In this episode of the Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Laura Taylor, an accomplished accountant and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in helping businesses scale and succeed. Laura shares her journey from traditional accounting to founding Bright Flamingo, a modern, tech-driven firm. Together, they dive into the realities of business growth, financial forecasting, and the importance of choosing the right financial partner.

If you’re a business owner looking for practical advice on building a scalable and profitable business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring lessons.

Key Topics Covered

• The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers Craig and Laura dive into why understanding your financials is crucial for making smarter decisions and driving business growth.
• Using Social Media to Grow Your Business Laura shares how she leveraged social media to build her brand and connect with clients, showing the power of digital platforms for professional services.
• Common Financial Mistakes Business Owners Make A discussion on avoiding pitfalls like ignoring tax liabilities, mismanaging cash flow, and neglecting forecasting.
• How to Choose the Right Accountant Craig and Laura outline what to look for in an accountant who aligns with your business goals and values.
• Innovative Accounting Practices for SMEs Laura introduces Bright Flamingo, her new venture focused on delivering tech-driven, personalised accounting services.
• Practical Tips for Scaling Your Business The duo offers actionable advice on improving cash flow, forecasting effectively, and building a more resilient business.

Key Quotes from the Episode

1. Laura Taylor: “Accountants shouldn’t just crunch numbers; they should provide clarity that empowers business owners to make confident decisions.”

2. Craig Alexander Rattray: “If you don’t know your numbers, you’re effectively driving your business blindfolded. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

3. Laura Taylor: “Forecasting isn’t just about guessing future income. It’s about mapping the journey to your goals and knowing the risks along the way.”

4. Craig Alexander Rattray: “A good accountant is an investment, not an expense. The right one can unlock opportunities you never knew were there.”

5. Laura Taylor: “Cash flow is the heartbeat of any business. If it stops, the business stops, and that’s why planning is essential.”

Why You Should Listen This episode is for any entrepreneur or business owner who wants to:

• Gain clarity on their financial health.
• Avoid common financial mistakes.
• Choose an accountant who adds real value.
• Build a business that’s scalable and sustainable.
• Learn how modern accounting practices can transform their approach to growth.

Timestamps:

01:23 Laura's Journey to Success 02:26 The Power of Social Media in Business Growth 04:18 Innovative Accounting Practices 05:37 Challenges in the Accounting Profession 06:33 The Importance of Financial Insight 11:03 Effective Business Forecasting 11:29 Common Mistakes Business Owners Make 12:19 Tax Liabilities and Cash Flow Management 15:07 Choosing the Right Accountant 24:57 Laura's New Venture: Bright Flamingo 30:51 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Connect with Laura Taylor

• • LinkedIn: Laura Taylor

Connect with Craig Alexander Rattray

• LinkedIn: Craig Alexander Rattray
• Website: knowyournumbers.biz

In this eye-opening episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Yosof Ewing, known as "The Contract Coach," to discuss the essentials of navigating contracts in construction and specialised trades.

Yosof shares powerful insights into protecting your business against unfair terms and risky payment practices. From avoiding “sign-at-any-cost” clauses to standing firm on terms that protect your cash flow, this episode is a must-listen for anyone managing contracts in the construction or trade sectors.

Yosof has been on the front lines of contract negotiations and adjudication, helping businesses like yours avoid costly mistakes and protect their bottom line.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Contract Conundrum – Why so many specialist contractors find themselves locked into bad contracts and how to change that.
• Avoiding Insolvency – Yosof highlights the shocking statistic that one in five UK insolvencies are construction-related, revealing how businesses can protect themselves.
• Cash Flow is King – The critical importance of cash flow management, knowing your rights, and maintaining leverage.
• The Contract Coach Program – How Yosof’s coaching program builds contractors' confidence in contract negotiations, reduces reliance on adjudication, and empowers owners to protect their financial future.

Episode Highlights & Quotes:

• On Signing Without Reviewing “A contract isn’t just paperwork—it’s your business’s life. Signing without understanding is like giving away free money to those who don’t have your interests at heart.” – Yosof

• On Navigating Risky Clauses “If the contract terms make you hesitate, ask questions. Red flags should make you stop and think, not sign.” – Yosof

• Understanding Your Power “The big guys might make you feel small, but you’re the expert. Your skill is their asset. Stand firm on what protects your cash flow and reputation.” – Yosof

• On the Toll of Poor Payment Practices “Every unpaid invoice or delayed payment isn’t just cash flow; it’s someone’s mental health, their family’s well-being. The impacts go far beyond the bank account.” – Yosof

Timestamps:

[00:42] – Introducing Yosof Ewing

[01:11] – YosOf’s Background and Mission

[02:03] – The Importance of Contracts

[04:27] – Financial Health in Construction

[05:36] – Challenges in the Construction Industry

[11:59] – Horror Stories and Lessons

[19:10] – The Journey of Tradespeople to Business Owners

[20:07] – The Importance of Financial Education

[20:52] – Coaching Success Stories

[21:55] – Understanding Construction Contracts

[23:06] – The Impact of Payment Delays

[24:56] – Introducing the Contract Coach Program

[26:06] – The Value of Leadership Development

[30:41] – Practical Advice for Contractors

[33:54] – The Power of Confidence and Expertise

[35:13] – Connecting with the Contract Coach

Connect with Yosof Ewing:

• LinkedIn: Yosof Ewing
• Website: The Contract Coach

Want to learn more from Craig? Visit the Know Your Numbers Website here

Follow Craig on LinkedIn

Get the 'Get Paid On Time. Every Time!' worksheet

Get Craig's 'Mastering Cash Flow' free here

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, host Craig Alexander Rattray speaks with Rebecca Sutherland, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, who has successfully turned around several businesses. Joining the conversation from sunny Portugal, Rebecca opens up about her journey through the challenging world of business ownership, the importance of financial literacy, and the hard decisions that come with running companies.

