The Business Spotlight Series

In this episode of The Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote chats with Luke Richards, founder and director of Black Cat Entertainment, to explore the journey of building a successful indie game studio. Luke shares how his love for games, storytelling, and creativity led him to form Black Cat, initially with friends who shared a similar passion. He explains the challenges and rewards of launchi...

Rachelle Yarnell is a girl from a small town in northeast Ohio with big dreams. She started her career as a stylist, built clientele, developed relationships, and has established a strong business across multiple local salon locations and education & training programs across the globe. She wears many hats, and she is the one that decides what hat she wears! Rachelle is in the “business of peop...

In this episode of The Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Andy McLoughlin, Managing Director of Intermediate Technology Transport Limited. Andy shares his inspiring journey from Liverpool to leading an innovative consultancy focused on transport infrastructure in developing countries. Learn about the pivotal moment when Andy and his colleagues acquired the company amidst the p...

Join Heather Frierson on the Business Spotlight Podcast as she engages in a compelling conversation with Lynn Fischer, the founder and COO of KMAK Capital. Lynn shares her remarkable career journey, which began in the corporate world with top-tier marketing companies like Gallo Family Wines and Dreyer's Ice Cream. Transitioning into the wine industry, Lynn developed several successful brands befor...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, we feature John Doyle, the owner and managing director of John J Doyle, a nearly century-old family business. Under John’s leadership, the company has diversified into both commercial chimney flue systems and retail fireplaces, serving a range of sectors from offices, schools and data centres. Having navigated major challenges over the years, John has built a...

Our guest on the Business Spotlight today is Alex Sanders, the newly appointed CEO of Pinnacle Construction Partners. Alex shares his insights on his transition from real estate developer to leading a construction firm.  Alex talks about the relationships he values and attributes his success to them.   You’ll hear about his thoughts on Pinnacle's go to market strategies and the importance of creat...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, Peter interviews Ciaran Conroy, founder of Lloyd & Cowan Veterinary Recruitment, a company dedicated to connecting veterinary surgeons and nurses with job opportunities worldwide. Ciaran began his career in IT recruitment, but his farming background and conversations with veterinarians about industry shortages sparked the idea to adapt his expertise to ve...

Sam Fletcher is the Managing Director of 21 Digital, a full service in-house results oriented business growth digital agency. They are currently celebrating 21 years in business and are looking to expand nationally from their very solid northern base. They have  also set up a very successful academy for young aspiring digital professionals to start and grow their career with 21 Digital or further...

In this episode of our Business Spotlight series, Tom O'Kelly talks with Dave Kelly from CrossFit Green https://www.crossfitgreen.com/ - Dave tells of his journey from banking to fitness. Offering personalised coaching and training programs for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. Focusing on building relationships with members and providing the expertise to help them achieve their goals. C...

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing @Keith O'Neill from Novus Diagnostics https://novus-dx.com/ - Keith and his team are developing a novel platform technology to diagnose infections faster than currently possible, initially targeting acute hospital settings. Addressing the significant global issue of sepsis which kills about 11 million people annually and costs health systems an estimated...

This is such a great story. And it's about the crreation of childrens stories by Mike Gaunt and his team. It's suberb! Mike can't get a publishing deal which is madness. So he's come up with a different route to market. Enjoy! Turmali is a perfect mystical world, set high in the sky and is made up of seven lands. The lands are connected by Rainbow Bridges that are powered by Tourmaline Gemstones....

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Simon Lavin, Executive Director at Artel Rubber Holdings Limited, for a deep dive into his journey from early aspirations in farming to tech and eventually to leading a manufacturing company. Simon shares candidly about the entrepreneurial roadblocks and triumphs he's encountered, detailing Artel’s niche in polymer-base...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Carl Pickess, Managing Director of Kent Wastewater Services, a family-owned business with over 20 years in the wastewater industry. In this inspiring conversation, Carl shares how he built his company from the ground up, motivated by a commitment to fair pricing, honesty, and customer satisfaction.  Carl discusses the challenges of managing a family business, m...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, Peter sits down with Kate Speers, owner of Ivory & Pearl Bridal Boutique. Since opening 12 years ago, Kate has built a unique business featuring a collection of wedding dresses from emerging designers not found elsewhere in Northern Ireland and Ireland. With a hands-on approach and a strong support team, Kate has learned the importance of delegation and t...

