Sound Advice: Get year one in business right

In this exciting season finale, we dive into the secrets of building a powerful personal brand, sharing your unique story, and reaching millions on social media. This is the second episode in our 2-part special on how you can utilise your online presence to drive business growth. We welcome Ash Jones, visionary founder of Great Influence—a platform designed to help businesses and individuals elevate their brand.With over a decade of experience, Ash has helped shape the personal brand strategies of some of the most successful entrepreneurs, including Steven Bartlett and Gary Neville. In this episode, Ash reveals how a well-crafted personal brand can dramatically benefit your business by increasing brand recognition and loyalty, building trust and credibility, attracting new opportunities, and driving sales. So if you're looking to grow your online presence and create content that not only engages your audience but also converts them into loyal customers, then this is an episode you don't want to miss!Tune in now to learn how to leverage personal branding to successfully scale your business.

In this 2-part special, co-founder of NINI Organics, Alex Nicolauo, shares how he has grown his customer base by using confidence, empowerment, and joyful marketing strategies on social media.  From Instagram to TikTok, our social channels are overflowing with content, but Alex is here to tell you how you can create a brand that resonates with authenticity and stands out from the crowd. Find out how to build your brand mission, engage your audience, and stay on top of the latest trends. Alex shares all his top tips on how he has taken his beauty business to the next level. But most importantly of all, you'll learn how you can have fun while turning your followers into loyal customers. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just for large corporations, but for small businesses too, offering the power to transform operations, improve customer experiences, and boost efficiency. With her deep passion and enthusiasm, Heather Murray is here to demystify AI for all you non-techies and empower you to harness its potential in your businesses and daily life.  Heather cuts out all the jargon to help you overcome any reluctance or fear when it comes to AI, making this tech accessible for everyone.  In this new digital age, businesses must adapt and keep up with the ever-evolving market changes to thrive, and this episode can help you do that.  Join us as we explore all the practical ways you can embrace AI to help your business grow and succeed. 

After already achieving major success at the optimistic age of 26, founder of Gousto, Timo Boldt was nowhere near done with pushing the boundaries and set off on a mission to better his business with the pursuit of technology.  Through sophisticated algorithms and data analysis, he has used AI to successfully create recipe kits that are not only mouth-watering and reduced his company's carbon footprint, but that have also shielded his customers from the full effects of food price inflation. With Gousto's AI-guided products, customers can now enjoy suggested meals that use planet-friendly ingredients, minimise food waste, and encourage sustainable cooking practices, all at an affordable price. This cleverly combines a desire for healthy eating with making better, eco-conscious decisions. Join us on this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, to find out how you can harness the power of technology to propel your business into the future and pave the way for more sustainable living. 

A strong company culture can be the bedrock of a thriving business, which is exactly why Foong Ng is focused on revolutionising employee engagement with Matchable, the UK's leading employee volunteering solution. Explore the direct link between engaged employees and improved performance, and how Matchable is fostering this connection. And you'll discover why a positive culture is key to retaining top talent and attracting new hires. Join us as Foong shares her journey and many valuable insights on how she transitioned from the corporate world into creating a business that allows big companies to give back, with all the actionable advice small business owners need to cultivate a supportive and dynamic workplace environment. 

Jane Frankland, celebrated expert and business strategist, takes us deep into the world of cybersecurity.We'll explore the current state of cyber threats and the immense challenges they pose, especially for small businesses and how you can minimise vulnerabilities and build robust defenses.From putting in place effective cyber strategies to driving fast revenue growth, this episode has everything you need to scale your business safely and sustainably. Jane will also share her journey on how she built Corsaire into a 7-figure global cybersecurity company by the age of 29—all whilst juggling the demands of being a single mother. If you thought she couldn't get any more impressive, she also successfully turned around failing companies without any external investment, and actively advocates to get more women into the world of cybersecurity. 

