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.