The Project Future Podcast

How can you improve not just your mental health, but your mental wealth?  My guest here in Episode 43 is Mike Pagan – a Business Performance Specialist who believes that having a proactive support network is the secret to your success.  Mike explains:  - How he learnt to adapt when faced with a global financial crisis  - The brutal reality of retiring from professional sport, and what we can all learn from it  - Why it's so important to have somebody to ask you the right questions  - Who should form your mental wealth team  - The difference between being professional and amateur…and what it will lead to  - Why taking in information alone won't make a difference  Mike's best advice is don't do it in isolation.  Enjoy!

How can you increase growth in your business without working longer hours?  My guest here in Episode 42 is Mark Jarvis, a business mentor who inspires forward-thinking business people to grow themselves and build better, stronger and smarter businesses.  In this conversation Mark explains:  - What can be achieved if you surround yourself with the right people  - How to grow your business when your diary is already full  - The difference between growth and expansion  - What the 60-20-20 Principle is, and why you should implement  - The common misconception of what constitutes working ON the business  - The power of referrals, if done right  - How to deliver a great speech  Mark's best advice is to get somebody to help you.  Enjoy!

How can you maximise the opportunity that change brings?  My guest here in Episode 41 is The Success Spark, Liz Hamlet. Liz is an internationally known Coach, Business Mentor, Speaker and Podcaster.  She's the founder of Spark Succeed Coaching & Consulting, and she helps people to get laser-focused on their careers and businesses.  In this conversation Liz explains:  - The benefits of starting a business in times of change  - How you can get over the fear factor in the idea stage  - The 5 key mindset changes that successful entrepreneurs make  - Why you shouldn't be apologetic about your pricing  - Why we should see change as an opportunity, not a threat  - Why change encourages innovation  - The benefits of running your own podcast, or appearing on somebody else's  - Why you should embrace being yourself  Her best advice is to feel the fear and do it anyway.  Enjoy!

How can you thrive using technology, if you're not technical?  My guest here in Episode 40 is Sophia Matveeva, the founder of Tech for Non-Techies, who is on a mission to help people learn about tech so they can achieve what they want from their careers.  In this conversation Sophia explains:  - How she started by solving her own problem  - What a lack of understanding between tech and business people can lead to  - The difference between a product metric and a business metric  - How fundraising is a process of courting  - The benefits of asking for advice  - What a monthly newsletter can do for your business, and how to structure it  - How you'll be seen if you keep on turning up  - How start-ups iterating is a good thing, and why good investors should be open to this  - How she's developed solutions for those with different needs, aligned to the overall mission of the business  - The negative impact of not understanding today's technology environment  Sophia's best advice is to have the confidence to say you don't know things.  Enjoy!

How do you provide a global platform for traditional artisans, sustainably?  My guest here in Episode 39 is Teni Majekodunmi, the founder of Eclectic Chique. Teni founded the business to raise the bar for African products internationally, with a clear focus on developing the craft industry in Nigeria and empowering women whilst doing so.  In this conversation, Teni explains:  - How her business actually started as her own therapy after a family tragedy  - Her mission to showcase the products of African artisans to the world and to change perceptions along the way  - What products she started with and how she gained a first major client  - The business' values and why they matter  - The impact the platform she's created has had and how she's worked with partners like the International Trade Centre to amplify her influence  - How asking for external help can enable you to progress faster  Teni's best advice is to start small.  Enjoy! 

How can you respond positively when change happens around you?  My guest here in Episode 38 is Anthony Kingsley – a copywriter, travel agent and networker who is a passionate believer in following his interests.  In this conversation Anthony explains:  - Why it's important to learn how NOT to do things  - What happens if businesses don't evolve  - How Covid-19 has made people recognise the importance of community  - The pros and cons of running a franchise  - Why being clear about what benefit you can provide is key  - Why writing short posts is great training  - What the “So What?” test can do for your business  Anthony's best advice is to be very clear about what your product or service does to make your client's life better.  Enjoy!

