Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by Benjy Leslie, founder and CEO of Connect Management and widely recognised as one of the UK’s most impressive young business leaders. Benjy represents over 150 creators and delivers influencer campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands, making him a leading voice in the creator economy.

Benjy shares how his journey into influencer management began during Covid, after noticing a close friend with over a million followers on TikTok and realising there was a huge opportunity to build a career around managing creators. From that moment, Connect Management was born.
In this conversation, Benjy opens up about his unconventional leadership style and why people skills are at the heart of everything he does. He talks about famously investing six figures into his team, offering generous bonuses, incentives, holidays, and even cars, and why giving back to his staff is a non-negotiable part of his business values.

Despite being told by others that his approach is “stupid” or unsustainable, Benjy explains how this leadership style has led to exceptional staff retention, a motivated team, and long-term business success. He also reflects on being business-minded from a young age and the lessons he’s learned while scaling a fast-growing company.

This episode is packed with insight on leadership, team culture, influencer marketing, and building a business that thrives by putting people first. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, founders, and anyone interested in modern business and leadership.

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Welcome back to Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by her sister and coworker, Lauren, as they sit down to tackle your listener dilemmas in a conversation packed with honest business insights and real-life lessons.

This episode even features a voice note from a loyal listener sharing a truly eye-opening and slightly terrifying story about working with a friend. It’s wild, relatable, and a must-listen for anyone considering mixing business with personal relationships.

Vicky and Lauren also open up about a difficult period last year when the business felt so tough that they seriously considered giving up. They share how they pushed through those challenges, why they’re so grateful they didn’t quit, and what those moments taught them about resilience, growth, and belief.

They discuss the realities of starting a business, the pressure of the early years, and why it’s okay to admit when things feel overwhelming. From trying to be a “cool boss” and learning the hard way why that approach can backfire, to understanding the difference between being kind and being nice, this episode explores the importance of leadership, boundaries, and having uncomfortable but necessary conversations.

If you’re navigating the ups and downs of running a business, managing people, or setting boundaries from the very beginning, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and practical lessons you can learn from straight away.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s solo episode, Vicky dives deep into social media growth and how to turn your online presence into a powerful revenue stream. From the importance of consistency to understanding how algorithms, audience trust, and content strategy work together, Vicky breaks down exactly what it takes to grow on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and beyond.

With a combined following of around 200,000 followers, Vicky shares her real-world experience of how social media can open the door to brand deals, new income opportunities, and long-term business growth. She talks honestly about the mental barriers that stop people from showing up online, how to get over fear of judgment, and how to build the confidence to become visible in your niche.

This episode also covers practical advice on posting frequency, content creation, and finding the time to show up consistently, even when life and business get busy. Whether you want to become a content creator, grow a personal brand, or monetise your social media platforms, this episode is packed with tips you can start using straight away.

If you’re serious about building an audience, attracting brands, and making money through social media, this is a must-listen.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by the brilliant Holly Brooke and Joely Sanderson, founders of the bold and brilliantly named brand We Are Regular, the all-in-one poo supplement that took the wellness industry by storm.

After struggling with chronic constipation for most of her life, Holly was desperate to find a solution that actually worked. While she eventually discovered something that helped, it required taking more than 30 supplements a day, which was unrealistic and unsustainable. Watching her friend struggle, Joely realised there had to be a better way, and together they decided to turn the problem into a product.

With strong backgrounds in business, the pair created We Are Regular and the response was instant. The brand hit six figures in just five weeks, proving there was a huge gap in the market for a simple, effective, all in one gut health solution.

In this honest and refreshingly open conversation, Holly and Joely talk about experiencing burnout at a young age, how to recognise the warning signs early, and how to protect your energy through boundaries while still building a high growth business. They also share how they work together as co founders, how they balance each other out, and what it really takes to build a brand with both impact and integrity.

This episode is packed with insight, humour, and real world business lessons, making it a must listen for entrepreneurs, founders, and women building brands in today’s fast moving world.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this more relaxed, end-of-year episode, Vicky takes a moment to slow down and reflect in between the festive period. She opens up about everything she’s learned as a business owner this year, celebrating her personal and professional growth and sharing what lessons she’s choosing to carry forward into 2026.

Vicky talks honestly about learning to accept that not everyone is going to like you - and why that’s okay. She reflects on navigating changing friendships, letting go of relationships that no longer serve you, and understanding that you can’t force connection where it no longer fits.

She also addresses the reality of facing backlash on social media, explaining how success often brings criticism and why accepting that is part of continuing to move forward. From releasing resentment and bitterness to learning how to let go of the past, this episode is all about emotional growth, self-awareness, and protecting your peace.

If you’re entering a new year feeling reflective, evolving, or in need of a mindset reset, this episode offers honest perspective, reassurance, and space to breathe before stepping into what’s next.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by the inspiring Jordan, founder of the activewear brand JLuxe - a brand built on inclusivity, confidence, and designing flattering pieces for all body types.