Rebecca shares how her experience in a struggling manufacturing business led to a deeper understanding of the importance of knowing your numbers - confidence built through mastering her profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, and cash flow. She discusses how this knowledge, combined with the right team, can be the turning point for businesses on the brink. Rebecca’s candid reflections on the emotional toll of closing a business and how she emerged stronger offer valuable lessons for all entrepreneurs.

Key topics discussed include:

• Rebecca’s journey from acquiring and turning around struggling businesses to investing in and mentoring others.
• The critical importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in business and life.
• How mastering your financials builds the confidence to make smarter, more strategic decisions.
• The emotional weight of closing a business and how Rebecca used that experience to grow both personally and professionally.
• How she now helps other business owners align their business goals with their personal lives, focusing on sustainable, people-centred growth.

Key Takeaways:

• "Without the right people, you’re not going anywhere."
• "The numbers do not lie—master them to make better decisions."
• "From failure comes innovation. You learn the most when things don’t work out."

Memorable Quotes:

• "It’s not about knowing everything, it’s about knowing what you don’t know and finding the right people to help you fill in the gaps." – Rebecca Sutherland
• "I used to get financial reports and just nod along, not really understanding. Now I ask the right questions and push back." – Rebecca Sutherland
• "Owning a business should be fun—too many business owners aren’t having enough fun." – Craig Alexander Rattray

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Rebecca Sutherland on LinkedIn
• Know Your Numbers Mastery Course
• Recommended Book: Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark C. Winters - Here On Amazon (NOT and affiliate link!)

Call to Action: Enjoyed this episode? Hit subscribe to Know Your Numbers for more insightful conversations with business leaders, financial experts, and entrepreneurs who know the power of their numbers.

Key Timestamps:

00:42 Meet Rebecca Sutherland

01:06 Rebecca's Business Journey

04:34 Challenges in the Manufacturing Business

06:30 Lessons from the Know Your Numbers Course

13:28 Advice for Struggling Business Owners

16:10 The Importance of the Right Team

20:14 Building a Balanced Team for Success

21:22 Understanding Every Role in Your Business

22:42 Learning from Failures and Innovating

23:31 The Importance of External Perspectives

25:54 Employee Ownership and Leadership Development

28:27 Advice for Aspiring Business Owners

30:04 Helping Businesses Thrive

31:18 Balancing Business and Personal Life

34:00 Conclusion and Future Projects

In this episode of Know Your Numbers, host Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with former professional footballer and now funding expert, Lee Mair, to discuss his journey from the world of football to founding his finance brokerage, Mair Finance. Lee opens up about the emotional and financial challenges of transitioning from a football career to the "real world" and shares his personal experience of going from earning six figures a year to selling photocopiers for £18,000 a year.

Lee also touches on the unique financial struggles many ex-footballers face, including depression, bankruptcy, and the pressure on families. Now, as the owner of Mair Finance, Lee is passionate about helping business owners secure the funding they need, and he's particularly driven to support fellow athletes navigating life after sports.

Key topics discussed include:

• The emotional highs and lows of professional football and how they relate to the rollercoaster of running a business.
• The importance of financial planning, both during and after a football career.
• Lee’s advice for current footballers on preparing for life after the game.
• Insights into building a successful finance brokerage and the importance of cash flow management for business owners.
• The role of fitness and mental health in Lee’s life after football and how it helps him stay focused on business.
• His involvement with the mental health charity Back Onside and his passion for supporting those facing tough transitions.

Key Takeaways:

• "Football is not forever. Start planning for life after your career while you’re still playing."
• "Know Your Numbers and ensure you have enough cash flow to cover the unexpected."
• "Business, like football, is full of highs and lows - don’t let the highs get too high or the lows too low."

Memorable Quotes:

• "You go from working two hours a day to 10 hours a day... but you’re earning a fifth of the income." - Lee Mair
• "It’s not just about the player. It’s about their family and the financial pressures they face when football ends." - Lee Mair
• "Fitness keeps my head right. It’s not just about physical health - it’s about mental clarity when running a business." - Lee Mair

Resources Mentioned:

• Mair Finance Website
• Lee Mair on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Charity: Back Onside

Key Timestamps:

00:51 Lee's Journey from Football to Finance

03:50 Transition Challenges After Football

05:51 Helping Footballers Transition to Finance

10:53 The Importance of Fitness and Mental Health

12:51 Building a Business Team

18:16 Building Relationships Through Golf

18:34 From Hands-On to Businessman

19:09 Honesty and Client Relationships

20:16 Financial Advice for Businesses

23:07 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Football

26:28 Business Challenges and Resilience

29:41 Raising Finance and Client Care

32:48 Passion for Mental Health Advocacy

35:32 Contact and Closing Remarks

Subscribe Now! Enjoyed this episode? Hit subscribe to Know Your Numbers and stay updated on all our latest episodes featuring business insights, financial strategies, and inspiring journeys.

🎉 The Countdown Is On! 🎉 We're officially launching The Know Your Numbers Podcast on Thursday the 26th of September! 🎙 Whether you're running a business, thinking of starting one, or simply want to make smarter decisions... this is the podcast for YOU! We’ve got a brilliant line-up of business owners and industry experts (and even an accountant 😉) sharing their best stories, strategies, and hard-won lessons. This isn’t just 'another' podcast. The Know Your Numbers Podcast is your fast track to getting the insights that will help you sleep better at night. 😴💡 If you want to learn from the best and make smarter decisions in your business, then listen in! Set your reminders… this is one podcast you won't want to miss!