Taking Radical Responsibility in Business: How Jo Simpson Survived the 2008 Crash

What do you do when your business looks successful on the outside… but the numbers tell a very different story?

In this episode of What One Thing, Hayley Baxter (Corbar Accounting) and Phil Davenport (Affirm IT Services) talk to Jo Simpson, an accountant who grew multiple businesses – including two multi–seven-figure ventures – before the 2008 crash exposed just how fragile things really were. 

Jo shares:

• How she realised strong revenue was hiding weak financial foundations
• Why she spent months blaming the government, banks and everyone else before accepting that nobody was coming to save her 
• The “stop it and tidy up” approach she used to face every number, cost and commitment in both life and business
• How honest conversations with suppliers, clients and even HMRC helped her keep going when most businesses folded 

Phil and Hayley use Jo’s story as a springboard to talk about:

• The difference between blame and responsibility for business owners
• Why knowing your numbers and having solid IT systems is essential if you want a resilient, scalable business
• How strong relationships – with suppliers, clients and your team – can carry you through a recession, a pandemic and everything in between 

If you’re a business owner in the East Midlands (or anywhere else) who wants to grow and sleep at night, this episode will challenge how you think about responsibility, risk and leadership.

What One Thing Podcast – with Phil & Hayley

Each week, business owners share the one thing that made the biggest difference in their business journey — and hosts Phil (Affirm IT Services) and Hayley (Corbar Accounting) dive into the lessons, laughs, and lightbulb moments along the way.

If you’re a UK business owner looking for real stories and practical insights on growth, leadership, IT, and finance — this is the podcast for you!

Connect with the hosts

Phil Davenport | Affirm IT Services
LinkedIn
https://affirmit.co.uk/

Hayley Baxter | Corbar Accounting
LinkedIn
https://corbar.uk/

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