In The Business
In The Business invites successful founders and prominent business voices to revisit their step one. Each episode explores the lessons they wish they had known at the very start of their journey. Guests share practical insights and stories from their early days as entrepreneurs. The show is hosted by Tom Mumford and Harrison Turner.
Episodes
Alfie Watts: From Race Across The World To Building A 250k Creator Business
He won Race Across the World with just 15,000 followers. Then he turned down a career in air traffic control to bet everything on Instagram.Alfie Watts is a 23-year-old travel creator who won BBC’s Race Across the World and turned it into a business that now takes in around £250K a year. In this episode, he shows you what it really takes to make money from content.We talk about:Why “influencer is
He Quit His Job Overnight, 13 Years Later He Has 30+ Stores In 3 Countries
Jens Knoop opened the first Knoops in Rye in 2013 with £20K from friends and family and no business plan. When the landlady asked for one, he handed her a hot chocolate. Thirteen years later there are nearly 30 Knoops stores across the UK, the Middle East and the US.We talk about the luxury bag on the Shanghai metro that sparked the idea, the locals who gave it three months, how a LinkedIn message
Why Being A Bit Of A Psychopath Made Me £2.5M By 35! | Ex City Banker: Geraint Anderson
What if the traits that make someone brilliant at making money are the same ones that show up on a psychopath test?Geraint Anderson was selling trinkets on a beach when his brother got him a job in the City. Ten years later he was running the second highest ranked equity team in London, earning £600K to £700K a year and spending, by his own admission, most of it on cocaine and strippers. For four
Building a £60M Insurance Business with ZERO Experience | James Noble
Could you go three years without paying yourself?James Noble was a full time golf caddy at Wentworth when he registered the company that became MyFirst, the UK's specialist car insurance broker for learner and young drivers. He had no insurance experience, no money and no track record. What he had was five hours a round with some of the most successful people in the country, and the nerve to a
Could This AI Mirror Replace Your Personal Trainer? | How Varun Bhanot Built The Business
Varun Bhanot is the founder of Magic AI. After encountering some personal health challenges, he asked the obvious question: why is my gym so analogue when everything else I touch is AI?Five years on, MAGIC sells an AI fitness mirror that uses computer vision to correct your form, count your reps and scan your body composition.The company has won the King's Award for Innovation, launched in the US,
How To Communicate With Confidence (from a public speaking coach) | Susie Ashfield
"You don't have a right to feel comfortable."Susie Ashfield coaches founders and public figures out of the thing people fear more than death. In this episode she explains why we freeze, why filler words don't ruin your credibility, and why confidence can be applied like fake tan.Harrison has given exactly one speech in his life. He froze, and Tom had to open the event instead. So
She Sold For 13.3 Million Pounds: Here’s How To Sell Your Business The Right Way.
