Evolve to Succeed

What happens when the business you've poured everything into is suddenly taken out of your hands? In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren is joined by Ian Elliot, co-founder of Elliot Brown Watches and one of the entrepreneurs behind iconic lifestyle brand Animal. Ian's business journey started with a homemade watch strap, £250 in a bank account and plenty of instinct. Animal went on to grow rapidly, developing a hugely loyal following across surfing, mountain biking and action sports. But behind that success was an increasingly demanding business that Ian and his co-founder were ultimately forced to sell after their bank withdrew its facility. Ian talks openly about the emotional impact of losing a business, rebuilding his identity afterwards, moving into the creative agency world and eventually returning to product with Elliot Brown Watches. The conversation explores brand building, cash flow, entrepreneurship, ambassadors, product versus service businesses, knowing your audience, controlled growth and why a little naivety can sometimes be an advantage. It's a refreshingly candid conversation with an entrepreneur who has built, sold, started again and learned plenty along the way. If you enjoy the episode, subscribe, leave a review and share it with another business owner or entrepreneur. What The Episode Covers How a homemade watch strap became the starting point for Animal Growing Animal from £250 into a major lifestyle brand Building a brand around community, athletes and authenticity The cash flow pressures created by rapid growth Why Ian and his co-founder were forced to sell Animal The emotional impact of losing your identity as a founder Reinventing yourself after exiting a business Building and running creative agency Salad Why Ian believes service businesses can feel like a "hamster wheel" The difference between scaling product and service businesses Why product businesses require "blind faith" How Elliot Brown Watches was conceived Building products that are deliberately difficult to replicate Why relevant audiences matter more than large audiences Using credible ambassadors and storytelling to build a brand What Ian learned about funding, cash and controlled growth Why complacency can kill a business The importance of naivety, tenacity and continuing to evolve Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:25 How did Animal begin? 06:20 What happened when you were forced to sell Animal? 11:29 How do you rebuild after losing a business? 14:19 What did running a creative agency teach you? 19:59 How different are product and service businesses? 26:39 How did Elliot Brown Watches begin? 29:00 How do you break into a crowded watch market? 34:25 How do ambassadors and storytelling build a brand? 38:21 What did Animal teach you about growing differently? 45:10 How do you keep innovating without becoming complacent? 55:06 What advice would you give entrepreneurs starting today? 59:40 What does personal success look like?  

What happens when the opportunity to own the business you've been working in suddenly lands in front of you? In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren is joined by Jess and Nick Bain, the husband-and-wife team behind Halo Associates, to share the story of taking over the Bournemouth creative agency through a management buyout in 2022. They unpack what the MBO process really looked like, from funding the deal and managing the risks of a highly concentrated client base to communicating with the existing team and deciding what needed to change. Since taking ownership, Halo has grown from around 12 to 13 people to a team of 20, while evolving from a predominantly delivery-led agency towards a more strategic marketing partner. Jess and Nick also discuss the realities of running a company together as a married couple, learning to delegate, separating work from home, developing their individual leadership styles and creating a people-first culture. The conversation also looks ahead at AI, creativity, sustainable growth and their ambition to build a business that can thrive independently of them. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to Evolve to Succeed, leave a review and share it with another business owner or aspiring entrepreneur. What The Episode Covers Why Jess and Nick always wanted to own a business together How the opportunity to buy Halo came about What a management buyout actually involves Funding the acquisition and taking on the risk Buying a business where one client represented around 75 to 80% of the work Bringing the existing team through a change of ownership What they would do differently if they went through an MBO again Growing Halo from around 12 to 13 people to 20 Running a business together as husband and wife Learning to delegate and transition from doing to leading Why business ownership can be lonely and the value of peer support The impact of AI on marketing, creativity and junior roles Building a business that can eventually operate without its founders Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:02 Did you always want to own a business? 02:45 How did the management buyout happen? 05:58 What does an MBO actually involve? 11:03 What did you get right and wrong? 15:07 What did becoming owners feel like? 19:01 How has Halo changed since the buyout? 24:55 How has peer support helped you? 27:04 How have you changed as leaders? 33:00 How do you run a business as husband and wife? 43:54 How will AI change creative agencies? 46:12 What's next for Halo?  

