Best Western Studios Leeds Podcasts (2024)

1
Work is Funny 1:15:30

16d ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Fiona Bradley recorded on 23/05/2024 Fiona Bradley is the Founder & Director of FB Comms, a social media content agency named Start-Up of the Year 2024 at the EU Content Awards. Having created content and run campaigns for the likes of the NHS, Rolex, Coca-Cola, and growing many start-ups, Fiona was named Digital Agency Owner of the Year 2023. Alon…

1
Work Should Set You Free 1:27:29

24d ago1:27:29

1:27:29

Reinhard Huss (UBI Lab Leeds) recorded on 22/01/2024 Check out Work is Pushing Boundaries for Reinhard's Working Hours episode. This bonus episode focuses specifically on Reinhard's knowledge of UBI (Universal Basic Income) and his involvement with UBI Lab Leeds. Reinhard’s master’s thesis was on ‘Economic Justice for Sustainable Health’. His thesi…

1
Work for Peace and Plan with Kindness 1:21:12

24d ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Dan Robinson recorded on 31/01/2024 I’ll quote Dan’s email response to being asked about some blurb (I cleared it with him): “Argh do I have to talk about myself in the third person?!! What about this... Dan Robinson is a community organiser with a background in tech, sustainability and environmental action. A leader with infectious enthusiasm, he …

1
Work is Pushing Boundaries 1:45:32

1M ago1:45:32

1:45:32

Recorded on 27/02/24 Reinhard Huss studied medicine in Bonn and Nottingham. He worked in the NHS as a clinical doctor and researcher for four years including two years in Leeds. He was a senior teaching fellow at the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development at the University of Leeds between 2005 and 2019. He was the programme leade…

1
Work is Brilliant 1:35:48

1M ago1:35:48

1:35:48

Laurra Davis recorded on 07/05/2024 Laurra Davis is the founder and creative director of Leeds-based social media agency, Brilliant. They manage social media accounts for some of the UK’s best food and drink brands and celebrate their 13th year in business this month. At Brilliant Laurra oversees the creative output of the agency, and has a strong …

1
Work is SAASy 2:33:32

2M ago2:33:32

2:33:32

Jamie Taylor recorded on 05/02/2024 Jamie Taylor is a distinguished technologist and visionary leader, boasting over a decade of software development expertise. As the Managing Director at RJJ Software in Leeds, Jamie clinched the 'Most Visionary Software Development Managing Director' award in 2023. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP, Jamie, among a se…

1
How to build a fashion brand - Simon Brown, Joe Browns 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

This week we speak to Simon Brown, founder of fashion and lifestyle brand, Joe Browns. Simons tells us where the inspiration for the brand came from, shares with us the business ups and the personal downs of Covid, being told that he was unemployable, the three ‘i’s the brand lives by and a great checklist for starting your own business. Rasputin a…

1
Work Opens and Closes Doors 1:59:49

2M ago1:59:49

1:59:49

Luke Pierce recorded on 08/01/2024 Luke Pierce has been running his family business Abi Doors for the last 10 or so years. Leaving a life of sound engineering on television and shows ‘down south’ behind him to do so. Abi Doors is the North’s leading supplier of garage doors, doors and awnings With over 40 years of experience, Abi Doors has establis…

1
I hate Daniel Priestley - Entrepreneurship Masterclass with Daniel Priestley 1:07:23

2M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

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

1
Being caught in the 2008 RBS scandal - Dean Hartley 56:30

2M ago56:30

56:30

This week we speak to Dean Hartley and hear all about some of the darker sides of business; the threat of VCs kicking you out of your own business, being caught in the 2008 RBS GRG scandal and what happens when you’re at strategic loggerheads with your fellow board members, and the personal low point of exiting a business. INTRODUCING DEAN HARTLEY …