Unlock the 6 rules to break for entrepreneurial success with renowned thought leader and London Business School teacher, John Mullins, as we dive deep into the power of confidence and innovation and how they can transform your journey. With over 20 years of executive experience in high-growth retailing firms, including ventures he founded and took public, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.  He shares practical tips, and personal anecdotes, offering small business owners' advice that will boost their confidence to help navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build sustainable businesses. Discover how to break rules and innovate, enhance your leadership skills, and develop a strategic mindset.  

Cricket legend Stuart Broad tells us how he transitioned from the world of professional sports to the realm of business. Alongside his former teammate Harry Gurney, Stuart has successfully ventured into the hospitality industry, to become co-owner of The Cat & Wickets pub company.  From finding the right mentor to fostering a positive mentality, Stuart's tips are rooted in his cricketing experience and in his hands-on approach to entrepreneurship.  Discover how the resilience and teamwork that defined his on-pitch career have translated into his business endeavours and learn practical strategies for thriving in the hospitality sector. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking to make a career shift, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. 

Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of cricket superstar Isa Guha, who is on a mission to create a more inclusive environment for women and girls in cricket. After dominating the sports field, Isa has made a profound impact in the non-profit sector with her charity, Take Her Lead. In this episode, Isa shares invaluable business advice and leadership lessons, highlighting how the skills she developed on the cricket pitch have fuelled her success in non-profits. She emphasises the importance of resilience, noting that setbacks are inevitable, but how you respond to them is what truly matters. Isa also champions kind leadership, creating a positive and supportive culture that leads to greater success and fulfilment. This episode underscores the need to stay true to your purpose and values, even when the journey gets tough. 

From wielding equations in a lab to crafting mouthwatering curry kits in her kitchen, Shelly Nuruzzaman's career path took a very unexpected turn in her 40's. Armed with a PhD, but in need of a change and a new purpose, Shelly traded her lab coat for an apron and began using her scientific background to fuel her culinary creativity.  With the mission of bootstrapping her business, she rolled up her sleeves and started testing recipes herself, building her business and website from scratch. She has since achieved a multi-6-figure turnover and sold over 750,000 kits within the first 5 years of her journey.  Uncover how BANG! Curry has found its way into kitchens across the globe, gaining millions of likes and views on social media platforms, with a best-seller spot on Amazon and a nationwide listing with Waitrose. 

Imogen Partridge shares her journey from interior architecture to pursuing her passion of illustration and how her love of places and storytelling fuels her artistic work.  But more than just sharing her artistic journey, she also delves into the power of kindness in business and how being kind can benefit your personal life, your customers, and your bottom line. She explores how adding thoughtful gestures to orders can engage customers, how being kind to others can inspire a ripple effect of kindness, and why giving back to charity is a win-win for everyone.  Join us as we explore the ways in which incorporating simple acts of kindness can positively impact your business and life. 

When clubbing and partying were on hold during the pandemic, a lot of us found ourselves hosting good old-fashioned game and quiz nights. Well, Nicola Robinson and Tolu Abisogun took this opportunity to create their cheeky and fun drinking games brand, Berserk Games, which soon became a thriving disruptive player in the industry.  We're going to delve into their remarkable journey and uncover how their resilience and creativity propelled them to create an incredible impact in the UK and US. Stay tuned as we explore how they overcame challenges, embraced their unique backgrounds, and triumphed as founders of a successful company, proving that with determination and passion, even in the hardest of times, anything is possible. 

Join us on this episode of Sound Advice, as we discover how the dynamic power couple, Jim and Dannii Mee, captured their love for travel and transformed their passions into a thriving international events business, driving Rat Race Adventure Sports to new heights. Learn from their resilience in adapting through the challenges of the pandemic, pivoting from obstacle races to offering exhilarating expeditions in once in a lifetime destinations.  From the Namib Desert to the Panamanian jungle, discover their story of passion, perseverance, and the unbreakable foundation of their marriage, which fuels their adventure sports empire. 

