Matt Hunt built a 300-million-ball business without a co-packer and without betting on supermarket shelves to do the work for him.

Matt Hunt is 11 years into building The Protein Ball Company — 300 million balls sold, 14 export markets, 60,000 bags leaving Worthing every day. He's done it by manufacturing himself, hedging with private label and export, and — after Covid wiped out 80% of the business — rebuilding from the bottom up through gyms and coffee shops before going back to supermarkets.

Andy gets Matt into the detail: why private label is a hedge not a compromise, what a category buyer actually charges you for shelf space, and the graveyard exercise that Leeds agency Robot Foods ran to strip his branding down to "Ballsy by nature."

Matt Hunt co-founded The Protein Ball Company with his wife Hayley in 2014. He also built OLUVS — the first olives-in-a-bag brand, sold live on QVC and supplied into airline catering with Ryanair, easyJet, Delta and United — and The Great British Porridge Company, which went on Dragon's Den, got offers from all five Dragons, and walked away on contractual terms. He specialises in scaling natural-ingredient food brands without handing control to a co-packer.

• [02:46] The single decision that built a 300-million-ball business: manufacture it yourself, don't hand it to a co-packer.
• [07:04] "No one cares as much as you do" — why outsourcing production leaves your quality in someone else's hands.
• [14:08] Cash flow is king. Money on the water, 90-day US terms, and why a million in receivables can still put payroll at risk.
• [24:12] Building from the bottom up — gyms, coffee shops, office blocks (Cafe Nero, Nuffield, HSBC) before Tesco.
• [27:10] How a category manager kills a challenger brand — the Organic Meltdown vs Lindt story at Waitrose.
• [36:09] What a shopper decides in two seconds — colour, font, tone, not ingredient claims — and why the agency forced Matt to strip the front of pack.
• [37:00] The graveyard exercise — Robot Foods' pre-mortem where Matt had to write his brand's obituary, list what killed it, and work backwards to stop it dying.
• [39:55] Where "Ballsy by nature" came from — anger at the protein-bar category and pride in sourcing the best.
• [52:34] When to say no to a private-label deal: conflict of interest, bad margin, or it dilutes your own brand. Why it's still 50% of the business.
• [58:00] Plan A, Plan B, Plan C — why every ingredient now needs three sources, and olives are up 45% in a year.
• [1:14:00] First-hire advice: keep your day job until the side hustle overtakes it. Hiring an office and staff too early is how you kill the thing.

• Robot Foods — Leeds branding agency behind the "Ballsy by nature" rebrand and the graveyard exercise (a pre-mortem: imagine your brand has died, write its obituary, work out what killed it).
• OLUVS — Matt's earlier brand. First olives-in-a-bag. Supplied into airline catering with Delta, United, Ryanair, easyJet.
• The Great British Porridge Company — Matt's third brand. Went on Dragon's Den, got offers from all five Dragons, walked away on contractual terms.
• QVC — where OLUVS sold live; older demographic, urgency-driven, better than people admit.
• Whole Foods Market — US stockist, 600 stores, private-label arrangement.
• Cafe Nero, Flying Coffee Bean, Black Sheep Coffee, Nuffield, Virgin Active — the bottom-up placement strategy.
• Pets Corner — 150-store launch partner for the dog-treat line.
• Joe Wicks' "Killer Bar" — parody protein bar exposing category additives; tailwind for natural brands like Matt's.
• Perfect Ted, Trip Drinks — examples of brands that hit the shelf running with the right backing.
• Stephen Bartlett — cited as the right-person-in-the-right-place factor behind Perfect Ted's scale.
• Mr Beast — influencer chocolate bar, discussed as a cautionary tale on quality.
• GLP-1 / Ozempic — why bite-sized dense-nutrition snacks are a growing category.

LinkedIn: [paste Matt Hunt's LinkedIn URL here — not stored in the Episodes sheet yet] The Protein Ball Company: https://theproteinballco.com

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🎧 Business Without BS — straight talk from people who've actually built things.

EP 416 - What if your biggest business risk isn’t the market .. but your own assumptions?

