An Unorthodox CEO

Colin Easton: Navigating Success, Stress & the Evolution of Print

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, listen as Steve chats with his friend Colin about his journey to working for HP, how he has navigated success & stress. Plus, find out how delegation and letting go allowed himself a better work life balance!

00:00 Intro

03:34 How Colin & Steve met

07:00 Colins journey to HP & his first Jobs

12:04 The job & friend that led Colin to the sales world

17:45 How Colin views success

19:30 What HPs purpose & ethos is

21:20 Local leaders & their importance in big businesses

23:56 What Large Format Printing is & the benefits

27:40 Managing Stress, Pressure & Failure

35:50 The success Colin saw after proper delegation

37:00 The changes Colin made personally & professionally

45:00 Colins Pictures

46:39 How print has changed over the years & the impact of AI

52:05 Working on Gangshow together

56:47 How Colin de-stresses

1:02:10 Quickfire Questions

1:08:30 Outro

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Andy Clarke: Resilience, Retail & Becoming an Agent

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

On this weeks episode Steve chats with Andy Clarke one of our agents! Listen as they talk through his journey to becoming an agent, what life working in beds is like & how Andy has been on both the retail and agent side! Andy mentions the difficulties of being on the retail side but the enjoyment he got from it! Plus how his resilience led him to his first agent job!

00:00 Intro

01:08 There is always room to learn

07:50 Changing depending on the client

10:00 Job titles & peoples perspectives

12:50 How Andy got his first Job & some big learnings

20:00 Working at Army Navy

21:50 His Apprenticeship in the print world

24:05 How resilience got Andy a Job he wanted

30:00 What being an Agent used to be like & how the industry has changed

37:27 The shift from searching from beds to sleep

40:00 Why Sussex Beds dont service all price ranges

42:00 Long term advice is important

43:05 Why Andy opened his own shop

48:20 Biggest learning from being in retail

51:20 Innovation in the bed industry

57:42 The Green Era & working for a flooring company

58:50 Recycling in the bed industry

1:00:40 What does Andy think retailers need to do to stay relevant & how its changing

1:07:05 Most challenging part of Andys job

1:12:15 How Andy distresses

1:15:05 Quickfire Questions

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Dr Nick Harvey: Prevention, Lifestyle & the Future of Healthcare

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:00:28 GMT

Listen as Steve chats with Dr Nick about the focus on prevention in the healthcare industry, what is driving unhealthy lifestyles & the innovations happening within the industry! Plus, we chat about the importance of sleep and get some tips on ways to help you fall asleep quicker!

00:00 Intro

01:40 The links between exercise & health

05:00 Did Nick always want to be a doctor & his journey

08:04 Differences between UK Health Service & New Zealand

09:35 The changes in the NHS over the last 20 years

12:15 The rise of Health Anxiety & the work on prevention

14:45 What is driving unhealthy lifestyles

17:30 South Downs Health Care & where the idea came from

24:12 How SDHC has filled a gap in the Sussex Area

26:30 What changes Nick would like to see

30:00 How AI is being used

33:22 The Sussex PCPC Board

35:30 Nick's role as chair in Sussex Integrated Health

36:13 What Nick hopes healthcare will look like in 10 years & what we can do

42:13 The importance of sleep for our health

50:20 Quickfire Questions

01:02:33 Outro

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Richard Cripps: Navigating Partnership, Acquisitions & Pressures

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This week, Steve chats with Richard Cripps about life as a solicitor, the challenges of being a Managing Partner, and what it was like navigating the acquisition of Rix & Kay. Discover the differences between a Managing Partner and a Managing Director, hear how Richard balances pressure with leadership, and why some of the hardest decisions were also the right ones for the business.

