Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast

"I Never Wanted to Run a Business..."

April 04, 2024 00:36 - 47 minutes - 87.4 MB

Mick Walker has been making award-winning videos for major brands around the world for over 17 years. He's all about keeping video production simple and accessible – something he calls 'Video Made Simple.'. In this episode, you will hear: 💬 Why Mick "never wanted to run a business". 💬 How "coming clean" about owning a lifestyle business changed everything. 💬 Why most businesses overcomplicate video. 💬 The importance of "starting with shite". 💬 Why video is the ULTIMATE evergreen ...

"I Still Struggle With My Work/Life Balance..."

March 07, 2024 01:00 - 46 minutes - 85.1 MB

Austin Newberry is the owner and CEO of Logspan - a timber building manufacturer based in Scotland. Austin is a family man who says that he still struggles with work/life balance. In this episode, you will hear: 💬 Austin's POWERFUL story about a childhood family holiday - and how it impacts his parenting style to this day. 💬 What it's like to take over a family business - and why it still doesn't feel like his business. 💬 The building blocks that ANYONE can use to get better at publi...

Pinch, Punch...

March 01, 2024 10:36 - 2 minutes - 3.83 MB

crreeeaaaaaak! What's that noise? Oh, it's just the sound of me, opening the doors for the March 2024 intake of my One Percent Club. Why the creaking? Well, the doors have been closed since the 1st of October last year - and they need a bit of WD/40. What's the One Percent Club? It's a community of like-minded, ambitious lifestyle business owners, all committed to the following cause: "To leave their business 1% better each week." The O...

"We're just normal people with a really NICE life..."

February 01, 2024 00:00 - 50 minutes - 92.7 MB

Husband and wife duo, Jon and Miriam run Mod A Mini, a BMW Mini performance parts ecommerce store and Torque Monkey, a physical garage in Chelmsford specialising in performance vehicles. In this episode, you will hear: 💬 Why HATING cars was an ADVANTAGE when starting a car business 💬 How DIFFICULT the first few years were - and how much HARD WORK was needed. 💬 The importance of "leaving work at work" when working with a loved one. 💬 Why Jon and Miriam LEFT the One Percent C...

Charlie Munger's 12 Principles for Small Business Owners

January 04, 2024 02:04 - 40 minutes - 73.5 MB

Ambitious, lifestyle business owners can learn valuable lessons from Charlie Munger, the renowned investor and Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Here are some key lessons: Value of Continuous Learning: Munger is a strong advocate of lifelong learning. He believes in expanding one's knowledge across various disciplines, not just in your field of business. Business owners can benefit from this by constantly seeking new knowledge and perspectives that can help them make better decisions. I...

"I am REALLY disappointed when other people don't do their part..."

December 07, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 118 MB

It's Chriiiiistmaaaaasss! We start this Christmas special episode by wishing Noddy Holder's Evergreen Asset (Merry Xmas Everybody) a happy 50th birthday. We also dissect the rise of AI in 2023 (No, it's not coming for your job - but it IS going to change your job completely!), celebrate the return of in-person events, and explain how to listen to John's audiobooks for free. We also end the year by looking at the boys' Books of the Year - including a "personality profiling" book that iden...

"I grew my business by 75% last year... and it nearly broke me!"

November 02, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 93.5 MB

Nicky Thomas is the founder of The Growth Community, a networking group that promises “Real Community Business Networking”, with relaxed, purposeful networking, and no membership sales pitches. Nicky joined the One Percent Club 18 months ago, and as a result, grew her business by 75% in her first 12 months of membership. That huge level of growth doesn't come without a cost, however, and it's this cost that we talk about in today's episode - the price small business owners pay for growth. ...

"I want EVERYTHING I do to have an impact..."

October 04, 2023 23:00 - 48 minutes - 89 MB

Graeme Tennick is Chief Impact Officer at Tennick Accountants, where he isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves, and is on a mission to empower trades and professional services business owners who know the grind of long hours, minimal returns, and the frustration of hefty taxes. The word "impact" runs through today's episode - Graeme talks about the impact of his father's forklift business on him as a young man, the impact of making a few wrong decisions (and more than a few right ones!). As...

TWO pieces of TIME-SENSITIVE information...