Rachel Murphy sold her company for £13.3 million in under 1,000 days. Then she found out what nobody tells you about life after the deal.In this episode Rachel breaks down the reality of exiting a business: why you never walk away with a bag of cash, why 80% of businesses listed for sale never find a buyer, and why most founders are quietly building themselves a very expensive job.She also explain
The £2 Billion Founder Who Refuses To Sell | Paul Hamilton, Halo
Paul Hamilton started Halo in his bedroom. Today it's a £2 billion software company, the world's first fully bootstrapped unicorn, built with no investors, no debt, no sales team and no intention of ever selling. You might also recognise Halo as the front of shirt sponsor of Ipswich Town FC.In this episode Paul breaks down The Halo Way: why he'll never sell or IPO, how his first custom
From 5p SIM cards to a £7 Million Carpet business | LIVE PODCAST in front of 50 Business Student
Myles Shaw didn't set out to be an entrepreneur. At 23, with his first child on the way, he just needed to find an extra £100 a week. So he started selling SIM cards on eBay for 5p profit a time. That scrappy hunt for a bit of extra cash became runrug.com, now the world's biggest online seller of made to measure hall and stair carpet runners, and part of a Grimsby flooring group turning over milli
AI Isn't Taking Your Jobs, Lazy CEOs Are. AGI Will Arrive by Next Summer: Danilo Mcgarry
Everyone says AI is taking graduate jobs. Danilo McGarry, who spent 20 years running some of the biggest AI programmes in the world, says the truth is far more uncomfortable: lazy leadership in the boardroom.In this episode Danilo reveals the boardroom politics behind mass job cuts, why AGI could arrive by next summer, what OpenAI's finances really show, why Elon Musk is wrong about universal
How To Build A Business In 2026 (From A Founder Who Sold For Millions)
Roei Samuels was nearly thrown out of school at 14. He was selling burned CDs in the schoolyard before most people knew what a side hustle was. Years later he grew the sports media company RealSport to 9.5 million monthly users and engineered the buyer into acquiring the whole business. Then he did something most founders never would: he walked on stage and tried stand up comedy.In this episode Ro
This "Boring Business" Gets 500+ Million Views On Social Media: The Maka Twins
They were told they'd never amount to anything. Now they've got 20+ million views on a single video, cleaned a TfL train, and stopped Simon Squibb in the street.The Maka Twins went from being "looked down upon" their whole childhood and getting a Chatterbox award in primary school, to building one of the UK's most-watched cleaning brands, cleaning TfL trains, airplanes and Bi
He Made £150K/Month… Then Lost It All & Went To Prison
Entrepreneur Tawhid Juneja went from earning £150K/month in healthcare recruitment to cocaine addiction, £2.4M bankruptcy, and 33 months in prison. Now he's rebuilt, owning businesses and football club AFC Welwyn. This is his full story.In this episode of In The Business podcast, Tawhid opens up about growing up with a single mum, building his first recruitment business, how the 2008 recession
This Coffee Business Might Tell You To F*ck Off.
Ask for anything else and the clue is in the name. Flat White Or F*ck Off is a concept by Rory Sutherland brought to life by Tom Noble, Charlie Hurst, Will and Lucia Sudlow. Serving only one product, the business is a bold experiment in simplicity and provocation.In this episode we speak with the founders about the £27,000 pop up in London, what's next for the brand and why they started this b
Starting A Six Figure Accountancy Business Aged 23: Grace Hardy
Grace Hardy is a content creator, accountant, bookkeeper, and business owner.In this conversation, she shares why she decided to start her own business and the very first steps she took to launch her company. Timestamps:00:00 Choosing the Unconventional Path01:12 The Decision to Start a Business02:50 Building the Business: First Steps04:06 Client Acquisition Strategies07:47 Content Creation and So
How GloveGlu Became a Global Brand: Paul Sherratt
Paul Sherratt is the Founder & CEO of GloveGlu, the company behind the world’s first goalkeeper glove grip spray.In this interview, we take Paul back to step one...the moment GloveGlu began. He shares how the idea came to life, the early challenges he faced, and the key lessons learned while scaling the brand into a global business.In The Business is a podcast that takes entrepreneurs and foun
1,000 Startup Pitches Later: What Investors Really Want (Phil Mcsweeney)
Raising investment isn’t about having a “cool idea.” It’s about proving you can execute, sell, and build something real without acting entitled or wasting investors’ time.In this episode, angel investor Phil McSweeney (40+ investments; thousands of pitches seen) breaks down what actually gets a yes, what gets you ignored, and the fastest ways founders accidentally sabotage themselves.What you’ll l
Reddit Asks: Your Questions About Investment
Why is it so hard to find an angel investor and what are you doing that makes it harder?In this reddit asks Q&A, Phil McSweeney (angel investor with 40+ investments, mentor/coach to startups, author) answers the questions founders actually ask when they’re trying to raise: where to find angels, when to pitch, how to spot a bad investor, how to think about equity, and what a pitch deck is reall
How Apple Ended Up Buying a ‘No One Will Buy This’ Product, Predicting trends before they happen.
