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!

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Episodes

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 controversies and cracks appearing in the House of Mouse. From early accusations of racial stereotyping and sexism in classic films to modern-day scandals involving plagiarism, bribery, and sweatshop labour, Disney’s reputation has had its fair share of dark chapt...

Mar 10, 2025•21 min

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 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 governm...

Mar 03, 2025•18 min

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 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...

Feb 24, 2025•21 min

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, 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...

Feb 17, 2025•18 min

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 from Melanie Perkins in 2000 has grown into a global design powerhouse with 190 million users across 190 countries. And the craziest part? It was rejected by 100 investors before finally taking off. But behind the sleek templates and drag-and-drop ease, there’s...

Feb 10, 2025•14 min

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 struck by moving vehicles accounted for a staggering 70% of those deaths. The majority, 95% were men, and over a third were aged 60 or over. Construction and agriculture remain the deadliest industries. Health and safety might feel like a box-ticking exercise, ...

Feb 03, 2025•18 min

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 celebrated for its values and branding, but its practices tell a more complicated story. We explore the company’s public image versus its reality, touching on issues like human rights concerns, environmental impact, and supply chain challenges. From accus...

Jan 27, 2025•19 min

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, from critical business documents to life-saving medical transplants. We talk about the company’s strategic moves in the 1980s, its innovative investments in technology, and the uphill battle of convincing people why fast delivery mattered. FedEx’s journe...

Jan 20, 2025•14 min

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 by A.H. Robbins, the device’s peculiar shape, resembling a beetle might have seemed like a stroke of medical ingenuity, but the reality was far from reassuring. This tragic chapter in medical history teaches us some hard lessons. First, the absolute neces...

Jan 15, 2025•19 min

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 core of Bumble’s creation is Whitney Wolfe Herd’s powerful story - her experience with sexual harassment at Tinder motivated her to build a platform focused on empowerment and safer interactions. With a valuation nearing $270 million in 2024 and nearly 60 m...

Jan 13, 2025•14 min

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 ice cream-making course set them on a new path. In 1978, they opened their first shop, experimenting with a variety of foods before narrowing their focus to ice cream by 1979. Ben's anosmia (the inability to smell) shaped the brand's signatur...

Jan 13, 2025•15 min

Bakery Horror Story

We delve into the chilling story of Harvest Time Bakery in Leicester, where a tragic and preventable accident shook the industry in 1998. When a 75-foot tunnel oven malfunctioned, the bakery’s owners prioritised avoiding downtime over proper safety protocols, with devastating consequences. This harrowing incident underscores the critical importance of health and safety regulations in the workplace. We examine how negligence led to significant fines for the company and its directors, sparking con...

Jan 13, 2025•18 min

Do You Really Know About KFC?

We take a deep dive into the remarkable life of Colonel Sanders, exploring how he transformed from a farmhand with humble beginnings to the face of one of the world’s most recognisable brands, Kentucky Fried Chicken. Together, we unpack his journey through challenges like dropping out of school, tackling gruelling jobs, and facing rejection a staggering 1009 times before his iconic chicken recipe was accepted. From dramatic shootouts to devastating fires, Sanders’ story is one of resilience, gri...

Jan 13, 2025•10 min

What Are You Signing Up For?

In our first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on who we are, how we met, and why we’ve finally decided to turn our chats into a podcast! This podcast is about more than just business – it’s about the real stories behind it. We’ll dive into the uncomfortable truths, celebrate the wins, and everything in between. Whether it’s a lesson we’ve learned the hard way, an industry insight, or just a funny anecdote from the week, we promise to keep it authentic, relatable, and always entertaining. ...

Jan 09, 2025•3 min