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson welcomes back award-winning nutritionist, wellbeing expert and author, Barbara Cox-Lovesy. Returning more than six years after her first appearance, Barbara shares how attitudes towards health, wellbeing and workplace culture have evolved and why business leaders can no longer afford to ignore them. Drawing on lessons from her new book, Land of the Rising Lifespan, Barbara explains how Japanese culture has shaped her approach to leadership, productivity and longevity. From preventing burnout and creating healthier workplaces to embracing imperfection, slowing down and building sustainable habits, this conversation is packed with practical advice for business owners and individuals alike. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation. What the Episode Covers How corporate wellbeing has changed over the past six years Preventing burnout in high-performing teams Why leadership sets the culture for wellbeing Measuring employee wellbeing and engagement Lessons from Japanese culture and longevity The inspiration behind Land of the Rising Lifespan The Japanese concept of embracing imperfection How wellbeing creates a competitive business advantage Nutrition, supplements and healthy eating habits The importance of community and slowing down AI's role in improving productivity without increasing burnout Living longer while maintaining quality of life   Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:28 – How Has Workplace Wellbeing Changed? 03:40 – Are We Heading Back Towards Burnout? 07:02 – What Does Great Corporate Wellbeing Look Like? 11:30 – How Can Small Businesses Prioritise Employee Wellbeing? 16:35 – Why Did You Write Land of the Rising Lifespan? 18:15 – What Can We Learn from Japanese Culture? 24:20 – Which Japanese Habits Should We Adopt? 29:10 – Is the Japanese Diet Really Healthier? 33:40 – Do We Really Need Supplements? 36:35 – What is the Biggest Lesson From Your Book? 40:45 – How Can AI Support Health and Wellbeing? 47:00 – Are We Living Longer or Living Better?  

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson is joined by Krista Cartlidge, CEO of MYTIME Young Carers, to explore her journey from secondary school teacher to leading a nationally recognised organisation supporting young carers. Krista shares how frustrations within the education system led her to discover the hidden challenges faced by young carers, and why that discovery completely changed the direction of her career. Since joining MYTIME, she has helped grow the charity into a nationally respected voice, influencing policy, collecting groundbreaking data, and helping drive changes within schools and Ofsted frameworks. This is an honest, insightful, and deeply human conversation about leadership, purpose, resilience, and creating long-term impact. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who would find the conversation valuable. What The Episode Covers Krista's journey from education into the charity sector Why the education system was failing young carers The hidden realities faced by young carers Transitioning from teacher to CEO Building and scaling MYTIME during Covid Leadership lessons learned while growing a charity The similarities between charities and startups Managing culture, governance and growth The importance of data in driving systemic change Lobbying Ofsted and influencing national policy Sustainable income models for charities The emotional impact of leading purpose-driven organisations Creating long-term systemic change for young carers   Chapters 00:00 – Who is Krista Cartlidge and what does MYTIME do? 01:10 – What drew Krista into teaching and education? 05:01 – Why did Krista leave the education sector? 07:10 – How did discovering young carers change everything? 09:37 – What were the early days of leading MYTIME really like? 14:14 – What leadership lessons came from building a growing charity? 18:18 – How did MYTIME influence Ofsted and national policy? 29:28 – What challenges come with scaling a purpose-led organisation? 31:32 – How did MYTIME create sustainable income streams? 43:39 – How do you build a strong culture inside a charity? 49:28 – What legacy does Krista want to leave behind?  

On this special episode, we bring together real conversations with founders and leaders who have built, scaled, and successfully exited their businesses. From early-stage ambition to the final signature, this episode explores what the journey actually looks like behind the scenes. You'll hear honest reflections on the realities of selling, from the pressure of due diligence and deal fatigue, to the emotional weight of stepping away from something you've spent years building. These are stories of resilience, tough decisions, timing, and the often-overlooked question: What comes next? Whether you're actively planning an exit, thinking about succession, or simply curious about what the future could look like, this episode offers valuable perspective from those who've been through it. If you found this useful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's on their own business journey.   What The Episode Covers Why selling a business is more complex than expected The reality of due diligence and deal fatigue Managing emotions during the exit process The importance of having the right advisors around you Knowing when the time is right to exit Understanding "how much is enough" financially Building a business that operates without the founder The impact of exit on identity and personal life Choosing the right buyer, not just the highest offer Life after exit and transitioning into the next phase Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – Brian Parker  08:20 – Jimmy & Suzie's Iced Coffee 15:48 - Anthony Woodhouse 18:59 - Lincoln New 25:32 - Declan O'Toole 42:23 - Final Reflections  