In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Keith Walker a founder known for seeing the “direction of travel” early. Unpacking what separates real trend-spotters from people who just chase hype.We cover: • How tech disruption really works (and why the winners often come back with a new value proposition, think Rolex, vinyl, print). • AI: why it matters, and how it will actually show up (embedded in
He Quit School At 17 To Start A Business.
What happens when you’re 17, smashing school, and still decide to walk away because the business is growing faster than the timetable?In this episode, we sit down with Finley Hyett, a 17-year-old entrepreneur who dropped out in Year 12 to go all-in on his Cardiff-based digital marketing agency. We unpack the part most people skip: how you earn trust when you’re young, how you build real self-belie
Build To Sell From Day One: Gavin Bell
In this episode, we sit down with Gavin Bell to unpack how he went from solo social media freelancer to building Yatter a paid ads agency he deliberately designed to sell and successfully exiting in just a few years. Gavin breaks down the difference between a lifestyle business and a sellable business, and why most founders say they want an exit but structure their company so nobody would actually
Beating 120,000 Competitors: The Mindset That Took Andrew Hulbert From Bedroom Startup to £100M Exit.
In this episode, Andrew Hulbert breaks down the real, uncomfortable truth behind his journey. How the working-class upbringing shaped him, the sacrifices that nearly cost him everything, and the relentless mindset required to scale a company faster than anyone around him.He exposes the myths around “work–life balance,” explains why most founders fail before they even start, and shows exactly how h
Reddit Asks: Your Business Financing Questions.
Unsecured vs secured business loans. What’s the real difference, what do lenders actually care about.In this episode, finance broker Kat Edwards breaks down how business lending works in plain English: What a “good” vs “bad” rate looks like right now, why your personal credit score matters even for a business loan, and the biggest mistake founders make when they’re desperate for funding. What you
From Nightclubs to 6,000-Person Events: Giles Denning on Real Growth
Giles Denning joins us to break down how he went from nightlife and hospitality to building PerformX Live a 6,000-person fitness business event reshaping the industry. We dive into why he quit alcohol, how he rebuilt his networkfrom scratch, the real mechanics of getting speakers and partners, why most people build events wrong, and why “mental fitness” is so important for modern men. If you’re bu
Q&A: Business/ Personal tax: What You Should Know
In this episode, were joined by Ellis Bennett, owner/director of EA Accountancy, who works with agency owners, young entrepreneurs and startups (around 400 clients) and breaks down the most common questions he hears from people building income on the side. We cover: • When you actually need to file Self Assessment (and the £1,000 trading allowance that catches people out) • What you can claim as
Emotional Intelligence for Entrepreneurs: Why You Keep Reacting, Overthinking, and Messing Up Decisions
In this episode, we sit down with emotional intelligence coach Nick Atzeni to dismantle the lies you tell yourself about how self-aware you are.If you think you can run a business, lead people, or even hold a relationship together without understanding your own emotions, this conversation will expose the gaps you’ve been ignoring.Nick breaks down:• Why you don’t actually listen and how to fix it.•
Reddit Asks: Your questions about young entrepreneurship answered.
A 17-year-old entrepreneur (Finley Hyett) takes on the biggest questions young founders ask: where to start, how to be taken seriously, and what to build first to stack skills fast. We break down confidence, handling pushback, standing out, networking intelligently, and the real trade-off between service businesses and “faceless” models like dropshipping. Plus how to think about AI/“machine learni
Reddit Asks: Should I Go To Uni? (with India Elsom)
If you have ever thought “What the hell do I do with my life?” and felt like uni is your only option, this episode is for you. Harrison and Tom sit down with India Elsom, founder of Engaged Social Media and Marketing, to answer real questions about life after school. They cover feeling stuck, whether uni is actually right for you, how gap years and work experience really play out, and what kind of
Answered: How do you sell a business?