00:00 Intro

02:28 Why Richard became a solicitor & growing up

07:10 Where he trained & his first job

08:48 What partnership was and is now

10:56 Taking partnership for the first time & joining Rix & Kay

12:28 Differences between Managing Partner (MP) & Managing Director

15:04 The challenges of being a MP - wearing lots of hats

20:10 Why mid size solicitors are having to adapt

23:20 What a Solicitors fall back position of comfort is

24:12 How the market has changed for Soliciting businesses

27:40 Richards thoughts on AI in Law

31:40 The process of Rix & Kay being acquired

37:00 Toughest challenge faced as MP

39:11 Why Richard joined Vistage & the benefits

43:57 Life as a Partner at Knights - how Richard managed the change

45:54 How Richard switches off

50:00 Advice for anyone striving for senior roles in Law

53:05 Quickfire Questions

1:00:05 Outro

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Oliver Towner: Taking the Reins of a Family-Run Funeral Business

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This week's episode, Steve chats with Oliver Towner all about what it's been like taking on a 150-year-old family-run business, the ins and outs of the funeral industry & its biggest misconceptions. Plus, Oliver shares what it was really like working his first funeral, navigating Covid & why sustainability is a growing factor in all funerals.

00:00 Intro

01:58 Growing up in a family business

03:12 What Oliver did before joining the business

05:30 First day working on a funeral & the day to day jobs

08:38 Biggest misconceptions about funerals & funeral directors

10:30 Furniture side of funerals

13:00 Oliver taking on the role as Managing Director & the transition from taking over from his dad

19:50 What covid was like in the funeral industry

23:35 Hardest point of Olivers time so far

25:31 Olivers release from the pressures

28:50 Olivers ‘Baptism of fire’

30:27 Olivers plans for the business

34:10 Biggest changes Oliver has made

35:20 Sustainability in the industry

38:52 Why Towners dont do any specific marketing

42:30 How data works in the funeral industry

44:54 Biggest risks going forward in the industry

47:00 Grief & Death - why dont we talk about it

53:00 Quickfire Questions

59:40 Outro

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Sarah Southerden: Journey to Team Leader

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This week on An Unorthodox CEO we are joined by Sarah Southerden Lee's wife and friend of Steve & Paula! Listen as Steve & Sarah chat all about how she found her way into finance & how she worked her way up. Plus, find out how Sarah met Lee & how many pairs of shoes she owns...

00:00 Intro

01:40 Sarahs life growing up

03:15 How she found her way into finance

08:15 Best part of Sarahs job

10:40 Working from home & productivity

13:40 Becoming a Team Leader

17:20 Anxiety & overcoming it

20:21 How Sarah met Lee

22:54 Sarah, Lee, Steve, Paula & their friendship

23:51 Sarahs thoughts on Lee joining the business

26:00 Looking in on the challenges of Sussex Beds

28:20 Quickfire Questions

34:30 Outro

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Colin Adams: An Original Sussex Beds Team Member

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

On this week's episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve chats with his friend Colin and original member of Sussex Beds all about what the business was like in the 80's and how its change to now. Plus, they chat about Colin's job in Windows, some contentious quickfire questions and how Steve & Colin work together on the Gangshow!

00:00 Intro

02:20 How Steve & Colin met

04:50 Why Colin ended up working at Sussex Beds

07:10 Colins jobs at Sussex Beds

08:10 What is was like moving from general furnishings to beds

10:20 Funny memories from the opening days

11:47 Opening ‘Little Bexhill’

13:10 How the opening of Haywards Heath changed the business

16:22 Colin became Steves manager

18:50 Hiding in wardrobes…

20:00 The opening of Eastbourne Shop & the sport shop

21:30 Colins jobs in the Window industry

22:50 Watching Sussex Beds evolve & what that was like & why good team is so important

24:10 Stage Managing Gangshow

27:19 Performing in Gangshow & other shows

28:54 Quickfire Questions

36:31 Outro

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Mark Shine: From the Shop Floor to Regional Manager

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

On this weeks episode, Steve and Mark chat through his life before Sussex Beds and the jobs that led him into sales, how he has worked his way up with at Sussex Beds starting as a Sales Advisor and his journey to Regional Manager, plus how he de-stresses after work!

Question: Ketchup on Lasagna? Yes or No... Let us know in the comments!

00:00 Intro

01:56 Life before Sussex Beds

04:38 How made his way into Sales

09:53 Starting as a sales advisor with us

14:40 Going from a big to a small business

16:20 Becoming Uckfield Store Manager

18:45 Taking the leap to manage a brand new store

20:37 Becoming a Regional Manager & the kind of manager Mark wanted to be

26:00 80% people management and how that works

27:10 Hardest part of his job

29:44 How Mark has changed over the last 10 years

33:40 Mark & his family

36:20 Hobbies & how he de stresses

45:55 Quickfire questions

54:00 Outro

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Oliver Bowen: Working in the World of Premium Beds

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats with Oliver Bowen all about the premium bed world. Oliver has been in the industry for over 20+, listen as they chat about how he got into the industry, the businesses he worked for and what he has learnt along the way.

