After over a year in the planning (and procrastinating!) my new podcast, Business Blethers, is live and available for you to listen to. Here’s a little bit about the podcast and what you can expect from it.
The Why?
Life is busy enough for everyone, including myself, so you might wonder why I have dedicated a lot of time to this project. I have, at points along the way, asked myself the same question!
The reason is simple. Because I really want the stories of businesses in the Highlands & Islands, our amazing community, to be documented and preserved. So those stories can inspire and encourage other business owners and maybe those who are just a little bit scared to take the plunge. And for those people who just have an interest in our community and the brilliant things that are happening in it, a lot of which go unheard.
We are, by nature, a reserved group of people. We don’t like to blow our own trumpets or to boast. It’s a Highland thing. We need to change this and shout about everything that is happening here.
If this podcast can help in some small way towards doing these things, then the ‘why’ has been achieved.
The What?
Firstly, what is a ‘blether’? It’s a chat, but it’s more than just a chat. It’s about sharing stories.
In my day job, through Kennedy Accountancy, I come across folk who are doing amazing things; innovative work in the tech and service industry, businesses who are excelling in food and tourism, people who are showcasing our culture to the world…I think we’ve got so much to be proud of. And the stories behind these businesses are incredible.
That is what Business Blethers is. It’s just me talking to business owners to highlight some of these stories, to find out about them as people, and to show everyone what a great place the Highland and Islands are to live and work.
It might be good to just highlight what the podcast is not. It is in no way about accountancy or tax, just in case you were worried I would be asking those types of questions! I fully appreciate that would be a pretty boring podcast.
The Who?
I am not going to give the whole game away and reveal all the upcoming guests, but in the first few episodes we cover topics such as: being the first to do something, getting away from the voice in your head telling you not to go for it, and how for one business owner starting a business was a mother’s way to find her purpose again.
The first guest is none other than Mr Gary Innes – BBC broadcaster, musician and the man behind the Hoolie in the Hydro – the world’s biggest ceilidh, which sold over 10,000 tickets in 2023. I was really keen to get Gary on and pick his brains over how on earth he achieved putting on that massive gig and what it was like in reality pulling off an event like that.
Gary reveals he had sleepless nights in the run up to the Hoolie, as his mind was buzzing with ideas to try and make sure the event was a success. He also talks about the path to becoming a full-time musician with trad band Mànran, about his mum’s doubts playing the accordion would be a viable career, and about his continued desire to prove her wrong.
The blether with Gary really does have something for everyone.
The Where?
Business Blethers can be found on all podcast apps, links are below to the Spotify and Apple podcasts. Please, follow and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss a show and if you like it please give it a rating, it really helps the podcast get seen.
Episodes will be released every fortnight.
You can also keep up to date with the show on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/businessbletherspodcast/
If you have any feedback at all on the podcast please get in touch at karen@kennedyaccountancy.com and if you have ideas for a future guest, or you want to come on yourself, let me know.
