Friends in Business

Episode 49: Our Biggest Lessons Learned from Failure... To Help You Avoid Them!

In this episode of the Friends in Business podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh candidly reflect on their own successes and setbacks, offering listeners practical strategies to avoid similar pitfalls in the future. As the conversation unfolds, both hosts share the challenges they have faced in managing professional relationships and expectations. Ben cautions against overreliance on personal connections in business, highlighting how misplaced trust can lead to difficult consequences. Likewise, Jemimah recounts her experience of a partnership breakdown when expectations were not aligned, ultimately leading to the project’s demise. Together, their reflections underscore the vital importance of establishing clear boundaries and well-defined expectations within professional relationships—lessons that resonate with entrepreneurs and business leaders alike. Key Takeaways:  * From the outset of any business collaboration, clearly establish expectations and protocols for all potential outcomes, including eventual exits or dissolutions. * Engaging in open discussions about benchmarks and objectives in collaborations can prevent future conflicts. * Maintain professionalism in business to avoid dependency on personal relationships, ensuring business integrity and control remain grounded. * Both Ben and Jemimah highlight the invaluable lessons obtained from past mistakes, underscoring the importance of growth through reflection. * Deploy robust systems and processes to navigate business ventures confidently and with preparedness. Time Stamps:  0:00 Intro 1:20 Jemimah’s Virtual Life 3:01 Mistakes 5:43 Ben’s Mistakes in Relationships 11:50 Jemimah’s Mistakes In Not Setting Expectations 15:41 Jemimah’s Advice In Making Mistakes 18:05 Outro Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

Episode 48: The 5 Social Media Posts You Need to Master

In this episode of the Friends in Business podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh unpack proven strategies for harnessing social media to elevate business visibility and drive meaningful engagement. Opening with a light-hearted reflection on the pleasures and challenges of winter, they set a warm, inviting tone before delving into the art of building an impactful online presence. Jemimah stresses the value of posting with purpose, outlining a clear framework of five key content types—expert insights, CRM or sales-focused posts, personal updates, testimonials, and aspirational messages—designed to strengthen audience trust and connection. Ben shares practical examples of how weaving in personal stories and customer testimonials can deepen engagement. Together, they highlight the importance of consistency and authenticity in social media marketing, urging businesses to adopt a structured, intentional approach for sustainable long-term success. Key Takeaways:  * It’s crucial to use social media platforms strategically, focusing on consistency and relevance to effectively engage with audiences. * Businesses should incorporate expert posts, CRM/sales posts, personal posts, testimonials, and inspirational content to create a balanced and comprehensive social media strategy. * Regularly share personal stories and testimonials to build a deeper connection and trust with the audience. * Construct posts that remain relevant over time, such as educational and inspirational content, to maintain consistent engagement. * The importance of a regular posting schedule using in-platform scheduling tools like Meta to avoid penalties associated with third-party platforms Time Stamps:  0:00 Intro 1:44 5 Different Post for Social Media 2:03 Use Social Media Intentionally 2:56 Expert Posts 4:15 CRM or Sales Posts 5:30 Sales Posts 6:21 Personal Posts 8:11 Social Proof 11:30 Aspirational and Inspirational Posts 13:22 Evergreen Posts 15:04 When To Start Building These Habits 17:24 Recap 17:39 Weekly Takeaway 18:57 Outro Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

Episode 47: 3 Ways to Grow Revenue FAST

In this episode of the Friends in Business podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh unpack powerful strategies to drive revenue growth in 2025. With their signature blend of wit and candour, they dive into the critical components of customer acquisition, client retention, and remarketing—all tailored to suit today’s fast-evolving business landscape. Ben offers a measured perspective on the financial fundamentals every business must grasp before chasing rapid growth, stressing the importance of gross profit margins and fixed cost awareness. Jemimah, meanwhile, highlights the value of strategic retargeting to re-engage dormant leads, reinforcing the long-term impact of relationship-building. Key Takeaways:  * Discover three key methods to boost revenue: acquiring new customers, amplifying existing customer value, and re-engaging previous customers. *  Prior to targeting revenue increases, gain insight into your business’s financial levers to avoid unprofitable growth. * Enhance client value by expanding product/service offerings and understanding their evolving needs for effective upselling. * Utilize nurturing campaigns for past clients and leads to maintain brand relevance and drive sales. * Focus on scalable sales frameworks and train teams to recognize upselling opportunities to elevate business from within. Time Stamps:  0:00 Intro 0:44 “Banging the Table” 2:20 Jemimah’s Week 2:59 Ben’s Week 5:49 Revenue 8:50 Three Ways To Grow Revenue 5:58 Acquiring New Customers 12:10 Getting More From Existing Customers 17:41 Customers That Are Returning Back 23:39 Weekly Takeaway 25:08 Outro Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

Episode 46: The Numbers You MUST Know To Grow Your Business Profitably

In this episode of the Friends in Business podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh dive into the core financial metrics every business owner should understand — from interpreting profit and loss statements to identifying your safety bank balance and staying on top of sales performance. Ben offers clear, actionable insights and proven strategies to help you get a firm grip on your numbers, demonstrating how a data-driven approach can lead to more confident decisions and long-term growth. Key Takeaways:  * Understanding and regularly reviewing your Profit and Loss (P&L) statement is crucial for tracking the health of your business. * Knowing your business’s revenue targets, gross profit margins, and monthly expenses allows you to make informed decisions and anticipate future financial requirements. * Establishing a safety net of three months’ worth of business expenses or wages ensures financial stability in uncertain times. * Effective management of debtors and payables can aid healthy cash flow, preventing potential solvency issues. * Ben introduces the three-box model for sales, illustrating a systematic approach to measuring and managing sales performance that is integral for business leaders to master. Time Stamps:  0:00 Intro 1:04 Noosa Animals 3:10 The Importance of Numbers 4:48 Profit and Loss 7:04 The Metric You Need To Know By Heart 7:56 Overheads To Run Your Business 10:16 Safety Bank Balance 11:39 Accessing Debtors and Payables 12:37 Sales Numbers 15:14 Possibility If You Don’t Know These Numbers 16:33 Recap Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

Episode 45: Challenges We've Had To Overcome To Succeed in Business... They Will Surprise You

In this episode of the Friends in Business podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the powerful intersection of personal adversity and professional ambition. Jemimah opens up about living with a rare medical condition — an extra kidney — and how it affects her health, productivity, and client relationships. She shares the strategies she’s adopted to manage her workload and maintain balance. Ben reflects on his own experience with anxiety, offering honest insights into recognising emotional triggers and the importance of having a solid support network. Together, they highlight the value of resilience, self-awareness and adaptability in navigating both personal and professional challenges. Key Takeaways:  *  Chronic health issues can significantly impact business productivity, necessitating strategic adaptations and support. * Recognizing personal cues for anxiety helps in managing and mitigating its effects on professional life. * Honesty with clients and a supportive team can help navigate personal challenges while maintaining business commitments. * Resilience and adaptability are crucial in balancing personal health with professional success. * Create a playbook of strategies and resources to manage health challenges and maintain business operations effectively. Time Stamps:  0:00 Intro 1:12 Poke Bowls 1:42 Personal Challenges  2:28 Jemimah’s Extremely Big Chronic Issue 6:00 How The Chronic Issue Impacted The Business 7:13 Being Productive Despite The Chronic Issue 9:29 Jemimah’s Advice For You 12:07 What Ben Has Grappled With Over His Career 15:45 Ben’s Advice For You Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.