What happens when someone trained to analyse spreadsheets decides to follow their creative passion? In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with Joe Hayes, founder of Kindful Creative, to explore his journey from trainee accountant to running a growing video production agency built on the values of kindness, relationships, and human connection. Joe shares how his early career in accountancy gave him a powerful understanding of business fundamentals, but ultimately left him feeling stuck in a routine that lacked passion. What started as a hobby with a camera quickly turned into something much bigger, eventually leading Joe to take the leap and launch his own creative agency. Throughout the conversation, Joe opens up about the realities of starting a business, the importance of understanding your numbers, and why relationships and reputation often matter more than aggressive sales strategies. You'll also hear about the challenges of growth, staying focused as a founder, and how building a business around personal values can shape company culture and client relationships. If you're thinking about starting a business, changing careers, or building something that aligns with your passions, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical lessons. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find it valuable. What The Episode Covers Joe Hayes' journey from trainee accountant to creative entrepreneur The inspiration behind launching Kindful Creative Why relationships are at the heart of Joe's business philosophy The risks and mindset shifts involved in leaving a stable career Why understanding financials is crucial for founders Lessons learned from early business decisions and partnerships The importance of building a strong team culture How podcasting and content help businesses build authority Balancing entrepreneurship with family life Joe's personal definition of success Chapters 00:00 – Why did you become an accountant? 04:30 – What inspired the name Kindful? 08:00 – How do you build a values-driven team? 11:00 – When did creativity become a passion? 15:00 – What gave you the confidence to start a business? 21:00 – Why do founders need financial literacy? 27:30 – What does Kindful Creative actually do? 32:00 – How has leadership changed for you? 35:00 – Why should businesses create content and podcasts? 40:00 – Lifestyle business or growth company? 44:00 – What advice would you give your younger self? 47:30 – What does success mean to you?

On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren sits down with Niall Cluley, Managing Director and shareholder at Dragonfish, a culture and performance consultancy helping ambitious brands unlock alignment, growth and long-term impact. Niall shares his journey from corporate leadership roles at global brands including Fitness First and Vodafone, to becoming Dragonfish's founding client before stepping into ownership.  The conversation explores what culture really is beyond posters on the wall, why values alone are not enough, and how leaders can intentionally shape the "ecosystem" of behaviours, systems and experiences that drive performance. You'll hear about the six signatures of high-performing organisations, how to maintain momentum after a culture "project", why impact matters more than engagement alone, and how AI and rapid change are reshaping the way organisations think about people and performance. If you're leading a growing business, scaling a team, or preparing for succession or exit, this episode offers practical insight into making culture a true competitive advantage. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.   What The Episode Covers Niall's journey from corporate leadership to culture consultancy What culture really means in practical business terms Founder fingerprints and scaling beyond founder energy Why values alone don't drive performance The importance of vision as a North Star Working backwards from the future to maintain alignment The six signatures of high-performing organisations Measuring culture in tangible, performance-linked ways The impact of AI and rapid change on organisational culture Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:44 - What does Dragonfish do and why does culture matter? 03:00 – When did you realise performance and culture are inseparable? 06:00 – What does it really feel like to leave corporate and build your own consultancy? 10:20 – What does culture actually mean in practical terms? 14:30 – How much of culture is founder-driven versus intentional design? 18:00 – How do you keep vision and purpose alive in everyday business life? 24:00 – What are the six signatures of high-performing organisations? 31:00 – How do you measure culture without it becoming 'wishy-washy'? 41:00 – How will AI and rapid change reshape organisational culture? 46:30 – What leadership traits matter most when protecting culture?

On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we're joined by Lincoln New, co-founder of Term Footwear, who shares the full story behind launching, pivoting, scaling and eventually exiting a school footwear brand in one of the UK's toughest retail sectors. Lincoln takes us back to the early days of starting the business with little more than industry experience, belief and £700 worth of stock in a garage. He talks candidly about naivety, self-belief, dealing with doubters, managing supply chains across continents and the emotional toll of constant pivots. From distributor to brand owner, Amazon setbacks to Costco breakthroughs, Brexit to Covid, Lincoln's journey is a masterclass in resilience. The conversation explores how relationships carried the business through its hardest moments, why strategy matters most when things aren't going well, and how Lincoln approached exit planning with honesty and clarity about his "why". This episode is packed with hard-earned lessons for anyone starting, growing or thinking about exiting a business. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.   What The Episode Covers  Where the idea for Term Footwear came from Starting a business with limited capital and big ambition Entering an overcrowded, brand-dominated market Overcoming self-doubt, criticism and scepticism Managing overseas manufacturing and supply chains Pivoting from distributor to brand owner Navigating Amazon failures and Costco opportunities Surviving Brexit and Covid through strategic pivots Building trust-based customer relationships Planning, executing and emotionally navigating a business exit  Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Where did the idea for Term Footwear come from? 03:00 – What motivated you to start a business in such a crowded market? 06:30 – How did you deal with self-doubt and early scepticism? 09:50 – How did you manage sourcing and supply chains overseas? 12:40 – What forced the pivot from distributor to owning the brand? 17:00 – How did Amazon and Costco shape the business model? 23:50 – How did Covid change your strategy and market focus? 30:00 – When did you start thinking seriously about an exit? 36:00 – How did you make the business attractive to buyers? 39:00 – How did it feel to finally complete the exit? 42:30 – What advice would you give founders starting today? 49:00 – What does success mean to you now?  

