Erica's ability to help hundreds of small businesses grow with innovative and varied ideas has earned her a reputation as the 'Delia' of business.

Her impressive background as a creative leader and financial director has given her a unique perspective and when it comes to building a business, she's a true powerhouse.

One of Erica's key skills is helping businesses to discover the hidden wealth in their company that exists in intellectual property that many business owners often overlook.

This episode is packed with insights about her journey, solid advice for anyone wanting to grow their business and some of the smartest ways to outsmart your competitors and fall back in love with what you do.

Follow Nicola on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/nicolasands70

https://www.instagram.com/appleheadmedia

https://www.instagram.com/successmeansbusiness

https://linkedin.com/in/nicola-sands-10604a90

https://x.com/nicolasands1

Erica's book "Simple Tips Smart Ideas " can be purchased from https://www.lola-media.co.uk

Follow Erica on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/ericawolfemurray/

linkedin.com/in/erica-wolfe-murray-a3533016

Website: https://www.lola-media.co.uk

email : info@lola-media.co.uk

Produced by Applehead Media Creative Studios - develop your own video podcast with us:

https://www.appleheadmedia.co.uk

email - studio@appleheadmedia.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James shares practical strategies and personal insights such as overcoming pricing challenges, how to productise services and how to feel confident with pricing conversations.

He also talks about scaling for growth and how to turn bespoke offerings into scalable systems that help to prepare your business for acquisition.

In this candid conversation, James also opens up about the realities of being an entrepreneur. He talks about managing self-doubt, imposter syndrome and the emotional transition after selling a business.

The insights he provides are valuable lessons in balancing ambition with family, leveraging technology/AI and cultivating 'unlimited thinking' for success.

James is also writing his third book about how to scale fast and exit to guide entrepreneurs through building strong foundations, scaling efficiently and planning exits with confidence.

Whether you're building your first business or preparing for your next big exit, this episode is full of actionable advice, inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights from someone who's been there.

Follow Nicola on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/nicolasands70

https://www.instagram.com/appleheadmedia

https://www.instagram.com/successmeansbusiness

https://linkedin.com/in/nicola-sands-10604a90

https://x.com/nicolasands1

Follow James on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/thejamesashford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesashford

Website: www.jamesashford.com

email : james@jamesashford.com

Produced by Applehead Media Creative Studios - develop your own video podcast with us:

https://www.appleheadmedia.co.uk

email - studio@appleheadmedia.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever wondered how to walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with opportunities, friendships or even a little magic, this episode is for you.

Joanna shares the honest truth about what makes networking actually work: the relaxed atmosphere, the genuine conversations and the courage to simply listen.

From hilarious don't like shoving business cards at people, to the transformative power of authentic relationships, Joanna reveals the art of connecting without the awkwardness.

She also opens up about the challenges of growing a fast-expanding networking brand, navigating personal hardship whilst running a business and why visibility, confidence and community matter more now than ever.

Whether you're an introvert, an extrovert, a business owner or someone who's just curious about how connections shape success, Joanna's wisdom will leave you inspired, empowered and ready to enter the right rooms with the right mindset.

It's a conversation that's honest, uplifting and full of actionable networking gold!

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From the accidental beginnings of many agencies to the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that drive real growth, Jonathan shares candid insights every agency owner needs to hear.

We explore:

Why most agencies fail - and how to avoid it

The hidden power of operational systems and processes

How to adapt in an AI-driven world without losing the human touch

Whether you’re building your first agency or planning your exit, this episode is packed with practical strategies and hard-earned wisdom to future-proof your business.

If you want to thrive in the creative industry, this is one conversation you can’t afford to miss.

You can purchase Jonathan's latest book "I'm an Agency Owner, Get Me Out Of Here!" with this link https://amzn.eu/d/enfJNfG

Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/g_wfwk0zGJc

Follow Nicola on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/nicolasands70

https://www.instagram.com/appleheadmedia

https://www.instagram.com/successmeansbusiness

https://linkedin.com/in/nicola-sands-10604a90

https://x.com/nicolasands1

Produced by Applehead Media Creative Studios - develop your own video podcast with us:

https://www.appleheadmedia.co.uk

email - studio@appleheadmedia.co.uk

Follow Jonathan on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/jonathanleafe

http://linkedin.com/in/jonathanleafe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Blaire talks to Nicola Sands about the many challenges of leadership in an ever-changing landscape as well as the incredible opportunities that are currently presenting themselves.

The world has changed so much in recent years that if we want to create a vibrant company where our people are solving complex problems, stepping up and taking ownership and giving us the edge in a tough market, we need to rethink what it means to lead today.

