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Ambitious Lifestyle Business

Are you a small business owner who likes to think BIG? Then this podcast is for YOU. It's a place where AMBITIOUS business owners learn and share SIMPLE, PRACTICAL tips and advice to help their businesses GROW with ONE purpose... TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE LIFESTYLE THEY WANT. Whatever that means for YOU... Maybe you want to earn £100k a year? Maybe you want to spend more time with friends and family, or travel more? You might want to give up the Day Job, or completely change direction in your business. Perhaps you want to retire in X years? Remove yourself from doing the jobs you HATE? Sack your problem clients? This monthly podcast is 100% FREE. There's no ads. No spammy upsells. No fluffy, woo-woo BS. Just simple, practical help to grow YOUR Ambitious Lifestyle Business.
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Now displaying: Category: Business Growth & Marketing
Mar 7, 2024

Austin Newberry is the owner and CEO of Logspan - a timber building manufacturer based in Scotland. Austin is a family man who says that he still struggles with work/life balance.

In this episode, you will hear:

💬 Austin's POWERFUL story about a childhood family holiday - and how it impacts his parenting style to this day.

💬 What it's like to take over a family business - and why it still doesn't feel like his business.

💬 The building blocks that ANYONE can use to get better at public speaking.

💬 Whether "Boardroom" (our 2024 Mastermind group) is as SCARY as we marketed it to be.

💬 How to create (and protect) BOUNDARIES between work and life.

This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 110 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Dec 7, 2023

It's Chriiiiistmaaaaasss! We start this Christmas special episode by wishing Noddy Holder's Evergreen Asset (Merry Xmas Everybody) a happy 50th birthday.

We also dissect the rise of AI in 2023 (No, it's not coming for your job - but it IS going to change your job completely!), celebrate the return of in-person events, and explain how to listen to John's audiobooks for free.

We also end the year by looking at the boys' Books of the Year - including a "personality profiling" book that identified John as someone who is:

  1. overly judgemental

  2. has a lot of self-discipline

  3. spends a lot of time thinking how to become a better person

  4. likes routine

  5. is really disappointed when other people don't do their part.

Yep, that sounds like John!

This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (and the 107 that preceded it) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Nov 2, 2023

Nicky Thomas is the founder of The Growth Community, a networking group that promises “Real Community Business Networking”, with relaxed, purposeful networking, and no membership sales pitches.

Nicky joined the One Percent Club 18 months ago, and as a result, grew her business by 75% in her first 12 months of membership. That huge level of growth doesn't come without a cost, however, and it's this cost that we talk about in today's episode - the price small business owners pay for growth.

This episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast (together with another 106 episodes from the back catalogue) is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Oct 4, 2023

Graeme Tennick is Chief Impact Officer at Tennick Accountants, where he isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves, and is on a mission to empower trades and professional services business owners who know the grind of long hours, minimal returns, and the frustration of hefty taxes.

The word "impact" runs through today's episode - Graeme talks about the impact of his father's forklift business on him as a young man, the impact of making a few wrong decisions (and more than a few right ones!).

As I implore readers of The False EXIT to "truly live and breathe" their vision and values, Graeme is doing just that - demonstrating how small business owners can impact their own lives, as well as those of their immediate family, team of co-workers, clients - and ultimately leave the world a better place.

How will YOU have an impact today?

Aug 3, 2023

What's the best Exit Strategy for a Small Business? It depends...

In this summer-special podcast, John and Jason discuss their (many!) failed attempts to exit their small business over the years, including:

  • Thinking they sold their company for £2m - only to get a Dear John email.

  • John giving away 49% of his small business for free

  • What happens when you abdicate rather than delegate.

  • How to choose the right exit strategy for small business owners.

  • Why "doing nothing" isn't really an option.

  • How John and Jase discovered the "False EXIT" - and why they're glad they did!

Jul 20, 2023

Do NOT sell your business...

At least not until you've read John's new book - The False EXIT.