How can you humanize your marketing?  My guest here in Episode 37 is Paul Cash, a creative entrepreneur on a personal mission to humanize B2B marketing.  In the past 20 years, he's successfully founded a business recognised as the fastest growing marketing agency in the UK, published a book, won over 30 industry awards and been recognised as one of the Top 20 most influential B2B marketers.  At the weekends he spends his time on the football and rugby fields of Surrey coaching his two boys. He is a lifelong Everton fan, has some pretty mean skills in the kitchen, loves Game of Thrones and Billions and if he could get a hole in one before he dies he would be a very happy man.  In this conversation Paul explains:  - How he first went public with his marketing ideas  - What happened when his first business went from 2 people to 100 people in 4 years  - What he did to find the right next step after his first business was acquired  - Why being innovative can feel like pushing water uphill  - How every small business is on a tightrope  - The 3 languages that every B2B marketer (and small business owner) needs to understand  - How FEAR can turn to BRAVE  - What you can achieve by identifying unconscious needs  - Why you should adopt a challenger mindset  - The trend towards conscious capitalism  - The five principles you can use to humanize your marketing  - Why naivety can be your greatest weapon  Paul's best advice is to slash your revenue projections before making a decision on your business idea.  Enjoy!

How can you give yourself and your team an environment to thrive?  My guest here in Episode 36 is Mark Latteman, the founder of Sachma Performance and Development, a strategic Learning and Development and Coaching consultancy.  He assists leaders in creating an environment where leaders and their teams excel.  In this conversation, Mark explains:  - How he trialled being his own boss before taking the leap  - How he can work across different industries and sectors  - Why he always starts with the problem, not the solution  - How a seemingly counter-intuitive approach has helped his business succeed  - Why being authentic is key  - How you can focus on achieving better work-life balance  - Why you're probably spending more time than you think on activities that don't help you achieve your objectives  - Why meetings should be outcome-driven  - The differentiating factor between team success and failure  - What he's doing to give back  - The best self-promotion you can do  Mark's best advice is to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.  Enjoy!

How can you generate content that gets noticed?  My guest here in Episode 35 is content writer, marketing copywriter & PR specialist Jane Rogers.  Jane explains:  - How she found her ikigai niche  - How you can use content to strike a chord with your audience  - The common pitfalls many businesses make regarding content  - How you can use content to get yourself known and recognised as an authority  - How to choose the right content type for your business  - The opportunity to bring businesses together locally…and how there's probably more happening on your doorstep than you realise  Jane's best advice is to focus on understanding your audience's problems.  Enjoy!

How can you build better business relationships?  My guests here in Episode 34 are Tracey and Ian Earl, founders of In Business - a networking group with a difference.  Tracey and Ian explain:  - Why they decided to start a business together  - What their community focuses on  - How they pivoted to working online, and the opportunities it's opened up  - The secret to successful networking  - What to consider before joining a networking group  Tracey's best advice is to build a network; Ian's is to do your research.  Enjoy!

How can you flourish as an introvert?  My guest here in Episode 33 is Joanna Rawbone, a change agent and advocate for introverts.  In this conversation Joanna explains:  - How introverts can play to their own strengths - How introverts rechange differently to extraverts - Why she looks to demonstrate credibility through assets - The value of a TEDx talk - How categorisation can be useful and why it's not an excuse - How the extraversion bias can be mitigated - Why mitigating the extraversion bias should be part of the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda considered by all employers - Her mission to make an impact within education Joanna's best advice is to ‘hold it lightly'. Enjoy!

How can you make the customer experience better?  My guest here in Episode 32 is Jane Hubbard, the founder of People Jigsaw.  Jane has enjoyed a vast and varied career, but the thing that consistently shines through is her ability to make the people experience better, for both the customer and the employee.  Jane explains:  - Why the midlife crisis is a reflection point - Where to go from a career pinnacle - How reflecting can give clarity on your next steps - How she progressed by making herself redundant - Why you need a good ‘number 2' - Why every organisation should invest in their people - Why working with integrity is a recipe for success - How you can leverage platforms to improve your offering - Why it's important to find kindred souls - What to do when the phone doesn't ring  Jane's best advice is to learn to touch type. Listen and it will make sense! Enjoy!