September 22, 2023 13:08 - 3 minutes - 5.51 MB

I've got two pieces of time-sensitive information to share with you today - one involving an 82% discount, and on that could (literally) change your life. But BOTH require some action in the next 8 days...

"I REFUSE to take no for an answer..."

September 06, 2023 23:00 - 45 minutes - 83.8 MB

Never give up in business. If there's one piece of advice that today's guest Alastair Imray embodies, it is this. Alastair's business career began with no qualifications and no money but a determination to start his own business. Alastair has proven that hard work, determination, constant learning and never giving up has been the key to running a successful business. Wearing a Nike "Just Do It" T-short, Alastair tells us: How he sold anything and everything - from ice cream on Bondi ...

"Exit Strategy for Small Business"

August 03, 2023 09:03 - 1 hour - 119 MB

What's the best Exit Strategy for a Small Business? It depends... In this summer-special podcast, John and Jason discuss their (many!) failed attempts to exit their small business over the years, including: Thinking they sold their company for £2m - only to get a Dear John email. John giving away 49% of his small business for free What happens when you abdicate rather than delegate. How to choose the right exit strategy for small business owners. Why "doing nothing" isn't really an op...

How to Exit Your Business (and STILL own it!)

July 20, 2023 05:39 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

Do NOT sell your business... At least not until you've read John's new book - The False EXIT. The False EXIT isn't a book about selling your business. It's a book about NOT selling your business - it's about keeping, rather than killing the golden goose. The book is available NOW on Amazon (in Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover formats), with the Audiobook version coming in January 2024. For the next 48 hours, there's some VERY special launch pricing, making the book as cheap as it will...

"I've got a 120-year plan - including climbing Everest!"

July 06, 2023 05:00 - 49 minutes - 89.8 MB

How many goals is too many? If you're today's guest Nathan Pascoe, there is no limit! In this episode, Nathan explains: Why he has a 90-day plan AND a 120-year plan. The importance of reviewing your goals twice a day. How everything he does is for his "future self" The relentless focus on high value tasks (such as sending Weekly Emails) Why Nathan focuses on the "long game" How he achieves just about ANYTHING he sets his mind to. Why John calls him "the most ambitious, ambitious lif...

"To live longer, get stronger..."

June 01, 2023 04:15 - 37 minutes - 68.3 MB

"To live longer, get stronger..." Today, on the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we're joined by Matt Fox from Physiocore, a group-based class which helps people to live longer and get stronger, by future-proofing their bodies with a unique combination of mobility, core, balance and strengthening exercises. As a Physiotherapist with a degree in sport science, he has worked in the NHS, private practice and spent over 10 years working full time in professional football at Manchester ...

"I was hospitalised due to overwork..."

May 04, 2023 04:15 - 49 minutes - 90.6 MB

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Stephen Gibbens from Accountech. A culture of overwork led to Stephen collapsing in his car, fearing a heart attack - or worse. He'd spent decades growing his business and had no desire to become the richest man in the graveyard. In the hard-hitting episode, Stephen tells us: Why overworking is bad - for your health and your wealth How to spot the symptoms of overwork. Why he never considered his to be a ...

"Our 100th Episode..."

April 06, 2023 04:02 - 47 minutes - 87.6 MB

"Our 100th Episode..." In December 2016, I uttered the immortal words to Jason: "Do you fancy starting a podcast?" Just over six years, and 99 episodes later, the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is about to hit the 100 episode milestone - something that seemed impossible when I felt like quitting after 6 months. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - consistency is a superpower. How did we get to 100 episodes? One episode at a time, one month at a time. We found a ...

"I made ONE decision - and it changed my life..."

March 02, 2023 05:15 - 43 minutes - 79.2 MB

"I made ONE decision - and it changed my life..." In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Roger Haycock from Roger's Bakery. One decision led to us talking to Roger today. That one decision, made on 30th December 2020, led to a succession of domino-effect decisions that have profoundly changed Rogers's life as he embarks on his "third challenge". Roger tells us that: One decision started it all. He is naturally curious, wanting to find out how things...

"I'd advise people NOT to join the One Percent Club..."

February 02, 2023 05:15 - 46 minutes - 85.2 MB

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we chat with James Crow from Posture Stars. James is an Ergonomist, Posture Pro, and Alexander Technique Teacher who *won't stop* until you can sit and work comfortably without pain. With over 15 years of experience helping people sit, stand and live with better posture, it's his mission to save the universe from the modern pandemic of slouching, slumping, and generally feeling run down! James tells us: Why "sitting is the...