Gavin Bell (who sold his company last year) breaks down you questions about “How do you sell a business?”You’ll learn:Where buyers come from (and why “list it on a site” usually brings time-wasters)How businesses get valued (EBITDA multiples, revenue multiples, net profit)How to push your multiple up by building what acquirers want (team, systems, lower risk)The earn-out trap and how to protect yo
How Charlotte Built a Business With £2 in the Bank.
Charlotte Giddings didn’t start a brownie empire because she wanted to. She started it because she had no other choice.During lockdown, with £2 left,a startup loan hanging over her, and no way to open her café, she made one decision that changed everything: “If I make 50p today, it’s 50p more thanyesterday.” In this episode, Charlotte reveals:· How a single Facebook post turned into a nation
The School System Lied To You: Paul Avins on Why Entrepreneurs Don’t Fit In
In this episode, Paul Avins breaks down exactly why the school system fails entrepreneurs, why the UK culture holds back ambition, and how to build the mindset required to scale a business in today’s world.Paul reveals the truth about entrepreneurship, from overcoming fear and scarcity thinking to understanding leverage, building a network, and using AI to grow faster than ever. If you want to lea
The MUSICPRENEUR! How Creatives Can Actually Succeed - Josh Robinson
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Robinson, founder of LMSUK, a global entertainment brand built on helping creatives turn their art into a real, sustainable business.Josh shares how he went from sneaking backstage at festivals as a teenager to running a company that works with artists, producers, and creators across the world. His journey shows what’s possible when creativity meets practical
You’re Overcomplicating Business. Speed, Real Validation & Networking That Actually Matters.
In this episode, Alex breaks down why most young entrepreneurs sabotage themselves, why talking to real customers beats every marketing playbook, how loneliness destroys early-stage founders, and why your network the decides whether you actually make progress or just look busy online.
Reddit Asks: “Why Is My Small Business Such a Mess?” — Fixing Bottlenecks, Waste & Chaos with Andy.
Small business owners jump on Reddit every day asking the same thing:“Why is everything in my business so slow, messy, and chaotic?”In this episode of Reddit Asks In The Business, we put the internet’s most-asked questions straight to Andy Skinner, a Lean Six Sigma specialist who fixes broken processes, removes waste, and helps businesses run like actual businesses. Not duct-taped chaos machines.F
Shift Your Mindset, Change Your Business (Steve Chadwick)
Steve Chadwick spent 40 years in the corporate world before turning his focus to helping business owners master their mindset. In this episode he shares why most founders feel trapped by the very business they built, how to shift from “I have to” to “I choose to,” and why great leaders delegate not dominate.We get into the Reticular Activating System, your brain’s internal filter, how to reprogram
10 Minute Tips: Master Your Mind Ian March on Calm Confidence and Control
In this episode we sit down with Ian March, a mindset and hypnosis coach who helps entrepreneurs regulate their nervous system and rebuild calm from the inside out.Ian breaks down what happens when you lose control under pressure and how simple breathing techniques can instantly reset your body and mind. He explains the power of meditation, visualisation, and posture in building real confidence an
Niche First. Ship Fast. Rohan (Plannex) on Building Real Community
Rohan (Plannex) breaks down how to win by going tighter, not broader, serving a defined niche (financial planners) and shipping before you overthink. We get into why the best companies start microscopically small, how to turn a community into real world events, and why “just do it” isn’t a slogan, it’s the operating system. If you’re still polishing the plan six months later, this one’s for you.Yo
£400 to £3M Business With No Degree. Jake Slinn (JS Global)
In this episode, we’re joined by Jake Slinn, founder of JS Global Group, who started his business from his bedroom at just 19 years old with only £400 in the bank turning it into a multi-million-pound operation.Jake shares the full story of how he built one of the UK’s most unique waste management and salvage businesses, dealing with everything from counterfeit goods and seized containers to aband
Sacrifice, Mindset, and the Hidden Reality of Success! Norbert Csorba
