Ep.64 Zoe Dudding | The Solopreneur's Guide to a Strong Start
Release Date: 09/25/2025
Ep.81 Peter Andrijeczko | A Business Owner’s Guide to Cybersecurity
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Peter Andrijeczko, a Reading-based cyber security expert and Information Security Manager. The conversation delves into the human side of security, defining it as the essential practice of protecting valuable data from "bad actors". Peter emphasises that employees serve as a business's first line of defence and highlights the importance of education in spotting threats like phishing. We also discuss the evolution of security models, moving from traditional "bastion" defences to the modern Zero Trust approach—a "verify, don't trust" philosophy that constantly monitors...
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Ep.80 Maria Lloyd | Choosing the Right Growth Model for Your Business
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode focuses on the importance of customer funnels and how they provide the systems and processes necessary to serve customers effectively. We delve into the intersection of various marketing models, highlighting the contentious debate between traditional funnels and circular "flywheel" model proposed by HubSpot. The interview then highlights Maria’s framework—the AICAL model—which focuses on Awareness, Interest, Consideration, Action, and Loyalty to ensure a holistic approach to the customer experience. KEY TAKEAWAYS Implement the AICAL Framework for Clarity: Utilise the...
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Ep.79 Julie Williams | Escaping the Loneliness of Business Leadership
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Julie Williams, an executive coach and founder of Coaching Reading, who discusses her transition from corporate marketing to coaching and her mission to ignite "authentic leadership" within individuals and teams. Julie brings over 15 years of senior marketing experience and a decade of specialised coaching expertise to the conversation. The conversation delves into the intersection of brand and leadership, highlighting how Julie helps leaders align their personal values with their organisation’s culture. She describes her role as "lighting fires"—a philosophy that...
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Ep.78 Susanne Clausen | Securing Reading’s Creative Infrastructure
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Susanne Clausen, Chair of Open Hand Open Space (OHOS) and Professor of Fine Art at the University of Reading. The conversation delves into the unique nature of Open Hand Open Space, which is housed in Brock keep, a historic military keep on Oxford Road. Susanna emphasises that it serves as the town's only dedicated provider of long-term artist studios and the only dedicated contemporary art gallery in Reading. We also discuss Susanne’s work and her exhibitions, as well as the vital role OHOS plays in providing affordable infrastructure for local creatives. Finally, the...
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Ep.77 Maria Lloyd | 4 Simple (But Overlooked) Shifts for Business Growth
My Local Marketer Podcast
In the final My Local Marketer episode of 2025, Maria shares four key takeaways from local business interviews to help Reading-based entrepreneurs succeed in 2026. 1. Mastery of Industry Insights Maria highlights Becky Ottery from Eclectic Games, who stays competitive by tracking designer blogs, attending trade shows, and listening closely to customer interests. To streamline this, Maria suggests using AI prompts—specifying your niche and location—to identify the best sources and people to follow. 2. Strategic Positioning Differentiating your business from giants like Amazon is essential....
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Ep.76 Tomson Chauke | Bridging Cultures and Building Brand in Reading
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Tomson Chauke, a musician, community leader, and founder of World Groove, discussing his mission to build bridges across the diverse communities of Reading. Tomson wears many hats, including running his band Limpopo Groove, working as a session musician, and hosting a radio podcast on B Radio. The conversation centres on the work of his main project, World Groove CIC, which uses African drumming to help young people and young adults with autism find their rhythm. Tomson explains how this work creates a vital community where parents and carers also meet, share experiences,...
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Ep.75 Will Carver | Why Authenticity is Your Biggest USP
My Local Marketer Podcast
In this episode, Will Carver, a successful writer, podcaster, and fitness business owner, shares his philosophies on work and creativity. The conversation delves into his preference for the title "writer" over "author," his method for balancing his different activities and roles, and his views on the changing landscape of the publishing industry. The discussion begins with Carver's view that a writer uses words to change the world and make sense of difficult subjects. We then discuss his podcast, Nothing Important Happened Today, and how Will uses this creative outlet. We then turn towards...
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Ep.74 Brendan Carr | The Mirror Test: How Do you Reflect Your Target Market?