1
From start-up to aim-listed plc - Jonathan Straight, Straight plc 59:30

2M ago59:30

59:30

This week's guest is Jonathan Straight, founder and former-CEO of recycling solutions company Straight plc. Jonathan tells us how the business came about, the journey to becoming a plc, the crisis caused by over-trading and then the eventual sale of the company. And he discuss the important question, 'what do you wear after selling your business?' …

1
Work Makes Strangers Friends 1:32:45

2M ago1:32:45

1:32:45

Rachel Surtees recorded on 15/01/2024 Rachel Surtees originally trained as a holistic therapist, growing and evolving her practice from there, she has worked with people therapeutically for over eighteen years now, including for the last six years working psychotherapeutically as a Relational Integrative Therapist. Through her work and experiences …

1
Apprentice 2024 winner, Rachel Woolford - Owner of North Studio gyms 55:30

2M ago55:30

55:30

This week I’m delighted to have Apprentice winner and North Studio owner, Rachel Woolford as my guest. Rachel explains all about launching her boutique gym just weeks before lockdown and the stress it caused her, reveals the secrets from behind the scenes of The Apprentice, tells us all about her time on the show and shares what it's been like sinc…

1
Work is Patterns 1:16:01

3M ago1:16:01

1:16:01

SUBSCRIBE TO WORKING HOURS YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618 Charlotte Raffo recorded on 23/01/2024 Charlotte Raffo has lived in Leeds since 1997. Her award winning business The Monkey Puzzle Tree collaborates with Yorkshire artists to create locally made fabrics and wallpapers with a twist and a conscience. Cha…

1
How to run a Pop-Up Shop - Simon Williams & Marshall Frieze 42:16

3M ago42:16

42:16

This week’s guests are Marshall Frieze and Simon Williams who, for only three weeks a year, run a speciality pop-up shop. Hear why they do it, the unique challenges they face, how Covid turned EVERYTHING on it’s head and what the key is to the shop’s continued year-on-year improvement. INTRODUCING SIMON WILLIAMS & MARSHALL FRIEZE Simon Williams is …

1
Fiona Conor - MD, Trust Electric Heating 44:48

3M ago44:48

44:48

Starts at 00.45 This week’s guest is Fiona Conor, Managing Director of Trust Electrical Heating. Fiona tells us all about her amazing & varied route to becoming a business owner, the ups and downs of registering a patent, the huge importance of brand, the need for a business coach to vomit on…. and how to stop your ‘leaky bucket’ and increase your …

1
The quickest way to reduce your business carbon footprint - Peter Kirby & Will Smith, Tred 48:38

3M ago48:38

48:38

This week we speak to green banking start-up, Tred. Peter & will discuss where the idea of a green bank account came from, the secret tip that worked for improving their network connections, how the first round of testing changed the business strategy, the positives and negatives of a wait list and what it feels like to secure £1m of funding. We al…

1
Leeds is Work 1:12:47

3M ago1:12:47

1:12:47

SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORKING HOURS PODCAST YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@workinghourspodcast4618 Recorded on 17/01/2024 Bryan Walters works in an office in Leeds 4 days a week doing admin. On Wednesdays he works on Geography Juice, his YouTube channel about Leeds History and Geography. Bryan went to Christ Church Upper Armley Primary, …

1
The secret of successful angel investment - Colin Glass OBE 43:33

3M ago43:33

43:33

This week’s episode is slightly different as we meet one of the Leeds business community’s most well-known faces, Colin Glass OBE. Colin shares his expertise on a variety of business topics including what makes a great business founder, funding options available for businesses, what is a NED and why you might need one, what sweat investment is and,…

1
I've built 10 £1m+ businesses - Nigel Botterill, Founder, Entrepreneurs Circle 52:23

4M ago52:23

52:23

This week we speak to Nigel Botterill, Founder of Entrepreneurs Circle. Nigel tells us why bootstrapping is the WRONG way to run a business, how incompetence launched his most successful business, the day he found £500k missing from his business bank account and the bedroom business that went multi-million pound in months. He also gives a 'how to' …

