Mind Your Business aims to champion small business owners, workers and entrepreneurs

Former Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies has teamed up with her entrepreneurial sister to launch a new light-hearted podcast aimed at small business owners. Sara and younger sister Helen Goddard have launched Mind Your Business, a weekly podcast which aims to offer down-to-earth advice and constructive light relief for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Helen owns and runs The Decorating Centre Online (DCO) in Durham, while former Strictly star and TV presenter Sara owns Crafter’s Companion alongside investments in a host of companies – some of which she backed in her Dragon days – so they have more than 30 years of combined business experience to pass on to listeners.

And they told how they are on a mission to make small business owners and workers feel supported, seen and empowered to grow. It comes as latest figures show that over 99% of UK businesses are SMEs, and Mind Your Business aims to spotlight and lift up the millions of people running or working in them, helping them to navigate the small stuff and the big obstacles, with lots of good humour.

Each week, Sara and Helen share insights and actionable tools, while providing a moment to step out of regular work-think routines and chat through everything from the realities of being your own boss, LinkedIn vs reality, and managing cash flow, to staffing, imposter syndrome and how to maintain that tricky work-life balance.

The siblings follow the same strong work ethic but have so far enjoyed very different careers, so they each bring their own perspectives to the table. Helen’s corporate background was in the automotive industry before taking over the family business DCO 10 years ago, growing it to 15 times the size, and she knows all too well what challenges small business owners face.

Meanwhile Sara applies her lens of entrepreneur, investor and mentor to small businesses. Mind Your Business podcast will also have a community on Facebook, where small business owners and workers can share their own advice, celebrate wins, and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs as well as contribute to a bonus weekly Q&A episode.

Sara said: “I’m so excited that Mind Your Business is finally out there and I’m delighted to be working with my sister on something so close to our hearts. We want to have conversations that truly speak to the 16.6 million people in small businesses about what’s important to them. You could own a florist, work as a plumber, be launching a marketing agency or running a catering service. These people are the backbone of our economy – working during challenging times – and deserve to be championed, supported and hopefully helped on their way as they grow.

“Our Helen and I want to offer a safe space each week in the podcast and community where we can all learn by sharing our learnings, losses and wins – but over a brew, not a boardroom table!”

Helen added: “Running a business myself, I’m aware of how isolating it can be. There are millions of us out here in similar situations – working long hours, juggling family life, or trying to get an idea off the ground. I’m passionate about bridging the gap in community and offering real talk about the nuts and bolts – and the highs and lows. Mind Your Business is aimed at people just like me and hopefully we can be part of something that has a meaningful impact on our working lives and helps celebrate the achievements so many of us can overlook.

“We are from a business-focused family and we’re literally recording in what used to be our Sara’s office and before that, Sara’s first bedroom! So do expect the odd input from our mam and dad – or more likely just them popping in to tell us the roast is nearly ready.”

The first two episodes of Mind Your Business are available to listen to now on all major podcast platforms.

A Career Built on Curiosity and Care

Erin Waid did not take a straight path into dentistry. Her career evolved step by step, guided by curiosity and a strong interest in patient care.

“I’ve always been drawn to helping people in a hands-on way,” she says. “But I also wanted to understand the science behind what I was doing.”

She grew up in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, just outside New Orleans. Her early life was shaped by both discipline and education. Her father was an attorney. Her mother worked in early childhood education. That balance of structure and care would later show up in her work.

In high school, she ran cross-country. “That taught me consistency,” she says. “You don’t see results overnight. You show up every day.”

That mindset would follow her through a long and demanding academic journey.

Education Path: From Biology to Dentistry

Waid began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Portland. At that point, dentistry was not yet the goal.

Instead, she pursued nursing. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Seattle University and trained as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

“I wanted to understand the whole patient, not just one system,” she explains.

Her performance stood out. She was nominated for the Graduate Student Excellence Award, based on academics, leadership, and community work.

But over time, her interests shifted.

“I started to realize I wanted to work more with procedures and problem-solving,” she says. “Dentistry gave me that.”

She enrolled at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine. During that time, she received multiple honors, including the Dean’s Research Scholarship and an award in Oral Biology.

Her research focused on early childhood dental care. “I was interested in why some treatments worked differently across patients,” she says.

That interest in detail and precision led her to specialize further.

She completed her endodontics residency at OHSU, where she also contributed to research later published in 2025.

Career Timeline: From Clinics to Specialization

Waid’s early career reflects a wide range of clinical experience.

She began in research roles, working as a Research Assistant and later as a Clinical Research Coordinator. These roles exposed her to patient monitoring, data collection, and clinical protocols.

“It taught me how to think critically,” she says. “You don’t just follow steps. You ask why.”

She then worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in dermatology and medical aesthetics. Her work included treating skin conditions and performing cosmetic procedures.

From there, she moved into dentistry full time.

At OHSU’s Russell Street Clinic, she worked as both a General Dentist and Assistant Professor. She treated patients while also teaching dental students.

“I enjoyed mentoring,” she says. “It forces you to stay sharp and explain your thinking.”

