Chris and Helen from Mr and Mrs in Business are joined by HR expert Emma Cromarty from EC Human Resources for an in-depth discussion about navigating HR laws and hiring tips for small businesses. This episode provides essential guidance on how to hire employees while avoiding common legal pitfalls that could cost your business thousands.

Emma shares crucial insights about upcoming changes in HR laws, including the controversial day one rights legislation expected in October 2026. Business owners learn practical hiring tips that can protect them from expensive tribunal claims, with Emma explaining how the current two-year protection period for unfair dismissal claims will be eliminated. The conversation covers essential employment contracts, the importance of proper documentation, and why every business needs comprehensive HR policies regardless of size.

The discussion delves into how to hire employees effectively, emphasising the importance of thorough recruitment processes, proper onboarding, and regular performance reviews. Emma reveals why hiring friends and family can be particularly risky and shares real examples of businesses facing tribunal claims from relatives. The episode also addresses common misconceptions about HR laws that cost businesses money, including settlement agreements and harassment prevention requirements.

Listeners gain actionable hiring tips including the importance of detailed job descriptions, skills testing, and getting potential employees to spend time in the business before making final decisions. The conversation explores workplace culture changes, remote working challenges, and why proper HR documentation is more critical than ever. Emma introduces her HR Chest platform, designed to help small businesses stay compliant with employment law without breaking the bank.

This episode is essential listening for any business owner looking to understand current HR laws, implement effective hiring tips, and learn how to hire employees while minimising legal risks in an increasingly complex employment landscape.

In this episode of the Mr & Mrs in Business podcast, Chris and Helen dive into a hot topic for small business owners: is growth always the goal? Drawing from their own journey running two businesses, Thread A Pixel and Two Krakens they discuss whether a bigger team or higher turnover really equals success. With candid stories, lessons learned, and a few laughs along the way, they share how finding the sweet spot in business size helped them create happier teams, better customer relationships, and more freedom.

They also reflect on the realities of managing staff, the pressures of scale, and why lean businesses can actually offer more flexibility and faster decision-making. If you’ve ever questioned whether to expand or stay small, this episode offers relatable insights, honest truths, and practical advice. Whether you’re a startup founder or an established business owner, this conversation is packed with value.

Plus, they reveal how business priorities have shifted post-COVID and how changing expectations around team culture, automation, and agility are reshaping the future of small business. With exciting updates on their podcast and content studio in the West Midlands, you’ll also get a glimpse into what’s next from Two Krakens and Thread A Pixel.

In this milestone episode of the Mr and Mrs in Business podcast, Chris and Helen take you behind the scenes of their brand-new podcast and content studio, built right here in the West Midlands and now available to hire. They reflect on their own podcasting journey, how it unexpectedly helped grow their business, and why launching a podcast is one of the smartest moves a business can make in 2025.

From building trust with customers to showcasing your expertise and generating content that lasts, this episode breaks down the real value a podcast brings to your marketing strategy. You’ll hear why podcasts help filter the right-fit customers, how they improve visibility, and why they’re a must-have if you're serious about standing out in a competitive market.

Whether you’re a marketing manager, business owner, or just curious about where to start, Chris and Helen share their honest experience setting up a studio that’s as welcoming as it is professional. No hard sell, just real advice from two business owners who know first-hand the power of podcasting. If you’re in the West Midlands and have been thinking about starting your own show, this episode is your sign.