The Balanced Business Podcast is your go-to audio guide for building a business that works for you.
Hosted by Nicola Hageman, founder of The Numbers Quarter, this show helps service-based business owners find clarity, confidence, and calm in the world of finance, planning, and business growth.
Whether you’re navigating your responsibilities as a limited company director or looking to create a more profitable, purpose-driven business, each series is packed with practical advice, jargon-free insights, and empowering strategies.
👉 Series 1: The Director’s Handbook
Learn the essentials of running a limited company, from what it really means to be a director, to paying yourself properly, understanding VAT, and avoiding financial pitfalls.
👉 Series 2: Purposeful Profits
Discover the Purposeful Profits Framework and how to align your business with your personal goals, improve cashflow, and finally take control of your future.
If you've ever thought, “I’m working loads but not seeing the money,” or “I just want to understand what I should be doing,” this podcast is for you.
No fluff. No fear. Just clear, balanced business advice from someone who gets it.
Ep12 - The Director’s Handbook Recap: Building a Business That Works for You
In this bonus episode of The Balanced Business Podcast, Nicola wraps up The Director’s Handbook series with a clear, practical overview of everything we’ve covered so far, from setting up your company and paying yourself properly, to managing VAT, understanding your accounts, and planning ahead. It’s a perfect refresher for anyone who’s completed the series, and an ideal starting point if you’re new here and want to get up to speed quickly. Nicola shares how each part of the director’s journe...
3 Nov 2025
Ep11 - What Does Good Look Like? Building a Calm, Confident and Well-Run Business
After ten episodes of learning the essentials of running a Limited company, it’s time to bring it all together. In this final episode of The Director’s Handbook series, Nicola looks at what a well-run business really looks like, one that gives you clarity, calm and control rather than chaos and stress. You’ll discover the simple habits, systems and check-ins that help you stay organised without becoming a spreadsheet addict, plus the mindset shifts that turn financial overwhelm into confidenc...
27 Oct 2025
Ep10 When to Get Help in Your Business: Bookkeeping, Payroll and Letting Go
You don’t have to do it all yourself. In this episode, Nicola explores when it’s time to get help in your business, whether that’s bringing in a bookkeeper, outsourcing payroll, hiring a virtual assistant, or letting go of tasks that drain your time and energy. You’ll hear how to decide which responsibilities to delegate, what to keep in-house, and how to build a support team that helps your business run smoothly without costing the earth. Nicola also shares practical tips on choosing the rig...
20 Oct 2025
Ep09 Planning for Growth: How to Build a Profitable, Purposeful Business Plan
Good planning isn’t about creating a perfect spreadsheet—it’s about building clarity and confidence in where your business is heading. In this episode, Nicola unpacks how to create a practical plan that keeps you on track financially and strategically, without getting lost in the details. You’ll hear how to set goals that link to your personal ambitions, map out what success actually looks like, and use your numbers to guide decisions rather than reacting to them. Nicola also shares how to pl...
13 Oct 2025
Ep08 - How to Read Your Business Accounts and What They Really Mean
Your year-end accounts shouldn’t just be a box-ticking exercise. In this episode, Nicola walks you through what your accounts are really telling you about your business — and how to use them to make smarter decisions. You’ll learn what each key report means, from the profit and loss to the balance sheet, and how to spot trends that reveal your business’s true financial health. Nicola also explains the difference between cash and profit, why your accountant’s adjustments matter, and how to rea...
6 Oct 2025
Ep07 - VAT Made Simple - When to Register and How to Manage It
VAT can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Nicola explains what VAT really is, when you need to register, and how it affects your pricing, cash flow, and customers. You’ll learn about compulsory and voluntary registration, how the VAT threshold works, and what to consider before making the jump. Nicola also shares practical advice on submitting returns, managing VAT within your bookkeeping software, and avoiding the common mistakes that trip up small businesses. Whe...
29 Sept 2025
Ep06 - Understanding Business Expenses for Tax
Business expenses are one of the most common areas of confusion for directors. In this episode, Nicola unpacks what you can and can’t claim through your Limited company, and why getting it right matters for both tax efficiency and peace of mind. You’ll hear about everyday costs that are usually fine to include, the grey areas like travel and meals, and the hidden gems such as trivial benefits and staff event allowances. Nicola also shares practical tips on keeping good records, avoiding commo...
22 Sept 2025
Ep05 - Tax Deadlines – What You Need to Know and When
HMRC doesn’t send gentle reminders: miss a tax deadline and you’ll face penalties. In this episode, Nicola outlines the key dates every company director needs on their calendar. She covers corporation tax, VAT returns, payroll submissions, and annual accounts – explaining what needs to be filed, when, and why. You’ll get tips on setting up reminders, organising paperwork, and working with your accountant to stay compliant. Nicola’s aim is to help you feel in control rather than panicked when ...
15 Sept 2025
Ep04 - Money Matters – What’s the Company’s and What’s Yours?
Managing money in a Limited company can be confusing. In this episode, Nicola clarifies what belongs to the business and what belongs to you. She explains the difference between taking a salary, dividends, or a director’s loan; how to structure your pay to be tax‑efficient; and why using the company bank account as a personal spending pot is a bad idea. You’ll also learn about bookkeeping basics for tracking receipts, paying expenses, and recording transactions. With her approachable style, N...
8 Sept 2025
Ep03 - What It Really Means to Be a Director
Becoming a director brings both freedom and responsibility. In this episode, Nicola explores what it really means to be the director of a Limited company in the UK. She explains the legal duties imposed by the Companies Act, the accountability to shareholders and stakeholders, and the personal mindset shift needed when you move from sole trader to company director. You’ll hear how directors must keep proper records, avoid conflicts of interest, and act in the company’s best interests. N...
8 Sept 2025
Ep02 - Setting Up Your Limited Company the Right Way
In the second episode, Nicola walks you through the practicalities of setting up your Limited company. From choosing a company name and share structure to registering with Companies House and HMRC, she shares the steps you need to take and the pitfalls to avoid. You’ll learn why opening a separate business bank account matters, how to decide on share classes, and why getting the paperwork right now saves headaches later. As an accountant who supports owner‑managed businesses every...
8 Sept 2025
Ep01 - Thinking About Going Limited?
Thinking of switching from sole trader to a Limited company? In this opening episode, Nicola tackles one of the biggest questions small business owners face: whether to incorporate. She breaks down the differences between trading as a sole trader and operating as a Limited company, covering tax planning, liability protection, ownership structures, and director responsibilities. Nicola explains the pros and cons in plain English and offers guidance on deciding when the timing is ri...
1 Sept 2025
Welcome episode
In this short welcome episode, I introduce The Balanced Business Podcast and share what you can expect from the series — whether you’re new here or already a few episodes in. We start with a 12-part series called The Director’s Handbook, designed especially for owner-managed businesses running (or thinking about running) a Limited company in the UK. It covers everything from getting set up and staying compliant to paying yourself properly, managing taxes, understanding your accounts, and know...
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