"I lost my dream job - and created my dream business..."

January 05, 2023 05:01 - 1 hour - 117 MB

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Tom Edwards from Tom Edwards Sound and Five29 - a company which specialises in final post-production services for factual content - helping make TV shows such as Cash in the Attic and The One Show sound amazing. We discuss: Why losing his dream job forced Tom to become a "reluctant business owner" How to find your niche in business. What good sound actually sounds like. Why Tom said "yes" to every opportunity that cam...

"Why this Money Mindset book is my book of the year…"

December 01, 2022 05:15 - 59 minutes - 108 MB

"Why this Money Mindset book is my book of the year…" So here it is - Merry Christmas! Everybody’s… designing their 2023 goals. In this Christmas special, John and Jason put the year to bed, and the world to rights. The boys discuss: Their books of the year - including the money mindset book that will be crucial to read in the current economic climate. Why John is learning how to care less about work - dialling down his ambition and slowing down. How “constant never-ending improvement”...

"How To Grow a Small Business Into a Large Business..."

November 03, 2022 04:15 - 49 minutes - 91.1 MB

In this episode, John and Jason are joined by Vicky Jinks, who works with the boys, helping to look after One Percent Club members. Together, they discuss how to grow a small business into a large business - using the same “1% better each week” strategy that they preach. You’ll hear:: Why people's definitions of “small” and “large” businesses are highly individual. How even the largest, trillion-dollar businesses started as tiny upstarts. The importance of getting started. Accepting th...

"I hid under a table during a military coup..."

October 06, 2022 04:15 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MB

Today, we're joined by Caroline Gurtler from Curious Rose. In this episode, you will hear: How Caroline showed tremendous bravery to be brutally honest about her problems - and how that led to an outpouring of help that turned things around How to balance "selling out of products" versus simply "selling out" Why Caroline took a 1-year-old baby to Cambodia. How, after hiding under a table during a military coup, Caroline doesn't really fear anything. Caroline describe her journey as a "r...

My ALL-TIME top 10 business books.

September 05, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MB

This is it - the BIG one! My all-time top 10 business books. I’ve read more than 1,000 business books over 20+ years – and these are my top 10 business books of all time. The TEN most read, most thumbed, most recommended, most highlighted, most implemented business books on my bookshelf. I’ve read every one of these books multiple times, and they’ve become an essential part of my small business toolkit. I couldn’t run my businesses anywhere near as well without them. Whi...

"I broke my leg - and FIXED my business..."

September 01, 2022 04:15 - 48 minutes - 88.5 MB

Today, we're joined by Michele Marsland from Marslands Accountants. In this episode, you will hear: Why breaking her leg was the best thing that ever happened to Michele's business. How Michele has become the Queen of the Let Property Campaign. Why Michele played "chapter roulette" with Routine Machine. How to change your money mindset - optimising your actual hourly rate. The subtle difference between earning £5 an hour and £95 an hour. Why Michele lives in "Pink Flamingo Land" - ...

My Top 10 Customer Service Books

August 30, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 6.45 MB

Here are my Top 10 Customer Service Books, featuring titles by Pat Flynn, Roger Dooley, Nir Eyal, James Sinclair and Joey Coleman. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#customerservice This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Business Strategy Books

August 23, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 5.91 MB

Here are my Top 10 Business Strategy Books, featuring titles by Dan Bradbury, Matthew Syed, Daniel Priestley, John Warrillow, and Mike Michalowicz. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#strat This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Productivity Books

August 16, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 6.2 MB

Here are my Top 10 Productivity Books, featuring titles by Hal Elrod, James Schramko, Michael Heppell, and James Clear. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#productivity This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Positive Thinking Books

August 09, 2022 04:00 - 5 minutes - 5.36 MB

Here are my Top 10 Positive Thinking Books, featuring titles by Susan Cain, Ryan Holiday, Angela Duckworth and Tony Robbins https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#postivity This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

"We're getting too old for this sh*t..."

