7 Figure Leaders

In this episode, Chris Peace, founder of Peace Recruitment, shares his incredible 15-year journey from launching a solo recruitment business to growing it into an 8-10 million pound company. Starting as a sole trader during the 2008 recession, Chris took on the construction, property, and engineering sectors, eventually expanding his team to over 20 employees. He discusses the early challenges of establishing his business, the loneliness of entrepreneurship, and the importance of resilience during tough economic times.

Chris delves into how he scaled his business by focusing on service over sales, relationships before revenue, and people before profit. He emphasizes hiring the right talent, building trust, and investing in staff to maintain high-quality service. One of the key moments in his business was the transition from being a sole trader to growing into a scalable operation, which required him to make strategic decisions around staffing, cash flow management, and long-term vision.

A highlight of the conversation is Chris’s recent Management Buyout (MBO), where he successfully passed the torch to his management team. He talks candidly about the emotional and financial journey of letting go, the importance of having a mentor, and how his leadership evolved from being hands-on to trusting his team.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow and eventually step back from their businesses. Chris’s story is a testament to perseverance, thoughtful planning, and the importance of balancing personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned business owner, Chris's experiences offer practical lessons and inspiration for the road ahead.

Tune in to learn from Chris’s incredible story and how his journey can help you overcome challenges and achieve lasting success!

Contact Chris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispeace1/

https://www.peacerecruitment.co.uk/

In this episode of the podcast, Dale Shephard, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and founder of Trinity Hawk, shares his insights into helping businesses achieve sustainable growth through strategic sales initiatives. Dale explains his role as a CRO, which extends beyond traditional sales leadership to a more holistic approach, incorporating customer success, delivery alignment, and strategic revenue generation.

Dale discusses how his career journey in B2B SaaS, services, and consulting across boutique firms and large-scale enterprises like Accenture prepared him for his current role. His experience enables him to offer valuable insights into understanding complex sales processes, technology-driven transformations, and enterprise-wide initiatives.

The conversation explores the differences between a CRO and a traditional head of sales. Dale emphasizes that a CRO's responsibilities are more strategic, focusing not just on revenue numbers but on how revenue is generated across the entire customer lifecycle, involving marketing, customer success, and even delivery.

Dale also shares practical examples of how he has helped clients move from stagnant growth to exponential expansion. For instance, he worked with an HR SaaS consultancy struggling with plateaued growth. By analyzing their current sales structure, improving deal management, and guiding them on sourcing direct business opportunities, Dale helped them secure a major deal, effectively doubling their projected revenue.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for startups and businesses looking to scale, highlighting the importance of deal management, understanding market positioning, and integrating customer success with sales strategies. For anyone aiming to enhance their sales processes and accelerate growth, Dale's expertise offers a practical and results-oriented approach.

Contact Dale:

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

https://www.trinityhawk.co.uk/

In this episode of the Tom Griffiths engages in a compelling conversation with Keir Shave, the founder of Parallel Partnerships, a sales and marketing firm based in Leeds. The discussion revolves around the growth and unique challenges of building a successful business in the B2B sales space.

Keir begins by introducing his company, which specializes in generating appointments through cold calling for businesses in various industries. He shares how Parallel Partnerships has rapidly grown to a team of 40 employees within just a year and a half, focusing on clients with a solid product or service and helping them identify and solve problems through targeted sales strategies.

One of the key themes explored is the journey Keir took from his previous role at another sales firm to establishing his own business after an unexpected company closure. He discusses the challenges of starting from scratch, leveraging his savings, and relying on strong client relationships to build Parallel Partnerships. Keir also emphasises the importance of hard work, strategic hiring, and the necessity of delegation as the business expanded.

Another significant topic is the method behind cold calling, where Keir highlights the importance of consistency, understanding client problems, and providing tailored solutions. He also touches on future aspirations for the company, including the potential expansion into inbound customer service to secure long-term client relationships.

