Leeds Business Podcast

In this week's episode we speak to Alex Craven, ex-Founder of Bloom Agency and now CEO and co-founder of The Data City. Alex tells us about the launch of his first business, Bloom Agency, one of the first digital businesses in the UK, ​w​hat Alex describes as a mind-bending receivership meeting​, getting rid of 385/400 clients​ and the huge growth triggered by 2008 financial crash​. INTRODUCING AL...

In this week's episode we speak to Russell Bisset, founder of Northern Monk brewery. Russell explains to us the key role his Grandmother played in launching the business, the importance of collaboration in business, particularly in the early days and the different challenges that direct to customer, off-trade and on-trade bring. He also shares with us his ‘Apprentice Challenge’ solution to big bus...

This week we speak to Martin Wolstencroft, Founder & CEO of the company behind Banyan, Manahatta or Box. Amongst other things, Martin discusses the four features you must have to ensure your business is a success. He also tells us how he re-mortgaged his house and put EVERYTHING on the line to launch his first bar in Headingley, why and how he streamlined 10 different bars into three distinct...

In this week’s podcast we meet Jacob Hill, MD of Offploy. Jacob tells us all about his start-up at the age of 19 that brought him business awards and £300,000 of angel investment but also talks about the mistakes made that brought it all crashing down. He then shares with us the story of his arrest and subsequent prison sentence that changed his life forever, and the positives that have subsequent...

In this week's episode we speak to Lee-J Walker, joint MD at TheBusinessDesk.com. Lee explains to us the essential business skills learnt from being an engineer AND an army reservist, the importance of understanding different cultures when doing business internationally and, from his own experiences, what to look out for when doing an MBO. He also tells us why 3.5million people per year read the B...

In this episode we talk to Founder and Owner of AllGood branding agency. Along with his near-fatal brain haemorrhage, Paul talks to us about the power of NLP, why his branding agency only offers clients one design option, how a masterful example of business creativity in a cinema visit won a client pitch, gives us some tips on business networking and explains how DIY on your house can be an inspir...

In this week's episode we speak to Adam Smith, CEO of Surplus to Purpose. Hear how an almost successful suicide attempt took Adam to Australia and opened his eyes to the global food waste problem, how he went about solving it, first with the worldwide Real Junk Food Project and now Surplus To Purpose; a pro-planet social enterprise. You'll also hear about the toxicity of the hospitality industry,...

In this week’s episode we speak to David Richmond who tells us about growing a one-man sticker company into a 500 person mega-business serving the likes of Argos and the government and how a costly error triggered its sale. He also shares how a drink in a swimming pool sparked the launch of a nationwide taxi firm and how Covid destroyed it all. And he ends with how that actually gave birth to his...

In this week's episode we speak to Howard Moss, Owner & CEO of Astonish. Howard explains how the company, founded by his passionate and entrepreneurial father, has developed from the ‘panic & chaos of early days’ on Meanwood Road to competing with the likes of P&G and Unilever. He tells us how installing basic processes moved the company forward, introduces us to a legendary sales pers...

In this week’s podcast we speak to Helen Oldham, Board Director at the UK Business Angels Association. Helen discusses how she moved the two major Leeds newspapers out of the iconic Yorkshire Post building and the challenges (and learnings) that that brought, shares loads of great information for investors and entrepreneurs in the early stage investment landscape and teaches us what should be in t...

We speak to Chris Black, Managing Director of Sound Leisure, who are the manufacturers of one of the coolest products coming out of Leeds… jukeboxes! Chris explains how a broken piece of electronics inspired the launch of the business over 50 years ago. He also shares with us the ups and downs of running a family business, how Brexit, then Covid, almost destroyed the business, the way the pub smok...

In this week's episode we speak to Stuart Clarke MBE, Festival Director for the Leeds Digital Festival and Owner of Paceline Strategy & PR. Stuart explains to us what start ups and scale ups most need, how and when to (or not to) source external funding, how the Leeds Tech map came about and all about the amazing annual Leeds Digital Festival. He also talks about how to build a community. INTR...

We speak to Simon Gray, Founder & CEO of Boost Drinks. Simon tells us how the company started and grew, the benefits of out-sourcing much of his operation, the ups & downs of sponsoring Leeds United and how a surprise £30million deal to sell the business came about. He also teaches us how to create a virtual business... INTRODUCING SIMON GRAY In June 2001, as a graduate fresh out of Leeds...

Phil Fraser speaks to Jane Slimming, CEO of Leeds digital agency, Zeal. Jane explains to us the importance of company culture on a business how it saved her business after 70% of revenue disappeared, and how she now helps other businesses to develop their company culture. She also tells us about her near-death experience and how it changed her, and her business, forever. Plus you’ll also learn how...

Queen of Mean from TV's The Apprentice, Linda Plant, tells Phil Fraser about how she grew, sold and then bought back her business for hardly money 18 months later. She shares her five top tips for running a successful business, explains what makes a good business plan and tell us all the secrets from behind the camera from her nine series (and counting) appearances on The Apprentice. INTRODUCING L...

Phil Fraser speaks to Ajaz Ahmed who built Freeserve, a company that went from a 'eureka moment' to a multi-billion pound valuation in just three years. Ajaz tells us how he did it and the key ingredient that powered its amazing success. He also tells us how you can get amazing FREE marketing advice from supermarkets, why Simon Cowell is the best business advisor and the secret trick to an effecti...

Phil Fraser speaks to Richard Flint, the man who built SkyBet into one of the biggest tech companies in Leeds. Richard explains how SkyBet’s 'wrong' decision to focus on interactive TV in the early days actually ended up making the move to mobile betting a speedier success as well as the importance of integrating SkyBet products into SkyTV AND the multiple reasons why SKY plc eventually sold 80% o...

Phil Fraser speaks to James Brown, author, journalist, broadcaster and media entrepreneur and most famous for launching the era-defining lads mag Loaded. In a wide ranging discussion we get to dig deep into his brilliant autobiography ‘Animal House’ and his journey from his Headingley-based home-made fanzine to NME, Loaded, GQ and beyond. He tells us where the inspiration for loaded came from, how...

Phil Fraser speaks to Lisa Shepherd and Saskia Roskam about their north Leeds business, The Biskery; a business built on ‘the power of kindness’. Lisa and Saskia tell us how their hobby turned into a real business following a cold email from Penguin books, how Covid drove, rather than killed, their business and how their ethos and values drive everything. They also teach us how to harness the powe...

If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal business journeys and entrepreneurial lessons learnt of Leeds business owners then this is the podcast for you Leeds Business Podcast, on a weekly basis, brings you fascinating, impressive and inspiring Leeds business owners, each with their own unique business journey ta...