In this episode, we sit down with Norbert Csorba, a UEFA-qualified coach whose journey from hospitality and construction to academy football at Watford is built on sacrifice, persistence, and emotional intelligence.Norbert shares how his struggles has shaped his coaching philosophy, focused on people, process, and mindset.We talk about what truly separates academy players from grassroots ones, ho
CSR Expert: Stop Ticking Boxes! Build Partnerships That Actually Change Lives: Ashley Johnson (Haijahr)
In this episode, we speak with Ashley Johnson, founder of Hyja, a company helping businesses build meaningful partnerships with charities through corporate social responsibility (CSR).Ashley shares how his own experiences with the NHS and family health challenges shaped his mission to help companies make a real impact. From distributing surplus stock to local charities, to creating long-term commu
From One Bakery to Ten: How Steve Magnall Grew A Cafe Into A £10 Million Brand
From one small bakery to a £10 million business with 200 staff and 10 locations, Steve Magnall’s journey shows what real entrepreneurship looks like. He shares how he worked seven days a week, and scaled Two Magpies Bakery from £450K turnover to millions. A powerful story about risk, resilience, and what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up.
Burnout, Bank At £0, Still Building: The Mental Game Of A Beauty App Founder! Alisia (Episode 20)
From salon chair to startup founder, Alisia, the creator of Paiire Beauty, shares her journey from freelance makeup artist to tech entrepreneur.After two decades in the beauty industry, Alisia realised there was no platform that truly supported artists like her, so she built one. With no tech background, she taught herself the startup world, raised investment, and turned an idea she had in the sho
20 Episodes Later: The FIVE Biggest Lessons We Learnt From Entrepreneurs & Founders
We’ve officially hit 20 episodes and what a journey it’s been.In this episode we look back at everything we’ve learned so far from speaking with founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs across the UK. From building multimillion pound companies to starting from nothing, every guest has taught us something that’s changed the way we think about business.We break down the five biggest lessons that have stuck
Business Reality: Glamour Won’t Make You Rich | Solving “Dirty” Problems Will | George Pennell (EP 19)
From selling his car and starting out with a rusty van to scaling a cleaning company with over 150 staff, George Pennell’s journey proves that you don’t need a flashy idea to build a successful business.In this episode, George shares how he spotted an opportunity during Covid, took a huge risk, and turned oven cleans into major commercial contracts — including a £3m TV production set. We talk abou
Loss Is Everywhere! Entrepreneurs Are Grieving More Than They Realise — Here’s Why. (Episode 18)
In this conversation, grief coach Kate Nudds shares her journey from a successful recruitment career to becoming a grief coach after experiencing profound personal loss. She discusses the differences between coaching and counseling, emphasizing the goal-oriented nature of coaching in contrast to the present-focused approach of counseling. Kate highlights how grief can serve as a catalyst for pers
The High-Performance Playbook: Sleep, Breathwork & Purpose! Work Less, Achieve More! Ben Coomber (Episode 17)
In this episode, Ben Coomber shares his journey from personal health struggles to becoming a high-performance coach and entrepreneur. We dive into his philosophy of ‘awesome living’, tackling limiting beliefs, mastering self-regulation, and finding true balance between work, health, and family. Ben also opens up about the realities of building a supplement brand, overcoming setbacks, and why quali
Copywriting: Bad Words Are Killing Your Sales! Most Businesses Don’t Even Realise! Dan Farr
In this conversation, Dan Farr discusses the essentials of copywriting.
The 3 Secrets To Hitting Millions Of Views! Julius Grut
In this episode, we’re joined by Julius Grut, a viral content strategist who’s worked with top entrepreneurs and brands to create videos that rack up millions of views.Julius breaks down the psychology behind what actually makes a video go viral and why the first three seconds are the most important part of any post. He shares his three core principles for creating content that performs and why ob
Episode 16 - 80% Is The Process and The Final 20% Is The Clever Bit | Andy Hayward
In this conversation, Andrew shares his extensive journey in sales and business development, detailing his early experiences, career transitions, and the lessons learned along the way.