August 04, 2022 04:00 - 56 minutes - 130 MB

Summer is here again, and unlike the great British weather, you can rely on John and Jason to deliver a spectacular summer special - In this episode, we put the world to rights, discussing: Whether we're "getting old" by focusing on retirement goals. The sort of people we'd really rather DIDN'T join the One Percent Club. How you CAN go wrong investing in bricks and mortar (culminating in court cases, administration and the Serious Fraud Office!) The calming (and long-lasting!) effect...

My Top 10 Leadership Books

August 02, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MB

Here are my Top 10 Leadership Books, featuring titles by Simon Sinek, Jason Fried, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jocko Willink https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#leadership This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Sales Books

July 26, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MB

Here are my Top 10 Sales Books, featuring titles by Grant Cardone, Jordan Belfort, Chris Voss and Chet Holmes.. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#sales This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Marketing Books

July 19, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.92 MB

Here are my Top 10 Marketing Books, featuring titles by Allan Dib, Dan Kennedy, Jeff Walker, Donald Miller and Marcus Sheridan. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#marketing This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

My Top 10 Motivational Books

July 12, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MB

Here are my Top 10 Motivational Books, featuring titles by David Goggins, Gerald Ratner, Jesse Itzler, Andre Agassi, and Arnold Schwarzeneggar. https://bigidea.co.uk/best-business-books/#motivational This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - do you agree with my choices? - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

"I just want to play golf and have holidays without worrying about money..."

July 07, 2022 04:15 - 35 minutes - 80.9 MB

Today, we're joined by Nathan Counter from Portable Putts. In this episode, you will hear: Why Nathan still has a day job, and runs his business as a "side hustle". How Nathan "didn't really know what the One Percent Club was", but joined anyway! The many, many ways that Nathan has "read the books.. and followed the instructions". How Nathan uses routine streaks to keep him on track to achieve his goals. The six words that Jason uses to keep Nathan away from shiny objects. Why Nath...

Top 10 Self Help Books

July 05, 2022 16:00 - 7 minutes - 6.53 MB

Here are my Top 10 Self-Help Books, featuring titles by Scott Adams, Gareth Southgate, Kevin Hart and Alistair Campbell. This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - please let me know ([email protected]) if you agree (or, more likely - disagree!) with my choices - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

The Top 100 Best Business Books You MUST Read...

July 05, 2022 13:01

Over the summer, I'll be releasing some special podcast "inbetweenisodes", featuring some of my favourite personal development books. Each week, I'll share my top ten from each genre, as well as my overall top ten. This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - please let me know ([email protected]) if you agree (or, more likely - disagree!) with my choices - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

"I beat 30,994 people and cried on national TV..."

June 02, 2022 04:15 - 47 minutes - 110 MB

Today, we're joined by our first EVER returning guest, Tom Boulden from Complete Mortgage Advice. In this episode, you will hear: Why Tom, John and Jason are no longer business partners. How John punched Tom in the face, and gave him a black eye. Tom's dedication - "if I decide to do something, I see it through. No matter what." How Tom and his wife survived a "life-changing" head-on car crash, and the resulting trauma that remains to this day. Tom's love of a challenge - and how that l...

"I've made family fun my day job..."

May 05, 2022 04:01 - 44 minutes - 101 MB

In this episode with Ian Ebbs from Football Boots, you will hear: How Ian grew an audience of 1.4 million YouTube subscribers The difference between "being a genius" and "being lucky". Why Ian was locked up by Border Security. How Ian has made "having fun with the family" his day job. Why Ian moved from the UK to New Zealand. Ian's process for "having a system that works - and then beating it to death!"

"I don't want to work for anyone else..."

April 05, 2022 23:32 - 52 minutes - 95.9 MB

In this episode, you will hear: How Alison Davies was told "not to fall in love" with buying a pub - and promptly did just that. The importance of "doing the right thing" - and how it can lead to winning clients. How Alison built resilience battling a recession, floods, health problems and a global pandemic. Why Alison sent £5 notes to local pubs - and how it landed her on BBC Radio 4. What happens when you surround yourself with a group of smart people.

"I tried to drive my car off a bridge..."

March 03, 2022 05:30 - 1 hour - 121 MB

In this episode, you will hear: The 3 mistakes most photography business owners make Jeff's "greatest-ever failure" Depression, debt and divorce The difference between a good photographer and a good photography business Why every mentor should have a mentor themselves. How Jeff went from zero to 80,000 followers on LinkedIn For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at...