Ambitious. Lifestyle. Business. Podcast.

Feedback loops in business are a great way to uncover 1% improvements.  In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, bestselling author John Lamerton shares the FOUR questions he uses to get high-quality, actionable feedback from his clients.  

In Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, John Lamerton wrote about the Team GB Men's Eights Rowing team from the late 90's and early 2000's - and how they've inspired him to "make his boat go faster". In this solo episode of the ambitious lifestyle business podcast, John tells the story in full, and asks the question: what makes YOUR boat go faster?

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, One Percenter Ian Bluck returns to discuss his journey from a corporate job at Lloyds Bank to building a property empire and moving to Spain. Moving to Spain was a family decision influenced by Ian's children, after they attended One Percent LIVE with Ian and his wife in 2024. It's important to take inspiration from others' journeys, and that's exactly what Ian and his family did. Crucially, they knew that there would never be a "perfect time" to make the move, and so, rather than waiting for all the lights to turn green, they started taking action immediately, and dealt with each potential stumbling block or challenge as they arose. As Ian says, he's discovered the "manana" mindset as a result! We also talk about how lessons learned in corporate settings can be applied to small businesses, the significance of teaching financial literacy to children, and the value of creating a supportive community. Ian also reflects on the importance of defining success on your own terms and the need for continuous improvement in both knowledge and environment. If you're looking to move your business to Spain (or indeed anywhere outside of the UK), Ian's story is an inspirational one, that you'll want to listen to multiple times. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

I set some ambitious health goals in January.   They've gone to

If you wanna be the best...   And you wanna beat the rest...   _______________'s what you need.   (but do you REALLY want to be a record breaker?)

You're probably familiar with the so-called "Marshmallow experiment", which "proved" the long term life benefits of delayed gratification. Well, today I'm imploring you to do the opposite - to eat the damn marshmallow!

Why do people hate lifestyle businesses? My first book (Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses) is 70,000 words long.  Here are the 1,471 words that have had the biggest impact on readers over the past 8 years - in which I explain my ideal job description, why I refuse to take VC money, and why I'm banned from watching Dragons Den. (The full book is available on Audible, narrated by me).

Can you find 1,000 ways to say the SAME thing? Are you posting random opinions and thoughts when trying to market your business, or do you have ONE coherant thread running through every promotion? In today's Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, I'll show you how to sum up your "big idea" in one sentence.. then find 1,000 different ways to say that sentence!  

In this episode, John, Jason, and One Percenter Michael Oliver delve into the Hedgehog Concept, a business strategy derived from Jim Collins' book 'Good to Great.' They explore the importance of aligning passion, expertise, and economic viability in business. Michael shares personal reflections on his career journey, evaluating his past roles through the lens of the Hedgehog Concept. The conversation highlights the importance of passion in driving business success and the ability to pivot roles within a business to enhance fulfillment and effectiveness. The guys discuss the role of self-reflection in identifying one's strengths and passions, and how this can drive business success, through the lens of the hedgehog concept. The conversation ultimately defines what a hedgehog-friendly ambitious lifestyle business looks like, focusing on time freedom and strategic management. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In 1986, Daniel Ludwig was the richest man on the planet. Daniel Who? Exactly. In today's Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, I explain why going "under the radar" could be the best thing you ever do...

There's a YouTube video, titled "Horse kicks tree, farts on dogs then runs away." In it, you won't be surprised to hear that a horse kicks a tree, farts on some dogs, then runs away. In today's Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, find out why DOING what you said you'd do is CRUCIAL to your business.

The first 30 employees at Microsoft were 28 programmers, Bill Gates, and a secretary. YOU are the best person to sell your product/service. Bill Gates knew it. Red Bull Founder Dietrich Mateschitz knew it. And, after today's Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast episode, you'll know it too...