00:00 Intro

01:50 How Oliver got into beds

05:50 His time at And So To Bed & why the business changed

11:00 Why looking for the ‘why’ is so important

13:10 Olivers role at Feather & Black

14:19 Working out where the brand should sit in the market

18:24 Moving to Hästens - working in the luxury sector

22:30 Olivers job now working with Carpe Diem

23:50 How Carpe Diem design their beds

25:12 How Carpe Diem started

27:15 Biggest challenge of bringing in a premium supplier into the UK

29:30 Your team on the floor make a huge difference

31:30 What has changed most in the bed industry over the last 20 years

35:37 Quickfire Questions

44:30 Outro

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Shane Nye: Finding the right seat

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

We are back! Its 2026, and season 3 is here! Listen as Steve and Shane chat through why he decided to take the job at Sussex Beds, how he moved through the roles and when he finally found his right seat!

Plus, like cooking steak? Listen for Shane's top tips!

00:00 Intro

01:31 Shanes life before Sussex Beds

04:00 How he ended up at Sussex Beds

05:55 Why did the initial job appeal to him

07:01 Working with Sarah (his fiance)

10:40 Working in sales as a ‘Sleep Consultant’

11:50 Moving on to being a Store Manager

14:31 A move into the office working on the website

18:50 The catalyst of becoming IT Manager

23:30 Benefits of in-house skills

24:17 Working with Matt & Chris in IT

27:28 Learning to train someone

29:30 Quickfire Questions

36:52 Outro

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Up Close & Personal - Goals & Aspirations for 2026

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Its our final episode of 2025! So we thought we would share with you our goals & aspirations for 2026. Listen as Steve and Victoria share their 2025 goals and if they completed them, plus their goals & the office team's goals for 2026. Have you got a goal? You can share with us in the reviews!

00:00 Intro

02:30 Goals & SB Meetings

03:20 Steve's Goals for 2025

03:30 Steves' 1st Goal

06:30 Steves' 2nd Goal

08:02 Steves' 3rd Goal

09:00 What Steve wanted to do as a leader in 2025

11:20 What Steve wanted to spend more time on in 2025

14:30 Steves 3 Personal Goals for 2026

18:25 Steves' 3 Goals as a Leader

22:40 Victoria Goals for 2025

25:20 Victoria's Goals for 2026

28:18 Sarah's Goals

33:23 Grace's Goals

39:25 Paula's Goals

45:15 Matt's Goals

50:39 John's Goals

56:20 Sue's Goals

1:00:56 Lees' Goals

1:08:39 Outro

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Samantha Jordan: Am Dram & the Hastings GangShow

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

This week, Steve is joined by one of his best friends, Sam! Find out more about how they produce the Hastings Gangshow, Sam's family life and their joint love for amateur dramatics. Plus get a Gangshow exclusive!

You can find out more here - https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/whats-on/event/hastings-gang-show-2026/

00:00 Intro

02:05 Sam’s family & work life

06:40 The Hastings Gangshow & what its like to produce

08:50 How Steve & Sam became friends

10:00 Why the arts is so important

12:06 Scouting is so inclusive

13:00 Gangshow dates - 7th, 8th, 9th May 2026! 60th Anniversary

14:30 Gangshow exclusive!

16:30 Stresses, pressures & fun

18:10 Thank you to Gangshow Team

20:48 Am Dram & their escapes!

25:25 Quickfire Questions

35:30 Outro

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Andrea Randall-Smith: How Little Gate Transforms Lives

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Listen this week as Steve chats with Andrea Randall-Smith, the CEO of Little Gate. They talk all about the work and the people who make Little Gate a success, what it's like being a CEO for a charity and her escapes! Plus, find out how you can support Little Gate!

