This week on An Unorthodox CEO, Steve is joined by Sussex Beds' Training Manager, Amanda, to explore why great training is at the heart of great customer service.

Amanda shares her journey from joining Sussex Beds and helping launch our Ashford store to progressing into her current role, where she now develops and supports teams across the business. Along the way, she reflects on the lessons she's learned, how her previous experience shaped her approach, and what it really takes to lead people with confidence.

Together, they discuss what makes effective training, how Sussex Beds helps new starters build confidence, the importance of self-reflection, and why learning never stops. They also explore the challenge of maintaining the same high standards across every store as the business grows, proving that investing in people is one of the biggest investments any business can make.

00:00 Intro

01:35 Why Amanda joined Sussex Beds

04:20 Working in Ashford when it opened

05:15 Early learnings from working in store

08:30 The change in environments from M&S to Sussex Beds

12:00 Big learnings from her previous job

15:22 How to lead so people follow

17:06 Amandas progression through the business

24:15 Competition being nearby is good

25:30 The training role at Sussex Beds

28:30 What makes great training

31:30 The power of self reflection

33:42 How we build confidence in new starters

36:45 Learning from each other

39:50 Growing and keeping the same standards

43:20 Why personal growth of team aids the business

46:10 Signs of a successful leader

51:46 Biggest training challenge 

54:40 Our most successful training 

56:48 Quickfire questions

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What makes a holiday rental truly memorable? While many hosts focus on décor, location and amenities, one of the most important parts of any stay is often overlooked – the quality of sleep.

In this episode, Steve and Lee explore why the bed should be at the heart of every Airbnb experience. They share their own experiences, discuss the importance of guest feedback, explain the latest furniture safety regulations, and offer practical advice on choosing the right mattress, pillows and mattress protectors.

Whether you're an Airbnb host looking to improve your guest experience or simply interested in what makes a great night's sleep, this episode is packed with useful insights and actionable tips.

00:00 Intro

01:20 Why they chose the topic of Airbnbs

03:30 You hire these houses to sleep - why isn’t it a focus

05:00 Premier inn got it right - the bed is the highlight

06:50 Sleep Facts from Steve & Lee

08:30 The importance of Mattress Protectors

10:45 Why Airbnb hosts should survey their guests

12:40 Don’t be frightened of feedback - embrace it

13:50 Understanding Airbnb Furniture Regulations

16:11 What mattress/ bed we recommend for airbnbs

18:00 Advice on changing the mattress, mattress protectors & pillows

21:07 Quickfire Questions

28:50 Let us know your views

30:16 Outro

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This week on An Unorthodox CEO, Steve is joined by Tony White, Managing Director of Bonners Music.

Listen as they chat about all things, business, Tony's journey to Managing Director and what they think the secret to selling is...

00:00 Intro

01:02 How Tony & Steve met

02:15 How fate landed Tony work experience at Bonners Music

06:00 Working full time in the Bonners shop

07:30 Creating a database & holding trade shows

09:00 Instrument progression is very different now

10:45 Tonys first taste of sales

13:45 Key to selling

14:38 Sticking to your purpose when choosing products

16:30 Balancing customer needs

20:19 Creating a welcoming environment in store

23:04 Education is so important in every industry

25:30 Why Tony started his YouTube channel

29:00 How Tony became the owner of Bonners

33:00 The first changes they made after taking over

36:00 The joy of opening new shops

36:00 The internet & websites

38:50 Warehouse & website mistakes

42:00 The way consumers buy has changed

44:00 Targets & juggling with brands

47:00 Opening new stores

50:00 The post pandemic changes

54:30 How the stores & website work together

56:40 Deciding to improve rather than expand

58:50 Did Tony ever want to be a musician

1:03:17 Most challenging part of business journey

1:06:07 Quickfire Questions

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This week on An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats again with Sarah our HR Manager all about her trip to the CIPD Festival of Work. They explore the future of work, from AI in HR and supporting team through change to employee wellbeing and the workplace trends every business should be paying attention to. Plus, new employment laws everyone should be aware of!

00:00 Intro

01:35 What is the CIPD Festival of Work

03:07 The ‘Practical Solutions’ Stage

04:30 People are business

05:50 Managing change & providing clarity

07:15 Transformation in business is endless

08:20 Communication is key for change

12:25 Ai and HR - its a tool

17:13 Dealing with difficult conversations

19:47 Ai Policies plus how Sarah & Vic use it

24:00 Struggles of young people getting jobs

26:25 Sarahs standout speaker of the event

30:50 Cons of superhero leadership…

33:14 Employment law changes

37:10 How our probation period works

42:20 Employee wellbeing should be a business priority

45:40 Our Pulse Surveys

48:56 Quickfire Questions

55:45 Top HR Tip

56:20 Outro

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In this episode, Steve & Babatunde discuss architecture, entrepreneurship, learning from criticism, and why some of life's biggest setbacks can become your greatest opportunities. From growing up in Nigeria and moving to the UK for university, to facing redundancy, 18 months of job applications, and eventually building his own architecture business, Babatunde's story is one of resilience, determination, and never giving up.

