Leeds Business Podcast

Imposter Syndrome expert, Clare Josa, is this week's guest. In this episode we discuss how you can beat Imposter Syndrome. You'll learn what are the symptoms of Imposter Syndrome. Plus the five key steps to beating Imposter Syndrome and how to help someone with Imposter Syndrome. Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological experience in which a person su...

Kate Hutchinson’s events company went from potential disaster to huge growth during the pandemic. Listen how chance meetings and recommendations have powered her business growth and how she's now growing her events company in the sustainability sector. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal business journeys a...

James Ooi, the founder of Little Bao Boy tells us how he transitioned from a career in sales to launching a successful street food business, starting from a side hustle in his flat to expanding into multiple locations. James shares insights on the challenges of building a food business, the importance of building a personal brand, and the strategic moves that helped Little Bao Boy thrive. Tune in...

An argument in the vets was the spark for today’s guest. Listen as Paul Hallett of VET AI discusses what’s important when raising funds, the supportive business eco-system of Leeds, the extra benefits that strategic investors bring and …… bank accounts for pets ! If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal business...

Join Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media, as she delves into her inspiring journey. Discover how Claire navigated personal tragedy to become a successful business owner, the challenges of taking over an existing company, and the lessons learned from international PR coverage. Claire also shares her unique 'Top 20 Reasons' exercise to help your business refine your marketing messages. If you're looki...

Introducing Simon Walton, Managing Director of Berry's Jewellers. We discuss the history of Berry's, the challenges and advantages of running a family business and the expansion of their stores. Simon shares insights into the luxury watch and jewellery industry, including the importance of building relationships with brands and the unique challenges of selling high-value items, including the dange...

Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of Hazel Savage, a trailblazer in AI and music tech. Discover her unique insights on entrepreneurship, and her experiences in building and selling a successful AI company. Hazel shares her candid thoughts on the challenges and triumphs of innovation, offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you're looking for a business and entreprene...

Join us as we dive into the amazing journey of Danielle Best, founder of Mexi Bean Express. Discover how she navigates the challenges of balancing multiple business ventures, from launching a restaurant during COVID to expanding into yoga and sweets. Danielle shares her insights on resilience, innovation, and the importance of having the right team behind you. If you're looking for a business and...

Join Faresh Maisura as we explore the journey of launching a business post-employer administration, the significance of mentoring and the impact of business courses. Discover insights on lead generation, public sector challenges, and the power of community support in entrepreneurship. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through...

Listen to one the best connectors in the Leeds business eco-system; Gordon Bateman. Gordon discusses his business background and a series of fortunate accidents that led to one of the biggest events on the Leeds business calendar. He also gives us a great networking tip. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal...

Amanda Cook launched her business after a failed MBO followed by a discussion over a pint of Guinness. Listen how she tells us about the importance of networking in the building of her business, how much support there is out there for businesses and and why cash is king. We also discuss Leeds United and aliens…. Although not in the same sentence! If you're looking for a business and entrepreneursh...

Running a business can often be compared to riding a rollercoaster.  From small beginnings in his kitchen to £1m orders from M&S and winning awards to cashflow problems and crashing back down, today’s guest, Greg Fraser has ridden that rollercoaster.  Listen to Greg’s amazing  story and you’ll learn so many business lessons. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship...

Today’s guest runs a 1000 staff, 45 location, £300m turnover business. AND he’s a 6th generation family owner. Hear the fascinating story of Howarths Timber, the successes and failures of the business, how you manage such a huge entity and the family-owned aspects that power it. There's also learnings from the failures the company have experienced too. From sawing down trees to AI, this episode is...

Jordan Appleson left school to go into employment at 17. He then went on to found, and sell, one of the most successful Leeds tech businesses. Listen as a chance conversation sparks a business idea, how a pivot really changed the business, the reasons for an abandoned PE raise and how a cold email turned into a business sale. Along with the undoubted successes there’s lots of ‘we didn't do this so...

Today’s episode with Tracy Fletcher covers her time in banking and recruitment, with some great advice for YOU when YOU recruit staff, and then we discuss Smart Works Leeds where she is The Chair. Listen not only to what Smart Works Leeds does but, more importantly, how you can support and get involved with this much-needed and highly effective charity. If you're looking for a business and entrepr...

Angel Investment. What is it? Who needs it? What should you include in your agnel pitch deck? What are the pitfalls to look out for? And much more. Martin Avison heads up Leeds-based Angels Groups and gives us some insight into the complex world of Angel Investment. INTRODUCING MARTIN AVISON Martin Avison is the founder of angelgroups and Incluziv, with extensive expertise in investment, investor...

How many times have you thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool to run a bar’ . Today we talk to someone who’s done exactly that…. And owned a brewery too. As you might expect it’s not as easy as you might think…. He also drops a few truth bombs like ‘As a start up business owner you do roles that you a) haven’t been trained for, b) don’t like and c) aren’t very good at.' Hear also the great free item that...

Two letters are dominating business at the moment. A and I. But what is it and more importantly, how can it help your business? Today we speak to Jeremy Smith, Founder of Neural Voice about his AI business, how it came about, what it can do and the stresses and strains of raising the funding for it. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educa...

From nightclubs to huge corporate events and how a 1970s ice-cream van led to the launch of a premium ice cream brand. Meet today’s guest, Dirk Mischendahl, MD of Northern Bloc. As well as the devastation that Covid caused on the business, there’s also loads more fascinating tales, and learnings. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate...

What happens after the cameras stop rolling when you win The Apprentice? After hearing her story last year (give it a listen If you haven’t yet - link below) we caught up with 2024 Apprentice winner, Rachel Woolford, to find out what’s been happening in the business since she won, how she spent the £250,000, the ups (and downs) of being a winner and how much is Lord Sugar involved? If you're looki...

Matt Cheshire, CEO of the Needs Group offers a VIP concierge service to the rich and famous. Matt has over 25 years of experience providing quality services to a variety of clients. Matt tells us how he got into this fascinating niche sector, how he deals with people who never get told no, the ups and downs caused by Covid and the importance of pampered pooches to the business. If you're looking f...

This week we speak to Graeme Hall, Executive Chairman of Brandon Medical. Graeme shares with us a great template for turning around a failing business, navigating selling into the NHS, the importance of company culture and values and also gives a simple, but really useful guide on how to start exporting. If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and...

Mark Roberts is an entrepreneur, investor, innovation coach and now a published author. Listen as Mark explains the unique trigger that made him quit corporate life to launch his start up, how appearing on This Morning created huge problems for his business and a secret fact you never knew about Pringles. There’s also a brilliant ‘How to’ if you're looking to scale your start up. INTRODUCING MARK...

What would you do if you had 15 minutes to get out of your home? Listen to the amazing story of Ukrainian refugee, Yana Smaglo. Yana discusses the business she built, and had to leave behind, in Ukraine, how she set up a new business in the UK and how she ended up on Dragons Den, getting four offers and winning investment from Stephen Bartlett and Deborah Meaden. Yana also shares her experiences o...

The most popular Leeds Business Podcast episode ever. For many, turning a hobby that they love into a paying business is the ultimate dream. This week I speak to Dan Moylan & Michael Normanton of The Square Ball, who’ve made that dream come true. Listen how they describe how personal financial problems demanded that it became a paying success, the multiple revenue streams that power the busine...