1
Start up to £mm sale in 7 years - Alistair Maiden, Founder of SYKE 49:15

4M ago49:15

49:15

In this week’s episode we talk to Alistair Maiden, founder of legal tech company, Syke. Hear business tales and learnings from the legendary Ken Morrison, Alistair’s eureka moment for the business, how the business grew to an eventual multi-million pound sale in the US plus the hard changes that needed to take place after sale. Plus, what’s it like…

1
How to win at property development - Christine Yorath, Property Developer 36:28

4M ago36:28

36:28

In this week’s episode we speak to local property developer and interior designer, Christine Yorath. Christine talks us through her property career, plus how she started a skincare business when returning from Vancouver, the almost accidental launch of a successful property letting business and teaches us how to avoid getting stabbed in the back in…

1
Work is Knowing Your Sh*t 1:19:50

4M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

Clare Clifford recorded on 16/01/2024 Clare Clifford, Mum, Yorkshire lass, Leeds dweller, business owner, expert speaker, lover of shoes, wild swimmer and expert in digital content and founder of Sunshine Digital. Clare is a Mum to three children and a Border Terrier. She loves coffee, Percy Pigs, gin, cheese and is obsessed with true crime books, …

1
How to grow your business by acquisition with Jon Graves, Founder & CEO, Northern Telecom 32:19

4M ago32:19

32:19

If you’ve ever considered, or want to learn more about, growing your business by acquisition, you’ll want to listen to this week’s guest, Jon Graves, Founder & CEO of Northern Telecom. Jon has grown his business by 7-fold in three years via 13 acquisitions. In part two of our discussion Jon shares with us some of the good, and bad, acquisitions tha…

1
Work Keeps Things Working 2:00:31

5M ago2:00:31

2:00:31

Farakh Masood recorded on 10/01/2024 Farakh Masood is the founder of True Green Energy. Farakh’s vision is to assist SMEs and corporates, including the oil & gas, mining, and renewables sectors, in achieving a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable transition to a circular economy. In today’s dynamic business landscape, Farakh firmly …

1
Jon Graves - Founder & CEO, Northern Telecom (growth by acquisition) 36:45

5M ago36:45

36:45

If you’ve ever considered, or want to learn more about, growing your business by acquisition, you’ll want to listen to this week’s guest, Jon Graves, Founder & CEO of Northern Telecom. Jon has grown his business by 7-fold in three years via 13 acquisitions. Jon tells us all about his acquisition strategy, shares the learnings from some of his early…

1
Jamie Bentley - CEO, Stephenson Personal Care 42:49

5M ago42:49

42:49

In this week’s episode we speak to Jamie Bentley, CEO of Stephenson Personal Care. Jamie tells us all about how it feels to take over as fifth generation in a family firm, selling in the states looking like a cross between Tim Nice-but-Dim and Hugh Grant, the feeling when landing your first million dollar deal and how a brilliant ‘train set’ analog…

1
Work is Sharing Knowledge 1:16:09

5M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Tracey Earl recorded on 30/01/2024 Tracey Earl along with her husband Ian, runs We Are In Business a business networking group. We Are In Business helps solopreneurs and small and start-up business owners to grow their networks, gain new skills and build confidence in themselves and their business. After running their own businesses for many years,…

1
Work Improves Things 1:29:14

5M ago1:29:14

1:29:14

Andrew Firth recorded on 05/01/2024 Andrew Firth has been involved with and working in digital since 2001, formerly as the MD of a design agency before setting up Ascensor in 2007. Over the past 16 years Ascensor has grown to become an award winning integrated digital agency, specialising in delivering sales and lead conversions for clients across …

1
Chris Bax - Co-Founder, Bax Botanics 35:37

5M ago35:37

35:37

Chris Bax, co-founder of Bax Botanics, tells us how this ‘professional tree-hugger’ husband & wife team launched an outdoor experiential business, and then their award-winning alcohol-free gin-like drink. You get to meet Ebenezer, Edith and Hefzibah and hear how Chris feels that getting liquid on lips is the toughest part of the business, along wit…