How can you make social media work for your business?  My guest here in Episode 31 is Sophie Southmayd, a digital marketing expert and founder of Sophie Southmayd Consulting. Sophie and her team are social media experts who take the time to get to know a brand's ethos, creating content with the right tone of voice, all while utilising their expertise in optics for better brand awareness. Sophie explains: - How she spotted the opportunity to start her own agency whilst an employee - What she does on a quiet day to continue growing the business - Why you should always find out a client's budget - How you can establish your social media tone of voice - The social media etiquette to follow - Why consistency is key - How you can manage your community - Why the metric you should be looking at isn't followers - How you can be authentic online - Why video is non-negotiable…and the top 3 things you need to succeed Her best advice is not to worry so much. Enjoy!

How can you improve your wellbeing and mental health?  My guest here in Episode 30 is Zeenat Noorani, a wellbeing and mental health therapist, coach, author and radio presenter.  Her mission is “Helping you achieve the life you desire - helping you find and forge your path.”  Zeenat explains:  - How a career change went wrong for her - How she sought to solve a problem she experienced herself - Why wellbeing and mental health awareness should be more than a tick-box exercise - How showing weakness can be empowering - Why you should seek support before hitting rock-bottom - How making things better starts with your own self-awareness - Why mindset is key - Why we're all on a learning journey - The balance between accountability and ownership - How you can get and maintain a 6-pack - What makes a strong business partnership - Her vision for wellbeing and mental health as part of the school curriculum Zeenat's best advice is to make sure you're passionate about what you do. Enjoy!

How can you bring your audience closer?  My guests here in Episode 29 are Agatha and Robbie Appleton-Sas of Rån Studio, who use online thinking and visual communication to find the right way to tell your story. Agatha and Robbie themselves have a quite remarkable story and have done some wonderful things, especially since the pandemic struck. They explain: - Why they decided to start a business together - How they started fast and realised what they could offer as a package - Why they always focus on people first - Why digital transformation is about keeping the human aspect - How stories bring people together - Why the rules of communication are the same, online and offline - Why and they decided to help during spring 2020 by offering free social media clinics - And how it led to a very special opportunity that clarified their mission - Why they recommend a simple approach to social media - Why it's important to be present - Why the digital opportunity is now! - And finally, how story and mission are interlinked…and vital to success Agatha and Robbie's best advice is to have a good accountant you can trust. Enjoy!

How can you prosper on the start-up journey? My guest here in Episode 28 is Lee Lam, founder of The UK's Start-up Partner. Lee has a wealth of experience in Technology and Financial Services, holding Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff positions, and now helps founders maximise profit margins using smart operational strategies. Lee explains: - Why working with start-ups first appealed to her  - Why working in a big business doesn't necessarily prepare you for start-up life  - Why it's difficult for corporates to blank-page the future  - How start-ups can disrupt and solve problems quicker than established businesses  - Why corporates want to invest in start-ups…and how it could dilute your vision  - Why you need to prepare for growth long before it shows itself  - Why it can feel like your business is invisible after the initial excitement fades…and how to get through that phase  - What the best starting point is for a start-up  - Why, post-Covid, all businesses are start-ups now and how to avoid the post-Covid trap  - Why the solution is always in finding the right questions to answer  Lee's best advice is to get an objective opinion on your start-up idea. Enjoy!

How can you start building an international brand, even at the early stages of your business?  My guest here in Episode 27 is Inna Armstrong, a senior executive professional with multinational experience in different countries of the world, a professional speaker and Co-Founder of CleverBooks.  Inna's current focus is on influencing the change in the education system through a strategic application of innovative EdTech, thus helping educators to embrace 21st-century teaching.  Inna explains:  - How there is now an opportunity to start building an international brand from launch  - Why it's possible to start internationally rather than with your local market  - Why you should follow the statistics  - Why she is a strong believer in strategic partnerships  - Why creative thinking and collaborating are key skills  - How CleverBooks gathered information to grow in an unfamiliar market  - Why business development should be a balance of digital and in-person meetings  - Why you should think about what you can share to benefit others  - Why digital technology is the future of education  - That unless you act, your dreams will just stay as a dream  Inna's best advice is to be driven by your ‘why?'  Enjoy!

