149 - 10 Common mistakes to avoid when starting a business

Chantal & Matthew are the founders and directors of Champ Consultants Ltd. Today they discussed the 10 common mistakes to avoid when starting a business to enable a startup to succeed and not be one of the 90% of startups that fail. They go through the 10 common mistakes and discuss them with tips on how to avoid them. An essential podcast for anyone wanting to start a business. You can find out more about their company at www.champconsultants.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Dr Bayju Thakar is a former medical doctor, McKinsey consultant and entrepreneur. He is the founder and former CEO of Doctor Care Anywhere/Doctor at Hand. He is now investing in and building local businesses creating jobs and services for the local community including Well Life Clinic in Surrey. During our chat we discussed how Well Life Clinic is now working with the NHS to help reduce their waiting list especially with ADHD diagnosis. Having a private GP enables patients to get seen in theri time and enables them to get back to work. You can find out more about the clinic at www.welllife-clinic.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Ian Mercer runs Merceric Executive Coaching and brings executive coaching to organisations large and small, charities, public and private. For Ian, executive coaching is personalised management and leadership development that focuses on the people side of an organisation. Ian helps people to help themselves rather than telling them how to run their business. During our chat we discussed how golf clubs are used to show the six leadership styles - which club are you? We discussed emotional intelligence and transactional analysis - as well as other leadership and coaching techniques. You can find Ian on linked in - www.linkedin.com/in/merceric Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Michelle Bell founded Only Dogs in 2024 after a stressful life and shares her story with us. Michelle is a true lover of dogs and she tells us how her business started, why she wanted to be on a high street and how she helps other shops in the community grow as well as the importance of keeping our High Streets alive with community events. Only Dogs is based in Lingfield in Surrey and Michelle is the organiser of the Lingfield Day - not to be missed. You can find out more about Michelle at www.onlydogs.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Jackie Thompson is a Chartered Member of The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and founder of Creative HR Services, a HR consultancy built to support UK SME's with proactive HR solutions. During our chat we spoke about the many changes coming in from April 2026 and the changes to Employment Rights Law. This really is an essential listen for any employer or employer to be. You can find  Jackie at www.creativehrservices.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Dan Drake is an employee of Champ Consultants Ltd. He left school at 18 and started his career as an apprentice accountant.Dan shares his insights into life as an apprentice, not going to university, training to be an accountant and so much more.You can find his employer at www.champconsultants.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Rachel Thornhill is an award-winning professional portrait and branding photographer  who combines technical excellence with heartfelt storytelling - creating images that feel fun, authentic and deeply personal. During our chat we discussed all photography matters, starting a business, getting qualified as well as doing a live photoshoot while we were live on radio! That was an experience!Rachel can be found at www.rachelthornhill.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Chad Brignac is a transformationist, author and speaker whose leadership brand is built on helping individuals, families and organisations lead from a place of healing, vulnerability and true identity - beyond titles, performance or position. During our chat with Chad we discussed his book - Blend Don't Break: Creating Your Family's Secret Sauce  and how important it is for business leaders to have identity in their leadership. To find out more about Chad, you can find him at www.chadmbrignac.com Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

Jak Alder started his life in a professional career aged 18 and not much experience. AS his career progressed he knew he needed to improve his skills and commenced his pathinto personal development. During our chat Jak explains how he has been on this journey and how he has overcome the hard bits. We also discuss the importance of a positive mental attitude. Jak is an employee of Champ Consultants Limited, www.champconsultants.co.uk Your Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour

With a career that spans corporate boardrooms, global classrooms and stand-up comedy stages, Matthew Hill brings a rare blend of wit, warmth and wisdom to the art of communication. Matthew helps executives and emerging leaders unlock confidence, clarity and achieve impact. Spending this time with Matthew was enlightening, we tested our own vocal presentation and techniques on improving it. We discussed the importance of networking and the benefits of being a communicator. Improving our communication skills enhances everyone and this was a great chat. You can find Matthew at www.presentation-skills.ukYour Business Hour podcast is hosted by the founders of Champ Consultants, Chantal and Matthew Baker. They are both accountants and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and business tips to their chat. They interview guests who tell their business stories, as well as consider the latest topics in business and finance.New podcasts are released weekly on a Tuesday and you can follow us on:Instagram: @your.businesshourFacebook: @your.businesshour