1
Carrie Rose - Founder, Rise At Seven (the growth & expansion of Rise At Seven) 36:01

5M ago36:01

36:01

In part two of her interview Carrie Rose of Rise At Seven discusses the exit of her co-founder, re-structuring the business to reflect the aim of generating demand and then capturing demand, bringing a management and support team in, establishing an American office, a basic ‘how to’ to improve your company’s SEO and Carrie’s key learnings from her …

1
Work is Constantly on the Move 1:20:18

5M ago1:20:18

1:20:18

Marketa Dolezalova recorded on 25/09/2023 Marketa Dolezalova is an academic researcher who studies migration, work and inequality. She is herself a migrant and worked in minimum wage jobs after moving to the UK, before returning to higher education and eventually doing a PhD and moving to Leeds.By Western Studios, Leeds Ltd

1
Work is Finding New Solutions 1:36:14

6M ago1:36:14

1:36:14

Sal Poyser recorded on 08/11/23 Sal Poyser is an eco-entrepreneur that has a love for our planet and a burning desire to make a difference, she co-founded Adored Earth as a platform to inspire people to make small practical steps to reduce their environmental impact. Being raised by a botanist Sal was taught at an early age that small actions can l…

1
Work Should Be Considered 2:05:17

6M ago2:05:17

2:05:17

Alexis Percival recorded on 18/10/23 Alexis Percival is the Environmental and Sustainability Manager for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust based in Yorkshire, UK. She started as the first Sustainability Manager for an ambulance service in the country in 2009. Her challenging role involves reducing the carbon footprint of the blue light ambulanc…

1
Carrie Rose - Founder, Rise At Seven (the rise and rise of Rise At Seven) 39:39

6M ago39:39

39:39

Hear how Carrie Rose went from launch to £7.2m turnover in four years, winning 80 awards in two years on the way, how she turned down Lord Sugar, the importance of brand and company culture, the importance of processes and systems, the issues she encountered managing exponential growth and how she copes with managing staff older than herself. There…

1
Jamie Peacock - Rugby League legend and motivational coach 30:35

6M ago30:35

30:35

What does it feel like when you’re the best in the world at something, and then can’t do that anymore? In this week's episode we speak to Rugby League legend Jamie Peacock MBE, who is now a business coach and motivational speaker. Jamie tells us how the skills and habits that took him to the top of the tree can help you in your business, how captai…

1
Michael Michaelson - ex-CEO, CLC Finance 44:16

6M ago44:16

44:16

What does it feel like when you’re moved out of the family business that you’ve run for 25 years? In this week's episode we speak to Michael Michaelson ex-CEO of CLC finance. Michael, very candidly, talks us through what he calls his ‘rags to riches to rags story, how the banks caused him ‘2 years of hell’ and how difficult it can be to finally let…

1
Work is Cone-ecting Yorkshire 1:45:06

6M ago1:45:06

1:45:06

Keith Madeley recorded on 06/11/2023 Keith Madeley (AKA Mr Yorkshire (you’ll find out why in the interview)) left Grammar School at 16 and joined British Rail as a Clerk in Bradford. 2 years later Keith was moving to London for a promotion and then going on to pass all the exams to become British Rail’s youngest ever Station Manager at 21 years of …

1
Work is off The Wall 1:43:36

6M ago1:43:36

1:43:36

Chris Joy recorded on 25/10/2023 Chris Joy is a Project Lead at a construction and building management company but, that doesn’t tell you anything about his work or even his many previous roles. Chris has done many 'off the wall' roles, some of which we cover in this interview. He didn’t send me any blurb for this intro but, you don’t need any. He’…

1
Zandra Moore - Co-Founder and CEO, Panintelligence 52:24

6M ago52:24

52:24

In this week's episode we speak to Zandra Moore, CEO of PanIntelligence. Zandra shares with us a super cheap and really effective marketing tactic that she used and that can get your business noticed, the triggers that brought about a successful Series A funding round, why she didn’t change her business card when she was promoted to CEO, the key ro…

