The UK economy isn't built by giant corporations; it’s built by the founders, disruptors, and grafters who are actually doing the work. But too many exceptional businesses are the 'best-kept secret' in their industry.

In this manifesto episode, host Geoff Nicholson lays out the vision for UK Business IQ—the new broadcast network for British business owners.

What to expect:

1. The Mission: Why we are building a platform to amplify the backbone of the UK economy.
2. The Format: Real strategy, no fluff. We deconstruct the journeys of successful founders to find out exactly why clients choose them.
3. The Invitation: How you can stop being a secret and start broadcasting your expertise.

Ready to share your story? We are currently scouting guests for the upcoming season. If you have a story to tell, apply for a feature spot here: https://www.geoffnicholson.co.uk/get-featured

Subscribe now to get the first episodes dropping next week.

In this episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson speaks with Simon Washbrook, founder and Managing Director of Popcorn CRM, about why so many small businesses struggle with lead management, fragmented systems and software that is more complicated than it needs to be.

Simon shares his journey from fashion and marketing into software, and explains how working with small businesses led him to build a simpler CRM designed around the real needs of growing companies. The conversation explores why spreadsheets eventually break down, why many businesses buy for future problems rather than current ones, and how the right systems can reduce overwhelm and support better sales follow-up.

This episode explores Simon Washbrook’s perspective on CRM, software adoption and small business growth based on his experience building and working in the sector. The conversation is intended to help business owners think more clearly about systems, simplicity and fit. The ideas shared are based on professional experience and opinion, and the best tools and systems will vary depending on your business model, team structure and stage of growth.

Simon Washbrook is the founder and Managing Director of Popcorn CRM, a platform designed to help small businesses manage leads, simplify sales processes and avoid the complexity that often comes with larger CRM systems. His background includes marketing, corporate CRM integration and software development for growing businesses.

• Simon shares how his background in fashion, marketing and corporate CRM shaped his business journey.
• He explains why many small businesses stay with spreadsheets for too long.
• He discusses the risk of moving too early into software that is too complex for the stage of the business.
• He outlines why features are often a distraction from real business needs.
• He explains how pre-sales, finance and post-sales systems can work together without becoming one giant platform.
• He shares why habits and simple daily use matter more than complexity.
• He talks about why in-person conversations still matter in a saturated market.
• He reflects on delivery, simplicity and the importance of progress over perfection.

One of the strongest lessons in this episode is that businesses do not need to solve every future systems problem today. They need tools that fit their current stage, help them follow up consistently and reduce friction rather than creating it. Simon’s advice to focus on business necessity rather than feature lists is especially useful for small business owners who feel overwhelmed by software decisions.

The episode also carries a broader entrepreneurial message. Progress matters more than perfection, systems should support behaviour rather than complicate it, and real human conversations still cut through in a crowded market.

• 00:00 – Introduction and Simon’s background
• 02:00 – From fashion and marketing to CRM
• 05:00 – Why Popcorn CRM was created
• 07:00 – The biggest CRM myth for small businesses
• 10:00 – Why all-in-one software can become a trap
• 15:00 – The cracks that appear as businesses grow
• 18:00 – Building better CRM habits
• 20:00 – How Simon wins business in a crowded market
• 24:00 – Neurodiversity, overwhelm and simplicity
• 27:00 – The biggest lesson Simon wishes he had known earlier

Connect on Linkedin with Simon Washbrook

Popcorn CRM:

Downloadable Guide:

This is a useful conversation for any business owner who knows their systems need to improve but does not want to create more complexity in the process. The message is simple: choose what fits now, build good habits, and let your systems grow with your business.

In this archive episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson revisits a conversation originally recorded for the Success IQ Podcast with digital marketing expert, trainer and video producer Pascal Fintoni.

Pascal shares his journey into business, the personal experiences that shaped his passion for storytelling, and why video can be such a powerful tool for building trust, credibility and visibility. He also explains why many business owners overcomplicate content creation, and why a more practical starting point is often to begin with video curation before moving into video creation. Pascal also reflects on business focus, the risks of poorly aligned partnerships, and the importance of finding your own version rather than copying somebody else’s formula.

This episode is part of the Success IQ Podcast archive and is being republished because its core business insights remain relevant. Some examples and references reflect the context of the original recording, but the wider lessons around visibility, communication and business growth still apply today.

The ideas shared in this conversation are based on personal experience and professional opinion at the time of recording. Listeners should apply their own judgement and seek specialist advice where appropriate for their own business circumstances.