Becoming homeless and jobless at 15 wasn't enough to stop Simon Squibb from dreaming big. Instead, this was the catalyst to his extraordinary entrepreneurial journey. Today, he is a multi-millionaire, founder of 19 companies, and investor of 78 more. With a personal mission to help others achieve similar dreams, Simon created HelpBnk. Alongside his social media channels, this investment platform aims to give 10 million people the funds, advice, and motivation to kickstart their own ventures.  So, whether you're a startup founder or curious about how to take your business to the next level, this episode is jammed-packed with priceless advice on securing investment, crafting a winning pitch, and even learning how to decode the investor's perspective. This is an episode you don't want to miss, filled with Simon's infectious inspiration and proven strategies that will propel your business towards success. 

If you wanted more advice on how to overcome your fears of finance, then you're in the right place, as Julie Wong is back with more tips and tricks in this 2-part episode special.Get ready to explore how finance and marketing are intertwined, giving you valuable insights into how you can adjust your strategies to get the best out of both.Discover how AI technologies are making it easier than ever before to start a business and learn how to maximise your resources when bootstrapping.We are also trying something a little different in this episode, as we put Julie on the spot to answer some questions from our listeners on all their business worries and woes.

Does the idea of looking at your finances leave you with sweaty palms and an overwhelming feeling of dread? Then look no further, this 2-part episode special is for you! In the chaotic early days of starting a business, it can be easy to overlook the numbers. You place all your focus on marketing, branding and manufacturing, and before you know it, you have lost track of your finances.  You might not even know what “good” looks like when it comes to cashflow or profit margin—or where to begin when it comes to managing your money. Well, Julie Wong is here to give you a masterclass in how to create a more profitable and resilient business. She is a business mentor who specialises in helping entrepreneurs use their numbers to build effective growth strategies so their small businesses soar.  Join us on the Sound Advice Podcast as we eliminate your fear of finance and help you to confidently manage and maximise your profits. 

In a world where magic and adventure come to life, Harry Potter fans have cast a spell of their own, creating a wave of business opportunities and immense growth. Phil Pinder and Ben Fry found a way to capture this enthusiasm for all things wizardry and created their first business, The Potions Cauldron—a place where fans can immerse themselves in the universe and enjoy an enchanting brew or 2! In June 2023, with a vision to scale, they took their business to Dragon's Den and after being offered quite possibly the largest sum to date of £200,000, they simply refused to part with a third of their company and had no choice but to turn down Peter Jones himself.  But since then, they've been busier than ever, opening wizarding golf franchises and shops across the UK. Their mystical drinks are now stocked in Hamleys, HMV, and Center Parcs, and they've landed a deal that will help them to produce a million bottles per year.  So, the real question is, how did they do it? And how did they fund their expansion and confidently find their footing without the backing and mentorship of a Dragon?  In this episode of Sound Advice, Phil tells us how they took this idea and turned it into a magical destination business.  

In a bold move, Christopher Money persuaded bona fide Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, with an idea too good to miss. Seven years ago, they formed a formidable partnership and embarked on a thrilling entrepreneurial journey together.   After both struggling to find products that were gentle on their babies' skin, and that cared about their environmental impact, they merged their passion for creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainability to launch a groundbreaking business that rocked the industry. Kit & Kin was born in 2017, providing eco-essentials that are kinder to your family, our planet and always give back. Together they've created a future focused brand that parents can truly trust. Get ready to be inspired by the unforgettable story of an unexpected partnership that changed the game and broke investment records!  

