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Episodes

48
Feb. 7, 2025

#48 - The TRUTH about Entrepreneurship & Why Most Businesses FAIL - Anthony O'Brien, Managing Director of Profici

In this episode, entrepreneur Anthony O'Brien shares his experiences and challenges in building a successful business. He discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong team, the concept of a fractional C-suite, and the struggles of managing cash flow and staff. He also talks about his personal motivations, the impact of ADHD on entrepreneurs, and the need for adaptability in business. Key takeaways include the value of hiring people better than oneself, the significance of failu...
47
Jan. 31, 2025

#47 - What Men Don’t Talk About (But Should) - Adam Smith, co-founder of A-Game and High Performance Coach

Adam is the co-founder of A-Game and coaches high achievers to improve performance across multiple areas of their lives. Adam share his own journey, from hitting absolute rock bottom, to building a successful business and helping others to achieve the same. In this conversation we discuss simple strategies to improve your personal performance and relationships. We explore why many men suffer in silence, and discuss how better communication is the answer, but most importantly, how to do this ef...
46
Jan. 24, 2025

#46 - Career Progression Made Simple: How An Accidental Entrepreneur Is Solving Your Career Progression Challenges

Martin Mason is the co-founder of Talent Mapper, a company he built to solve a problem experienced by millions in the corporate workplace: internal mobility. Talent Mapper is a platform that uses data to match employees’ individual skill sets with the right job roles, and helps track career progression within organisations. When Martin explained the concept to me during this conversation, it was a lightbulb moment. Having spent years working in large organisations, I’ve seen firsthand how comm...
45
Jan. 17, 2025

#45 - How To Build Wealth: Lessons They Should Teach in School - Andrew Craig, Founder of Plain English Finance

It wasn’t until I started working in the financial industry that I understood how essential investing was for building long-term wealth. This week, I’m joined by Andrew Craig, founder of Plain English Finance and author of the must-read personal finance book How To Own The World. In this episode, Andrew and I dive into how investing can serve as a powerful tool for wealth creation. We explore what it really means to invest in shares, the importance of starting early, why relying on the state f...
44
Jan. 10, 2025

#44 - Growing From Startup to Scale-Up - How Reflo is Bringing Genuine Sustainability to the Apparel Industry

In this week’s episode, I’m delighted to welcome back Rory MacFdyen, co-founder of Reflo, a sustainable performance wear brand. Rory was one of the podcast's very first guests, so it was a pleasure to catch up and hear about Reflo’s impressive growth over the past year. We dive into their journey from startup to scale-up, celebrating milestones like winning the Santander Growing Business Award, launching exciting new partnerships, and continuously innovating to drive sustainability in the appa...
Jan. 7, 2025

Fuel Your Ambition: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - Awareness, Strategies, and Confidence-Building

In this segment, Romy van der Merwe shares actionable steps to help you identify and overcome imposter syndrome. We explore how imposter syndrome manifests, its distinction from self-doubt, and the critical role of consistent effort in building confidence. Discover practical techniques such as maintaining a 'brag book,' setting daily intentions, and embracing mindfulness to regain control and stay present. We also discuss the unique challenges faced by women and people of colour and offer strat...
43
Dec. 13, 2024

#43 - Become a Better Leader and Improve Your Career Trajectory with Nicole Soames

Nicole Soames is an executive coach and trainer who specialises in helping individuals thrive in their careers and become exceptional leaders. In this conversation we discuss how leadership styles in the workplace have changed over time, how Emotional Intelligence plays a pivotal role for effective leadership, and how this is actually a skill that can be developed with training. Nicole also shares valuable insights on managing burnout, improving self-confidence, uncovering hidden blind spots, ...
42
Dec. 6, 2024

#42 - Jonny Mills: "How I Quit My Job and How You Can Too"

After a decade working for a Big 4 Accountant, Jonny made the decision to walk away from the high salary, status, and career trajectory we’re often taught to chase, choosing instead to pursue his own path as an entrepreneur. Jonny, the author of the blog post "How I Quit My Job and How You Can Too," shares the steps he took to prepare himself to quit, and how he now helps others do the same. Whether you're considering a career change or seeking financial freedom, this episode is packed with ac...
41
Nov. 29, 2024

