Episoder
-
Dinosaurs, Bear Hunts and Monopoly.
This week we have a slightly different episode as we speak to Andrew Cooper, Chief Exec of LeedsBID. LeedsBID has recently been voted in for a third term after a resounding endorsement from businesses in Leeds city centre - its Chapter 3 to run from April 2025-March 2030 will see the BID invest £18.2m back into the city centre through an array of projects, events and activities.
Have a listen as we discuss what LeedsBID is, what it does and how you benefit from it. We also discuss ESG, CSR and ASBs amongst other three letter acronyms and where did the Dinosaurs, Bear Hunts and Monopoly come from?
The business surgery answers the question; “I’m keen to develop my management team’s skillset. What areas do I need to look at in terms of leadership training?”
INTRODUCING ANDREW COOPER
Andrew is Chief Executive of LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District). Andrew is responsible for leading the work of LeedsBID as it invests over £14m in its current 5-year term through an aspirational and exciting project plan to transform Leeds city centre, bringing commercial benefit to levy paying businesses and enhancing the experience of all city users.
Prior to arriving in Leeds, he was Chief Executive of the Bath BID for eight years and credited with putting Bath on the map through a host of high-profile business events, including Bath in Fashion and the Great Bath Feast, which both won awards. Andrew also helped secure over £4m of economic investment in the UNESCO World Heritage city.
Andrew also served as the inaugural chair of the BID Foundation, is a High Street Task Force expert and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Place Management.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:00:00] What is Leeds BID
[00:01:10] Boots, Town Partnerships and Bath
[00:05:00] Getting kids into the workplace
[00:09:00] ESG and CSR explained
[00:14:30] BIDs, their funding and their position in the political spectrum
[00:07:00] 'Managing' city centres
[00:23:00] All about Leeds BID and the pandemic
[00:31:00] Dinosaurs and Monopoly
[00:38:30] How to create a culture in your business
[00:44:00] Business Surgery
[00:50:00] How to get involved with Leeds BID
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Websites: https://www.leedsbid.co.uk/ https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/ https://welcometoleeds.co.uk/
Training at LeedsBID - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/training-at-leedsbid-15782347473
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cooper-59751029/
Shout out: http://www.mysolomon.co.uk/
This is a test to see if anyone reads shownotes. If you read this drop me an email to [email protected] and you’ll get a shout out on the next episode.
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (and also mentioned in the episode)
-
This week we speak to Jamie Roberts Chief Investment Officer at YFM Equity Partners.
I took the opportunity to ask Jamie everything we all need to know about taking Private Equity in your business.
Even if you’re not looking at inward investment right now, there’s tons of great stuff in here including what PE houses look for, where the power really lies and the importance of doing your ow due diligence on any potential PE partner.
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING JAMIE ROBERTS
Jamie Roberts joined YFM in 2012 and is Chief Investment Officer and sits on the Board and Investment Committee. Jamie leads all the Investment and Portfolio activity across the UK. Since joining YFM Jamie has directly led and supported dozens of investments across all YFM funds. Jamie is passionate about social inclusion having led YFM’s first internship programme and works with a charity that focuses on less advantaged students to show them the opportunities that are available to them outside of their immediate network.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01:30] What is ‘private equity’?
[00:02:45] How would a company benefit from private equity?
[00:07:00] Where strategic input from private equity comes from
[00:12:00] The downsides of a company taking private equity
[00:17:00] How to choose the right PE company for your business
[00:22:00] What private equity money can be used for
[00:27:00] What PE houses look for in a business pitch
[00:30:00] Successes and failures in private equity
[00:38:00] How to find the right type of investor in your business
[00:42:00] Do PE houses chase businesses or is it the other way round?
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Private equity is not for everyone
• Management teams should do full DD on their potential PE partner
• There is a lot of investment money out there
3 MOMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
“It’s really weird how little time management teams spend on choosing the right equity partner”
“Management teams, have the power, not the funders”
“Why cant we just talk about mazing businesses… not the bad stories”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-roberts-446baa6/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/zandra-moore/ (invested in by YFM)
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/adam-oldfield/ (invested in by YFM)
-
Manglende episoder?
-
Have you got one of these Business Problems?
Welcome to the monthly, bonus episode of the Leeds Business Podcast, featuring the latest Business Surgery problems.
If you're a Business Owner, have a listen; you've probably experienced at least one, or more, of these problems..... and now you have a potential solution.
This month’s round up features the following business problems;
[00:00:30] "I’m constantly battling problems in my business. Can you recommend a system or process to solve them?” - with Kate Ball, Mini -First Aid
[00:04:00] "I have fallen out of love with my business. What can I do?" - with George Fairhall, WAC
[00:08:00] "Our team is growing and I’m recruiting. Any tips on writing job descriptions and roles & responsibility documents?” - with Adam Oldfield, Force 24
[00:13:00] "One of my key members of staff is causing a bad atmosphere in the team. She’s too important to sack. What can I do?" - with George Halston, Halston Group
THE FULL EPISODE OF EACH GUEST IN THIS COMPILATION CAN BE FOUND AT
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/kate-ball/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/george-fairhall/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/adam-oldfield/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/georgia-halston/
Business Surgery Compilation No 1 - https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/business-problems-solved/
WANT YOUR BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVING?