Solo-founder of Kiddiwhizz, Zoë Chapman, shares how risking it all for her invention led to double investment on Dragon's Den. After noticing a vast gap in the market during the pandemic, the 39-year-old mum of one rolled her sleeves up to fill it. Her genius idea: A portable kids' toilet—aptly called the Whizzer.  Taking a huge financial risk from her 1-bed council flat, she turned a need into a solution, in part thanks to her neurodivergent brain. And now, she has singlehandedly turned her idea into an award-winning, eco-friendly solution that parents simply can't leave the house without. Struggling against traditional expectations, Zoë offers a unique perspective on overcoming obstacles, harnessing creativity, and challenging conventional norms to achieve success. With authenticity and resilience, she demonstrates how neurodivergence can provide a fresh lens for innovation and inspire others to embrace their own individual capabilities.  Join us on this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered to explore how you too can defy the odds and grow a unique business.

Kiana Gomes is the creative mind behind the Cocktail Bomb Shop, a product she has designed to elevate your at-home bartending experience and impress your guests. After finding a gap in the market for her fizzy creations during the pandemic, she worked tirelessly on perfecting her formula. Kiana then posted a TikTok video of her cocktail bomb in action, and just like that, she went viral! She reached over 500,000 views overnight and her account has since grown to over 200k followers.  Once her business started to take off, she found herself outgrowing her kitchen table and with that, she knew it was time to scale up. Rather than taking out loans or turning to traditional funding sources, she decided to seek out investors on Dragon's Den. Join us on the Sound Advice Podcast, for a flavourful journey, as we dive into how Kiana secured major investment while also building valuable business connections. 

Do you constantly doubt your abilities and achievements? Are you haunted by the fear of being exposed as a fraud? Well, listen up entrepreneurs, here's how to conquer your imposter syndrome once and for all. Clare Josa is a renowned expert in tackling imposter syndrome, from speaking at the IoD to European parliament, and she is here to share her proven strategies to help you break free from self-doubt and step into your true potential. With 10 books under her belt, Clare also runs Soultuitive, a leadership development programme dedicated to overcoming all the barriers that are preventing you from becoming the leader you were born to be.  Stay tuned to discover how to recognise and challenge self-sabotaging thoughts, cultivate self-confidence, and build resilience in the face of criticism. This is truly an episode you don't want to miss!

Meet Camilla Barnard, the fearless co-founder of Rude Health, who didn't shy away from the critics claiming her branding was "too sexy and extreme." In fact, she saw it as an opportunity to shake up the healthy food industry. In the face of relentless judgment, Camilla and her team rejected the status quo and embraced their unique style, reflected in their fun-spirited, vibrantly coloured packaging. Far from being a setback, their cheeky approach became a customer favourite, propelling their product range to over 60 foods and drinks and raking in an impressive £30 million in annual turnover. Join us on this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, where Camilla spills the beans on the invaluable lessons she learned while building a bold million-pound business that customers just can't get enough of. Get ready for a candid conversation about breaking the mold and thriving in the world of disruptive entrepreneurship! 

Founder of the beautiful letterbox flower company Bloom & Wild Aron Gelbard traded in his cushy high-flying career—with his own fancy office and PA—for the uncertainty of starting his own business.  With £30,000 to get his idea off the ground, Aron planted the seeds for his business with 6 am starts at New Covent Garden flower market, and several weeks spent measuring over 1,000 letterboxes to make sure his blooms would fit. And as if there wasn't enough to learn already, he also had to navigate peak seasons like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, and the logistical nightmares they present. In this episode, Aron will delve into how he had the confidence to leave his stable career to start an innovative business, and how he has since grown Bloom & Wild into a superbrand that is raking in over £100m across 4 countries.  

After already achieving major success at the optimistic age of 26, founder of Gousto, Timo Boldt was nowhere near done with pushing the boundaries and set off on a mission to better his business with the pursuit of technology.  Through sophisticated algorithms and data analysis, he has used AI to successfully create recipe kits that are not only mouth-watering and reduced his company's carbon footprint, but that have also shielded his customers from the full effects of food price inflation. With Gousto's AI-guided products, customers can now enjoy suggested meals that use planet-friendly ingredients, minimise food waste, and encourage sustainable cooking practices, all at an affordable price. This cleverly combines a desire for healthy eating with making better, eco-conscious decisions. Join us on this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, to find out how you can harness the power of technology to propel your business into the future and pave the way for more sustainable living. 