Episode 15 - Turning Challenges into Opportunities
In this conversation, Ben Herbert shares his journey from overcoming physical challenges at birth to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the health and fitness industry.
Episode 14 - Building A Dating App | How 8 Minutes Can Change Your Life
In this conversation, we speak to Miguel, one of the founders and the CEO of The Eight App, and we explore the raising capital and the challenges and friction that can occur when building a company between founders.
Episode 13 - The Must Know, When It Comes To Tax
In this conversation, Nick Hampton shares his journey from a young entrepreneur selling sweets to running a successful accountancy practice. He discusses the importance of understanding tax laws, common misconceptions about taxation, and the role of accountants as business advisors.
Episode 12: What You Need To Know About Finance - Caroline Russel
In this conversation, Caroline Russell, a financial advisor, discusses the importance of financial education, especially for young people. She emphasizes the need for understanding personal finance basics, the benefits of starting to invest early, and the significance of compound interest.
Episode 11 – Running Your Social Media: Authenticity Over Aesthetics
In this conversation, Janine discusses her journey in starting Media Pimps, the impact of COVID on her business, and the importance of authenticity in social media branding.
Episode 10 - From An Idea To 400+ Events A Year: Jenna Ackerley's Journey
In this episode, we explore how Jenna turned an idea into a business, scaling to over 400 events per year.
Episode 9 – From Hobby To Hustle: Building A Business Around Your Passion
In this conversation, Perran shares his journey of transforming his passion for photography and videography into a business.
Episode 8 – The Secret To Scaling Your Business With Facebook Ads – Stephen Wright
In this conversation, Stephen shares his journey into e-commerce and digital marketing, detailing his early experiences with eBay and the evolution of his career into Facebook ads.
Episode 7 - How To Build A Business Around A Community.
In this conversation, we expolre the franchise Geek Retreat.
Episode 6 - The Founder Who Built and Exited £50 Million Worth of Companies
In this conversation, Scott shares his extensive experience as a serial entrepreneur, discussing his journey of building and selling businesses. He emphasises the importance of having a clear exit strategy from the start, the value of recurring revenue, and the significance of mission-driven businesses
Episode 5 - Starting a Personal Training Company.
In this conversation, Adam Berry and Alicia Keane from Vision Rise Fitness share their journey of establishing a fitness business aimed at making fitness accessible to everyone.
Episode 4 - Starting A Marketing Company That Stands Out.
In this conversation, Tony Southgate, founder of Ginger Pickle Marketing, shares insights into his journey in the marketing industry, the challenges of building client relationships, the significance of hiring the right team, and the role of AI in modern marketing.
Episode 3 - Redefining Wellness: The Story Behind the Menopause Vitamin Company
In this conversation, Mel, the founder of the Menopause Vitamin Company, shares her journey from a successful career in hotel management to creating a unique supplement for women experiencing menopause.
Episode 2 - Building a Music Education Business: Adam
In this conversation, Adam shares his journey from being a musician to founding Band Academy, a music education service. He discusses the evolution of his business model, the importance of intentionality in business practices, and the challenges of building connections with schools. He reflects on the gradual growth of his business and the lessons learned along the way, highlighting the importance
Episode 1 - Vicky Stokes Marketing Journey
In this conversation, Vicky Stokes shares her journey as the founder of Little Piggy Marketing, discussing her transition from corporate marketing to supporting small businesses. She emphasises the importance of flexibility in services, building a strong network, and adapting to changes in the marketing landscape. Vicky also reflects on the challenges of running a business, the significance of net
Introduction - In The Business
Conversations with entrepreneurs, investors and CEOs.