What does it really take to grow from a junior role into Managing Director, earn equity, scale a business through major change, and successfully exit?  In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren sits down with Brian Parker, former Managing Director and shareholder of Britannia Parking. Brian shares an honest, behind-the-scenes account of his 20-year journey, starting in a junior finance role and progressing to board level, equity ownership and ultimately leading the business through a successful exit.  Brian talks openly about ambition, hard work, learning the numbers, and why leadership isn't about titles or ego. He reflects on the critical relationship between owner and MD, the importance of trust, and how having equity fundamentally changed his decision-making and long-term focus. The conversation also dives into scaling challenges, navigating rapid growth, managing people through change, pivoting business models, and the emotional and practical realities of selling a business.  This episode is packed with practical lessons for employees with ambition, business owners considering succession, and leaders thinking about growth, equity and exit strategies.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the show.    What The Episode Covers  Starting in a junior role and progressing into leadership  Developing commercial and financial skills to accelerate growth  Moving from operational roles to Managing Director  The mindset shift required when leading a business  Building trust between shareholders and leadership  Why equity changes behaviour and decision-making  Scaling challenges and people decisions during growth  Pivoting business models and embracing technology  Preparing for and navigating a business exit  Lessons learned from a long-term leadership journey    Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – What is your background and how did you join the business?  03:00 – When did you realise this could become a long-term career?  06:30 – How did learning finance accelerate your progression?  10:00 – What changed when you stepped into the MD role?  14:30 – How do you lead without relying on ego or title?  18:00 – What makes a strong relationship between owner and MD?  24:30 – How did the business pivot and scale through major growth?  31:30 – What were the biggest challenges during the exit process?  38:30 – How did equity change your mindset and motivation?  45:00 – What advice would you give leaders on growth and exit? 

On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with James Croker, Commercial Director at Bournemouth Rugby Club. Many know James as the energetic, passionate force behind the club's growth in recent years, but few know the full story that shaped him. James takes us from his early sporting childhood, through a 15-year career in the Royal Air Force, to the devastating series of heart attacks in his early thirties that abruptly ended both his military career and his playing days. He speaks openly about the mental health battle that followed, the loss, the darkness and ultimately the community that helped pull him back up. We explore how rugby's core values have shaped James's leadership philosophy, the commercial transformation at Bournemouth Rugby and his mission to build a true sense of belonging in the local business community. This conversation is a blend of raw honesty, practical wisdom and heartfelt passion for sport and people. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show. This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… How sport shaped James's early life Why he joined the Royal Air Force The sudden heart condition that ended his military career How he battled depression and rebuilt his life Transitioning into coaching and returning to Bournemouth Rugby Building commercial sustainability and community connection Creating belonging and meaningful values in organisations Why role modelling matters in sport and business The importance of resilience and support networks James's ambitions for Bournemouth Rugby Club Soundbites "Sport always gave me purpose, even when nothing else made sense." "You learn from great leaders, but you learn even more from the bad ones." "Community saved me. Without it, I don't know where I'd be." "The military took my structure away overnight. That's when life really hit me." "Good rugby players aren't always good people. We want good people first." "You can't just put your values on a wall. You have to live them." "If you want to build community, create a sense of belonging and safety first." "Make your bed. Do one thing. One step leads to the next."   Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – James' early years 03:20 – Military career 10:30 – Heart attacks 17:40 – Navigating depression and rebuilding life 21:45 – Bournemouth Rugby 25:30 – Building community through sport 36:00 – Rugby values 49:10 – Future of Bournemouth Rugby 55:20 – Final reflections