00:00 Intro

01:14 Andreas journey to CEO

04:00 Life & work before Little Gate

07:14 Andreas introduction to Little Gate

10:35 The purpose of Little Gate

13:30 How their work transforms lives & success stories

18:20 How you can find Little Gate

21:00 What are the biggest challenges

25:00 How her family supported her

27:39 Changing from working in the organisation to on it

31:05 How they deal with loneliness in the job

32:30 How Vistage has helped both Steve & Andrea

35:24 Where she would like to see Little Gate in 5 years

38:40 Quickfire Questions

44:36 Outro

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Joe Brister: Career Choices, Family Support & Life in Construction

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

On this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, we chat with Joe, Grace's Fiancé, all about how he supports her, what it's like working with his family and how he is building a career for himself in the construction industry. Plus, find out how Joe ended up living with Steve & the Pickerings and their favourite memory together.

00:00 Intro

02:10 Growing up & School Life

05:53 College Courses & First Job

09:15 Working with his Grandad & Dad

12:51 New opportunities

14:00 Difficult decisions & his Dad leaving the business

17:20 Taking the leap to a new business

18:10 Progression through the ranks

20:00 Pressures in the construction industry

27:08? - How Joe met Grace

33:50? Dinner table business discussions

36:10? How Grace & Joe support each other

38:44 How being involved in dinner table discussions has helped Joe in his career

39:45 Holidays together on the business rollercoaster

44:20 Joes escapes from work

45:45 Quickfire Questions

53:05 Tip of the week

54:40 Outro

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Rob Najair: Turning Passion into a Career

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

On this weeks episode of An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats to Rob Najair about how he turned his passion for sport & helping people into a career. Listen as they talk all about what it was like starting his own business, the importance of sleep for recovery, and how setting boundaries has created a better work-life balance!

You can find more out about Najair Movement by following Rob on Instagram @najair_movement

00:00 Intro

01:25 Where Robs love for fitness came from

05:30 Life after college - what next

07:30 Finding his work passion

09:10 Taking the leap into his own business

11:20 Robs first business & his business coach

17:00 Finding his niche

19:10 How Movement Training works & what injuries Rob sees

21:20 Importance of sleep & value of a quality mattress

24:30 How caffeine and alcohol affect your sleep

26:30 Weight loss & making good habits

28:38 Rob used to PT the office

29:40 Rob time in the theatre

31:20 His escape from work & creating boundaries

35:30 Spending your time where you are best spent

37:57 Where he sees himself in 2 years

40:33 Quickfire questions

47:00 Tip of the week

49:30 Outro

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Lewis Stockford: From Football Player to Furniture Agent

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve sits down with Lewis to talk about his journey from the football pitch to the furniture industry. From playing for Portsmouth to building a career in business, Lewis shares how resilience shaped his path and how he finds balance between home life and work!

00:00 Intro

02:30 Early life & journey into football

07:30 What its was like training with the pros

09:00 Playing with the big names

10:19 How Lewis felt when football came to an end

11:14 His first sales job

12:45 How football made him so resilient

14:20 Enter the world of furniture

16:00 Progressing through the roles

17:49 Jumping from employed to self employed

20:00 Differences between high end & commercial

21:30 Balancing suppliers & retailers

23:30 Travelling & balancing home life

27:45 How the industry could work better together

30:11 Quickfire questions

36:35 Tip of the week

38:56 Outro

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Paul Matthews: Why Customer Experience is so important

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Welcome back to Season 2 of An Unorthodox CEO! This week, we are joined by Paul Matthews, customer experience expert and director at Insight 6!

Listen as Steve and Paul chat about where the opportunity for him to start his own business came from, how creating positive feelings for customers is so important and his highs and lows in business! Plus so much more!

00:00 Intro

02:10 Where Paul started his career

05:40 Always loved sport & fitness

08:00 The opportunity to start his own business

11:00 What insight 6 does for businesses

12:30 How the surveys influenced Sussex Beds

13:10 Why getting feedback is so important

14:53 Turning poor experiences into great ones

17:15 Team satisfaction surveys are needed

18:38 Pauls highlights & toughest parts of running his own business

20:27 A note from Olivia (Pauls Daughter)

21:40 Customers always remember the feeling they had

23:30 How Paul destresses

24:30 A gift from Paul to Steve & Victoria

26:12 Quickfire Questions

30:44 Tip of the Week

32:45 Outro

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We are back for Season 2!

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

An Unorthodox CEO is back and we kick off with the first episode next Wednesday at 8am! You don't want to miss it as we speak to more guests, some of our team and end the year with our goals for 2026!