The False EXIT isn't a book about selling your business. It's a book about NOT selling your business - it's about keeping, rather than killing the golden goose.

The book is available NOW on Amazon (in Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover formats), with the Audiobook version coming in January 2024.

For the next 48 hours, there's some VERY special launch pricing, making the book as cheap as it will ever be. In John's words, "fill your boots! Buy 1 copy, 10 copies or even 100. Get one for clients, colleagues and people you vaguely like - anyone who needs to read this book."

In this episode, John practices his narration for the audiobook (only stumbling over the phrase "lugging buckets") by reading the introduction for us - enjoy!

Jul 6, 2023

How many goals is too many? If you're today's guest Nathan Pascoe, there is no limit!

In this episode, Nathan explains:

  • Why he has a 90-day plan AND a 120-year plan.

  • The importance of reviewing your goals twice a day.

  • How everything he does is for his "future self"

  • The relentless focus on high value tasks (such as sending Weekly Emails)

  • Why Nathan focuses on the "long game"

  • How he achieves just about ANYTHING he sets his mind to.

  • Why John calls him "the most ambitious, ambitious lifestyle business owner we've ever had on the show!"

Jun 1, 2023

"To live longer, get stronger..." 

Today, on the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we're joined by Matt Fox from Physiocore, a group-based class which helps people to live longer and get stronger, by future-proofing their bodies with a unique combination of mobility, core, balance and strengthening exercises.

As a Physiotherapist with a degree in sport science, he has worked in the NHS, private practice and spent over 10 years working full time in professional football at Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers FC.

Matt has helped many hundreds of people create a flexible and strong body with a view to keeping active and healthy for life.

In this episode, Matt tells us:

 

  1. How we can outperform our age.

  2. Why we should avoid "junk miles" - for our bodies AND our business.

  3. How he's used the Evergreen Assets ecosystem, and the Could Do List to improve his business.

  4. Why it took hearing the "constant, never-ending improvement" message more than 100 times before the penny dropped.

  5. The moment he designed his own ambitious, lifestyle business, camping in his back garden with his kids.

  6. That he's a bit of a routine machine...

May 4, 2023

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Stephen Gibbens from Accountech.

 

A culture of overwork led to Stephen collapsing in his car, fearing a heart attack - or worse. He'd spent decades growing his business and had no desire to become the richest man in the graveyard.

 

In the hard-hitting episode, Stephen tells us:

 

  1. Why overworking is bad - for your health and your wealth

  2. How to spot the symptoms of overwork.

  3. Why he never considered his to be a lifestyle business.

  4. How Jim Collin's Hedgehog Concept changed his thinking.

  5. Why "clients with very little money" are his perfect niche.

Apr 6, 2023

"Our 100th Episode..." 

In December 2016, I uttered the immortal words to Jason:

"Do you fancy starting a podcast?"

Just over six years, and 99 episodes later, the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast is about to hit the 100 episode milestone - something that seemed impossible when I felt like quitting after 6 months.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - consistency is a superpower. 

How did we get to 100 episodes?

One episode at a time, one month at a time.

We found a way to make it easy.

We mastered the art of showing up, every single month.

We made it FUN.

Including THIS special, 100th episode, recorded in front of a live audience of listeners and previous guests.

Here's to the next century!

Mar 2, 2023

"I made ONE decision - and it changed my life..." 

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Roger Haycock from Roger's Bakery.

One decision led to us talking to Roger today. That one decision, made on 30th December 2020, led to a succession of domino-effect decisions that have profoundly changed Rogers's life as he embarks on his "third challenge".

Roger tells us that:

 

  1. One decision started it all.

  2. He is naturally curious, wanting to find out how things work.

  3. How food poisoning led to him starting a conservatory business!

  4. His secret ingredient for artisan bread - FIRE!

  5. How Routine Machine motivated him to change "routines that weren't working"

  6. Roger's advice for anyone looking to make ONE decision to change their life.

  7. How you can learn ANYTHING from personal development books.

Feb 2, 2023

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we chat with James Crow from Posture Stars.