Many people can articulate their goals but struggle with the steps to achieve them. Visualizing the finish line is not enough; you need a plan to get there. Starting where you ARE is crucial for success. Success is built step by step, not by jumping to the end, and even small beginnings can lead to significant achievements over time. You may not have all the resources you need at the start. But the hardest part of any journey is getting started. Momentum is created by taking the first step, no matter how small. Get a FREE chapter of ANY of John's Books

The school system is outdated and fails children with additional needs. In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we chat with Sarah Lamerton, author of "How the School System Fails Children With Needs (And What You Can Do About It"). Sarah shares her evolution in business, her motivations for writing a book about the education system, and her plans to create a podcast aimed at supporting parents navigating the complexities of education. John and Jason grill Sarah on the evolution of her work, from one-on-one support to creating broader educational resources, including courses and books. We look at getting the balance right between "evergreen assets" and live work. The episode highlights the need for systemic change in education and the role of community and media in driving that change. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

This year, I'll be celebrating 25 years of running small businesses. In those 25 years, here are the 5 things that made the BIGGEST difference: 1. persevering (and iterating) until I found a model that worked. 2. Starting a mailing list. 3. Investing in paid advertising. (Google Ads in 2002, FB Ads in 2013, Amazon Ads currently run my coaching business) 4. Focusing on ONE thing. "Deep work" days and stacking up weekly "one things". 5. Putting retention first. focus on growing returning visits, increasing lifetime value, and truly putting retention first for every business. The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN - until 9pm on Monday 31st March

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN for our March 2025 intake.   However, we'll be closing the doors at 9pm THIS MONDAY - and won't open them again until September. If you're looking to improve YOUR business (and lifestyle) by 1% every week, you can join the One Percent Club here (until 9pm on Monday 31st March)

You know what they say - the first £177,835.50 is the hardest. No, it's not the first million - though you'll be well on your way to that. It's about getting to launch velocity - where compounding begins to do some of the heavy lifting for you. Charlie Munger wrote in the 1998 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letter that "The first $100,000 is a b****, but you gotta do it." "I don't care what you have to do," he said. "If it means walking everywhere and not eating anything that wasn't purchased with a coupon, find a way to get your hands on $100,000. After that, you can ease off the gas a little bit." Thanks to inflation, $100k in 1998 is the equivalent of $225k now. And $225k for us Brits is £177,835.50. So, find a way to get your hands on £177,835.50, and THEN ease off the gas a little bit... The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN - until 9pm on Monday 31st March

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club ponders how different his life could have been if he'd made just one different decision... The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN - until 9pm on Monday 31st March

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club explains how a self-published book, that only sells a few thousand copies a year can generate more than a million pounds in revenue... The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN - until 9pm on Monday 31st March

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN for our March 2025 intake. Find out more (and apply to join) here, before the doors close on Monday, March 31st. In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, One Percenter Ben Proudlove shares his journey of founding Merrow Scientific, a company specialising in high-end scientific instruments. He discusses the unique niche his business occupies, the challenges he faced transitioning from a scientist to an entrepreneur, and the valuable lessons learned over 21 years in business. Additionally, Ben explores the role of philosophy in guiding his business decisions and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and judgment in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Ben shares insights from his 21-year journey in business, emphasising the importance of stoic philosophy, mindset, and process in navigating challenges. He discusses personal experiences, the significance of coaching and understanding individual motivations, and the intersection of sports and business. The conversation highlights the need for reflection on achievements and the driving 'why' behind their work, ultimately defining what an ambitious lifestyle business looks like. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club reads the very first chapter of his forthcoming book "Retention First: Why Existing Customers Are Key to Growth" If you would like to be a beta reader for the book, email john@bigidea.co.uk.

Hey, it's John here – and I've got some BIG news for you.

Improving your business by just 1% every week is the path to steady, sustainable growth that lasts. In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, and founder of the One Percent Club breaks down just how easy it can be, rattling off 36 ways you could improve your small business by 1% this week.

We all set big goals, and then dream about how brilliant life will be when we hit them. But how often do we consider what life will be like if we DON'T achieve them? In today's short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, bestselling author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses explains how imagining telling your kids they WON'T be going to Walt Disney World after all increases the odds that you WILL meet Micky and Donald after all...

Are you a financial advisor who hasn't got an ISA? An accountant who misses the tax deadline for your own self assessment? A builder with a half-finished kitchen at home? Well then, today's short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is for you - as John Lamerton, bestselling author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses encourages you to be your own client - and explains how lucrative that can be...

