Success Means Business

In this episode,  @Nicola-Sands  sits down with AI founder Travis Ralph-Donaldson to unpack what's really happening beneath the hype of artificial intelligence and where the biggest opportunities are emerging for founders and businesses in 2026. From the future of on-device AI to why outcomes matter more than features, Travis shares the lessons he's learned building AI platform Niter and...

In this episode of Success Means Business, Nicola Sands sits down with leading business and innovation expert Erica Wolfe-Murray. Erica's ability to help hundreds of small businesses grow with innovative and varied ideas has earned her a reputation as the 'Delia' of business. Her impressive background as a creative leader and financial director has given her a unique perspective and when it comes...

In this episode of Success Means Business,  @Nicola-Sands  sits down with James Ashford, founder of GoProposal, about his journey from running a marketing agency to creating a software business he sold for a major exit. James shares practical strategies and personal insights such as overcoming pricing challenges, how to productise services and how to feel confident with pricing conversat...

In this episode of Success Means Business  @Nicola-Sands  sits down with Joanna Scott-Aspray, CEO of The Cheshire Club, one of the region's most renowned and rapidly expanding business network groups. If you've ever wondered how to walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with opportunities, friendships or even a little magic, this episode is for you. Joanna shares the honest trut...

In this episode of Success Means Business,  @Nicola-Sands  sits down with agency founder, bestselling author, and leading business coach Jonathan Leafe to uncover the real truth about running a creative agency. From the accidental beginnings of many agencies to the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that drive real growth, Jonathan shares candid insights every agency owner needs to...

Blaire Palmer is one of the UK's top leadership coaches, a best selling author and a keynote speaker. She works with organisations and individuals to help them drive real change in their businesses and create places where people can come and do their best work. In this episode, Blaire talks to Nicola Sands about the many challenges of leadership in an ever-changing landscape as well as the incredi...

Diane Watson is an award-winning entrepreneur, leading financial advisor and best selling-author. In this episode, Diane talks about her own path to success and how sheer determination and focus took her from humble beginnings to tremendous success in a male dominated environment. Diane has been a practising financial planner since 1994 and grown a successful business whilst balancing family life....

In this episode, Nicola is joined by Innovations and Growth Specialist Gillian Kavanagh. Gillian is an experienced entrepreneur who currently works for Innovate UK to help ambitious business owners who want to innovate and grow. Gillian has a rich background when it comes to spotting talent in the business world and has helped the careers of some very well known entrepreneurs including Alexander M...

In this inspiring episode of  @SuccessMeansBusiness  Sands delves into he remarkable journey of Carole Nash OBE, a trailblazer in the motorcycle insurance industry. Known for her innovative approach and commitment to customer service, Carole has transformed the way motorcycle insurance is perceived and delivered. The conversation explores Carole's early life and how it shaped her career...

In this episode, Nicola Sands meets Jess Paul - a dynamic professional actor and branding strategist who has taken the LinkedIn world by storm! In just a few weeks she has amassed thousands of followers and continues to captivate audiences with her unique insights and engaging content. But Jess is more than just a LinkedIn sensation, she's a marketing powerhouse. Leveraging her unique background i...

In this episode of  @SuccessMeansBusiness  Nicola Sands sits down with David Murray - a highly skilled negotiator who has agreed hundreds of media deals with the biggest sports federations in the world. For 15 years David was Head Of Sports Rights at the BBC where he negotiated multi million pound deals with major sports rights holders like the Olympics, the Football Association and Form...

Welcome to another wisdom-packed episode of the @successmeansbusiness podcast with me, Nicola Sands. This episode features the fabulous Rob Sethna - an Entrepreneur and Business Coach with 30 years experience in the Creative Sector. After running his own successful businesses, Rob now works for Manchester Growth Company and has helped hundreds of creative businesses in the North West to grow and t...

Few detectives could claim to match Bob Taylor's incredible record. His 30 year career saw him head nearly 50 investigations where every killer, rapist and kidnapper he hunted ended up behind bars. In this episode he tells Nicola Sands how this amazing legacy in the police force owes much to his dogged determination and ability to enter the minds of the criminals he tracked. The high profile cases...

Ex footballer, Entrepreneur and TV Star Joe Sealey talks candidly to Nicola Sands about his life story, the huge challenges he's faced and his determination to overcome them. Born into a family with a rich legacy in football, Joe is the son of Manchester United footballing legend Les Sealey.   A talented footballer in his own right, Joe was signed by West Ham and a promising career beckoned u...

Journalist Nicola Sands meets Dan Scott, one of the UK's leading eyewear stylists who styles people 'from the neck upwards' Featured in the prestigious Financial Times (FT) Dan is quickly becoming a rising star in the optics industry. With a vision to shake up the world of eyewear styling, he is gaining recognition for his unique perspective and fresh ideas. The former pop star's journey to succes...

In this episode, Nicola Sands is joined by renowned investigative crime journalist Sheron Boyle on @successmeansbusiness The tenacious journalist who, over four decades has broken countless exclusives in the best selling UK newspapers, has repeatedly proved she is not afraid to confront murderers, con men, cheats and wrong doers. Sheron speaks candidly about the changes she's witnessed in journali...

In this episode, journalist and entrepreneur Nicola Sands is joined in the studio by leading Consultant Plastic Surgeon Andrea Marando to talk about his incredible journey to reach the top of his profession. This is the first time he has ever spoken in such detail about his career, his beliefs and his strategies for success. Mr Marando shares a fascinating insight into the mindset of a cosmetic su...

In this episode, Nicola Sands meets the northern property powerhouse that is Mark Dransfield. His undiagnosed dyslexia led to him leaving school with just two GCSE's but he went on to build a multi-million pound property empire across the UK. Mark's company, Dransfield Properties has become one of the leading regeneration developers in the country turning blighted and rundown areas into thriving a...