Want to be a guest dont forget you can leave a review or send us an email on anunorthodoxceo@sussexbeds.co.uk

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Paul Hetherington: From selling timeshares to guiding the CEOs

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This week, we sit down with Paul to explore his journey from his first job and university days to becoming a leader who now guides CEOs across the country. Listen as he chats with Steve about what it’s like to run a business you didn’t found, the importance of listening and vulnerability, and how Vistage changed his approach to leadership. Plus so much more in our Series 1 finale!

00:00 Intro

03:18 A bit about Paul & life growing up

07:18 Paul’s first Job

09:14 Life at University

12:05 How Paul ended up in the South East

16:20 Becoming a Manager (Sorry Paul - Becoming a Leader)

17:31 Experiences working with friends

21:30 How Vistage changed Paul

24:58 Being a CEO in a business you didn’t found - learning to listen

30:00 Balancing family life & business

32:35 Why he joined Vistage & what it’s all about

41:45 Why vulnerability & honesty is really important in business

47:10 Implementation is key to moving forward

50:00 Value of coaching & imposter syndrome

53:00 Paul sleeps on a Sussex Beds mattress!

55:25 Quickfire Questions

1:09:25 Outro

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Sue Skinner: Creating products for quality sleep

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are back with Sue for episode 21! Listen as Steve and Sue chat about all things product - why they are all our own brand, the process of creating products, and why having the same values as our suppliers is vital! They talk to us about the products on the shop floor that have changed over the last 20 years and why having our own brands helps us get the customer the perfect bed for them.

00:00 Intro

01:40 Why our product ranges are different to 20 years ago

06:45 All our products are built to facilitate quality sleep

09:25 What Sue looks for in a product she is buying & 60 night trial

13:42 How we meet different product needs

14:20 Suppliers: How we work & what we look for

17:45 All our products are own brand - why?

23:12 How we understand our customers

25:15 Quickfire Questions

31:21 Tip of the Week

32:30 Outro

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An Unorthodox CEO Q&A

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This week, we’re answering 13 big (and fun) questions – all asked by YOU! From memorable Gang Show moments to when to grow your business, the skills every employee will need in the next five years, and even how a CEO winds down for sleep – there’s something for everyone. Got a different question? Leave it in the review section and we will make sure we answer it!

00:00 Intro

01:30 What can you see yourself doing if you hadn't of gone into the family business?

02:43 When is the right time to grow your business? And Is growing your business through openings more shops the most effective strategy?

06:08 You are a Brighton football fan - Do you prefer to be a coach on the sidelines or a captain on the pitch?

08:05 What skills will be most valuable for employees in the next five years?

09:10 What is Steves favourite ever Gang Show moment?

If he could perform one sketch/musical number at Gang Show and then go and perform it in the West End what would it be?

12:25 What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a business today?

13:51 What advice would you give someone aiming for a leadership role?

15:15 How do you know when to take a risk versus play it safe?

17:52 What are things we can do instore at Sussex beds to get our name out there?

19:20 If Sussex Beds had a time machine, which year would you visit and why?

20:50 What is something you do to try and help you get to sleep when you can’t?

23:35 Outro

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Ben Barrett: Turning Passion into Purpose

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

From launching a print business to starting a football agency and raising a large family, Ben Barrett has built a life where passion fuels everything he does. In this episode, he chats with Steve about how he turned bold ideas into successful ventures, why values matter in business, and how he learned to balance ambition with family life.

00:00 Intro

01:38 A bit about Ben & how he got into print

06:30 Having similar values to your suppliers is key

10:12 The importance of making customers super fans

12:19 Why Ben took the leap to start his own business

18:00 The factor agreement & how he turned it all around

22:45 Bens son playing football & Why he founded a Football Agency

26:48 Bens first scout & how the agency grew

32:05 Football is a cut throat industry

33:10 Ben & his ‘home alone’ style family

35:35 How he splits his time between business & family

42:30 What Ben loves about business & his hardest moments

57:43 Quickfire Questions

1:02:40 Outro

Leave a question for Steve here - https://forms.gle/PEcCM14CDe57tqCd8

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Grace Pickering: The Impact of Display & Merchandise

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are back for another episode, and this week we are joined again by Grace. Listen as she talks with Steve about why display is vital in retail and how consumer buyer behaviour affects where we place our beds! Plus, find out how printing in-house has been a game-changer for our display!

