The Project Future Podcast

23. Ash & Kat Springle on Flexing to Thrive

Here in Episode 23, I speak with two guests – husband and wife and business partners Ash & Kat Springle, who’ve brilliantly designed the lives they want to lead.

Starting with a wedding photography business, TheSpringles.com, and when Covid-19 hit they mitigated the impact by moving a project off the backburner, quite literally, launching the beautiful AbelBurners.co.uk

In this conversation Ash & Kat explain:

- What initiated their move away from desk jobs

- The steps they took to make it a reality

- Why they’ve always focused on their customers as people first

- What being upfront and candid has resulted in

- Why being time-rich is key for them

- The fine line between what you want and what you need

- How rituals are key to making homeworking a success

- What makes some business owners succeed where others fail

- Why being yourself matters

- How they are now prepared for seasonality within their businesses

- How they have benefitted from outsourcing

- How you can love what you do even more

Ash & Kat’s best advice is to look at what’s already in your life before deciding on your business.

Enjoy!

22. Al Gerrie on Going Full Circle

Here in Episode 22, I speak with Al Gerrie, the founder and CEO of ZigZag Global – a SaaS solution to help eCommerce retailers manage returns domestically and globally.

ZigZag was acquired by Global Blue in March 2021.

Al explains:

- The compelling solution ZigZag offer

- How they started by crowdfunding the idea, prior to having an MVP built

- The unexpected benefits of crowdfunding and the type of businesses crowdfunding is right for

- How they developed the software and took the product to market

- The game-changing moment for them, and how the product stood up to the test

- Why they took a conscious decision to grow and scale fast

- Why it was the plan to build a global business from day one

- How they forged relationships with suppliers and customers internationally

- What winning awards led to

- How their circular economy and green credentials helped attract VCs in their Series A funding round

- How the sale to Global Blue came about

- The revenue synergy opportunities the deal brings

His best advice is simple: Do it!

Enjoy!

21. Vicki Young on Taking the Next Step

Here in Episode 21, I speak with brand transformation expert, Vicki Young.

Vicki is the personification of the ‘can do’ attitude, and the founder of Nalla – a multi-award-winning branding agency for a fast-paced digital world.

Vicki explains:

- How a childhood love of drawing led to a focus on graphic design

- How winning an award whilst at university gave her an initial platform

- The range of experience and insight she gained from working in a small agency

- How she grew by being told ‘no’

- How a family bereavement fast-forwarded her plans

- How to build rapport and tender for contracts

- Why she kept aside a buffer of cash from the outset…and how it saved the business

- Why it shouldn’t be seen as a disaster if you have a bad year

- How she uses goals and affirmations to drive the business forwards

- How Covid-19 changed her perception and measure of success

- Why it’s so important to be able to pivot, and not have too many eggs in one basket

- And finally, her best branding tips for a new business owner

Vicki’s best advice is to believe in yourself and have the drive that will allow you to achieve your ambitions.

Enjoy!

20. Bryn Emans on the Importance of Timing

Here in Episode 20, I speak with sales executive Bryn Emans.

Bryn doesn’t run his own company yet – but there have been a few near misses along the way.

Bryn explains:

- The value he gained from living abroad, and why he’d recommend it

- The business ideas he’s had and why it’s never quite been the right time to start

- What it was like being TUPE’d on his placement year

- Why there is no right and wrong answer about career choice

- What we all need clarity in

- The benefits of working in different size companies

- What sales techniques a start-up can borrow from big business

- The relationship between sales and marketing in a small business

- What sales strategy is crucial to any business

- And finally, why 3-5 year plans will help you achieve big goals

Bryn’s best advice is to understand the impact of your plan, and to get the timing right.

Enjoy!

19. Ben Cameron on Pitching for Success

Here in Episode 19, I speak with Ben Cameron, the founder of Cameron Publicity and Marketing. 

Ben and his team have worked on hundreds of book launch campaigns for everyone from big publishers to independent authors and on pretty much every subject imaginable.

Ben explains:

- How it was an easy choice to work with books

- How his business started part-time initially

- How he saw opportunity from the revolution in publishing

- What success means to him

- How he uses speaking to share his knowledge and grow his client base

- What he loves most about what he does

- Who a pitch is always for

- How publicity can open doors

Ben’s best advice is to avoid feeling that business growth needs to be continuous.

Enjoy!

18. YEGA on Knowing it's Possible

Here in Episode 18, I speak with YEGA, a lawyer and marketing professional turned fashion illustrator.

Primarily working in the fashion industry since 2015, she specialises in using her art as a branding and visual communication tool in the language of luxury.

She has worked with some of the world's top brands and her works have covered walls at The Dubai Mall and been on display at perhaps the world’s most iconic luxury department store- Harrods.

