Stronger Business Together

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Colin Beard, founder of Prosperity Care and Wellbeing. Colin shares his journey from starting in social care at age 16 to founding his practice in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He details how the business has scaled into a large regional employer delivering 11,000 hours of care per week across Gloucestershire and the Southwest. The...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Andie Spragg, founder of the Wholistic Wellness Centre . Drawing from her background studying human biology alongside medical students at King's College London and overcoming her own severe gut health struggles, Andie explains her mission to uncover the root causes of chronic health conditions without relying solely on prescription medications. T...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Paul Newton, co-founder of the offline marketing agency JHET . Paul shares his 20-year background in print and direct mail marketing, detailing how he and his business partner established JHET three years ago to deliver modern, performance-led direct mail campaigns. They explore how offline marketing targets "attainable luxury" brands (like trave...

In this episode, host Granger Forson speaks with Stew O'Reilly, a trained professional actor and filmmaker who runs Home Run Films . Stew outlines how he uses drama to produce engaging, nimble marketing and learning-development training videos for clients ranging from small local charities to global corporations. They explore the realities of transitioning from corporate employment into running a...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Balve Baines, founder of Purple Square AI , to explore how conversational artificial intelligence is transforming guest experiences in the independent hospitality sector. Balve shares his transition from a 15-year career as a corporate presenter to launching a digital startup after recognising the heavy, repetitive administrative...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Dan Lewis, founder of Worcester-based estate agency Free Agent 24-7 . Dan shares his 20-year journey in real estate, from skiving college at 16 to launching a unique hybrid agency in 2018 with just £6,000. They discuss Dan's unique fee structures (including a buyer-funded model and a split-fee option), the importance of focusing on current client...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Caroline Macdonald, founder of Ogadoon , a guerrilla communications agency specialising in reputation and brand building for inspired business owners. Caroline shares her journey of starting an agency in 2012 to break down the traditional silos between PR, social media, and digital marketing. They explore how she evolved her busin...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Jordan Pockett-Ford, a personal trainer based in Worcester who specialises in strength training for middle-aged women. Jordan outlines how he built a resilient, 60+ client business—transitioning from an employed head coach to launching his own studio after a sudden business closure in 2020. They discuss the physical and long-term bone-density ben...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Jason Turner, co-founder of Bristol-based accounting firm TurnerBerry Accountants. Jason shares how he and his business partner transitioned a side-hustle into a thriving, full-time practice in under two years. They discuss the power of serving local tradespeople, the advantages of proactive tax planning to prevent HMRC penalties, and a deep-dive...

In this episode, Granger Forson is joined by Myles Arnott, co-founder of Full Stack Modeller and a seasoned Fractional Finance Director. Myles outlines his dual-hatted career: managing a lean online platform that trains finance professionals to master Excel, while simultaneously helping growing SMEs (£3m–£5m turnover) scale their financial infrastructure. The conversation covers the dangers of sca...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with health insurance expert James Weaver, who runs a WPA Healthcare Practice franchise covering Cheltenham and the Cotswolds. James shares his journey from 40 years in corporate sales to building a client portfolio of 750 lives undercover. They explore how private health insurance acts as a critical "safety net" for families and small...

In this episode, Granger Forson is joined by Rob Cockle, founder of Business Insurance Partnership (BIP) . After 30 years as an insurance broker in corporate environments, Rob set out in 2019 to launch a firm focused on B2B clients, deep advice, and long-term relationships rather than aggressive sales targets or frictional corporate profits. Rob shares how he built a business centered around a sin...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Dan Holland, co-founder of Signature Stays, to discuss the rapid growth of his short-let property management business. Dan shares his transition from corporate finance in London to building a family-run business in Cheltenham that manages 35 properties (targeting 75 by the end of the year). They explore how serviced accommodation offers landlords...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Al Keck, an e-commerce growth specialist with 26 years of digital experience who successfully exited his previous agency after 21 years of operation. Al walks through his extensive history—from building Cotswold Outdoor's initial e-commerce infrastructure during the 2000 dot-com era to driving early growth for brands like Rapha and Reader's Diges...

In this episode, host Granger Forson is joined by Andy Coghlan, an adept customer experience and digital transformation consultant who runs CX Strategy. Andy shares insights from his 30-year career navigating global enterprises and explains his current passion for migrating his expertise to help local small businesses thrive. They discuss the immense power of managing an online reputation through...

In this episode, Granger Forson sits down with Marta Bagan, a Krav Maga instructor and certified Wim Hof Method instructor. Marta details her journey from spending 20 years in corporate hospitality management to launching a "soul-led" business dedicated to helping high-functioning women overcome people-pleasing, overthinking, and toxic environments . They explore the difficult mindset shift of mov...

In this episode, Granger Forson is joined by Dr. Emmanuel Akpe, a medical professional turned business stress management consultant who runs TSM Wellness based in Cheltenham. Dr. Emmanuel unpacks why traditional, abstract wellness approaches like generic mindfulness fail and argues that stress must be treated as a tangible business risk. Drawing from his medical background and international experi...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Stuart Richards, co-founder of Nomadic Washrooms Limited , to trace his journey from a husband-and-wife start-up to a thriving nationwide group of companies turning over £1.25 million. Stuart shares how a rustic vision for his own wedding led to creating high-end "shepherd’s hut toilets on wheels," disrupting a legacy industry by matching premium...

In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Leonard Carey, the founder of Dampsmart , to discuss how sensor technology and data analytics are transforming the housing sector. Leonard shares his professional journey from pioneering Near Field Communications (NFC) in the UK telecoms industry to engineering unobtrusive, self-install hardware that tracks moisture, ventilation, and insulation i...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Holly Siddall to explore the human side of running a modern accountancy firm. Holly tracks her journey from working as an independent bookkeeper to founding her own practice in 2007 out of a desire to treat clients with deeper respect and transparency. They discuss how her firm has evolved into a comfortable, systemised agency bas...

In this episode, host Granger Forson is joined by David Powell, calling in from Sydney, Australia. David shares an incredible 33-year entrepreneurial journey that began with a first-class degree in chemical engineering, followed by an overland Land Rover expedition from London to Australia . These formative experiences combined to pivot his career from the physical world into general management an...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Granger Forson sits down with Angus Landman, a psychotherapist and former commercial property professional who bridged both worlds to build The Practice Rooms . From a single centre in Bath, the business has organically expanded into a nationwide network of 32 therapy hubs, supporting a community of nearly 2,000 therapists. Angus shares his deeply spiritual, n...

In this episode, Granger Forson sits down with Claire Gilchrist, a certified relationship and divorce coach based in the Cotswolds . Claire shares her powerful personal transition from managing an events venue in her family home to launching her own coaching practice after navigating the trauma of a marriage breakdown . They discuss the growing, globally recognised field of relationship coaching,...

In this episode, Granger Forson is joined by Christopher Charles Wiggin, an experienced leader who built a major legal presence in Birmingham before transitioning into a portfolio of non-executive roles . Chris shares his journey of "knocking on doors" to break into the competitive Birmingham insurance market and his success in building a dominant fraud department . They explore why culture is the...

In this episode, Granger Forson speaks with Matt Spry, co-founder of RODA, a hybrid advisory and technology firm that designs "performance systems" for ambitious leaders. Matt explains the powerful concept of the Flywheel—a series of repeating activities that build momentum and compound over time. They discuss the transition from pure consulting to a software-plus-advisory model, the importance of...