From Corporate Desk to Cycling the World, with James Benson-King

On this special episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson reflects on the highlights of 2024, sharing snippets and insights from our favourite episodes.   The episode is divided into themes including entrepreneurship, family businesses, adventure and resilience, and employee to business ownership - showcasing the diverse businesses and experiences of the guests.    From Jeff Mostyn's entrepreneurial beginnings to the dynamics of family business with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, these conversations highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by business leaders.    This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… Insights on Entrepreneurship The Trials and Tribulations of Family Businesses Inspiring Stories of Adventure and Resilience Employee to Business Ownership Journeys    Chapters   00:00 Introduction 00:55 Entrepreneurial Insights from Jeff Mostyn 05:24 Matt Fleming's Ownership Story 10:32 Business Challenges with Rupert Holloway 14:47 The Importance of Reputation with Paul Meyer 18:54 Family Business with Liz Lean PR 22:36 Family Business Stories with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee 27:54 Preparing for the Atlantic Rowing Challenge 31:33 Cycling Continents with James Benson King 36:28 The Power of Kindness with Mark Darcy 42:06 Employee to Business Owner with Adam Lewis 45:28 Joint Leadership with Rubicon People 50:33 Resilience Under Pressure with Keith Reilly  

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson interviews James Benson King, also known as the Biking Viking on social media.  James shares his inspiring journey from overcoming a heart condition as a child, to embarking on adventurous cycling trips around the world.  He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to leave a successful career at JP Morgan to pursue a life of adventure.  Throughout the conversation, James emphasises the importance of resilience, ownership, and setting goals - drawing parallels between his experiences on the road and lessons applicable to business.  He also shares insights on how to bring adventure into everyday life and the significance of celebrating successes along the way.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… Overcoming health conditions. How the fear of missing out can encourage adventure. Ways to deal with setbacks in life. How goals are crucial for success in business. Chunking tasks. The importance of embracing the journey. Having a positive mindset. Doing things that scare you. How planning for adventures can enhance the anticipation of joy. Finding joy in everyday life.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Heart Condition 05:44 From Corporate to Adventure 10:34 Alaska to Argentina 17:16 Lessons from the Road 25:28 Ownership and Setting Goals 30:48 Celebrating Success and Adjusting to Reality 37:13 Adventure in Everyday Life 40:32 Future Adventures  

In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, the team at Evolve, Warren Munson, David Mutton, and Becky Phillips, reflect on the key themes and changes in business throughout 2024.    They discuss the impact of AI, profitability challenges with the new budget, and the importance of employee engagement.    The conversation also covers insights for those looking to start a business, strategies for growth and leadership, and success stories from their Ignite, Thrive and Optimise services.   As they look ahead to 2025, they emphasise the need for strategic planning, self-care, and building trust within teams.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…   AI in business. Profitability challenges. What to think about when starting a business. Dealing with hybrid working environments. Adapting to the next generation of employees. Success stories from clients. Reflection on past achievements. Setting realistic yet ambitious goals. Building teams. The importance of self-care.     Chapters   00:00 Reflecting on 2024 05:10 Starting a Business 10:02 Growth and Leadership 15:13 Success Stories 20:00 Planning for 2025 30:06 Looking Ahead 40:03 Advice for Business Leaders  

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Keith Reilly shares his remarkable journey with Alfatronix, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers in power converters and USB and wireless chargers. Keith talks about his transition from an employee to the managing director and owner.   He discusses the challenges faced during the financial crisis, the evolution of their products, and the importance of British manufacturing.   Keith discusses the emotional aspects of stepping back from day-to-day operations and the significance of defining success in terms of providing value to others.   This episode is invaluable for anyone in business, as Keith talks about the importance of being hands-on, succeeding under pressure, and how to improve employee relations.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…   How to transform a lack of direction into success. The influence of Japan on the manufacturing industry. How beings hands-on can improve a company. How British manufacturing can compete on a global scale. The importance of mentorships. How to improve employee relations. The difficulties of managing by email. How crisis management can lead to unexpected success. The importance of delegation as a leader. How financial stability leads to personal growth and exploration.   Chapters   00:00 Introduction 01:50 Early Career with Alfatronix 05:08 Becoming Managing Director 10:41 Financial Crisis 13:37 Product Evolution 20:41 British Manufacturing 22:35 Leadership and Mentorship 27:51 Proud Moments and Dark Times 31:57 Leadership Challenges 39:14 Transitioning Leadership 52:49 Future Aspirations 01:00:19 Success in Business

