Lifelong friends, graphic designer Gary Cadogan and agency creative leader Stuart Davis started their London-based sustainable children's footwear brand Dubs in August 2022, after the pandemic had forced the UK into lockdown.

At the time, Stuart was struck by just how fast his young daughter’s feet were growing, and frustrated that the new shoes he bought didn’t last more than a few months. Worse still, most of them didn’t fit properly to begin with.

Two million pairs of children’s shoes end up in landfill every week in the UK. This figure alarmed Gary and Stuart. So, they set out to design and launch a range of children’s shoes that were stylish, comfortable and immortal.

In this fascinating episode, Stuart retraces his start-up journey with Gary, remembering the highs and lows, as well as the key lessons they have learned.

Thanks to Sage for sponsoring this episode. Sage is currently offering listeners 90% off Sage Accounting for six months. Visit this link to claim your offer.

Show notes for the episode can be found on the Start Your Own Business podcast website. Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.

What with rising costs, slimmer margins, increased employers’ NICs, the ever present blight caused by late payment and sluggish economic growth, as well as difficulty accessing finance, funding and skills, things continue to be tough for small businesses in the UK.

Many owners need all the help they can get – so how does Sir Keir Starmer’s government plan to make life easier for small businesses in the UK in 2026 and the rest of this parliament?

In this very special episode, we’re joined by Blair McDougall MP, who became the Minister for Small Business in September 2025. He only entered parliament in July 2024, after being elected MP for East Renfrewshire, but before that he had worked as a special government adviser to the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

The minister tells us about a new £10bn landmark lending package for SMEs that want to invest to expand their overseas sales, as well as detailing what other plans the government has to support small businesses in the UK.

Thanks to Sage for sponsoring this episode. Sage is currently offering listeners 90% off Sage Accounting for six months. Visit this link to claim your offer.

Show notes for the episode can be found on the Start Your Own Business podcast website. Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.

A large number of UK businesses, many of them small, sell to customers in other countries and although it can generate a fantastic revenue stream that can fuel significant growth, it does bring specific challenges.

One of the key challenges for UK-based businesses is accepting payments in other currencies, which provides many pitfalls, especially if you lack experience and knowledge. Small businesses can end up paying high bank account fees and charges, while not gaining much interest from their deposits.

To provide small UK businesses with a better option, iFAST Global Bank offers a multi-currency business account. So, what is it, how does it work and how does it benefit small UK businesses that accept payments from overseas?

In this episode we speak to Steve Chu, Head of Commercial Banking at iFAST Global Bank. He explains what a multi-currency business account is and when your business would need one.

Thanks to iFAST Global Bank for sponsoring this episode.

Show notes for the episode can be found on the Start Your Own Business podcast website. Visit Start Up Donut and sign up to the Donut newsletter for more free start-up news, advice and special offers to help you save time and money.