Former RAF Wing Commander Marcus Dimbleby reveals how leaders can use red teaming, applied critical thinking and pre-mortems to dramatically increase strategy success rates.

We cover:

Why most business plans fail

The hidden danger of unchecked assumptions

How to run a red team session (even in a small company)

The “pre-mortem” technique that exposes fatal flaws

How to build real psychological safety

If you lead a team, run strategy or make high-stakes decisions — this episode will change how you think.

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EP 415 with guest co-host Andrew Craig.

Fundraising isn’t a numbers game, it’s a targeting problem.

In this episode, Shipshape VC founder Daniel Sawko explains why startups waste hundreds of hours pitching the wrong investors, how “zombie funds” distort the market, and why blasting your deck to 10,000 investors destroys focus.

We unpack information asymmetry, interest rate impacts, UK vs US capital markets, and how founders should actually build investor relationships.

If you're raising seed, Series A or beyond, this is your real-world fundraising masterclass.

Key themes:

Startup fundraising strategy

Venture capital

Raising seed funding

How to raise money for startup

VC mistakes

UK startup funding crisis, investor targeting

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EP 414 - Dodge Woodall reveals how he mortgaged his family home during the 2008 financial crisis to launch what became the 30,000-person Bournemouth 7s Festival.

From growing up above a pub to building and scaling multiple businesses, this is a raw masterclass in risk-taking, resilience, and real entrepreneurship.

We cover:

• Why entrepreneurship is an extreme sport

• Risk addiction and betting everything

• Scaling a festival brand without investment

• Why most people shouldn’t start a business

• The power of phone calls over emails

If you’re serious about business, leadership, or starting up - this episode is essential viewing.

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EP 413 - The UK’s new Employment Rights Act is being framed as a major step forward for workers.

But what happens when stronger protections collide with the realities of hiring, risk, and running a business?

In this episode, we sit down with leading employment lawyers to unpack the biggest changes: from the reduction in unfair dismissal thresholds to new restrictions on “fire and rehire,” and longer tribunal timelines.

For large corporations, these shifts may be manageable.

For SMEs - which create the majority of UK jobs - the implications could be far more significant.

We explore the unintended consequences of well-meaning policy:

Will businesses become more cautious about hiring?

Does reducing flexibility increase risk?

And could this ultimately impact job creation?

This is a grounded, practical conversation about how employment law works in the real world and what both employers and employees need to understand as the rules change.

Chapters:

00:00 New Rights - Big Risks

01:51 Meet Oury Clark's Employment Law Experts

02:07 Is It Good or Bad

03:15 Why This Act Exists

04:45 Top Changes Overview

05:03 Unfair Dismissal Cut

06:17 Tribunal Deadlines Extended

07:20 Sexual Harassment Duties

08:40 Fire and Rehire Ban

10:48 Redundancy Rules Tighten

12:21 Fair Work Agency Powers

13:23 April Changes Rundown

14:50 Unfair Dismissal Deep Dive

17:36 Hiring Gets Harder

19:44 Contracting and EOR Rise

28:34 Tribunals Backlog and ACAS

32:03 AI Fuels More Claims

36:59 Compensation Cap Removed

42:09 Any Upsides to Reform

44:25 Fire and Rehire Explained

45:12 Fire and Rehire Basics

46:04 Five Fair Dismissal Reasons

46:57 SOSR and Business Change

50:38 New Rules and Restricted Variations

53:23 Tribunals and Enforcement Delays

54:42 Performance Management Reality

56:47 Protected Conversations Explained

01:01:21 SSP Changes and Sickness Absence

01:05:20 Occupational Health and Return Plans

01:07:57 Sexual Harassment Duties Expand

01:14:51 Practical Steps Before April

01:19:14 Growth Concerns and Global Competition

01:24:29 Myths Rapid Fire

01:25:45 Final Thanks and Sign Off

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EP 412 - How far should UK employers go when it comes to looking after staff?