YEGA is the Founder/ Creative Director of FASHION ILLUSTRATION AFRICA- the only online platform dedicated to championing and promoting the art of fashion illustration on the African continent.

She is also on the board of the Association of Children’s Authors and Illustrators of Nigeria (ACAIN).

In this brilliant conversation YEGA explains:

- How she initially sought a ‘respectable’ job

- What she overcame to publish her initial artwork

- What social media has added to her journey

- How she built momentum and realised fashion illustration could be a career

- Why learning every day is part of the job

- How success was a mixture of serendipity and being prepared

- Why she’s still excited and has a sense of wonder about her work

- The key to winning

- That knowing an option exists is vital for young people

- Why it’s ok to say you don’t know the answer

- And finally, why people who start businesses are not leprechauns!

YEGA’s best advice is to talk to more business owners and learn from them.

Enjoy!

17. Darya Yegorina on Building the Future Now

Here in Episode 17, I speak with Darya Yegorina, a quantitative futuristic thinker, reality disruptor, professional speaker and founder of CleverBooks.

CleverBooks helps educators and parents to increase kids’ engagement in class, inspire learning at home and spark their curiosity and imagination.

Darya explains:

- The type of problems she’s always looked to solve

- What she’s focused on to continually succeed

- How her business works with both B2B and B2C customers

- That public speaking didn’t come naturally, but why it was necessary to overcome

- Why everything starts with something small

- What’s most important about what you deliver

- The key ingredient for any startup or project

- The benefits of feedback and the many forms it can arrive in

- The massive stone it is her mission to move, and how she intends to do it

Darya’s best advice is to realise it’s hard work starting a business before you actually start.

Enjoy!

PS. Here is the Link to Darya's Bookshelf for 2020:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/daryas-bookshelf-2020-darya-yegorina-dba/

16. Grant Asplund on Swinging for the Fence

Here in Episode 16, I speak with growth technologies evangelist and motivational speaker, Grant Asplund. It’s an enlightening conversation full of stories.

 

For more than 20 years, Grant has been sharing his insights on how businesses can best protect themselves from sophisticated cyber-attacks in an increasingly complex world.

 

Grant has lived a fascinating life so far, and shares with us his career journey over 40 years alongside his aspirations for the future.

 

He also shares inspirational advice and truths we can all take forward, regardless of our industry, background or phase of life.

 

Grant explains:

 

- How he got visibility of how a business operates early in his career

- Why you have to put yourself out there

- Why success is never achieved alone

- How he sells ‘holes’ not drill bits

- How to be bold and memorable

- Why we’re all imperfect and what you can do about it

- Why we all need to learn to unlearn

- The opportunity to make a difference after a traditional retirement

- Why he’s P.I.S.S.E.D. and the difference it’s made to his life

 

Grant’s best advice is Deep Faith Eliminates Fear. It’ll make sense when he explains.

 

Enjoy!

15. Sue Belton on Why You Always Have a Choice

Here in Episode 15, I speak with author, leadership and life coach, Sue Belton.

After giving birth to her daughter, Sue realised she wanted something different from life and took redundancy from her successful media career.

Sue saw value in a coaching session she received from Judy Rich, and then went on to learn more about coaching and started her own business.

Sue explains:

- How she shifted her mindset from that of an employee to an entrepreneur
- How she hustled for clients in a variety of scenarios
- The key connections to make before starting your business
- Reasons why you shouldn’t set up a business
- How she’s adjusted her offering since Covid

Sue’s best advice is to get a complete handle on what your fears, limiting beliefs and any self-belief issues are.

Sue is also a contributor to my book, Project Future.

Enjoy!

14. Sam Halligan on Exploring and Opening Doors

Here in Episode 14, I speak with an inspirational young entrepreneur, Sam Halligan.

Sam’s passion for cars was ignited when aged 17 he exported two Cinquecento’s from Italy. This led to founding Samuel Lloyd & Co where he matches worldwide petrolheads with Land Rovers and European classics. He is now embarking on a mission to revolutionise the way collector cars are transacted globally, alongside fundraising for the charity ‘Cool Earth’.

Like Episode 11 with Sam’s mum Elaine, this episode is made up of two conversations, recorded a year apart in December 2019 and December 2020.

A huge amount changed for Sam during the year, but by listening closely to the first part you’ll hear the acorns were there long before Covid.

Sam explains:

- how he realised entrepreneurship was for him
- how he’s explored things he’s passionate about
- how he’s found solutions to problems his customers have

Sam’s best advice is to start with something you know well, you’re passionate about and to have belief you’ll make it happen.

Sam is also a contributor to my book, Project Future.

Enjoy!