Two pints of lager and a spreadsheet

We're joined by Mark Bryant, founder of Media Partnership and Film Hero. Hear how Mark got into media, from working in radio, to starting his own award-winning business. We discuss the excitement of starting your own business, but the culture shock, imposer syndrome and isolation that comes with it. You'll hear us cover, being a specialist instead of a generalist, networking events and how...

We’re joined by Stasher CEO and co-founder Jacob Wedderburn-Day. We chat through Jacob’s journey and what it takes to develop an idea into a venture-backed company with a global presence. You’ll hear us discuss how the simplest idea is often the most successful, turning adversity into an opportunity, being recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 and the importance of focusing on the customer. Along with...

We’re joined by Tristan Watson, co-founder of Field Trip Supplies and Chairman of Ignite Accelerator. Tristan talks us through his journey as an entrepreneur, accelerators and adventure. You’ll hear us discuss a health scare that led to a brilliant new business idea, the thrill of gaining your pilots license, the value of accelerators and why you should always start a business that you’re passiona...

We’re joined by CEO and founder of Car Credible, Jae Chalfin. You’ll hear us cover what life is like as a repeat entrepreneur and the importance of getting the right people onboard. How Jae started out as a shipbroker and explored many career paths before embracing his entrepreneurial background. We also discuss the highs and lows of launching a start-up and why you don’t need to be supremely pass...

We’re joined by CEO of Hedgehog Lab’s Sarat Pediredla. You’ll hear Sarat reflect on his journey, from starting out with a small team and big ideas, to being a global consultancy with over 120 employees and becoming a mentor others. We also cover the story behind the company name, raising multiple rounds of investment, the essential skills entrepreneurs need, being a young arrogant entrepreneur and...

We’re joined by Co-founder and COO of RideTandem, a tech for good transport company focused on smart commuting shuttles outside of big cities. You’ll hear how RideTandem enables more than £3m in wages for passengers around the world. Along with why when starting out as founders, it’s important to leave egos at the door, everyone has to muck in and do the unglamorous to maintain a high velocity. Yo...

Billy Webber has returned! In this episode we cover business growth and all things funding. You’ll hear all about XR Therapeutics recent investment journey, the never-ending questions, challenges and setbacks. Along with what it’s really like to work with venture capitalists and how it differs from working with angel investors. You’ll also hear us discuss avoiding burn out, creating new job roles...

We're joined by renowned finance coach Oliver Deacon. Oli talks us through his journey, from working at Microsoft, finding his Ikigai and travelling back to the UK to become a finance coach. We discuss the importance of a growth mindset, how to be successful, what it's like to launch a business on your own, OKR's, finding time for continuous improvement and so much more.

We’re joined by co-founder of Vida Creative, Ellen Hedley, who quit her job and started the business from the back of a camper van while travelling around Europe. You’ll hear us discuss why you should stay true to yourself, hiring based on culture and what it’s really like to work with your partner. She also tells us about her experiences on a business accelerator when first starting out, her love...

We’re joined by Managing Director of Sigma7's Intelligence Fusion platform, Michael McCabe. You’ll hear how Mike’s life changed from door security to working for the Saudi royal family. We cover Mike’s roles over the years from joining the army as an intelligence analyst, to becoming a tech start-up founder. You’ll also hear how Mike succeeded by applying the foundations of what he learned in...

Find out about Jo’s journey over the years, having worn many hats including designer, developer, start-up co-founder and now CEO of Ignite Accelerator. We discuss starting your own business and why, with the right approach, it might lead you somewhere you could never have imagined. Jo talks us through how the accelerator works, the process behind creating a cohort, including weighing up if people...

We're joined by Paula Harrison, director of Layers Studio and Co-founder of Biblio Limited. You'll hear us discuss why the best decisions should scare you a little bit. Why you shouldn’t stay in a job just because you’re comfortable, comfort doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be better somewhere else. How Paula knew that she needed a more sociable job and took steps to make a change. The value of th...

