Tired of business podcasts that feel unrelatable? How Not to Run a Business is for small business owners, solo entrepreneurs, and anyone craving real, honest advice.
I'm Jeremy Jacobs: entrepreneur, ICF-certified coach, and proud owner of 20+ years of business failures. I've built and closed businesses, got diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s, and I'm still figuring it out.
Featuring solo episodes on the mistakes business owners keep making, and Founders on Failure: honest interviews with UK founders about the stuff they don't post on LinkedIn.
Real talk, not motivational fluff.
People Pleasing Is the Most Expensive Habit in Business | Ep 59
You know that voice in your head that says, "Don't upset them or they'll leave" That's not good customer service. That's people pleasing. And it's costing you more than you think.
In this episode, Jeremy gets honest about his own people-pleasing patterns, where they come from, and how they've shown up across 20 years of running businesses. From a client who walked away when he set a boundary, to an unpaid invoice he avoided chasing for months, this is a raw look at what happens when being nice stops being helpful.
What you'll learn:
Why people pleasing is actually a survival response (the fourth stress response most people don't know about)
The connection between ADHD, rejection sensitivity, and people pleasing in business
How to tell the difference between doing a good job and people pleasing
The one question to ask yourself every time you're in a difficult client situation
Why managing your own state matters more than managing the situation
This episode is for you if:
Have you ever avoided chasing an overdue invoice because you didn't want to be "difficult"
You soften your professional advice to keep clients happy
You say yes when you mean no
Have you ever thought, "If I push back, they'll leave"
Links:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsukWebsite: jeremyjacobs.co.uk
14 Apr 2026
Here's What I Got Wrong About Consistency | Ep 58
My last episode was in January. It's now April. I told you I'd be back. I wasn't. In this episode, I break down the three-part trap that kept me away: overwhelm stopped me from starting, perfectionism stopped me from finishing, and shame stopped me from coming back.
I also get into ADHD prioritisation, the comparison trap, and why I was scared of both failure and success at the same time. If you've been putting something off because the gap has got too big to face, this one's for you.
My LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyjacobsuk/)
My Website: https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/ (https://jeremyjacobs.co.uk/)
4 Jan 2026
Tired of Everyone’s Business “Success” Posts? You're Not Alone
Loathe the new year? Hate all these people shoving their business success in your face? This episode is for you.
In this episode, I reflect on the past year and share my thoughts on setting goals for the new year. I discuss the pressures of societal expectations around New Year's resolutions and emphasise the importance of defining personal success on one's own terms. I encourage you to embrace your individual paths, navigate uncertainty, and focus on resilience in business. I also highlight the significance of self-reflection and understanding what truly matters in life and business.
Chapters
00:00 Reflecting on 2025 and New Year Goals
05:46 Challenging the New Year Norms
10:17 Defining Personal Success and Business Focus
15:48 Navigating Uncertainty and Resilience in Business
20:08 Embracing Individual Paths and Perspectives
Find me online at jeremyjacobs.co.uk
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Spotify
4.6 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100
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Quality
75
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
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