When you start a business, it’s easy to tell yourself you’ll sort the balance later. Later, when things calm down. Later, when it’s successful enough.

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev shares what she’d do differently if she started again, and it starts with building a business around life, not squeezing life in around work. From the invisible mental load of being a business owner to the slow creep of overwork, she unpacks how good intentions can turn into burnout.

You’ll hear practical reflections on boundaries, delegation, energy, and designing your week with intention, plus a simple challenge to help you put yourself back into the picture. Because a business that costs you your life isn’t success at all.

We’re often taught that leadership is about control, authority, and having all the answers. But what if real leadership starts somewhere quieter, with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to change how you show up?

In this episode, Bev is joined by Nicky, whose career began with more than two decades in the Metropolitan Police, before moving into coaching and leadership development. Drawing on frontline experience, Nicky shares what she learned about pressure, responsibility, and the limits of trying to change other people - and why the only real power we have is how we choose to respond.

They explore what happens when high-performing environments ignore emotional wellbeing, how burnout creeps in unnoticed, and why being “strong” doesn’t mean shutting everything down.

Nicky talks candidly about learning to listen differently, creating psychological safety, and leading in a way that allows people to feel heard, valued, and trusted, even when things are busy or difficult. This conversation is about modern leadership, personal responsibility, and the quiet mindset shifts that can transform teams, relationships, and yourself.

If you’re leading people, managing pressure, or questioning how you show up at work and at home, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and a calmer way forward.

In this live episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev takes the podcast to the Vibrant Supper Club for an evening of food, conversation, and connection. Local business owners share what they’ve learned this year, the advice they’re taking into the new year, and what keeps them going.

From the importance of community to reflections on health, energy, and purpose, this episode captures the honest, human side of business. Bev joins the conversation too, sharing her own insights and the moments that make life and work feel meaningful.

In this episode, we took the podcast on the road to ask business owners a simple question: “Life is good when…?”

In this live episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev dives into candid conversations that explore the highs, challenges, and surprising insights of both personal and professional life. From what fuels motivation to what truly makes work feel worthwhile, we uncover the moments that make business and life feel good.

And yes, Bev gets asked the question too, turning the lens inward to share her own reflections on joy, balance, and the lessons learned along the way.

This episode isn’t just about marketing or business strategy. It’s about what keeps us going, what inspires us, and how to make more of life feel good.

Most business owners don’t fail from lack of opportunity. They fail from saying yes to too many of them.

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev explores how to make decisions that create focus instead of chaos. You’ll uncover why your calendar fills faster than your capacity, how to spot the offers and ideas that genuinely move you forward, and the simple filters that make “no” feel strategic instead of scary.

Because success isn’t built on endless yeses - it’s built on the right ones.

The feast-and-famine cycle is exhausting. Chasing clients, starting every month at zero, and never knowing when the next payment will land.

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev breaks down how to build recurring revenue that fits your business and your brain. You’ll explore nine proven models - from retainers to memberships - and learn how to choose one that’s scalable, profitable, and joyful to deliver.

Because the goal isn’t just recurring revenue. It’s recurring freedom.

Scaling a business isn’t just about ambition - it’s about grit, clarity, and knowing when to hold your nerve.

In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev Wakefield speaks with Scott Parsons, co-founder of Forsyth Barnes, about building one of the UK’s fastest-growing recruitment firms from the ground up. From selling sweets at school to leading teams across four continents, Scott shares the mindset shifts, financial strategies, and leadership lessons that shaped his journey.

They dive into the realities of scaling without external funding, navigating COVID with conviction, and creating a culture where people truly care. If you’re growing something big and want to lead with purpose, not just pressure, this episode will show you how.

What happens to your business if you take three months off? If the answer makes you nervous, this episode is for you.

Bev dives into what it really means to build a business that works without you at the centre of every decision. She explains why exit planning isn’t just for people looking to sell; it’s the blueprint for freedom, flexibility, and long-term value.

You’ll discover how to calculate your own “Freedom Number,” design systems that keep the business running smoothly, and create genuine options for the future. Whether that’s stepping back, passing it on, or cashing out completely.

Because true success isn’t just what your business earns. It’s what it gives you back - time, choice, and peace of mind.