Get ready for an electrifying start to Season 3! Join our fantastic host, Bex Burn-Callander, as she sits down with PR luminary Lynne Franks OBE. Together, they explore the realms of empowerment and confidence, not just for businesses navigating tight budgets, but the enthusiastic entrepreneurs behind them, too. Lynne, a trailblazer in PR and women's empowerment and a legend in the industry, imparts invaluable insights on how even the tiniest enterprises can build confidence and make an impact.Lynne candidly shares her journey and the foundational philosophy that drives her work. With a career spanning decades and a collection of accolades, including an OBE for her remarkable contributions to business, fashion, and women's empowerment, Lynne reflects on her evolution from the heady days of London Fashion Week to the inspiring pursuits that captivate her today.  

And we are back! Yes, Entrepreneurs Unfiltered kicks off Season 3 next week and we promise to bring you even more real stories and honest advice from proven business greats. Coming up:We have the queen of PR, Lynne Franks, creator of London Fashion Week, who issharing all her marketing secrets. Aron Gelbard, founder of letterbox flowercompany Bloom & Wild, explains how to build a “super brand”. Plus, meet theentrepreneur who started a business with a Spice Girl and the business guru whopromises to help you defeat your imposter syndrome for good. 

It's time for the season finale! Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, is in conversation with Sophie Cornish MBE, the multi-award-winning entrepreneur, author, and founder of the beloved online marketplace, notonthehighstreet.com and chairman of clothing brand Busby & Fox.She started notonthehighstreet.com in 2006 alongside friend and business partner, Holly Tucker, building it up from a network of 95 of Britain's most creative makers, to a 5,000-strong community selling over 200,000 unique products. After taking a step back from notonthehighstreet.com, Sophie rekindled her passion for women's fashion, getting involved with Busby & Fox alongside founder Emma Vowles.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Sophie and Steve get real about the challenges small businesses face, how to be a well-rounded leader today, and the role adaptability plays in not just surviving, but thriving as an entrepreneur.We'll explore how embracing change and staying flexible can push you forward as a founder, and pave the way to new opportunities in an ever-changing business landscape, so this is not an episode you want to miss.

Alfie Best is the serial entrepreneur who turned Wyldecrest Parks into a real success story, boasting an impressive 91 locations across the UK.But this millionaire's roots trace back to humble beginnings—he was born in a caravan on the side of a road in Leicester, into a Romany Gypsy family. According to his LinkedIn, he humorously claims his education came from the 'school of hard knocks', waving goodbye to formal schooling at 12 years old. His journey in the world of business kicked off at just 14, buying and selling cars and vans, and he was hooked.That taste of entrepreneurship set Alfie on an unstoppable path to be his own boss. Fast forward to today, and he's a self-made billionaire with an impressive portfolio of 17 different ventures. And if that isn't enough, he's even made appearances on TV and even dipped his toes into the world of film. Tune in to hear Alfie's story of determination, hard work, and a dash of grit, proving that with the right attitude, you can aim for the stars.

Pippa Murray is the visionary behind Pip & Nut, the wholesome nut butter brand on a mission to make tasty-but-natural treats for all. Pippa embarked on her entrepreneurial journey inspired by her love for running and a quest for healthy snacks. While training for a marathon, Pippa saw a lack of nut butters free from sugars and additives among mainstream options.With no formal background in food or business, Pippa's dream and an unyielding determination drove her forward. A former theatre producer, she embraced the challenges and creativity of starting a business head-on. Today, her products stack supermarket shelves and bring in millions every year. Tune in to this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered to hear Pippa spill the tea on how she juggled multiple roles and responsibilities, built a business as a solopreneur, and got the funding to turn her delicious idea into B Corp-certified reality.

