Conversation, Connections and Conveniences with Stefan Thomas

Video Description

Becky welcomes Stefan Thomas to the second Bog Cast from the Loo of the Year Awards and promises listeners that the conversation goes well beyond toilet humour – although there is still plenty of that along the way. 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 a simple conversation quickly turned into a meaningful connection. It perfectly demonstrated Stefan’s long-held belief that genuine conversations, when approached in the right way, naturally lead to opportunities – and sometimes even sales. They talk about Stefan’s experience arriving at the Loo of the Year Awards as the keynote speaker. Curious, excited and not entirely sure what to expect, he soon discovered just how passionate the audience was about the subject. He reflects on the overwhelmingly positive response he received and the part he played in the 2025 Awards held in January 2026. Stefan speaks passionately about the importance of recognising excellence and making sure the people and organisations who work hard to provide high-quality washroom facilities receive the credit they deserve. The conversation then moves to a more personal and important topic. Becky and Stefan discuss disabilities – both visible and invisible – and the real barriers many people face when using washrooms every day. Stefan candidly shares his own experiences of living with ulcerative colitis and the possibility of prostate cancer. He explains how access to toilets now significantly influences decisions about where he shops, eats and socialises. As a younger man, he admits he never gave much thought to the quality or accessibility of toilet facilities. Like many people, it simply wasn’t something he considered. However, diagnosis and personal experience changed his perspective completely. Now, the first thing he checks at any venue is the standard and accessibility of the toilets. For Stefan, washroom facilities are not just a practical necessity – they are also a reflection of care and professionalism. When organising events, he believes the condition of the toilets reflects directly on his business and the experience he is offering guests. After all, using the toilet is one of the few things every person in the world has in common, so why don’t we talk about it more openly? Towards the end of the episode, Becky asks whether there might be another book in him. Stefan laughs and reflects on how the world of networking has changed, particularly since Covid. Many people now find face-to-face networking more challenging than before, which makes him wonder if there might be another chapter – or even another book – still waiting to be written. Contact Stefan: Website: www.stefanthomas.biz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanthomasbiz Contact us: Website: www.loo.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-wall-bem-a69b7a