Jordan created JLuxe after struggling to find activewear that truly fit her as a curvaceous woman whose weight fluctuated over time. She noticed that even when brands offered sizes beyond an XL, the designs often lacked style, confidence, and representation. Feeling unseen by the industry, Jordan decided to create the kind of activewear she wished existed - pieces that feel comfortable, supportive, and genuinely flattering.

In this conversation, Jordan opens up about balancing the realities of building a business alongside life as a new mum, and how she’s grown JLuxe through community-led and influencer marketing. She explains why it’s so important to her that anyone promoting the brand is a genuine fan of the products, not just a paid partnership.

Jordan also shares the personal challenges of becoming the face of her brand. Stepping outside her comfort zone and showing up on social media wasn’t easy, but she reveals why it became a necessary step in scaling JLuxe and building trust with her audience.

This episode is packed with real-life business lessons, honest conversations, and practical insight from a founder who is still actively growing her brand -making it a must-listen for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and anyone navigating the early stages of business growth.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s solo episode, Vicky shares the pearls of wisdom she’s gathered recently as a business owner - from the films she’s watched, to the books she’s been reading, to the conversations that have shifted her perspective. She opens up about the lessons she wishes she had learned sooner and the mindset shifts that have helped her grow both personally and professionally.

Vicky dives into one of her favourite books, Let Them by Mel Robbins, and unpacks the powerful message behind it. She explores the idea that while comparison can spark jealousy, it can also serve as a mirror, showing you what you truly want and where you aspire to be. Instead of letting comparison hold you back, Vicky explains how to use it as a guide for your next moves.

This episode is all about mindset, protecting your energy, understanding the influence of others, and embracing Vicky’s iconic “pebble theory,” which teaches you how to stay grounded when outside pressures threaten to pull you off track.

If you’re ready to shift your mindset, build emotional resilience, and start implementing practices that elevate both your personal development and your business, this episode is a must-listen.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by Khareem Tevin Johnson-Achu and Jamaal Patterson-Bennett - two inspiring entrepreneurs who are transforming the way we learn from the world’s most successful millionaires and billionaires. As the founders of The Venture Room, they’ve built a rapidly growing platform dedicated to sharing real, raw business lessons directly from high-level founders.

Inspired by an American creator they saw online, the pair took to the streets armed with nothing but a camera and ambition, interviewing successful entrepreneurs face-to-face. What began as a passion project quickly turned into a thriving business as their videos went viral and their audience exploded.

In this episode, they reveal the tips, tricks, and wisdom millionaires have shared with them, the mindset shifts they’ve learned, and the bold moves they’ve made along the way - including the hilarious story of how they secured an interview with Steven Bartlett by pretending to be part of a camera crew just to ask him a question.

Khareem and Jamaal also open up about how they met, how they built their partnership, and how they transitioned The Venture Room from a creative side project into a fast-growing business with a powerful mission.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, storytelling, or learning directly from people at the top, this episode is packed with insight, humour, and the kind of motivation that only comes from bold risk-takers.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

This week, Vicky is back with another listener dilemmas episode, diving into the real challenges business owners face every day. This conversation is packed with practical, honest business advice - from leading and scaling a team, to learning how to manage effectively without slipping into micromanagement or constantly redoing your team’s work.

Vicky also explores what to do when you’ve lost the passion for your business and it begins to take over your life. She shares how to reconnect with your why, set boundaries, and rebuild a business that supports you rather than drains you.

Another key theme of this episode is the importance of choosing morals over money. Vicky explains why you should avoid working with brands you don’t genuinely use or believe in, and how maintaining your credibility and authenticity will benefit your business far more in the long run.

From figuring out whether you really need a niche, to finding the strength to keep going when entrepreneurship feels overwhelming, to dealing with the complications of hiring friends who don’t behave professionally, Vicky covers it all with honesty and real-world insight.

If you’re looking for grounded, experience-backed advice to help you grow your business without losing yourself in the process, this episode is a must-listen.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk

Welcome back to another episode of Business Class with your host, Vicky Owens.

In this week’s episode, Vicky is joined by the incredible Daisy May Kelly, Founder of the viral beauty brand Glow For It - best known for their game-changing lash serum that took TikTok by storm.

Daisy opens up about her journey from struggling with anxiety and compulsively pulling out her eyelashes, to desperately searching for a solution that would help her feel confident again. What started as an experiment in her mum’s kitchen has now grown into one of the UK’s most recognised beauty brands.

She reveals the grit, determination, and resilience it took to build a business from scratch with limited experience, no roadmap, and a whole lot of self-belief. Daisy also shares what it’s been like to scale her team from 3 to 12 people in just nine months - including the pressure of feeling responsible for her team’s wellbeing, making the right decisions, and leading through rapid growth.

From navigating self-doubt to learning on the go, Daisy brings real honesty about the highs and lows of building a brand that’s catapulted into the spotlight. She also dives into how she uses TikTok as her main marketing engine - including the story behind the live that made an incredible £100,000 in one night.

This episode is packed with tips for business owners, aspiring founders, and anyone curious about the power of social media, resilience, and branding in the modern world.

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Produced by TAEPodcast www.taepodcast.co.uk