In this episode we break down the real cost of being a “nice” employer - from UK statutory sick pay (SSP) and full sick pay policies to employee benefits, pensions, flexible working, and permanent health insurance (PHI).

With major UK employment law changes coming, SMEs face difficult trade-offs:

Is full sick pay worth the payroll cost?

Does unlimited holiday actually work?

Can generous benefits create legal risk?

Are employers responsible for employees’ long-term wellbeing?

Featuring insights from Oury Clark's employment lawyer Jessica Bass and financial adviser Freddie Pattenden, this episode is a practical guide for SME founders, directors, and HR leaders navigating sick leave, compliance, retention, and post-COVID workplace expectations.

If you run a UK business and want to balance competitiveness, fairness, and sustainability - this one’s for you.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 Caring Without Going Broke

00:57 Meet the Experts

01:27 What Staff Really Want

03:38 Compliance Value Competition

05:28 PHI Income Protection Debate

11:22 Post Covid Flex and Mental Health

15:36 Legal Minimums Sick Pay Changes

21:54 Morality Consistency and Flex

26:15 Being Nice Can Backfire

29:10 Structuring Benefits and Contracts

32:09 Unlimited Holiday Pitfalls

32:51 Unlimited holiday pitfalls

34:50 Perks arms race

37:07 SMEs vs big firms

38:35 Pension basics explained

39:43 Qualifying earnings trap

42:41 Pensions and retention

47:17 Salary sacrifice demystified

54:43 Self employed pension gap

55:06 Death in service cover

57:15 Private healthcare reality

59:19 Tailoring PMI benefits

01:03:00 Managing premium increases

01:04:43 Virtual GP and AI support

01:06:16 Avoiding Benefit Red Herrings

01:08:14 Flexible Benefits Allowance

01:11:20 Renewals and Underwriting Traps

01:13:47 Flexible Working Rights

01:15:33 Office Returns and Discrimination

01:19:49 Mental Health Boundaries

01:21:46 Best Benefits and Compliance

01:27:10 Business or BS Quiz

01:27:55 Maternity and Paternity Debate

01:34:28 Wellbeing Apps and Final Wrap

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EP 411 - Most families don’t just feel grief when someone dies - they feel anger.

Anger about the mess, the debt, the confusion, and the things nobody sorted out.

In this episode of Business Without BS, we have the conversation most people avoid - but absolutely shouldn’t.

We talk about what actually happens if you die without a plan, why love isn’t flowers and chocolates, and how a few uncomfortable decisions can completely change your family’s future.

This isn’t about being wealthy. It’s about being responsible.

We cover:

What happens if you die without a will (and why modern families are hit hardest)

Why unmarried partners are often left with nothing

Life insurance: what it really does, how cheap it can be, and when it matters most

Powers of attorney and the nightmare families face without them

Business owners, shares, and the chaos nobody plans for

Why “I didn’t get round to it” is one of the worst legacies you can leave

This conversation is uncomfortable, but it might be the most loving thing you ever do for the people you care about.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 The Importance of Wills and Life Insurance

01:14 The Consequences of Not Planning Ahead

02:05 Meet the Experts: Financial and Legal Advisors

02:37 Understanding Wills and Intestacy Rules

09:49 The Importance of Communication and Regular Updates

12:34 Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones

22:29 Power of Attorney: Ensuring Your Wishes Are Honored

37:47 Understanding Income Protection

39:16 The Importance of Life Insurance

39:53 Building Financial Security

41:17 Starting the Conversation on Wills

44:21 Choosing the Right Executor

47:01 Navigating Probate and Inheritance Tax

51:47 Managing Digital Assets

01:06:08 Final Thoughts on Financial Planning

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EP 410 - Tax Without BS returns with a fiery but surprisingly hopeful breakdown of the November 2025 UK Budget.

Andy, Jemma and Emma from Oury Clark sift the good, the bad, and the “are-you-kidding-me?” of Britain’s latest fiscal plan

From scale-up salvation and EIS boosts, to SME heartbreak, Mansion Tax grumbles, pension puzzles, and the four-year foreign-income free-for-all.