#41 - Mastering High Performance and Productivity with Colin Campbell

Colin is a high performer, with a full time job as a sales director, a top 1% podcast host and sales trainer in his spare time, he’s really mastered productivity! In this discussion, Colin shares his early ambitions, what led him down the path of self development, his passion for productivity, and the lessons he’s learnt from his favourite guests. He also shares his current views on the UK, whether moving to Dubai is an option, his future aspirations, his formula for defining success, and his ...
40
Nov. 15, 2024

#40 - From Startup to Acquisition in 8 Months: Dan Lipman on Building a Business, Taking Risks, and Hiring the Right Team

Dan Lipman’s story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship. From working in a corporate environment to joining a startup, and ultimately launching his own venture that was acquired in just eight months, his journey offers inspiration and actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode of Ambitious Minds, Dan shares the rollercoaster ride of building a business, the risks he took, and the strategies that led to his success. You’ll learn how Dan and his business partner identified th...
39
Nov. 8, 2024

#39 - 60 Years of Marriage and Life in 1950s London: Insights from My Grandparents

This week’s episode is a special one - I had the privilege of interviewing my grandparents following 60 years of marriage. Growing up in post-war London, they experienced a world that feels vastly different from today. From playing among bomb sites and strict school discipline to their early romances, family life, and changing roles for women, they paint a picture of daily life in a bygone era. They also share the secrets behind their six decades of marriage, filled with family, laughter, resi...
38
Nov. 1, 2024

#38 - Addressing the Student Loan Crisis, Improving Financial Education, and Tips for Maximising ChatGPT with Scott Foley

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Scott Foley, a long-time colleague and a close friend. Scott is one of the most ambitious and curious people I know. We’re constantly talking about new technology or potential business ideas, and this conversation was no exception. In this conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, beginning with the impact of high-interest rates on student loans—a challenge many people face—and why more people are choosing to start families later in life. We also dis...
37
Oct. 25, 2024

#37 - How Quality Sleep can Unlock Better Performance and Improve Your Life - Anna West, founder of Sleep2Perform

Sleep doesn’t need much of an introduction. We all do it, but despite spending nearly a third of our lives sleeping, many of us still wake up feeling drained, which can impact our mood and productivity throughout the day. So how can we improve our sleep? This week, I’m joined by Anna West, a sleep specialist who’s worked with top sports teams, business leaders, and organisations to help them enhance their sleep and recovery for better performance - from the sports field to the boardroom. In th...
36
Oct. 18, 2024

#36 - Lessons from Entrepreneur Who Achieved a Multi-Million Pound Exit – Phil Fraser on Delegation, Big Goals, and Life After Exit

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Phil Fraser - entrepreneur, angel investor, podcast host, and a sounding board for fellow entrepreneurs. Phil brings a wealth of experience to this conversation, He’s been there, done it, and even got the multi million pound exit t-shirt. You can expect to learn how Phil quantifies the benefits of delegating tasks, whether it's better to be an entrepreneur or an employee, his advice for setting and achieving big goals, the motivations that drive successful...
35
Oct. 7, 2024

#35 - Working in a Space Start-Up: Work-Life Balance, Personal Ambitions, and Misconceptions About Success

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Nicolò Donà dalle Rose, a friend who works for a start-up in the space industry. This episode really encapsulates the concept of ambitious minds, as our conversation recreates the kind of dinner table chat you’d have with your friends - genuine talk about work, life, and ambitions. In this episode, Nico shares his journey from studying international politics, to landing in the space industry, whilst giving us a glimpse into how Loft Orbital is reducing the...
34
Oct. 4, 2024

#34 - Fixing the UK's Ambition Crisis - Drinking Culture, Politics, Investing and Business with David Belle

The UK used to be a place where opportunity could thrive, but something feels a bit different recently. In this weeks episode, I’m joined by David Belle, the founder of Fink.Money. In this conversation we discuss a wide range of topics, including social issues within the UK, housing inequality, the real issue with politicians and whether moving abroad is the solution. We also cover the dangers of building a business with external capital, how Fink can improve your chances of being hired by an...
33
Sept. 27, 2024

#33 - Stand Out on LinkedIn & Boost Your Business Growth with LinkedIn Content Pro James Farnfield