Pascal Fintoni is a professional trainer, speaker and video producer with more than 22 years of practical experience in digital marketing. He helps people use storytelling, video and clear communication to build stronger online reputations and connect more effectively with their audience.

• Pascal shares how his journey from France to the North East of England shaped his career and business path
• he explains how a deeply personal early life experience influenced his connection to film and storytelling
• he discusses why business owners should stop waiting for the perfect moment
• he explores the difference between creating content and distributing it effectively
• he outlines why video curation can be a strong first step into visibility
• he explains the value of appearing as a guest before creating your own video content
• he reflects on the business cost of the wrong partnerships
• he shares why entrepreneurs need to find their version rather than simply following someone else’s approach

One of the strongest ideas in this conversation is that business owners do not need to begin with polished production or complicated systems. Pascal argues that a more realistic path is to build confidence step by step: start by curating useful video content, add your own perspective, become visible through thoughtful contribution, and then grow into creating your own material.

The episode also goes beyond marketing. It touches on resilience, business identity, focus and the importance of staying aligned with your own direction. Pascal’s reflections on “the illusion of partnership” and the need to “find your version” make this especially relevant for experienced professionals who want to grow without losing what makes them distinctive.

00:00 – Introduction to this archive episode

01:00 – Pascal’s background and route into business

07:00 – Personal story, resilience and the role of film

11:00 – Why video should be done your way

13:00 – The real challenge of video marketing

15:00 – Why video curation comes before creation

17:00 – The value of being a guest on other people’s content

24:00 – Waiting for the perfect moment and the illusion of partnership

30:00 – Why entrepreneurs need to find their version

Pascal Fintoni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalfintoni

Website: http://www.pascalfintoni.com

If you have ever felt hesitant about showing up more visibly in your business, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical place to start. It is not about trying to look like everybody else. It is about communicating with more clarity, more confidence and more honesty, in a way that feels true to you.

Archive episode: This conversation was originally recorded on the Success IQ Podcast and has been specially re-edited for UK Business IQ. I wanted to bring it to this audience because the lessons and insight are still highly relevant today.

In this archive episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson revisits a conversation originally recorded for the Success IQ Podcast with business coach, speaker and author Robin Waite.

Robin shares his journey from running a successful creative agency into business coaching, and explains how burnout, self-development and a changing market led him to rethink how service-based businesses grow. The conversation explores the value of setting clear goals, focusing on the right activities, building resilience and moving away from time-for-money work towards more sustainable and productised offers.

This episode is part of the Success IQ Podcast archive and is being republished because its core business insights remain relevant. Some examples and references reflect the context of the original recording, but the wider lessons around focus, growth and business development still apply today.

The ideas shared in this conversation are based on personal experience and professional opinion at the time of recording. Listeners should apply their own judgement and seek specialist advice where appropriate for their own business circumstances.

Robin Waite is a business coach, speaker and author who helps service-based business owners grow more effectively by clarifying their goals, productising what they do and building businesses that are more sustainable and profitable. He previously ran a creative agency before transitioning into coaching.

• Robin shares how his background in agency life shaped the work he does today
• he explains why many service businesses get trapped in time-for-money models
• he outlines the three elements he believes drive business success: clear goals, the right activities and strong desire
• he discusses why the internet has created more business noise and competition
• he reflects on resilience, focus and the realities of entrepreneurship
• he explains why productising a service can improve value and reduce friction
• he shares why building assets matters more than chasing quick wins
• he talks about balancing meaningful work with family life

One of the strongest lessons in this episode is that many business owners are not short on effort they are short on clarity. Robin argues that without one clear goal, a realistic activity plan and a strong enough reason to keep going, it is easy to stay busy without building real momentum.

The episode also offers a broader long-term message. Sustainable growth comes from building assets, developing offers that are easier to sell and deliver, and staying focused on what genuinely moves the business forwards rather than getting distracted by noise.

00:00 – Introduction and Robin’s background

02:00 – From agency owner to business coach

07:00 – Productising services and escaping design-agency “ping pong”

09:00 – The three things that drive business success

14:00 – Why the internet has made business noisier

18:00 – The reality of entrepreneurship and modern business pressure

23:00 – Work-life harmony and structuring a better business

25:00 – Advice for entrepreneurs and building assets

Robin Waite Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinmwaite/

Website: www.robinwaite.com

Robins Books: https://www.robinwaite.com/books

This is a useful conversation for any business owner who feels busy but not fully clear. The message is simple but powerful: get specific about the goal, focus on the activities that matter, and build something that is sustainable rather than reactive.