James is an Ergonomist, Posture Pro, and Alexander Technique Teacher who *won't stop* until you can sit and work comfortably without pain. With over 15 years of experience helping people sit, stand and live with better posture, it's his mission to save the universe from the modern pandemic of slouching, slumping, and generally feeling run down!

James tells us:

 

  1. Why "sitting is the new smoking".

  2. 3 simple improvements we can ALL make to improve our posture.

  3. The daily routines that help him hit his goals.

  4. What three months of weekly 1% improvements looks like.

  5. How seeing other people failing helps James.

  6. The effect that Jim Collins' book Good to Great has had on James' business.

  7. Why James does want ANYONE else to join the One Percent Club.

Jan 5, 2023

In this episode of the Ambitious Lifestyle Business Podcast, we meet Tom Edwards from Tom Edwards Sound and Five29 - a company which specialises in final post-production services for factual content - helping make TV shows such as Cash in the Attic and The One Show sound amazing.

We discuss:

  1. Why losing his dream job forced Tom to become a "reluctant business owner"

  2. How to find your niche in business.

  3. What good sound actually sounds like.

  4. Why Tom said "yes" to every opportunity that came his way - and how he discovered the "hell yeah or no" mindset.

  5. How quickly the "hell yeah or no" goalposts move - and former dream clients/opportunities can become nightmares

  6. The upcoming 100th episode of the ALB podcast - and how you can take part!

  7. How Tom embraced the Dream Clients strategy - with amazing results in just two weeks!

  8. 90's WWF wrestlers - yes, really!

Dec 1, 2022

"Why this Money Mindset book is my book of the year…" 

So here it is - Merry Christmas! Everybody’s… designing their 2023 goals. In this Christmas special, John and Jason put the year to bed, and the world to rights. The boys discuss:

  1. Their books of the year - including the money mindset book that will be crucial to read in the current economic climate.

  2. Why John is learning how to care less about work - dialling down his ambition and slowing down.

  3. How “constant never-ending improvement” has actually been around for centuries.

  4. The upcoming 100th episode of the ALB podcast - and how you can take part!

  5. Why grown adults are competing to win an inflatable flamingo - and learning how to work less in the process.

  6. The False EXIT - John’s new book, coming out (sometime!) in 2023. It’s definitely NOT a DCI Lamerton crime thriller!

Nov 3, 2022

In this episode, John and Jason are joined by Vicky Jinks, who works with the boys, helping to look after One Percent Club members. Together, they discuss how to grow a small business into a large business - using the same “1% better each week” strategy that they preach.

You’ll hear::

  1. Why people's definitions of “small” and “large” businesses are highly individual.

  2. How even the largest, trillion-dollar businesses started as tiny upstarts.

  3. The importance of getting started.

  4. Accepting that version 1.0 will look nothing like version 10!

  5. When to stop growing.

Oct 6, 2022

Today, we're joined by Caroline Gurtler from Curious Rose. In this episode, you will hear:

  1. How Caroline showed tremendous bravery to be brutally honest about her problems - and how that led to an outpouring of help that turned things around

  2. How to balance "selling out of products" versus simply "selling out"

  3. Why Caroline took a 1-year-old baby to Cambodia.

  4. How, after hiding under a table during a military coup, Caroline doesn't really fear anything.

  5. Caroline describe her journey as a "road to entrepreneurship, paved with disasters"!

  6. What an ambitious, lifestyle business means to Caroline.

Sep 1, 2022

Today, we're joined by Michele Marsland from Marslands Accountants. In this episode, you will hear:

 

