Beyond the Numbers with Bev Wakefield

You started your business for freedom. To build something that gives you flexibility, fulfilment, and a better life. But too often, that dream gets lost in the day-to-day reality of running the business. You pay your team, your suppliers, your taxes… and somehow, you end up last in line.
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev helps you flip that script. You’ll learn how to build a business that pays you properly - not just when there’s money left over, but as a non-negotiable part of your financial plan. Bev walks through how to calculate what you really need, structure your pay tax-efficiently, and make “pay yourself first” a sustainable habit. One that strengthens both your business and your future.
Because when your business works for you, not just everyone else, that’s when real freedom and long-term sustainability begin.

We’re told that success is about pushing harder - longer hours, bigger goals, and never switching off. But what if the real win is building a business that gives you freedom, not burnout?
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev sits down with Serena Humphrey, founder of The F Word, to explore what happens when hustle culture hits breaking point. From becoming head of finance for a £10 million company at just 22, to watching it collapse and taking the fall, Serena shares the raw truth behind the numbers.
They dive into the emotional cost of overworking, the lessons learned from financial trauma, and the mindset shifts that helped Serena rebuild her life and business with purpose. You’ll hear how she created a new kind of success, one rooted in clarity, sustainability, and self-worth.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still running on empty, this episode will help you slow down, take stock, and build something that truly supports your future.

You hit the big revenue goals. You buy the car, upgrade the office, hit those £10k months, and still feel exactly the same. If more money was supposed to bring happiness, why does it so often come with stress, guilt, or emptiness?
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev unpacks the psychology and science behind the link between income and happiness. You’ll hear real-life stories of business owners who earned more than ever but felt less fulfilled, and discover how to find your own Happiness Threshold.
You'll learn practical ways to spend smarter, track your energy (not just your income), and build a business that funds joy, peace, and purpose - not burnout.
Because the best ROI isn’t always revenue. Sometimes, it’s happiness.

What happens to your business if you take three months off? If the answer makes you nervous, this episode is for you.
Bev dives into what it really means to build a business that works without you at the centre of every decision. She explains why exit planning isn’t just for people looking to sell; it’s the blueprint for freedom, flexibility, and long-term value.
You’ll discover how to calculate your own “Freedom Number,” design systems that keep the business running smoothly, and create genuine options for the future. Whether that’s stepping back, passing it on, or cashing out completely.
Because true success isn’t just what your business earns. It’s what it gives you back - time, choice, and peace of mind.

Scaling a business isn’t just about ambition - it’s about grit, clarity, and knowing when to hold your nerve.
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev Wakefield speaks with Scott Parsons, co-founder of Forsyth Barnes, about building one of the UK’s fastest-growing recruitment firms from the ground up. From selling sweets at school to leading teams across four continents, Scott shares the mindset shifts, financial strategies, and leadership lessons that shaped his journey.
They dive into the realities of scaling without external funding, navigating COVID with conviction, and creating a culture where people truly care. If you’re growing something big and want to lead with purpose, not just pressure, this episode will show you how.

The feast-and-famine cycle is exhausting. Chasing clients, starting every month at zero, and never knowing when the next payment will land.
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev breaks down how to build recurring revenue that fits your business and your brain. You’ll explore nine proven models - from retainers to memberships - and learn how to choose one that’s scalable, profitable, and joyful to deliver.
Because the goal isn’t just recurring revenue. It’s recurring freedom.

Most business owners don’t fail from lack of opportunity. They fail from saying yes to too many of them.
In this episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev explores how to make decisions that create focus instead of chaos. You’ll uncover why your calendar fills faster than your capacity, how to spot the offers and ideas that genuinely move you forward, and the simple filters that make “no” feel strategic instead of scary.
Because success isn’t built on endless yeses - it’s built on the right ones.

In this episode, we took the podcast on the road to ask business owners a simple question: “Life is good when…?”
In this live episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev dives into candid conversations that explore the highs, challenges, and surprising insights of both personal and professional life. From what fuels motivation to what truly makes work feel worthwhile, we uncover the moments that make business and life feel good.
And yes, Bev gets asked the question too, turning the lens inward to share her own reflections on joy, balance, and the lessons learned along the way.
This episode isn’t just about marketing or business strategy. It’s about what keeps us going, what inspires us, and how to make more of life feel good.

In this live episode of Beyond the Numbers, Bev takes the podcast to the Vibrant Supper Club for an evening of food, conversation, and connection. Local business owners share what they’ve learned this year, the advice they’re taking into the new year, and what keeps them going.
From the importance of community to reflections on health, energy, and purpose, this episode captures the honest, human side of business. Bev joins the conversation too, sharing her own insights and the moments that make life and work feel meaningful.

We’re often taught that leadership is about control, authority, and having all the answers. But what if real leadership starts somewhere quieter, with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to change how you show up?
In this episode, Bev is joined by Nicky, whose career began with more than two decades in the Metropolitan Police, before moving into coaching and leadership development. Drawing on frontline experience, Nicky shares what she learned about pressure, responsibility, and the limits of trying to change other people - and why the only real power we have is how we choose to respond.
They explore what happens when high-performing environments ignore emotional wellbeing, how burnout creeps in unnoticed, and why being “strong” doesn’t mean shutting everything down.
Nicky talks candidly about learning to listen differently, creating psychological safety, and leading in a way that allows people to feel heard, valued, and trusted, even when things are busy or difficult.This conversation is about modern leadership, personal responsibility, and the quiet mindset shifts that can transform teams, relationships, and yourself.
If you’re leading people, managing pressure, or questioning how you show up at work and at home, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and a calmer way forward.