The pair get all festive as Christmas draws closer and this being the last episode of 2024. Wearing their Christmas jumpers and Helen making the effort to put on Rudolf's antlers.

Talking about Christmas traditions, the things you only do or have at Christmas whilst Helen talks about how she punishes herself when she forgets to take a bag when shopping.

They talk about everything that has happened in 2024 and a new document they implemented to help them track changes and also help in reflecting on the year with all the amazing things they've achieved.

And last but not least, Chris & Helen thank all their amazing customers for their support yet again in 2024. Wishing everyone a fantastic Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

It's Chrismasssssss

This week the duo talk all about customer service and how important it is but so many companies get it so wrong as well as customer reviews.

They talk about how long it takes to edit the podcasts & Chris battles with his cushion and is convinced it's been changed.

We've all good service and bad, the pair discuss past experiences and how they have impacted purchasing decisions.

Chris asks Helen if during a buying decision if she likes being called Madam or is just old fashioned and not needed now?

Chris goes on to talk about his experience when working for Apple and how they prepare all their sales floor team before they can engage with customers.

Helen gives us some states including 93% of people say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions.

In this weeks episode Chris & Helen talk open and honestly about whether or not bootstrapping their business was the right decision to make? Exploring past decisions and seeing what impact they have had on the business years later.

Now they’re filming the podcast in the office it makes life easier but they always end up jumping on the pod only half ready each week.

Did Chris overstep the mark when he made an “investment” as he puts it in some lego for him and his son, Helen seems to think not.

They discuss Chris & Helens different approaches to money, saving and spending it. Who’s is right? And they look at would they do it differently if they had to do it all over again.

Chris finally agrees that maybe he should listen to Helen a little more but will he regret saying this as Helen goes onto tell more?

Chris goes on to say that learning as much as you can means you’re in a much better position to be able to hire and buy in services.

They end by discussing looking at secondary schools for their son and how they always get a guy feeling when they enter a building, spooky or a sixth sense?

This week Helen and Chris touch on mental health, but more specifically mental health for business owners. They discuss the limited support that seems to be available for business owners and mental health and that we all need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves.

The podcast studio has moved finally from the garden office and is now at Thread A Pixel HQ with a dedicated podcast studio space as they now threaten to have guests on the show. And Helen is finally stating to keep her audio levels down as she is now conscious she is recording the podcasts at work.

Chris is suffering from the dreaded man flu, the worst kind as he goes on to tell us, and tells us briefly why podcasts are so important and how you can leverage them for great social media content.

And finally, the dog Bella is getting in on the action and trying to distract Chris & Helen. Will she ruin the podcast? Will she be allowed on the set again? You’ll have to find out.

In this weeks episode we welcome back Helen & Chris from their Christmas break and talk about change in both work and in their personal lives.

But before they get into change they fumble their way from an intro as Chris struggles to get in podcast mode with awkward silences and lots of deep thinking.

When is it too late to say to someone “Happy New Year”? Helen thinks it’s already too late where as Chris isn’t quite sure.

Chris goes onto to discuss change at work and how it’s inevitable that change will come and both try not to burst into song every-time they say change.

To sum it all up Chris forgets to check the batteries on the mic recorder but doesn’t realise until the recorder switches off just as they start to wrap up the podcast.

Chris promises to do better next time and be better prepared.

Enjoy!

Today, Helen and Chris are in the festive spirit with their branded Christmas jumpers on for Thread A Pixel and reflecting on the year 2023. Both feeling grateful for various things in life and how we can learn to enjoy the small things in life and pat ourselves on the back for what we have all achieved in the last year. It’s not been easy for anyone, but sometimes we need to all reflect upon what we have all achieved both personally and professionally.

Chris wants to share about the movie documentary that he watched recently about David Holmes who was the stunt man for Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe and how his life was turned upside down when he became unable to fulfil his normal role after a tragic accident.

His positive outlook on life even after this horrendous event was enlightening and truly inspiring and we would highly recommend to watch the program called The Boy Who Lived.

What a true inspiration he is. A coming-of-age documentary of Harry Potters Daniel Radcliffe and his stunt double David Holmes, whose close friendship endures a life-changing accident.

We all know life can serve us lemons, but what do we have to do? Make lemonade!

Whilst it’s certainly not always easy, it’s more than likely something we can all work on.

Shout out this week from Helen and Chris is to everyone. Well done for everything you’ve achieved this year. Take a few minutes to give yourself a pat on the back and reflect on what you’ve achieved. If things haven’t gone the way you want there’s always something to learn from it and take away from that experience.

Wishing you all a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we will see you all in the New Year after a nice break and time to plan for the New Year ahead in business. Cheers!