The Business Takeaway Podcast, Leadership & Business Advice

Growing a business is easier than making it profitable. Huntly Christie explains why a full warehouse diary can hide a weak business, and how keeping Christie Lites focused helped it expand internationally. Huntly founded Christie Lites in Toronto in 1985. What began in a garage became an international stage-lighting business, but the company did not get there by trying to offer everything. As it...

COVID cost Ben Bowles’s business approximately £1.5 million. Five years later, he explains why surviving that period made him more willing to take risk—and much clearer about where risk becomes reckless. Ben was the first guest on The Business Takeaway Podcast. He returns five years later as CEO of Complete Equipment Group, the business behind CEG, to look honestly at what happened after that firs...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine When should you turn down work your business needs? David March joins Ben Payne to share the business failure lessons he learnt from pricing under pressure, overtrading and eventually closing his own company. David has spent nearly 40 years in live entertainment, working across manufacturers, rental businesses and his own company. He now helps...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine How do you build a memorable brand when every competitor uses the same language, imagery and promises? T. Christian Helms explains why brand differentiation starts with honest research, clear positioning and a willingness to stop trying to please everybody. This is practical bu...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine What happens when you’re getting results, but your team is afraid to challenge you? Kyle McDowell found out that the people around him feared him more than they respected him. Kyle had spent nearly three decades in corporate leadership. Honest feedback made him question the kin...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine What happens when growing your business stops making it better? Cameron Magee started working in event production as a teenager in Arkansas before building avad3 into a national US event production company. But his most valuable lessons aren't about AV or live events — they're...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine You can be brilliant at your job and still have no real strategy for your career. In this episode of The Business Takeaway Podcast , Ben Payne sits down with executive coach Kim Sawyer to explore why working hard, delivering results and accepting the next promotion isn't necess...

Sponsored recommendation: Listen to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast Sponsored recommendation: Listen to It’s Gonna Be Fine What really makes a strong brand — and why do so many businesses still confuse branding with a logo? This week, Ben speaks with Jason Clark, Chief Marketing Officer at Tectonic and former owner of VIA Studio, about brand strategy, customer trust, AI in marketing and what makes...

Most people start a business because they want greater freedom, more control over their time and the opportunity to build a better life. But for many founders, the opposite happens. They lack finding the best business advice or business mentorship to really go forward. The business becomes increasingly dependent on them. Every important decision reaches their desk, customers expect their personal...

Artificial intelligence promises faster delivery, lower costs and extraordinary productivity. But what happens when the people expected to use it do not trust it, do not understand it or believe it could ultimately replace them? In this episode of The Business Takeaway Podcast, Ben sits down with Ricardo Arcia, founder and CEO of Teravision Technologies and author of The Cognitive Leader. Ricardo...

Can sustainability actually make your business more profitable? For many business leaders, sustainability is still seen as a cost. Something that's expensive, difficult to measure and only worth doing because regulations say you have to. Emily Coon believes that's completely wrong. As Sustainability Manager at St Austell Brewery, Emily has helped transform sustainability from a compliance exercise...

W hat does it really take to produce one of the UK's biggest pantomime businesses? In this episode of The Business Takeaway Podcast, Ben Payne sits down with Steve Boden, Joint CEO of Imagine Theatre, to explore the commercial reality behind one of Britain's oldest and most successful entertainment industries. From managing 21 simultaneous productions and pioneering digital pantomime, to navigatin...

In this episode, Alex Smithies, a former professional goalkeeper turned financial planner, shares his journey from the pitch to advising athletes on life after sports. Discover how the mindset around money and career longevity in sports differs from other industries, and learn practical insights to better prepare athletes — and anyone — for financial resilience and long-term success. In this episo...

Building Culture and Trust in Business with Dave Coull - In this episode, we explore the essential elements of cultivating a strong organisational culture and leading with authenticity. Dave Coull, CEO of Stage Electrics Group, shares his insights on how culture drives success, the importance of humility, and strategies for building trust at scale—especially during challenging times like a pandemi...

In this episode, Ryan Metcalfe, founder and CEO of Preevue, shares candid insights on the evolution of digital twins, the significance of failure, and how technology is reshaping theatre and entertainment industries. His journey demonstrates how strategic engineering, embracing errors, and an eye for innovation can disrupt even the most traditional sectors. This is a true lesson in business disrup...

In this episode, Mats Karlsson shares his journey from starting in stage lighting to developing innovative power distribution systems, navigating supply chain challenges, and the importance of brand and relationships in the entertainment tech industry. His experience highlights how resilience and strategic pivots can propel growth even during turbulent times and how any business in a small market...

In this episode of the Business Takeaway podcast, Erin Teter, a seasoned fractional CHRO, shares invaluable insights on how HR can be a strategic partner in scaling and managing modern businesses, guiding and helping leadership especially in the era of remote work and rapid growth. Her experience across private equity, tech, and startups offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of HR's role bey...

In this episode, we explore how principles from professional sports, especially baseball, can transform business culture and individual mindset. Joshua Lifrak shares insights from his decades of experience in sport psychology, illustrating how mental resilience, defining organisational identity, strong leadership skills, leadership development and daily habits can lead to consistent success. Key T...

In this episode, Matt Turner shares his candid journey from founding Clownfish Events to discovering new ways to lead and develop organisational culture. His insights highlight the importance of authentic leadership, self-awareness, and creating workplaces that foster joy, growth, and purpose. Whether you're scaling a team or contemplating your next move, Matt’s lessons underscore the power of int...

In this episode, Tom Chapman shares his inspiring journey from a hairdresser to mental health advocate, highlighting how everyday conversations—especially in workplaces—can significantly impact mental well-being. Discover practical insights into fostering supportive environments, recognising early signs of struggle, and breaking down the stigma around mental health. This isn't about business strat...

In this episode, Derek Fredrickson, founder and CEO of The CEO Solution, dives deep into the strategic role of fractional CEOs and COOs during scaling. Discover what traits to look for in leadership teams, how to overcome common scaling pitfalls, and the mindset shifts needed for sustainable growth. Derek provides true day to day Business advice, and the leadership challenges that go with that. Ma...

In this episode, Brad Nelms, founder of TekX, shares his journey from a 20-year career in entertainment behind the scenes to launching his own consulting business. He discusses the real challenges and lessons learned along the way, including managing business operations, leadership challenges, adapting to industry shifts post-Covid, start up sales and leveraging technology like AI. Main Topics Cov...

Building a Lighting Business: 20 Years of Growth, Ceo insights, Leadership Skills, and business culture with Sam Tamplin In this episode, Sam Tamplin shares insights from building TSL from a small lighting rental start-up to a nearly 100-employee company with international ambitions. Discover how strategic focus, investing in people and systems, and fostering a strong culture have driven his succe...

Explore the unique insights from a retired firefighter and paramedic on leadership skills, decision-making, and team trust under extreme stress. Discover how core principles from emergency service leadership translate into effective business advice. In this episode: Mark shares his journey from firefighting to writing a leadership book, highlighting the transferable lessons between fire service an...

Mastering the Art of Presentation and Authentic Communication with Salvatore Manzi. In this episode, Salvatore Manzi shares invaluable insights into public speaking, leadership communication, and how to show up authentically. Whether you're an introvert, a leader, or looking to improve your presentation skills, this episode offers practical tips to enhance your impact and connect more genuinely. M...