Live & Linking with Ashley Leeds

Here's another episode taken from my Live & Linking show, and this week I'm joined by Sarah Farmer, Founding Director of Bright & Brilliant Ltd. Sarah is an executive coach who specialises in imposter syndrome, confidence and leadership. If you've ever wondered whether you're good enough, questioned your prices or felt like someone might tap you on the shoulder and tell you...

This week I'm joined by Tracy Irwin, someone I know very well because we're accountability partners who catch up every Monday to keep each other on track. Tracy spent more than 20 years building and running a successful accountancy practice before making a huge life change. She sold the business, moved to Spain and now helps business owners build companies that support the life they actual...

Here's another episode of my podcast series taken from Live & Linking. This week I was joined by Rebecca Scoular, founder of Progress Partners. Rebecca has spent nearly two decades helping business owners gain clarity, make better decisions and stop getting pulled in every direction by the demands of running a business. If you've ever felt like you're constantly busy but not necess...

This week I’m joined by Si Elliott, Founder of Fabricx, behavioural science specialist, author, lecturer, and customer experience expert. Si has spent more than two decades helping organisations understand their customers better and create experiences that genuinely connect with people. We start by exploring what a brand really is and why it goes far beyond logos, colours, and clever marketing. As...

Business Fest South West, Visibility & Building Something People Want to Talk About Here’s another episode of Live & Linking and this week I’m joined by Gavin Harris, one of the founders of Business Fest South West. Gavin’s story is a brilliant one because not that long ago hardly anyone in the South West business community knew who he was. Fast forward to now and Business Fest South West...

What happens when you combine LinkedIn strategy with real sales expertise? You get a conversation like this. Ashley Leeds is joined by sales trainer and LinkedIn expert Niraj Kapur to unpack why so many business owners struggle with selling, undercharge for their services, and rely too heavily on social media without building genuine relationships. Niraj shares stories from his career in publishin...

Here’s Episode 100 of Live & Linking and what a brilliant way to celebrate the milestone. This week I’m joined by Melanie Goodman, LinkedIn trainer, marketing consultant, and one of the leading voices helping professionals understand how to use LinkedIn and Substack together. Melanie has spent years helping businesses turn connections into conversations and conversations into real opportunitie...

This week’s episode is all about one thing Accountex . I sat down with Caroline Hobden , Portfolio Director behind one of the biggest accounting events in the world, to talk about what actually goes into making it happen and why it keeps getting bigger every year. From the moment you walk into the Excel to the buzz on the show floor, Caroline gives a real behind-the-scenes look at what makes this...

This week, I’m chatting with Justin Ricklefs , founder of Guild Collective and author of Give a Damn . Justin joins me bright and early from Kansas City, coffee in hand, and we get straight into what really matters. Not just business, but life. Family, leadership, and why who you are matters far more than what you do. It’s one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about how you’re s...

In this episode, I chat with Ben Westerby, a fractional FD and business mentor who’s built a strong personal brand by doing something most people avoid… just showing up. Ben shares what it was like before LinkedIn became part of his routine, when he was barely posting, low on confidence, and unsure what to say. If that sounds familiar, you’re going to see yourself in this conversation straight awa...

Here’s the final episode of the BizFest SW Takeover, and it’s a proper mix of insight, energy, and real-world business conversations. I’m joined by Lisa Bailey-Brown, Jannice Jones, and Rachel Pearce, all of whom are gearing up for Business Fest South West. Each of them brings a completely different perspective, which makes this episode such a good listen. From life-saving innovation to workplace...

BizFest SW Takeover – Week 11 | Ethical Sales That Actually Work with Richard Palmer Tickets for Bizfest - Website: businessfestsw.co.uk I’m Ashley Leeds, The 15-Minute Guy. I help business owners get more visibility on LinkedIn using simple daily habits that take 15 minutes a day. Want more visibility on LinkedIn (in just 15 minutes a day)? Then get a detailed report to show your strengths and th...

This week’s BizFest South West Takeover episode is all about the real stories behind the businesses exhibiting at the event. I’m joined by Steve King from Exec Transfer , Laura Cubeddu from LC Virtual Admin , and Sara Watkins-Schmidt from Rent Assured and Sourced Living . Each of them is building a business in a very different space, but they all share the same goal. Helping people, growing throug...

