This week SmallBizPod #79, the small business podcast, interviews former Dragon and serial entrepreneur Doug Richard about his own approach to starting and building businesses, success, failure, what business angels are investing in during a downturn and the issue of business support. All this just a few hours before one of his own businesses plunged into administration. There’s also a great review by a listener of Richard Branson’s latest book.

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Show Notes

Summary

Intro:

• 00:00 Alex introduces what’s coming up in this episode and talks about the new look version of SmallBizPod and the launch of ‘Sevens‘

Features:

• 2.28 Interview with Doug Richard, former chairman of Library House and Dragon’s Den entrepreneur about what makes him tick, why he’s unemployable and how he approaches starting, growing and selling businesses.  Alex and Doug also talk about his School for Startups and how it’s possible to teach someone to become an entrepreneur.  There’s also a fascinating conversation about celebrity, handling high risk businesses, Web 2.0 and how different types of businesses suit different economic cycles. You’ll also learn what Doug will be hoping to invest in during a downturn and what he believes needs to be done to improve business support in the UK.

• 33:44 SmallBizPod listener Steve Winduss of smallbusinessvoodoo.com reviews Richard Branson’s new book Business Stripped Bare.

• 44.20 Music – Goldfish
“The Four Forty Five Blues”
from “Caught In The Loop”
(Black Mango Music – Afrolution)

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