Cranes Drinks produce a range of premium alcoholic drinks which include: Cranes Ciders; Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur and Cranes Cranberry Gin. Cranes Ciders come in three different flavours: Blueberries & Apples; Cranberries & Limes and Raspberries & Pomegranates. Only natural ingredients are used in the production, resulting in them containing 30% fewer calories than br...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Malcolm Palmer, Founder and Managing Partner of A4G, an accountancy firm in Kent dedicated to supporting owner-managed businesses. Malcolm shares his journey from entry-level accountant to building A4G into a firm focused on value-added services that help clients with cash flow, decision-making, and wealth building. He discusses challenges in the accounting ind...

In this Business Spotlight interview, we get to hear from Matthew Gibson, owner of Gibson's Electrical & Lighting.  Matthew shares how he's enjoying his business and successes now, but it wasn't necessarily always like that. Starting the company during the housing crisis/recession led to some long days and sleepless nights.  One of the keys to his success was doing the work in the business dur...

Our guest on this episode of the Business Spotlight is Terry White, Principal at Purser White Architecture here in Nashville.  Terry's passion for drawing and design dates back to his early  childhood.  Hear Terry share his experience working as an intern at the premier design firm in Cleveland and his support of the design of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  He'll also share his path to Nashville...

In this Business Spotlight interview, we hear from Sonia Mackay Chief Executive Officer at All Talent Agency. Sonia tells us her story how it has been exciting and very challenging to build an ACTING and MODELLING agency, nearly 20 years on, to become one of the main players in Scotland. For more information visit:  https://www.alltalentagency.co.uk/ You can get in touch with Sonia Mackay here on...

In this Business Spotlight interview, we hear from Chris Stevens, CEO of Kangaroo Self Storage. A well qualified individual and working in the corporate world, Chris decided to follow his passion and run his own business because quite simply he wanted to do his own thing! This, coupled with a background in civil engineering , Accountancy and Retailing, gave him the tools and confidence to launch i...

Recently I had the opportunity to interview @Craig Mulhall, the co-founder of https://powercutclothing.com/ - providing a range of high quality branded athletic and everyday wear available online and through retail outlets such as Dunnes Stores where Powercut has concession shops. With ambition to grow into a global brand, Craig highlights their unique story to success. Connect with Craig on Linke...

Join Heather Frierson on the Business Spotlight Podcast as she interviews Michael Xia, founder and CEO of PHD Energy. In this insightful episode, Michael shares his extensive background in battery technology, including his 30 years of academic and professional experience and his work with Professor John Goodenough, the father of the Lithium Ion Battery. Michael discusses his journey from academia...

Join Heather Frierson on the Business Spotlight Podcast as she sits down with Nate Donham, founder and CEO of Freedom Atlantic. In this episode, Heather and Nate dive into the compelling journey of a retired special operations officer who transitioned from the military to entrepreneurship. Nate shares his story of building Freedom Atlantic, a company dedicated to creating innovative, cost-effectiv...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Lee Sadd, Co-owner and Managing Director of Safety & Management Solutions, a leading health and safety consultancy and training provider in Kent. Lee shares his journey from joining the family business in 2008 to expanding its services and becoming Managing Director. They discuss the importance of collaboration, empowering employees, and fostering a culture...

Discover the inspiring story behind Dennis Distribution, a family business with roots that trace back generations. Founded by Katie's great-great-grandfather with just a horse and cart, the company has grown into a successful operation with a fleet of vehicles serving diverse customers. In this video, Katie shares valuable insights gained from her 40 years of leading the business in a fiercely com...