How can you make an impact with your audience through voice communication? My guest here in Episode 26 is Janie van Hool, founder of VoicePresence Ltd. Janie helps leaders make an impact by creating a powerful personal presence, enabling them to connect with and inspire their people. She is also a volunteer listener for Samaritans. Her forthcoming book, The Listening Shift, is a revolutionary approach to cultural transformation through listening. It is to be published in June 2021. Janie explains: - How she realised what she knew could benefit another audience - How she helps leaders become more effective - How you can use your voice to help you get to where you want to be Janie's best advice is to recognise what you can do best, and use others for things outside of it. Enjoy!

What's it like starting a business when you're 18, growing it for a decade and then having to make bold decisions to rebuild it following a global pandemic? My guest here in Episode 25 is Matt Turner, Founder & MD of Clownfish Events, who took the opportunity to build Clownfish Studios when Covid-19 decimated the events market. Matt's story is one of dreams, disruption and daring. You're witnessing his childhood dream - to run a leading production studio that takes on the industry big boys and makes streaming and filming accessible to all. Matt explains: - How he first started running events whilst in school - What he learnt by saying yes to everything - How experience has shaped him - How he made the most of a big break - How they stood out from the competition - How they've grown with some of their clients - Why human personality is so important - Why he'll continue to break barriers - Why it's important to always be yourself - Why he decided to expand the business by building a state-of-the-art TV studio - Why it's important to understand that every problem has a solution Matt's best advice is to learn to enjoy the process. Here is the link to Matt's 2020 Christmas message which includes the time-lapse video of the studio's creation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrU-kSLaoIo Enjoy!

How do you appear credible in front of your audience? My guest here in Episode 24 is Krista Powell Edwards, known as The Credibility Expert. Krista has made it her mission to help individuals, HR, teams and organisations to communicate their credibility, so they know it AND show they know it, to increase their influence and impact. Krista explains: - How an interest in performance and achievement developed into a career - Why perhaps we don't know what a dog is - Why self-knowledge is even more important if you're self-employed - How to get to the stage where your client's value what you deliver - What to do when the phone doesn't ring - Why when you're self-employed nobody can state what you're worth - How she grew from working overseas - The benefits of going out of your comfort zone - The 4 C's that will make you appear credible - Why we should always consider the intended outcome - Why effective people don't always have the impact they deserve - Why you need to communicate your credibility and what you've achieved Krista's best advice is to completely understand your comfort zones. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 23, I speak with two guests – husband and wife and business partners Ash & Kat Springle, who've brilliantly designed the lives they want to lead. Starting with a wedding photography business, TheSpringles.com, and when Covid-19 hit they mitigated the impact by moving a project off the backburner, quite literally, launching the beautiful AbelBurners.co.uk In this conversation Ash & Kat explain: - What initiated their move away from desk jobs - The steps they took to make it a reality - Why they've always focused on their customers as people first - What being upfront and candid has resulted in - Why being time-rich is key for them - The fine line between what you want and what you need - How rituals are key to making homeworking a success - What makes some business owners succeed where others fail - Why being yourself matters - How they are now prepared for seasonality within their businesses - How they have benefitted from outsourcing - How you can love what you do even more Ash & Kat's best advice is to look at what's already in your life before deciding on your business. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 22, I speak with Al Gerrie, the founder and CEO of ZigZag Global – a SaaS solution to help eCommerce retailers manage returns domestically and globally. ZigZag was acquired by Global Blue in March 2021. Al explains: - The compelling solution ZigZag offer - How they started by crowdfunding the idea, prior to having an MVP built - The unexpected benefits of crowdfunding and the type of businesses crowdfunding is right for - How they developed the software and took the product to market - The game-changing moment for them, and how the product stood up to the test - Why they took a conscious decision to grow and scale fast - Why it was the plan to build a global business from day one - How they forged relationships with suppliers and customers internationally - What winning awards led to - How their circular economy and green credentials helped attract VCs in their Series A funding round - How the sale to Global Blue came about - The revenue synergy opportunities the deal brings His best advice is simple: Do it! Enjoy!

