A few years ago, I thought that if I could just get a business to £250,000 a year, everything would become easier. More money. More freedom. More certainty. What I've discovered after speaking to hundreds of business owners is that £250,000 isn't the finish line. It's often where the real challenges begin. In fact, most businesses never make it past this point. Not because the owners aren't talented. Not because the product isn't good. And certainly not because they don't wor

This is one of the most common questions I’m asked. Sometimes it’s direct: “Should we hire a marketing agency, or bring someone in-house?” Other times it’s implied: “We’ve tried agencies before.” “We’re thinking about hiring a marketing manager.” “We don’t know what the right next step is.” What’s interesting is that there isn’t a single right answer. But there are wrong decisions — usually made without understanding what each option actually involves. This article is here t

Most small business owners don’t need more marketing ideas. They already have plenty of those. What they’re missing is a way to decide what actually matters — and what can safely be ignored. Over the years, working with service-based businesses at very different stages, I’ve noticed something consistent. The businesses that make progress aren’t doing more. They’re doing less — but with intention. That’s what a simple framework provides. Why Most Marketing Frameworks Don’t St