Small Business Videos and Video Podcasts

Chances are, if you follow business news at all (and we assume you do if you’re reading this platform!) you will have heard a lot about Brewdog in the last couple of weeks. 

Without rehashing the whole situation, here’s an executive summary: dozens of former employees signed an open letter accusing the craft beer firm and its co-founder James Watt of fostering a “culture of fear.” Ex-staff members claim they were bullied, treated like objects, and that the company’s culture was “toxic.” You can read more in this excellent piece by Kalyeena Makortoff and Rob Davies for The Guardian.  But following this sage got me thinking: what is this “culture” thing we hear so much about, why does it matter, and how does it pertain to small business owners? 

It’s business and self employed 1:01. You’ve said it about them; they’ve said it about you. Well, maybe we just said it to ourselves, murmuring slightly with an un-noticed eye roll, or have at least thought, “Just get to the damn point already!”

In challenging times, innovative solutions are called for. And for three local entrepreneurs from Leicester, the pandemic inspired them to come up with a creative way to support local restaurants and food businesses. 

Thomas Edde, Ali Datoo, and George Martin founded eKitchenette, an app that combines influencer marketing and online ordering to build a trusted community of food business owners, influencers, and consumers. I met Thomas via Zoom this week to learn more about the business and the team’s journey so far.

Multi award-winning Deaf performance artist Vilma Jackson has launched a new chat show featuring an all-star selection of Deaf panellists. The first episode of The Vilma Jackson Show was released on 11 March, and the second will follow soon. Episode 1 showcases the wide array of talent that exists within the Deaf community and the barriers Deaf people face, while the second will address the wider debate around diversity, inclusion, and equality as they apply to the Deaf community.

Talking about mental health and struggles can be challenging, and this is often particularly true for men. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that does not encourage men to open up about their feelings.  But one man is on a mission to change that. As we mark the one year anniversary of lockdown this week, editor Marc chatted with Kenny Mammarella D’Cruz, also known as The Man Whisperer, about his vital work in the area of men’s mental health.