Rob Law MBE is the mastermind behind Trunki, the ultimate ride-on suitcase sensation for kids. Rob's ride on the entrepreneurial roller coaster has taken him from the jaws of rejection on BBC Dragons' Den in 2006 to leading a squad that's completely redefined the world of kiddo travel gear. Since then, he's been on fire crafting innovative solutions that are like magic wands for families on the move.Since Trunki (Magmatic) rolled onto the scene in May 2006, over 4 million of these sweet suitcases have zoomed their way to more than 100 countries. Parents the world over have forked over a whopping $200 million to hop on the Trunki bandwagon. But skyrocketing to popularity comes at a price–Trunki's design was copied by another brand. The dispute ended up in court, and things didn't quite go Rob's way. On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Rob lifts the lid on how to protect your product, and what it's like to have copycats come after your design, take it to court, and end up on the wrong side of the verdict. 

 Join us on this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered as we dive into the captivating journey of Melissa Thom. By day, she is an accomplished voice actor, and the rest of the time, she transforms into a relentless serial entrepreneur.After reaching incredible success with her husband through building and selling SecondSync to Twitter, Melissa's entrepreneurial spirit was ready for the next challenge. Balancing her voice acting career, she came up with the idea for BRAVA, a groundbreaking training academy aimed at empowering aspiring artists to master their craft.In this episode, Melissa shares her insights into building a business fueled by passion and leveraging personal expertise to teach others. Tune in to get invaluable advice on turning your passions into successful ventures, and the transformative impact of mentorship and skill-sharing. 

Harriet Hastings is the fearless founder of Biscuiteers, a successful luxury biscuit company. On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Harriet shares her journey of resilience, and spills the tea on what it's like to balance business and family life when your co-founder is also your other half.From investing £80,000 of your family's savings into a great idea, to striking the right balance between work and home, and overcoming the impact of a devastating flood at the Biscuiteers' production facility in 2022, we're talking about it all. You don't want to miss this one.

Dominic Peter and Ella Jade are the innovative duo behind ROOBBA, an affordable luxury furniture brand taking the online world by storm. On this episode of the Sound Advice podcast, they lift the lid on why and how they started ROOBBA, what affordable luxury means to them, and how they're tapping into AI and AR tech to create a more personalised shopping experience for their customers. They'll also share their tips for finding the perfect co-founder, creating a membership program for your brand, and how you can finance (and scale) your own startup in a super competitive space.

Award-winning entrepreneur Beth Kume-Holland is the founder and CEO of Patchwork Hub, a pioneering disabled-led employment platform and recruitment consultancy that's shaking up the industry.As a disabled person, Beth is used to overcoming daily barriers in a world that can feel like it's not built for her. And although these barriers can be physical ones, often the biggest challenges she faces are attitudinal.Despite graduating Oxford, Harvard, and single-handedly securing FTSE100 clients, Beth still experiences discrimination which impacts her business' access to funding. She's previously been in rooms with investors discussing a £300,000 investment, only to have the offer lowered to £30,000 as soon as the nature of her disability was disclosed.At the root of it all lies underrepresentation. Being underrepresented has led to all sorts of misconceptions around Beth's work. Some mistakenly assume that because her solution is built around disability, it must be a charity-focused model or a lifestyle business.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Beth takes us on a deep dive into the kind of discrimination she's had to overcome, how she did it, and what you can do to build a more accessible, inclusive business for all. 

Dan Scarfe and Mitch Feldman are dream team behind XRAI Glass, the breakthrough technology that turns sound into subtitles so deaf people can see the conversations happening in front of them. Dan came up with the idea for the glasses one family Christmas. He noticed his 97-year-old grandfather, who was hard of hearing, struggling to join in conversations with the rest of the family in real-time, having to sit in silence instead.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Dan and Mitch tell us all about the journey to creating a breakthrough product, and the lessons they learnt along the way. 

