How It Is

Vicky Jones shares the reality of building an insurance and employee benefits business from nothing, including redundancy, financial hardship, and the imposter syndrome that comes with working alongside global brands. In this episode, Vicky discusses starting her career on a factory floor at 16, the redundancies that pushed her into self-employment, and surviving on £73 a week Job Seekers Allowanc...

Applying for an FCA licence? Before you start your own application, meet the person who's helped hundreds of independent car dealers get through theirs. In this episode of How It Is, we sit down with Jade, a compliance officer at The Compliance Guys, who joined the company nearly four years ago with zero compliance background and a CV full of hospitality jobs. She walks us through her unlikely...

In this episode of How It Is Podcast, personal trainer and nutrition coach Dan from EAT PT gives us the honest unfiltered truth about weight loss jabs, supplements, and long term body change. Dan breaks down how Ozempic, Mounjaro, and the latest GLP-1 drugs actually work at a scientific level, shares real client transformation stories, and talks openly about the emerging risks around muscle loss,...

Ever wonder how to actually stand out as a personal trainer when the fitness industry feels completely oversaturated? It’s not about flashy marketing or copy-and-paste meal plans it’s about changing the entire way you do business. In this episode of How It Is, we break down exactly how to break through the noise, build real client authority, and scale a premium fitness business. Our guest shares h...

In this episode of How It Is, Ross Chambers reveals his subprime finance secrets for making car finance more accessible and shares his incredible journey into the business of UK lending. We dive into the raw reality of the "Pits of Hell" sales floor, the strategic moves behind major banking mergers, and how Ross is now leading the charge for financial inclusion with Finnhclusion. Why wat...

In this episode of How It Is, Ross Chambers (Founder of Finclusion and Neuro Neds) pulls back the curtain on the raw reality of living and leading with ADHD and OCD. We unpack why the current education system is broken for neurodiverse children and what can be done to help us excel. Ross shares the backstory to his diagnosis and of his career from the fear of being "caught out" to discov...

In this episode of How It Is, Leigh Rowland, Director of FEAR Financial and Property Hotspot Sales, delivers a high-stakes business masterclass on scaling through economic chaos. We unpack the strategic mechanics of navigating a "mortgage meltdown" , the shifting borrowing mentality of Gen Z , and why viewing compliance as a "protective barrier" rather than a "deal killer&...

In this episode step inside the mind of an international official in this exclusive refereeing masterclass with professional WRU referee Ben Whitehouse. This episode provides a technical and psychological blueprint for officiating at the highest level while exploring how the rugby world can improve referee recruitment, retention, and the management of high stakes pressure. What you will learn:- Th...

In this episode of How It Is, business disruptor Leigh Rowland pulls back the curtain on the "Zero Point" of entrepreneurship, sharing the raw reality of building a property empire from a £20 Amazon cardboard desk in his daughter's bedroom. We unpack his high-stakes transition from a decade in the voluntary sector to the cutthroat world of finance, revealing how he survived a frozen lockdown marke...

In this episode of How It Is, international rugby referee Ben Whitehouse shares the raw, unfiltered truth of life behind the whistle, blending resilience, high-stakes policing, and a battle for survival. We unpack the "car crash" games that led to death threats, the reality of working 12-hour police shifts in Newport, and the harrowing moment Ben developed sepsis and was told a day longe...

What does it really take to build an online coaching business you love while living with ADHD, imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs? In this episode of How It Is, Nick and Jon sit down with online Coach Danni to unpack the mindset, sacrifices and consistency it takes to create a life you love as a coach and entrepreneur. Danni shares how she built her online coaching business from scratch, why a...

In this episode of How It Is, ex-military Coach Danni shares a battle-tested blueprint for sustainable fat loss for women, blending mindset, moderation and simple systems that stick. We unpack why women’s fitness mindset beats motivation, how to escape all-or-nothing thinking, and the real psychology behind food, dopamine and cravings. You’ll learn how to make progress with injuries, build strengt...

