Business and a Brew
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!
Episodes
28 episodes
A Bird's Eye View on Frozen Foods
Clarence Birdseye wasn’t just a guy with a name that sounds made-up; he was the biologist who turned frozen food from a sad soggy mess into a global game-changer. After dropping out of college and spending time ice fishing in Labrador (because ...
•
12:51
The death and resurrection of Kodak
Kodak’s story is the business version of “you had one job.” They gave the world the Box Brownie, the first colour film, and basically made photography a household thing. Founded in 1880 by George Eastman, they were the dogs bollocks of the came...
•
17:43
DePuy or Not DePuy: When Medical Devices Go Very, Very Wrong
Things took a darker turn with the story of DePuy’s ASR hip replacements, a medical device that promised mobility but ended up causing chaos inside the body.The ASR model used an all-metal design, which turned out to be a massive problem...
•
21:48
BrewDog: Excellent Beer, a Bit Shit at Forestry
Let’s talk about BrewDog! The punk of the beer world that’s built its brand on disruption, bold claims, and a whole lot of attitude.Founded in 2007, they went from a small start-up to striking major deals, including one with Tesco, all w...
•
17:47
How Different Is Your Genuine Dior Bag From a Chinese Knock Off?
We got into the glossy world of luxury brands and asked the question no one really wants to answer: how much of what we buy is about status, and how much is actually about ethics?Dior and Armani took centre stage after a 2024 report reve...
•
18:21
EDF: Energy That's Sexier Because It’s French?
We got chatting about EDF Energy, the power giant that’s got its fingers in sockets across more than 30 countries. Known for banging the sustainability drum and offering decent perks like job security, flexible working, and proper training, it’...
•
16:56
The Nazi Shoemaker: How Much Do You Know About Puma and Adidas
We got into the seriously dramatic sibling story behind two of the biggest sports brands on the planet: Puma and Adidas. What started as a shared passion for making top-notch running shoes turned into a full-blown family feud with global conseq...
•
15:16
Spilling Oil: It's Not a Slick Business Move
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 Sev...
•
28:32
Why Birthday Cards are Important
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 fo...
•
17:27
Get Your Bridget Jones' on Girls - its Time to Talk Spanx!
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...
•
13:14
Dyson, does it actually SUCK?
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 anothe...
•
16:52
Disney, the Fairytale you Expected?
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 co...
•
21:22
Airbnb Truths, Listen Before you book!
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 treeh...
•
18:03
Is Football Really the Wholesome Sport you Think it is?
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 leve...
•
20:46
Patagonia and Donald Trumps Obsession with Greenwashing
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,...
•
18:25
Cheap and Accessible Graphic Design? The Origins of Canva Exposed.
Once upon a time, if you wanted professional-looking graphics, you either had to pay a designer or battle with the complicated world of Adobe. Enter Canva, the platform that flipped the industry on its head. What started as a simple idea...
•
14:00
Proof That It Is Bloody Dangerous To Have a Job - Warning, Might Make You Want To Quit Immediately
The stats don’t lie.We’re digging into the hard-hitting reality of workplace fatalities, and the numbers might just make you rethink everything. In the UK alone, 137 people lost their lives at work in 2023/24. Falls from height and being...
•
17:51
Why You Should Quit Buying Starbucks, But You Probs Won't!
Why do we keep buying Starbucks, even when we know the controversies? In this episode, we dig into the story of the coffee giant that has become both a symbol of convenience and a lightning rod for criticism. Founded in 1971, Starbucks is often...
•
18:47
What If Wilson Wasn't Sent By FEDEX? The Logistics Company Secrets
What if Wilson wasn’t sent by FedEx? We take a deep dive into the fascinating story of how this logistics giant reshaped overnight delivery. Together, we explore Fred Smith’s bold vision to create a reliable service for time-sensitive shipments...
•
13:56
Dalkon Sheild Sounds Like It Would Protect You Right? Wrong!
The Dalkon Shield IUD was introduced in the 1970s with the promise of revolutionising contraception, but its story serves as a sobering reminder of what can happen when innovation outpaces responsibility. Designed by Dr. Hugh Davis and marketed...
•
18:45
Is Bumble a Dating Day Fumble Or Ready To Help You Rumble In The Sheets?
We take a closer look at the ever-changing world of online dating, exploring its highs, lows, and everything in between. Together, we unravel the story of Bumble, the app that put women in control by making them initiate conversations. At the c...
•
13:32
How Well Do You Know The Sugar Sweet Hippies That Are Ben And Jerry?
We explore the fascinating story behind Ben & Jerry's, diving into how two friends with dreams of pottery and medicine unexpectedly became ice cream legends. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield originally planned to open a bagel shop, but a $5 i...
•
15:07