Melanie Blane is the founder of White Rabbit Skincare, a natural, sustainable, vegan skincare brand built out of the kitchen in her one-bedroom flat.When researching the steroid creams used to treat her psoriasis, Melanie was horrified to learn about the irritants and synthetic ingredients most brands used, which might soothe symptoms temporarily, but could have long term effects.Despite enjoying 9 successful years building her brand and surviving a global pandemic, Melanie found herself muscled out of the market by huge corporations with millions more to spend on marketing.The breaking point came one day as Melanie left the gym and realised she had run out of money. A tearful plea for help on social media saw a surge in support, with more orders and website traffic in one night than White Rabbit Skincare had had in the past 6 months.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Melanie shares her raw story of resilience, asking for help, and her advice on building a challenger brand to take on industry Goliaths. 

Meet Lucy Busk, the woman who made it cool to drink wine out of a can. She founded NICE in 2019 with her co-founder Jeremy May, and now they sell a can every 5 seconds. We're talking all about becoming a trendsetter, smashing your crowd-funding goal, and getting your product in with the biggest retailers out there. 

Frankie Thorogood is CEO and co-founder of Pott'd, the crafty clay-kit brand on a mission to help boost your mental health and feed your creativity. He also founded the multi-million-pound sportswear brand TCA with just £100.And he's an entrepreneur who has come back from the brink of bankruptcy to build a another thriving million-pound brand.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Frankie tells all about what it's like to face and overcome every founder's financial fear, and come out the other side stronger and more resilient than before.

When it comes to putting a festival on, there's a lot that can go wrong. Recent disaster documentaries covering the likes of Fyre and Woodstock ‘99 have given us a clear idea of just how bad–and dangerous–things can get without the right approach. But that hasn't stopped serial entrepreneur Nick Steiert from bringing his vision for a wellness festival to life.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, we delve into Nick's world as he ramps up for the launch of Wellnergy Festival. The question is: how do you launch a brand-new festival, without going bust?

Our host Kate Bassett bids us goodbye after 24 inspiring episodes, but before she signs off she's treating us to a good old catch-up with Bex Burn-Callander, who is back from maternity leave and raring to go with even more incredible guests lined up. 

Sarah Ellis is the co-founder of Amazing If, the company on a mission to make careers better for everyone, whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, freelancing, or building your own business. She's also co-host of the UK's number 1 career podcast, Squiggly Careers, and a self-confessed introvert. On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Sarah shares her journey as an introverted entrepreneur, with her tried-and-tested tips on how to network and navigate the world of business with confidence. 

Meet Will Farnell, former record store owner turned founder of award-winning accountancy firm Farnell Clarke. He's also a super sought-after keynote speaker, and bestselling author of two books: The Digital Firm and The Human Firm.When it comes to running a business, Will is all about that flexible, tech-savvy approach that helps you strike that perfect work-life balance we all dream of. He's genuinely passionate about how technology can help entrepreneurs build businesses that are not only customer-centric but also prioritize the well-being of their employees.In this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, get ready to take a deep dive into Will's insights on building a more human business, maintaining that ethos as you scale up, and using technology to take your venture to new heights.

Sara Barnes, founder of dog walking business Who Lets Your Dog Out?, is the ultimate inspiration for anyone looking to take the leap and pursue their passion.Despite having a successful career as a project manager and a taste for adventure that saw Sara travel the world, she still felt unfulfilled and struggled with bouts of depression. To deal with the stress of her 9-to-5, Sara took a 6-month break from corporate life and decided to walk dogs for a summer. That's when she realised her true calling and got to work setting up her business. Within just three weeks, Sara found her first client and quickly expanded her services to include dog boarding. Fast forward a few years, and Sara's an award-winning entrepreneur with several best-ever months under her belt, she's taken on staff, and is on track to have her best year yet.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Sara shares how she ditched the desk job, put her mental health first, and built a thriving business that's not just super profitable, but fun to run too. 