Olympian turned charity leader Rachel Clift joins How It Is to unpack how BEN the automotive industry’s House of Wellbeing tackles mental health and workplace wellbeing across the automotive industry. Drawing on her elite hockey career, Rachel Clift explains the Olympian mindset, practical resilience habits, and how BEN supports people facing anxiety, bereavement, and the ongoing post-Covid pressu...

In this episode of How It Is, we sit down with Ben automotive industry charity CEO Rachel Clift to unpack automotive mental health and workplace wellbeing across the sector. From rapid post-incident response and a confidential hotline (8am–8pm Mon–Fri with 24/7 support outside hours) to prevention, outreach and measurable ROI (around £7 return for every £1 invested), Rachel explains how Ben automo...

In this explosive episode of How It Is, Jon is joined by Laura Jones from DSG to uncover the jaw-dropping reality of today’s motor trade. From a £500k fraud case and a murder conviction, trying to get FCA authorised? Laura reveals what really happens behind the scenes of the motor finance world. We dive deep into compliance, dealer onboarding, and the challenges of fraud prevention in an industry...

When DSG approached Laura Jones to lead a bold new division focused on independent dealers, her answer was simple: "No." But what followed was a total game-changer for car finance. In this episode of How It Is, Laura reveals how she went from a reluctant leader to becoming a part of building DSG Connected, a powerhouse division that reshaped how independent car dealers access finance and...

Are Schools Failing Our Kids? In this episode of How It Is, we sit down with Jayne Brewer from 2B Enterprising to ask the big question: Is the education system preparing children for life or just for exams?2B Enterprising is working directly with schools to enhance the academic journey by delivering real-life skills that often get left out of the curriculum. They understand that schools only have...

2B Enterprising is on a mission to build the next generation of entrepreneurs starting in primary school. In this episode of How It Is, we sit down with Jane, one of the powerhouses behind Bumbles The Adventures in Honeywood, to explore how enterprise can be introduced into the curriculum in education, transforming classrooms across the UK. From teaching 6-year-olds confidence and communication to...

Trust is the best marketing strategy. In this powerful episode of How It Is, we explore why trust has become the single most important factor in marketing and how consumers are now more likely to believe a TikTok creator than a traditional ad. As AI rapidly reshapes how products are found, recommended, and sold, we ask: are agencies still needed or is trust the only thing that can’t be automated?...

Dealers relying on Auto Trader alone are falling behind. In this episode, Jon Wilson from Social Tap shares how to supercharge your digital marketing using Google, Meta, and smarter lead generation strategies. If you're in automotive or marketing and want results that actually convert, this one's for you. In this episode of How It Is, Nick and Jon sit down with Jon Wilson, founder of Socia...

In this episode of How It Is, Nick and Jon sit down with Matthew Westaway, CEO of Voyc AI, to unpack truths no one tells you about investment, Angel Investors, Startup Growth and How to Think like a FounderYou’ll hear what it really takes to transition from employee to entrepreneur, why most startups fail before they begin, and how to build a data-led business that grows without losing its soul. I...

Is traditional software dead? In this eye-opening episode of How It Is, we talk with Matthew Westaway, CEO of Voyce, about how AI is replacing software, are AI agents replacing us and what that means for regulated industries like finance and automotive. We break down how real-time AI tools are helping businesses: - Stay FCA compliant - Save thousands in manual call reviews - Improve customer exper...

Too Much Knowledge Can HURT Your Sales?! The brutal truth about what works in sales and the Best Sales Tips so you can become a Best Seller. In this episode of How It Is, Nick and Jon dive into the unspoken rules of high-converting conversations, revealing why scripts can sabotage your success, how storytelling closes deals, and what customers really care about (hint: it's not your company).Wh...

In this video, we reveal the truth about why our business works while most others don't. Learn about the importance of a strong partnership and scaling a business model for success. Nick and John, co-founders of The Compliance Guys, break down what it takes to build and grow a business together without the drama. From understanding your role as a director vs “owner”, to making ego-free decisio...

Get an inside look at Octane Finance as they battle financial fraud and lead through loss. Learn how they navigate challenges and protect their clients from fraud. In this episode, we uncover how the team at Octane has navigated the emotional and operational difficulties of losing co-founder Dan Kirby, while continuing to lead the way in financial fraud prevention and business culture. You’ll hear...