

#BusinessGrowth #NetworkingTips #AIinLegal #LocalEntrepreneurs #EmpowermentLeadership

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon sit down with Joanna Aikens, founder of Aikens Media, to hear how she went from freelancing in PR to running a successful global content marketing business, all from her home office in Rutland.

Joanna shares her inspiring story of entrepreneurship, building a career in marketing before remote work was the norm, and raising two sons while growing her business. We dive into the realities of working solo, her early experience in the PR world (and modelling!), the evolution of tech in marketing, and how she’s embracing AI tools today.

This one’s full of useful insight for anyone in marketing, PR, content creation, or starting a business from home.

Topics we cover:

• Building a content agency from scratch
• Working remotely long before it was cool
• Freelancing, resilience & risk-taking
• Navigating the future of AI in marketing
• Why human connection still wins in business

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and drop a comment - what part of Joanna’s story did you connect with most?

#ContentMarketing #WomenInBusiness #FreelanceLife #PRStrategy #MarketingTips #WorkFromHomeSuccess #EntrepreneurJourney #AIinMarketing #BusinessGrowthShow

If you had to start a business today with next to no money, where would you begin? In this episode, Adam and Jon break down exactly what they’d do (and what they’d avoid) if they were launching from scratch in 2025. From getting your first customer quickly and avoiding branding rabbit holes, to leveraging local communities, testing your idea on the high street, and learning how to fail forward - this is a real-world, practical guide for anyone looking to bootstrap a business the smart way. They also dig into pricing strategies, referrals, processes, and why asking for help might be your best growth move. Whether you’re thinking of starting something new or trying to get traction with what you’ve already begun, this episode is packed with honest advice and low-cost strategies that actually work.

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon tackle a hot local topic: Rutland’s potential loss of county status. With central government pushing for council mergers, what does that mean for one of England’s smallest, and proudest, counties? They break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes, what it could mean for residents and business owners, and why local identity matters more than ever. The conversation also explores the risks for small business funding, infrastructure changes, and whether the tight-knit Rutland community could be diluted as part of a wider region. It’s a grounded, honest look at how local decisions can ripple through the business world - and why it’s worth speaking up.

In this episode of The Business Growth Show, Adam and Jon explore the local networking landscape in the East Midlands, sharing honest insights on everything from BNI and the Rutland Chamber of Commerce to more relaxed events like In the Hive and walking networking groups. They talk about what works, what to watch out for, and how to approach networking without pressure. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your approach, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world experience that can help you build stronger business relationships.

In this episode, Adam from Active Internet Marketing shares how he transitioned from selling Yellow Pages ads to running a cutting-edge digital agency generating thousands of leads each year. We talk about the evolution of SEO, investing in R&D, helping clients hit personal goals (like buying that van or taking that long-overdue holiday), and the highs and lows of scaling a business. Adam also gets personal about his upcoming wedding and his long-term vision of achieving financial freedom. If you're growing a business or just curious about how modern marketing really works, this one's packed with honest advice and valuable insights.

Meet Jon from Octopus Computers, a self-proclaimed nerd turned entrepreneur who’s grown a local IT company into a tech partner for SMEs in the Stamford area and beyond. In this episode, Jon shares the story of how his dad’s side hustle evolved into a fast-growing business, what sets his team apart in the crowded IT space, and why soft skills matter just as much as technical ones. We dig into AI, client challenges, mentorship, and his bold plans for building a free business school for young founders. Whether you're a tech lover, a small business owner, or just curious about the future of digital services - this one’s packed with useful gems.