In this empowering episode of the About Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Danielle Walling, the inspiring entrepreneur behind Bella Sorella Hair & Beauty in Consett and founder of the rapidly growing North East Hair & Beauty Awards.Danielle started her career in the care industry, where she quickly excelled—but her passion for eyelash extensions sparked a bold decision: to dive head-first into the hair and beauty business. Today, she’s not only built a thriving salon, but she’s also championing the industry through a prestigious awards event that shines a spotlight on the region’s top beauty professionals.We discuss:💅 How Danielle transitioned from care work to the beauty industry🚀 The rapid rise of Bella Sorella and the North East Hair & Beauty Awards🏆 Why the awards are helping elevate standards and celebrate talent👨‍👩‍👧 The importance of family support and her husband's role in the journey🔥 Ambition, resilience, and the reality of growing a beauty brandWhether you run a salon, dream of starting your own beauty business, or love hearing raw, inspirational business stories, this episode is packed with value and motivation.👉 Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with entrepreneurs from across the North East.#HairAndBeautyBusiness #BellaSorella #NorthEastHairAndBeautyAwards #BeautyEntrepreneur #WomenInBusiness #EyelashExtensions #SalonOwner #SmallBusinessStories #EntrepreneurLife #ConsettBusiness #AboutSmallBusiness

In this inspiring episode of the About Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Simon Cataldo, former Firefighter and Royal Navy serviceman, and now the owner of Cataldo Training, based in the North East of England.Simon brings a refreshing perspective on success, business, and life — one that values time, freedom, and fulfilment over chasing money. Drawing from his background in the emergency services, Simon shares how those experiences shaped his mindset and led him to build a business that aligns with his values.We discuss:🔥 How a career in the Fire Service and Navy shaped Simon’s approach to business💭 Why time is the most valuable currency💡 The importance of creating a business that supports your lifestyle — not the other way around🌍 How the world might look if more people adopted this philosophyIf you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or simply someone rethinking what “success” really means, this episode will give you a powerful dose of perspective and motivation.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more authentic conversations with real business owners from the North East of England.#SmallBusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #WorkLifeBalance #TimeOverMoney #LifestyleBusiness #Motivation #NorthEastBusiness #BusinessPhilosophy #Entrepreneurship #SuccessMindset #AboutSmallBusiness

In this brand-new episode of the About Small Business Podcast, we welcome back Dave Head, owner of Northern Design and Digital Marketing, to talk about his exciting new direction — helping small businesses embrace AI and automation to save time, boost productivity, and scale smarter.Since his last appearance, Dave’s business has evolved rapidly. Now a proud dad to a six-month-old baby boy, he’s finding innovative ways to balance entrepreneurship and fatherhood, using AI tools and workflow automations to streamline his own company.We discuss:💡 How AI can transform everyday business operations⚙️ The real benefits of automation for time-poor entrepreneurs👶 Balancing parenthood and running a growing business🌍 The future of digital marketing and what small businesses should prepare forIf you’re a small business owner, digital marketer, or anyone curious about how AI can simplify your workload, this episode is packed with practical insights and relatable experiences.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with inspiring entrepreneurs from across the North East.#SmallBusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #AIAutomation #DigitalMarketing #BusinessGrowth #NorthernDesign #Productivity #NorthEastBusiness #Parentpreneur #BusinessTips #AIForBusiness