Here’s Week 9 of the BizFest SW Takeover and this one is all about people. The people you network with, the people you sit next to at events, and the people you support when life gets tough. I’m joined by Alistair Gleave from G12 Business Networking, Paul Skinner from Backworld, and Maria Bailey from Grief Specialists as we count down to BizFest SW on 1st April. Three very different businesses, on...

This week’s BizFest SW Takeover is full of energy, honesty and proper business chat. I kick things off with Gavin Harris who joins me on his birthday to share the latest BizFest update. We’re just weeks away, there are fewer than 15 stands left, and the momentum is building fast. We talk about the pre-show networking events, the growth of BizFest South West, and why this is becoming the biggest bu...

BizFest SW is building serious momentum… and this week’s takeover proves it. In this episode, I’m joined by Gavin Harris from Business Fest South West, plus three brilliant exhibitors who are getting ready to make an impact this April. We talk about: The race to a sell-out show The brand-new 2027 free stand competition Why standing out at events actually matters Websites that work properly, not ju...

Bizfest Takeover Wk 6 Sarah, Ricci and Leanda Get your Bizfest Tickets HERE https://bizfestsw.co.uk/ Are you running your business… or is it running you? In Week 6 of the BizFest South West Takeover, we get into the real stuff business owners are dealing with right now. Money worries. Marketing overwhelm. Event visibility. And how to stop winging it and start making clearer decisions. I’m joined b...

Bizfest Takeover Wk 5 with Emily, Terry and Sharon It’s Monday at 12.30 and we’re back with another Business Takeover as the countdown to BizFest South West continues. This week I’m joined by four brilliant people who all care deeply about how businesses communicate, lead and show up in the world. First up, Jamie O’Neill from BizFest South West joins me to share what’s coming up at this year’s eve...

BizFest SW Takeover Week 4 is here, packed with practical advice for business owners who want clarity without the chaos. Free Bizfest Tickets https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx? FormRef=BSW46Visitor Exhibit at Bizfest. - https://bizfestsw.co.uk/get-involved/ Ashley is joined by three guests: Jaiyé (reThink Your Perspective), Productivity Coach helping you manage what you do with your time (not “...

Bizfest Takeover WK 3 with   Tia, Adrian and Rebekah BizFest South West Takeover Week 3 is packed with the stuff business owners actually talk about when the cameras are off: AI that saves time (not just fancy tools), getting your head clear enough to make better decisions, and sorting the anxiety that shows up when you have to walk into a room full of strangers and “network”. Gavin kicks us off w...

This week on Business Fest, we’re talking about the stuff that makes your business look credible fast: PR, personal branding photography, and print that actually gets picked up and remembered. I’m joined by:Natalie Trice (Natalie Trice Publicity) on how to get visible without feeling intimidated by PRLucy Holding (Lucy Holding Brand Photography & Media) on helping camera shy business owners sh...

We're kicking off 2026 with a bang The BizFest SW Takeover is officially here! In this special launch episode, I’m joined by the ever-enthusiastic Gavin Harris from Fourfront Events, alongside the brilliant Kate Moss from Vranch House and performance coach Alan Olive.  We reflect on what made BizFest 2025 such a roaring success, from the vibrant energy on the show floor to the behind-the-scene...

Live & Linking #96 with Ben Westerby Ben Westerby is the kind of person you remember on LinkedIn, and not because he’s shouting louder than everyone else. But because he is consistent. He’s built a strong reputation as a fractional Finance Director and business mentor, and he’s done it by being consistent, being human, and leaning into what makes him different. And that includes the Friday jok...

Live & Linking #95 with Nicky Dunn and Friends This is the final Live & Linking before Christmas, and we’re going out with a bang (and a few dodgy Christmas hats). I’ve got the wonderful Nicky co-hosting with me, and we’ve lined up three fantastic guests to help us reflect, laugh, and share a bit of wisdom from what’s been a wild, wonderful 2025. First up is Kate Manton , coach, facilitato...

Live & Linking #94 with Heather Barrie This week’s guest is Heather Barry, a brilliant goal achievement strategist who doesn’t just talk about setting goals—she shows us how to actually achieve them.  If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at SMART goals or felt like traditional methods don’t quite fit the way you work, this one’s for you. Heather’s M.A.R.S.T.A goal-setting method is a total game-cha...