Business Class

What happens when your dream client turns into a nightmare? In this solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens dives into the anonymous client, customer and business horror stories that prove one thing: if you own a business, at some point, something will go spectacularly wrong.
From difficult clients and unpaid invoices to legal disputes, employee theft, shoplifting, dodgy collaborations and some truly unbelievable customer behaviour, this episode is packed with the kind of business stories that will make you laugh, cringe and probably check your contracts twice.
Vicky also shares some of her own experiences, including dealing with difficult clients, being burned by people she trusted and the importance of keeping a paper trail in business.
Plus, she discusses some seriously worrying business scams, including an entrepreneur who lost over £20,000 after scammers impersonated a supplier, how AI-generated images are being used to fake damaged products, and why changing bank details should always be verified directly.
In this episode:
• Anonymous client and customer horror stories
• How to deal with difficult clients
• Business scams and supplier fraud
• Losing £20,000 to a sophisticated scam
• Why business owners need strong cybersecurity
• Legal disputes and the importance of contracts
• Keeping evidence and paper trails in business
• Employee theft and broken trust
• Shoplifting and protecting a retail business
• AI-generated images and fake product damage claims
• The problems with “collaboration” and working for free
• Crazy customer complaints and unrealistic expectations
• Why Google reviews can tell you more than website testimonials
• Setting boundaries with clients and customers
• Knowing when to slow down and say no in business
And, of course, there are some stories that are so ridiculous you genuinely have to question whether they're real — including the customer who claimed she could detect dairy in coffee “by the energy” and left a one-star review because the coffee's aura was disappointing.
If you're a business owner, freelancer, entrepreneur, creator or anyone who works with clients or customers, this episode will probably feel far too relatable.
🎧 Listen to Business Class for honest conversations about entrepreneurship, running a business, growing a personal brand, business mistakes, mindset, success and everything in between.
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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Giselle Boxer, founder of East Healing, the award-winning wellness brand that's become one of the UK's fastest-growing holistic businesses, selling a product every few minutes and making history on Dragon's Den by receiving six offers from the Dragons.
Giselle shares the incredible story behind East Healing, how severe burnout changed the direction of her life, and why protecting your nervous system is one of the biggest competitive advantages any entrepreneur can have.
You'll also hear practical techniques that business owners can implement immediately to reduce stress, improve focus, and create long-term sustainable success—without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, creative or small business owner, this conversation is packed with practical advice on balancing ambition with health.
In this episode we discuss:
• Giselle Boxer's journey from burnout to building East Healing
• What really happened behind the scenes on Dragon's Den
• The importance of nervous system regulation for entrepreneurs
• Simple daily wellness habits that actually work
• Managing stress whilst growing a successful business
• Avoiding burnout without slowing your business growth
• Building a purpose-led brand
• Sustainable success and entrepreneurship
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow Business Class, leave a review and share it with another entrepreneur who needs to hear it.
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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens shares exactly what to do when your business hits a quiet period and how to turn slower months into your biggest opportunities for growth.
Whether you've lost clients, sales have slowed down or you're simply experiencing the natural highs and lows of running a business, Vicky reveals the practical strategies she's personally used to turn quieter months into record-breaking ones.
From creating new revenue streams and improving outreach to building a stronger sales pipeline and generating quick cash flow, this episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs, founders and business owners who want to future-proof their business.
In this episode, Vicky discusses:
Why every business experiences quiet periods (and why it's completely normal)
How to generate cash quickly when sales slow down
Building multiple revenue streams to protect your business
Creating an ecosystem that makes your business more resilient
Outreach strategies that win new clients
Using LinkedIn and networking to generate leads
The power of digital products and low-ticket offers
Upselling existing clients and increasing customer lifetime value
How to use email marketing to generate consistent sales
Referral schemes that bring in new business
Creating opportunities instead of waiting for them
The mindset shifts that help founders navigate uncertainty
If you're feeling anxious about a quieter season in your business, this episode is the reminder that every successful entrepreneur faces setbacks—and that sometimes your biggest breakthroughs come after your toughest months.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, social media, leadership and business growth.
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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens sits down with Maddie Borge, founder of Pastael, the travel accessories brand that's redefining the way we travel.
What started as a simple idea to solve a common travel problem has grown into a thriving e-commerce business, with Maddie building a loyal community through social media, smart branding and a relentless focus on creating products people genuinely love.
In this episode, Maddie shares the reality of launching a product-based business, building a brand from scratch and turning an idea into a fast-growing company.
Together, Vicky and Maddie discuss:
How Maddy founded Pastael
Turning an everyday problem into a successful business
Building a product-based brand from scratch
Growing an e-commerce business through social media
Product development and bringing ideas to life
The power of branding and customer experience
Manufacturing, logistics and scaling a business
Lessons from entrepreneurship and startup life
Overcoming challenges as a founder
Creating a loyal community around your brand
The realities of running an online business
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
Whether you're launching a product, building an e-commerce business or dreaming of becoming a founder, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice from someone who's built a brand with purpose.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit designed to help you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and grow your business.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations with founders, creators and business leaders sharing the lessons behind their success.
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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

In this week's solo episode of Business Class, Vicky Owens shares the honest lessons she's learned from building and managing a growing team.
From hiring your very first employee to leading a larger business, Vicky opens up about the mistakes she's made, the challenges of managing people in your twenties, and the leadership lessons she wishes she'd known from day one.
Managing a team isn't something anyone teaches you. Whether it's setting boundaries, building company culture, giving feedback or learning to lead with confidence, Vicky shares the real experiences behind growing a business and the people within it. 
In this episode, Vicky discusses:
Hiring your first employee and growing a team
The biggest mistakes first-time managers make
Leading a business in your twenties
Setting boundaries without losing approachability
Building a positive company culture
Managing difficult conversations with confidence
Delegating effectively as a founder
Why making leadership mistakes is part of the journey
Creating a team that supports business growth
Learning to become a better leader every day
Balancing empathy with accountability
Scaling your business without losing your culture
Whether you're hiring your first employee, growing a startup or leading an established team, this episode is packed with practical leadership advice and honest reflections from a founder who's learning in real time.
🎉 This episode is sponsored by Plannerly
Plannerly is the all-in-one creator toolkit that helps you plan content, schedule posts, manage your social media workflow and sell products, services and digital downloads, all from one platform.
👉 Use code VICKY10 for 10% off your Plannerly plan.
Subscribe to Business Class with Vicky Owens for weekly conversations and solo episodes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership and business growth.
Send us Fan Mail
Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk