Conversation, Connections and Conveniences with Stefan Thomas

Becky welcomes Stefan Thomas to the second Bog Cast from the Loo of the Year Awards and promises listeners that this episode goes far beyond toilet humour (although there is still plenty of that!). Stefan is widely known for his expertise in networking and relationship building, and is the author of Business Networking for Dummies, Instant Networking and Win The Room. Becky and Stefan reflect on how they first met at a Herefordshire Means Business event, where conversations quickly turned into meaningful connections, proving Stefan’s core belief that conversations, when approached in the right way, can naturally lead to opportunities and even sales. They discuss how Stefan felt arriving at the Loo of the Year Awards as keynote speaker, curious, excited, and perhaps not quite knowing what to expect and the overwhelmingly positive response he received afterwards. He shares what part he played in the 2025 Awards in January 2026 and speaks passionately about how important it is that winners receive the recognition they truly deserve. The conversation then moves to something deeper. Becky and Stefan talk openly about disabilities, both seen and unseen and the real barriers people face in washrooms every day. Stefan candidly shares his experiences of living with ulcerative colitis and the possibility of prostate cancer, explaining how toilets now heavily influence his decisions on where he shops, eats and socialises. As a young man, he admits he never considered the importance of accessible, clean facilities, until diagnosis changed everything. For Stefan, the first thing he checks at any venue is the toilets. When planning an event, he believes their standard reflects directly on his business. After all, using the toilet is something everyone in the world has in common, so why don’t we talk about it more openly? When Becky asks if there is another book in him, Stefan laughs. Post-Covid, he believes many people struggle with networking face to face, so perhaps there is another chapter yet to be written.Contact Stefan on :Website www.stefanthomas.bizLinkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanthomasbiz Contact us on:Website: www.loo.co.ukLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-wall-bem-a69b7a