Meet The Owner

What does it really take to build multiple successful businesses while balancing family life, stress, ambition and personal growth? In this episode of Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden Hall sits down with entrepreneur, property investor and construction expert Parm Bhangal for an honest and inspiring conversation about business, mindset and success. Parm shares his journey from being a shy and nervous...

A fascinating, down-to-earth conversation with Martin Castleton, Managing Director of Aureum Insurance Brokers, as he joins Steven Dryden-Hall on Meet the Owner. From growing up in Milton Keynes and working on the market as a teenager, to building a successful career in insurance and eventually launching his own brokerage, Martin shares the real story behind the business. Hear how a chance opportu...

In this episode of Meet the Owner, host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Jeff Hill, a former detective chief superintendent with over 30 years in policing, now co-founder of a specialist security consultancy working with high and ultra high net worth individuals. Jeff shares a fascinating journey from his early life in the East End of London to a long and varied career in the police, tackling ser...

A remarkable life story of determination, resilience and community leadership. In this episode of Meet the Owner, Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Milton Keynes legend Melanie Beck MBE to explore a journey that began with leaving school with no qualifications and grew into a career spanning marketing, major retail developments, international sport governance and community leadership. Melanie shar...

Steven Dryden Hall is back with another engaging edition of Meet the Owner, joined by entrepreneurs Samantha Paul and Rachel to talk about the fast-growing Solo Connects singles events business. From school struggles and unexpected career twists to building a thriving events brand from scratch, this conversation lifts the lid on what it really takes to create momentum in business. Samantha and Rac...

From telesales and BMW showrooms to smoking ribs in a gazebo, this episode charts the full journey of Harp Gill, founder of The Rub BBQ. He opens up about walking away from the corporate world, starting with a 3x3 tent and family help, selling out his very first event, and learning the hard lessons of growth, burnout and nearly quitting altogether. Harp shares how sales skills, self-development, a...

Meet the Owner returns with a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation as host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Gemma, a multi-business founder operating at the heart of the UK beauty and media industries. From her early days managing a major nightclub to building a thriving salon, launching a self-tanning and haircare range, creating a national awards platform and founding a PR and mentorship bus...

In this episode of Meet the Owner, host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Saira Lawlor, founder of The Strength Barn, to explore the remarkable personal and professional journey behind one of Milton Keynes’ newest female-only fitness spaces. Saira opens up about her early life, growing up with Irish and Fijian heritage, her school years, and the confidence struggles that quietly shaped her relatio...

Steven Dryden-Hall takes a deep dive into Mario's life from his early years driving swanky sports cars and running nightclubs with all the hedonism and debauchary that come with it, to his current business, an award winning Italian restaurant Fratelli in Woburn. This conversation rolls through his journey from Luton school days to investment banking in London, the wild nightclub years, and the lea...

Steven Dryden Hall sits down with long-time friend and personal trainer Jason Bone. Packed with hilarious stories, raw honesty, and inspirational moments, this conversation takes you from their wild early-20s adventures in Australia to Jason’s rise as a top London trainer working with celebrity clients. Jason opens up about moving out at 15, rebuilding his life after a near-fatal car accident, dis...

In Episode 15 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall catches up with Alvin Printwhistle — the comedy performer, singer, and all-round showman who went from selling firewood as a kid to driving an Aston Martin and starring as Elvis in the West End. Alvin shares stories from his early gigs and comedy shows to running a catering business and launching his own talent agency. Full of laughs, hear...

In this compelling episode of Boom 7: Meet the Owner, Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Ronnie, the unforgettable “Diamond Geezer.” From a high-flying career in the diamond trade—travelling with millions in precious gems, navigating the cutthroat world of Hatton Garden, and dealing with brutal heists—to hitting rock bottom and rebuilding his life, Ronnie shares an extraordinary tale of resilience...

In Episode 13 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with DJ O'Neal — the ex-basketball-playing banker turned serial entrepreneur behind the UK’s leading kids’ hair salon chain Shortcuts and the bold new nacho brand Nacho’d. From building salons with Lamborghinis and PlayStations, to launching nachos from his garage and dreaming up a kids’ shoe brand mid-slushy delivery, DJ reveals...

In Episode 12 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall chats with Iain Row, the founder of Prominent Media and the mind behind Fintrano — a powerful app designed to revolutionise how tradespeople and customers connect. Iain shares how a burst pipe and a missing plumber sparked the idea, explains the app’s Uber-style tracking features, and delivers candid business insights including why success...

In this captivating episode of Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with Vincent Macaulay, a man whose incredible journey has taken him from the streets of Liverpool to the heart of British basketball. From founding the Milton Keynes Lions to meeting icons like Princess Diana and Michael Jordan, Vincent’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and relentless passion. Hear how he transformed...

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall welcomes Suzanne Brown, the inspiring founder of Al’s Pals, a charity providing emotional support to cancer patients and their families. Suzanne shares her journey from various careers—including fitness, fundraising, and law—to founding a charity in memory of her father. She opens up about the challenges of running a non-profit, the import...

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with the multi-talented Dr Hazel Roberts to explore her fascinating journey through multiple businesses. From a successful sticker business to artisanal jams and chutneys, a Scottish holiday rental, and her involvement in MK Eats and local food events, Hazel shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. She opens up about her ca...

In this episode of Boom 7: Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with Peter Taylor, the visionary founder of the MK Breakers basketball team. Peter shares the incredible journey of building a successful basketball academy and teams in Milton Keynes, detailing the rapid rise of the club, the challenges he’s faced, and his ambitions for the future. From developing young talent to creatin...

In this heartfelt episode of Boom 7: Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall is joined by Rachel Fielding from St Mark’s Meals, a Milton Keynes-based charity ensuring no child goes to bed hungry. Rachel discusses the charity’s mission, how meal boxes help families in need, and the challenges of addressing invisible poverty in a community that often masks it. Learn about their innovative meal boxes...

In this episode of Boom 7: Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with Andrei Lussmann, the visionary behind Lussmann’s Sustainable Kitchen, which has recently opened its doors in Woburn. Andrei shares his incredible journey in the hospitality industry, from his early days in boarding school, where he discovered a knack for food trading, to working with top brands like Pizza Express and...

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall chats with Chris Walthew, the founder of Climb Quest, a dynamic climbing wall business. Chris delves into his entrepreneurial journey, sharing the highs and lows of building a unique, family-friendly venture. Discover the challenges he has faced, how he navigated them, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re a...

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Ellis Potter, the visionary behind the popular Riverside Hub in Northamptonshire. Discover the story behind this incredible family entertainment center, often described as a “mini Disneyland,” complete with soft play, go-karts, mini-golf, climbing walls, sensory rooms, and more. Ellis shares his journey, from his initial rel...

Our guest is local food entrepreneur Steve Reid from Friars Farm and the Northampton Cheese Company talking about his pop up shop in Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes and his business journey. https://www.friars-farm.com/about-us/ @northamptoncharcuterie @northamptoncheesecompany Music by BlacKeys

On this episode Steven talks, laughs and reminisces, with Hayley Procter; the owner of Scribble Consultancy. Hayley brings energy, change and results to businesses of all sizes, whether she is planning a large-scale event, meeting for an accountability call with the CEO or developing marketing campaigns with a difference and has a truly unwavering positive attitude and relentless enthusiasm for wh...

In the Meet The Owner podcast series by Boom 7, Steven Dryden Hall interviews local business owners about their journeys. In the first episode, he talks to Chris Gregg, the MD of Revolution Radio. Chris shares insights into starting a radio station, the challenges of selling advertising for a new business, and the importance of trust in business relationships. They also discuss the impact of the p...