Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Lucy shares how her upbringing in Salford shaped her entrepreneurial journey—building businesses with nothing but determination, learning on the go, and taking risks without fear.   From launching an events company with no experience to co-founding a distillery with her sisters, Lucy's story is one of grit, blind confidence, and figuring it o...

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Ryan Williams, the entrepreneur behind the viral media sensation It’s Gone Viral. Ryan shares his journey from struggling with academia to discovering his passion for IT and ultimately building a thriving social media empire. We explore how Ryan turned a side hustle into a multimillion-pound business, the challenges of balanc...

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we explore the journey of Hattie Pearson. A Manchester based radio DJ whose resilience and passion drove her to become successful in a very competitive area. From being a trailblazer in education, navigating the evolving media landscape, and embracing unexpected paths in life, including triathlons and creative ventures, we get to hear about t...

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we meet Charles Burdett, a designer-turned-entrepreneur who turned a “dumb little idea” into a global success story. Charles shares how his love of design, combined with resilience and curiosity, led to the creation of Pip Decks—a tool now used by everyone from corporate leaders to pastors worldwide. From scrubbing butcher shop floors to work...

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, Jackie Hyde shares her incredible journey of building a thriving insurance business while overcoming immense personal challenges. From navigating a traumatic accident and a cancer diagnosis to breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, Jackie’s story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on tur...

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we sit down with Phil Jones, the MD of Brother UK, a leading printer company based in Manchester.  Phil’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of personality. While he wasn't the top student in school, his passion, drive, and focus on self-improvement set him on a path to success. Phil opens up about how his unconventional...

In this episode of Greater Manchester’s Greatest Minds, we sit down with Vikas Shah, a true entrepreneurial trailblazer. Starting his business journey in his teens, Vikas went on to purchase his father’s textiles company, transforming it into a thriving business in today’s competitive market. We delve into his early ventures, the challenges of taking over a family business, and how he has navigate...

In this episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Naomi Timperley, a tech innovator, mentor, and community builder. From launching Baby Loves Disco to mentoring over 500 entrepreneurs, Naomi shares her journey of resilience and reinvention. We explore her Dragon’s Den experience, founding Tech North Advocates, and her mission to put the North on the global map. Whether you’re an...

In Episode 6 of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we sit down with personal branding trailblazer Ash Jones. As a pioneer in shaping personal brands across the UK - especially in Manchester - building the profiles of names like Gary Neville and Sacha Lord. Join us as Ash shares his journey into the world of personal branding, his experiences working alongside industry giants, and how he’s redefi...

In this episode, we talk to pioneer of local lager Will Evans— an adopted Manc who had a mission to make a beer that ‘tastes like home’ for Greater Manchester.  Will dreamt of having his own brewery since his first sip of beer as a kid and these days, he’s making his lifelong dreams come true. Owning ‘Manchester Union Lager’, ‘Wandering Palate’ in Monton and soon to open ‘The Trading Route’, a new...

In episode 4 of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Helen Hardy, a Geordie entrepreneur who moved Manchester. Helen is the founder of FOUDYS, the leading retailer of women's football merchandise. She shares how she found herself in this business and what she's learnt along the way. Listen to hear about Helen's climb to the top in women's football! 

In this episode, we sit down with Manchester-based founder Laura Pomfret, the visionary behind Financielle—a platform empowering women to take control of their finances. Unlike traditional financial advice, Laura’s approach addresses the unique challenges women face, providing resources to help them budget, tackle debt, and build lasting wealth. She shares her journey from spotting a gap in financ...

In this episode, we talk to Bury-born marketing genius Dan Kelsall—a marketer who’s built and exited his own agency, working with brands like Ladbrokes, Coral, and KFC. Unlike most marketers who stick to safe, predictable moves, Dan specialises in helping startups and small businesses grow from scratch, with a twist. He’s Manchester’s leading brain for help startups stand out and making brands unf...

In the pilot episode of Greater Manchester's Greatest Minds, we chat with Dan Sandler, a South Manchester-born entrepreneur behind multiple successful businesses, including QR code table service, a car rental company, and 'Damage Control,' an app that tracks existing damage in rental cars.   Dan shares his journey, lessons from the tech world, and insights on solving everyday problems through inno...