00:00 Intro

01:35 Why Steve love’s merchandise

03:20 Graces favourite parts of display & the theory behind it

07:55 Store layouts - why they are all different

10:57 How we educate customers through display

13:30 Why good display & the right product has a big impact on sales

15:25 How Grace decides what to put on our windows

16:37 Merch is also all about the senses

18:10 In-house print, how we use it & the advantages

22:29 Quickfire Questions

27:35 Tip of the week

28:49 Steve’s Bed Knob Award

31:05 Outro

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Lee Southerden: Balancing friendship & business

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve and Lee chat about how their friendship began, why Lee started at Sussex Beds and the highs and lows of being a Regional Manager! Plus, find out what life being a chef is like and which one they’d ditch — whiskey or wine… (it was a tough choice)

00:00 Intro

02:27 A little bit about Lee, Chef, Pub Manager & Morrisons

08:42 Why Lee joined Sussex Beds

10:50 Taking his career change in his stride

13:45 How Steve & Lee became friends

16:10 Steve’s chat & working together

17:50 Lee working his way up the business

19:22 Balancing team & business

23:38 Why leading & nurturing people is so much more rewarding

26:25 What Lee loves about this job

28:05 Best thing about being a friend in the business

31:30 Quickfire Questions

38:00 Tip of the week

39:45 Outro

You can listen to Fun House here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nVTcVgLUQU

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Sarah Allen: All things HR, Recruitment & Hiring

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah, our People Manager! Listen as Steve & Sarah chat about how their HR, recruitment and processes have changed over the last 6 years! Plus, Sarah shares why she believes HR belongs directly under the CEO, what the real purpose of HR is in a growing business, and why everyone who applies gets an interview.

00:00 Intro

01:57 A little bit about Sarah

04:45 Why Sarah joined Sussex Beds

07:10 How she ended up in HR at Sussex Beds

09:30 How her apprenticeship helped shape the HR recruitment process

12:23 The purpose of HR

14:35 Why HR fits under the CEO

15:55 The reason why everyone gets an interview

21:10 The main thing we look for in an interview

25:32 What’s next for our HR & onboarding days

27:10 Hardest part of recruitment

28:18 Change the words in your job ads

29:30 The biggest challenge as a HR/ People Manager

31:10 Quickfire Questions

36:45 Tip of the week

38:00 Outro

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Josh Pickering: The Power of 1-1s, Surveys & Kudos

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are back with episode 15, and Josh Pickering has joined us again! Listen as Steve & Josh chat about all things engagement, how happiness surveys have helped the team to feel more heard and why the wheel of kudos is a simple way to boost morale and recognise everyday wins. Tune in for some tough, quickfire questions that get Steve & Josh thinking!

00:00 Intro

02:10 National Stats - % of engaged team members in a business

05:05 Focus on getting those 62% to join the engaged 23%

07:29 What can encourage engagement?

09:08 Monthly team happiness survey

11:30 Communication & feeling heard as an employee

12:46 Trying not to take the negative personally

15:39 Sharing business goals & team choosing department ones

17:58 The power of committees

21:25 Why formal & informal 1-1s are so important

27:18 Wheel of Kudos & the prize

30:18 Quickfire Questions

37:28 Tip of the week

38:09 Outro by Josh

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Victoria Cole: The voice behind the camera

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Our 14th episode is here! This week Steve chats to Victoria (the voice behind the camera) all about why they started the podcast, the highs and the challenges of working in a family business and how university helped to shape her approach to work & life!

00:00 Intro

02:37 A bit about Victoria, uni life & joining Sussex Beds

07:05 How did uni prepare her for work & why ROI is so important

10:34 Is working for SB what Victoria expected

12:40 Why they started the podcast and how it was created

16:35 Do you want to be a guest? Let us know!

16:50 Highlights & Challenges of working with Sussex Beds

21:40 How Victoria de-stresses & personal challenges

27:30 Quickfire Questions from Paula

33:30 Tip of the week

34:23 Outro

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Lynn & Julie: Being family members on the front line

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Listen as Steve chats with Lynn & Julie in our 13th episode, get ready for lots of laughs. Find out about their funniest moments working together, how they support each other and the challenges of working on the front line in the family business! Plus, get an insight into selling and what the most important aspect of that is!