In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren interviews Paul Meyer, the founder of Jade Aden Interiors.  Paul shares his dramatic business journey, starting from his early experiences working for his father, forming Mayflower Interiors, and eventually facing the challenges that led to its downfall.  He discusses the lessons learned throughout his career, the importance of resilience, and how he rebuilt his business with Jade Aden Interiors. Paul covers several engaging topics, from the evolution of office design, turning a hobby into a venture, and the impact of social media in business. Paul emphasises the importance of reputation, honesty, and the value of having a strong support system in business.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers… -    Paul's early career and how it was shaped by a challenging relationship with his father. -    The importance of honesty in business dealings. -    The desire for independence as an entrepreneur. -    The emotional toll of failure in business. -    How to overcome setbacks in business. -    Why maintaining a good reputation is crucial. -    Turning a hobby into a venture. -    Generational transitions in business. -    The importance of legal integrity. -    The evolution of office design. -    How social media can create unrealistic expectations.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Early Career 05:48 Mayflower Interiors 09:10 Challenges and Growth 12:02 Partnerships and Conflicts 14:53 Downfall of Mayflower Interiors 17:46 Starting Anew 20:57 Future Planning 23:46 Advice for Entrepreneurs 27:09 Pride 27:37 Hospitality 30:29 Family 33:51 Generational Transition 35:04 Resilience 38:28 Lessons Learned 40:53 Evolution of Office Design 43:45 Personal Success

In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks to Martin Smith, the founder of Talent Drive, about his journey as an entrepreneur and running a recruitment group of businesses.  Martin shares his early experiences in recruitment, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth of his company, Talent Drive. He discusses his aspirations to be a market disruptor and his passion for the procurement community.  Martin also talks about the expansion of Talent Drive into the accountancy and finance sector with the launch of Talent Finance and reflects on the growth and success of Talent Drive over the past four years. He emphasises the importance of focusing on the quality of people and building a trusted and valued team.  Martin discusses the future of the recruitment industry and the rise of ESG and sustainability. He also shares insights on workplace culture and transparent communication within a remote business. He envisions the future of Talent Drive as a growing international presence with a focus on diversification and a one-stop-shop service offering.   This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers… ●      The challenges of starting a recruitment business. ●      Overcoming obstacles such as COVID-19. ●      What it takes to be a market disruptor in the recruitment sector. ●      The effects of branching out into various business sectors. ●      The importance of people and building a trusted team. ●      The importance of trust, transparency and open communication.   Chapters 00:00 Becoming an Entrepreneur 10:02 Starting on Your Own 19:15 Early Days of Talent Drive 23:24 Market Disruption 25:49 Ventures into Accountancy and Finance 26:18 Building a Team 27:47 Opportunities in Finance 29:41 Quality of People 30:05 Creating a Great Business 33:26 Personal Life 35:24 Being Grounded 37:17 Thriving 41:37 Technology in Procurement 42:59 Emotional Intelligence 43:56 Remote Businesses 48:42 The Future of Talent Drive 50:58 Defining Success

In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed podcast, Warren speaks with Jess and Terry, the joint managing directors of Rubicon People, about their journey. From starting out as employees to leading an employee-owned business.   For anyone navigating joint leadership responsibilities, you certainly don’t want to miss out on this, as Jess and Terry provide invaluable advice and experiences around working as partners to manage a team.   They also discuss the evolution of Rubicon People, the challenges faced in the recruitment industry, and the impact of transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust.   The conversation highlights the importance of good leadership, employee empowerment, and the future ambitions of the Rubicon People as they navigate the recruitment landscape.   This episode of Evolve to Succeed covers…   Jess and Terry’s journey within Rubicon People. The transition to employee ownership and its effects on business culture. How leadership styles evolve and are influenced by previous leaders. How employee councils can play a crucial role in decision-making processes. The importance of trust and autonomy in empowering employees. Financial Freedom Day. The recruitment industry and the ongoing skill shortages.     Chapters... 00:00 Introductions 02:55 Rubicon People 06:14 Previous Owners: Lloyd and Jocelyn 08:52 Becoming Joint Managing Directors 12:13 COVID and Market Changes 14:58 Employee Ownership Trust 17:49 Initial Reactions to Employee Ownership 21:10 Employee Councils 23:46 Leadership Styles 27:10 Empowering Employees 30:01 Challenges in Recruitment 32:48 Advice for Transitioning to Employee Ownership 36:06 Financial Freedom Day 38:57 Succession 41:54 Final Thoughts