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, John and Jason interview One Percenter Simon Fisher, who describes himself as "that property guy from Torbay who loves networking, travelling, sport & business." Simon shares his journey navigating various business ventures, including web design, mortgage brokering, a jet ski business and an estate agency. He discusses the importance of seizing opportunities, the challenges faced in different markets, and the dynamics of running a family business. Simon also reflects on the concept of a 'false exit' and how he plans to continue contributing to his business while delegating responsibilities to his family. In this conversation, Simon Fisher discusses the evolution of his business and personal mindset, emphasising the importance of delegation, building a diverse leadership team, and creating a sustainable business model that aligns with his lifestyle goals. He shares insights from his journey, including the impact of running on his mindset, the value of mentorship, and the necessity of letting go of control to empower his team. Simon also reflects on the challenges of small business ownership and the importance of adapting to changes in the market.

I got a new fish tank recently. It's three times the size of my old one, and full of REAL plants, soil, sand etc. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, I explain what happened when I introduced my old fish to their new home...

December 20th 2024 was the shortest day. From here on in, it's constant, never-ending improvement. Marginal gains every day, gaining an extra minute in the morning, and/or a minute in the evening. No noticeable difference whatsoever from day to day. After a week, we gain 10 minutes of daylight a day. Whoop-de-do. After a month, we get an extra hour a day. Now we're talking! We start to notice the difference - eventually waking up in daylight, or driving home in daylight (for me, one of the first signs is leaving a football match in the daylight around late February.) After six months of constant never-ending improvement, we gain an extra 8 hours, 48 minutes and 38 seconds of daylight - a world of difference. But it all happened little-by-little, day-by-day. And so it is with your business - if you're following the One Percent Way, you're making your business 1% better every week - an improvement that you won't even notice for months - but that eventually you'll look back over dozens (or eventually hundreds!) of weekly 1% gains, and the difference will be like night and day...

Summary In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, business book author John Lamerton discusses the influence of Rory Sutherland, particularly his book 'Alchemy', which highlights the importance of psycho-logical solutions in addressing problems that seem to require logical fixes. John illustrates this with examples from the London Underground and even proposes a rebranding of Inheritance Tax to enhance public perception and engagement. He shows how small businesses can adopt these psycho-logical insights to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. You can get a FREE chapter of John's book Big Ideas... for Small Businesses here.  

Is your Marketing strategy primarily inbound, or outbound? Despite having written a bestselling business book (Evergreen Assets) about an inbound, content marketing led strategy, John Lamerton doesn't suggest that this is necessarily the best option for YOU. In this short, solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John explains the difference between the two strategies, and suggests you may want to do BOTH...

Every year in the One Percent Club, John and Jason ask One Percenters to start the year by pondering TWO questions: What's the ONE thing you want to acheive in 2025? What's the SYSTEM that's going to get you there? This is a really simple exercise, but sticking to that system for a whole year is more difficult...

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, hosts John and Jason interview Martin Ross, a travel counselor who shares his journey from working at Disneyland Paris to building a successful lifestyle business in travel. Martin discusses his experiences in the travel industry, the challenges of starting a new business, and the importance of finding a niche. He also emphasises the role of content creation and marketing in his business, as well as the benefits of incremental improvements and the use of AI to streamline processes. Throughout the conversation, Martin highlights the significance of balancing work and lifestyle, particularly in his life in France. They discuss the evolution of content creation and personal branding in the travel industry. They explore how technology has made it easier for individuals to generate content and build a brand without needing a large team. Martin shares insights on the importance of reflection for business improvement, the necessity of marketing as a core function of any business, and how to define an ambitious lifestyle that allows for personal fulfillment while achieving business goals.. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses talks us through the biggest mistake he ever made - spending £250,000 building a business that earned him just £750 before being shut down.    

Just because you've worked out something on a spreadsheet, doesn't mean that you'll get the same results when working with actual, real humans... In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, bestselling business book author John Lamerton show us how human psychology comes into play, and defies all logic!

When you create Evergreen Assets, you do the work ONCE, and reap the rewards again and again (and again!). That's the OPPOSITE of what's happening in my garden right now, where I seem to have acquired a new full-time job!

In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Evergreen Assets: Do the Work Once, Reap the Rewards Again and Again (and Again!) explains why you should be BOTH an explorer AND an exploiter.