We're joined by Ron Ashtiani, chairman and co-founder or Big Thursday Creative. You'll hear us discuss the rollercoaster ride that's stating, growing and exiting a business. Learning when to let go and take a step back from your business. What it's really like to sell your business and hand over the reins. Ron's journey as an artist and a founder. As well as why you should alwa...

We're joined by Jim Mawdsley, Principal Advisor for Events and Culture at Newcastle City Council. Of course we're covering Jim’s passion for music and his dislike for agents. You'll also hear us discuss the magic behind a gig and what made Jim want to get into the sector in the first place. All things culture and what's next for Newcastle. Organising Newcastle's Evolution Festi...

We’re joined by Jon Leighton, Director at Land Digital. We’re discussing how as a business owner, you have to make mistakes, in order to learn and grow. Why you shouldn’t ask for advice, but you should ask for their story. How everyone has a different working style, preference over how they’re managed and where they work from. We also cover Jon’s journey as an entrepreneur, from running a pub, to...

We're joined by Jamie Hardesty, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at Sunderland Software City. We’re discussing the fall that changed his life forever, what life is like in recovery and the impact it has on your mental health. Along with how Jamie got into journalism, communication and the tech sector having left university with a history degree. We also discuss the importance...

Find out how Gary got into tech, starting out as the world’s okayest programmer, to establishing and leading the UK arm of global cloud accounting platform Xero. Hear why building a culture isn’t about having a book of rules to follow, it’s about adding to it and evolving as you grow. Why Gary’s mum is more famous than him and all about the power of the Xero community. You’ll also hear us discuss...

Ever wondered about the importance of art in community settings? What it’s like to study art and how your career can progress? What it’s like to complete an MBA and the structure it brings to your experiences and thoughts? We’ve got it covered in this episode thanks to our latest guest, Katherine Pearson, Managing Director at Flo-culture. You’ll also hear us discuss culture and creativity in the N...

Join us as we chat to Patent Attorney and Definition IP founder, Claire Rutherford. In this episode we discuss how you become a patent attorney and what it’s like. Why your job should make you freak-cited, freaked out but equally excited. Making yourself uncomfortable in order to grow. Finding the ideal business partner, someone who’ll keep you honest. Home vs office working and the impact on juni...

Maddie Rippon Freelance General Counsel is back by popular demand. Join us as we discuss all things travel, seeing the world and why we opt for visiting places once. Why starting a business comes with a few years of hell before take-off. The importance of knowing your fellow founders and investors along with what can happen when you don’t. Business disasters and the lessons learned. Along with the...

We're joined by Paul Smith, OBE, Co-founder of Teamhouse. In this episode we discuss travelling around the world and the stigma attached to different places. Pauls Twitch Hiker journey (Travelling around the world, raising funds for charity thanks to support from Twitter users!), along with the fact that the world is full of good and very similar wherever you go. The news and why we always hear th...

We’re joined by Oli Krishnan, Head of Accountancy Partnerships at Starling Bank. In this episode we’re discussing the importance of putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, continual self-improvement and being yourself as people buy into who you are. We’re also discussing the differences between traditional and digital banking, the overlap between sport and business management.

In this episode we're joined by Head of Company Creation at Newcastle University Rick McCordall. Join us as we speak about the importance of enjoying what you do, building trust, learning from your mistakes, and everything that you experience when exiting a business. Alongside the support available for aspiring young entrepreneurs, launching a business and intellectual property.

We're joined by CEO of Atlas Cloud Pete Watson. Join us as we discuss how mentoring is a vital ingredient to any business journey. The importance of an open culture and being transparent with your team for business success. Creating a supportive environment, the attributes of leadership and the significance of a clear vision. Alongside our thoughts on the investment landscape going into 2023.

In this week's episode (The last of the year!) We're joined by pitch trainer and XR Therapeutics CEO Billy Webber. Tune in to hear all about the art of public speaking and why it’s never going to be as bad as you think it’ll be! Getting tongue tied and if your talk does go wrong how to own it. Combating anxiety, the drive to make treatment as accessible as possible and being involved in a business...