1
2023 Highlights - Part 2 31:49

6M ago31:49

31:49

For this week's episode, we took the time to look at the highlights from episodes 11 - 20. £20m businesses crashing.... identifying the perfect business.... an amazing new business pitch.... how to be a great boss.... drug-dealing arrests and more.... There are some great learnings and fascinating business tales. If you've not yet listened to an ep…

1
Work is Fantastic 1:27:17

6M ago1:27:17

1:27:17

RJ Barker recorded on 05/09/2023 RJ Barker is a critically acclaimed and award-winning author of fantasy fiction. He won the 2020 British Fantasy Society (BFS) Robert Holdstock award for Best Novel for his fourth novel, The Bone Ships. His debut trilogy The Wounded Kingdom (Age of Assassins, Blood of Assassins and King of Assassins) was nominated f…

1
Work is Harm Reduction 1:45:20

7M ago1:45:20

1:45:20

CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of Suicide George Richardson recorded on 05/07/2023 George Richardson is an ‘Outreach and Engagement Practitioner’ for the charity GamCare. George’s role is to reach out to different support services and talk to members of the public to raise the profile of gambling related harms and the support GamCare can offer. George…

1
2023 Highlights - Part 1 35:26

7M ago35:26

35:26

For this week's episode, we took the time to look at the highlights from episodes 1-10. Perfect business plans.... the Simon Cowell effect.... bootstrapping.... how to run a tech project when you're not a techie.... 'tweaking' pre-launch customer research... not being first to market... the problems of Brexit and more.... There are some great learn…

1
Alex Craven - CEO & Co-Founder Data City 38:04

7M ago38:04

38:04

In this week's episode we speak to Alex Craven, CEO and Co-founder, founder of The Data City. Alex tells us about the sale of Bloom Agency, the harsh lessons learnt when selling a business, how and why the business sale went so badly wrong, half a million pounds worth of contracts without trying with his new business, data City and how ADHD and the…

1
Alex Craven - ex-Founder, Bloom Agency 27:55

7M ago27:55

27:55

In this week's episode we speak to Alex Craven, ex-Founder of Bloom Agency and now CEO and co-founder of The Data City. Alex tells us about the launch of his first business, Bloom Agency, one of the first digital businesses in the UK, what Alex describes as a mind-bending receivership meeting, getting rid of 385/400 clients and the huge growth …

1
Russell Bisset - Founder, Northern Monk 44:19

7M ago44:19

44:19

In this week's episode we speak to Russell Bisset, founder of Northern Monk brewery. Russell explains to us the key role his Grandmother played in launching the business, the importance of collaboration in business, particularly in the early days and the different challenges that direct to customer, off-trade and on-trade bring. He also shares with…

1
Martin Wolstencroft - Founder, ARC Inspirations 43:09

8M ago43:09

43:09

This week we speak to Martin Wolstencroft, Founder & CEO of the company behind Banyan, Manahatta or Box. Amongst other things, Martin discusses the four features you must have to ensure your business is a success. He also tells us how he re-mortgaged his house and put EVERYTHING on the line to launch his first bar in Headingley, why and how he stre…

1
Jacob Hill - MD, Offploy 51:08

8M ago51:08

51:08

In this week’s podcast we meet Jacob Hill, MD of Offploy. Jacob tells us all about his start-up at the age of 19 that brought him business awards and £300,000 of angel investment but also talks about the mistakes made that brought it all crashing down. He then shares with us the story of his arrest and subsequent prison sentence that changed his li…

1
Lee-J Walker - Joint MD, TheBusinessDesk.com 44:55

9M ago44:55

44:55

In this week's episode we speak to Lee-J Walker, joint MD at TheBusinessDesk.com. Lee explains to us the essential business skills learnt from being an engineer AND an army reservist, the importance of understanding different cultures when doing business internationally and, from his own experiences, what to look out for when doing an MBO. He also …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Western Studios Leeds Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide