In this episode of The Networking Spark, host Jess White sits down with Neil Banyard, the founder of Facelift Interiors and a successful YouTuber with 70,000 followers and growing. Neil shares his remarkable journey of starting a high-end furniture and upholstery business just three weeks before the UK lockdowns, navigating the challenges of building a customer base during uncertain times, and the importance of persistence and consistency in growing a YouTube channel.

Key Highlights:

• Starting a Business in Challenging Times: Neil recounts the early days of Facelift Interiors, how he and his fiancée managed to build a business during the pandemic, and the hurdles they faced while other businesses were thriving.
• Growing a YouTube Channel: Neil discusses the strategic importance of starting a YouTube channel alongside his business, the growth it experienced, and how it now attracts over 140,000 views a month. He emphasises the importance of sticking to a routine and remaining patient, as well as the role his fiancée played in managing their content creation.
• The Mission Behind Facelift Interiors: Neil explains how Facelift Interiors is not just a business but a mission to educate people about sustainable furniture choices, promoting the idea of investing in quality pieces that last, rather than contributing to the throwaway culture.
• The Importance of Networking: Neil highlights how networking has been instrumental in his success, offering tips for other business owners on the value of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and mentors who can help guide you.
• Spirituality and Gratitude in Business: Neil shares his personal journey towards spirituality, the role of meditation and gratitude in his daily routine, and how these practices have positively impacted his business and personal life.
• The Future of Facelift Interiors: Looking ahead, Neil discusses his aspirations for the business, including the growth of their academy and the impact he hopes to have on a global scale.

About the Host:

Jess White is an entrepreneur, yogi, and CEO. She has three businesses, two children, and two dogs, so life is full! Jess realised early on that life is a gift, and you should never take it for granted. She lives her life to the full with gratitude, never holding back.

Jess started her first business in 2008, making cakes, as she wanted to be able to create a business while being a full-time Mum. This led her to win several Great Taste Awards, appear on TV, and pitch to Virgin Atlantic, Waitrose, and Asda. When asked to design a range of cakes for a supermarket, she put entrepreneurship on hold to focus on raising her children so she could return to business, but she did not want to miss being there and bringing up her children.

As they grew older, in 2015, Jess began a new business, which was her total passion for helping others through what had helped her gain strength and healing through the beautiful practice of yoga and meditation. YogiTribe has taken Jess around the world, creating transformational retreats and bringing people together in beautiful places to create growth that affects their lives physically, mentally, and spiritually. After wishing she had discovered yoga as a child because of its transformational effects, she also fulfilled a dream of teaching yoga to children and is now training others to do the same.

Realising she loves business and bringing people together to create connection and transformation, in 2022, Jess created Spark Business Networking and began hosting networking events with a difference. She gave her clients fantastic events that put them at ease and made the whole experience enjoyable and effective. Spark has grown to a thriving business community of members and is now expanding through the Spark franchise.

Sponsor Message:

YogiTribe Retreats offer busy entrepreneurs the chance to get away and rejuvenate mind, body, and soul in a serene setting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or just beginning your practice, Yogitribe Retreats offers a range of retreats tailored to meet and nourish your needs. Book your retreat today at https://yogitribe.com/yoga-retreats/Spark Business Networking offers a community for entrepreneurs, business professionals, CEOs and industry leaders to get together and spark connections, collaborations, new business, learning and much more. Join us today at https://sparkbusinessnetworking.co.uk/membership/

Connect with the Host:

E-mail: [email protected]

Websites: sparkbusinessnetworking.co.uk and yogitribe.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-white-sparkbusinessnetworking

Facebook Spark: https://www.facebook.com/sparknetworkltd

Facebook  YogiTribe: https://www.facebook.com/yogitribe

Instagram:- Spark: https://www.instagram.com/spark.businessnetworking

Instagram - YogiTribe: https://www.instagram.com/yogitribe.com