We dove into the chaos of the Torrey Canyon oil spill, one of the first major environmental disasters of its kind, and let’s just say, it was an absolute mess. Back in 1967, the SS Torrey Canyon, a huge oil tanker, hit Pollard’s Rock in the Seven Stones Reef and dumped over 31 million gallons of crude oil into the sea.

Cornwall, the Channel Islands, and parts of Brittany took the brunt of it. Coastlines were wrecked, wildlife devastated, and thousands of seabirds lost. It was a wake-up call for the shipping world and sparked a serious rethink of how we navigate, regulate tankers, and respond to spills.

The whole disaster led to big changes, including the birth of MARPOL (fancy name, important job), which now sets the global standard for preventing pollution from ships.

So yes, we got a bit nerdy with the history, but it’s the kind of story that shows how one disaster can shape the rules we live by today. Stick the kettle on and join us for a deep dive, minus the crude oil.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

We got chatting about greeting cards... and trust us, it’s a juicier topic than you’d think. From ancient Egypt and China to the boom during the Industrial Revolution, we took a little stroll through history and realised just how iconic that folded bit of card really is.

The UK greeting card industry is no small thing either, bringing in a whopping £1.5 billion a year. With 94% of households buying an average of 10.5 cards annually (who’s buying the half?), it’s clear we’re a nation that still loves a handwritten note. And yes, despite all the tech, 78% of us are still walking into actual shops to get them. Wild.

We also explored the emotional magic behind card-sending, thanks to a study by Dr. Emma Lawrence, we learned it’s not just nice, it’s scientifically good for your mental health. Who knew a bit of card could pack such a punch?

So pop the kettle on and have a listen, because there’s more to greeting cards than dodgy rhymes and glitter explosions.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

Love them or loathe them, Spanx has become a wardrobe staple for millions of women looking for that smooth, sculpted silhouette. But where did it all start? We’re going back to 1998, when Sarah Blakely, armed with nothing but a pair of scissors, a pair of sheer tights, and a frustration with visible panty lines, created what would become one of the most successful fashion inventions of all time.

Blakely had zero experience in fashion or business, but that didn’t stop her from building a billion-dollar empire. Spanx gave women a secret confidence boost, smoothing lumps and bumps without the need for complicated corsetry. But as the brand skyrocketed, so did the criticism. Does shapewear empower women, or does it reinforce impossible beauty standards? Are we choosing to wear it for us, or is it just another symptom of a world that still expects women to ‘fix’ their natural bodies?

Beyond the spandex and control panels, we’re also looking at the ethics behind the brand, Blakely’s surprising generosity when she sold the company, how Spanx compares to the growing trend of body positivity, and whether the shapewear industry still has a place in 2024. Are we all secretly still reaching for our Bridget Jones-style big knickers, or is it time to ditch the squeeze and let it all hang out? Let’s get into it!

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

James Dyson built an empire on relentless innovation, testing 5,126 prototypes before finally cracking the vacuum cleaner game. That kind of persistence is impressive, but does it mean Dyson is the golden standard of engineering, or just another brand riding on clever marketing?

We’re diving into Dyson’s rise from scrappy inventor to billionaire businessman, comparing his journey to other accidental innovations like bubble wrap and Post-it notes. But not everything about Dyson’s success story is spotless. His controversial decision to move operations from the UK to Singapore, despite being a vocal Brexit supporter, raises questions about loyalty versus business strategy. And then there’s the more uncomfortable side: allegations of poor labour conditions in Malaysia, a topic that continues to shadow the company’s global reputation.

On the flip side, Singapore offers undeniable benefits, favourable tax policies, cutting-edge tech infrastructure, and a strong talent pool. But at what point does business strategy cross the line into hypocrisy? And does Dyson still deserve its premium reputation, or has it become just another corporate machine, prioritising profits over principles?

From ethical dilemmas to whether their products actually live up to the hype, we’re breaking down the story behind the brand, and whether Dyson really sucks in more ways than one.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

For 100 years, Disney has been the ultimate storyteller, bringing us childhood nostalgia, cinematic magic, and theme park dreams. But behind the castles and catchy songs, things aren’t looking quite so enchanted.

We’re digging into the controversies and cracks appearing in the House of Mouse. From early accusations of racial stereotyping and sexism in classic films to modern-day scandals involving plagiarism, bribery, and sweatshop labour, Disney’s reputation has had its fair share of dark chapters. And let’s talk about Disney+, what seemed like an unstoppable streaming powerhouse during the pandemic has since lost 2.1 billion subscribers and racked up $1 billion in losses. Add in a $17 million pay gap dispute and allegations of union intimidation, and the magic starts looking a little more like smoke and mirrors.

Can Disney reclaim its former glory? Does it need to reconnect with its core storytelling magic, or is it time to streamline and rethink how it operates? One of us thinks Disney’s legacy will pull it through, while the other believes it needs a serious business reality check. Either way, the fairytale isn’t as flawless as we all once believed.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.

What started as a quirky idea, renting out an air mattress to make a bit of extra cash, has exploded into a $31 billion giant that now rivals the world’s biggest hotel chains. Airbnb has changed the way we travel, offering everything from treehouses to penthouses in over 200 countries. But has this so-called travel revolution come at too high a cost?

We’re unpacking the impact Airbnb has had on cities, communities, and housing markets worldwide. From New York to Barcelona to Paris, local governments are cracking down on short-term rentals, arguing that Airbnb has fuelled housing shortages, skyrocketing rents, and even pushed residents out of their own neighbourhoods. Then there’s the guest experience, last-minute cancellations, misleading listings, and privacy concerns, including the very real issue of hidden cameras (which, as of 2024, are finally banned indoors).

While Airbnb has made travel more flexible and accessible, it’s also raised serious ethical and economic questions. Is it still a great way to see the world, or has it become a corporate juggernaut that prioritises profits over people? We’re getting into the good, the bad, and the seriously problematic side of the platform that changed the hospitality industry forever.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.