The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners interested in enhancing their sales processes and an open invitation for potential clients to connect with Keir for support in their cold calling efforts. Overall, the conversation offers valuable insights into the dynamics of scaling a business in the competitive sales industry.

Get in touch with Keir:

• https://parallel-partnerships.co.uk/

In this episode, Tom Griffiths hosts Craig Kelly, a corporate commercial solicitor at Aqua Bridge Law, who shares valuable insights into the legal aspects of running a business. The conversation focuses on key legal protections and agreements that are crucial for business owners, particularly in the context of shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Shareholder Agreements: Craig emphasizes the importance of having a shareholder agreement in place from the outset of a business partnership. He explains how these agreements can prevent disputes and protect the business if relationships between shareholders deteriorate. He shares a cautionary tale about two business partners who did not have such an agreement, leading to one partner leaving and taking all the clients, effectively rendering the business worthless.
2. Dispute Resolution: The episode explores common disputes that arise between shareholders, particularly when they hold equal shares and have differing visions for the company. Craig discusses the inclusion of deadlock provisions in shareholder agreements, which can help resolve such disputes by bringing in an outside party or finding neutral ground.
3. Mergers and Acquisitions: Craig outlines the critical steps in mergers and acquisitions, highlighting the importance of heads of terms and share purchase agreements. He explains how these documents lay the groundwork for the transaction and protect both parties, particularly in cases where part of the purchase price is deferred. He shares a story about a client who nearly made a costly mistake by not using a solicitor during the sale of their business.
4. Intellectual Property: Craig also touches on the significance of protecting intellectual property, such as trademarks and branding. He recounts a story where a business spent thousands on a brand only to discover that another company owned the trademark, forcing them to cease trading under that name.
5. Practical Advice for Business Owners: The episode concludes with practical tips for small business owners, stressing the need for legal protection at every stage of the business lifecycle, from setup to exit.

Contact Craig:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-kelly-03555337/
• Website: http://www.aquabridgelaw.co.uk 

In this podcast episode, Tom Griffiths interviews Miles, a seasoned marketing professional with over 30 years of experience. The discussion centres around effective marketing strategies for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in industries like construction, manufacturing, and engineering.

• • Miles’ Background and Marketing Journey:Miles shares his extensive background, starting from his early days at Adidas UK, where he managed categories like adventure footwear and alternative sports. He later moved to the betting industry, where he played a significant role in creating and managing marketing strategies for major brands like Ladbrokes and Coral. His experience culminated in the development of virtual racing, a product now generating significant revenue for the betting industry.
  • Challenges Faced by SMEs in Marketing:Miles emphasizes the challenges faced by small business owners, particularly those in trades and construction, who often excel in their field but lack marketing expertise. He notes that many SMEs cannot afford full-time marketing directors, making his outsourced marketing services an ideal solution.
  • Target Market Focus and CRM Importance:The importance of identifying and targeting specific markets is highlighted. Miles explains that businesses should avoid trying to appeal to everyone and instead focus on a niche. He also stresses the significance of having a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to track and manage leads effectively.
  • Lead Generation Strategies:The conversation delves into practical lead generation tactics, including the use of specialized databases, social media engagement, and direct mail. Miles outlines a methodical approach, combining digital and physical outreach to nurture relationships with potential clients.
  • Common Marketing Mistakes:Miles identifies common mistakes, such as spreading efforts too thin across all social media platforms and expecting immediate results from marketing activities. He advises businesses to focus on a few relevant platforms and maintain consistency across all marketing channels.
  • Low-Cost Marketing Tips:For businesses on a tight budget, Miles suggests starting with low-cost or no-cost strategies, like word-of-mouth marketing, networking, and using branded promotional materials to enhance visibility and build a professional image.
  
  

Get in touch with Miles: milesmarketing.co.uk

In this podcast episode, host Tom Griffiths interviews Shilpa P, a seasoned entrepreneur turned business growth coach. The discussion centers around Shilpa's extensive experience in starting, scaling, and exiting multiple businesses, and how this journey led her to her current role as a coach for small and medium-sized businesses.

