How Not to Run a Business

You know that voice in your head that says, "Don't upset them or they'll leave" That's not good customer service. That's people pleasing. And it's costing you more than you think.In this episode, Jeremy gets honest about his own people-pleasing patterns, where they come from, and how they've shown up across 20 years of running businesses. From a client who walked away when he set a boundary, to an unpaid invoice he avoided chasing for months, this is a raw look at what happens when being nice stops being helpful.What you'll learn:Why people pleasing is actually a survival response (the fourth stress response most people don't know about)The connection between ADHD, rejection sensitivity, and people pleasing in businessHow to tell the difference between doing a good job and people pleasingThe one question to ask yourself every time you're in a difficult client situationWhy managing your own state matters more than managing the situationThis episode is for you if:Have you ever avoided chasing an overdue invoice because you didn't want to be "difficult"You soften your professional advice to keep clients happyYou say yes when you mean noHave you ever thought, "If I push back, they'll leave"Links:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsukWebsite: jeremyjacobs.co.uk

My last episode was in January. It's now April. I told you I'd be back. I wasn't. In this episode, I break down the three-part trap that kept me away: overwhelm stopped me from starting, perfectionism stopped me from finishing, and shame stopped me from coming back. I also get into ADHD prioritisation, the comparison trap, and why I was scared of both failure and success at the same time. If you've been putting something off because the gap has got too big to face, this one's for you.My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/My Website: https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/

Loathe the new year? Hate all these people shoving their business success in your face? This episode is for you.In this episode, I reflect on the past year and share my thoughts on setting goals for the new year. I discuss the pressures of societal expectations around New Year's resolutions and emphasise the importance of defining personal success on one's own terms. I encourage you to embrace your individual paths, navigate uncertainty, and focus on resilience in business. I also highlight the significance of self-reflection and understanding what truly matters in life and business.Chapters00:00 Reflecting on 2025 and New Year Goals05:46 Challenging the New Year Norms10:17 Defining Personal Success and Business Focus15:48 Navigating Uncertainty and Resilience in Business20:08 Embracing Individual Paths and PerspectivesFind me online at jeremyjacobs.co.uk

I'm back! In this episode, I share my journey of balancing a social media presence with individual well-being. After taking a five-month break, I reflect on the transformational experiences that have reshaped my approach to business and life. Join me as I explore the pressures of social media, its impact on mental health, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Discover how I've learned to find what truly works for me and my business, and how you can do the same.

In this episode, I'm sharing the two crucial metrics that most small business owners overlook despite their significant impact on growth, especially if you're in a service-based business.Forget about chasing vanity metrics like followers, views and followers. There are two metrics that are far more critical to your success you should be focusing on.Tune in to discover these game-changing metrics and understand exactly why they're essential for driving genuine, sustainable success in your business.#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever felt like you started the year with big plans but lost momentum (or ended up feeling guilty about it), this episode is for you. We’ll talk about why it’s completely normal to struggle with sticking to goals, how to build sustainable habits, and how to take a more compassionate approach to self-improvement. Because let’s be real—beating yourself up doesn’t help you achieve anything!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why goal-setting isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence✅ The Review, Rinse, Repeat method for staying on track✅ How to schedule regular check-ins with yourself (and actually stick to them)✅ The importance of tracking progress—and why your memory isn’t reliable✅ How to adjust your goals without feeling like you’ve “failed”#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of How Not To Run A Business, I share straightforward advice to make running a business less stressful. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning too many plates or want to get things running more smoothly, this episode’s for you.I’ll discuss some key ways to stay organised, stay on top of things, and free up your time for what really matters, whether that’s growing your business or just having a bit of breathing room.Listen and see how you can make life a bit easier!#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Year-end reflections can be painful. I am here to make it less so. In this episode of How Not to Run a Business, I’m talking about the mental and emotional challenges of looking back on your year as an entrepreneur and small business owner.I’ll walk you through the seven common mistakes people make when reviewing their year, and how to approach it with a clearer perspective. We’ll cover things like:Balancing the good and the bad – because it’s rarely all one or the other.Making sense of your finances without getting overwhelmed.Setting goals that are actually achievable.Recognising what was within your control and what wasn’t.The value of getting an outside perspective and documenting your progress properly.Reflection doesn’t have to feel like a punishment or a pointless exercise. Done well, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge your achievements, learn from what didn’t go to plan, and prepare for the year ahead with a bit more clarity.So, if you want to start the new year on the right foot, this one’s for you.#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m tackling something that makes many small business owners squirm—sales. If selling feels awkward, pushy, or just plain scary, you’re not alone.I’ll share seven reasons why we struggle with sales and how to reframe your mindset to make it feel more natural—and enjoyable. It’s all about helping people, celebrating small wins, and finding a style that works for you.If sales has ever felt like a necessary evil, this episode is for you. Tune in and start selling with confidence!#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #smallbusinessowner #sales #motivation__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your business could thrive without you constantly holding it together? In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on building a company that operates independently of you, the owner.I reflect on my journey—the highs, the struggles, and the lessons I’ve learned about tying my identity too closely to my business. I’ll talk about why delegation, systemisation, and planning for the future are crucial steps to creating a sustainable business model that works and gives you the freedom to live a better quality of life.#businessgrowth #entrepreneurlife #delegation #worklifebalance #businesssuccess #smallbusinesstips #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #sme #smallbusinessowner #leadershipdevelopment #businessownerlife #scalablebusiness__________________I’m Jeremy Jacobs. I have been an entrepreneur for 20 years and built a seven-figure business. I now help entrepreneurs and business owners do the same through my content and coaching programmes.💪🏼 Get weekly strategy, tips and guidance on how to build your businesshttp://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/newsletter/🏆 Work with mehttps://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/work-with-me/🙌 Connect with me on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.