  1. Why breaking her leg was the best thing that ever happened to Michele's business.

  2. How Michele has become the Queen of the Let Property Campaign.

  3. Why Michele played "chapter roulette" with Routine Machine.

  4. How to change your money mindset - optimising your actual hourly rate.

  5. The subtle difference between earning £5 an hour and £95 an hour.

  6. Why Michele lives in "Pink Flamingo Land" - and how YOU can too!

Aug 4, 2022

Summer is here again, and unlike the great British weather, you can rely on John and Jason to deliver a spectacular summer special - In this episode, we put the world to rights, discussing:

 

  1. Whether we're "getting old" by focusing on retirement goals.

  2. The sort of people we'd really rather DIDN'T join the One Percent Club.

  3. How you CAN go wrong investing in bricks and mortar (culminating in court cases, administration and the Serious Fraud Office!)

  4. The calming (and long-lasting!) effect of a 17-day digital detox.

  5. Why long-term thinking is the ONE trait you MUST adopt to be successful.

  6. The biggest mistake that MOST small business owners will make in the upcoming recession.

Jul 7, 2022

Today, we're joined by Nathan Counter from Portable Putts. In this episode, you will hear:

 

  1. Why Nathan still has a day job, and runs his business as a "side hustle".

  2. How Nathan "didn't really know what the One Percent Club was", but joined anyway!

  3. The many, many ways that Nathan has "read the books.. and followed the instructions".

  4. How Nathan uses routine streaks to keep him on track to achieve his goals.

  5. The six words that Jason uses to keep Nathan away from shiny objects.

  6. Why Nathan is always talking about hedgehogs, buses, pumpkins and friction.

 

 

Jul 5, 2022

Here are my Top 10 Self-Help Books, featuring titles by Scott Adams, Gareth Southgate, Kevin Hart and Alistair Campbell.

This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - please let me know (john@bigidea.co.uk) if you agree (or, more likely - disagree!) with my choices - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

Jul 5, 2022

Over the summer, I'll be releasing some special podcast "inbetweenisodes", featuring some of my favourite personal development books. Each week, I'll share my top ten from each genre, as well as my overall top ten.

This is part of my Top 100 Best Business Books project - please let me know (john@bigidea.co.uk) if you agree (or, more likely - disagree!) with my choices - what book(s) should I have chosen? What's YOUR number one?

Jun 2, 2022

Today, we're joined by our first EVER returning guest, Tom Boulden from Complete Mortgage Advice. In this episode, you will hear:

  1. Why Tom, John and Jason are no longer business partners.
  2. How John punched Tom in the face, and gave him a black eye.

  3. Tom's dedication - "if I decide to do something, I see it through. No matter what."

  4. How Tom and his wife survived a "life-changing" head-on car crash, and the resulting trauma that remains to this day.

  5. Tom's love of a challenge - and how that led to him appearing on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins.

  6. How Tom beat the odds to appear on the show - and the lessons that will remain with him for life.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

May 5, 2022

In this episode with Ian Ebbs from Football Boots, you will hear:

  1. How Ian grew an audience of 1.4 million YouTube subscribers
  2. The difference between "being a genius" and "being lucky".
  3. Why Ian was locked up by Border Security.
  4. How Ian has made "having fun with the family" his day job.
  5. Why Ian moved from the UK to New Zealand.
  • Ian's process for "having a system that works - and then beating it to death!"
Apr 5, 2022
In this episode, you will hear:
  1. How Alison Davies was told "not to fall in love" with buying a pub - and promptly did just that.
  2. The importance of "doing the right thing" - and how it can lead to winning clients.

  3. How Alison built resilience battling a recession, floods, health problems and a global pandemic.

  4. Why Alison sent £5 notes to local pubs - and how it landed her on BBC Radio 4.

  5. What happens when you surround yourself with a group of smart people.

Mar 3, 2022

In this episode, you will hear:

  • The 3 mistakes most photography business owners make
  • Jeff's "greatest-ever failure"

  • Depression, debt and divorce

  • The difference between a good photographer and a good photography business

  • Why every mentor should have a mentor themselves.

  • How Jeff went from zero to 80,000 followers on LinkedIn

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

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