Shilpa shares her background, starting with her early career in FMCG marketing before transitioning into entrepreneurship, inspired by her family's business legacy. She details her ventures, including a platform for bringing international talent to the UK, an early coaching business in the UK inspired by U.S. models, and a digital marketing agency. Each of these businesses highlighted her ability to anticipate trends and pivot successfully, ultimately leading to profitable exits.

The conversation then shifts to Shilpa’s current work as a business growth coach, where she helps SMEs, particularly those earning between £1 million to £10 million, to strategically scale their operations. She outlines her approach, which includes an initial diagnostic session using AI software to identify areas for growth, followed by the implementation of a tailored strategy focusing on 12 key business modules such as systems, culture, and sales.

Shilpa emphasises the importance of balance in business, advising entrepreneurs to grow their businesses without sacrificing their personal lives. She also touches on common challenges faced by business owners, such as talent retention, effective marketing, and maintaining profitability. Her coaching philosophy revolves around helping business owners create space in their schedules to think strategically, ultimately leading to more sustainable and profitable business growth.

The episode concludes with Shilpa offering a free business diagnostic session, inviting listeners to explore opportunities for enhancing their business performance.

Get in touch with Shilpa: shilpa-p.com

In this episode, Tom Griffiths interviews Matt Remuzzi, the founder and managing director of CapForge, a small business bookkeeping firm. The discussion revolves around Matt's entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of CapForge, and the importance of accurate bookkeeping for business success.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Entrepreneurial Journey: Matt shares his background, including how he started CapForge after being laid off from a venture-backed firm. He explains how his experiences working with small businesses and as a business broker led him to recognize the critical need for reliable financial record-keeping and business planning. This insight prompted him to establish CapForge in 2012, which has since grown significantly.
2. Innovative Business Model: Matt discusses how CapForge differentiates itself from traditional bookkeeping services by offering flat-fee pricing, remote services, and exceptional customer service. This approach has been particularly appealing to small business owners who value predictability in costs and responsiveness from their service providers.
3. The Role of Bookkeeping in Business Success: The conversation highlights the common challenges small business owners face, such as poor financial record-keeping, which can hinder their ability to sell their business or make informed decisions. Matt emphasises the importance of understanding financial reports, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, to improve business performance and avoid costly mistakes.
4. Differentiation and Growth: The discussion also touches on how CapForge competes in a price-sensitive market by focusing on service quality rather than cost alone. Matt explains that educating clients about the value of good bookkeeping and financial insights has been key to their growth.
5. Personal and Business Balance: Finally, Matt shares his current role in the company, where he focuses on strategic growth while also enjoying personal time, illustrating the balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.

The episode provides valuable insights for business owners about the importance of accurate bookkeeping, understanding financial data, and the benefits of working with a service-oriented bookkeeping firm.

Get in touch with Matt: capforge.com

In this episode, Tom Griffiths interviews Archie Miles, the founder and director of Shorelink, an offshore recruitment company based in the UK.

Archie provides an insightful overview of Shorelink, which specializes in pairing UK businesses with professional virtual assistants (VAs) from the Philippines. This approach offers significant cost savings, as the cost of living in the Philippines allows Shorelink to provide high-quality talent at much lower rates than local hires.

Archie delves into his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early career influenced by Stephen Bartlett's podcast, Diary of a CEO. He shares how an internship in Australia opened his eyes to the potential of outsourcing and eventually led to the creation of Shorelink. Through a combination of lead generation experience and strategic advice from industry contacts, Archie transitioned from a lead generation agency to a comprehensive VA service provider.

The conversation covers the practical aspects of Shorelink’s operations. Archie explains the meticulous recruitment process, which includes skill assessments and personality tests to ensure the best fit for their clients' needs. He emphasizes the importance of creating detailed job descriptions and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate smooth onboarding.

The discussion also highlights the types of roles Shorelink typically fills, ranging from administrative tasks to more specialized positions like marketing assistants and even AI engineers. Archie notes that while they primarily focus on long-term contracts, they aim to provide seamless outsourcing solutions that benefit both the clients and the VAs.