Valentina Milanova, the visionary founder of Daye, a groundbreaking gynaecological health company, is on a mission to eliminate the gender gap in product innovation in the industry.Like many girls, Valentina experienced shame and anxiety when she got her first period early at just 9 years old. But instead of letting that experience hold her back, she decided to educate herself on all things women's health.Fast forward a few years, and her research revealed a glaring lack of innovation in women's health products and services, and so she decided to take matters into her own hands by building a community committed to raising the standards. With her woman-led products, this fearless founder is transforming the lives of women everywhere.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Valentina shares her journey from taking on taboos to changing the game–and the conversation–around women's health.  

Like many of students fresh out of university, Alan Mahon wasn't quite sure what to do after graduating, so he packed a bag and went travelling. But his adventures were cut short in Nepal, when he contracted a parasite from drinking contaminated water. After recovering back home, Alan decided to dedicate his career to fighting poverty. While working other jobs, Alan met his co-founder James and a friendship was formed over a shared passion for great beer, and doing good in the world. And so Brewgooder, the beer brand on a mission to make a difference, was born.On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Alan talks turning adversity into opportunity, growing as a young founder, and engaging with the next generation of beer lovers. 

Dan Kieran is the incredible co-founder and former CEO of award-winning publishing platform Unbound. He also happens to be the best friend every entrepreneur needs. In this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Dan shares his insights on everything from having that lightbulb moment to getting started, building your brand, raising money, and developing the right mindset to manage your mental health as a founder.

Jason Millar, also known as Jay, is the inspiring founder of Jay's Barber Club and Jay's Pro Barber Academy in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Despite a difficult upbringing, which included growing up with an alcoholic mother and being orphaned at a young age, Jason has overcome drug and alcohol addiction to build a successful business that not only keeps the community looking sharp, but also gives back to it. Jason's commitment to mentoring fellow barbers and helping those less skilled to change their lives or start a new career has made him a hero to many. He has even written a book, "From Jason to Jay," about his remarkable journey. On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Jay shares how he took control of his life and built a thriving business. 

Celebrated broadcaster and author Emma Gannon had achieved everything she had hoped for in her professional life: multiple best-selling books, a glittering portfolio career, a trail-blazing podcast, and speaking engagements that took her around the world. She was successful, no doubt about it. But despite her many accomplishments, and a hunger to do more, she couldn't help but feel burnt out and unhappy.Through some self-reflection and conversations with successful guests on her award-winning podcast, Ctrl, Alt, Delete, Emma discovered that the problem might be the way we look at success as a society. She's even written a book about it, The Success Myth, out in May 2023. On this episode of Sound Advice: Entrepreneurs Unfiltered, Emma shares her journey from burnout to a better relationship with work, debunking some of our most widely held beliefs about success along the way. 

Meet Sophia Procter, a former communications manager and the founder and CEO of Munchy Play. After almost ten years at British Airways, Sophia faced redundancy upon returning from maternity leave in 2017. But she wouldn't be defeated so easily–Sophia rallied, turning that tumble into an opportunity to follow her entrepreneurial dreams and start her own business.Determined to make things more fun for her picky-eater son, she put a train track around the plate–and it worked like a charm. Her son not only came to the table but ate his meal without any fuss. That was the "lightbulb moment”. Join us as Sophia shares her unfiltered story of creativity and perseverance, and how she brought a never-before-done idea to life. 

His Dragon's Den pitch is imortalised as the tv show's 'best ever', and Harry Redknapp describes him as having the workrate of a top footballer. This is how Sam Jones convinced stars like Tinie Tempah to invest in his tech start-up, Gener8. 

Thinking of setting up your own creative business in the New Year? The fabulous founder of Cake or Death talks making a sell-out product from your side hustle. It's practically an MBA in leopard print letterbox brownies.