She later worked in emergency dental care, handling urgent cases like trauma and infections.

“That environment teaches you to make fast, accurate decisions,” she explains.

In 2024, she stepped fully into her role as an endodontist. Today, she practices at Salem Endodontic Associates and Multnomah Endodontics and Microsurgery.

What Does an Endodontist Do?

Endodontics focuses on the inside of the tooth. This includes the pulp, nerves, and root system.

Waid’s daily work involves diagnosing tooth pain, treating infections, and performing procedures like root canals and microsurgeries.

“A lot of patients come in anxious,” she says. “My job is to solve the problem and make the experience manageable.”

Her background across nursing, research, and general dentistry gives her a broader perspective.

“I look at the full picture,” she explains. “Not just the tooth, but the patient’s history and concerns.”

Leadership in Dentistry and Research

Waid’s career shows a pattern of steady progression and depth.

She is a member of the American Association of Endodontists and the Marshall Baumgartner Endodontic Study Group. These groups focus on ongoing education and collaboration.

She also continues to stay connected to research.

“Dentistry changes fast,” she says. “You have to keep learning.”

Her published work and academic background support that approach. She is not just applying existing methods. She is also contributing to the field.

Philanthropy and Community Work

Outside of clinical work, Waid has been active in community service.

From 2018 to 2021, she served on the Ryan White Planning Council in Multnomah County. The group helped decide how to allocate $3 million in federal funding for HIV/AIDS programs.

“That work gave me a different perspective,” she says. “It’s about impact at a systems level.”

Earlier in her life, she was involved with the Seafair Organization in Seattle. She served as Miss Seafair and later mentored young women in the scholarship program.

“It was about building confidence and communication skills,” she says.

A Practical Approach to Growth

Waid’s career is not defined by one big leap. It is defined by consistent progress.

She moved from research to nursing, then to dentistry, and finally into a specialized field. Each step built on the last.

“I didn’t plan it all at once,” she says. “I followed what interested me and where I could grow.”

Today, she continues to focus on patient care, technical skill, and ongoing learning.

Her interests outside of work are simple. She enjoys running, golfing, and spending time with her family.

“It helps me stay balanced,” she says.

Final Thoughts: A Career Built Over Time

Erin Waid’s path shows how careers can evolve through exploration and discipline.

She combines clinical skill with research, teaching, and community involvement. That mix has positioned her as a steady presence in her field.

“I think success comes from staying curious,” she says. “And being willing to keep improving.”

Her story is not about shortcuts. It is about showing up, learning, and building expertise over time.

Handing someone a cheap plastic pen with your logo on it used to be standard practice at trade shows and networking events. That era is fading fast. Businesses across every sector are rethinking what they give away, and the shift toward eco-friendly alternatives is not just a trend but a competitive necessity.

For small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, the choice of promotional merchandise sends a message far beyond the logo printed on it. A reusable bottle or a notebook made from recycled materials tells a client that your company takes responsibility seriously. It also happens to be the kind of item people actually keep and use, which is the entire point of a giveaway in the first place.

Specialists like Greengiving have built entire catalogues around this idea, offering everything from seed paper to Fairtrade cotton bags. The growing demand from corporate buyers, government bodies and institutions suggests this is no passing fad. When organisations like McKinsey and L’Oréal are choosing sustainable giveaways, SMEs would be wise to pay attention to what that signals about market expectations.

The Real Cost of Throwaway Merchandise

Most traditional promotional items end up in a bin within a week. Research from the British Promotional Merchandise Association has repeatedly shown that usefulness is the top factor determining whether a branded item is kept or discarded. A flimsy keychain or a single-use plastic item fails that test almost every time.

There is a financial argument here too. Ordering five hundred cheap items that nobody wants is not a saving. It is a waste of budget that could have gone toward fewer, better products that actually sit on someone’s desk for months.

Sustainable alternatives tend to score higher on perceived value. A bamboo pen or a reusable coffee cup feels like a considered gift rather than a piece of marketing clutter. That distinction matters when you are trying to make an impression on a potential client or partner.

What Today’s Buyers Actually Want to Receive

The range of eco promotional products available now would surprise anyone who has not looked at the market recently. Seed paper that sprouts into wildflowers, erasable notebooks that replace hundreds of disposable ones, and drinkware from certified B Corp brands are all standard options. Even sweets and chocolates from ethical producers can be branded and gifted.

Practicality remains king. Items people integrate into their daily routine generate far more brand impressions than anything that ends up in a drawer. A Fairtrade cotton tote bag used for weekly shopping, for example, puts your logo in front of dozens of people every time it leaves the house.

Personalisation has also improved dramatically. Full-colour printing on recycled materials looks sharp and professional. The old excuse that eco products look dull or amateurish simply does not hold up anymore.

Aligning Giveaways With Your Brand Values

Choosing sustainable merchandise is not just about the product itself. It is about coherence. If your website talks about corporate responsibility but your conference stand is handing out plastic tat, that disconnect will not go unnoticed.

SMEs actually have an advantage here over larger corporations. Decisions can be made quickly, supply chains are shorter, and there is less bureaucracy between the idea and the execution. Switching to greener promotional items can happen in a matter of days when you work with a specialist supplier that holds stock and handles printing in-house.