In this incredibly inspiring episode, Mark Darcy shares his personal journey, from a challenging childhood to a successful business career and a subsequent struggle with mental health.   After a long battle, Mark eventually made a positive transition and now focuses on helping others through the New Forest Wellbeing Group and the Youth Wellbeing Group.   During the episode, Mark explains his new philosophy on life, where he dedicates his time earning, serving and learning – which has helped him discover true happiness in life.   He also talks about the importance of listening and creating a loving environment where everyone is understanding and supports one another. Mark also envisions the next phase of his life - focusing on well-being and community support.   This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…  ●     Seeking support and understanding one's own mental health. ●     Transitioning from a challenging past to a fulfilling present. ●     Helping others and creating a kind and loving environment. ●     Finding balance in life by spending time earning, serving, and learning. ●     Finding true happiness through meaningful experiences, not material possessions. ●     Volunteering and getting involved in projects focused on mental health. ●     Seeking professional help and prioritising one’s own mental health.   Chapters 00:00 Childhood 05:44 Business Career 11:09 Mental Health and Support 15:41 New Purpose and Helping Others 23:10 Community 25:10 Achieving Balance 28:03 Happiness 30:21 Basic Lifestyle 32:16 Are You Okay? 35:32 Life's Unexpected Challenges 36:29 Midlife Realisation 39:42 Loved Ones 41:40 Emotions and Openness 45:57 Avoiding Regret 49:50 Material Possessions 51:22 Pure Contentment    

Adam Lewis, co-founder of BBD Boom, shares his journey of starting and running a remote business and the benefits of systems thinking. He emphasises the importance of understanding your co-founder and building a strong partnership. Adam also discusses the challenges and rewards of remote work and the need for a strong company culture. He highlights the value of apprenticeships in growing a business and shares his insights on systems thinking and the tools they use at BBD Boom. Adam concludes by discussing the future of the company and his personal definition of success. The key takeaways from this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast are: Building a strong partnership with your co-founder is crucial for the success of your business. Remote work can be successful with the right systems and processes in place. Investing in apprenticeships can help grow your own talent and create career opportunities. Systems thinking is about viewing your business as an integrated engine and optimising processes for better efficiency and customer experience. Tools like HubSpot, teamwork, and AI can greatly enhance productivity and business performance. Success is defined by personal fulfilment, making a positive impact, and having the freedom to choose your path.     Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background of BBD Boom 03:19 - Starting a Business and Moving Away from Traditional Agency Model 04:15 - Challenges and Early Days of BBD Boom 05:34 - Lessons Learned and the Importance of Sales and Marketing Mindset 07:30 - Realisation of Success and Early Adoption of HubSpot 09:55 - Building a Strong Partnership and Company Culture 12:18 - The Value of Apprenticeships in Business Growth 16:28 - Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work 27:22 - Implementing Systems Thinking for Better Efficiency 33:04 - Tools for Productivity and Business Performance 36:20 - Future Plans for BBD Boom and Personal Definition of Success 45:02 - Conclusion

In this episode, Warren Munson and David Mutton discuss the importance of creating a shared vision within a business. They emphasise the need for businesses, especially in the early stages, to have a clear vision and purpose that is shared with the team and customers.  They also discuss the challenges of maintaining a shared vision as a business grows and offer practical tips for creating and communicating a vision. The conversation highlights the benefits of having a shared vision, such as increased engagement and differentiation from competitors.   Takeaways   ·   Having a shared vision is crucial for businesses to understand what they are trying to achieve. ·   In the early stages, the vision is often clear to the founder or co-founders, but it is important to share it with the team and potential customers. ·   As a business grows, it is important to periodically reassess and communicate the vision to ensure alignment. ·   Creating a shared vision involves open dialogue, involving key stakeholders, and communicating the vision in a simple and straightforward manner. ·   A shared vision helps in decision-making and keeps the team motivated and aligned.       Chapters   00:00 - Introduction and Overview 01:00 - The Importance of a Shared Vision in Business 03:45 - Stand Out from Competitors with a Shared Vision 06:36 - Challenges of Maintaining a Shared Vision as a Business Grows 08:03 - Perfectionism Can Kill Vision 14:17 - Practical Tips for Creating a Shared Vision 23:13 - Benefits of Having a Shared Vision 28:24 - Conclusion and Call to Action