It's episode 10, and in this one we meet Paula, Steve's wife! Listen as they talk about how they met, what it's really like being a wife to a CEO and how Paula's beauty salon changed her perspective on business! They chat about all things performance reviews and how working with your children and family is both the best and most difficult part.

00:00 Intro

03:00 How Paula and Steve met

04:07 Paula’s life before Sussex Beds & her love of design 

07:30 How AI is assisting in the role of marketers

09:10 What happened when Josh came along & why Paula joined the business 

12:06 Opening her beauty salon

16:40 Coming back to Sussex Beds

20:40 Being a wife to a CEO & the ups and downs over the years

28:00 Performance reviews

29:39 Quickfire Questions

36:50 Paula’s hobbies

38:01 Tip of the week

40:00 Outro

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In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, listen as Matt chats with Steve about how the pressures of taking on huge projects affected him and his drive, and how they got through it together. Plus, find out what it was like growing up and working together as they share some funny stories!

00:00 Intro 

02:00 Life growing up together & school life

09:52 When Matt joined the business

14:34 Jump scares & Telescopic finger

19:19 How Matt ended up in finance

24:32 Transitioning into a Director & the pressure that comes with that

29:30 Life at home 

33:00 Escapes and hobbies

39:43 Getting a Fractional CTO & CFO

42:42 Quickfire Questions

47:35 Tip of the week

49:53 Outro

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It's episode 8 and it's a big one! This week, we talk to the founder of Sussex Beds, John Pickering! Listen as he chats with Steve about what led him to found Sussex Beds, his favourite part of the job, and how his family is his motivation.

00:00 Intro

02:25 Life growing up

08:00 John’s first venture

09:31 Buying Miles Furnishes 

14:20 How Sussex Beds was born & the heart of the business

23:25 John's motivations & his wife Sandra

27:05 Passing the business over

34:20 Toughest point in business

37:01 Quickfire Questions

42:23 Unorthodox tip of the week

43:18 Outro

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In this episode, Steve dives into the power of owning your numbers and why it can be a total game-changer for any business. Hear how this mindset became a turning point for Sussex Beds, how the book Traction shaped his leadership style, and why every single person in the team has their own number – and what that really means.

00:00 Intro

02:14 How decisions were made before KPIs & Targets

06:22 What was the turning point for the business & our KPIs

11:48 Influential books & everybody owning their number

15:17 Quickfire Questions

20:02 Unorthodox tip of the week

22:33 Reviews (Thank you)

24:36 Outro

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In this episode, Steve sits down with his daughter, Grace, and things get real (and really funny)! From how her job in social work changed her perspective on life, to the way a strong goal helped her bounce back after her accident! They also chat about what it's like working in the family business during the highs and the lows!

00:00 Intro

01:23 Before Grace joined the business & her job in social work

09:05 Moving on and joining the family business

11:50 Grace’s entrepreneurial spirit

14:00 Fragility of life and Grace’s injury

20:18 Anxiety

24:05 Quickfire questions

35:22 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

37:44 Outro

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In this episode of An Unorthodox CEO, Steve opens up about the highs and lows of riding the business rollercoaster. Discover how he takes time to recharge after being in fight mode, the power of walking and how it helps him clear his mind! Plus, listen for our 5th Unorthodox Tip of the Week!

00:00 Intro

01:36 What is the business rollercoaster & Steve’s experiences of it

08:50 Fight or Flight

14:35 Rest and recharge

18:42 Quickfire questions

24:30 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

26:30 Outro 

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In this episode, meet John, our Operations Director! Find out all about when and why he joined the business, plus find out his top business cost-saving tips since the new budget and what it's like working with your family!

00:00 Intro

1:30 Early life and why John joined Sussex Beds 

4:35 John's progression in the business 

11:22 Working with your wife

13:40 Cost saving due to the budget, ideas & opening new stores

17:57 Quickfire questions

26:27 Unorthodox Tip of the Week

29:34 Outro and next week's episode

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In this episode, we find out if culture is everything, where Steve got his inspiration for the Sussex Beds culture and why culture is important for our team and our customers! Listen to his culture plans for the year and his unorthodox tip of the week from listener Liz!

00:00 Intro & what actually is culture

12:57 Culture vs Strategy - how do you find the balance

15:59 What is a rock, and Steve’s rocks for the year

22:15 Steve’s inspiration for the Sussex Beds culture

27:11 Quickfire Culture Questions

31:30 Unorthodox tip of the week (this week from Liz)

34:51 Outro and next week's episode

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Find out exactly what life was like for Josh growing up, why he ended up joining the family business and what it's really like working with your dad and your closest family! Listen as Josh and Steve talk about who is the most competitive, their funniest moments and how they get through the tough times together.

00:00 - Intro

03:15 - Before Josh joined the business

15:56 - Life working with family & dealing with emotions

22:34 - Living in the shadows

28:59 - Josh's motivations & their toughest business times

34:07 - Favourite times from working in the business

39:03 - Quickfire question time

45:20 - Unorthodox tip of the week

47:20 - Summary & Follow Us

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.