In this Christmas special edition of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John and Jason reflect on the key themes of the past year, focusing on the importance of vision and values in business. They discuss how genuine values shape company culture and attract the right team and clients. The conversation also touches on the political landscape, economic challenges like inflation, and the significance of seizing opportunities. Jason shares his Book of the Year, highlighting insights from Boris Johnson's memoir, emphasizing the power of vision in leadership. In this conversation, Jason and John delve into the leadership style of Boris Johnson, emphasizing the importance of communication and vision in leadership. They also discuss insights from the book 'Die with Zero' by Bill Perkins, which focuses on retirement planning and the importance of spending wisely throughout life. The conversation also touches on personal reflections about aging, ambition, and the desire to live a fulfilling life, culminating in a discussion about setting intentions for the upcoming year. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

Would you rather have a £10 discount, or a £2 glass of wine? As a buiness owner, would you rather give a £10 discount, or a £2 glass of wine (that's worth £10 to the customer)? In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses explains why you should be able to find the £2 glass of wine in YOUR business.

You've got to choose one or the other - you've either got to be the BIGGEST (in which case you HAVE to beat all rivals, else you WILL lose)... Or, you can be the ONLY - in which case, no one can compete with you - and you're guaranteed to win. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, author John Lamerton explains why he's the ONLY "normal bloke from Plymouth writing books for ambitious lifestyle business owners, to help them improve their business and lifestyle by 1% each week."

Charlie Munger advised us to "make friends with the eminent dead". Sadly, Charlie is no longer with us, and is one of those "eminent dead" himself. In today's solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses introduces us to some of his dead friends...

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, bestselling business author John Lamerton explains why "a little leverage is a great thing", but a lot could spell DISASTER.

Today We're Joined By One Percenter Dav Thomas, for whom life revolves around design and creativity, something he's channelled into an innovative tabletop gaming accessories business. Dav shares the challenges he's faced, including burnout, the importance of seeking help, and the role of COVID-19 in providing him with a much-needed break. We also look at the lessons learned from crowdfunding, the significance of saying no, and the desire for a balanced lifestyle. Dav emphasizes the importance of creativity in business and the need to prioritize personal well-being over work. The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton shares the FIVE "magic ingredients" from his bestselling book Big Ideas... for Small Businesses - Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business GROW.

In this short episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton asks: "what impact would a £350,000 lottery win have on your lifestyle?" The lottery win is ficticious, but the impact on your lifestyle doesn't have to be... You can get a FREE chapter of ANY of John's best selling business books - just CLICK HERE.

In this short episode of the Ambitous Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton looks at an accountant using direct mail to acquire clients with a Lifetime Value of £20,000 - for just £91. John shares the LTV > CAC formula from his forthcoming book Retention First (due out in 2025), and explains why you should focus on increasing Lifetime Value, NOT reducing Customer Acquisition Cost.

In this solo episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of Big Ideas... for Small Businesses and Evergreen Assets explains why his brand new, sexy-AF kitchen tap is useless - and why YOUR business needs to avoid falling into the same trap.

In this solo epsiode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton, author of the bestselling book Routine Machine explains how ONE simple change to his dog's food could add years to his life - and life to his years! Whether you've got a furry friend or not - this podcast IS NOT about the dog - it's about the ROUTINE.

One Percenter Gary shares his journey from running a lifestyle business to building an ambitious lifestyle business.   He discusses the personal challenges he faced, including family health issues and the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on his business. Gary reflects on the strain in his partnership, the difficult conversations he had to navigate, and the divergence of visions and values between him and his business partner.   He emphasizes the importance of community support and outlines his future plans for the business, including family involvement and creating a sustainable model that allows for growth without sacrificing personal time.   The Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts...

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN (but close at 9pm on Monday 30th September) I'm BANNED from playing Monopoly in my own house. But that doesn't stop me from playing Monopoly in REAL LIFE - and winning the game of business by doing so. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club, and how it can help you.

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN. In today's episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton (author of Big Ideas.. for Small Businesses) explains why it took him NINE MONTHS to earn £13.51 - and how this was the MOMENT he knew he'd be successful. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club, and how it can improve your business AND your lifestyle.

The One Percent Club doors are NOW OPEN. In today's episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, John Lamerton explains why there's no "smoke and mirrors" at play with the One Percent Club. No "selling from the stage" No "escalation models" designed to fleece you of every penny. No "£1,997 courses" or "Cayman Island Masterminds". No fake discounts for the "first 50 people to run to the back of the room". Just one price - £127/month - and a focus on lifelong relationships. No smoke and mirrors required. Click here to find out more about the One Percent Club