Lockdown lifestyle - Pros and cons
grant • April 5, 2020

The Pros and Cons for a Small Business Owner
This has been my second full week of lockdown (three weeks for my staff) and although I feel I’m in the minority and it’s not a popular opinion, I’m actually enjoying it!*
Why do you think this is?
Here’s my take on it. I’m naturally pretty anti-social (some of you may have seen my presentation the anti-social media guide to Instagram), so in principle, working on my own is not something that fills me with anxiety, I actually don’t mind my own company. However, the most important part of working in isolation is the ability to be effective and efficient.
- No commute - saving time and money
- No distractions - periods of focus are increased
- More time with my family - we’re all in this together
No commute:
I’m getting so much done in my little “man cave” home office, I’m feeling super productive and highly motivated. This is how many small business owners work already, and in fact for many of our Blam Partners it’s business as usual for them. Saving the time of the commute and using it for planning, a workout or simply having breakfast with the family is adding over an hour of productivity to my day.
No distractions:
I’m lucky enough to have a small office kitted out with a desk, my laptop, and a TV for presenting which combined with a decent WIFI signal is all I need to conduct business anywhere in the world. Even if you haven't got an office I'm sure by now you've found a space you can call your own, where you can get "stuff" done!
Anyone that wants to see this first hand how I do it, book on one of my webinars or training courses here: https://www.blampartners.com/lockdown-live-webinar
More time with my family:
As a confirmed “workaholic” my family has become used to not having me around much. A sacrifice that we have all lived with knowing the alternative would mean an average business, an average lifestyle and a very grumpy and frustrated Grant! The new lockdown lifestyle however, has meant that times in-between working, breakfast, lunch and dinner for example, for a lot of us our families are “around”. That comfort of knowing they are “safe and healthy” as well as having a chat a few times a day is really nice, an unexpected pleasure for me.
So lockdown isn’t ALL bad.
Don’t get me wrong, there are of course huge disadvantages not least of which the reason we are having to do it - a deadly virus! However there his one overwhelming factor that has made this lockdown one of the busiest periods of my working life to date. I have NEVER felt more motivated and determined in my work in all of my career. And for someone like me that is a BIG statement, I’m a very motivated person generally!
RIGHT NOW, I know that Blam Partners have the tools that can literally save businesses
and get people’s families through this chaos. Digital Lifelines, our campaign to help SME’s around the globe, is starting to get real traction. In our small way, I know Blam can help fight this deadly disease and its consequences, by scaling up the digital tools that we’ve been using for years.
Digital technology is all a lot of businesses have to engage with during this period and having the right website, app or communication tools is vital for survival.
I know we are already making a difference to small business owners
lives and the people in lockdown that they are able to serve. Be it a food ordering app for a pub that is now closed to the public, or the ability to order your zoom party outfit online from the local fashion store, we are helping to keep business moving, and that really is a reason to be grateful.
If you are a small business, find out more about the Digital Lifelines campaign here
, or book on to one of our discovery webinars
if you want to help small businesses by becoming a Blam Partner.
To your success and I look forward to speaking or meeting when this is over!
Grant Stain
CEO
PS: *Please don’t misinterpret this as me saying the lockdown is a good thing generally, like everyone else this has taken a huge toll on my friends, family and colleagues. However, my belief is you have to work with the hand you are given, positivity is the only way.
PPS: We now have access to funding options for any UK Partners that are looking to fund their joining fee. It's part of a government backed loan scheme especially for business start ups. To find out if you qualify, reply to this email and we'll get you in touch with our agent straight away.
Recent Posts

By Jamieson Lee Hill
•
March 5, 2026
Intelligent Call Handling That Converts Missed calls quietly drain revenue from small businesses every day. When Jamieson Lee Hill, founder of Blam Digital, interviewed CRM Developer and AI Automation Specialist Livingstone Kariuki at Blam HQ in Birmingham, the conversation focused on a simple but critical question: how do small businesses stop losing opportunities simply because they cannot answer the phone? Blam’s AI answering service for small businesses has been built to solve that exact problem. Designed in Birmingham, UK, and delivered through a network of 300 partner agencies across 10 countries , the system is engineered to move inbound calls toward meaningful outcomes rather than trapping callers in frustrating loops or dead ends. For businesses searching for a reliable AI phone answering service UK solution with international scalability, the model combines structured automation with human oversight. This is not a replacement for human service. It is a structured, intelligent call progression that protects revenue and improves operational efficiency.

February 24, 2026
Systems-Led Leadership at Blam Digital Grant Stain is the Founder and CEO of Blam Digital, established in 2015. His leadership approach is defined by long-term thinking, structured systems, and a deliberate focus on building agencies that remain stable through market shifts, technology change, and economic cycles. Rather than chasing fast growth or short-term tactics, Grant built Blam Digital as an infrastructure-first business. The intention was clear from the beginning: give agency owners a repeatable framework they can rely on, instead of forcing them to constantly reinvent services, pricing, and delivery. That approach now supports more than 300 partner agencies operating across 10 countries.

February 9, 2026
Serving SMEs, Schools, Councils, Sports Clubs If you run a school, local authority, SME, sports club, or charity, you do not need a clever website. You need a website that produces action. Enquiries, applications, bookings, donations, registrations, or the correct contact route. That is what AI websites that convert are built to deliver.Blam Digital delivers AI websites that convert through a certified partner network. AI is used to improve speed and insight, while human specialists handle strategy, structure, SEO, accessibility, and quality control. This ensures performance improves without increasing risk.

February 2, 2026
How Broken Digital Systems Kill Enquiries If your website is not generating enquiries, you are not imagining it. Many owners and decision-makers sense something is wrong long before they can explain why. The site looks fine. Traffic exists. Marketing activity is happening. But enquiries, orders, or meaningful actions remain weak or inconsistent. This article explains why websites fail to convert visitors into enquiries, what is usually broken underneath, and how organisations fix it without rebuilding everything. Blam Digital works with SMEs and organisations, including schools, sports clubs, charities, and local authorities, and sees the same structural problems repeatedly.

October 27, 2024
One topic that often comes up in my coaching sessions with budding entrepreneurs is imposter syndrome. It’s that feeling of not being “credible” enough or worrying that we might not truly deserve the roles we’ve claimed in our businesses. Often, this isn’t something people willingly share; rather, it’s a subject that usually needs to be coaxed out of them. Imposter syndrome is essentially the fear that we don’t know enough, aren’t authoritative, or simply aren’t “good enough” to do what we say we’re doing. I see this challenge all the time within the Blam Partnership Programme. For many people, joining Blam means diving into a whole new world of digital marketing. They become certified marketers within a few weeks, learning new knowledge and skills at a rapid pace. But because they’re just starting out, they lack the hands-on experience behind that knowledge, and that’s often when the imposter syndrome kicks in. Facing Imposter Syndrome Head-On When new Blam partners step out to meet potential clients, they might feel like they’re on shaky ground. Speaking to established business owners and advising them on their digital marketing is no small feat, especially if you’re just starting your own entrepreneurial journey. But here’s the key insight I always share: the process, the training, and the systems we use at Blam give them knowledge that, while fresh to them, is immensely valuable to the businesses they’re serving. The beauty of the Blam model is that once a Partner makes a sale, they can rely on a whole team of experts to deliver what’s been promised. This support system is there to back them up, and it allows Blam Partners to lean on their new knowledge with confidence, knowing there’s a skilled team to fulfill their commitments. Imposter Syndrome Never Truly Disappears The truth is, imposter syndrome doesn’t just vanish after the initial stages of business. It can resurface at any time, often when you’re about to tackle something new. I know this from experience because I still face it, even after years of building and coaching businesses. In fact, right now, I’m about to launch a YouTube channel to reach even more budding entrepreneurs, providing case studies, interviews, and entrepreneurial advice. And, yes, despite everything, there’s still that nagging question: Why would people want to listen to me? If I’m honest, it took me years to feel comfortable in front of the camera, and even longer to recognise that being the face of a brand can help you connect with the audience you’re aiming to support. Putting yourself out there can be challenging, especially when you’re committed to providing real value. Reframing Imposter Syndrome Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you lack knowledge or expertise. For my part, when I look back at my journey, I’ve coached hundreds of entrepreneurs, built seven-figure businesses, and, yes, had some failures. But those experiences form the foundation of my expertise, even if I sometimes feel like “little old me” isn’t the obvious choice to give advice. The takeaway is this: If you experience imposter syndrome, you’re in good company. I’d even argue that if we didn’t experience it, we might become arrogant, and that’s certainly not an endearing or effective way to connect with others. Embrace that inner doubt, but don’t let it hold you back. Instead, lean on the facts. Recognise the tools, training, and knowledge at your fingertips. In most instances, if you’re genuine and straightforward with your clients, you’ve got everything you need to deliver. Moving Forward with Confidence If you’re an entrepreneur dealing with imposter syndrome, remember that feeling unsure is part of the journey. Everyone feels it, it’s not a sign that you’re incapable, but rather that you’re pushing yourself to grow. Embrace that vulnerability, lean on the support systems you have in place, and trust in the value you bring to your clients. If you’d like to know more about the Blam Partnership Programme, check out the links below. And keep an eye out for my upcoming podcast, where I’ll dive deeper into topics like this and share more insights for those of you taking your first steps into the entrepreneurial world.
October 13, 2024
In the world of Blam, Chi Le’s story stands out as a perfect example of blending passion with purpose. As the founder of Marble Mountains Media, based in Vancouver, Canada, Chi has taken the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, a journey that is as inspiring as it is educational under Blam’s wing as a Partner. I had the pleasure of chatting with Chi about her agency’s growth, her decision to join the Blam Partnership Programme, and the lessons she has learned along the way. From Digital Product Manager to Entrepreneur Chi’s journey into the world of digital marketing was not a straight line to success. Before founding Marble Mountains Media in December last year, she worked as a digital product manager for Herschel Supply, managing the e-commerce presence across Canada, the US, and Europe. Chi loved her role in using technology to solve business problems, but she felt a growing urge to carve out her own path as an entrepreneur. “I enjoyed what I was doing at Herschel, and I had great relationships with my co-workers,” Chi said. “But I wanted to expand my values and impact other businesses by doing something for myself.” This realisation, along with the steady stream of clients she gained after launching her agency in February, pushed her to take the leap and go full-time on her business in May. The Challenge of Transitioning Shifting from corporate to entrepreneurial life is no small feat, and Chi admits that her transition came with challenges. “I was used to being on the side of the brand, picking out tech vendors and working with digital agencies. Suddenly, I found myself on the other side, trying to sell solutions to businesses. It was daunting at first.” Rather than seeing this as a setback, Chi leaned into her experience. Her background in IT and product management meant she had a deep understanding of the challenges business owners face when it comes to using technology effectively. This empathy has been one of her key strengths as she shifted from managing teams to being the one offering solutions. Building Marble Mountains Media: Finding a Niche One of the things that stood out in our conversation was how intentional Chi has been about finding the right niches for her agency. Marble Mountains Media focuses on two distinct sectors: interior design and construction, and medical clinics. This focus was not immediate, but rather the result of careful exploration. “At the start, I thought I would focus on real estate agents, but I quickly realised that they didn’t need the larger marketing solutions I was offering,” Chi explained. From there, she pivoted to working with interior design firms, architects, and construction project managers, industries she found intriguing because of their collaborative nature and the balance they strike between creativity and functionality. “With marketing, it’s also a mix of art and science, much like interior design,” she said, a phrase I really liked (and will definitely steal!). Her second niche, medical clinics, grew out of her previous experience working as an IT manager for Texas Health Resources. Her network in the healthcare industry proved invaluable, and she quickly began securing clients in this space. “I love working with medical businesses because they’re helping people improve their health, and it feels meaningful to be part of that,” Chi added. Joining the Blam Partnership Programme While Chi brought a wealth of technical expertise to her business, she acknowledged that sales was a new skill for her. That is where the Blam Partnership Programme played a crucial role. “Sales is a completely new muscle for me,” she said. “But the training Blam provided, everything from how to speak with potential clients to dealing with rejections, has been incredibly helpful.” Blam’s support was instrumental in helping Chi gain confidence and structure in her sales approach. The programme gave her the tools to approach clients from a problem-solving perspective, which aligns with her values. “The training helped me see that sales is not about pushing products. It is about understanding the client’s pain points and finding a solution that genuinely helps them. With that mindset, the sales part happens naturally.” Beyond sales, the Blam team’s mentorship and guidance provided Chi with a strong support system as she navigated the challenges of scaling her business. “Blam has been an absolute pleasure to work with. The team has helped me a tons with sales and as I mentioned earlier, it’s is completely a new muscle for me to practice.” Looking Ahead: Scaling for Success When asked about her vision for Marble Mountains Media, Chi did not hesitate. “I want to build an international agency,” she said confidently. While the full picture of what that looks like is still forming, Chi is clear that she wants to keep expanding her reach. “Right now, we’re based in Vancouver, and I have clients in the US and Canada, but I’m also working on a mentorship programme for businesses in Tanzania.” For Chi, scaling is not just about growth, it is about having the right team in place. “I have always had a scalability mindset,” she said. She is already thinking about hiring account managers and a sales team to help take her agency to the next level. “It is not just a lifestyle business for me. I want to grow, and I want the right processes and structures in place to make that happen.” Final Thoughts Chi’s journey from working in corporate Canada to running her own digital marketing agency is a testament to the power of taking risks, trusting your instincts, and building strong partnerships. Whether it is through her intentional focus on her niches, her empathetic approach to solving client problems, or her plans for scaling globally, Chi Le and Marble Mountains Media are on a path of steady and meaningful growth. The Blam Partnership Programme has been a key part of her journey, giving her the support and training she needed to thrive in her new role. As Chi continues to build her agency, it is clear that her values of problem-solving, empathy, and resilience will continue to guide her success. To watch the full interview click here . To your success, Grant


