Ulster Bank has published the third episode of Thrive in the New World, the business podcast, hosted by Sarah Travers.
In the third episode, Sarah is joined by David Ferguson and Colin McClean from independently owned food and coffee shop chain Bob & Berts.
Sarah discovers how Bob & Berts has grown from one store in Portstewart in 2013 to the thriving brand it is today with shops across Northern Ireland and in Scotland.
The episode also covers how the business adapted through lockdown with the development of the new Bob & Berts app, as well as how the business prepared its stores to reopen.
Listen to the Thrive in the New World episode at Ulster Bank Content Live.
Mark Crimmins, Head of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, said the series should act as a motivational tool to help business owners to realise their growth aspirations and remain agile.
“Throughout this series we are harnessing the power of peer-to-peer learning by telling the stories of forward-thinking business owners from a diverse range of industries here in Northern Ireland.
“In recent weeks we’ve witnessed incredible feats of resilience by many in the business community who have adapted to continue to deliver their services, or to collaborate and lend skills and expertise to the efforts to support our frontline healthcare workers and wider communities. They have risen to the challenge and remained agile which is enabling them to continue to operate and, importantly, to prepare for the future.
“The range of voices from different business types that you will hear from in the podcast series will equip listeners with the knowledge to help them recognise where their strengths lie. It will also offer first-hand insight into how other business owners have utilised their strengths to identify new opportunities to adapt against the backdrop of these difficult circumstances.”
Thrive in the New World Series host Sarah Travers says there are many stories coming from the business community that will resonate with listeners.
“We have all adapted our daily lives in some way and the same is true for businesses and their owners. On high streets and in industrial parks across Northern Ireland the business community has been working hard to adapt and to put in place practical measures to help us all to get back to business. Some are using their expertise and resources to help fellow businesses and other parts of society to reopen safely, and others are adapting their premises and services to cater for the consumer’s needs – all are adapting.
“We’re really excited to make these voices and stories heard,” she adds.