Here in Episode 21, I speak with brand transformation expert, Vicki Young. Vicki is the personification of the ‘can do' attitude, and the founder of Nalla – a multi-award-winning branding agency for a fast-paced digital world. Vicki explains: - How a childhood love of drawing led to a focus on graphic design - How winning an award whilst at university gave her an initial platform - The range of experience and insight she gained from working in a small agency - How she grew by being told ‘no' - How a family bereavement fast-forwarded her plans - How to build rapport and tender for contracts - Why she kept aside a buffer of cash from the outset…and how it saved the business - Why it shouldn't be seen as a disaster if you have a bad year - How she uses goals and affirmations to drive the business forwards - How Covid-19 changed her perception and measure of success - Why it's so important to be able to pivot, and not have too many eggs in one basket - And finally, her best branding tips for a new business owner Vicki's best advice is to believe in yourself and have the drive that will allow you to achieve your ambitions. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 20, I speak with sales executive Bryn Emans. Bryn doesn't run his own company yet – but there have been a few near misses along the way. Bryn explains: - The value he gained from living abroad, and why he'd recommend it - The business ideas he's had and why it's never quite been the right time to start - What it was like being TUPE'd on his placement year - Why there is no right and wrong answer about career choice - What we all need clarity in - The benefits of working in different size companies - What sales techniques a start-up can borrow from big business - The relationship between sales and marketing in a small business - What sales strategy is crucial to any business - And finally, why 3-5 year plans will help you achieve big goals Bryn's best advice is to understand the impact of your plan, and to get the timing right. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 19, I speak with Ben Cameron, the founder of Cameron Publicity and Marketing.  Ben and his team have worked on hundreds of book launch campaigns for everyone from big publishers to independent authors and on pretty much every subject imaginable. Ben explains: - How it was an easy choice to work with books - How his business started part-time initially - How he saw opportunity from the revolution in publishing - What success means to him - How he uses speaking to share his knowledge and grow his client base - What he loves most about what he does - Who a pitch is always for - How publicity can open doors Ben's best advice is to avoid feeling that business growth needs to be continuous. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 18, I speak with YEGA, a lawyer and marketing professional turned fashion illustrator. Primarily working in the fashion industry since 2015, she specialises in using her art as a branding and visual communication tool in the language of luxury. She has worked with some of the world's top brands and her works have covered walls at The Dubai Mall and been on display at perhaps the world's most iconic luxury department store- Harrods. YEGA is the Founder/ Creative Director of FASHION ILLUSTRATION AFRICA- the only online platform dedicated to championing and promoting the art of fashion illustration on the African continent. She is also on the board of the Association of Children's Authors and Illustrators of Nigeria (ACAIN). In this brilliant conversation YEGA explains: - How she initially sought a ‘respectable' job - What she overcame to publish her initial artwork - What social media has added to her journey - How she built momentum and realised fashion illustration could be a career - Why learning every day is part of the job - How success was a mixture of serendipity and being prepared - Why she's still excited and has a sense of wonder about her work - The key to winning - That knowing an option exists is vital for young people - Why it's ok to say you don't know the answer - And finally, why people who start businesses are not leprechauns! YEGA's best advice is to talk to more business owners and learn from them. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 17, I speak with Darya Yegorina, a quantitative futuristic thinker, reality disruptor, professional speaker and founder of CleverBooks. CleverBooks helps educators and parents to increase kids' engagement in class, inspire learning at home and spark their curiosity and imagination. Darya explains: - The type of problems she's always looked to solve - What she's focused on to continually succeed - How her business works with both B2B and B2C customers - That public speaking didn't come naturally, but why it was necessary to overcome - Why everything starts with something small - What's most important about what you deliver - The key ingredient for any startup or project - The benefits of feedback and the many forms it can arrive in - The massive stone it is her mission to move, and how she intends to do it Darya's best advice is to realise it's hard work starting a business before you actually start. Enjoy! PS. Here is the Link to Darya's Bookshelf for 2020: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/daryas-bookshelf-2020-darya-yegorina-dba/

Here in Episode 16, I speak with growth technologies evangelist and motivational speaker, Grant Asplund. It's an enlightening conversation full of stories.   For more than 20 years, Grant has been sharing his insights on how businesses can best protect themselves from sophisticated cyber-attacks in an increasingly complex world.   Grant has lived a fascinating life so far, and shares with us his career journey over 40 years alongside his aspirations for the future.   He also shares inspirational advice and truths we can all take forward, regardless of our industry, background or phase of life.   Grant explains:   - How he got visibility of how a business operates early in his career - Why you have to put yourself out there - Why success is never achieved alone - How he sells ‘holes' not drill bits - How to be bold and memorable - Why we're all imperfect and what you can do about it - Why we all need to learn to unlearn - The opportunity to make a difference after a traditional retirement - Why he's P.I.S.S.E.D. and the difference it's made to his life   Grant's best advice is Deep Faith Eliminates Fear. It'll make sense when he explains.   Enjoy!