This insightful conversation explores how to engage and motivate people, how to improve retention, attract the right talent and confidently lead through change.

Blaire draws on her real experiences working with businesses across different sectors to present a new kind of leadership that is based on authentic human connection, trust, empowerment and continual innovation.

If leadership is part of your role, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

You can purchase Blaire's book with this link https://amzn.to/4lE3NRp

Follow Nicola on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/nicolasands70

https://www.instagram.com/appleheadmedia

https://www.instagram.com/successmeansbusiness

https://linkedin.com/in/nicola-sands-10604a90

https://x.com/nicolasands1

Produced by Applehead Media Creative Studios - develop your own video podcast with us:

https://www.appleheadmedia.co.uk

email - studio@appleheadmedia.co.uk

Follow Blaire on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/blairepalmercoach

https://www.linkedin.com/in/Blaire Palmer

00:00 Intro to Blaire Palmer

02:10 How I started my career

06:46 The people I work with

10:02 How leadership is changing

16:08 Working from home

20:20 The importance of connection

25:00 Stop thinking, just do

29:00 Women in male industries

33:30 Avoiding burnout

36:00 The new opportunities

39:00 Presenting yourself

43:31 Plans for the future

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Diane talks about her own path to success and how sheer determination and focus took her from humble beginnings to tremendous success in a male dominated environment.

Diane has been a practising financial planner since 1994 and grown a successful business whilst balancing family life. She understands first hand the challenges and pitfalls of being a successful female leader and also how it can feel to to show up and shine at work feeling financially secure.

With an unshakable belief in empowering women to achieve financial independence, Diane has dedicated her career to guiding individuals towards a secure and prosperous future and opens up to Nicola about some of the main pitfalls to look out for.

Through her career, Diane has seen first hand far too many women abdicate responsibility for their finances to their partners. The realisation that many women were being severely impacted by their lack of knowledge or input into shaping their financial future was the catalyst to write her book, 'She Can Prosper' and to create a whole ecosystem of events and resources around it.

This episode is packed with value and insights and if you've been sleeping on your finances, you won't want to miss it. As Diane says, 'money is a cruel mistress' who needs constant attention. Learn how to take control of your finances and your future self will be forever grateful.

Follow Nicola on Socials

Instagram - nicolasands70 / appleheadmedia / successmeansbusiness

LinkedIn - Nicola Sands

X - nicolasands1

Produced by Applehead Media Creative Studios - make your own video podcast with us:

www.appleheadmedia.co.uk

Follow Diane on Socials

https://www.instagram.com/shecanprosper

https://www.facebook.com/shecanprosper

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecanprosper

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianewatsonsjp

https://www.shecanprosper.com

https://www.youtube@SheCanProsper

Diane's book: "She Can Prosper" available on Amazon

00:00 Intro to Diane Watson

01:36 Starting out in finance

03:54 Career Path

05:39 Starting my own company in finance

09:40 Networking

10:40 Work life balance

13:33 Selling the business

15:51 Surround yourself with the right people

21:48 No longer the boss

26:10 The little things that add up with finance planning

30:08 Winning an award

30:40 Helping women with finances

38:30 Hopes for the future

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Gillian has a rich background when it comes to spotting talent in the business world and has helped the careers of some very well known entrepreneurs including Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo.

She is passionate about helping founders to flourish, protect and monetise their ideas and increase their revenues.

Gillian's work for Innovate UK enables her to support a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs with access to funding, information and advice. In this interview, Gillian talks about her work helping business owners, how she believes these are THE most exciting times to be an entrepreneur and why you need to make sure you've taken some key actions to make sure you keep ownership of your ideas.

Disclaimer: All support information discussed in this podcast was accurate at the time of recording.

Follow Nicola on Socials

Instagram - nicolasands70 / appleheadmedia / successmeansbusiness

LinkedIn - Nicola Sands

X - nicolasands1

Follow Gillian on Socials

LinkedIn - Gillian Kavanagh

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The conversation explores Carole's early life and how it shaped her career path, the initial challenges she faced and the pivotal moments that led her to establish her own insurance company.

Carole shares the story behind the founding of Carole Nash Insurance, detailing the strategies she employed to build a brand synonymous with trust and reliability in motorcycle insurance.

This episode highlights Carole's innovative contributions to motorcycle insurance including unique policy offerings and customer engagement strategies that set her apart from competitors.

As an OBE recipient, Carole's impact extends beyond business and she talks about her contributions to the community and the world of music and theatre. Her work as a philanthropist underlines her core belief that success is not just measured by financial success but also by having a positive influence on the world around you.

