In HR, we often talk about supporting others, helping teams manage stress, change, and wellbeing. But when you run your own business, that same care needs to extend to you. Because no one really prepares you for the emotional side of it. The pride, the pressure, the worry, the responsibility, they all sit quietly behind the scenes while you’re getting things done. You’re not just managing tasks or clients. You’re managing yourself, your energy, your confidence, your boundar

I have noticed that “Authenticity” is one of those words that gets used a lot but what does it really mean in the workplace? For me, it’s not about being perfect or polished. It’s about being real. Since setting up Coast to Country HR, I’ve realised how much easier it is to connect with people when I show up as myself. When I meet new clients, I lead conversations with honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. That openness builds trust faster than any policy or process ever co

In small businesses, everyone wears more than one hat. It’s part of the charm and part of the challenge. You might be the owner, the HR lead, the marketer, and the person who empties the bins. Your team might be juggling admin, customer service, and social media all in one day. It’s flexible, fast‑moving, and often deeply rewarding but when roles blur, expectations can blur too. Small businesses thrive on adaptability. When something needs doing, someone steps up. That’s what

Data protection has always been a core part of good HR practice but with new complaint‑handling rules now in force, it’s more important than ever for employers to understand their responsibilities when handling personal data, especially when providing references. Recent updates have put a spotlight on how organisations collect, store, and share information about both current and former employees. For small businesses, this can feel like yet another layer of complexity. But wi

For many working parents, the school summer holidays bring a familiar challenge: six long weeks of childcare to juggle alongside work. During term time, routines are predictable, drop-offs, pick-ups, after-school clubs. But once the end of July arrives, that structure disappears, and the pressure to organise daytime care ramps up. As employers, you're not responsible for solving childcare but you are responsible for running a fair, supportive workplace. And with more annual

Redundancy is one of the hardest things any small business will ever face. It’s stressful, emotional, and often deeply uncomfortable, not just for the person whose role is at risk, but for the business owner or manager delivering the message and the team watching from the side lines. And yet, with 327,000 UK redundancies forecast this year, many businesses will find themselves navigating this difficult territory. What often gets overlooked is that redundancy isn’t just a lega

If you ask most small business owners what “people development” means, they’ll point to training courses, qualifications, or the occasional workshop. And yes, these matter, but the strongest, most resilient businesses do something deeper. They build a culture where learning isn’t an event, it’s a habit. Something people feel encouraged to do, not instructed to do. In small and local businesses, this matters even more. You don’t always have big budgets or layers of management

In every small business, there comes a point where the to‑do list feels longer than the working day. Customers need attention, deadlines creep closer, and suddenly everyone is juggling more than they should. It’s a familiar picture and one that can quietly chip away at wellbeing, performance, and team morale if it isn’t managed well. Workload management isn’t about squeezing more out of people. It’s about creating the conditions where work feels achievable, priorities are cl

With the World Cup well underway, many employers are showing flexibility, adjusting hours, allowing remote work, or creating space for staff to enjoy the matches. It’s a brilliant opportunity to build goodwill and show that you trust your team. But it also raises a bigger question: If you can flex for football, where else can you flex? Because flexibility shouldn’t just appear when there’s a major sporting event. It’s something that shapes how people experience work every day

The latest ONS figures show that UK workers lost an estimated 148.8 million working days to sickness or injury in 2025, an average of 4.4 days per worker. Big numbers, but behind them are real people, real pressures, and real challenges for small businesses trying to keep things running smoothly. And right now, absence management seems to be on most small business owners’ lips! Whether it’s short‑notice sickness, long‑term health issues or simply not knowing what’s “fair”, ma

We talk a lot about productivity, but not enough about pause. In a world that celebrates being busy, stopping can feel uncomfortable, even indulgent. But taking time out isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything. It’s part of how we keep going. When we pause, we give our minds space to reset, our bodies time to recover, and our perspective room to grow. For small business owners, stepping back can feel impossible. There’s always something

Tipping is one of those topics that seems simple on the surface, yet the moment you look a little closer, it becomes clear why so many small businesses feel unsure about what they should be doing. Cash in a jar, a few coins handed directly to a team member, a service charge added to a bill, it all adds up, and the rules around it have been around for sometime, in fact since October 2024. Lately, I’ve spoken to several business owners and to put it bluntly, when they are spin

Boundaries……… are they vital to running a healthy business? When I speak with small business owners, boundaries often come up quietly. They’re there in conversations about time, expectations, and the constant pull to do more. About the emails answered late at night, the extra hours spent covering for someone, or the feeling that saying “no” might let someone down. But boundaries aren’t barriers - they’re clarity. They help you protect your time, your wellbeing, and your team’

Someone asked what my values were the other day and how I keep those grounded in my business. It stopped me for a moment, because values aren’t something I keep written on a piece of paper, they’re what guides how I show up every day! For me, values are about how you do business, not just what you do. They shape decisions, conversations, and the way you treat people, whether that’s a client, a colleague, or someone you meet in passing. In small businesses, values are often li

When life throws a curveball, small businesses often feel it most. When someone in your team faces a bereavement, a family emergency, or a serious illness, it’s usually you the owner or a senior team member who steps in to help. That’s why having clear, compassionate policies isn’t just for big companies. They give structure when emotions run high and decisions feel personal. They help you respond consistently and fairly, even when the situation is sensitive. Compassionate le

Bringing someone new into your business is an exciting moment, but it’s also one of the most influential stages in the employee experience. In small businesses especially, onboarding often happens informally: a quick introduction, a few forms, and straight into the job. Yet those first few days shape how someone feels about your business, their confidence, and how long they stay. Legal requirements are pivotal for any business when a new employee joins. Right to work checks,

Great managers aren’t defined by job titles or years of experience; they stand out because of how they lead. In small and micro‑businesses, where every person plays a vital role, the impact of a great manager is even more visible. They shape the culture, set the tone, and create the conditions where people can do their best work. So what does that look like day to day? They Prioritise Real Communication - They don’t wait for annual reviews. They check in regularly, creating

Work experience was certainly on the agenda this week! A lot of small business owners want to leave it to the larger organisations which is understandable because of lack of time and resources, but I really do believe that small local businesses are some of the very best places for young people to learn. The exposure is priceless. With clear instruction and expectation set out for the student, it builds confidence and helps them discover strengths they didn’t know they had. I

Someone asked me that recently. When I launched Coast to Country HR, I knew I wanted to work with local businesses but over time and the businesses that I am already working with, it became clear that my heart lied with micro and small businesses. The kind where the owner wears every hat: HR, finance, marketing, operations and still finds time to serve customers, keep the lights on, and care deeply about their team. These are the businesses that form the backbone of our commu

Recently, my dad was recognised by his local cricket club for his leadership, commitment, and drive with the pavilion named after him, something that had never been done before. It was a beautiful, sunny evening and an incredibly humbling moment for our family, especially for me and my sister who grew up with the familiar phrase: “Where’s Dad? …....At the Cricket Club again!” What struck me most was the number of people who came to celebrate. Dad had been CEO of Somerset Cric