Email: [email protected] with your problem and Phil and future guest will suggest a solution for you
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey of launch, growth, scale and exit.
As well as hosting the Leeds Business Podcast, Phil now works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board (think somewhere between Business Coach and Business Mentor). In simple terms, he’s ‘a pair of ears and an extra pair eyes’ for SME Owners helping them to be better at what they do. Phil’s mantra is It doesn’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. He helps Business Owners to be better business owners, by helping with their clarity and focus.
As a Business Sounding Board, he gives SME Owners the time & space to regularly discuss their challenges and opportunities, with no sense of judgement or bias, and in complete confidence. This allows them to explore their options in full, culminating with a list of issues to address/clarify, a clear target in mind, a roadmap to success, and a renewed enthusiasm and confidence for the challenges ahead.
Want to work with Phil to help you? See
-
This week's guest is Dan Murray of Leeds-List.com
Dan tells us about the step from freelancer to business owner with just a ‘back of a fag packet business plan, how not being the same as other media owners causes problems, incoming growth pains and the benefits of the Chamber of Commerce and LeedsBID.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "I need to up my business sales. How do I even start putting a marketing plan together?"
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING DAN MURRAY
Starting his career in tech and then moving to marketing and media, Dan set out to create a new kind of media paradigm, not just another magazine or blog.
You Platform are a performance marketing agency melded with its own media outlets that uses live insights to ideate successful strategies and optimise during execution, using art and science to create content that people find valuable, and even fun.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] Launching the business
[00:07:30] Agency or media owner? And Leeds Lists
[00:11:15] The launch of the business, and some ‘mis-steps’
[00:19:00] Client offerings and content styles (reword this)
[00:22:00] LeedsBID and the Chamber of Commerce
[00:28:00] Business growing pains
[00:32:00] Business Surgery
[00:35:00] Dan’s biggest current problem (problems with scaling)
[00:39:00] How to….
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: https://leeds-list.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmurray/
Shout out: https://tred.earth/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/tred/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/anna-sutton/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/the-square-ball/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/phil-fraser/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey of launch, growth, scale and exit.
As well as hosting the Leeds Business Podcast, Phil now works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board (think somewhere between Business Coach and Business Mentor). In simple terms, he’s ‘a pair of ears and an extra pair eyes’ for SME Owners helping them to be better at what they do. Phil’s mantra is It doesn’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. He helps Business
-
This week we speak to Anna Sutton, Co-Founder of the Data Refinery.
For most of us building then selling one business would be enough. Not with today’s guest who, having sold one business, immediately launched a second one. Anna also shares with us the complexities of being the leader rather than the do-er, business growth pains and a chastening fund-raising exercise.
The Business Surgery answers the question; "'"We're coming up to annual appraisal time. Any advice?"
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING ANNA SUTTON
Anna Sutton co-founded The Data Shed, a Leeds based data engineering consultancy in 2013. Exiting to Hippo Digital in March 2023, Anna is now back in start-up land and in the process of taking her SaaS data integration platform, The Data Refinery, to market. The aim is to provide enterprise level data warehousing, insight and segmentation tools to small/medium sized businesses at a fraction of the cost.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] From employment to launching a business whilst pregnant
[00:05:00] The birth of the Data Shed
[00:12:00] Hiring staff and growing the business
[00:16:00] Growth pains and failed fund-raising
[00:24:00] Dealing with Covid through a structured team
[00:26:00] The importance of business coaching
[00:30:00] Leadership rather than being a do-er and scaling a business
[00:37:00] Exiting a business and the emotional impact
[00:48:00] Launching the Data Refinery
[00:52:00] How to define and track key indicators
[01:03:00] Business Surgery
6 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
Time to revenue and profit is much faster than building a product businessYou have to work with the business coach that is right for YOUThere's a huge difference between starting a company and scaling oneThere's lots of people really love giving advice. If you ask, people will help.You don’t need 38 KPIs. You need a simple clear set of numbers that help you get where youYour KPIs are nothing if you have inconsistent data below it are going3 MOMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
“We spent a good two or three years figuring out how we were going to make it work"
“I cannot do the thing that we are selling"
“There was a huge learning curve. I loved it but it was terrifying"
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: http://www.thedatarefinery.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sutton-the-data-refinery/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-refinery
Shout out: https://livve.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-sookia-bbab17248/
DON'T FORGET
-
For many, turning a hobby that they love into a paying business is the ultimate dream.
This week I speak to Dan Moylan & Michael Normanton of The Square Ball, who’ve made that dream come true.