Looking ahead, Archie shares Shorelink’s ambitious goals, including expanding their client base internationally and establishing a physical office in the Philippines. He concludes by inviting businesses struggling with staffing costs or looking to offload routine tasks to explore Shorelink’s services.

Get in touch with Archie:

• shorelink.io

In this episode Tom Griffiths chats to Piers Dickinson, the founder and director of Hyde and Hare, a soft furnishings and interiors brand focused on natural fibres. In this insightful episode, Piers shares the journey of creating a business inspired by the Danish concept a cozy, comforting lifestyle. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn in this episode:

The Birth of Hyde & Hare:

Piers introduces us to the brand's philosophy and products, emphasising their commitment to using natural and sustainable fibres like wool, cowhide, linen, and cashmere. He describes how Hyde & Hare aims to bring nature back into homes, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Startup Challenges and Growth:

Piers opens up about the difficulties of bootstrapping his business while working a full-time job. He recounts the significant hurdles faced, including a lawsuit from a major clothing brand over logo similarities that forced a costly rebranding effort. Despite these challenges, Hyde & Hare has achieved impressive growth, reaching significant revenue milestones.

Lessons from E-commerce Experience:

Drawing from his previous role at Holland Cooper, Piers highlights the importance of working with top-tier marketing agencies and applying those learnings to his own venture. His experience taught him to be frugal and strategic, crucial skills for anyone starting a business with limited funds.

Marketing and Organic Growth:

Piers discusses the strategies that helped Hyde & Hare thrive without a substantial marketing budget. By leveraging organic growth, influencer partnerships, and SEO, the brand quickly established a strong online presence and became a leader in its niche.

Future Plans and Expansion:

Looking ahead, Piers shares exciting plans for Hyde & Hare, including expanding their product range to include furniture and B2B collaborations with top interior designers. The company is also preparing for its first funding round to support further growth and solidify its position as an authority in sustainable home furnishings.

Networking and Collaboration:

Piers emphasises the value of networking and learning from other e-commerce businesses. He invites potential investors, collaborators, and skilled professionals, particularly in marketing and B2B sales, to connect and join the Hyde & Hare journey.

Get in Touch:

• Website at (https://www.hydeandhare.com/)
• Connect with Piers on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/piers-dickinson-91431826a/)

In this episode Tom Griffiths sits down with Rich Evans, an entrepreneur who has successfully founded and exited a business. Rich shares his journey from starting his first business at his kitchen table to becoming an investor and mentor for other budding entrepreneurs.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Entrepreneurial Journey and Business Foundations: Rich discusses his early days in business, highlighting the importance of a solid sales and marketing strategy. He emphasizes that the primary goal of any business should be revenue generation, a lesson he learned through hands-on experience in door-to-door sales and recruitment.
2. Investment and Mentorship: Rich shares insights into his current role as an investor and mentor, focusing on B2B service businesses. He talks about his passion for helping new entrepreneurs by providing both capital and strategic support, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.
3. Sales and Marketing Coaching: A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Rich's work with the Unbound group, where he helps business owners and revenue leaders develop and implement effective sales and marketing plans. He stresses the importance of accountability, consistency, and community support in overcoming business challenges and achieving growth.
4. Community and Networking: Rich and Tom discuss the value of being part of a supportive business community. They highlight how sharing challenges and successes with peers can reduce the feeling of isolation often experienced by business owners and can lead to valuable friendships and collaborations.
5. Reflections on Business Coaching Industry: Rich candidly talks about the coaching industry, noting the importance of finding genuine mentors who are a few steps ahead and have practical experience. He advises listeners to be cautious of the myriad of self-proclaimed business coaches, emphasizing the need for real, actionable advice.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey, from start-up to exit. Rich Evans provides practical advice on building and scaling a business, the importance of a strong support network, and the benefits of continuous learning and adaptation.

Get in touch with Rich:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarde1/