Fake reviews, failed memory tests, podcast marathons… and a Domino’s pizza picnic with the girls.

Monday – Fake Reviews, a Lot of Them

Final days in Turkey. Discovered our “amazing” hotel reviews were fake. Explains a lot. Service: bang average. Reviews: glowing. Welcome to 2025. Work-wise, it’s a bank holiday, means a quiet inbox. Nice. Posted a fun bit of content, reminded again, entertainment is important.

Tuesday – Planes, Phones & Parents

Travel day. Family surprisingly well-behaved. Transfer less so: driver lost, one phone on maps, the other glued to his ear. Lovely with three kids in the back. On the plane I asked about Wi-Fi. Steward: “Don’t know how it works.” Helpful. Bad service is frustrating as a customer, but exciting as a business owner, nail service and you stand out, it’s that easy nowadays.

Wednesday – Back with a Bang

5am alarm, brutal F45. Filmed six podcast episodes, ambitious (stupid) first day back. Should’ve left space to catch up, ended up working late. Finalising a new automation. Everyone’s obsessed with AI, but automation is the unsung hero, streamline processes and it changes the game.

Thursday – Memory Tests & AI Talk

Took Dad to the doctor. Failed the memory test again. Told us the year was 1950. He’s 72, he’s still young! Brutal. Referral still dragging nine months later. Later, chaired Fine & Country’s AI Committee. Fascinating to see the UK so far ahead compared with other countries in the network. Ended the day with my Agent Showdown episode going live.

Friday – Limits & Lessons

Catch-up with a team member who wants to expand his patch. Love those chats. Our Fine & Country partners’ meeting: feels like we’re hitting a glass ceiling on lead gen. We’re squeezing everything we can. Time to innovate. Again. Confirmed a new digital marketing exec joining, exciting chance to try stuff never done before. Watch this space. Less glamorous: a no-show sales call (excuse: dead phone battery). Then scripting content for a major new client, which meant I ended the week on a high.

Saturday – Dad Duty Deluxe

Up at 5:45 with the three-year-old to watch Sing for the three millionth time. Gym, over to mums so the girls could meet the new dog, ice cream run, playground, then Domino’s pizza picnic + movie night at home. Pretty good.

Sunday – September Madness Incoming

1st of September. How?! Gym, haircut, swimming with the girls, boring accounts. Reflected: Fine & Country just had our best half-year yet. Six years in the making. Meanwhile Digital Sparks heads into September filming four out of five days every week. Intense, but exciting. Excited that we’re moving from test phase to growth mode. Worked on our NED pack too, time to scale this thing properly.

Same time next week. Probably (definitely) after bedtime.