We all know LinkedIn is essential for business growth; whether you're looking to land new clients, scale your business, or secure the best talent in the market. Yet, many of us aren't leveraging its full potential. In this week's episode, I'm joined by James Farnfield, founder of Shake Content, an agency that helps businesses build authority, grow awareness and drive pipeline on LinkedIn. Whether you're a business owner striving for growth or an individual looking to enhance your profile, it's...
32
Sept. 20, 2024

#32 - From Footballer to CEO: Leadership, Growth, and Success with Mitch Hahn, CEO of Nordens

In this week's episode, I’m joined by Mitch Hahn, the captain of Team GB football team, who made an unexpected transition into the world of accountancy following his time as a professional footballer. Mitch recounts his accidental journey into accountancy, where he began working with Mark Norden, his boss and mentor who helped him unlock his full potential. He ultimately rose through the ranks, becoming the CEO of Nordens and has transformed the company into more than just an accountancy pract...
31
Sept. 13, 2024

#31 - Alternative Career Paths and Ways to Build Wealth in Your 20s - Kane and Ash - Hosts of The Podcasters Podcast

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Kane and Ashley from Progressive Media, the UK's largest podcast agency and hosts of the Podcaster's Podcast. We dive into their personal journeys - from building a successful podcast agency in their 20s to the unexpected way Kane met one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs, who later became his boss. Plus, hear how Ashley skipped university to start a dropshipping business. Kane and Ashley share practical advice on making yourself invaluable to your boss, why G...
30
Sept. 6, 2024

#30 - Why Cacao is the Healthier Coffee Alternative – Health Benefits & Building an Ethical Business with the Founders of Nature’s Joint

Did you know that ceremonial-grade cacao, the purest form of chocolate, has a range of health benefits? From improved sleep and heart health to lower stress, better skin, and a natural mood boost. This product has been used for centuries, but what you find on the shelves today is far from its natural form. In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Adam and Ash, the founders of Nature’s Joint. As well as exploring the benefits of Cacao, we get into a deeper conversation about the importan...
29
Aug. 30, 2024

#29 - From Furlough to £300k Profit - Business Insights from a Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Harry Kimberley-Bowen - Co-Founder of Spacebands

In this week’s must-listen episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Harry Kimberley-Bowen, co-founder of Spacebands and the 2022 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. From selling sweets in school to funding his final year at university with a sustainable fruit juice business, Harry is a natural entrepreneurial. When the pandemic hit, Harry and his best friend Ronan acted fast; instead of sitting enjoying the sunshine like everybody else, they launched a social distancing wearable device...
28
Aug. 23, 2024

#28 - Insights from a Physiotherapist on Athletic Performance and Recovery - Featuring David Thomas, Founder of Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance

Booking a physio appointment is one of those things we know we should do but we rarely actually do it. In this episode, I’m joined by David Thomas, the founder of Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance. David’s career has taken some fascinating turns, from working with NHS patients to treating elite athletes, including footballers, rugby players, and Olympic competitors. We dive into what it's like to work in the NHS, David's thoughts on areas for improvement, and the contrasts between public and...
27
Aug. 16, 2024

#27 - Empowering Employees to Fulfil Their Potential | Business, Leadership and Growth with Simon Ellis, CEO & Co-Founder of Jem

Did you know that 80% of the world’s workforce does not sit behind a desk, and these people are often overlooked by traditional HR platforms that provide necessary functions such as your payslip, holiday schedule, or employee information. Simon Ellis is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jem, an innovative technology company that has developed a game-changing solution that makes essential HR functions accessible via WhatsApp. Already trusted by over 115,000 users every month, Jem is revolutionising the ...
26
Aug. 9, 2024

#26 - From Corporate Careers to Entrepreneurship - Oli and Ash - Founders of Sipp'd

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Oli and Ash, the founders of Sipp’d, a craft soda brand that, now that you’ve heard of it, you’ll start seeing everywhere! Their journey is an inspiring one — two accountants who decided to leave their careers behind and launch a business together in November 2019, just before the Covid pandemic struck. We dive into the challenges they faced during that uncertain time, how they adapted when the pandemic hit, and how they scaled the business despite numerou...