Greengiving, for instance, operates its own printing facility and offers quotes within a single working day, with free delivery across the EU. That kind of speed matters when you have an event next week and a brand image to protect.

Measuring Impact Beyond Impressions

Marketing teams love to talk about impressions, but the real value of a promotional product lies in the relationship it reinforces. A thoughtfully chosen gift creates a moment of genuine appreciation. That emotional response is something a digital advert struggles to replicate.

Tracking the return on promotional merchandise is admittedly harder than tracking clicks. But consider what happens when a client pulls out a branded reusable bottle during a meeting with someone else. That is an endorsement no amount of paid media can buy.

For SMEs operating on tighter budgets, every pound spent on marketing needs to justify itself. Sustainable promotional items tend to have a longer lifespan, which stretches the cost per impression further than disposable alternatives ever could.

Where the Market Is Heading

EU regulations around single-use plastics and corporate sustainability reporting are tightening year on year. Businesses that shift toward greener promotional strategies now are simply getting ahead of requirements that will eventually become mandatory. Waiting until legislation forces the change means missing out on the reputational benefits of being early.

The promotional products industry itself is evolving rapidly, with platforms like Greengiving cataloguing over 1,200 eco-certified items aimed exclusively at business buyers. Consumer expectations around sustainability are only moving in one direction, and the brands people choose to work with reflect those expectations.

Smart SMEs are already treating their promotional merchandise as an extension of their sustainability strategy rather than an afterthought. The question is no longer whether to make the switch, but how quickly you can make it work for your brand.

MLU Properties leading plan for Halton Magistrates’ Court

An eyesore former court building looks set to become flats after plans were given the go-ahead.

Halton Magistrates’ Court next to Runcorn Shopping City has been disused since it was closed in 2017 as part of a national cost-cutting exercise.

An application was submitted last summer to turn two floors of the three-storey site into 10 apartments, and those plans have now been backed by Halton Council planners.

Planning documents state the initial 10 properties would be the first phase, with other phases to come. The scheme has been put forward by Staffordshire based MLU Properties.

A design and access statement submitted in support said the design of the building would employ materials intended to match what was already in place, adding: “however, the existing white UPVC Cladding will be replaced by anthracite grey UPVC.”

It said: “The building as a whole is proposed to be re-purposed instead of erecting a brand new building, this ensures a sustainable design ethos.”

The court was one of 86 closed as part of a review by the Ministry of Justice under the previous Tory government, It said the closures were part of a £700 million ‘modernisation’ plan to ‘make justice more efficient’.

But the move was heavily criticised at the time with the then safer Halton policy and performance board chairman Cllr Dave Thompson branding it ‘shameful’ and claiming the Government had used inaccurate data to justify its decision.

In 2021 a cannabis farm with more than a thousand plants was discovered in the derelict building, which sits next door to Runcorn Police Station.

Since its closure, Runcorn cases are now heard in Warrington, Chester, and other Cheshire courts.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

Lambert Smith Hampton has posted adverts for Grade II* listed buildings

Birkenhead and Wallasey town halls are being listed for sale as both of the historic buildings are marketed to developers. Wirral Council is currently looking at whether there is anyone interested in buying the buildings off it.

Two adverts have been posted by the council’s commissioned property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton for both of the Grade II* listed buildings. Birkenhead’s town hall sits in the heart of Hamilton Square while Wallasey’s overlooks the River Mersey on Brighton Street in Seacombe.

Brochures attached to the adverts say both town halls are “for sale” with a range of photos showcasing the inside and the outside of the buildings. Overall, Wallasey has a total floor space of 7,864 metres while Birkenhead has a floor space of 4,415 metres.

Both town halls are more than 100 years old with Wallasey’s built in 1916 while Birkenhead’s was constructed in 1887. However, Birkenhead Town Hall closed in 2025 as part of budget cuts that year with services moved over to Wallasey.

Earlier this year, the local authority looked at options about what to do with both landmarks going forward as part of a wider review of the land and buildings it owns. Councillors on March 11 decided to see what market interest there is in both buildings “to gain a better understanding of the viability of a sale of the assets in the current market”.

Elected members were told the council was looking to move as quickly as possible on the matter and further recommendations could be made later this year.

Despite the assets being listed for sale, the March report put before councillors said: “There is no commitment to sell either property at this stage. Any recommendation to sell would be presented at future meetings.

“This will ensure the committee understands what options are available to it and take a step closer to understanding the council’s future needs and the potential future use of these assets.”

At the time, it was estimated it costs the council £803,674 a year to run Wallasey Town Hall while Birkenhead Town Hall is costing £357,935 to maintain despite being closed. On top of this, condition surveys done in May 2024 revealed the buildings need at least £10m of work over the next decade.

The Lambert Smith Hampton brochure also said that to appoint someone to purchase the buildings would require the council “to seek internal approvals to proceed with a disposal”, adding the council “is not bound to accept the highest or any offer and reserves the right to enter into negotiations with any party”.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.