The Business Babble

Inside The Queen’s Funeral: What The Public Never Saw

What does it take to run a fifth generation funeral business, grow from one branch to 27, and be trusted with the final journey of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II? In this 100th episode of the Business Babble Podcast, Johnny, Mike and Wicus sit down with Tim Purves from William Purves Funeral Directors for a powerful conversation about business, grief, leadership, family legacy and the funeral industry. Tim shares the story of William Purves Funeral Directors, founded in 1888, and how the business grew from a single branch in Edinburgh to 27 branches across Scotland and the North East of England. He talks openly about business acquisitions, company culture, hiring the right people, funeral regulation in Scotland, succession planning in a family business and why trust is everything when supporting families through loss. This episode also goes behind the scenes of Tim’s involvement in the funeral arrangements for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland, including the planning, pressure, emotion and responsibility of helping with one of the most significant funerals in modern history. A fascinating and emotional episode for anyone interested in family business, entrepreneurship, leadership, Scottish business, funeral directors, legacy planning or what really happens behind the scenes in the funeral industry. Topics covered include: William Purves Funeral Directors, the funeral industry, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, growing a family business, business acquisitions, funeral regulation in Scotland, hiring great staff, leadership, legacy, grief, faith, succession planning and the importance of treating people with care. Subscribe to Business Babble for more conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders sharing the real stories behind their success. #BusinessBabble #TimPurves #WilliamPurves #FuneralDirector #QueenElizabethII #FamilyBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ScottishBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #FuneralIndustry

If Your Business Needs You, Nobody’s Buying It

In Part 2 of our series on preparing to sell your business, the Business Babble team looks at one of the biggest reasons businesses fail to attract serious buyers: they are too dependent on the owner. A buyer does not just want to see that your business makes money. They want to know how it makes money, where the profit comes from, what systems are in place, which customers drive growth, how reliable the cash flow is, and whether the business can keep running when you are no longer involved. In this episode, Mike, Wicus and Johnny discuss the numbers, systems and operational data that every business owner needs to understand before thinking about an exit. From KPIs and management reports to profit margins, client order value, sales funnels, staff ratios, seasonality and customer conversion, they break down what buyers are really looking for behind the scenes. They also tackle the uncomfortable question every founder needs to ask:Is your business actually a sellable business, or is it just a job that depends on you?If your knowledge, sales process, customer relationships and daily operations all live inside your head, your business could be a much bigger risk than you realise. This episode explains how to reduce owner dependency by building systems, creating how-to guides, documenting processes, training staff properly and making the business easier for someone else to take over. In this episode: • Why buyers care about operational numbers, not just accounts • How to identify the KPIs that really matter in your business • Why owner dependency can destroy a business sale • The difference between accounting data and useful business data • How sales funnels and conversion rates affect business value • Why processes, systems and how-to guides make your business more sellable • What buyers worry about when the founder leaves • How to start building a business that can run without you Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, founder, investor, or planning an exit strategy, this episode will help you understand what makes a business more valuable, more scalable and more attractive to a buyer. Subscribe to Business Babble for straight-talking conversations about business growth, selling your business, exit planning, acquisitions, systems, leadership and entrepreneurship. #BusinessBabble #SellingABusiness #ExitStrategy #BusinessSystems #BusinessOwner

Everything You’ve Been Told About Solar Is Wrong…

In this episode of Business Babble, we sit down with Mark Lafferty from SK Energy and Stuart King from SKAD to break down the biggest myths surrounding solar panels, battery storage, renewable energy, and commercial solar in the UK. If you’ve ever wondered whether solar panels actually work in Scotland, how long solar takes to pay for itself, or whether businesses can genuinely reduce their energy bills with solar PV, this episode explains it in plain English. We discuss: • Residential solar panel systems • Commercial solar opportunities for UK businesses • Battery storage and energy independence • Solar ROI and payback periods • Octopus Energy’s “Zero Bills” homes explained • SAP calculations, EPC ratings and planning • Solar myths and misinformation • Rising UK energy prices and how businesses can protect themselves • Renewable energy in Scotland • Why more factories and warehouses aren’t using solar yet • How battery technology has changed the industry • What to look for when choosing a solar installer Mark explains why solar is now more financially viable than ever before, with many systems paying for themselves within 4–5 years, while Stuart breaks down how energy compliance, SAP calculations and planning all fit together for modern homes and commercial properties. Whether you’re a homeowner thinking about solar panels, a business owner trying to reduce operational costs, or simply curious about the future of renewable energy in the UK, this episode is packed with useful insights. Featuring: • Mark Lafferty – SK Energy • Stuart King – SKAD Like, share and subscribe for more business conversations, entrepreneurship stories, property insights and practical advice from real business owners across Scotland and the UK. #SolarPanels #RenewableEnergy #BusinessBabble #SolarScotland #CommercialSolar #SolarPV #OctopusEnergy #BatteryStorage #RenewableEnergyUK #EnergyBills #UKBusiness #EntrepreneurPodcast #SolarMyths #BusinessPodcast #EnergyEfficiency

Your Business Is Worth Less Than You Think

Most business owners believe their company is worth far more than it actually is… until they try to sell it. In this episode of Business Babble, we break down the uncomfortable truth about exiting a business. Why most founders leave it too late, why “blood, sweat and tears” means nothing to a buyer, and what actually determines whether someone will pay for your business. We dive into: * When you should start planning your exit (hint: it’s earlier than you think) * Why most businesses take 2–5 years to become sellable * The biggest mistake founders make when trying to sell * What buyers are really purchasing (and it’s not your revenue) * Why emotional attachment destroys business value * The truth about brand value and whether it actually means anything * Real examples including hairdressers, service businesses, and local brands * Why data, customer behaviour, and cash flow matter more than anything else If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or planning an exit strategy, this episode will challenge how you think about building, scaling, and eventually selling your company. 💡 Whether you're just starting out or years into your journey, this is the reality check most founders never get.

Are Entrepreneurs Born Different, or Just Too Stubborn to Quit?

Are entrepreneurs born different, or are they simply too stubborn to quit? In this episode of Business Babble, we break down the real meaning of entrepreneurship and challenge common myths around what it takes to succeed in business. We explore the difference between an entrepreneur, a business owner, and a leader, and why not everyone is built for the realities of running a business. We dive into key topics like risk-taking, problem solving, decision making, and why successful entrepreneurs often get it wrong as much as they get it right. The conversation covers cash flow challenges, dealing with economic uncertainty, and how to think differently when facing obstacles in business. We also discuss the mindset behind entrepreneurship, including resilience, accountability, self-awareness, and the importance of continuous learning. From understanding your relationship with money to recognising opportunities and building strong teams, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in starting a business, growing a business, or improving their entrepreneurial mindset. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a startup founder, or an established business owner, this episode offers honest, unfiltered advice on what it really takes to succeed in today’s business world.