00:00 Intro

01:25 How Babatunde met John Rayment

03:19 Growing up in Nigeria

04:10 Leaving for University in the UK & getting architecture

08:26 Degree & getting a job

10:47 Being offered his first job & learning on the job

12:00 Masters degree - learning to listen to criticism

15:17 Being made redundant & covid

16:30 Applying for Jobs for 18 months & Babatundes resilience

19:20 The start of Baba Atelier

22:50 Learning to render & building concept work

23:33 Babatundes struggles without a job & how people supported him

27:11 A breakthrough - a new job

31:22 The learnings from having a job and then having his own business

35:11 Why taking advice from others is important

38:44 Babatundes escapes

40:00 Renovating his new home & his drive

43:30 How traumas & knocks are things that make you

46:39 Practice makes perfect

48:31 Helping clients with needs analysis

53:00 Quickfire Questions

1:01:45 Outro

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On this weeks episode, Steve & Jason discuss Jason's journey from travelling the world after university to building a successful career as a commercial agent in the furniture industry. They explore the importance of customer service, what makes retailers and suppliers successful & the challenges of being an agent. Plus the episode also dives into Jason's passion for rugby coaching!

00:00 Intro

01:44 When Jason & Steve first met

02:44 Life growing up & who Jason works with

06:30 Jasons world tour after uni

11:00 Finding Jobs around Australia

15:21 What inspired Jason to travel when he was young

18:13 Getting his first job in Furniture

23:30 Working for Sealy

25:00 Importance of training and right tools for the job

27:49 Why the big suppliers of the 00’s are no more

30:17 What makes suppliers successful

32:04 Why desire is so important

34:05 Customer Service is top of the list

35:20 Being the ‘middle man’

37:40 What Jason finds the most challenging part

41:35 What makes a great retailer

44:25 A mattress protector story

49:35 Jason & working in the same industry as his brother

51:57 Why Jason became a commercial agent

58:00 The differences between a Agent & a Rep

1:00:30 How a trauma shaped Jasons route

1:03:20 Jasons love for Rugby & coaching Rugby

1:12:00 Quickfire Questions

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In this weeks episode Steve chats with Jon our Logistics Manager all about his early job and love of football, to becoming Logistics Manager at Sussex Beds. Plus they talk about the challenges of the role, how delivery has changed over the years, the story behind Jon returning to SB and life outside of work!

00:00 Intro

02:08 Life growing up

04:30 Jons love for playing football 

07:27 His first job & taking the leap into a managerial position

10:30 Dealing with his first job going into administration 

13:10 Finding a new job - Coming to Sussex Beds as a driver

14:58 How our transport & way we deliver has changed

18:11 Why Jon decided to move on

19:22 The story behind Jon coming back to SB

23:22 Biggest challenges of being a logistics manager

25:49 Fantastic feedback about our delivery guys

27:20 Why Delivery experience matters

30:30 Jons wife Zoe & what they have learnt from her business

32:15 Most stressful part of Jons job

35:50 How Jon de stresses

37:37 Quickfire questions

44:05 Outro

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This week, Steve sits down with Adam Hankinson to break down the psychology behind great sales, the 7 habits every salesperson should master, and what truly wins the sale. Plus, they chat about the top tips to help overcome barriers with customers!

00:00 Intro

01:43 How Adam got into the furniture industry

08:00 Why Adam went out on his own

08:46 Why Managers are key in store

11:06 Has they way we sell changed or is it the way we buy

16:05 What’s the most influential part of obtaining the sale

20:00 Customer “Must haves” are so important

22:45 Important first questions when approaching a customer

24:01 Emotional & Logical responses

25:00 Overcoming barriers with a customer

32:15 What makes the best sales people the best

35:00 Commitment to what you are doing is so important

39:37 About Adams book - Selling Furniture

42:52 The 7 habits in Adams book

50:56 Quotes & importance of the follow up

53:29 Adams book is out now!

55:50 How he handles challenges

57:24 Quickfire Questions

1:05:20

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In this episode, listen as Steve is joined by Ollie Jeffs, CEO of The Pelham, to explore the powerful role community can play in changing lives.

Ollie shares his journey to leading The Pelham, how the organisation is building meaningful connections, and the vital work they’re doing around suicide prevention. We also dive into the realities of running a purpose-driven organisation — from managing funding and volunteers to balancing growth, leadership, and personal wellbeing.

00:00 Intro

01:25 About The Pelham & Ollie

04:00 Inspiration to create The Pelham

06:00 How Ollie got involved & journey to CEO

08:30 What The Pelham does for the community

13:15 Why the Pelham focuses on creating connections 

17:01 Their work on Suicide Prevention & what you can do

27:06 Managing people on payroll vs volunteers

31:28 Most challenging part of Ollie’s role

33:15 The success rates of bids and the time they take

35:15 How they manage their funding and how growth is impacted by this

38:28 How The Pelham want to link with the NHS & what they are currently doing

44:50 Managing work / life balance

48:08 Quickfire questions

55:55 Outro

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A one-year special from An Unorthodox CEO! Listen as Steve & Vic as they chat through their past year of podcasting—from the journey to personal insights, funny moments, and everything in between.

We will be back at the end of May, so keep an eye out for the start of season 4!

00:00 Intro 

01:00 A big THANK YOU!

01:35 Some quick stats from our year

02:24 The podcast journey

10:10 Personal Insights

16:22 Fun & lighthearted

22:07 Outro

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