This episode reflects on key takeaways from Carole's journey that aspiring entrepreneurs can apply in their own ventures. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that determination, innovation and a customer-first mindset are essential ingredients for success in an industry.

Join Nicola and Carol for this engaging conversation filled with valuable insights from one of the most influential figures in motorcycle insurance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In just a few weeks she has amassed thousands of followers and continues to captivate audiences with her unique insights and engaging content. But Jess is more than just a LinkedIn sensation, she's a marketing powerhouse. Leveraging her unique background in showbusiness and PR, Jess helps CEOs and founders to craft their own personal brands that not only resonate by also create opportunities.

Her strategic approach combines the art of storytelling with cutting-edge marketing techniques making her an invaluable resource for anyone looking to elevate their brand presence.

Join us as we dive into Jess's journey, uncovering the secrets behind her rapid rise on social media and how she helps leaders shine in their industry.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation that will ignite your passion for personal branding!

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For 15 years David was Head Of Sports Rights at the BBC where he negotiated multi million pound deals with major sports rights holders like the Olympics, the Football Association and Formula One.

In recent years he has advised both sports federations and broadcasters on sports rights and strategy and he also works with Shoosmiths as a Broadcast and Negotiation Consultant.

David applies the many lessons he has learned over the years to teach negotiation at Liverpool University and VSI Executive Education as a private negotiation coach and advisor. He has written two books on the subject and he believes that negotiation skills should be taught in schools.

In this episode, David shares some incredible insights into the tried and tested methods he has used to seal multi million pound deals and explains how they can be applied in all areas of business and life.

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This episode features the fabulous Rob Sethna - an Entrepreneur and Business Coach with 30 years experience in the Creative Sector.

After running his own successful businesses, Rob now works for Manchester Growth Company and has helped hundreds of creative businesses in the North West to grow and thrive.

I sat down with Rob to talk about all the challenges that creative entrepreneurs face when trying to scale their business. How do you get clients? How do you set your pricing? What are the most common mistakes?

Wherever you are on your business growth journey, Rob's advice is invaluable.

I hope you like it!

instagram: nicolasands70

Applehead Media (own business): appleheadmedia.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode he tells Nicola Sands how this amazing legacy in the police force owes much to his dogged determination and ability to enter the minds of the criminals he tracked.

The high profile cases he worked on include arrogant killer Michael Sams, murderer of Julie Dart and kidnapper of Stephanie Slater who boasted that nobody could catch him.

Early in his career when he was a sergeant, he also worked on the Yorkshire Ripper case and recalls the chaos and bungling that delayed his capture.

Bob headed up the investigation into the murder of Wakefield mum Wendy Speakes and the forensic police work he oversaw on that case led to the capture and conviction of the brutal perpetrator.

This is a rare insight into the mindset of an exceptional detective who instinctively knew how to catch a killler.

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Born into a family with a rich legacy in football, Joe is the son of Manchester United footballing legend Les Sealey.  

A talented footballer in his own right, Joe was signed by West Ham and a promising career beckoned until two devastating events changed the course of his life forever.

Over the years, Joe has battled addiction and mental health but a chance meeting in a nightclub saved him from personal destruction.

These days Joe is a businessman and a cast member on 'The Real Housewives of Cheshire' - a globally televised show seen in 36 countries.

Joe's experiences have given him a unique perspective on addiction and recovery as well as the worlds of football, business and TV. His story is one of resilience, determination and the importance of sharing the reality behind the glamour.

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Featured in the prestigious Financial Times (FT) Dan is quickly becoming a rising star in the optics industry. With a vision to shake up the world of eyewear styling, he is gaining recognition for his unique perspective and fresh ideas.

The former pop star's journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. Driven by a passion for stylish and functional eyewear, Dan has travelled the world to seek out the most stylish trends and refine his innovative approach.

As he continues to gain momentum in the industry, Dan Scott's transformative styling method is increasingly resonating with consumers looking for something beyond traditional eyewear options. His dedication to pushing boundaries and challenging norms is setting him apart as a visionary in the field of optics.

This episode will ensure you never buy glasses in the same way again! @successmeansbuisness

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The tenacious journalist who, over four decades has broken countless exclusives in the best selling UK newspapers, has repeatedly proved she is not afraid to confront murderers, con men, cheats and wrong doers.

Sheron speaks candidly about the changes she's witnessed in journalism as well as some of the high-profile stories she has worked on throughout her career. She also speaks about why she's proud to be a journalist and provides the inside story on some of the country's most notorious crime stories.

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This is the first time he has ever spoken in such detail about his career, his beliefs and his strategies for success.

Mr Marando shares a fascinating insight into the mindset of a cosmetic surgeon at the very top of his game in a social media world obsessed by image.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.