Business and a Brew

By: Danielle Thompson
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Business and a Brew – the podcast where real conversations about business happen over a good drink. Hosted by Danielle and Simon, this show brings together two friends with years of shared experiences, lessons learned, and plenty of stories to tell.

    We’re here to explore the highs, lows, and in-betweens of business, from awkward challenges to unexpected victories. No topic is off the table – if it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey, we’re talking about it. Whether you’re looking for relatable advice, fresh perspectives, or just a laugh, you’ll find it here.

    Think of us as your business buddies, chatting over coffee (or something stronger), keeping it real and keeping you entertained. So, grab your brew of choice, tune in, and let’s get talking. Cheers!

    © 2025 Business and a Brew
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Episodes
  • Airbnb Truths, Listen Before you book!
    Mar 3 2025

    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.

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    18 mins
  • Is Football Really the Wholesome Sport you Think it is?
    Feb 24 2025

    Football, the beautiful game, the world’s sport, the great unifier. But beneath the passion, the rivalries, and the stadium anthems, there’s a side to the sport that’s far from wholesome.

    We’re talking about corruption at the highest levels, the kind that turns a game of skill and dedication into a multi-billion-dollar power play. Since 2015, FIFA has been rocked by scandal after scandal, with $150 million in bribes, the arrests of top officials, and World Cup hosting rights awarded under deeply questionable circumstances.

    It doesn’t stop at the boardroom. The monopolisation of sponsorships, the exclusive grip on broadcasting rights, and the increasing commercialisation of football all raise the question, who really owns the game? And more importantly, at what cost? Grassroots football, national programs, and local clubs feel the ripple effects, while fans are left with dwindling trust in the institutions meant to protect the sport they love.

    But can FIFA ever be truly reformed? Is football too big, too global, and too entangled with money and politics to ever be cleaned up? Or are fans so emotionally invested in their clubs that they’re willing to turn a blind eye? We’re getting into all of it, the good, the bad, and the downright corrupt.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • Patagonia and Donald Trumps Obsession with Greenwashing
    Feb 17 2025

    Sustainability sells, but how much of it is real, and how much is just clever marketing? Patagonia has built its entire brand on environmental advocacy, championing recycled materials, fair trade, and transparency. From their Worn Wear program, which encourages customers to repair rather than replace, to their outspoken stance against destructive policies, they’ve positioned themselves as the gold standard for ethical business. But is it all as green as it seems?

    We’re diving into the reality of Patagonia’s sustainability claims, the challenges of maintaining true ethical supply chains, and the inevitable controversies that come with being a leader in the space, including forced labour allegations that they’ve had to address. At the same time, we can’t ignore the irony of Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on environmental efforts while actively embracing corporate greenwashing for political gain.

    This conversation isn’t about taking everything at face value, it’s about cutting through the noise, questioning what real sustainability looks like, and calling out hypocrisy where we see it. Whether it’s Patagonia’s impact or Trump’s obsession with performative environmentalism, we’re unpacking what’s actually happening behind the scenes.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    18 mins

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