TBN Liz Hutchings - Episode1

Описание: AI is everywhere. Trust is collapsing. And Liz Hutchings is betting her whole business on the one thing that still wins… relationships.

In Episode 1 of Dorset Business Matters, I’m joined by Liz Hutchings, founder and Managing Director of Total Guide 2 Group, a 14-year business that’s grown from one local platform into a multi-location network spanning cities including Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Reading, Dorset and Manchester. She also runs Total Marketing Agency and acquired Total Business Network two years ago, bringing digital marketing and real-world connections under one roof. She’s also the Southwest Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year for 2025.

Liz shares the real story behind starting at 26, why she avoided university, why corporate life made her feel boxed in, and how Total Guide 2 became profitable fast. She talks openly about the early mistakes, imposter syndrome, undercharging, taking on the wrong clients, and learning to value her own work.

We get into what networking should look like today, not awkward coffee corners and forced elevator pitches, but structured, human-led events built around table swaps, topics, safe conversations, and genuine connection. Liz explains why relationships matter more than ever in an AI-driven world where people don’t know what to believe, and why showing up consistently beats hard selling every time.

The episode also dives into leadership. Liz breaks down the difference between managing and leading, setting vision, creating clarity, sweeping the shed with the team when it’s busy, and building a culture where mistakes are part of momentum, not something to fear.

And the biggest modern twist? Liz is “AI first”. She shares how they’ve automated repetitive work across their platforms, including event listings and content updates, freeing the team to do higher-value work in the real world. The result is better content, better engagement, and more impact for clients, without paying marketers to do admin.

We also cover the hard reality of building businesses while raising children, setting non-negotiables, being present, and choosing growth in phases with purpose, not guilt.

If you’re building a business right now, this is an episode about resilience, clarity, relationships, and using AI properly without losing the human bit. That combination is the future.