Listen how they describe how personal financial problems demanded that it became a paying success, the multiple revenue streams that power the business, the impact promotion had on the business and the growing pains, including the effect on the business two major personnel leaving. And of course, the madness of Leeds United.
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING DAN & MICHAEL
Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton are co-owners of The Square Ball. Dan Moylan is a former nightclub and radio dj having worked previously at Metro Radio and GHR North. Michael Normanton previously worked at ITV selling advertising before working full time on The Square Ball.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] How Dan and Michael found their way to The Square Ball
[00:08:45] The finances in the early days and quitting jobs for the business
[00:16:00] Burnout and debt and the necessity to make it work, and bringing staff in full time
[00:22:00] The importance of Leeds United getting promoted
[00:24:40] The importance of Covid in the development of the podcast
[00:28:00] The various revenue streams of the business
[00:31:30] The effect of Leeds United’s performance on revenue
[00:34:00] The growing pains of becoming a ‘grown up’ business and major
[00:37:00] The issues caused by two main personnel leaving the business (and the solutions)
[00:49:30] Business Surgery
[00:59:00] The business strategy going forward
[01:04:00] Is making a hobby into a business a problem?
7 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• It’s important to keep reinvesting profits to develop the product
• Audio advertising rates are 7/8 times higher than video
• The more the business grows, the more demands it places on you
• There’s always ‘f…in’ something
• If you can’t not be there, you’ve got a job not a business
• They can’t all be 10/10. As long as they’re 7/10, or more, most of the time, that’s OK
• The key to growing a podcast is to think of your listeners in 3 categories; gold, silver and bronze
6 COMMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
“The original idea was that the podcast would get people interested in the fanzine. That’s now flipped.”
“I’m getting made redundant. Give this a go or get a proper job”
“It’s fine doing it part-time until ‘life’ gets in the way’
“I was under so much pressure financially and professionally”
“Going down might be one of the best things that happens to your business”
“Authenticity is key”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: https://www.thesquareball.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-moylan-0990b62a1/
Shout out:
-
Today we have the most amazing guest in Mike Bates. Ex Covert Counter-terrorism Operations Leader turned entrepreneur, public speaker and venturer.
Mike talks about his learnings from 20 years in the Royal Marines and counter-terrorism, what high performance looks like, the benefit of ‘hot debriefs’, the power of trust and so, so much more. You have to listen to this episode; it’s unlike any other we’ve done before.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "I'm struggling with giving feedback to my team. Any suggestions?"
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING MIKE BATES
Mike Bates is a human intelligence specialist and a former covert counter-terrorism operations leader, who recently became the fastest Britain to complete ‘Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge’ solo.
As the first officer in the history of the MOD to pass all relevant requirements to serve at the front line of the UK’s counter terror response, Mike's life undercover gave him a powerful and credible perspective on the human psyche.
Rooted in his personal experiences of fighting terrorists, tackling mother nature at her most powerful and attaining his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Today, Mike is a man on a mission to help others to become the best version of themselves. Drawing on his own unique, remarkable experiences he inspires and empowers others to live life without limits. Mike shares his awe-inspiring story to help you live a life without limits.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:03:00] Getting into the Royal Marines and learnings from it
[00:06:00] Afghanistan, Iraq and Ireland
[00:10:00] What does High performance look like and the benefit of feedback
[00:15:00] Business Surgery
[00:22:00] Under-cover counter-terrorism and the business lessons from it
[00:30:00] Stepping into Civvie Street and giving back
[00:40:00] Opening a business and lessons learned
[00:45:30] How to build unbreakable self-belief
[00:50:30] Next 45 – men’s health
4 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Without trust you can’t have high performance
• Feedback is a gift
• In competition you win or you learn
• You make more money as a small business than scaling to be bigger
4 MOMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
“Nothing good happens alone. You have to work as part of a team”
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”
“If we can keep everyone aligned, magic happens”
“I was having conversations with fish, the birds, the moon, the stars anything… just to be human again”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
https://www.mikebates.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bates-4b2a32201
https://www.graciebarraroundhay.co.uk
https://www.nxt45.com
Shout out: https://randcoffeeroastery.com/
DON'T...
-
Business Problems?
Welcome to the monthly, bonus episode of the Leeds Business Podcast, featuring the latest Business Surgery problems.
If you're a Business Owner, have a listen; you've probably experienced at least one, or more, of these problems..... and now you have a potential solution.
This month’s round up features the following business problems;
[00:00:30] "As a business owner, I've always got too much to do on my to do list. How do I solve this problem?" - with John Damonne, Salvos
[00:06:00] "I'm currently doing my business planning. How far in advance should I do my strategy?" - with Mark Fitzgerald Cooke, Intelligent Business Partners
[00:09:00] "What are the key things that I should put in an Angel Investment pitch deck?" - with Jordan Dargue, Lifted Ventures
[00:14:30] "When should a company consider bringing in external advisors and/or NEDs?" - with James Kempley, Troy Foods
THE FULL EPISODE OF EACH GUEST CAN BE FOUND AT
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/salvos/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/lifted-ventures/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/troy-foods/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/mark-fitzgerald-cooke/
WANT YOUR BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVING?
Email: [email protected] with your problem and Phil and future guest will suggest a solution for you
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey of launch, growth, scale and exit.
As well as hosting the Leeds Business Podcast, Phil now works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board (think somewhere between Business Coach and Business Mentor). In simple terms, he’s ‘a pair of ears and an extra pair eyes’ for SME Owners helping them to be better at what they do. Phil’s mantra is It doesn’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. He helps Business Owners to be better business owners, by helping with their clarity and focus.
As a Business Sounding Board, he gives SME Owners the time & space to regularly discuss their challenges and opportunities, with no sense of judgement or bias, and in complete confidence. This allows them to explore their options in full, culminating with a list of issues to address/clarify, a clear target in mind, a roadmap to success, and a renewed enthusiasm and confidence for the challenges ahead.
Want to work with Phil to help you? See www.philfraser.co.uk.
LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST
Leeds, Leeds Business, Business in Leeds, Nous of Fraser, Business Sounding Board, Business Coach, Business Mentor,
-
This week we speak to Georgia Halston, Group CEO of the Halston Group.
Georgia tells us about launching her own business, buying another one to add on to it, how she established her company culture pillars BEFORE she employed any staff, all about ‘green hushing’ and some incredible stats about our Very own NHS.
The business surgery answers the question; "One of my key members of staff is causing a bad atmosphere in the team. She’s too important to sack. What can I do?"
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING GEORGIA HALSTON
Georgia Halston is the Group CEO of Halston Group. The Group consists of Halston B2B, a B2B marketing agency and Sustainability Partnerships, a company bringing about sustainable change within healthcare.
Georgia is also co-founder of No Code Lab, a group looking to raise the profile of the no code movement.
She has eight years’ experience running businesses and 15years in the marketing industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01.45] Georgia’s early career up
[00:04:00] Launching a business
[00:09:15] Hiring staff and company culture pillars
[00:11:00] The first bump in the road
[00:15:00] Acquiring another business
[00:24:30] Sustainability Partners
[00:30:00] How to tell your green story
[00:37:00] Key learnings from your career
[00:40:00] Business Surgery
[00:44:00] The future of the business
6 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
Put your ego aside as the business owner; it’s not about youNo-one is irreplaceable in your teamBetter to have a hole in the team than an arsehole in the teamYou’re not Chief Executive Officer; you’re Chief Energy OfficerLeave the business purchase process to the expertsYour headcount is not a key metric4 BEST MOMENTS
“3% of all of the carbon in the UK is from the NHS
“The first company I worked with was a $15b, Fortune 500 company
“Even before I had staff I wrote down my core principles
“Have you ever heard of green-hushing”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
* Website - https://halstongroup.co/
* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-halston-7b353128/
* Shout outs; https://imagecoltd.com/
https://www.thebiskery.com/ Use code ‘LBP20’ for 20% off your order
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (as...
-
We ask everything you need to know about selling a business with Mark Fitzgerald-Cooke of Intelligent Business Partners.
Even if you’re not looking at selling right now, there’s tons of great stuff in here to get your house in order in preparation were you to ever do so.
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING MARK FITZGERALD-COOKE
Mark Fitzgerald Cooke is MD of business broker, Intelligent Business Partners. He has over 30 years helping people buy and sell cars, homes and businesses in the UK, Europe and Asia, working with brands like AutoTrader, Rightmove, Zoopla, proptech start ups and now with Intelligent. He is believed to be the only person whose feet were on EastEnders AND is related to former American President JFK.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:15] The key steps in selling your business
[00:05:00] Understanding how to value your business
[00:11:00] Types of ‘multiples’
[00:14:00] How to prepare your business for sale
[00:18:00] The four key questions buyers will ask
[00:22:30] What to expect with purchases and transition periods
[00:27:00] Protecting against problems with earn outs
[00:31:00] All about due diligence
[00:37:00] What happens to the money in my business bank when I sell
[00:42:00] The common mistakes business buyers make
6 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
Put a business sale timeline in place early Think like a buyer when you sellTwo similar businesses doing the same numbers can easily be valued differentlyFind a business agent that has sold businesses like yoursMake yourself easy to buyGet the right legal partners in place4 BEST MOMENTS
“By the nature of your business, it will be unique to a degree and therefore comparable values may not be there”
“We can only sell what we can evidence”
“long trading business adds value”
“People, product, processes are key to preparing your business for sale”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: https://www.intelligent.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fitzgerald-cooke-a693662/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/mark-fitzgerald-cooke/
-
This week we speak to Adam Oldfield, Founder & CEO of Force 24.
Adam tells us about ‘forming, storming, norming and performing’, the dangers of having too much money in the business, how market pressure forced him to change the business offering and how he rejected, perhaps wrongly in hindsight, an offer to sell the business.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "Our team is growing and I'm recruiting. Any tips on writing job descriptions and roles & responsibility documents?”
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!
INTRODUCING ADAM OLDFIELD
After spending 20+ years in senior marketing roles, in 2010 Adam began a journey to develop a solution that allowed marketers to hold greater conversations with their audience at speed. He called it Force24 – now one of the in-demand marketing automation platforms in the UK.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00.00.00] Adam's early career
[00.03.45] merging two businesses, the pros & cons
[00.06.45] exiting one business and launching another
[00.12.00] Funding and growing the start up
[00.16.30] Changing the business strategy
[00.22.00] The problems in scaling the business
[00.24.00] Finding equity funding and a trade offer
[00.34.00] Spending PE money and Non-Exec Chairs
[00.38.00] Business Surgery
[00.43.00] The problems caused by having PE funds
[00.48.00] How to build a team to support scale
2 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
Recruiting 'troops on the ground’ quickly, doesn't workPE want you to spend their cash in a slow, diligent, controlled measured mannerVALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: https://www.force24.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/force24 https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-oldfield-7b5a1813/
Shout out: https://www.bobbledigital.com
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/kate-ball
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/george-fairhall
-
This week we speak to start-up founder George Fairhall all about her business journey to date with WAC.
If you'd been cheated out of £200 in wages over a two week period, what would you do? This week's guest used it as the inspiration for her business....
Hear how George has gone all the way from problem to solution via paper mock ups, pandemic launches and all the bumps in road that the journey has brought.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "I have fallen out of love with my business. What can I do?"
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING GEORGINA FAIRHALL
Georgina Fairhall is a female founder in tech, an award-winning entrepreneur, and a public speaker dedicated to supporting the lowest-paid employees nationwide. With first-hand experience working in the hospitality industry, she would always encounter a serious problem – she wasn’t getting paid correctly. George founded WAC and it has since become the go-to platform worldwide, to ensure every minute of work is accounted for, empowering hourly paid workers to break free from disorganisation and feel good about money.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] George’s background
[00:05:00] Where the idea for the business came from
[00:07:00] Starting the business and the benefits of an accelerator
[00:17:00] Going full time and the pandemic
[00:27:00] The challenges of fund-raising
[00:30:00] Business Surgery
[00:35:00] The current status of the business and future plans
[00:39:00] How to build an app-based business
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
· Pick the right level of accelerator for your stage in business
· a convertible loan is a great way to get early funding
· Conversion for subscription apps is 2-8%
3 BEST MOMENTS
"I paid my friend in beers to build my first mock up"
"I mailed 2,500 people on LinkedIn to find more funding"
"We launched the week before Covid hit"
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: https://www.wac.rocks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georginafairhall
Shout out tags: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sutton-the-data-refinery https://areoi.io/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a...
-
Kate Ball founder and director of Mini First Aid shares with us the family tragedy that inspired her to launch her business, tells us all about her successful appearance on Dragons Den (and how a McDonald's bribe helped seal the deal) and explains how, and why, the business is built as a franchise.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "I’m constantly battling problems in my business. Can you recommend a system or process to solve them?”
For more information on our sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and when you contact them tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
INTRODUCING KATE BALL
Kate Ball is the founder and director of Mini First Aid - the UK's largest specialist paediatric first aid training company training over 1000 families each week. Kate founded Mini First Aid following the sudden death of her brother, Matthew, from cardiomyopathy. As seen on Dragons' Den, Mini First Aid train over 1000 families each week in life saving first aid. Kate has made it her mantra to teach everyone how to save a life.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02.00] Kate’s background
[00:06:00] The source of the idea
[00:08:30] The death of Kate’s brother (inspiration from tragedy) positives
[00:14:00] The first training course…
[00:17:00] The launch of the business for real
[00:20:00] All about franchising
[00:27:30] Appearing on Dragon’s Den
[00:40:00] Working with Sara Davies
[00:46:00] The biggest problem so far
[00:49:00] BUSINESS SURGERY
[00:52:00] How to be the face of your business
5 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Early CPR and a defibrillator saves people’s lives
• Lots of positive language stops people being anxious
• The key point of franchising is that it’s a business in a box’
• As you grow all of your systems and processes have to grow with you
• Sharing a problem with your team is hugely beneficial
5 BEST MOMENTS
“I put the kids to bed, swept the baked beans of the floor, spread out some cushions and taught in the kitchen”
“Franchisees are an extension of ‘brand Kate’
“The due diligence for applying to Dragons Den is ridiculous”
“Dragons Den said, “the only kids you can use are your own”
“We had a year’s worth of franchise enquiries within 24 hours of the show airing”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Phil’s PITA Patter problem-solving technique - https://philfraser.co.uk/how-to-be-your-own-sounding-board/
Kate on Dragon's Den - https://youtu.be/JpwsV1gp61A
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Website: https://minifirstaid.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mini-first-aid https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-ball-28a34637/
Shout out tags: https://www.buttercrumble.com
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (as mentioned)
-
This week we speak to Mark Fitzgerald-Cooke, MD of Intelligent Business Partners. Mark tells all about the difficulties in moving from print to online, a great business idea that didn’t work and how owning the process gives you power in a sector.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "I'm currently doing my business planning. How far in advance should I do my strategy?"
INTRODUCING MARK FITZGERALD-COOKE
Mark Fitzgerald Cooke is MD of business broker, Intelligent Business Partners. He has over 30 years helping people buy and sell cars, homes and businesses in the UK, Europe and Asia, working with brands like AutoTrader, Rightmove, Zoopla, proptech start ups and now with Intelligent. He is believed to be the only person whose feet were on EastEnders AND is related to former American President JFK.
For more information on our show sponsors, YFM Equity Partners, please visit www.yfmep.com (and tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01:30] Mark’s early career at TNT and key learnings
[00:09:30] A great online idea that wasn’t executed well
[00:16:30] Downsizing a business and moving it online
[00:31:00] The benefits of great training and Thomson Directories
[00:40:00] The learnings from working in Malaysia
[00:45:00] THE BUSINESS SURGERY
[00:49:00] Intelligent Business Services
[00:52:00] How to prepare your business for sale
[00:56:00] How to find the right advisor for your business
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
If you want to sell successfully, you need to be easy to buyIt’s all about your people, and you need good peopleBusiness sales are normally driven by major life events4 BEST MOMENTS
“co-operating online, with our offline competitors just didn’t work”
“you cant be the friendly face of doom forever”
“Hindsight is a great thing in business”
“Your biggest problem is themandownthepubsays.com”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Fraser Five Step (FFS) simple strategy planning tool - https://philfraser.co.uk/fraser-five-step-ffs/
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Website: https://www.intelligent.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fitzgerald-cooke-a693662//
Shout out tags: https://www.getaudience.co.uk
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (mentioned in the show)
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/helen-oldham
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/howard-moss/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a
-
For more information on YFM equity Partners please visit www.yfmep.com (and tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
This week we speak to James Kempley, Managing Director of Troy Foods (Salads) Ltd.
James tells us about the stresses and strains of being 4th generation in a family firm, the perfect storm that forced part of the business into administration and how automation makes such a huge difference.
INTRODUCING JAMES KEMPLEY
James Kempley is the Manging Director of Troy Foods (Salads) Ltd. He came into the family business at 18 years old, as fourth generation, learning the business through the ranks. He is fascinated by the food manufacturing industry, especially trying to generate new talent in the industry that is badly lacking. In his spare time, he is an avid cricketer and a life long, long suffering Leeds United fan.
The Business Surgery question is "When should a company consider bringing in external advisors and/or NEDs?"
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01:00] The history of Troy Foods
[00:04:30] Joining the family business and the pressures involved
[00:11:00] James’ career progression through the business
[00:17:00] The expansion of Troy Foods
[00:22:00] Business going into administration
[00:29:00] The key lessons learnt
[00:32:00] The re-structured business and expanding into new markets
[00:41:00] How to build a family-like culture
[00:45:00] BUSINESS SURGERY
[00:50:00] Future plans for the business
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Sometimes you have to go through the bad times to make a business successful
• Relationships are king
• You have to be laser controlled on costs
4 BEST MOMENTS
“You had to buy and trade well to be profitable”
“I learnt more in 18 months than I did the rest of my life”
“we can produce a million bottles of mayonnaise a week”
“We have 10 people in the business who’ve been with us for 30 years”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Website: http://www.troyfoods.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kempley-56702484/
Shout out tags: https://interpath.com/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Other multi-generational business episodes;
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/jamie-bentley/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/michael-michaelson/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/howard-moss/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/chris-black/
ABOUT...
-
For more information on YFM equity Partners please visit www.yfmep.com (and tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
This week’s guest is Jordan Dargue, co-founder of Lifted Ventures.
Jordan shares with us her journey into angel investing, developing the early stage investing community in Leeds and the North and now building Lifted Ventures and its ‘flywheel’ to support both female founders and female investors. Jordan also explains the important role that men can play in being male allies to this vital area of business, and how to make your business ‘investor-ready’.
The business surgery segment answers the question; ""What are the key things that I should put in an Angel Investment pitch deck?"
INTRODUCING JORDAN DARGUE
Jordan Dargue, is a founder, senior executive, investor, NED and seasoned investment expert.
Jordan is Co Founder of Lifted Ventures. Lifted exists to increase the flow of early stage capital to female founders and promote the significant business benefits of backing women. The Lifted Ventures flywheel has an angel network at its core, alongside education, community and consultancy.
Previously Jordan was co-leader and Board Director of multi award winning NorthInvest, and in 2020 she co-founded Fund Her North and Women Angels of the North, a collective of women in VCs and Angel investors who support female founders to get equal access to finance.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01:30] The transition from construction to technology
[00:05:00] why is there a lack of women in certain industries and roles?
[00:10:00] The founding of NorthInvest and its aims
[00:13:00] Can anyone be an Angel Investor? And what can an angel bring to the table?
[00:17:00] The founding of Fund Her North and its aims
[00:21:00] The role of male allies
[00:25:00] BUSINESS SURGERY
[00:31:00] What is Lifted Ventures, why is it needed and the conference
[00:40:00] How to make your business investor ready
[00:47:00] The Athena Festival
4 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Anyone can be an Angel Investor
• Female founders, and the wider female business eco-system need male allies
• Female founders generate more revenue, grow more quickly and are more likely to exit
• Only 2% of capital goes into female founders
3 BEST MOMENTS
“Investors need to understand the story behind the business
“I invested three times. I invested in her and loved what she was doing”
“Register to attend Lifted Venture conference and/or the Athena event”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Website: https://liftedventures.co.uk/
Athena Conference - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-athena-festival-a-female-founder-innovation-festival-tickets-915591838837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-dargue-59438433/
Shout out tags: https://www.gordonsllp.com/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people
-
For more information on YFM Equity Partners please visit www.yfmep.com (and tell them Phil from Leeds Business Podcast sent you!)
This week we speak to John Dammone, co-owner of legendary Leeds restaurant, Salvos.
John tells us all about the early days of the restaurant, some key lessons learnt in some unsuccessful business expansions, how they kept relevant throughout the years and all about the effect Gordon Ramsay had on the business.
The business surgery segment answers the question; "As a business owner, I've always got too much to do on my to do list. How do I solve this problem?"
After you've heard Phil's answer, read this https://philfraser.co.uk/work-prioritisation/ for more on his system.
INTRODUCING JOHN DAMMONE
John Dammone founded the award-winning Salvo’s Restaurant in Leeds in 1976. With over 45 years experience in the hospitality industry, John successfully expanded what was a 40-seater neighbourhood restaurant into an 85-seater restaurant and bar. The nationally renowned restaurant has won multiple accolades and awards over the years including numerous TV appearances including being crowned the UK’s best independent Italian Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4’s The F Word.
Amongst many honours received during his career he has been a recipient of the Yorkshire Evening Post Outstanding Achievement award for his contribution to the Leeds Restaurant Industry twice in 2012 and in 2019. In 2015 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by Yorkshire Life Magazine and, most recently was awarded a British Empire medal in the Kings Birthday honours list for services to the Hospitality Industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:02:00] The launch of Salvos and the role of the family
[00:05:00] The early pain points
[00:08:00] How do you keep a long-standing restaurant relevant
[00:11:00] Two failed business expansions
[00:24:00] Gordon Ramsay’s F Word
[00:34:00] How was Covid?
[00:44:00] How to benchmark against the competition
[00:53:00] BUSINESS SURGERY QUESTION
[00:58:00] Exiting the business
[01:05:00] Pineapple on pizza?
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• You cannot stand still in business
• Don’t let one client have more than 10% of the business
• Do not entrust your brand to another person
4 BEST MOMENTS
“In the early days we made people share tables”
“Our ask was two small for venture capitalists and too big for high street banks”
“I nearly put the phone down on Channel 4”
“We were lucky not to be with a high street bank”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Salvos win Gordon Ramsay's Best Local Italian Restaurant on The F Word - https://youtu.be/TsBxFyt7xTQ
Salvos get to the final of Gordon Ramsay's The F Word search for best Italian Restaurant - https://youtu.be/unu_3ojzaU
Salvos - best starters on Gordon Ramsay's search for the best local Italian Starters on The F Word - https://youtu.be/1OdjhO0kUQk
LinkedIn:...
-
This week we speak to Mark Costello, Founder of the Horsforth Brewery.
Mark tells us how he’s grown the business from a home brewing hobby in his kitchen to a fully-fledged brewery and tap room, the effect of launching the business on the first week of the first lockdown, his successful crowd-funding campaign and how a Christmas disaster turned into a success.
Mark also teaches us how to run a crowd-funding campaign.
INTRODUCING MARK COSTELLO
Mark Costello is the founder of Horsforth Brewery. After a career in hedge accounting, risk management and secured funding he made the transition to full-time self-employed in March 2020 and has steered the brewery through COVID and a cost of living crisis, establishing an onsite taproom in the brewery that's open 6 days a week.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:01:30] How did the launch of the brewery happen?
[00:03:00] Launching part time with grant funding
[00:06:10] Moving from a hobby to a business
[00:09:30] Launching into lockdown
[00:14:30] When the business ran out of cash
[00:18:00] The addition of a tap room and the additional challenges it brings
[00:21:00] The Euros effect
[00:25:30] How do you sell beer into an outlet?