00:00 Intro

02:50 What John Pickering was like when he was younger

04:20 When Lynn joined the business

06:47 How different Sussex Beds is now to 35 years ago

07:30 When Julie joined the business & what she did before

11:30 Selling is all about connections

13:00 John & Julie both working in the business

14:15 Challenges of being a family member on the front line

17:20 Best parts of working in a family business

18:40 The story of the wardrobe

21:00 Lynns sister Wendy

22:30 How they both de-stress and relax

24:15 Quickfire Questions

30:42 Tip of the week

31:57 Outro

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Crossover Episode: Our Unorthodox CEO in the Hot Seat

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

It's episode 12, and we have done something a little bit different! Listen as Steve gets interviewed by Matt Southam, host of the Balanced Ambition podcast! Find out more about Steve as he opens up about the rewarding reality of running a growing family business. They talk about navigating financial turmoil and coaching challenges, installing company-wide KPIs and learning how not to micromanage - we find out more why Steve is An Unorthodox CEO!

00:00 Intro

01:00 Growing up above the furniture shop

04:30 Joining the family business full-time

05:00 Restructuring after a rocky period

05:40 How working with a business coach changed everything

07:23 What makes Steve’s leadership style so different

10:44 Performance reviews with his wife

11:00 Allowing people to fail (and why that matters)

13:25 Hiring people better than you

16:15 Building a culture that outlives the founder

21:30 Why Sussex Beds turns away low-quality sales

22:30 The power of real-time data and KPIs

27:20 Becoming visible as a CEO on LinkedIn

28:30 Resilience: “Knock, knock, knock… win”

33:00 Performance reviews around the dinner table

36:00 The struggle to switch off (even on holiday)

39:00 Why amateur theatre helps Steve decompress

41:30 Final advice for new business owners

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Sue Skinner: Letting go, big decisions & being a Buying Director

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 06:36:39 GMT

In this episode, listen as Sue chats with Steve about her journey and roles throughout her 30 years in the business, how she copes with challenging times and the best parts of working with her family. They explain the donkey story from Matts episode and Sue talks about her escapes from work!

00:00 Intro

02:00 The Early Days & School Life

04:08 How Sue joined the business

09:00 Managing Sleeping Solutions & the challenges

13:26 Becoming a Director & looking after Sales & Buying

15:11 Splitting the role of Sales & Buying

17:27 The ups, the downs & challenging moments

21:50 How Sue de-stresses, her escapes & emotional times

26:15 The donkey story

28:45 Quickfire Questions

31:49 Tip of the week

32:30 Outro

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Paula Pickering: Being a Wife, Mum & Marketing Director

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

It's episode 10, and in this one we meet Paula, Steve's wife! Listen as they talk about how they met, what it's really like being a wife to a CEO and how Paula's beauty salon changed her perspective on business! They chat about all things performance reviews and how working with your children and family is both the best and most difficult part.

00:00 Intro

03:00 How Paula and Steve met

04:07 Paula’s life before Sussex Beds & her love of design

07:30 How AI is assisting in the role of marketers

09:10 What happened when Josh came along & why Paula joined the business

12:06 Opening her beauty salon

16:40 Coming back to Sussex Beds

20:40 Being a wife to a CEO & the ups and downs over the years

28:00 Performance reviews

29:39 Quickfire Questions

36:50 Paula’s hobbies

38:01 Tip of the week

40:00 Outro

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Matt Pickering: Brothers to Business Partners

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, listen as Matt chats with Steve about how the pressures of taking on huge projects affected him and his drive, and how they got through it together. Plus, find out what it was like growing up and working together as they share some funny stories!

00:00 Intro

02:00 Life growing up together & school life

09:52 When Matt joined the business

14:34 Jump scares & Telescopic finger

19:19 How Matt ended up in finance

24:32 Transitioning into a Director & the pressure that comes with that

29:30 Life at home

33:00 Escapes and hobbies

39:43 Getting a Fractional CTO & CFO

42:42 Quickfire Questions

47:35 Tip of the week

49:53 Outro

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John Pickering: How it all started, founding Sussex Beds

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 06:00:00 GMT

It's episode 8 and it's a big one! This week, we talk to the founder of Sussex Beds, John Pickering! Listen as he chats with Steve about what led him to found Sussex Beds, his favourite part of the job, and how his family is his motivation.

