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...

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,...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

This week we speak to Sarah Jones, Founder of Full Circle Funerals. Sarah tells us all about the growth and the amazing sale of her first business, the post-sale emotions after you’ve sold, the launch, only 9 months later, of her second business and why she picked funeral industry. Plus, she tells us what it’s like to work with a brother. Could you work with YOUR sibling? There's also a great ‘how to’ on selecting your next business coach or mentor. INTRODUCING SARAH JONES Sarah Jones...

This week we speak to Nick Glynne, Founder & CEO of the BuyIt Direct Group.. Nick tells us how he went from a single Huddersfield laptop repair shop to a £350m turnover business by buying and fixing distressed businesses. He shares with us how the learnings from two failed business acquisitions moulded the company’s strategy, the pros and cons of taking private equity and explains the difficulties caused by making too much profit. And what’s the difference between equity and...

Many people have asked for my business journey story, so this week the tables are turned and I’m the guest. You’ll hear how a failed angel investment pitch, turned into an accidental business launch, my ‘sliding doors’ moment, how the sale of the business came about and why you don’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. The interview was originally broadcast on the Manager Memo Podcast hosted by Len Samborowski, Director MBA, Nichols College, Connecticut. We covered my business journey, looked at...

As a precursor to Series Two, I’ve selected what I think are 8 must-listen business learnings chosen from the 38 brilliant guests we’ve had so far. I could have picked way more as every guest that we’ve had on has been fascinating to listen to and learn from. Before we start, I have one simple request; Please hit the follow or subscribe button on the app that you're listening on. That’s it…. Thank you. 8 MUST-HEAR BUSINESS LESSONS 1) Daniel Priestley, explaining what you need in YOUR product...

This week we speak to Simon Brown, founder of fashion and lifestyle brand, Joe Browns. Simons tells us where the inspiration for the brand came from, shares with us the business ups and the personal downs of Covid, being told that he was unemployable, the three ‘i’s the brand lives by and a great checklist for starting your own business. Rasputin and Ivan the Terrible get name checks too. INTRODUCING SIMON BROWN Born in Leeds and raised in Bramhope. Simon Brown founded Joe Browns in 1998,...

On April 23rd 2024 I wrote a post on Linked in, titled ‘I hate Daniel Priestley’. See https://www.linkedin.com/posts/philfraser_i-hate-daniel-priestley-im-sueing-activity-7185564354442854400-nVXA/. The post went viral! Off the back of it Daniel agreed to be a guest on the podcast. Before you start listening to this week’s episode make sure you have a pen and paper ready. Daniel Priestly delivers a masterclass in Entrepreneurship and business ownership, with tons and tons of brilliant ideas...

This week we speak to Dean Hartley and hear all about some of the darker sides of business; the threat of VCs kicking you out of your own business, being caught in the 2008 RBS GRG scandal and what happens when you’re at strategic loggerheads with your fellow board members, and the personal low point of exiting a business. INTRODUCING DEAN HARTLEY Dean Hartley is the former CTO and owner of Monitor Audio, a business he helped purchase in 1998 and exited in October 2018 with a 50x ROI. He was...

This week's guest is Jonathan Straight, founder and former-CEO of recycling solutions company Straight plc. Jonathan tells us how the business came about, the journey to becoming a plc, the crisis caused by over-trading and then the eventual sale of the company. And he discuss the important question, 'what do you wear after selling your business?' INTRODUCING JONATHAN STRAIGHT Jonathan is an award-winning purposeful entrepreneur and creative best known for founding the AIM-listed Straight plc...