ON AIR With Owen: Episode 100 | The UK Budget’s Impact on Business Owners

Introducing our 100th(!) episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

Neil is back, and he and Owen are diving straight into the UK budget announcement and its profound impact on businesses.

  • The Business Bottom Line: From national insurance increases to minimum wage adjustments and higher business rates, how will companies cope with these rising costs?
  • A New Monthly Bill: With little time and limited information to prepare, businesses face a financial burden they didn’t account for last year.
  • Jobs and the Future Workforce: What does the budget mean for job creation amid pressures from AI, outsourcing, and escalating employment costs?
  • Employee Rights at Day One: We discuss how this impacts startups and businesses trying to get off the ground.
  • Retirement on Hold: For business owners nearing retirement, the new tax ratio is a game-changer, leaving less time to plan for the future.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 99 | Do You Need a Personal Brand to Succeed?

Introducing our 99th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • The Role of Personal Brands: Is a founder’s brand essential for business success, or can a company succeed without a face? Owen and Neil weigh the pros and cons.
  • Creating Connection and Trust: Owen and Neil debate whether audiences are more engaged with businesses that show a personal side.
  • Owen’s Approach: From in-person events to raw, unfiltered content, Owen shares how he blended personal and professional elements to build his brand.
  • The LinkedIn Landscape: Once just for job updates, LinkedIn is now a crowded space for personal branding. How can you stand out in this environment?
  • Finding Your Balance: There’s no one-size-fits-all for branding. Owen and Neil explore the different ways to build a genuine, authentic presence beyond LinkedIn, and how to find the balance that works for you and your business.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 98 | AI in Business

Introducing our 98th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • AI in Action: Inspired by their own journeys, Owen and Neil are exploring how AI is transforming their industries and whether it’s delivering measurable results.
  • Neil’s Perspective: Discover how AI is empowering small businesses to focus on what matters most, even when it’s not part of a formal strategy.
  • Gaining a Competitive Edge: Will your business be left behind? Find out how AI is helping companies work faster and smarter, impacting pricing and competitiveness.
  • Breaking Barriers: Is AI accessible for everyone? We discuss whether the path to adopting AI is easy or challenging for businesses today.
  • Learning AI: Discover how ChatGPT can help you understand AI’s role in your industry and apply it to your business.
  • AI’s Effect on Jobs: Explore how AI is reshaping employment across industries, and what it means for the future of work.
  • The Search Shift: Do you now turn to ChatGPT instead of Google? We explore how people are changing the way they search for information.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 97 | Morals of Marketing

Introducing our 97th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

In this week’s episode, Owen and Neil dive into the complex issue of marketing to your competitors’ clients, and whether it’s ethical to target them directly. Neil, who prioritises community-building over business growth, shares his approach to staying true to his values. But when competitors start going after your customers, should you stick to your principles or fight back? They also explore when competitive marketing crosses the line into toxicity, and whether all publicity is truly good publicity. If you’ve ever grappled with the ethics of competition, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical advice.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 96 | Navigating Business Partnerships

Introducing our 96th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

Thinking of starting a business with a partner? Then this episode is for you. Join Owen and Neil as they dive deep into the world of business partnerships, sharing their personal experiences of what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons they learned along the way. From structuring shareholding to dividing responsibilities, they break down the key decisions and processes involved in building a successful partnership. Whether you’re looking for practical advice, cautionary tales, or expert insights on how to avoid common pitfalls, this episode will help guide you in forming a strong and sustainable business collaboration.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 95 | Launching Career Habit Pro

Introducing our 95th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Oasis vs. Blur: Which team were you on, and are you still chasing those Oasis tickets?
  • Founders’ Insights: Discover why the early stages of launching a business are both the most challenging and thrilling times.
  • Spotlight on Neil: After a month off, Neil is back, focusing on launching his new business, Career Habit Pro – a service designed to help build positive career habits seamlessly into your everyday routine.
  • Career Habit Pro: From a 2-hour workshop to a year-long programme, find out how it supports those facing transitions like returning to work, a change in career, or redundancy. It’s the ultimate “rainy day plan.”
  • Building a Brand: Why establishing trust is crucial for customer investment.
  • Audience Expansion: How to break into new markets beyond your comfort zone.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 94 | Naughty or Nice? The True Path to Leadership Success

Introducing our 94th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Can leaders be both successful and nice, or does niceness hinder progress?
  • Is the drive to be liked compromising your leadership effectiveness?
  • We discuss famous leaders who master the art of kindness without sacrificing authority.
  • Why saying “no” might actually make you a more effective leader.
  • Consistency and clear communication: The keys to being respected, even when delivering tough feedback.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 93 | Taking Time Off as a Founder

Introducing our 93rd episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Taking Breaks as Business Owners: The challenges and complexities of truly disconnecting from work as a founder.
  • Capacity and Leadership Challenges: How reduced capacity from key employee departures and holiday seasons can impact a founder’s ability to take time off.
  • Founders’ Involvement: Examining whether founders feel the need to stay deeply involved in their business to maintain a sense of importance and team connection.
  • The HiPPO Effect: How the highest-paid person’s opinion can dominate decision-making, regardless of its validity.
  • Empowering Your Team: The dual benefits of taking time off—both for personal rejuvenation and to set an example, and also giving your team the opportunity to solve problems independently.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 92 | Featuring Will Koning – CEO of Meritt

Introducing our 92nd episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

This week we’re joined by friend of the podcast Will Koning, co-founder and CEO of Meritt – an early-stage sales careers platform, linking talent with employers through AI assessments and free education. 

Owen, Neil and Will discuss:

  • Honest Reflections with Will: A heartfelt thank you to Will for his candid reflections on the highs and lows of running a business. His resilience, ambition, and drive shine through despite the challenges he’s faced.
  • Mastering Co-Founder Dynamics: An insightful discussion on the trials and triumphs of co-founding a company, and how to effectively manage this crucial partnership. Will’s top tip: a consented ‘fake fight’ on a known disagreement can be a powerful test of your partnership before you fully commit!
  • A Second Chance at Founding: Discover the inspiring story of a founder who, after losing his first business, returns stronger as a second-time founder with renewed insights and determination.
  • Introducing Meritt: Meet Meritt, an innovative platform revolutionising early-stage sales careers. It offers training and career opportunities for job seekers, and role advertising and candidate assessments for employers. Meritt leverages AI to help employers identify a larger talent pool and reduce the time to hire by 15 days!

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 91 | Featuring Chris Bentley – Founder of The Notworking Networking Club

Introducing our 91st episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

This week we’re joined by Chris Bentley, founder of The Notworking Networking Club – a disruptive events company that’s revolutionising networking with a strict no pitching rule.

Owen, Neil and Chris discuss:

  • The Birth of The Notworking Networking Club: Discover the inspiration and vision behind the creation of this innovative networking community.
  • Overcoming Event Management Hurdles: Chris delves into the challenges and triumphs in running an events company.
  • Mastering the Art of Networking: Learn how Chris perfected his relationship-building skills to become a networking powerhouse.
  • Defining Success: Chris explores what it means to him to be truly successful.
  • Preview of The NOTTY’S Business Awards: Discover what’s in store for this year’s South West money can’t buy business awards.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing