Evolve to Succeed: Recent Episodes
Warren Munson
Insightful conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders, exploring the link between personal and business success.
Evolve is a UK-based business coaching and development company committed to guiding you towards meaningful success.
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson welcomes back award-winning nutritionist, wellbeing expert and author, Barbara Cox-Lovesy. Returning more than six years after her first appearance, Barbara shares how attitudes towards health, wellbeing and workplace culture have evolved and why business leaders can no longer afford to ignore them.
Drawing on lessons from her new book, Land of the Rising Lifespan, Barbara explains how Japanese culture has shaped her approach to leadership, productivity and longevity. From preventing burnout and creating healthier workplaces to embracing imperfection, slowing down and building sustainable habits, this conversation is packed with practical advice for business owners and individuals alike.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.
What the Episode Covers
How corporate wellbeing has changed over the past six years
Preventing burnout in high-performing teams
Why leadership sets the culture for wellbeing
Measuring employee wellbeing and engagement
Lessons from Japanese culture and longevity
The inspiration behind Land of the Rising Lifespan
The Japanese concept of embracing imperfection
How wellbeing creates a competitive business advantage
Nutrition, supplements and healthy eating habits
The importance of community and slowing down
AI's role in improving productivity without increasing burnout
Living longer while maintaining quality of life
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:28 – How Has Workplace Wellbeing Changed?
03:40 – Are We Heading Back Towards Burnout?
07:02 – What Does Great Corporate Wellbeing Look Like?
11:30 – How Can Small Businesses Prioritise Employee Wellbeing?
16:35 – Why Did You Write Land of the Rising Lifespan?
18:15 – What Can We Learn from Japanese Culture?
24:20 – Which Japanese Habits Should We Adopt?
29:10 – Is the Japanese Diet Really Healthier?
33:40 – Do We Really Need Supplements?
36:35 – What is the Biggest Lesson From Your Book?
40:45 – How Can AI Support Health and Wellbeing?
47:00 – Are We Living Longer or Living Better?
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson is joined by Krista Cartlidge, CEO of MYTIME Young Carers, to explore her journey from secondary school teacher to leading a nationally recognised organisation supporting young carers.
Krista shares how frustrations within the education system led her to discover the hidden challenges faced by young carers, and why that discovery completely changed the direction of her career. Since joining MYTIME, she has helped grow the charity into a nationally respected voice, influencing policy, collecting groundbreaking data, and helping drive changes within schools and Ofsted frameworks.
This is an honest, insightful, and deeply human conversation about leadership, purpose, resilience, and creating long-term impact.
If you enjoy the episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who would find the conversation valuable.
What The Episode Covers
Krista's journey from education into the charity sector
Why the education system was failing young carers
The hidden realities faced by young carers
Transitioning from teacher to CEO
Building and scaling MYTIME during Covid
Leadership lessons learned while growing a charity
The similarities between charities and startups
Managing culture, governance and growth
The importance of data in driving systemic change
Lobbying Ofsted and influencing national policy
Sustainable income models for charities
The emotional impact of leading purpose-driven organisations
Creating long-term systemic change for young carers
Chapters
00:00 – Who is Krista Cartlidge and what does MYTIME do?
01:10 – What drew Krista into teaching and education?
05:01 – Why did Krista leave the education sector?
07:10 – How did discovering young carers change everything?
09:37 – What were the early days of leading MYTIME really like?
14:14 – What leadership lessons came from building a growing charity?
18:18 – How did MYTIME influence Ofsted and national policy?
29:28 – What challenges come with scaling a purpose-led organisation?
31:32 – How did MYTIME create sustainable income streams?
43:39 – How do you build a strong culture inside a charity?
49:28 – What legacy does Krista want to leave behind?
On this special episode, we bring together real conversations with founders and leaders who have built, scaled, and successfully exited their businesses. From early-stage ambition to the final signature, this episode explores what the journey actually looks like behind the scenes.
You'll hear honest reflections on the realities of selling, from the pressure of due diligence and deal fatigue, to the emotional weight of stepping away from something you've spent years building. These are stories of resilience, tough decisions, timing, and the often-overlooked question: What comes next?
Whether you're actively planning an exit, thinking about succession, or simply curious about what the future could look like, this episode offers valuable perspective from those who've been through it.
If you found this useful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's on their own business journey.
What The Episode Covers * Why selling a business is more complex than expected * The reality of due diligence and deal fatigue * Managing emotions during the exit process * The importance of having the right advisors around you * Knowing when the time is right to exit * Understanding "how much is enough" financially * Building a business that operates without the founder * The impact of exit on identity and personal life * Choosing the right buyer, not just the highest offer * Life after exit and transitioning into the next phase
Chapters 00:00 – Introduction
01:10 – Brian Parker
08:20 – Jimmy & Suzie's Iced Coffee
15:48 - Anthony Woodhouse
18:59 - Lincoln New
25:32 - Declan O'Toole
42:23 - Final Reflections
What happens when someone trained to analyse spreadsheets decides to follow their creative passion?
In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with Joe Hayes, founder of Kindful Creative, to explore his journey from trainee accountant to running a growing video production agency built on the values of kindness, relationships, and human connection.
Joe shares how his early career in accountancy gave him a powerful understanding of business fundamentals, but ultimately left him feeling stuck in a routine that lacked passion. What started as a hobby with a camera quickly turned into something much bigger, eventually leading Joe to take the leap and launch his own creative agency.
Throughout the conversation, Joe opens up about the realities of starting a business, the importance of understanding your numbers, and why relationships and reputation often matter more than aggressive sales strategies.
You'll also hear about the challenges of growth, staying focused as a founder, and how building a business around personal values can shape company culture and client relationships.
If you're thinking about starting a business, changing careers, or building something that aligns with your passions, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical lessons.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find it valuable.
What The Episode Covers * Joe Hayes' journey from trainee accountant to creative entrepreneur * The inspiration behind launching Kindful Creative * Why relationships are at the heart of Joe's business philosophy * The risks and mindset shifts involved in leaving a stable career * Why understanding financials is crucial for founders * Lessons learned from early business decisions and partnerships * The importance of building a strong team culture * How podcasting and content help businesses build authority * Balancing entrepreneurship with family life * Joe's personal definition of success
Chapters 00:00 – Why did you become an accountant? 04:30 – What inspired the name Kindful? 08:00 – How do you build a values-driven team? 11:00 – When did creativity become a passion? 15:00 – What gave you the confidence to start a business? 21:00 – Why do founders need financial literacy? 27:30 – What does Kindful Creative actually do? 32:00 – How has leadership changed for you? 35:00 – Why should businesses create content and podcasts? 40:00 – Lifestyle business or growth company? 44:00 – What advice would you give your younger self? 47:30 – What does success mean to you?
On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren sits down with Niall Cluley, Managing Director and shareholder at Dragonfish, a culture and performance consultancy helping ambitious brands unlock alignment, growth and long-term impact.
Niall shares his journey from corporate leadership roles at global brands including Fitness First and Vodafone, to becoming Dragonfish's founding client before stepping into ownership.
The conversation explores what culture really is beyond posters on the wall, why values alone are not enough, and how leaders can intentionally shape the "ecosystem" of behaviours, systems and experiences that drive performance.
You'll hear about the six signatures of high-performing organisations, how to maintain momentum after a culture "project", why impact matters more than engagement alone, and how AI and rapid change are reshaping the way organisations think about people and performance.
If you're leading a growing business, scaling a team, or preparing for succession or exit, this episode offers practical insight into making culture a true competitive advantage.
If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.
What The Episode Covers
- Niall's journey from corporate leadership to culture consultancy
- What culture really means in practical business terms
- Founder fingerprints and scaling beyond founder energy
- Why values alone don't drive performance
- The importance of vision as a North Star
- Working backwards from the future to maintain alignment
- The six signatures of high-performing organisations
- Measuring culture in tangible, performance-linked ways
- The impact of AI and rapid change on organisational culture
Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:44 - What does Dragonfish do and why does culture matter? 03:00 – When did you realise performance and culture are inseparable? 06:00 – What does it really feel like to leave corporate and build your own consultancy? 10:20 – What does culture actually mean in practical terms? 14:30 – How much of culture is founder-driven versus intentional design? 18:00 – How do you keep vision and purpose alive in everyday business life? 24:00 – What are the six signatures of high-performing organisations? 31:00 – How do you measure culture without it becoming 'wishy-washy'? 41:00 – How will AI and rapid change reshape organisational culture? 46:30 – What leadership traits matter most when protecting culture?
On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we're joined by Lincoln New, co-founder of Term Footwear, who shares the full story behind launching, pivoting, scaling and eventually exiting a school footwear brand in one of the UK's toughest retail sectors. Lincoln takes us back to the early days of starting the business with little more than industry experience, belief and £700 worth of stock in a garage. He talks candidly about naivety, self-belief, dealing with doubters, managing supply chains across continents and the emotional toll of constant pivots. From distributor to brand owner, Amazon setbacks to Costco breakthroughs, Brexit to Covid, Lincoln's journey is a masterclass in resilience. The conversation explores how relationships carried the business through its hardest moments, why strategy matters most when things aren't going well, and how Lincoln approached exit planning with honesty and clarity about his "why". This episode is packed with hard-earned lessons for anyone starting, growing or thinking about exiting a business. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show. What The Episode Covers * Where the idea for Term Footwear came from * Starting a business with limited capital and big ambition * Entering an overcrowded, brand-dominated market * Overcoming self-doubt, criticism and scepticism * Managing overseas manufacturing and supply chains * Pivoting from distributor to brand owner * Navigating Amazon failures and Costco opportunities * Surviving Brexit and Covid through strategic pivots * Building trust-based customer relationships * Planning, executing and emotionally navigating a business exit
Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Where did the idea for Term Footwear come from? 03:00 – What motivated you to start a business in such a crowded market? 06:30 – How did you deal with self-doubt and early scepticism? 09:50 – How did you manage sourcing and supply chains overseas? 12:40 – What forced the pivot from distributor to owning the brand? 17:00 – How did Amazon and Costco shape the business model? 23:50 – How did Covid change your strategy and market focus? 30:00 – When did you start thinking seriously about an exit? 36:00 – How did you make the business attractive to buyers? 39:00 – How did it feel to finally complete the exit? 42:30 – What advice would you give founders starting today? 49:00 – What does success mean to you now?
What does it really take to grow from a junior role into Managing Director, earn equity, scale a business through major change, and successfully exit?
In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren sits down with Brian Parker, former Managing Director and shareholder of Britannia Parking. Brian shares an honest, behind-the-scenes account of his 20-year journey, starting in a junior finance role and progressing to board level, equity ownership and ultimately leading the business through a successful exit.
Brian talks openly about ambition, hard work, learning the numbers, and why leadership isn't about titles or ego. He reflects on the critical relationship between owner and MD, the importance of trust, and how having equity fundamentally changed his decision-making and long-term focus. The conversation also dives into scaling challenges, navigating rapid growth, managing people through change, pivoting business models, and the emotional and practical realities of selling a business.
This episode is packed with practical lessons for employees with ambition, business owners considering succession, and leaders thinking about growth, equity and exit strategies.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.
What The Episode Covers
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Starting in a junior role and progressing into leadership
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Developing commercial and financial skills to accelerate growth
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Moving from operational roles to Managing Director
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The mindset shift required when leading a business
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Building trust between shareholders and leadership
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Why equity changes behaviour and decision-making
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Scaling challenges and people decisions during growth
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Pivoting business models and embracing technology
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Preparing for and navigating a business exit
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Lessons learned from a long-term leadership journey
Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – What is your background and how did you join the business?
03:00 – When did you realise this could become a long-term career?
06:30 – How did learning finance accelerate your progression?
10:00 – What changed when you stepped into the MD role?
14:30 – How do you lead without relying on ego or title?
18:00 – What makes a strong relationship between owner and MD?
24:30 – How did the business pivot and scale through major growth?
31:30 – What were the biggest challenges during the exit process?
38:30 – How did equity change your mindset and motivation?
45:00 – What advice would you give leaders on growth and exit?
On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with James Croker, Commercial Director at Bournemouth Rugby Club. Many know James as the energetic, passionate force behind the club's growth in recent years, but few know the full story that shaped him.
James takes us from his early sporting childhood, through a 15-year career in the Royal Air Force, to the devastating series of heart attacks in his early thirties that abruptly ended both his military career and his playing days. He speaks openly about the mental health battle that followed, the loss, the darkness and ultimately the community that helped pull him back up.
We explore how rugby's core values have shaped James's leadership philosophy, the commercial transformation at Bournemouth Rugby and his mission to build a true sense of belonging in the local business community.
This conversation is a blend of raw honesty, practical wisdom and heartfelt passion for sport and people.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… * How sport shaped James's early life * Why he joined the Royal Air Force * The sudden heart condition that ended his military career * How he battled depression and rebuilt his life * Transitioning into coaching and returning to Bournemouth Rugby * Building commercial sustainability and community connection * Creating belonging and meaningful values in organisations * Why role modelling matters in sport and business * The importance of resilience and support networks * James's ambitions for Bournemouth Rugby Club
Soundbites "Sport always gave me purpose, even when nothing else made sense." "You learn from great leaders, but you learn even more from the bad ones." "Community saved me. Without it, I don't know where I'd be." "The military took my structure away overnight. That's when life really hit me." "Good rugby players aren't always good people. We want good people first." "You can't just put your values on a wall. You have to live them." "If you want to build community, create a sense of belonging and safety first." "Make your bed. Do one thing. One step leads to the next."
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – James' early years
03:20 – Military career
10:30 – Heart attacks
17:40 – Navigating depression and rebuilding life
21:45 – Bournemouth Rugby
25:30 – Building community through sport
36:00 – Rugby values
49:10 – Future of Bournemouth Rugby
55:20 – Final reflections
What does it really take to build a startup from scratch?
In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson speaks with Josh Williams, co-founder of Town, a new community platform on a mission to help people rediscover and support their local independent businesses. Founded less than a year ago, Town is already building momentum by rewarding shoppers for buying local and connecting communities through tech.
Josh opens up about his journey from a series of side hustles to launching a tech startup with purpose. He talks candidly about the challenges of bootstrapping, managing self-doubt, balancing ambition with reality and why perseverance matters more than ever in the early stages.
This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about launching their own business or curious about what happens behind the scenes during a startup.
Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more people discover the Evolve to Succeed Podcast!
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- How Town is helping revive independent retail
- The inspiration behind the idea (and how Amazon played a role)
- Lessons from a year of building a startup
- Why Josh believes constraint fuels creativity
- The highs and lows of early entrepreneurship
- The importance of co-founders and complementary skills
- Balancing purpose with profit and scalability
- Why AI won't replace human connection
- Overcoming doubt, fear of failure, and burnout
- Josh's advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business
Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Intro
01:10 – What is Town and why it exists
03:15 – The mission to revive independent business
06:20 – How the idea for Town began
08:55 – Early startup challenges and first customers
11:20 – The highs and lows of year one
13:40 – Lean building and bootstrapping lessons
17:00 – Self-funding vs raising capital
19:40 – Why focus and persistence matter
23:20 – Planning Town's growth and data insights
28:50 – Facing failure and overcoming doubt
31:40 – The importance of co-founders
36:30 – AI and the future of human connection
40:35 – Lessons from the Evolve Accelerator experience
47:20 – Josh's top advice for aspiring founders
50:00 – Closing reflections
What makes a truly high-performing team, and why do so many fail to reach that level?
In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with Nick Fewings, founder of Ngagement Works and author of Team Lead Succeed. Known as a "Teamologist," Nick shares insights from over three decades of experience helping leaders and teams reach their potential.
From his early leadership struggles at Barclays to coaching global organisations, Nick explores the psychology of teamwork, covering trust, purpose, accountability and the fine balance between empathy and strategy.
He also reveals why only 10% of teams are truly high-performing and how leaders can cultivate consistency, communication and psychological safety within their organisations. Packed with practical advice and relatable stories, this episode is a masterclass in leading people, fostering collaboration and creating teams that thrive together.
If you enjoy the conversation, please subscribe, share and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the show.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- How failure led Nick to study team dynamics + Why most teams are only "average" performers + The difference between leadership and management + Building psychological safety and trust + Balancing empathy with strategic leadership + Aligning personal and organisational purpose + Handling misaligned team members + Encouraging open, candid communication + Embedding accountability across a team
Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Intro 01:00 – How failure sparked a passion for teamwork 04:45 – What makes a team dysfunctional? 06:50 – Leadership vs. Management 09:10 – Building trust and psychological safety 13:50 – Managing stress and self-awareness as leaders 15:40 – The art of strategic empathy 17:15 – Purpose, alignment and shared values 22:30 – Communication, honesty and feedback 32:10 – Accountability within teams 39:00 – The myth of KPIs 43:20 – Advice to your younger leadership self 46:00 – Outro and Reflections
If you enjoy the conversation, please subscribe, share and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the show.
What if you could completely transform your health, energy, and outlook in just a few years?
This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren is joined by Rachel Williams, founder of Zest Lifestyle, wellbeing coach, and passionate advocate for preventative health. Rachel's story is remarkable - 25 years ago she was overweight, smoking 40 cigarettes a day, drinking heavily, and burnt out from her high-pressure corporate career. Then one morning in a Barcelona hotel, she had her "OMG moment" and decided to change everything.
Since then, Rachel has not only rebuilt her own life but has dedicated the last two decades to helping others do the same. In this conversation, she shares the five pillars of wellness -sleep, eat, move, think, and pause - and explains how small, consistent changes can have a profound impact on your health and longevity. We also dive into the dangers of ultra-processed food, the rise of burnout, and how businesses can create cultures of wellbeing that benefit both people and performance.
Rachel's mission is clear: extend healthspan, not just lifespan. Her insights will inspire you to rethink your daily habits and take control of your wellbeing.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share it with your network, and leave us a review - it really helps others discover the show.
Chapters / Timestamps * 00:00 – Intro & Rachel's Transformation Story * 03:00 – The OMG Moment in Barcelona * 07:30 – From Corporate Life to Wellness Coach * 10:30 – The Five Pillars of Wellness * 18:00 – Small Habits, Big Health Gains * 26:30 – Weight Loss Drugs, Risks & Realities * 29:30 – Mental Health, Stress & Ultra-Processed Food * 40:00 – Building a Culture of Wellbeing at Work * 44:00 – Zest Nation & The Blue Zone Inspiration * 54:00 – Rachel's Definition of Success: Balance
AI is no longer a distant concept. It’s here. But what does it mean for business, creativity and society as a whole?
In this thought-provoking episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson is joined by two experts at the forefront of the AI revolution. Nick Carlile, founder of Olivia AI, and Dan Smith, CEO of Fireworx. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. From democratising knowledge and levelling the playing field for small businesses, to the existential risks around ethics, regulation and human identity.
Expect candid insights on how AI is transforming work, displacing jobs while creating new ones and forcing business leaders to rethink strategies. The conversation also tackles creativity. Can AI truly innovate, or is it simply remixing human ideas?
Whether you’re excited about AI or concerned about its implications, this episode offers valuable perspectives on where we are now and where we might be heading.
If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Why AI represents one of the biggest opportunities in business history. + The impact of AI on jobs, skills and human identity. + How AI is reshaping creativity, branding and marketing. + The challenges of bias, ethics and regulation in AI. + Dystopian vs. utopian futures. Where might AI take us? + Practical advice for business leaders on adopting AI strategically.
Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:14 - Excitement Around AI 04:46 - Impact on Jobs & Skill 10:19 - Human Connection vs. Automation 18:58 - Ethics, Trust & Regulation 28:02 - Bias in AI 32:53 - AI and Creativity 42:27 - Practical Uses & Business Strategy 53:01 - Entrepreneurship, Risk & Business Models 56:46 - Utopia or Dystopia?
Are you a business owner or leader looking to navigate change with confidence? At Evolve, we help ambitious businesses like yours unlock growth, embrace innovation, and build strategies fit for the future.
👉 Get in touch with our team today to explore how we can support you and your business journey: www.evolveadvisory.co.uk
What happens when the life you dreamed of doesn’t bring you happiness?
This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we’re joined by Katherine Baldwin. Former Reuters political and foreign correspondent who once travelled the world alongside Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. From covering wars, natural disasters, and global crises, Katherine lived a life of adrenaline, success, and status. Yet behind the scenes, she was battling burnout, binge eating, alcohol dependence, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Katherine shares how she transitioned from chasing external validation to finding inner peace and purpose. We discuss the dangers of overachievement, the role of addiction and denial in high-pressure careers, and the courage it takes to step away from an identity built on success. Katherine also reveals the practices and mindset shifts that helped her recover, embrace self-love, and build meaningful relationships.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or professional striving for balance, this episode will give you tools to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters.
👉 If you find value in this episode, please subscribe, share it with others, and leave us a review. It really helps the podcast grow.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Success Doesn’t Guarantee Fulfilment: Katherine shares how her dream career reporting from Downing Street and the White House left her feeling empty and unfulfilled despite the outward success.
Adrenaline Can Be an Addiction: Katherine describes how her life was fuelled by adrenaline, excessive work, binge eating and drinking, unaware she was using these to avoid unresolved pain.
Numbing Isn’t Coping: She explains how we often use work, alcohol, exercise or even relationships to numb discomfort, but the feelings always catch up with us.
Burnout Is a Wake-Up Call: A personal crisis and grief forced Katherine to face years of denial, leading her to finally seek help and reassess her life’s direction.
Tell Yourself the Truth First: Recovery starts with self-honesty. Katherine encourages listeners to ask hard questions: What am I avoiding? What’s this behaviour really about?
Healthy Relationships Start With Self-Love: Katherine talks about how early trauma creates patterns in love, and how self-worth and boundaries are the foundation for meaningful connection.
Presence Over Productivity: From sea swims to journaling, Katherine shares the small daily rituals that keep her grounded and help her avoid falling back into old habits.
Redefine Success as Inner Peace: Her definition of success has shifted from status and prestige to something simpler and more profound: peace, fulfilment, and joy.
Soundbites “I was in Downing Street, the White House, rubbing shoulders with world leaders—and I still felt dead inside.”
“Externally, it looked like I had it all. Internally, I was crumbling.”
“I was using food, alcohol, adrenaline, and achievement to numb the pain inside me.”
“Tell the truth. Start by telling yourself the truth.”
“If you’re numbing out—through alcohol, overwork, relationships, social media—what are you trying to escape?”
“Our bodies will keep the score. Burnout, illness, even disease—these are the costs we pay when we don't pause.”
“We think hustling is the answer. But at what cost? To our peace, our health, our families?”
“We care for ourselves not just for us—but so we can care for the business, the team, the people we love.”
“Presence is a superpower. It’s not weakness. It’s everything.”
⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps * 00:00 – Intro & Katherine’s Background * 04:30 – Success on the Outside, Struggles Within * 10:15 – Burnout, Breakdown & Denial * 17:00 – Leaving Reuters & Facing Identity Loss * 23:30 – First Steps Toward Healing * 30:00 – Daily Practices for Self-Care & Presence * 41:00 – Boundaries, Balance & Saying “Enough” * 47:00 – Building Healthy Relationships & Her Book * 55:00 – Quickfire Round & Defining Success * 56:30 – Closing Reflections & Where to Find Katherine
Summary
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Declan O'Toole shares his remarkable journey from marine biology to building a successful catering business, Forerunner Catering.
He discusses the challenges of transitioning from Meals on Wheels to providing school meals, the importance of cash flow management, and the lessons learned from navigating public sector contracts.
Declan reflects on the decision to exit the business, the sale process, and life after exit, emphasising the need for resilience and the fulfillment found in the entrepreneurial journey.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Define "Enough" Early: Declan covers what “enough” was in his life. He applied the 4% rule to plan his exit and financial future.
Public Sector Contracts Can Be Goldmines: Declan talks about public sector contracts and how they can be stable and profitable when executed well.
Systems and Process Create True Business Ownership: A business that can run without the owner is a real business. Declan emphasises how important it was for his catering company to be people-independent and systems-led.
Cashflow is Everything: Declan emphasises that cashflow forecasting is a non-negotiable practice.
Exit Requires Strategy, Not Spontaneity: Declan discusses his exit from the business by tightening operations, ensuring clean books, and building scalability before stepping away.
Legacy Over Maximum Payout: Declan talks about choosing the right buyer, by assessing their values and ability to take care of his team and legacy.
Soundbites
“The bit that’s really good about generating wealth is not having the wealth. It’s the journey from not having it to getting there.”
“You only own a business if it can run without you for three to six months.”
“Cashflow, cashflow, cashflow. There’s nothing else. That’s priority one.”
“Once you get public sector contracts, just don’t f* up.”
“You’ve got to have grit. Everyone I know who’s made it has been through some deep, deep s*.”
“I’m great at building systems. I’m absolutely crap at doing them.”
“Success is waking up looking forward to the day and being happy with what you’ve achieved so far.”
“I’d be a corporate muppet if I hadn’t read Rich Dad Poor Dad.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Declan O'Toole
01:20 From Marine Biology to Catering Business
05:00 Transitioning from Meals on Wheels to School Meals
10:00 Challenges of Rapid Growth and Cash Flow Management
15:00 Navigating Public Sector Contracts
20:48 The Importance of Relationships in Business
27:47 Lessons Learned from the Public Sector
32:54 Deciding to Exit the Business
38:28 The Sale Process and Finding the Right Buyer
47:38 Life After Exit
Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision.
The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the business: realising captains would pay for a fully managed service; raising prices to signal quality; surviving the 2008 crash, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine shock; and, most dramatically, self-funding and launching their proprietary software, Compass. Their complementary personalities - Dave the risk-taking visionary, Alicia the detail-driven operator - emerge as the engine behind DSNM’s culture of obsessive customer service and constant product iteration.
They also share the realities of running a high-pressure, family-run company in a glamorous, yet unforgiving industry. Topics range from work-life integration with their young son Louis, to tight recruitment standards, to the pride (and responsibility) of winning two Queen’s Awards and employing a close-knit team.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Find a pain-killer, not a vitamin. Early success came from doing the tedious chart-correction work crews hated.
- Price can signal value. Raising rates—rather than undercutting incumbents—attracted more super-yacht clients.
- Service DNA first, tech layer next. DSNM’s core white-glove support never changed; software (Compass) scaled it.
- Complementary co-founders matter. Visionary risk (Dave) + operational diligence (Alicia) created balanced growth.
- Crisis = clarity. COVID and the Ukraine conflict forced the team to reassess purpose, costs and future bets.
- Culture of “no passengers.” Every hire must be a self-starting problem-solver; weak links show instantly in a small team.
- Bootstrapping builds resilience. Funding software internally preserved speed and ownership—crucial in a niche market.
- Work-life “blend” beats balance. Shared purpose, clear role boundaries, and intentional family time keep burnout at bay.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to DSNM and Its Founders
06:50 The Evolution of Services and Software Development
12:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Lessons
20:39 Balancing Growth with Company Culture
30:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy
38:18 Reflections on Success and Personal Growth
42:50 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance
48:53 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts
In this captivating episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson reconnects with returning guests Julie and Sally, fresh from their epic adventure of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
After 59 grueling days at sea, the team successfully completed their journey from La Gomera to Antigua aboard the Ebb & Flow. Julie and Sally share vivid tales of their extreme challenge, from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the relentless mental and physical tests they faced.
This episode is a moving testament to courage, camaraderie, and the power of human determination. Tune in and be inspired!
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Triumphant Arrival: The powerful emotions of crossing the finish line to a cheering crowd and reuniting with loved ones.
Surprises & Challenges: Navigating unexpected battery issues, hand steering for hours, and battling huge storms.
Life at Sea: Their daily routines, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and how they coped with the isolation and vastness of the ocean.
Wildlife Wonders: Magical moments with whales, playful dolphins, and even a curious marlin!
Team Dynamics: Insights into working as a team of three, including how they supported one another during tough times.
Mind Over Matter: The mental strength and resilience it took to row day after day, and how they now see challenges in everyday life differently.
Personal Growth: Reflections on how this experience changed their perspectives and their lives.
Chapters
00:00 - The Journey Begins: Crossing the Atlantic
06:02 - Surprises and Challenges at Sea
10:13 - Daily Life on the Ocean
14:39 - Overcoming Fears and Isolation
20:02 - Mental Resilience and Personal Growth
28:31 - Highlights and Pinnacle Moments
29:07 - Surfing the Waves of Adventure
30:08 - Wild Encounters: Whales and Wildlife
31:13 - The Thrill of the Ocean: Sounds and Sights
32:10 - Team Dynamics: Bonding Through Challenges
33:42 - Resilience and Problem Solving at Sea
39:00 - Physical Challenges and Recovery
43:14 - Adjusting to Life After the Ocean
46:35 - Future Adventures: What's Next?
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, shares her entrepreneurial journey from the inception of her innovative shoelace solution, to her recent experience on Dragon's Den.
Emma discusses the challenges and successes of developing her product, transitioning to a full-time commitment, and the importance of marketing strategies and brand ambassadors in driving growth.
Emma shares her journey on Dragon's Den, the challenges and opportunities that arose from her appearance, and how it impacted her brand. She discusses the intense experience of pitching, the immediate spike in brand awareness following the show, and the subsequent growth and challenges in her business.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Transitioning from a side project to a full-time business.
Product development.
Brand ambassador programs.
Utilising platforms like Amazon.
Emma’s Dragon's Den experience.
Understanding your audience.
Building a brand community.
Utilising freelancers.
New marketing platforms like TikTok.
Balancing personal life with business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Laceeze
03:13 From Concept to Product
05:46 Transitioning to Full-Time
08:48 Product Development and Expansion
12:05 Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth
15:10 Funding and Financial Growth
17:47 The Dragon's Den Experience
21:07 Preparing for the Pitch
27:56 The Intensity of Pitching on Dragon's Den
30:58 The Impact of Dragon's Den on Brand Awareness
34:45 Post-Show Opportunities and Challenges
39:34 Embracing New Marketing Trends
41:02 Personal Reflections
46:28 Balancing Business with Personal Life
48:27 Defining Personal Success
On the 250th episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, shares insights into the legacy of the family-owned brewery and pub company, which has been in operation since 1777.
He discusses the challenges and triumphs of maintaining a family business over generations, the importance of reinvestment in the company and community, and the balance between tradition and innovation in the hospitality sector.
Anthony emphasises the need for educating future generations about the business's values and the impact of structural changes in the industry.
Anthony discusses the evolution of pub culture, emphasising the changing demographics of pub-goers. He also addresses the significance of succession planning in family businesses, sharing insights on legacy and the need for a forward-looking mindset.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
The importance of being a custodian of the family business.
How reinvestment leads to longevity.
Community impact over shareholder profits.
Educating the next generation.
Balancing tradition with innovation.
Headwinds in the hospitality sector.
Changes in pub culture and demographics.
Moral decisions leading to better commercial outcomes.
Trusting the next generation.
Engagement with the community.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hall & Woodhouse
02:56 Custodians of a Legacy
05:58 Longevity in Family Businesses
09:04 Reinvestment and Community Impact
11:56 Educating Future Generations
15:13 Balancing Tradition with Innovation
18:13 Headwinds in the Hospitality Sector
26:10 Pub Culture and Gender Dynamics
31:27 The Brewing Legacy
36:15 Succession Planning
39:18 Mindset Shift
46:08 Personal Definition of Success
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Jo and Oscar Hjälmås discuss their journey as co-owners of Baggette + Co., a financial services firm.
They share insights on their management buyout experience, the importance of maintaining company culture during rapid growth, and the strategies they implemented to ensure effective communication and team engagement.
In this engaging conversation, Jo and Oscar discuss the delicate balance between delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring financial viability in their business. They share insights on navigating personal and professional boundaries while working together as a couple, the impact of family dynamics on their business, and their definitions of success both personally and professionally.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- The importance of defining roles and responsibilities in a partnership.
- Effective communication.
- Celebrating team successes.
- Customer satisfaction.
- Organisational structure.
- Working as a married couple in a business setting.
- Employee well-being.
- Delivering service with no sales targets.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Baggette + Co.
03:10 The Journey to Business Ownership
05:53 Navigating Roles and Responsibilities
09:03 Management Buyout
11:58 Growth and Expansion
14:54 Maintaining Company Culture During Growth
17:49 Communication and Team Engagement
20:56 Client-Centric Business Approach
31:35 Balancing Customer Delight and Financial Responsibility
36:30 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries
42:31 Family Dynamics on Business
46:10 Defining Success: Business and Personal Aspirations
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Louise Southam of Beyond Belief Couching shares her journey from a successful career in recruitment to becoming a leadership and business coach.
She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion for coaching, the challenges she faced as a single mother and the personal growth she experienced during her journey.
Louise emphasises the importance of resilience, manifestation and the power of positive thinking, as well as practical tools like journaling to facilitate self-discovery and empowerment.
Her story is one of courage, determination, and the belief that we can shape our own destinies.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Transitioning from recruitment to coaching.
Balancing motherhood and career aspirations.
Taking leaps of faith.
How personal challenges can shape resilience and determination.
The importance of manifestation in creating a desired life.
Journaling.
Overcoming fears of public speaking.
The importance of networking and asking for help.
Balancing masculine and feminine energies in leadership.
Values in organisations.
One-on-one coaching.
Creating a supportive work environment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:07 From Recruitment to Coaching
06:07 Motherhood and Career Aspirations
08:49 The Leap of Faith
11:59 Divorce and Self-Discovery
15:11 Manifestation and the Power of Positive Thinking
18:05 Journaling
21:05 Finding Confidence Through Public Speaking
24:01 Building a Coaching Business
26:17 The Power of Helping Others
28:50 Leadership Challenges
30:36 Heart-Centered Leadership and Generational Shifts
32:08 Creating a Supportive Work Environment
35:51 Masculine and Feminine Energy in Leadership
36:43 The Importance of Values in Organisations
40:45 One-on-One Coaching
45:54 Personal Growth and Inner Happiness
49:19 Quickfire Questions
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Cassidy Macken shares her inspiring journey of starting Cassidy's Beauty Academy.
From her early passion for beauty to the challenges of running a business while raising children, Cassidy discusses the importance of education in the beauty industry and her drive to fill the gaps she identified.
She also opens up about her experience with ADHD and how it influences her approach to business. Cassidy emphasises the significance of securing funding and overcoming fears in the entrepreneurial journey, providing valuable insights for aspiring business owners.
Cassidy shares her journey of entrepreneurship, discussing the nuances of good and bad debt, the challenges of securing funding, and her experiences as a young mother balancing family and career.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Cassidy's journey in the beauty industry at a young age.
Balancing motherhood and running a business.
Education in the beauty industry.
ADHD in business.
Stepping out of comfort zones.
Adapting to industry trends.
Understanding the difference between good and bad debt.
Securing funding.
Finding the right business location.
Having a clear vision for business growth.
Taking risks when young.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:03 Inspiration Behind Cassidy's Beauty Academy
10:16 From Beauty to Education
20:02 Navigating the Competitive Beauty Industry
22:02 ADHD in Business
27:49 Securing Startup Funding
28:20 Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
29:51 The Journey to Securing Funding
32:53 Finding the Right Business Location
34:27 Resilience in Business
37:40 Balancing Motherhood and Business
40:05 Vision and Goals for the Business
42:17 Staying Focused on Your Goals
47:11 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
55:32 Defining Personal Success
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Brendan Hall shares his experiences leading a team in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.
He discusses the challenges of managing a diverse group of sailors, the emotional realities of leadership, and the importance of consistency and autonomy in team dynamics.
Brendan reflects on his early leadership challenges, the pressure of performance, and the critical lesson that a leader's mood can significantly impact the team's morale.
He discusses the challenges of leading under pressure during a dangerous sailing race, highlighting the need for transparency and psychological safety.
Brendan reflects on the emotional toll of leadership decisions and the lessons learned from navigating crises. He also offers insights on creating high-performing teams and the challenges of transitioning to life after such a significant achievement.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.
- Managing diverse motivations within a team.
- Emotional intelligence in leadership roles.
- Consistency in leadership.
- The influence a leader's mood can have on team performance.
- Empowering team members.
- Letting go of control.
- Transparency and open communication.
- Dealing with high-pressure situations.
- Creating psychological safety.
- Investing in team members' development.
- Life transitions after significant achievements.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:37 Clipper Yacht Race
04:51 Team Dynamics and Leadership Challenges
06:32 Realities of Leadership
09:03 Early Leadership Challenges
15:37 Consistency in Leadership
18:32 Team Autonomy
19:54 The Evolution of Leadership
24:37 Dealing with Pressure
30:28 Resilience in Crisis: A Leadership Test
36:24 Creating High-Performing Teams
37:31 Life After the Race
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Ryan Bransome shares his unique journey from a local government employee to a professional butler, and eventually the founder of U-Crew.
He discusses the challenges he faced, including mental health struggles and the lessons learned from high net worth individuals.
Ryan reflects on the demanding nature of being a butler, the insights gained from working with successful people, and the decision to transition into entrepreneurship.
Ryan emphasises the importance of asking for support, and his aspirations for the future of U-Crew and beyond.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Insights from working as a butler for high net worth individuals.
- U-Crew and its aim to change the recruitment landscape.
- How funding is a significant challenge for startups.
- The importance of networking.
- Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
- The importance of being present and enjoying the journey.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction 01:54 From Local Government to Butler Life 06:44 Mental Health 09:55 The Transition to Butler Profession 11:51 Experiences in the Butler World 15:10 Lessons from High Net Worth Individuals 18:41 Risk, Reward, and Business Insights 22:08 Extreme Situations as a Butler 24:09 Deciding to Start U-Crew 26:38 Recruitment Challenges During COVID 31:22 The Funding Journey 37:44 Building a Network 43:28 Future Aspirations 45:31 Personal Reflections
Summary
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Simon White shares his remarkable journey from leaving school at 16 to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the IT industry.
He discusses his early career, the challenges of building his company Enhance, and the pivotal moments that led to a management buyout.
Simon reflects on the growth of his business, historical moments such as the turning of the millennium, and the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust, emphasising the importance of legacy and team in his entrepreneurial journey.
Simon delves into the complexities of business transitions, particularly focusing on the journey of moving from ownership to a more advisory role.
They discuss the importance of embracing technology, especially AI, as a tool for growth and efficiency in business operations. The conversation also touches on happiness and fulfillment in one's career, emphasising the need for balance and the pursuit of passion in professional endeavors.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Simon White's journey into IT from a young age.
Combining business and technology.
Management buyouts.
Strategic planning when growing a business.
Transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust.
Surrounding yourself with capable people.
The importance of mentorship.
The long-term implications of business transitions.
The importance of growth in business.
Happiness and contentment are key to success.
Finding the right time to step back from your business.
Embracing technology such as to solve business problems.
Personal fulfillment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:09 Early Career and Entry into IT
05:54 Building Enhance and the Management Buyout
13:29 Challenges and Growth
21:01 Mentorship
27:07 The Transition to Employee Ownership Trust
34:32 Navigating Business Transitions
39:01 AI in Business
46:59 Embracing AI
50:40 Success and Happiness
Summary
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Lee Butler from Town & Country Communications shares his journey from initially not considering joining the family business to becoming a key player in its evolution.
He discusses the challenges of working with family, the importance of adapting to industry changes, and the significance of building strong client relationships.
The conversation also touches on the vision for the future of the business and the significance of family relationships, particularly in the context of parenthood and personal success.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Lee Butler's initial journey into the family business.
Balancing family dynamics with business relationships.
The evolution of service in the communications sector.
Adapting to technological changes.
The importance of building strong client relationships.
Transitioning ownership in a family business.
The importance of having fun is essential in relationships and business.
The value of patience.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Town & Country Communications
00:58 Lee's Journey into the Family Business
02:59 Family Dynamics in Business
06:04 Evolution of Town & Country's Services
08:49 Technological Changes
12:03 Surviving Market Shifts
14:55 Building Strong Client Relationships
21:02 Involving Siblings in the Business
23:50 Transitioning Business Ownership
27:09 Lessons from the Management Buyout Process
34:27 Balancing Roles and Responsibilities
37:50 Personal Growth
40:14 Flexibility and Balance
45:27 Vision for the Future
51:10 Quickfire Insights
In this episode, Warren interviews Anders Hildebrand from Anglo American Oil Company, who shares his entrepreneurial journey from Sweden to the UK, the challenges of starting a business in a competitive market, and the evolution of his company into a family-run business.
Anders discusses the importance of customers, the dynamics of working with family, and the future of sustainable fuels in the industry. He emphasises the need for trust, delegation, and the significance of maintaining a passion for the business.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Anders business journey in the UK after moving from Sweden.
- The financial struggles of starting a business.
- How the support of family can be crucial in taking risks and making business decisions.
- Building relationships in the racing industry.
- The importance of customer satisfaction over profit.
- Flat organisational structures and how it promotes equality among employees.
- The rise of electric vehicles.
- Family dynamics.
- Creating a legacy for future generations within the family.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Anders
06:11 From Oil to Racing Fuels
12:50 Navigating Early Years
21:57 Family Dynamics in Business
32:20 From Entrepreneurial Spirit to Family Business
37:34 Sustainability and the Future of Fuels
43:48 Dreams and Aspirations
In this episode, Warren Munson interviews Yvonne Guerineau, author of People In Their Element, about the complexities of communication and relationships in the workplace.
They explore the reasons behind communication breakdowns, the impact of assumptions and biases, and the importance of self-awareness.
The conversation also touches on leadership styles, the challenges of growing organisations, and the significance of consistency in communication.
Yvonne introduces the SAFER principles as a framework for understanding and improving communication dynamics.
If you’re a business leader looking to improve your communication skills, you won’t want to miss this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast!
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Assumptions we make when communicating with people.
The importance of self-awareness.
How to be consistent as a leader.
Prioritising relationship-building as a leader.
The SAFER model.
Understanding biases.
Understanding individual and group dynamics.
How to create a supportive environment.
Chapters
00:00 Coming Up
00:30 Introduction
00:58 Understanding Miscommunication
02:54 Assumptions and Biases
06:12 Self-Understanding
09:08 Leadership Styles
12:01 The Impact of Growth on Communication
14:52 Consistency in Communication
17:49 Navigating New Leadership Dynamics
21:06 The SAFER Principles of Communication
29:14 Understanding Personality and Circumstances
30:13 Emotion in Business
35:15 Group Dynamics
38:37 Effective Managers
42:19 Differences in Relationships
47:05 Diverse Interactions
51:47 Communicating Future Plans
On this special episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson reflects on the highlights of 2024, sharing snippets and insights from our favourite episodes.
The episode is divided into themes including entrepreneurship, family businesses, adventure and resilience, and employee to business ownership - showcasing the diverse businesses and experiences of the guests.
From Jeff Mostyn's entrepreneurial beginnings to the dynamics of family business with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, these conversations highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by business leaders.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Insights on Entrepreneurship
- The Trials and Tribulations of Family Businesses
- Inspiring Stories of Adventure and Resilience
- Employee to Business Ownership Journeys
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Entrepreneurial Insights from Jeff Mostyn
05:24 Matt Fleming's Ownership Story
10:32 Business Challenges with Rupert Holloway
14:47 The Importance of Reputation with Paul Meyer
18:54 Family Business with Liz Lean PR
22:36 Family Business Stories with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee
27:54 Preparing for the Atlantic Rowing Challenge
31:33 Cycling Continents with James Benson King
36:28 The Power of Kindness with Mark Darcy
42:06 Employee to Business Owner with Adam Lewis
45:28 Joint Leadership with Rubicon People
50:33 Resilience Under Pressure with Keith Reilly
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson interviews James Benson King, also known as the Biking Viking on social media.
James shares his inspiring journey from overcoming a heart condition as a child, to embarking on adventurous cycling trips around the world.
He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to leave a successful career at JP Morgan to pursue a life of adventure.
Throughout the conversation, James emphasises the importance of resilience, ownership, and setting goals - drawing parallels between his experiences on the road and lessons applicable to business.
He also shares insights on how to bring adventure into everyday life and the significance of celebrating successes along the way.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
Overcoming health conditions.
How the fear of missing out can encourage adventure.
Ways to deal with setbacks in life.
How goals are crucial for success in business.
Chunking tasks.
The importance of embracing the journey.
Having a positive mindset.
Doing things that scare you.
How planning for adventures can enhance the anticipation of joy.
Finding joy in everyday life.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:24 Heart Condition
05:44 From Corporate to Adventure
10:34 Alaska to Argentina
17:16 Lessons from the Road
25:28 Ownership and Setting Goals
30:48 Celebrating Success and Adjusting to Reality
37:13 Adventure in Everyday Life
40:32 Future Adventures
In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, the team at Evolve, Warren Munson, David Mutton, and Becky Phillips, reflect on the key themes and changes in business throughout 2024.
They discuss the impact of AI, profitability challenges with the new budget, and the importance of employee engagement.
The conversation also covers insights for those looking to start a business, strategies for growth and leadership, and success stories from their Ignite, Thrive and Optimise services.
As they look ahead to 2025, they emphasise the need for strategic planning, self-care, and building trust within teams.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
AI in business.
Profitability challenges.
What to think about when starting a business.
Dealing with hybrid working environments.
Adapting to the next generation of employees.
Success stories from clients.
Reflection on past achievements.
Setting realistic yet ambitious goals.
Building teams.
The importance of self-care.
Chapters
00:00 Reflecting on 2024
05:10 Starting a Business
10:02 Growth and Leadership
15:13 Success Stories
20:00 Planning for 2025
30:06 Looking Ahead
40:03 Advice for Business Leaders
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Keith Reilly shares his remarkable journey with Alfatronix, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers in power converters and USB and wireless chargers. Keith talks about his transition from an employee to the managing director and owner.
He discusses the challenges faced during the financial crisis, the evolution of their products, and the importance of British manufacturing.
Keith discusses the emotional aspects of stepping back from day-to-day operations and the significance of defining success in terms of providing value to others.
This episode is invaluable for anyone in business, as Keith talks about the importance of being hands-on, succeeding under pressure, and how to improve employee relations.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
How to transform a lack of direction into success.
The influence of Japan on the manufacturing industry.
How beings hands-on can improve a company.
How British manufacturing can compete on a global scale.
The importance of mentorships.
How to improve employee relations.
The difficulties of managing by email.
How crisis management can lead to unexpected success.
The importance of delegation as a leader.
How financial stability leads to personal growth and exploration.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:50 Early Career with Alfatronix
05:08 Becoming Managing Director
10:41 Financial Crisis
13:37 Product Evolution
20:41 British Manufacturing
22:35 Leadership and Mentorship
27:51 Proud Moments and Dark Times
31:57 Leadership Challenges
39:14 Transitioning Leadership
52:49 Future Aspirations
01:00:19 Success in Business
In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren interviews Paul Meyer, the founder of Jade Aden Interiors.
Paul shares his dramatic business journey, starting from his early experiences working for his father, forming Mayflower Interiors, and eventually facing the challenges that led to its downfall.
He discusses the lessons learned throughout his career, the importance of resilience, and how he rebuilt his business with Jade Aden Interiors.
Paul covers several engaging topics, from the evolution of office design, turning a hobby into a venture, and the impact of social media in business. Paul emphasises the importance of reputation, honesty, and the value of having a strong support system in business.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Paul's early career and how it was shaped by a challenging relationship with his father. - The importance of honesty in business dealings. - The desire for independence as an entrepreneur. - The emotional toll of failure in business. - How to overcome setbacks in business. - Why maintaining a good reputation is crucial. - Turning a hobby into a venture. - Generational transitions in business. - The importance of legal integrity. - The evolution of office design. - How social media can create unrealistic expectations.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction 02:50 Early Career 05:48 Mayflower Interiors 09:10 Challenges and Growth 12:02 Partnerships and Conflicts 14:53 Downfall of Mayflower Interiors 17:46 Starting Anew 20:57 Future Planning 23:46 Advice for Entrepreneurs 27:09 Pride 27:37 Hospitality 30:29 Family 33:51 Generational Transition 35:04 Resilience 38:28 Lessons Learned 40:53 Evolution of Office Design 43:45 Personal Success
In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks to Martin Smith, the founder of Talent Drive, about his journey as an entrepreneur and running a recruitment group of businesses.
Martin shares his early experiences in recruitment, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth of his company, Talent Drive. He discusses his aspirations to be a market disruptor and his passion for the procurement community.
Martin also talks about the expansion of Talent Drive into the accountancy and finance sector with the launch of Talent Finance and reflects on the growth and success of Talent Drive over the past four years. He emphasises the importance of focusing on the quality of people and building a trusted and valued team.
Martin discusses the future of the recruitment industry and the rise of ESG and sustainability. He also shares insights on workplace culture and transparent communication within a remote business. He envisions the future of Talent Drive as a growing international presence with a focus on diversification and a one-stop-shop service offering.
This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…
● The challenges of starting a recruitment business.
● Overcoming obstacles such as COVID-19.
● What it takes to be a market disruptor in the recruitment sector.
● The effects of branching out into various business sectors.
● The importance of people and building a trusted team.
● The importance of trust, transparency and open communication.
Chapters
00:00 Becoming an Entrepreneur
10:02 Starting on Your Own
19:15 Early Days of Talent Drive
23:24 Market Disruption
25:49 Ventures into Accountancy and Finance
26:18 Building a Team
27:47 Opportunities in Finance
29:41 Quality of People
30:05 Creating a Great Business
33:26 Personal Life
35:24 Being Grounded
37:17 Thriving
41:37 Technology in Procurement
42:59 Emotional Intelligence
43:56 Remote Businesses
48:42 The Future of Talent Drive
50:58 Defining Success
In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks with Jess and Terry, the joint managing directors of Rubicon People, about their journey. From starting out as employees to leading an employee-owned business.
For anyone navigating joint leadership responsibilities, you certainly don’t want to miss out on this, as Jess and Terry provide invaluable advice and experiences around working as partners to manage a team.
They also discuss the evolution of Rubicon People, the challenges faced in the recruitment industry, and the impact of transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust.
The conversation highlights the importance of good leadership, employee empowerment, and the future ambitions of the Rubicon People as they navigate the recruitment landscape.
This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…
Jess and Terry’s journey within Rubicon People.
The transition to employee ownership and its effects on business culture.
How leadership styles evolve and are influenced by previous leaders.
How employee councils can play a crucial role in decision-making processes.
The importance of trust and autonomy in empowering employees.
Financial Freedom Day.
The recruitment industry and the ongoing skill shortages.
Chapters...
00:00 Introductions
02:55 Rubicon People
06:14 Previous Owners: Lloyd and Jocelyn
08:52 Becoming Joint Managing Directors
12:13 COVID and Market Changes
14:58 Employee Ownership Trust
17:49 Initial Reactions to Employee Ownership
21:10 Employee Councils
23:46 Leadership Styles
27:10 Empowering Employees
30:01 Challenges in Recruitment
32:48 Advice for Transitioning to Employee Ownership
36:06 Financial Freedom Day
38:57 Succession
41:54 Final Thoughts
In this incredibly inspiring episode, Mark Darcy shares his personal journey, from a challenging childhood to a successful business career and a subsequent struggle with mental health.
After a long battle, Mark eventually made a positive transition and now focuses on helping others through the New Forest Wellbeing Group and the Youth Wellbeing Group.
During the episode, Mark explains his new philosophy on life, where he dedicates his time earning, serving and learning – which has helped him discover true happiness in life.
He also talks about the importance of listening and creating a loving environment where everyone is understanding and supports one another. Mark also envisions the next phase of his life - focusing on well-being and community support.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
● Seeking support and understanding one's own mental health.
● Transitioning from a challenging past to a fulfilling present.
● Helping others and creating a kind and loving environment.
● Finding balance in life by spending time earning, serving, and learning.
● Finding true happiness through meaningful experiences, not material possessions.
● Volunteering and getting involved in projects focused on mental health.
● Seeking professional help and prioritising one’s own mental health.
Chapters
00:00 Childhood
05:44 Business Career
11:09 Mental Health and Support
15:41 New Purpose and Helping Others
23:10 Community
25:10 Achieving Balance
28:03 Happiness
30:21 Basic Lifestyle
32:16 Are You Okay?
35:32 Life's Unexpected Challenges
36:29 Midlife Realisation
39:42 Loved Ones
41:40 Emotions and Openness
45:57 Avoiding Regret
49:50 Material Possessions
51:22 Pure Contentment
Adam Lewis, co-founder of BBD Boom, shares his journey of starting and running a remote business and the benefits of systems thinking. He emphasises the importance of understanding your co-founder and building a strong partnership.
Adam also discusses the challenges and rewards of remote work and the need for a strong company culture. He highlights the value of apprenticeships in growing a business and shares his insights on systems thinking and the tools they use at BBD Boom.
Adam concludes by discussing the future of the company and his personal definition of success.
The key takeaways from this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast are:
- Building a strong partnership with your co-founder is crucial for the success of your business.
- Remote work can be successful with the right systems and processes in place.
- Investing in apprenticeships can help grow your own talent and create career opportunities.
- Systems thinking is about viewing your business as an integrated engine and optimising processes for better efficiency and customer experience.
- Tools like HubSpot, teamwork, and AI can greatly enhance productivity and business performance.
- Success is defined by personal fulfilment, making a positive impact, and having the freedom to choose your path.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background of BBD Boom
03:19 - Starting a Business and Moving Away from Traditional Agency Model
04:15 - Challenges and Early Days of BBD Boom
05:34 - Lessons Learned and the Importance of Sales and Marketing Mindset
07:30 - Realisation of Success and Early Adoption of HubSpot
09:55 - Building a Strong Partnership and Company Culture
12:18 - The Value of Apprenticeships in Business Growth
16:28 - Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work
27:22 - Implementing Systems Thinking for Better Efficiency
33:04 - Tools for Productivity and Business Performance
36:20 - Future Plans for BBD Boom and Personal Definition of Success
45:02 - Conclusion
In this episode, Warren Munson and David Mutton discuss the importance of creating a shared vision within a business.
They emphasise the need for businesses, especially in the early stages, to have a clear vision and purpose that is shared with the team and customers.
They also discuss the challenges of maintaining a shared vision as a business grows and offer practical tips for creating and communicating a vision.
The conversation highlights the benefits of having a shared vision, such as increased engagement and differentiation from competitors.
Takeaways
· Having a shared vision is crucial for businesses to understand what they are trying to achieve.
· In the early stages, the vision is often clear to the founder or co-founders, but it is important to share it with the team and potential customers.
· As a business grows, it is important to periodically reassess and communicate the vision to ensure alignment.
· Creating a shared vision involves open dialogue, involving key stakeholders, and communicating the vision in a simple and straightforward manner.
· A shared vision helps in decision-making and keeps the team motivated and aligned.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
01:00 - The Importance of a Shared Vision in Business
03:45 - Stand Out from Competitors with a Shared Vision
06:36 - Challenges of Maintaining a Shared Vision as a Business Grows
08:03 - Perfectionism Can Kill Vision
14:17 - Practical Tips for Creating a Shared Vision
23:13 - Benefits of Having a Shared Vision
28:24 - Conclusion and Call to Action
In celebration of their 10-year anniversary, Rupert Holloway talks to Warren about Conker Distillery and the challenges they have faced after a decade in business.
Rupert discusses the restlessness that led him to start his own business, the decision to bootstrap the business instead of seeking investment, and the impact of COVID-19 on the distillery industry.
Conker has evolved from being simply a gin brand to a spirit experience distillery brand, which has been driven by customer feedback and recognising that being the best at something doesn't always guarantee success, which in their case, was gin.
The company has grown the brand by emphasising its genuine, local craft and the fact that it operates its own distillery, distinguishing it from white label brands. Conker Distillery has adopted a two-pronged strategy: owning the local market with its Dorset gin and targeting the national market with its coffee liqueur.
With so many insights from one of the UK’s best distillery brands, you don’t want to miss this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast!
Takeaways
This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…
o Starting a business by setting big goals and taking risks.
o The risks and rewards of bootstrapping a business.
o Building a strong team for long-term success.
o Adapting to global challenges, such as conflict and pandemics.
o Creating memorable experiences for customers and focusing on consumer preferences to drive change.
o How Conker operates its own distillery, distinguishing it from white label brands.
o Sustainability and how Conker aims to be a positive contributor by 2030.
Chapters
00:00 - Catching Up with Rupert
02:21 - 10 Years of Conker Distillery
08:03 - Lessons Learned
14:52 - COVID-19
18:40 - Memorable Experiences
25:25 - Conker Spirits
31:25 - White Label Brands
34:14 - Two-Pronged Strategy
41:00 - Sustainability
44:43 - Proudest Moment
In today’s episode, Warren Munson interviews Julie Eddicott and Sally Percival, who are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime, as they row across the Atlantic.
Julie and Sally will be rowing from Gomera, Canary Islands, to Antigua, covering 3,000 miles in a 28.5-foot boat with two cabins and three rowing positions. The team consists of Julie, Sally, and their friends Mary and Ed.
They discuss their upcoming challenge of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and the preparations they have been making. They discuss the physical training that is required to attempt such a feat and the mental aspect, as they will be dealing with isolation and enclosed spaces.
They also discuss the daily routine they will face on the boat, the safety measures, and their motivations for taking on this challenge and the charities they are raising money for.
If you would like to follow and support their journey, you can check out their website at: https://www.ebbflowatlantic.com/
Follow their social media: https://www.instagram.com/ebbandflow_row/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090553086293
For corporate sponsorships: hello@ebbflowatlantic.com
This episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
● Julie and Sally are preparing to row across the Atlantic from Gomera to Antigua, covering 3,000 miles in a 28.5-foot boat.
● Physical training includes rowing sessions on the rowing machine and weight sessions.
● The team will row in shifts of two hours on, two hours off, 24/7.
● Their biggest fears include jumping off the boat to clean the hull and the mental challenges of isolation and close quarters.
● Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean provides an opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature.
● The support of family, friends, and sponsors is crucial in undertaking such a challenging endeavour.
● The daily routine on the boat involves rowing, eating, maintaining the water supply, and taking care of personal hygiene.
● Safety measures, such as wearing harnesses and life jackets, are in place to mitigate risks like capsize.
● The challenge is not just physical but also a test of mental resilience and self-discovery.
● The rowers are raising money for charities such as the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:24 Rowing Across the Atlantic
05:13 The Team and Boat
09:30 Physical Training
16:04 Sleep Deprivation
26:53 Isolation
27:22 Disconnecting from Everyday Life
29:19 Family, Friends and Sponsors
34:34 Daily Routine on the Boat
37:40 Safety Measures
41:55 Physical and Mental Challenges
44:58 Charities
46:27 Sponsors
52:42 How to Support
On this episode, Warren interviews Jimmy and Suzie, the founders of one of the UK’s biggest iced coffee brands, Jimmy's Iced Coffee.
Jimmy and Suzie discuss their journey running a family business as brother and sister, from starting out with a coffee shop, auditioning for Dragon’s Den and distributing their iced coffee across the UK.
Their journey emphasises the importance of gut instinct, being true to oneself when building a brand and always having a positive outlook even when dealing with immense pressure.
They discuss the challenges of scaling a business, dealing with bureaucracy and what led to them selling the business.
With insights from the founders of one of the UK’s largest drink brands, you don’t want to miss out on this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast!
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
· Trusting your gut instinct and being true to yourself when building a brand.
· Taking risks by trying unconventional marketing strategies.
· Not overlooking the importance of small wins.
· Seeking out mentors and listening to constructive feedback.
· Maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
· Enjoying the journey and having valid reasons for doing it.
· Taking time to consider what you're doing and don't rush to get to the end.
· Building a great team.
· Making sustainability intrinsic to your business.
· Selling a business for financial security and personal freedom.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:20 Starting Jimmy’s Iced Coffee
03:19 Naivety
04:22 Jimmy and Suzie’s Roles
06:09 Mistakes
08:04 Optimism
10:24 Brother and Sister in Business
13:36 Maintaining Relationships
14:30 Waitrose
23:46 Risks
26:01 Unconventional Marketing
29:43 Seeking Feedback
31:09 Being True to Yourself
35:09 Enjoying the Journey
36:34 Scaling
40:50 Sustainability
46:58 Selling Jimmy’s Iced Coffee
01:05:41 Family and Personal Pursuits
In this exciting episode, Warren Munson talks to Ben Boon, co-founder of Pom Pom London, one of the biggest rising luxury brands in the UK. Ben discusses the exceptional growth of Pom Pom London and the challenges he and his business partner Harry Griffiths faced.
The episode covers the brand's evolution, the secrets to their e-commerce success, and the sacrifices made to achieve growth. Ben shares insights into what it takes growing Pom Pom London, from building a community to expanding into America with TV shopping channels.
He discusses the emotional and analytical aspects of the business, family dynamics, and the pursuit of personal success. The episode also includes a special offer for listeners looking to purchase a handbag from Pom Pom London, so you won’t want to miss this!
This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…
● Pom Pom London has experienced exceptional growth, from a turnover of £38,000 in 2020 to a turnover of more than £24 million in 2023.
● E-commerce has been key to Pom Pom London’s success, with a strong focus on creative marketing, customer service, and aftercare.
● Ben Boon acknowledges the personal sacrifices made, including long working hours and the decision to stop playing professional hockey to focus on the business.
● The brand has an impressive community of half a million customers - emphasising quality, customer service, and a strong brand identity.
● An e-commerce brand expanding into retail can present challenges in working capital and logistics.
● Running an e-commerce business requires constant attention and the need to balance emotion and analysis.
● Ben and Harry’s families have played a significant role in the business's journey and success.
● Listeners can enjoy a special discount on handbags from Pom Pom London using a code mentioned in the episode.
Chapters
00:00 First Years
18:38 E-Commerce Success
23:57 Capacity
31:41 Personal Sacrifice
33:09 Challenges
35:30 Retail?
40:45 E-Commerce Insights
58:10 Family
59:53 Personal Success
"The period from 2000 to 2007 was undoubtedly my favourite period. And then the worst period was undoubtedly 2008 to 2009."
Summary
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson talks to Matt Fleming, founder of AF Oliver.
Matt talks about his time in the PR and media industry, from selling vans and an advertising agency to co-founding Aylesworth Flemming.
He talks about the importance of building strong relationships, being fun to work with and always bringing high energy to meetings. He also discusses the significance of finding a niche and gaining knowledge in that area.
Matt reflects on the happiest and most challenging periods of his business, such as the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the emotional stress of making redundancies and the importance of having a support network.
Matt also reflects on the lessons he learned from the near-collapse of his business in 1990 and the impact it had on his personal life.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers:
- Building relationships and being fun to work with are key to success in business.
- Finding a niche and gaining knowledge in that area is crucial for growth.
- The happiest period in business for Flemming was from 2000 to 2007, while the most challenging period was in 2008 to 2009.
- Selling multiple businesses within a short period of time can be a difficult and emotional process.
- Breaking up a larger organisation can lead to better value and fit for potential acquirers. Running a business through tough times requires emotional resilience and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Having a support network of friends, family and colleagues is crucial for navigating difficult periods in business.
- Lessons learned from past challenges can shape future decision-making and help prevent similar crises.
- Personal success is defined by having a happy family and the ability to laugh freely with loved ones.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:25 Building Relationships and Finding a Niche
14:56 The Importance of Energy and Expertise
24:46 Navigating the Process of Selling Multiple Businesses
26:31 Breaking Up for Better Value and Fit
27:00 Navigating Tough Times
27:56 The Importance of a Support Network
29:23 Lessons Learned from the Near-Collapse of AF Oliver in 1990
38:15 Resilience and Adaptability in Business
41:58 Debt and Leveraging in Business
43:53 Finding Purpose and Enjoyment in Work
48:38 Defining Personal Success
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, the tables have been turned, as Mark Cribb interviews Warren Munson, the founder of Inspire and Evolve Advisory.
They discuss Warren’s journey as an entrepreneur, his motivations and the evolution of his businesses. Warren shares insights from interviewing over 200 local businesspeople on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, highlighting the importance of building relationships.
Mark also delves into Warren’s decision to sell Inspire and start Evolve, the emotional challenges he faced and the three key focuses of Evolve: ignite, thrive and optimise.
Warren reflects on his journey at Inspire and discusses the loneliness of starting a business and the importance of perseverance and self-motivation. Warren also shares his thoughts on risk-taking and the value of building a business with capital value.
Warren emphasises his passion for helping others in business and his excitement for the future of Evolve Advisory.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…
- Resilience and overcoming challenges are common themes in the stories of successful entrepreneurs. 2. Selling a business requires careful consideration and finding the right fit. 3. The journey of entrepreneurship involves different stages, from igniting a business to thriving and optimising it. 4. Success is not solely defined by financial gain, but by achieving personal goals and creating a legacy. Starting a business can be a lonely experience, but perseverance and self-motivation are key to success. 5. Building a business with capital value is a worthwhile goal, as it creates opportunities for growth and acquisition. 6. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are important for personal and professional growth. 7. The future of Evolve Advisory holds exciting possibilities for growth and making a difference in the business community.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background 06:08 The Decision to Sell Inspire and Start Evolve 16:27 The Evolution of Evolve: Ignite, Thrive and Optimise 36:26 Building a Business with Capital Value 39:21 Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance 46:09 Helping Others in Business 50:00 The Future of Evolve Advisory
On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson talks to Liz and Leila Willingham, directors of Liz Lean PR.
Liz and Leila discuss their journey of running a family business and the challenges they faced.
Leila talks about growing up in and around the business and her experiences in becoming a senior member of the team.
They explore the importance of effective communication and mentorship in a family business, and highlight the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to manage team morale.
Liz discusses the importance of mental health for business leaders and the need for self-care, emphasising the need to find a balance between work and personal life and the challenges of managing a busy schedule.
This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers:
- Running a family business requires a balance between entrepreneurship and maintaining family dynamics.
- Creating a family-focused culture in the business is important.
- Having support from family and team members is crucial.
- Mentorship plays a significant role in personal and professional growth.
- AI and digital delivery have their place, but they can't replace the emotional connection and human touch that PR brings.
- Employers should value and listen to the assets and ideas of young employees.
- Taking care of oneself is not selfish but necessary for effective leadership. Personal success is closely tied to happiness.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction
03:30
Saying Yes and Figuring It Out Later
06:33
The Early Association with Pride and Business
09:44
The Role of Support in Business Success
13:18
Exploring Real-World Opportunities
16:18
Expanding the Talent Pool
23:57
Being in a Family Business
27:26
The Pressure to Succeed
30:46
The Drive to Prove Oneself in a Team
34:18
The Importance of Client Delight and Building Relationships
37:25
The Need for an Academic and Accountable Approach
40:52
The Changing Influence of PR
44:11
The Power of Listening to the Younger Generation
47:45
Striving for Long-Term Success
50:49
The Importance of Self-Awareness and Expectations
52:22
The Evolving Definition of Success
53:09
The Importance of a Happy Family
53:39
Challenges and Experiences of Running a Family Business
54:18
Finding Success and Fulfilment
Summary
On this episode of the revitalised Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson talks to Jeff Mostyn, the former chairman of AFC Bournemouth.
Jeff discusses his early years in Manchester, his love for football and the challenges he faced, including bullying and his sister's illness.
Jeff talks about his business career, including working for TSB and starting his own business in financial advice for the armed forces. He emphasises the importance of providing excellent service and caring for customers.
The conversation also touches on Jeff’s involvement with Bournemouth Football Club. Jeff, former chairman of AFC Bournemouth, reflects on his journey with the football club and the challenges he faced. He shares how he initially got involved with the club and the financial struggles they encountered, including administration and relegation. Despite the difficulties, Jeff remained committed to the club and played a crucial role in its success. He emphasises the importance of teamwork, mutual respect and empowering others.
Jeff also discusses his transition from chairman to patron of Lewis Manning, a hospice charity, and the impact it has had on his life.
Takeaways
- Jeff Mostyn's love for football and his difficult early years shaped his life and career.
- Providing excellent service and caring for customers is crucial in any business.
- Jeff’s involvement with Bournemouth Football Club was influenced by his passion for football and his desire to give back.
- Success is not just about winning, but also about taking part and making a positive impact. Success in a football club is a collective effort, and it requires teamwork, mutual respect and empowerment.
- Adversity can lead to success, and it's important to maintain a positive spirit and cohesiveness during challenging times.
- Legacy is not about titles or status, but about how you make people feel and the positive impact you have on their lives.
- Supporters are the lifeblood of a football club, and their love and respect are invaluable.
- Personal success is reflected in the joy and gratitude you feel for the contributions you've made to others' success and your ability to help those in need.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
08:31
Jeff’s Business Career
41:01
Involvement with Bournemouth Football Club
51:09
Dealing with Setbacks and Administration
01:08:30
The Power of Teamwork and Mutual Respect
01:18:28
Becoming a Patron of Lewis Manning
#EvolvePodcast #BusinessSuccess #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Football #AFCBournemouth #SuccessStories #PersonalDevelopment #Teamwork #CustomerService #Inspiration #Adversity #Legacy #Community #Resilience
In this short update, your host Warren Munson brings some exciting news about the Evolve to Succeed podcast.
Jack Bradley is a national award-wining designer and founder at Zenscape, which creates next generation travel gear to help people explore the world. Jack’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2016 during a European backpacking trip. Inspired by the challenges of constantly moving and searching through backpacks, he envisioned a solution for more efficient travel. Click here to view Jack's Kickstarter campaign.
Stephen Steers is president at the New York-based Steers Consulting Group, which helps the founders and sales teams of professional services firms tell the stories that get their customers excited to buy. He is also the author ‘Superpower Story-Telling’. He’s consulted, advised and led workshops for more than 750 companies from 30 countries, including giants such as Nike, Google and Microsoft for Startups.
Jason Gault is CEO at TeamJobs, as well as Team Manager at the Primera-TeamJobs cycling team. Amongst the topics discussed, Jason talks about the changes he’s seen in his 22 years in recruitment, what he learned about leadership and people during his four years as a Dorset Police Officer, the value of a business partner, the demands of being a sole owner, and how he balances his time between TeamJobs and the cycling team.
David Hole is an accredited money coach with over 30 years’ experience as a professional financial advisor. David not only specialises but also gains huge personal fulfilment in using his expertise to help people achieve their financial goals. However, David’s recent positioning as a money coach is just another path in what has been a bold and unusual journey, both personally and professionally.
Mark Masters is a marketing consultant and owner of You Are The Media, a marketing and media training and learning community. What started as a side project in 2013, You Are The Media has now grown into a name on an international scale, with people participating from all over the world.
Ben Gibbons is the co-founder of Circular 11, which transforms low-grade plastic waste into building materials and household products, creating a viable market for the film-based plastics that constitute 50 to 80% of global packaging waste. Using composite and biocomposite technology, Circular 11 turns this waste into recyclable items, fostering closed-loop, local circular economies for global communities.
On this episode, Warren sits down with both Evolve’s delivery lead and advisor David Mutton, and Matthew Fretten, managing partner at Frettens Solicitors, which has won awards for employee engagement. Amongst other things up for discussion is defining what engagement actually is and how to maintain it during periods of growth. Warren and David look at the four pillars of employee engagement and we hear what Matthew and Frettens have done to reach such high levels of employee engagement.
Martin Higgins is managing director at MSP Capital, a company he developed with his father Ray in the late 90s. What was then a small operation has since grown into one of the leading providers of non-regulated commercial finance in Southern England.
Jay Blades, BBC Repair Shop star and renowned furniture restorer (among other things), tells the compelling story of how he went from homelessness and despair to repairing his life, including developing an unusual friendship with King Charles III. It's a remarkable account of determination and resilience, told with great passion and humour.
Leanne Spencer is the co-founder of Bodyshot Performance, an award-winning wellbeing company that uses technology and science-based solutions to create happy, healthy and resilient teams. As experts in corporate wellbeing and wellbeing strategy, Leanne and her team help their clients to lead with wellbeing in their organisations.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular episodes from 2023. This episode features Gerard McSharry, Simon Hawtry-Coombs, Helen Stacey, Steve Wyatt and Toby Gutteridge.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular episodes from 2023. This episode features Jo Barry, Carly Jermyn, Kate Adie, Adam Walker and Marc Trent.
Jimmy Glass is the general manager at Wimborne Town Football Club. Between 1989 and 2004 he made over 160 professional appearances as a goalkeeper and is perhaps best remembered for scoring the last-minute goal that kept Carlisle United in the Football League in 1999. As well as touching on his football career, Jimmy talks openly about life after the game and what he's learned from both his successes and failures.
Dom and Elliot Chapman are co-founders of venture capital firm Chapman Capital, which acquires and grows boutique agencies. Chapman Capital was was born on the back of the brothers’ experience of trying and failing to sell their B2B lead generation agency Social Chaps, and they’re using the knowledge and resources gained from that to help agencies who are struggling to build a strong pipeline.
In another one of our special, quick fire episodes we cover the topics of sales and winning and retaining new business. With us for the conversation is Kristy Davies-Sumpter, MD and sales expert at Zest Consultancy, a sales and customer experience consultancy that aims to help clients win new business and retain loyal customers.
John and Mark X. Cronin are the dynamic father-son team behind John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. They bootstrapped their business into the world’s largest sock store with multi-million dollar revenues, and won Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2019. What makes their story particularly special is that 27 year-old John has Down syndrome, and is constantly challenging preconceptions about differing abilities, exemplifying the remarkable achievements that can arise when inclusion takes centre stage.
Paul Lester is a man of incredible wisdom and experience in the realm of business and leadership. He is or has been chairman of a number of businesses, including several FTSE 250 companies. Among other topics, Paul discusses what he learnt from extended management stints in the States and France, his views on private versus IPO companies, how the boardroom and his leadership style has changed over the years, and what an owner managed business should be looking for if they feel the need to put a chairman or non-exec in place.
Lee Hill is MD and founder of Insightful, Runway and The Study. Lee works with individuals and businesses who are not only striving for growth but are customer obsessed. He believes that being customer obsessed will lead to faster growth whilst retaining larger profits.
Factors such as Brexit, Covid and geopolitical instability continue to have a major affect on the world economy, and the natural consequence is that businesses are struggling for consistency and direction.
Warren sits down with Evolve’s delivery lead and advisor David Mutton to talk about the challenges and barriers to growth and the various routes and structures one can follow to achieve growth.
The second element of the conversation introduces Mark Northey, founder and MD of Norco, a composites engineering, design and manufacturing company. Under Mark’s guidance, Norco has achieved phenomenal growth, going from £12-million to £20-million in the past five years. Mark shares his thoughts on the approaches he’s adopted and how he’s maintained this amazing momentum.
Sally Henderson is a leadership mentor whose practice is founded on the belief that senior teams and leaders shouldn’t have to choose between being effective or being happy. Sally, who came from a recruitment background, has worked with leaders and teams from a number of large companies including British Red Cross, Coca-Cola, Forbes, NatWest, Nestle and Shell. Amongst other topics, Sally talks about her trademarked RealMethod, which aims at giving executive teams and senior leaders the practical and emotional toolkit to re-frame their mindset, give them a clear perspective and help them perform even more effectively.
To celebrate our 200th episode, we’ve lined up a very special guest in the form of Kate Adie. Kate was Chief News Correspondent for BBC News between 1989 and 2003, during which time she reported from war zones around the world. She retired from the BBC in early 2003 and now works as a freelance presenter on BBC Radio 4. Kate’s 14 year career as a news correspondent saw her cover everything from The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the Lockerbie bombing and the Tiananmen Square protests, to the wars in the Gulf and Yugoslavia, and the Rwandan genocide. She has met with leaders such as Colonel Gaddafi, and survived being shot at point-blank range.
Mark Norton is CEO at Composite Profiles, award-winning metal decking contractors and specialists in composite floor and structural roof decking. Composite Profiles was founded 30 years ago by Mark’s father, and Mark has been with the company for an incredible 25 years.
Last month, the UK B Corp community celebrated 1,500 UK businesses becoming B Corp certified, an increase of 50% in less than a year. In light of this milestone, we’ve put together a special episode that’ll help you understand B Corp better, give you insight into the differences its made in the lives of the business owners who have become certified, and reveal some of the practical measures they’re taking to make their enterprises greener.
Olly Leicester is a certified corporate health and performance coach who helps clients manage and resolve a number of disorders, ranging from stress, anxiety and depression, to diabetes, hypertension and obesity. The foundation of his work revolves around the establishment of healthy habits, as well as the development of self-awareness, confidence and compassion in order for the individual to better understand themselves and therefore establish paths to physical and mental wellness that are best suited to them.
George Scott Welsh is CEO at Incuhive—a business incubation, investment and collaboration space that operates in several locations. This episode takes in a range of topics including the influence that coming from a very entrepreneurial family has had on George, his varied career choices and important lessons he’s learned from them, his attitude to money, and the one thing that drives his passion for the businesses he invests in.
Simon Hawtrey-Coombs is a franchisee of the global DPD group for the Bournemouth and Southampton branches, a position he has held since 2001. As well as this, Simon has owned and managed several businesses over the years, including a commercial cleaning company and a boat charter business, and he now uses his vast experience to work with and advise business owners and CEOs from both global household names and start-ups.
Alexis Kingsbury is co-founder at AirManual and SpiderGap. He is also a speaker on topics such as freeing up time and the business applications and limitations of AI. Alexis’s entrepreneurial journey started before he was even a teenager, and in later years it was the honest if brutal advice from a manager that inspired his path to understanding how businesses need to be run, and how best to use processes to solve people challenges and save time.
Mark Trent is CEO at Charles Trent, a fourth generation family-run vehicle recycling company with nearly a century of industry leading experience. Established in 1926 by Mark’s great grandfather, the company has grown to operate across multiple sites and has a customer base that spans the world. Amongst other topics, Mark talks about Trent’s newly-established, 100,000 square feet facility in Poole, which is the first of its kind in the whole world operating a 17-hour shift operation that processes all types of vehicles.
Michael French is the projects coordinator at Grounded Community. Based in Boscombe, Grounded Community works to give the local community access to healthy, nutritious food. It grows fruit and veg, provides education and workshops, redistributes surplus food and creates networks to help others share food.
Jamie Sergeant is Global CEO of Crowd—a multi-award winning global creative agency that specialises in amplifying demand for brands around the world. Combined with his creative thinking and knack for spotting and developing raw talent, Jamie has a particular passion for the nurturing and export of creative excellence and works in partnership with leading British agencies to globally raise awareness of UK advertising at scale and drive reputation.
In the first of a series of shorter, subject-specific episodes, host Warren Munson talks to Chris Palmer, managing director and founder of AnyTech Solutions, about the biggest cyber threats that your business could face and the simple, first step you can take to start protecting your business from cyber threats, and what you should do if you are attacked.
As well as telling the story of his own entrepreneurial journey, host Warren Munson reviews the experiences of several guests that have appeared on the show over the past few years. From hospitality and IT, to gaming, nursery school owners, olive farmers and more, this episode examines the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship from a wide variety of perspectives.
Nigel Smith is managing partner and solicitor at Ellis Jones Solicitors, which have offices in Dorset and Hampshire as well as London. From his serendipitous path to becoming a lawyer, the pleasures and challenges of running a professional services business and watching members of the team develop, other topics covered include adapting to the changing landscape of professional services, Ellis Jones’s commitment to community, the motivation behind signing up for the Armed Forces Covenant, and the emphasis that Nigel places on Ellis Jones’ values and how they help to build and maintain relationships.
Warren Munson joins host Emma Sheppard and fellow guests Leanne Spencer—bestselling author and expert in corporate wellbeing—and Rachel Harris—Director of striveX and founder of ACCOUNTANT_SHE—to talk about the very important topic of entrepreneurship and mental health.
With rising costs, economic uncertainty and recruitment challenges, SME owners are under considerable pressure at the moment. It’s therefore crucial to have an open discussion about issues such as burnout, positive habits that can encourage better work-life balance and where to go for help.
Richard Eastham is founder of Feria Urbanism, an award-winning design practice that connects community aspiration with urban planning projects to design thriving hubs of activity that benefit people, the natural environment and the local economy. Amongst other achievements and accolades, Richard has been nominated as one of the four most inspiring people in the planning and design profession by the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Young Planner Survey.
Carna Wilson and sisters Dani and Mel Bowen founded Muddy Boots Nursery School in 2014 while they were all still in their 20’s. Their original vision was to start a nursery where children can spend as much time as possible outside, exploring, learning, getting dirty, challenging themselves, testing out ideas and growing their imaginations. Fast forward to 2023, and there are now five Muddy Boots nurseries scattered around Dorset.
After more than twenty years of drug addiction, which included three years on the street, three years in prison, and four years in rehab, Steve Wyatt found a talent for furniture restoration and used it to restore his own life. He now owns a furniture restoration space called Restored Retro and collaborates with Repair Shop star—as well as friend and mentor—Jay Blades by stocking Jay & Co’s furniture in his own shop.
Gina Felce is the co-founder and COO of Tailwind Games, a video game development studio working within the Roblox metaverse that has raised more than $4-million since its creation in 2021. Gina was also one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022.
Amongst other things, you’ll hear how Gina transitioned to tech from a career in costume design, what she’s learned from her experience of angel and venture capital funding, her people-centred principles at Tailwind Games, what it’s like running the company with her life partner Mike, how to get the best out of your creatives and why she chose Bournemouth as Tailwind’s base.
Gordon Fong is the CEO and co-founder of tech company Kimcell, which contains three businesses within it—Datacenta Hosting, e-mango and X-Net. Gordon is deeply passionate about making connections, both in the technical sense and the personal one. His goal is to enhance and champion business in Dorset, and part of this has been Kimcell’s expansion into the Dorset Innovation Park.
Kelli Aspland and Laura Waters are the founders and directors of Solar Buddies, a child-friendly sunscreen applicator. Their story began in 2011 whilst discussing issues they were both encountering, along with other fellow parents, about how they children could apply sunscreen safely and effectively whilst not in their care. Fast forward twelve years and their award-winning product has been featured on TV screens around the world, including Dragon’s Den, and they now operate out of two premises with ten members of staff and rapidly counting.
Kevin Dawson is the owner and managing director at Dawsons Bang & Olufsen, which has been designing, supplying and installing industry leading audiovisual systems for an incredible 90 years. Kevin himself has been with the company, which is a family business, for almost 43 years.
The podcast covers topics such as the pleasures, pressures and complexities of a long-running family business, Kevin's opinions on the supposed death of the high street, his dedication to keeping his delivery vans clean, and both the toughest and proudest moments he’s had in the business. It’s an incredible story that begins at a time when not every household in the UK had electricity!
Darren Colley is the managing director at Iracroft, a premier supplier of a comprehensive range of metal pipe and tube fabricated products for diverse industry sectors. As well as his role at Iracroft, Darren is also a member of and an Ambassador for The Institute of Directors and sits on the Regional Advisory Board of MakeUK.
Darren is self-professed result-driven senior executive, with extensive experience within the business transformation, general management, engineering management, production engineering, project and contract environments. He’s regarded as a highly collaborative corporate leader and trusted boardroom member who communicates effectively, institutes initiatives and creates positive change, efficiencies and increased profitability. He has a great aptitude for organisational transformation, which includes identifying new business streams, reducing time to market, and minimising costs whilst boosting quality and client satisfaction.
Will Rolph (left), together with brother Harry, produce Two Fields olive oil from a small farm in Greece. Olive oil farming was something they both unexpectedly fell into, and it’s a great story of love, learning, reconnecting to nature and the value of taking things slowly. Both Will and Harry have found profound meaning in the simple olive, and the act of producing their small batch olive oil has transformed both their lives in significant ways.
Steve Coburn is managing director at Project Five, a multi-award winning outsourced IT Support company that works with local businesses of all sizes in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. Amongst other things, Steve is also president and director at the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Collectively Camberley—a business improvement district—and owns the Login Lounge, a 20,000 square foot, live music venue, coffee house, wine bar, and co-working space in the centre of Camberley.
Jo Barry is managing director at Platinum Care Solutions Group, which has been providing care solutions in Hampshire for over 20 years. Alongside its sister companies—Acre Care and Safe Harbour—Platinum Care is the largest, independent, care group on the south coast, as well as being award-winning.
Nida Leard is the founder of Nida Leard Consulting, where she advises world-class experts to become what she terms ‘legendary market outliers’. She is also the author ‘One to Millions Entrepreneur’, host of the Nida Leard Podcast, and a former Fortune 500 executive with more than two decades experience in business, psychology and personal development.
Gerard McSharry is the owner and director of Higherground, a flooring company that’s been in business since 1990. Remarkably, Gerard has wanted to be a business owner since the age of eight and is therefore an entrepreneur through and through. Being at the helm of your own business certainly comes with its ups and downs, and over time Gerard has seen quite a few. Recessions, wars, a banking crisis and the pandemic—Gerard has successfully navigated through them all and has some amazing wisdom to share, as well as thoughts on the meaning of resilience.
Helen Stacey is the managing director and owner of Aspire—a boutique recruitment agency based in Dorset. She has over thirty years of experience in the sector and set up Aspire to stand out from the crowd and align with her values. Her career includes building what was, at the time, the largest independently owned recruitment agency in the South, growing it from nothing in 1999 to a turnover of £13-million, with five offices and 70 staff at its peak.
Adam Walker has been the owner of Adam Walker Property Company since 2001, Director of the real estate consultancy Re:curate and most recently the co-founder of Foundry – co-working spaces aimed at empowering local businesses. Adam is a natural entrepreneur, having co-founded a highly-successful coin operated and gaming machine supply company with his uncle aged just 19. Following that, Adam turned his eye to property development and has remained in the game ever since.
Carly Jermyn is the CEO and Property Litigation Solicitor at Woodstock Legal Services. One of her specialities is dispute resolution, and this episode includes her opinions and advice on the topic, not just as it applies to property disputes but in a broader context as well. Amongst other things, there are also discussions around female empowerment, progressive leadership and the role that AI and the metaverse will play in the future of the legal sector.
Sammi Adhami is co-founder and COO at Fiit, the UK’s number one fitness app. From the inception, Sammi and Fitt’s mission was to make exercise a habit for everybody. Backed by the insight of fitness experts, data scientists, engineers and DJs, the app gives its members a highly-motivating, efficient and addictive workout experience, and access to a community that helps you level up and keep those good habits going.
Oscar Brooks is the co-founder of V88 Apps, a premium no-code agency which currently has over 60 clients in nine countries. This is a particularly impressive stat, considering that V88 is barely three years old and was started at the height of the pandemic. Topics on the agenda include finding out how Oscar went from biochemistry graduate to entrepreneur, what no-code is and how it’s going to evolve over the next few years, and what the rapid advancement of AI means for all of us in both business and life.
Matt Hammond is the founder and CEO of Talk Think Do, a software development company that strives to solve complex business problems with cloud applications. As well as his informed insights into the future of tech, including AI and the metaverse, Matt reveals how he fell into the world of computing almost by accident, looks back on a career that includes time spent in Formula 1, discusses how he’s addressed the challenge of maintaining company culture amid rapid growth, and explains why his experience of running a business has been overwhelmingly positive.
James Appleby is Group Sales Director at the logistics companies DG International and Pro Carrier. His understanding of human motivation, behavioural styles and peak performance states has seen him work at the highest levels in a number of sectors, including professional services, politics and football. He discusses topics from leadership, emotional intelligence and aligning your vision and values with those of your team, to changing organisational culture, dealing with rapid growth, quiet quitting and a concept James calls “squashing butterflies.”
Damien Roux, CEO of Drimify, and Christopher Bradley, Drimify's content creator, discuss the present and future of gamification, and how a business can use it to enhance both its marketing and human resources.
Tom Crosshill is an investment trainer and entrepreneur who spent many years on Wall Street. As well as demystifying a lot of investment jargon, Tom talks about passive investing and how to select the right stocks, explains the difference between ETFs and Index Funds, lists a few things to avoid, including trying to predict the markets, and discusses how to prepare yourself emotionally for investing. Sign up for Tom's free 'ETFs Made Easy' webinar here.
For any business owner, the idea of selling your business can seem like a daunting one. How do you know it’s the right decision? What is the process like? And what happens after the acquisition? Warren Munson joins host Emma Shepherd and fellow guests, Jeremy Fearnley—Azets Group Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, and Joe Barry—Managing Director of Platinum Care Solutions Group—to discuss all things mergers and acquisitions.
In 2009, Toby Gutteridge was paralysed from the neck down after being shot while on duty with the Special Boat Service in Afghanistan. He recently released a book—‘Never Will I Die’—that recounts a difficult childhood in South Africa, his trajectory into the Special Forces and Special Boat Service and, of course, his miraculous survival and the subsequent fallout of such a profoundly life-changing incident. His remarkable story is a reminder of the determination of the human spirit, and your own true potential.
Christie Garcia is a California-based leadership coach, speaker, facilitator and founder of the Mindful Choice Leadership Academy. Christie has worked with a number of prominent organisations, including AirBnb and Twitter, and one of her specialities is helping leaders manage their ego. She talks about the role ego plays in our approach to leadership, and what measures we can take to contain it and make sure we’re utilising it in a way that makes us better and more empathetic leaders.
A panel discussion with Mark Cribb (founder of Urban Guild), Alex Skan (co-founder of Void Acoustics) and Martin Smith (co-founder of Talent Drive) on the challenges and opportunities facing their sectors, and business in general, in 2023.
Ismael Dainehine is the founder of GiveMatch, a match-funding platform, driven by energy of social media, on which people can double their donations, thereby making the same impact at half the cost. In 2022 it raised over £10-million of charitable donations and Ismael has great plans for its expansion into other countries. He also reveals how some signficant early experiences defined his path towards entrepreneurialism, and talks with great depth about finding his true values, his introversion and the effect it has on his perspectives, and what it means to do well by doing good.
Julie Noonan is an experienced executive coach and change management strategist, and founder and CEO of Julie Noonan Consulting. As well as change management, Julie gives valuable perspectives on her other areas of expertise, including the approaches to work and values from the different generations, reverse mentoring and the meaning of legacy.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular podcasts from 2022. This episode features Dave Chedgy, Richard North, Chris Croft, Bernie Shrosbree and Justin Hedges OBE.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular podcasts from 2021. This episode features Jo Colman, Ben Ashton, Ty Temel, Darren Mooney and Chloe Adams.
Doctor Martina Olbert is the founder and CEO of Meaning.Global, which advises many of the world’s most influential brands and organisations on how to create more meaning and align their businesses with humanity for a better shared future. Martina is known as ‘The Meaning Expert’ and is recognised by Forbes as the “global authority on brand meaning."
Jennifer Geary is the author of 'How to be a Chief Risk Officer’ and ‘How to be a Chief Operating Officer’. She has poured all the wisdom and experience gained from 25 years of working across several sectors into these books, and talks with great insight and eloquence on the key responsibilities and challenges of the roles.
Simon Bocca is the founder and CEO of PayCaptain, a cloud-based payroll system which Simon hopes will transform the payroll experience for companies and employees. Simon’s aim is to improve the financial wellbeing of employees, and he is constantly looking at new technological advances that can improve both the customer and employee payroll experience. Also discussed are Simon’s experience of launching PayCaptain in the middle of the pandemic, maintaining the entrepreneurial approach amid rapid growth, and the purpose and value of becoming a B-Corp.
Gregory Cooke is CEO of Constant Close, a sales agency that removes the need for sales calls and therefore streamlines your sales process. His entrepreneurial journey began when he started selling memory cards from eBay while still at school. Much of Gregory’s ambition, drive and resilience was born out of his struggles with dyslexia, PTSD and mental health issues. He also talks about his plans for Friday Founders Foundation—a network of mental health support for entrepreneurs.
Gregory Cooke is CEO of Constant Close, a sales agency that removes the need for sales calls and therefore streamlines your sales process. His entrepreneurial journey began when he started selling memory cards from eBay while still at school. Much of Gregory’s ambition, drive and resilience was born out of his struggles with dyslexia, PTSD and mental health issues. He also talks about his plans for Friday Founders Foundation—a network of mental health support for entrepreneurs.
Beverley Densham has been a mindfulness Pilates coach for over 25 years, and was one of the first practitioners in the UK. Her story is an intricate and, at times, harrowing one—two near death experiences, domestic abuse and the collapse of her first, six-figure business—but these challenges have formed who she is today. Now she is driven to embrace the insight and wisdom gained from these episodes to inspire others to work towards better and more peaceful selves.
Emma Worrollo is the founder of Playful Den, a company which helps teams, brands, kids and individuals embrace the power of play. She talks about topics from the importance of looking at the world with child-like wonder, the dangers of being too focused on productivity and how the concept of professionalism can suppress your authentic self as well as your creative thinking, to the role of play within leadership, our different play styles and what her work as Lego Serious Play facilitator entails.
Carla Winsey owns and runs Silchester Farm with her husband Al. The couple bought the farm in 2018 and have transformed it into a beautiful events venue and guesthouse. Both Carla and Al come from a background in IT, so it's been an interesting transition. Carla talks about this journey, the farm's sustainability measures, as well what it's like to base your business and family life on the same piece of land.
Cat Philp is the CEO and founder of Pivot, a personal branding and social media agency. She was recently awarded Midlands Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and her passion for entrepreneurialism has also led her to found Young Accelerators, a community and e-learning platform designed to give young people the tools and resources to drive their careers forward.
Debbie Cohen is the founder and owner of Streetwise HR. She talks about the experience of starting Streetwise in 2012, and how it changed her. She also gives her expert insight into a number of subjects that are at the heart of any business owner right now, including the future of work, company values, staff retention, escalating costs and salaries, and so much more.
Rachel Pendered is co-founder and managing director of Media Zoo, an award-winning creative communications agency. Amongst other things, she talks about her former career with the BBC, pursuing personal and professional purpose, the future of PR and how she nurtures young talent through her 'Zooniversity'.
Jo Colman is head of sales and marketing at Summerdown, the Hampshire farm that has been growing and harvesting its signature Black Mitcham mint for almost three decades. Jo—who is part of the Colman's Mustard family—discusses topics from sustainability and family values, to his love of poetry and 50 year plan for the farm and the business.
Arabella Lewis-Smith is founder and MD at award-winning digital agency Salad Creative. She recently made the decision to turn the company into an employee owned business or EOT. Arabella talks about why she made this decision, what the process involves and how its affected both Salad Creative as a company, and her own role as MD.
Arabella Lewis-Smith is founder and MD at award-winning digital agency Salad Creative. She recently made the decision to turn the company into an employee owned business or EOT. Arabella talks about why she made this decision, what the process involves and how its affected both Salad Creative as a company, and her own role as MD.
Sarah Turner is co-founder of health tech company CeraThrive, as well as host of the Rebel Scientist podcast. She has a science research background with a particular interest in the application of light in biology, including photo-biomodulation, circadian biology, chronobiology, lifestyle modification and biohacking. She is also curious about in the role of physics in relation to biology and is currently exploring the fields of quantum biology, photomedicine and consciousness studies.
Sarah Turner is co-founder of health tech company CeraThrive, as well as host of the Rebel Scientist podcast. She has a science research background with a particular interest in the application of light in biology, including photo-biomodulation, circadian biology, chronobiology, lifestyle modification and biohacking. She is also curious about in the role of physics in relation to biology and is currently exploring the fields of quantum biology, photomedicine and consciousness studies.
Justin Hedges OBE is the founding partner and executive chairman of Prevail Partners, an intelligence, strategic advisory and risk management company.
Justin was also one of the youngest Royal Marines ever; he retired from the Royal Marines and Specialist Military Units in 2018, and was awarded his OBE for outstanding leadership in operations. His deep insights in the formulation of strategies and operational plans, drawn from top roles in the UK’s National Security Architecture, give him tremendous authority on the subject of leadership, risk management and crisis response.
Justin Hedges OBE is the founding partner and executive chairman of Prevail Partners, an intelligence, strategic advisory and risk management company.
Justin was also one of the youngest Royal Marines ever; he retired from the Royal Marines and Specialist Military Units in 2018, and was awarded his OBE for outstanding leadership in operations. His deep insights in the formulation of strategies and operational plans, drawn from top roles in the UK’s National Security Architecture, give him tremendous authority on the subject of leadership, risk management and crisis response.
When she was fifteen years old, Joanne Sperryn and her family were victims of the aggressive farm take overs in Zimbabwe. What followed was an unimaginable period of disruption that involved the collapse of the family business, separation from her parents, and Joanne pretty much being left to her own devices to establish a new life for herself.
She recently co-founded Turbo Gaming with her husband Brian. Turbo Gaming integrates a bicycle on a turbo trainer with racing games, with the aim of keeping kids—and adults—fit and active even while playing video games.
When she was fifteen years old, Joanne Sperryn and her family were victims of the aggressive farm take overs in Zimbabwe. What followed was an unimaginable period of disruption that involved the collapse of the family business, separation from her parents, and Joanne pretty much being left to her own devices to establish a new life for herself.
She recently co-founded Turbo Gaming with her husband Brian. Turbo Gaming integrates a bicycle on a turbo trainer with racing games, with the aim of keeping kids—and adults—fit and active even while playing video games.
On this episode, Evolve founder Warren Munson reads through three articles from the Evolve blog—“Why founders often fail as CEOs”, “Is your mindset stopping your growth?” and “Here’s how to sacrifice better”.
Morag Ofili is the founder of Kiltered, a diversity and inclusion company that helps start-ups and SMEs promote better diversity and inclusion policies and increase business performance. Included in the episode are discussions around the effects the great resignation has had on driving diversity and inclusion, the vulnerability of stepping out of your familiar profession into entrepreneurialism, and the significant influence Gen Z has had on igniting real and sustained change.
Sam de Reya, Deputy Chief Constable for Dorset Police, talks about the pleasures and pressures of leadership in law enforcement. Also addressed are topics around self-development, public responsibilities, how Covid affected crime, and her time at the FBI National Academy. And, we had to ask—how do police dramas on TV compare to the real thing?
Rosie Radwell recently marked her 20th year as MD at the Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth. During that time, both the hotel and Rosie herself have won multiple awards, and Marsham Court continues to be a flagship venue on the south coast.
Rosie's family have been hoteliers in Bournemouth for 70 years, and she talks about the impact this has had on her, and about the pleasures and pressures of continuing that proud family legacy.
Also covered are the importance of building loyalty with guests, staff and contractors, how she competes with the big hotel chains, coping with the upheavals of post-Covid travel, and what she learned from a significant period of family loss and turbulence.
Ben Morton is a former British Army captain who served two tours in Iraq and now works as a leadership mentor and performance coach.
Following his time in the army, Ben entered the corporate world and soon realised that a lot of the leadership training he witnessed was heavily focused on using tools and models in what he terms a ‘leadership by numbers’ approach. Perturbed by this lack of authenticity and individuality, Ben left the corporate world to transfer the leadership principles he learned in the army into business leadership and team building.
Richard North is the co-founder and CEO of Wow! Stuff, whose innovative tech-toys are sold in major retailers around the world, from Hamleys in London to Walmart in the US.
In 2001, Richard had a car accident that saw him counting from ten to zero and back again just to stay alive. It was a moment that naturally changed Richard’s life profoundly. Part of this episode focuses on how he overcame his injuries and the lessons he learned from the experience, while we also hear about the joys and legal challenges of the toy industry .
Matt Desmier—currently business engagement and knowledge exchange manager for the faculty of media and communication at Bournemouth University—is renowned for his special blend of creativity and business acumen. He was instrumental in establishing one of the UK’s leading creative and digital economies in Bournemouth, and his time at the incubator Enterprise Pavilion saw an astonishing 75 businesses launched within five years, with those businesses experiencing a 95% survival rate.
Dave Chedgy went from Premiership rugby player, to 24 years as a high-paced City trader and then co-founder of Dynamic Health—a boutique personal training studio in Lilliput, which he runs with his wife Natasha. Dave and Natasha have also founded The Escape Plan—a platform for better financial and physical freedom.
Sandra Palmer-Snellin is director at Farmer Palmers—a fun park based in Poole—and Staglers, an eco-friendly dog chew. Both of these businesses are family owned and run. Sandra talks about managing the dynamics in a family business, what some of the joys, challenges and unique pressures are, and the inheritance of work ethic.
Following complications after a back injury in 2007, Dean Skivington fell into a cycle of addiction and mental health problems that nearly cost him his life. Then he discovered cold therapy and cold showers, and believes this saved him.
Lysette Offley, speaker, author and founder of The Genius Principles and Genius Material, discusses the use of neurolinguistic programming, cognitive behavioural therapy, and both positive and evolutionary psychology, to guide you towards realising your full potential.
Leadership coach and NDE Chris O'Connell charts his compelling journey of building a £25-million recruitment business to losing it all and trying to commit suicide several times. He now uses what he learned from that turbulent period to teach others how to be better leaders, professionals and human beings.
Darren Mooney, Creative Director and Founder at design agency Global Brand Communications, speaks with honesty, humour and candour about his entrepreneurial journey, which started aged 22. From having to make the decision to NOT become a professional footballer, to the influence of his father and uncle, to adapting to disruption, and dealing with professional and personal fallout, this is an episode not to be missed.
Chip Stites of The Laughing Retirement on how to deal with the financial and emotional challenges of retirement. Upon his retirement, Chip uprooted himself and his wife from the US and moved to Italy - he talks about how he took on this huge change.
Denis Oakley, founder of Denis Oakley & Co, talks applying scientific thinking to business and starting a business in a recession, to working with an Olympic hockey coach, and his five-step business model innovation process.
In this episode, host Warren reviews three articles from the Evolve blog—‘Why entrepreneurship is simply a quest for purpose’, ‘13 ideas on leadership you might not have heard’, and ‘The importance of belonging.’
Serial entrepreneur Ty Temel opens up on the profound influence his father had on his entrepreneurial spirit, how the pandemic drastically altered his mindset, and his commitment to physical and mental wellbeing.
Nils Vinje, founder of 30 Day Leadership and the B2B Leaders Academy, discusses his four pillars of leadership, talks about how to take more control of your time, and expands on the crucial role self-knowledge plays in great leadership. Download Nils' free book here. And view the book he mentions here.
In his second appearance on the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Chris Croft—one of the UK's top leadership and management trainers—elaborates on his article 'Why are so many bosses bad?' Listen if you dare...
Steve Jones of Skills for Business Training discusses the changing landscape of recruitment and how remote working has forever changed the way we connect and engage with our teams.
Mike Stevens is an advisor, mentor and consultant for start-ups and challenger brands, and was part of the founding team at Innocent Drinks. His love and knowledge of D2C brands inspired him to write a book on the subject, which is available next month.
Mark Cribb, entrepreneur and founder of the hospitality group Urban Guild, reflects on the effects the pandemic had on his sector, as well as the important personal and professional lessons learned.
Chris Gardener, founder of Strategic Mentors, which offers strategies for business growth for coaches and consultants, talks about his 3Fs philosophy, the One Percent Principle, thinking habit, and the dangers of becoming too attached to outcomes.
Kison Patel is the CEO and founder of M&A Science and DealRoom, as well as author of Agile M&A. Amongst other things, Kison talks about engaging your team in acquisitions, the dangers of ego in selling, the importance of cultural alignment, and how to ease the process between agreeing terms and completing the transaction.
Craig Mathie is managing director of the Bournemouth 7’s Festival, which is the world’s largest combined sports and music festival. The annual event is run by a team of less than ten people.
Erik Jensen, chief strategy officer at Predictive ROI, is passionate about creating content that engages with clients and consumers. He also talks about 'niching down', leveraging your podcast to build relationships, and introduces us the the 'Trojan Horse of Sales'.
Chloe Adams, CEO of The Art Movement, talks about the profound impact of art in the workplace.
In late 2010, James Wythe developed chronic fatigue syndrome and spent several years practically bed-bound. He focused on nutrition to aid his subsequent recovery, and has now used what he learned to become a top food blogger and author on healthy living.
Jan Cavelle began her entrepreneurial journey as a struggling single mum to two young children. She subsequently founded a highly-successful furniture business. Now 'retired' she is a writer, author and speaker on all things entrepreneurial, and is passionate about guiding others on their business careers.
Safia Qureshi is an award-winning architect, innovation designer and educator. She is also the founder of CLUBZERØ a company that’s set its sights on building the infrastructure for sustainable food and beverage consumption.
Ben Ashton co-founded Good Oaks Home Care when he was just 22. Ten years on, it has an annual turnover of almost £10-million across an operation of 14 franchises.
For more than 30 years, Bernie Shrosbree has coached some of the world's top athletes, including Olympic gold medallists and racing drivers like Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Colin McRae. He gives insight into the mindset of high-performance individuals and how you can bring those traits into your own life.
Richard Bassett is co-founder of Mentor360, a wellbeing app that helps you form new habits, define positive progressions and set actionable outcomes. The ultimate aim of Mentor360—dubbed a pocket life coach—is to build your mental fitness by helping you to get to know yourself better.
Levent Yildizgoren, co-founder of TTC wetranslate, a multi-award winning translation and localisation company, discusses how to understand and navigate cultural practices and differences when expanding your business globally.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular podcasts from 2021. This episode features Matt Hawkins, Glenn St John-Colgan, Lyndon Stickley, Joshua Simon and James Pickles.
Host Warren Munson counts down the ten most popular podcasts from 2021. Featuring Pip Hare, Tracey Howes, Steve Bolton, Tim Lewis and Cas Paton.
Guy Blaskey, founder of Pooch & Mutt—a natural food and supplement brand for dogs—talks company purpose, how to market as a small business, the importance of understanding cashflow and his dedication to learning.
Chris O'Reilly, CEO of Presto Music, on developing the shop's e-commerce platform, why bricks and mortar still matter, and the power of music to transform lives and bring communities together.
Shay O'Carroll, co-founder of PixelMax, on the future of hybrid working and virtual events—how can the experience be richer and more interactive? What could be the longterm effects of living and working in a metaverse?
British adventurer, Alastair Humphreys, discusses anxiety, the difficulties of being a brand, and the realisation that led him to the concept of the microadventure.
US-based Doug Brown got involved in his family business when he was only three years old. He has since gone on to create more than 35 companies and is currently CEO of Business Success Factors and established the Sales Revenue Growth University.
Rupert Holloway, founder of Conker Spirit, talks about his journey from disgruntled quantity surveyor to establishing Dorset's first ever gin distillery.
In this, the 100th episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, host Warren Munson sits down to talk with Kelly Webb about the highs and lows of his personal and professional journey until this point.
David Haze, founder of Nomadic Paddler and a five-time world record holder for stand-up paddle boarding, talks openly about his time in prison, and how he found meaning and redemption through adventure.
Trevor Merriden, founder and MD of Merriborn Media, talks about the importance of Thought Leadership, both as an effective form of content marketing and as a means to encourage and strengthen collaboration among business leaders.
Hannah Sills, MD at Team Jobs, talks about the pleasures and challenges of taking on the role of MD within an entrepreneurial business, as well as the future of recruitment in the UK.
Adam King, CEO of SwipeStation, talks the tech behind reducing queues, bespoke tailor ventures in Vietnam and the time he watched television for 48 hours straight.
Show Notes:
(2:34) Being made redundant, travelling to Asia and setting up a bespoke tailoring business in Vietnam
(9:12) At what point did you realise the tailor service was working?
(11:59) Where is the tailoring business now and what is your role in it?
(13:47) Was there a point you knew you were no longer needed in the tailoring business?
(15:03) On the bravery and confidence required to let go of a business
(16:58) Lessons learned from that original journey
(19:38) On coming across SwipeStation
(20:44) What is SwipeStation?
(23:25) Is one of your biggest challenges trying to get people to adopt new tech?
(25:50) Challenges of getting stadiums to invest and work with SwipeStation
(27:42) Hopes and aspirations for SwipeStation, and the affect of Covid
(30:15) Transitioning from a sales-focused CEO to support a tech startup
(32:00) How do two very entrepreneurial, outgoing people make sure they stay focused on the objective?
(33:52) How has running your own business affected your personal life?
(38:01) What hard thing are you not doing enough of?
(39:46) Is there anything that keeps you up at night?
(40:44) Personal definition of success
Lottie Hawkins, founder of Earthly Biochar, talks about her biochar mission, sustainability and the impact today's young entrepreneurs will have on the future of both business and the planet.
Show Notes:
(2:49) What is biochar?
(5:42) What led to your interest in biochar?
(7:17) What is Earthly Biochar's core business?
(8:15) How do you use biochar in different environments?
(9:21) The challenges of running Earthly Biochar
(11:14) What is carbon capture?
(13:35) Were you always destined to start your own business?
(15:11) On the new generation of entrepreneurs
(17:00) Conflict over business principles
(19:33) How has your entrepreneurial journey affected your life?
(23:13) Are you worried about being squeezed out of the market by big organisations?
(24:50) The challenges of attaining patents
(26:12) Developing Earthly Biochar into a larger entity while still maintaining founding principles
(28:14) What have you done to retain strong moral compass as Earthly Biochar grows?
(29:55) How do you create time to reflect?
(32:17) Where are we regarding sustainability in the UK?
(34:50) What simple things can people do to reduce their impact on the planet?
(37:38) What's the best piece of advice you've received?
(41:02) What hard thing are you not doing enough of?
(42:01) What is your definition of success?
Your host, Warren Munson, reviews four articles from the Evolve website - ‘3 ways to use fear to your advantage’, 'Is your job title your identity?' ‘Where do old entrepreneurs go to thrive?’ and ‘Know your limits’.
Show Notes:
(2:27) 3 ways to use fear to your advantage
(8:52) Is your job title your identity?
(13:50) Where do old entrepreneurs go to thrive?
(18:01) Know your limits
Jonnie Jensen is the founder of Team Super Dad and the Hero Academy. He helps busy fathers and husbands strive towards a better life balance by reconnecting with their core purpose, and recover things that have inevitably been lost along their business journeys.
Show Notes:
(2:40) What is Team Super Dad and the Hero Academy?
(6:30) Defining the modern dad
(12:10) Measuring personal and professional relationships and thoughts on work-life balance
(17:00) On implementing important changes to your life
(18:12) Thoughts on the gas burner theory
(19:49) Helping clients create boundaries and balance
(23:58) How can we get men to open up and share their feelings?
(28:26) Advantages of friendship or peer group
(30:16) Bringing people together through events and experiences
(32:05) How do you set yourself apart from other life coaches?
(35:24) What are your aspirations for Team Super Dad and the Hero Academy?
(41:18) The challenges of parenthood
(44:36) Hints and tips for being present in the moment
(47:01) What hard thing are you not doing enough of?
(48:23) Five things to focus on for proper balance
Tom Quay is the CEO and co-founder of Passenger, a digital customer experience platform that supports more than 70 public transport operators and whose ultimate goal is to drive sustainability by reengaging and revitalising perceptions around public transport, especially bus travel.
Show Notes:
(2:11) Early beginnings and journey to the founding of Passenger
(3:09) So you don't think you were destined to run your own business?
(5:51) Where did the pivot into public transport come from?
(7:15) Was there a moment of truth where you knew you were onto a good thing?
(9:47) Any tips and hints on people considering switching from client service to product development?
(12:58) Where is Passenger now and how does it make transport more sustainable?
(15:08) How do you define sustainable transport?
(17:30) What's your opinion on electric cars?
(20:16) What changes do you see in the use and perception of public transport post-Covid?
(21:22) Have you seen an acceleration of digitalisation in the public transport sector?
(24:33) Challenges for Passenger moving forward
(26:25) Is Passenger a disruptor, and what would you define as disruption?
(29:20) If you were the Minister for Transport, what would you do to enable better adoption of public transport in the provinces?
(34:39) Any countries/cities that are getting transport sustainability right?
(38:45) Changing our mindset and choosing sustainability over convenience
(40:58) Hints and tips to change mindset?
(43:24) What positive changes would you like to see to promote cycling?
(47:07) What are your hopes and aspirations for Passenger for the next five to ten years?
(49:25) What is your definition of success?
Glenn St John-Colgan, managing director of Augmentas, talks about his years in the civil service, discusses his strong business principles and guides you through the minefield of public sector tendering.
Show Notes:
(3:10) Working in the civil service and how Augmentas came about
(5:33) The changing approach of the public sector
(9:25) What does Augmentas do?
(11:30) Advice for SMEs applying for public sector tendering
(17:15) What do strong business principles mean to you?
(22:15) What do you look for in investing opportunities?
(25:26) Impact of entrepreneurial life on your children
(27:23) How do you get balance in your life?
(30:25) Role with The Wise Group
(35:08) What next?
(37:30) On difficult conversations and growing as a leader
(43:38) Greatest strength and greatest weakness
(47:43) Personal definition of success
Nicky Rudd, founder of Padua Communications, demystifies the minefield of PR & communications, talks about working with her husband and how she went from teacher and journalist to business owner.
Show Notes:
(2:42): Background in teaching and early career in PR
(7:14) Maintaining that teaching spirit with monthly free event for business owners
(8:16) Career at BBC
(12:15) Advantages of volunteering
(13:20) Differences between being business owner and being MD for somebody else
(14:45) Tips for people thinking of getting an MD for their own business
(16:08) Progressing further to opening own agency and employing freelancers only
(20:30) How to create team spirit while only employing freelancers
(22:02) Husband joining business
(24:26) Hints and tips on running business successfully with husband/wife/partner
(26:35) Things every business owners should consider about their PR & comms strategy
(31:37) In-house marketing vs. using an agency
(34:00) Where is PR & comms going in the next ten years?
(38:35) Affects of pandemic on the agency
(40:43) What hard thing are you not doing enough of?
(44:30) How do you build your resilience?
(49:35) Personal definition of success
Paul Spiers, founder of The New Principles and Leadership Brand Purpose Institute, talks principled leadership, the essence of entrepreneurialism, and the future generation of leaders.
Show Notes:
(3:20) What is The New P&L?
(7:23) Separating professional and personal values
(10:43) Managing the hybrid model of working
(12:24) What is self-awareness really?
(15:14) Can ruthless leaders learn to change their approach?
(20:37) How to revive passion, focus and beliefs
(24:56) What is creative thinking for business leaders?
(29:49) How to open up and encourage creativity within your team
(32:48) Managing your ego as a leader
(35:20) Are leaders born or bred?
(37:47) What leadership lessons can business owners learn from sports managers and coaches?
(41:12) How to maintain principles of leadership when leadership changes hands
(45:50) Working with next generation to be more principled leaders
(49:18) Patagonia as an example of principled leadership
(51:56) Personal definition of success
Marianne Storey, CEO of mental health charity Dorset Mind, discusses the importance of mental health in a business, how a business leader can implement effective measures for mental health among their team, and provides five pillars for good mental wellbeing.
Show Notes:
(3:20) Path to becoming CEO of Dorset Mind
(5:11) Importance of lived experience
(6:03) Battling stigmas around mental health
(7:28) Dorset Mind's missions
(8:32) Demands on service since the pandemic and what's been learned
(10:29) Challenges of returning to society post-pandemic
(11:26) How would you define good mental health?
(12:26) Most common mental health challenges from business leaders
(15:25) Signs to look for in yourself and your team
(17:26) Organisations that implement mental health well and how they do it
(21:00) Influence of senior members on rest of staff
(22:45) Five ways to wellbeing
(26:17) Influence of nature on mental wellbeing
(27:23) Work with Dorset Chamber
(28:27) Different approaches of men and women to mental health
(33:26) Generational effects on attitudes towards mental health
(34:51) Mental health challenges amongst younger generation
(36:29) The education system and mental health
(37:45) Challenges as CEO of Dorset Mind
(41:28) Personal definition of success
Liz Willingham, founder of Liz Lean PR, on the importance of emotional intelligence, shaking up the business chamber model and handing her daughter the reins to the agency.
Show Notes:
(3:10) Unconventional beginnings
(5:01) Never destined to run own business
(5:38) Moment of realisation and birth of daughter
(7:39) Affect of entrepreneurship on children
(9:36) Moments of doubt/challenges and lessons learned
(11:50) How has the world of PR changed?
(14:20) Advantages of utilising PR agency vs. doing it in-house
(17:44) Finding interesting stories behind businesses
(18:35) The effect of changes in the press and media
(21:45) On emotional intelligence
(25:43) How to cut through the communications clutter
(29:17) Media training for business leaders
(30:56) What would make you turn a client down?
(32:32) Dynamic of having daughter Leila in the business
(38:22) Flexible working model at agency
(42:42) The importance of giving back
(45:46) Finding inner-confidence
(47:05) Mental health awareness
(50:35) Techniques for maintaining/improving mental health
(55:23) Anybody you particularly admire for their communications?
(57:33) Personal definition of success
Alan Mahon, founder of Brewgooder, is on a mission to provide clean drinking water to one million people. He talks about what inspired this project, and discusses the importance of transparency, authenticity and strong principles in both business and life.
Show Notes:
(3:24) The beginnings of Brewgooder and move towards social purpose
(9:07) Destined to start own business and do something with purpose?
(13:32) What is 'Brewed on Purpose'?
(16:08) Transparency on purpose and social contribution
(20:20) Original aspirations
(24:49) How did you go about creating a beer?
(26:59) Advantages of outsourcing
(29:22) Challenges faced and overcome
(32:50) Route to market and distribution model
(37:03) Best advice I've ever received
(40:49) On resilience and mother as inspirational figure
(43:18) Qualities looked for when recruiting and the joys and challenges of working with diverse personalities
(48:02) Being a B-Corp and advice for those considering it
(51:12) Personal definition of success
Serial entrepreneur Jeff Lester talks candidly about his entrepreneurial life, including the 2008 financial crisis, health issues and starting again after losing everything.
Show Notes:
(3:20) Beginning the journey
(6:44) Setting up a themed restaurant, and subsequent problems
(8:24) Birth of first child and starting all over again
(10:24) New start in property development
(12:06) Why I wasn't content with a good, secure life
(14:47) Responsibilities of being a business owner
(15:46) New book
(16:33) Collapse of property company, broke again and lessons learned
(24:33) Approaching rockbottom
(28:25) Searching for answers in the US
(32:25) Getting diagnosed with prostate cancer
(34:38) Path to wellness and relationship fallout
(36:42) On resilience
(38:52) The entrepreneurial spirit
(43:14) Where do your ideas come from?
(45:11) Holistic approach to wellness
(47:35) Launching Fit at-50plus
(49:09) Changing views of business and entrepreneurialism
(50:22) The thrill of starting a business
(51:11) Plans for Fit at-50plus
(52:36) Is your definition of success different today?
(53:11) Personal definition of success
James Pickles was flying high as a top sales manager, enjoying all the trappings that come with such success. Then, in March 2019, he had a breakdown that left him unable to speak, let alone work. In this podcast, James talks openly about the breakdown and how he used what he learned from it and his subsequent recovery to start a new life as a personal performance coach.
Show Notes:
3:06 - The breakdown
12:38 - The problem of men not opening up
16:29 - Keeping busy and drinking as a way of coping
18:39 - Returning to work shortly after breakdown and subsequent after-effects
30:45 - True breaking point and wearing armour
45:58 - Why we're so reluctant to talk honestly
55:21 - New definition of resilience
58:32 - Attempting to return to work/therapy
1:15:36 - Journey towards coaching
1:18:36 - Any triggers for old habits and mechanisms to use to overcome them
1:25:04 - Relationship with alcohol
1:28:28 - Advice for employers to look after staff
1:32:34 - What I would tell my young self
1:36:38 - Hopes and aspirations
Katie Street, founder and managing director of marketing and advertising agency Street Agency, talks about starting a second business, four day weeks and the effects her entrepreneurship is having on her daughter.
Show Notes:
3:24 - Setting out on her own
6:33 - Dream vs. reality of running your own business
10:37 - The challenges of working in a niche sector
14:51 - The importance of a mentor
16:20 - Biggest digital marketing mistakes and how to fix them
20:16 - Digital vs. Traditional marketing
23:19 - Tips on how to stand out from the marketing crowd
28:02 - Advantages of having a podcast
29:34 - Leveraging your content successfully
36:03 - Adapting to challenges of leading your own business
37:42 - Implementing a four-day week
39:51 - Starting a second business
41:49 - Starting a business on your own vs. starting with partners
44:03 - What hard thing are you not doing enough of?
45:15 - Effect of running own business on personal life and daughter
48:44 - On building resilience and getting through tough times
50:09 - Personal definition of success
Clare Gallie, CEO of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, talks about the joys and challenges of working in the fundraising sector and reveals the wisdom she's learned from the dying.
Show notes:
4:47 - From chemistry to fundraising
7:30 - Support for careers in charities and fundraising
9:42 - Differences between leading a normal organisation vs. charity
12:59 - The challenges of leading in an emotionally-charged environment
17:29 - Dealing with being challenged as transformational CEO
19:33 - Self-development
21:17 - Effects of the pandemic on the care sector and fundraising
28:16 - Hardest thing about working in hospice care...
30:04 - ...and the most enjoyable thing
32:26 - Lessons learned from being in the presence of the dying
35:58 - Where do you find your inspiration?
37:29 - The effect of ambition and work on personal life
39:06 - How do you rejuvenate?
40:31 - Dealing with disappointment and being let down
41:41 - Personal definition of success
Martin Smith, managing director of specialist recruitment agency Talent Drive, discusses setting up his first business just before the pandemic hit, the current challenges facing the recruitment sector, and his commitment to personal development.
Show Notes:
(3:05) Background and starting Talent Drive
(6:07) The realities of starting and running your own business
(8:21) Building the brand
(10:02) The value of outsourcing
(11:19) Advice for people thinking of taking the leap
(13:13) Current challenges in the recruitment sector
(16:12) Personal characteristics crucial to success
(17:32) What does being authentic really mean?
(20:13) The challenge of cheaper competitors
(22:36) Nurturing relationships in the pandemic
(25:57) What keeps you up at night?
(27:25) Anything you’d do differently if you started again?
(28:24) Commitment to personal development
(29:58) How has being entrepreneurial affected your personal life?
(32:17) Best piece of advice I’ve ever received
(33:45) What are your most important principles?
(36:08) Personal heroes
(39:33) Advice for people wanting to start their own podcast
(42:34) Where do you see yourself in five years time?
(43:30) My definition of success
Cas Paton, founder and CEO of OnBuy.com, on competing with Amazon and eBay and the experience of seeing his company grow by 600% year-on-year for the past three years.
Show Notes:
(3:34) Founding OnBuy
(6:01) Taking a different approach to the likes of Amazon and eBay
(8:07) Transitioning the business
(10:00) A leap of faith
(13:26) The see-saw analogy
(16:40) Managing growth
(18:51) Challenges and advantages of phenomenal growth
(21:04) Self-belief
(23:09) Structuring OnBuy while retaining the original vision
(23:43) The investment journey
(27:48) Managing the distraction of investment
(31:41) Having the right backers
(33:28) Cas’s business model approach
(35:21) Why Cas chose Poole as OnBuy’s base
(37:02) Affect of the pandemic on Cas’s approach to hybrid working
(39:05) Recruitment challenges and how to overcome them
(41:33) Staying connected to the team while growing and recruiting so rapidly
(44:09) Affect on entrepreneurialism on personal life & maintaining equilibrium within the team
(50:00) OnBuy’s five-year plan
(53:04) Personal definition of success
Skye Robertson is COO of Escape the City, a company whose mission is to help 1 million people do work that matters to them and the world. She talks entrepreneurialism, the future of work and finding meaning in what you do.
Show Notes:
(3:52) The story behind Escape the City
(6:02) Biggest challenges people face when desiring a career change
(8:02) Generational attitudes to work and career
(9:53) Common reasons for people to make career change
(11:40) How to find meaning in work
(16:01) Can you learn to be an entrepreneur, or is it something innate?
(17:35) The differing attitudes to work between British and Americans & doing what makes you happy
(22:19) The present and future of remote working
(29:33) Trends towards career changes post-pandemic
(32:19) Trends towards working for and buying from B-Corps
(34:43) The effect of social media on perceptions of entrepreneurialism
(38:06) The importance of being part of a business community
(39:52) On being brave
(44:54) Skye’s definition of success
Sue Campbell, founder of Kind2 - an award-winning solid shampoo and conditioner - talks about leaving many years of secure corporate life behind in the pursuit of creating a sustainable product, as well as a brand that lives its values of kindness and good business practice.
Show Notes:
(00:14) Growing up in Australia, working in New Zealand, Hong Kong and the UK
(2:33) Settling in the UK
(3:25) More demand in the UK for sustainable products
(3:38) What is Kind2?
(5:02) The effect of awards on the business
(6:32) What made you start your own business?
(8:14) Leaving the security of the corporate world
(10:50) Why shampoo bars?
(13:23) Developing the product
(15:32) Tips on being persistent and dealing with rejection
(17:32) Creating a competitive brand
(21:24) Outsourcing expertise that shares the same values
(23:33) Convincing people to convert from ‘normal shampoo’ to shampoo bars
(26:10) Dealing with the challenges of Covid
(28:13) Subscription-based sales vs. through retailers
(30:10) Sustainability as a marketing gimmick vs. sustainability as a true value
(32:53) Five-year plan for Kind2
(34:30) 10-year plan for Kind2
(37:52) The importance of like-minded people
(38:58) Everyday tips on for a more sustainable lifestyle
Andy Aitken, co-founder of Honest Mobile, on disrupting the mobile phone sector, bold funding techniques and his plans to create the world's first global mobile network.
Show Notes:
(00:44) Leaving the corporate world to co-found Honest Mobile
(4:11) Co-founding a business with an old school friend
(7:21) Changing the mobile industry status quo
(9:51) Challenges faced in founding Honest Mobile
(13:22) Transforming from a telecoms business to a tech business
(14:06) Scaling customer support
(16:22) Reaction from the big mobile companies
(17:45) Becoming sustainable and fair from the start
(21:48) Honest Mobile’s sustainability credentials drawing interest and jealousy
(23:22) Benefits of being a B-Corp
(26:49) Seeking funding for Honest Mobile
(33:12) Looking back, is there anything you’d change/Learning to apologise
(35:55) What I learned from the corporate environment
(37:14) Winning the World Congress Award for Best Startup
(38:07) Balancing work and home life
(40:25) Future plans for Honest Mobile
(43:42) My definition of success
Chris Palmer, managing director of AnyTech Solutions on mentorship, community, and how his childhood drove him to become an entrepreneur.
Show notes:
(3:08) – From art and design to advertising and IT
(14:45) – Starting my first business
(16:41) – Being a minority in business
(21:10) – Seizing and opportunity vs. strategic planning
(23:20) – Lessons learned and challenges overcome
(25:30) – Doing good
(28:28) – Mentoring the next generation
(31:58) – My definition of success
(33:51) – Maintaining energy and optimism
(36:31) – Launching Ping Pong Social
(40:08) – The importance of personal development
(42:34) – The best advice I’ve ever received
(49:29) – The hard thing I’m not doing enough of
In this episode, we look back at three articles from the Evolve blog, covering themes of leadership and change management to work-life balance and the importance of prioritising your wellbeing.
Show notes:
(2:11) Intro to article ‘10 insights and trends for business leadership in 2021’
(2:43) There are no perfect leaders
(4:27) A leader must demonstrate what it means to be a good follower
(5:01) Manage expectations around risk and innovations
(6:11) Understanding different motivations
(7:42) Good leaders should be present
(8:59) Change management
(9:57) Nurturing the social capital of your organisation
(10:56) Transparency and the importance of communication
(12:15) Leadership won’t change, it will evolve
(13:11) Intro to article ‘An alternative solution to the work-life balance problem’
(14:04) The Four Burners theory
(17:30) Prioritise your health
(18:55) Intro to article ‘6 challenges of leadership, and how to overcome them’
(19:27) Impostor syndrome
(20:54) Fear of vulnerability
(21:43) Fear of letting go
Kate Chastey took over The Passionate PA in 2010, barely two weeks after its founder passed away. By 2015 Kate was turning over more than £60,000 a year. She discusses the challenges and joys of taking over the reins and how running her own business has transformed her life.
Pip Hare talks about her incredible experience sailing in the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race. She's only the eighth woman in history to finish the race and was the first British skipper to finish this year's edition.
Dan Smith, founder of Fireworx, discusses the nuances of 21st century marketing, the true nature of disruption, and how to raise your brand above the digital chatter.
Over the past 30 years, serial entrepreneur Lyndon Stickley has invested in, grown and eventually sold six companies in a wide range of sectors. He talks company purpose, talent, and finding meaning in work and life.
Joshua Simons, serial entrepreneur and founder of several highly successful nightclubs and restaurants, including Priva and Chicken & Blues, talks about his entrepreneurial roots and how lessons learned from the 2008 financial crash formed his current success.
The number of UK businesses certified as B Corp recently surpassed 500, and this number continues to grow rapidly. Annie Talboys details what a B Corp is, how to go about becoming one, and the advantages of balancing profit with planet.
Steve Bolton - serial entrepreneur, investor, speaker and philanthropist, and current CEO of Bolt Partners - talks about his long and fascinating business journey, and the importance of mentorship and personal development in achieving true success.
Pandemic or not, remote working and Zoom meetings are here to stay. Sisters Felicity (pictured) and Melissa Barnard from LDS Training discuss ways to enhance all things remote.
How do you define personal and professional values? What are principles? And how do we achieve ethical re-alignment in a post-Covid world? Simon Cassin, director at Ouch Training Team, discusses this and more in this week's episode.
In this week's episode, Evolve founder Warren Munson reviews three articles from Evolve's website. Topics of discussion range from getting out of your comfort zone, the benefits of meditation and how to achieve mindful leadership.
Warren Munson speaks to Finn Morgan from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, Ian Girling from the Dorset Chamber, and Mark Bayley-Smyth, managing director of Circle Leadership—all involved in the Dorset LEP's Peer Network Programme.
Ollie Phillips, former England Rugby 7's captain, now corporate director at PWC and founder of Optimist Performance, on his leadership principles and the transition from professional sport to the corporate world.
Matt Skerrett, CEO of web company IMMAT, founder of the The iGroup—a local business directory—and director of Picniq, talks risk-taking and defying the odds.
Kayam Iqbal is a former member of the RAF who, after suffering from PTSD and struggling to find employment upon his return to normal life, went on to set up JobOppO— a community that helps former servicemen and women find jobs and adapt back to normal society—and the OppO Foundation.
Decent, honourable and straight talking—words many use to describe Tim Lewis. On an entrepreneurial journey that began as a fisherman, Tim has been at the helm of Lewis Investment for 33 years and hopes to be there for a while longer still.
A natural risk taker and computer prodigy, Matt Hawkins, CEO at Cudo Ventures and cryptocurrency Cudos, is a disrupter whose entrepreneurial journey has often been lived at the "bleeding edge".
What happens when you have a deep interest in hi-fi from boyhood, and were heavily involved in the 1980's West London music scene? You become co-founder and managing director of one of the most highly-regarded audio systems on the market of course!
Barry Kick, business coach and consultant with Primal Skills, talks in-depth about the joys and challenges of starting his first business in 2006—an award-winning television brand that went on to be stocked by over 700 retailers, including John Lewis.
Tracey Howes, founder of Blue Mind Social, talks about her long and varied entrepreneurial journey and how her discovery of free diving has profoundly influenced her approach to business and life.
The final countdown to number one, as we look back at the ten best performing podcasts of 2020, with a range of guests from different sectors and professions. From restauranteurs, nursery school disruptors and removal men, to ex-Special Forces soldiers, bodyguards and stress experts, and more. Who will be number one?
We look back at the ten best performing podcasts of 2020, with a range of guests from different sectors and professions. From restauranteurs, nursery school disruptors and removal men, to ex-Special Forces soldiers, bodyguards and stress experts, and more - they're all here!
What is content exactly? More importantly, what is GREAT content? How do you go about creating it? And how do you make sure people see it and respond to it in a way that grows your brand and your business? Simon Harmer of Thursday design studio provides all the answers.
Julian Morgan, director at Energy Advice Line, on seamless customer service, growing a successful business with his wife, and why he WON'T miss Zoom calls.
What unique attributes do female entrepreneurs bring? What are their biggest stumbling blocks? And how can governments and organisations encourage them to thrive? Ruth Saunders, co-author of 'Female Entrepreneurs - The Secrets of Their Success' discusses all of this and more.
In 2014, Lee Chambers lost his ability to walk. With intense therapy and determination, he was fully mobile again eleven months later. This experience led him to environmental psychology and setting up his own company, Essentialise.
Kate Hughes was once so stressed she lost vision in one eye. Now, having left her former life as a solicitor and started a meditation practice, she is calmer and more present than ever before. Kate tells us how to approach meditation and mindfulness in simple, straightforward ways.
What do a former fighter pilot and a health coach with an MBA have in common? Quite a lot, apparently. Dave and Heather Ashley—husband and wife and founders of Ashley Property Group—talk about their unusual and, at times, hazardous career paths, as well as the pleasures and challenges of working with your spouse.
In this week's episode, Evolve founder Warren Munson reviews four articles from Evolve's website. Topics of discussion range from elements of success and investing in leadership, to the dangers of comparing yourself to others and the good and bad of social media.
What's it like to own a travel business during the Covid crisis? How do you adapt, and how do you inspire your team to stay positive? Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise discusses all of this and more.
Want to know how to become a better communicator? From public speaking, team presentations and one-to-one conversations, to podcasts and Zoom calls, Rick Simmonds of Verbu Communications gives some great tips.
How do you go from being a fisherman to successful owner of a holiday rental agency? Simon Tolson, managing director of Rumsey of Sandbanks, tells us his interesting entrepreneurial story.
What is the future of artificial intelligence? Can it alleviate loneliness? Will it make us less human? How far could our relationship with a device go? Adam Greenwood of tech agency Greenwood Campbell, answers these questions and more.
Incredible highs, excess, glamour, controversy and arrest – Richard Carr talks about his colourful personal and professional life.
Consumers are increasingly placing their loyalty with sustainable brands. How do you make your business more sustainable? And what is the impact on your personal and professional life? Nikki Webb, founder of digital agency Ethicly, explains all.
The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, hosted by Evolve founder Warren Munson, interviews entrepreneurs and business leaders on their journeys, and delves into their personal and professional lives.
Pip Hare, who is taking on in this year's Vendee Globe - a solo, non-stop round the world yacht race - talks about the incredible challenges and resilience involved in competing in this prestigious race.
Chris Croft is one of the UK's leading business trainers. To date he has trained more than 87,000 people face-to-face and six million online. He talks time management, delegation and the foundations of happiness.
Damian Zabielski is the chief product officer at MindMapper UK - an award-winning mental health hub for young people. He discusses all things mental health, especially pertaining to young people in what is a fast-changing and increasingly uncertain landscape.
Paul Kinkaid, a former Army Commando and Lieutenant Colonel and now managing director of coaching company Selfless Leadership, talks about what the army taught him about leadership.
Rob Illidge, CEO of Social Republic, discusses the evolution of social media from its early beginnings to the marketing powerhouse it is today.
Simon Jeffries, former Special Forces soldier and co-founder of The Natural Edge, talks sleep and journaling and compares the stress of the military to running his own business.
Lloyd Banks, owner and MD of Rubicon Recruitment Group, reflects on his interesting and incident-filled life - from his time in the Metropolitan Police and working security for VIPs, to his stint in the Royal Engineers and the accident, and subsequent back injury, that changed the way he viewed himself and the role in his company.
Andy Edwards, motivational speaker, business coach and author of ‘Why Can’t People Be More Like Me?’ takes a fascinating look at personality types and how they affect our lives and working environment. Take your free personality test here.
Martin Edwards, CEO of Julia's House children's hospice, talks about his original ambitions, the role of Covid-19 in speeding up important decision-making and how to lead with kindness.
Paul Tansey, managing director of digital marketing company Intergage, on his life-changing health crisis and how to instill - and maintain - a company's sense of purpose.
Mark Northey, owner of Norco Composites, discusses his interesting entrepreneurial journey - leaving home at 16 and taking over the family business aged 21 under challenging circumstances, before going on to develop a highly-regarded composites company.
Jurriaan Kamer, co-author of Formula X - which details how Formula 1 teams are run - talks team management, accelerated decision-making and optimising the rhythm of your organisation.
Erin Thomas Wong, founder of the Mumpreneur Collective - an online community that supports and empowers mothers running their own businesses - discusses the joys and challenges of being a female entrepreneur.
Mike Bandar, founding partner of startup studio Turn Partners and the Enterprise Academy, as well as holder of a British Empire Medal for services to young entrepreneurs, discusses all things entrepreneurial, including lean methodology and what he's learned from mentoring business owners in the developing world.
In this episode, five guests from different industries discuss the future of the workplace, post Covid-19. Will offices become a thing of the past? How will you motivate your team remotely? How will you have to adapt your leadership style?
Life coach and stress expert Becki Houlston talks self-awareness, intuition and how to come out of the current crisis as a better, more resilient individual.
Mark Brooks, CEO and founder of Actipath Programme Management, talks non-executives, the emotional toll of selling your business, and adaptability.
Neil Crespin on the economics of creative thinking, letting go of your ego and where he gets his creative energy from.
Louis Barnett started his own chocolate business aged just 12. Two years later, in 2005, he became the youngest supplier to Sainsbury’s and Waitrose and today his chocolate is exported all over the world. In 2015, Louis left his chocolate business in the care of his parents and now works as a business developer.
Tom Mercer started selling his home-made oat smoothies to commuters at Waterloo Station in 2005 and has since grown Moma into a highly successful brand whose products include a very popular instant porridge, oat milk and the best-selling bircher muesli in the country.
To celebrate the 20th episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, we look back at some of the best moments so far...
Co-founder and CEO of AQai, Ross Thornley, talks entrepreneurial mindset, pushing tech innovation and the importance of creating new perceptions.
On his second appearance on the show, Matthew Barker explains how a 2005 fire that razed his factory to the ground has put him in good stead to deal with the current crisis. He also gives a refreshing view on the crisis, citing it as an opportunity for those with an entrepreneurial mindset to seek new opportunities and collaboration.
The first guest of the Evolve to Succeed podcast returns to give insight into how the Covid-19 crisis is affecting the hospitality industry, and discusses his personal and professional approach to the current situation.
In this podcast - recorded live at Evolve's event space in Poole - guests Andy James and Kelly Butler of Podcast Labs, and podcasters Mark Cribb (Human of Hospitality) and Sarah Choudhury (Curry Queen) discuss the marketing potential of the medium, amongst other things.
In this special episode, Steve Jones discusses ways you and your staff can best deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
Chris Manning discusses resilience, mental health and fatherhood, and talks about his amazing experiences on the set of '1917'.
Director of Captiva Homes, James Pink, talks about the highs and lows of the property business.
Jon Webb is the principal of St. Aldhelm's Academy in Poole. Under his leadership, the school was transformed from near-closure - it achieved the worst GCSE results in England in 2012 - into a top-performer. Webb reveals how he did this.
Ric Exley, managing director at Jimmy's Iced Coffee, talks recruitment, product development and the importance of having fun.
In this special episode, Inspire and Evolve founder Warren Munson reflects on his own entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he's learned from it.
Founder and MD of Tops Day Nurseries, Cheryl Hadland, talks Scuba diving, disposable nappies and leaving a legacy, and how every business can take small but effective steps to be more sustainable.
Barker Group managing director Matthew Barker discusses the complexities of being part of a family business, ethical capitalism and how he got back on his feet after his business burnt to the ground.
WeMove founder Adam Maton talks about how turning away from comfort and contentment to pursue his own journey led to him disrupting the removals business.
David Chamberlain, director of Performance Climate System, talks human potential, the importance of team culture and dealing with hard time in business.
Alex Shepherd, co-founder of Kids Love Nature kindergartens, talks about the importance of early-years education, building relationships in China and how he came to build a nursery school in a zoo.
Among other things, Barbara talks about how her travels in Japan influenced her approach to nutrition, making healthy options more accessible, the importance of corporate wellness, and reveals a great method for implementing healthy lifestyle habits.
Andrew Skipsey, managing director of M12 Solutions, talks about his time in the Royal Marines, the importance of a competitive spirit and his definition of success.
Life coach Becki Houlston discusses the impact of stress on body and mind, and how to moderate it.
Mark Cribb, founder of Urban Guild, talks about how travelling the world sparked his love for hospitality, the challenges of running a seasonal business, balancing personal and business success and, finally, his inordinate love for pineapples.