My Local Marketer Podcast
Ep.74 The Mirror Test: How Do you Reflect Your Target Market? This episode features Brendan Carr, Community Engagement Curator at Reading Museum, discusses his role, the museum's vast collections, and strategies for engaging audiences. Brendan was born and bred in Reading and has a wealth of experience in museums, including the last 25 years at Reading Museum. The conversation delves into the evolution of Reading Museum, which is housed in the beautiful red brick Reading Town Hall and has been accumulating collections for over 140 years. He emphasises that the visible displays are just the...
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Ep.73 Alex Langlais | Scaling a Successful Reading Eatery (Without Losing the Personal Touch)
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Alex Langlais, the owner of Café Yolk, discussing her background, the development of Café Yolk, and her philosophy on running a successful hospitality venture. The conversation delves into the diverse community it serves, and the detailed operational strategy behind its success. The discussion begins with Alex's French-Canadian background and her upbringing in the restaurant industry, highlighting the essential need for passion and resilience in the field. She explains that Café Yolk was created to fill a market gap by delivering good quality food at an affordable...
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Ep.72 Tony Cowling and Tricia Marcousé | How to build an impactful & scalable community model
My Local Marketer Podcast
This episode features Tony Cowling and Tricia Marcousé of Draughtbusters, a community group dedicated to draught proofing the homes of people in energy poverty. Originating from a 2013-2014 initiative by Reading Borough Council, the service is provided free of charge. Despite the low overhead, the work is highly impactful: draught proofing can lead to annual savings of £150 to £250 and more on energy bills. Tony, a former builder, explains that common draughts are found in places like leaky trickle ventilators, under newly fitted doors, around pipes, and through floorboards. Draughtbusters...
info_outlineIn this episode, Maria Lloyd interviews Zoe Dudding, the founder of Mind Body Baby, a company specialising in hypnobirthing. The discussion initially covers what hypnobirthing is, which Zoe describes as a form of childbirth education that empowers the woman to be in control of their experience.
The conversation then delves into Zoe’s personal journey and background. She shares that her passion for hypnobirthing began after having two positive birth experiences with her sons in 2020 and 2022.
Finally, the discussion touches on the challenges of running a new business. Zoe, who has a background in marketing, shares that she's had to be very focused and intentional with her time and budget. She advises other business owners to be conscious of where they spend their budget, focus on building relationships, and not get distracted by "vanity metrics". Zoe concludes with a message for business owners, advising them to look at what they consume and what they buy into, as this can often tell a story about effective marketing.
TIMECODES
00:00 Introduction
00:25 What is hypnobirthing?
01:02 How Zoe came to specialise in hypnobirthing
03:14 Why Zoe no longer felt aligned to her role and her options
04:14 How hypnobirthing changed Zoe’s perspective
05:22 What marketing lessons Zoe has found most importance for a new business owner
07:01 The most random opportunities at the most random time
07:24 Zoe’s marketing plan
08:05 What data Zoe looks at now
09:06 How Zoe has managed to get success in a short span of time
09:51 What Zoe’s average week looks like
11:57 Zoe’s marketing tips for business owners
12:51 Challenges Zoe has faced
13:47 Zoe’s thoughts on how to spend marketing funds
16:35 Zoe’s plans for her business going forwards
17:22 Zoe’s message for expectant parents
18:06 Zoe’s final thoughts for listeners
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Focus on Building Relationships: For a new business, Zoe emphasises that getting the foundational elements like a website and social media "shopfront" set up is crucial. However, she advises new business owners to prioritise forging connections and building relationships within their community.
Be Intentional and Disciplined with Your Time and Budget: Zoe explains that as a small business owner, it's easy to get caught in a "vicious circle" where a lack of money leads to no investment, which in turn hinders growth. To avoid this, she suggests being conscious of where you spend your budget, even if it's small.
Prioritise Authenticity Over "Vanity Metrics": A key piece of advice from Zoe is to not get lost in "vanity metrics" or chasing trends. She warns that a trend might temporarily spike numbers, but it doesn't necessarily lead to conversions or bring in actual business. Instead, she advises business owners to focus on what feels authentic to their brand and to always ask themselves, "Why am I doing this?". She stresses that the ultimate goal is not just to have good numbers but to deliver excellent service that leads to word-of-mouth referrals.