Here in Episode 15, I speak with author, leadership and life coach, Sue Belton. After giving birth to her daughter, Sue realised she wanted something different from life and took redundancy from her successful media career. Sue saw value in a coaching session she received from Judy Rich, and then went on to learn more about coaching and started her own business. Sue explains: - How she shifted her mindset from that of an employee to an entrepreneur - How she hustled for clients in a variety of scenarios - The key connections to make before starting your business - Reasons why you shouldn't set up a business - How she's adjusted her offering since Covid Sue's best advice is to get a complete handle on what your fears, limiting beliefs and any self-belief issues are. Sue is also a contributor to my book, Project Future. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 14, I speak with an inspirational young entrepreneur, Sam Halligan. Sam's passion for cars was ignited when aged 17 he exported two Cinquecento's from Italy. This led to founding Samuel Lloyd & Co where he matches worldwide petrolheads with Land Rovers and European classics. He is now embarking on a mission to revolutionise the way collector cars are transacted globally, alongside fundraising for the charity ‘Cool Earth'. Like Episode 11 with Sam's mum Elaine, this episode is made up of two conversations, recorded a year apart in December 2019 and December 2020. A huge amount changed for Sam during the year, but by listening closely to the first part you'll hear the acorns were there long before Covid. Sam explains: - how he realised entrepreneurship was for him - how he's explored things he's passionate about - how he's found solutions to problems his customers have Sam's best advice is to start with something you know well, you're passionate about and to have belief you'll make it happen. Sam is also a contributor to my book, Project Future. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 13, I speak with cloud security expert, Shira Shamban. Shira is the founder of Solvo, a software company that automates and shifts left cloud security. She is also a former military officer in the elite intelligence unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Force. In this conversation, Shira explains: - why cyber-security is important to everyone - how her military career prepared her for life in a start-up - why start-ups like working with ex-military personnel - how she learned the role of an entrepreneur before starting her own company - how she raised $3m in capital during the Covid-19 pandemic Shira's best advice is to prepare for the worst. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 12, I speak with the founder and CEO of Plutus Consulting Group, John Martin. His focus is delivering value from Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deals. John has 30 years' experience, and his recipe for success is a combination of customer focus, extensive global finance and risk experience, supported by strategic expertise. In this conversation, John explains how he gained experience and a career to fall back on before starting his own business. John talks us through how he built his skills and reputation from one project to the next and the nervous excitement that comes when a project is being prepared to Go Live. Perhaps most pertinently, John explains how he's learned it's impossible to succeed alone, and that both teamwork and successful management of people are vital to success. His best advice is to make sure you have all the facts to hand before making a decision. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 11, I speak with parenting coach, speaker and author, Elaine Halligan. The episode is in two parts, recorded 12 months apart, in December 2019 and December 2020, with significant changes in between. Elaine explains her early career and how positive parenting methods made such a huge impact in her own family life. The opportunity then arose to become a partner of The Parent Practice, initially running the London office with her business partner on the other side of the world. She shares the impact her book, ‘My Child's Different', has had on the business, and the opportunities it has created, before explaining what changed in 2020 and her exciting plans for 2021 and beyond. Elaine's best advice is to do business with your perfect customer. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 10, I speak with co-founder of Naked Innovations, Ryan Edwards. Ryan has spent most of his career in the agri-food industry and now focuses on creating agri-food ecosystems that realign the planet, business and people - innovating for a healthier planet and people. In this conversation, Ryan talks us through how he's set goals but hasn't been afraid to make big decisions when his goals have changed. He explains how he's made use of his network, and how his network has made use of him as he found his niche and developed solutions his clients want. Ryan goes on to share his view of innovation and redefining how it can best be achieved in the global community we live in. His best advice is to update your dreams and to make sure you're chasing the right one. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 9, I speak with Tanya Janca, also known as SheHacksPurple. Tanya is the best-selling author of ‘Alice and Bob Learn Application Security'. She is also the founder of We Hack Purple, an online learning academy, community and weekly podcast that revolves around teaching everyone to create secure software. In this conversation, Tanya explains how she worked out early on that software developers were her tribe, and how speaking publicly led to further opportunities, first in-house and then as her own boss. The power of community and generosity of people is a theme that runs throughout this episode, and one that is music to my ears, in the spirit of abundance. Tanya goes on to explain how there is a long way to go before secure software development gets sufficient recognition and presence academically, and how she is aiming to drive this change. Her best advice is to make sure there is a market for whatever it is you want to offer. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 8, I tell the story of my first book, Project Future: 6 Steps to Success as Your Own Boss. I explain what the book is about and who it's for, then why I had a passion to write the book and why it was the right concept for me – even though it wasn't my first idea. I go on to state what I've learned through the process, and how bringing others into the journey has been key to aiming higher, before talking about what's next for me, and the postive actions you can take as a result of the book. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 7, I speak with digital marketer and founder of SMA Digital, Steve Auchettl. In this conversation, Steve talks us through how he started in marketing at a young age and then worked freelance whilst travelling the world. He shares his career path and how his company came to focus on providing intelligent quizzes. Steve goes on to explain the exciting plans he has for 2021 and beyond, shaping the business aligned to his own values and interests. His best advice is that success comes from continuing to narrow a product offering and focusing on the key result a client is looking to achieve. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 6, I speak with Glenn Wilson, a DevSecOps consultant and founder of Dynaminet. Glenn is also the author of a recently published book on his subject, titled DevSecOps: A leader's guide to producing secure software without compromising flow, feedback and continuous improvement. In this conversation, Glenn shares how he came to focus on his business full time, 15 years after setting it up. He talks about the value of networking, the opportunities it can provide, and how he's grown as a result of presenting on stage. Glenn explains how the mindset of a contractor is completely different from that of an employee, and how recognising this has helped him thrive. His best advice is to invest the money in the business wisely to open up new opportunities. Enjoy!

Here in Episode 5, I speak with the founder of Remotefixer.co.uk, Martin Smith. I was instantly attracted to Martin's business by his clear branding and simple proposition which makes it easy for the customer to say yes. Martin has leveraged social media to build a platform for his business since 2012, resulting in some unexpected and global customers. Martin has built a business that works for him and his family, but it wasn't always that way. His earlier business built on his passion for magic ultimately failed, despite Martin giving it everything, which leads to his best advice – not to get too emotionally attached to your business. Enjoy!

In this inspirational episode, I speak with Kulwinder Dhillon. Kulwinder spent her corporate career at IBM and BT before starting her own business earlier in 2020, with a focus on goal mapping and hypnotherapy – but that doesn't even begin to tell the story. Kulwinder talks candidly about the personal tragedy and illness she's been through, and how, remarkably, she's been able to use these experiences to grow as a person and now uses what she's discovered to help others. Her best advice is to really understand why it is you want to start your own business, and once you have clarity on your why, take action. Enjoy!

In this episode, I speak with Martin Duffy, founder of Majadu Ltd, which specialises in selling audio-visual parts and accessories online at serious volume.  Martin talks us through how he quickly shifted his focus following his initial foray into self-employment as a live event sound engineer and began selling the products he knew and understood online.  Martin goes on to explain how someone setting up online can leverage the power of Amazon – but also the risks that can come with this – and the benefits of hosting an online shop within your own website.  His best advice is "if you're already considering starting your own business...the key is to take steps to make it happen...and to know what you're working towards...even if it's in your spare time".  Enjoy!

In this episode, I have not one but two conversations with Dani Mosley. Dani is the founder of Family Feasts, a home cooking business with a focus on quality and experiences. Dani is also mum to 2 secondary age school children, and her husband also runs his own business. She takes us through how she turned her passion for cooking into a business, whilst continuing to balance work with the needs of her family. Dani's best advice is to keep costs low and grow organically by exploring all opportunities to understand where they'll take you, and if they fit with your values. Enjoy!

In this short episode, I introduce - who the podcast is for - why I've decided to create it - who I interview - why this decade offers a unique opportunity to start a business - then finally, a bit of background on me