00:00 Intro

02:25 Life growing up

08:00 John’s first venture

09:31 Buying Miles Furnishes

14:20 How Sussex Beds was born & the heart of the business

23:25 John's motivations & his wife Sandra

27:05 Passing the business over

34:20 Toughest point in business

37:01 Quickfire Questions

42:23 Unorthodox tip of the week

43:18 Outro

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The power of owning your numbers

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Steve dives into the power of owning your numbers and why it can be a total game-changer for any business. Hear how this mindset became a turning point for Sussex Beds, how the book Traction shaped his leadership style, and why every single person in the team has their own number – and what that really means.

00:00 Intro

02:14 How decisions were made before KPIs & Targets

06:22 What was the turning point for the business & our KPIs

11:48 Influential books & everybody owning their number

15:17 Quickfire Questions

20:02 Unorthodox tip of the week

22:33 Reviews (Thank you)

24:36 Outro

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Grace Pickering: The Fragility of Life

Wed, 28 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Steve sits down with his daughter, Grace, and things get real (and really funny)! From how her job in social work changed her perspective on life, to the way a strong goal helped her bounce back after her accident! They also chat about what it's like working in the family business during the highs and the lows!

00:00 Intro

01:23 Before Grace joined the business & her job in social work

09:05 Moving on and joining the family business

11:50 Grace’s entrepreneurial spirit

14:00 Fragility of life and Grace’s injury

20:18 Anxiety

24:05 Quickfire questions

35:22 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

37:44 Outro

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The Business Rollercoaster

Wed, 21 May 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve opens up about the highs and lows of riding the business rollercoaster. Discover how he takes time to recharge after being in fight mode, the power of walking and how it helps him clear his mind! Plus, listen for our 5th Unorthodox Tip of the Week!

00:00 Intro

01:36 What is the business rollercoaster & Steve’s experiences of it

08:50 Fight or Flight

14:35 Rest and recharge

18:42 Quickfire questions

24:30 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

26:30 Outro

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John Rayment: Becoming Operations Director

Wed, 14 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, meet John, our Operations Director! Find out all about when and why he joined the business, plus find out his top business cost-saving tips since the new budget and what it's like working with your family!

00:00 Intro

1:30 Early life and why John joined Sussex Beds

4:35 John's progression in the business

11:22 Working with your wife

13:40 Cost saving due to the budget, ideas & opening new stores

17:57 Quickfire questions

26:27 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

29:34 Outro and next week's episode

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Is Culture Everything?

Wed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we find out if culture is everything, where Steve got his inspiration for the Sussex Beds culture and why culture is important for our team and our customers! Listen to his culture plans for the year and his unorthodox tip of the week from listener Liz!

00:00 Intro & what actually is culture

12:57 Culture vs Strategy - how do you find the balance

15:59 What is a rock, and Steve’s rocks for the year

22:15 Steve’s inspiration for the Sussex Beds culture

27:11 Quickfire Culture Questions

31:30 Unorthodox tip of the week (this week from Liz)

34:51 Outro and next week's episode

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Like father like son: Joining the family business

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Find out exactly what life was like for Josh growing up, why he ended up joining the family business and what it's really like working with your dad and your closest family! Listen as Josh and Steve talk about who is the most competitive, their funniest moments and how they get through the tough times together.

00:00 - Intro

03:15 - Before Josh joined the business

15:56 - Life working with family & dealing with emotions

22:34 - Living in the shadows

28:59 - Josh's motivations & their toughest business times

34:07 - Favourite times from working in the business

39:03 - Quickfire question time

45:20 - Unorthodox tip of the week

47:20 - Summary & Follow Us

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An Unorthodox CEO but why?

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:47:25 GMT

It's our first ever episode of An Unorthodox CEO! For 2 years, Steve has been posting on LinkedIn about his experiences, ups and downs of the journey within his family-run bed retailing company, Sussex Beds! Find out why he was named 'Unorthodox' and how he isn't your normal CEO. If you are looking for genuine advice on running a business or working with family, this might just be the podcast for you!

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