[00:31:00] Raising funding for the business
[00:36:00] How to run a crowdfunding campaign
[00:42:00] The Christmas disaster and the solution that worked
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• You may be eligible for 50% match funding from WY Combined Authority
• You need to keep momentum going during a crowdfunding campaign
• Own your mistakes and be honest to your customers
3 BEST MOMENTS
• “Seeing people’s businesses fall apart during Covid was hard”
• “Everyone started clapping (for carers) but I thought it was for me dropping off beer”
• “In the early days we sold beer to outlets via Twitter”
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Phil Fraser - Business Sounding Board - www.philfraser.co.uk
Website: www.horsforthbrewery.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-costello-68868619/
Visit the Tap Room at 143 New Roadd Side, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4JZ
Shout out tags: https://swinethatdines.co.uk/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/colin-glass/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/phil-fraser/
https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/daniel-priestley/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the
-
This week we speak to Laura Bartlett, founder of fashion and lifestyle magazine, House of Coco..
Laura tells us about her disastrous appearance on Dragons Den, how The Clothes Show caused her to become personally bankrupt, the growth of her current business and the benefits of being tee-total. She also shares with us how to get PR for your business.
INTRODUCING LAURA BARTLETT
What sets Laura Bartlett apart from the conventional entrepreneur is her remarkable ability to lead with her heart on her sleeve. Unlike many in her field, Laura approaches her journey with unyielding honesty and vulnerability, sharing not only her triumphs but also her struggles. She bares her soul, showcasing the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial odyssey, providing an authentic glimpse into the rollercoaster ride of chasing dreams.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:00:30] What is the House of Coco?
[00:01:00] Laura’s early career and the original magazine
[00:09:30] Appearing on Dragon’s Den
[00:14:00] The Clothes Show and personal bankruptcy
[00:19:00] The launch of House of Coco magazine
[00:22:00] The experience and lessons of personal bankrupt
[00:26:00] Building a successful magazine and taking on Conde Nast
[00:29:00] The pros and cons of running a remote team
[00:32:00] the alcohol-free life
[00:37:00] Supporting Leeds Women’s Aid
[00:29:00] The pros and cons of running a remote team
4 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Always open your mail (you may avoid going bankrupt!)
• The quicker you learn the lessons, the better
• If someone else is doing it, it means you can do it too
• If you can't quit something, you're addicted
4 BEST MOMENTS
"According to viewers of Dragons Den, I look like a pig in a frock"
"The aim was to compete with Conde Nast Traveller magazine"
"I could stop now and have a salary for life"
"No-one's coming to save me from me"
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Laura on Dragon’s Den – https://youtu.be/dvEm0WtTR-s
Webinar – What’s it really like on Dragon’s Den? - https://philfraser.co.uk/whats-it-really-like-to-pitch-on-dragons-den/
Leeds Womens Aid - https://leedswomensaid.co.uk/
Website: https://houseofcoco.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlettlaura
Shout out tags: https://pinkgorilla.co.uk/
DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’
My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.
Your half of the deal has two simple steps;
1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it
2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
This week we speak to Steve Mcdermott, multi-award winning Presentation Mastery Coach.
There is SOO MUCH learning in this episode, you’ll definitely need a pen and paper. From presentation skills and limiting self-belief to launching your own business and grasping opportunities.
You can also win a free copy of Steve’s book.
INTRODUCING STEVE McDERMOTT
Steve has been a professional motivational speaker for 30 years. He is also a 3 times winner of European Motivational Speaker of the Year Award and a international best-selling author.
Before starting his own company, for 15 years he was a Copy Writer and Creative Director of a highly successful Advertising Agency. He has won over twenty international and national awards for creativity and was particularly fond of writing radio commercials.
He is founder of the Confident Club. A company that uses the vehicle of presentation training to enable people to dramatically increase their confidence and to become the best versions of themselves.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[00:00:00] Giving up a job and going solo
[00:09:00] The importance of a ‘runway’ for a start up business
[00:10:00] Developing the business
[00:31:00] Food on the table v stick to your values
[00:32:00] How to be a Complete and Utter F**k Up
[00:40:00] Win a free copy of Steve’s book
[00:43:00] What is the Confident Club?
[00:53:28] How to change your beliefs
5 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS
• Being totally naïve is a highly recommended start up strategy
• Think ‘how can I model excellence?’
• It’s so important what you say no to
• You have to have absolute clarity on your personal values
• Beliefs control how you feel and how you behave
3 BEST MOMENTS
“I built my whole business on the power of referral”
“I’m only interested in ‘is it practical and does it work'?”
“one of the most powerful sounds in the English language is somebody’s name”
STEVE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS;
Steve's book - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/129234282X/ref=nosim?tag=lbp08b-21
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0671027034/ref=nosim?tag=lbp08b-21
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - Steven Covey;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1471195201/ref=nosim?tag=lbp08b-21
Neuro-linguistic Programming For Dummies;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1119106117/ref=nosim?tag=lbp08b-21
How to Develop a Brilliant Memory Week by Week;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1780287909/ref=nosim?tag=lbp08b-21
VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU
Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/
Website: www.confidentclub.com
LinkedIn:
- Vis mere