It’s the only budget reaction that’ll make you laugh and rethink your life insurance.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 Andy's Episode Synposis

02:29 Business Tax Positives

05:37 Funding Gaps and EIS

14:18 Business Rates and SME Challenges

18:16 Inheritance Tax and Business Property Relief

23:58 Impact on SMEs and Entrepreneurs

33:12 Understanding Business Rates

34:04 Personal Taxes Overview

34:16 Employee Ownership Trusts Explained

37:54 Income Tax Threshold Freeze

38:55 Salary Sacrifice and ISA Changes

40:08 Financial Literacy and Investment Advice

43:44 Mansion Tax and Property Levies

48:42 Tax Avoidance vs. Tax Evasion

55:48 Foreign Income and Gains Regime

01:00:32 Final Thoughts and Budget Reflections

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EP 410 - From selling t-shirts on market stalls to founding the world-famous Bournemouth 7s Festival, entrepreneur Dodge Woodall has lived the highs and lows of business.

This week, Dodge shares his raw story of hustle, risk, failure and resilience behind building an empire.

Today Dodge is not just the founder of Bournemouth 7s - often called “the Glastonbury of sport” - but also the host of the hit Eventful Lives Podcast where he interviews extraordinary people with extraordinary stories. His journey proves that success doesn’t come from luck - it comes from grit, creativity, and relentless drive.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Dodge Woodall went from market stalls to multimillion-pound festivals

The reality of building Bournemouth 7s into a global brand

Why failure and setbacks are essential for entrepreneurs

The secrets behind running world-class events and businesses

What Dodge learned from interviewing top athletes, entrepreneurs and entertainers

If you want unfiltered insights into entrepreneurship, festivals, and building businesses against the odds, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t find in textbooks.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Dodge Woodall

01:21 Growing Up in a Pub: Early Business Lessons

05:04 The Nightclub Business: From University to Major Cities

18:36 Creating Bournemouth 7s: The Festival Gamble

40:48 The Essentials of Entrepreneurship

41:23 Sponsor Message and Social Media Reminder

41:57 New Book and Podcast Announcement

42:55 Exploring the Criminal Underworld

46:16 The Impact of Trauma on Success

49:50 Challenges of Entrepreneurship

51:46 Taxation and Employment Issues

01:05:36 Scaling and Selling Businesses

01:11:15 The Festival Business and Pandemic Challenges

01:14:39 !Business or Bullshit Quiz!

01:21:06 Wrap Up

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If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - [email protected]

EP 409 - What happens when you strip away phones, comfort and pretence?

Therapist Jerry Hyde - often called “the most dangerous therapist in the world” - and filmmaker Mai Hua explore the raw truths of mental health, vulnerability and masculinity.

Released for World Mental Health Day, the conversation dives into why modern life keeps us disconnected, how radical retreats (no phones, no showers, no distractions) transform people, and why real healing means breaking the rules.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Jerry Hyde is called “the most dangerous therapist”

How radical retreats challenge comfort, technology and ego

The link between phones, distraction and mental health decline

Why vulnerability is strength in therapy and relationships

How group therapy transforms masculinity and human connection

If you’re interested in mental health awareness, therapy, and breaking free from modern distractions, this episode offers unfiltered insights and challenges conventional thinking.

*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*

Spotify Video Chapters:

00:00 BWB with Jerry Hyde and Mai Hua

00:40 Introducing Jerry and Mai

01:52 Exploring Masculinity and Vulnerability

04:03 The Power of Retreats

05:44 The Impact of Technology on Mental Health

06:27 The Importance of Human Connection

08:50 Challenges of Modern Parenting

18:53 Understanding ADHD and Trauma

32:24 Gender Dynamics and Therapy

45:25 Therapy as a Lifestyle Choice

45:52 Challenges of Couples Therapy

47:02 The Art of Self-Inquiry

47:41 Collaborative Conflicts

48:09 Gender Differences in Therapy

57:44 Cultural Perspectives on Therapy

01:03:02 Making a Man: The Documentary

01:05:42 The Importance of Vulnerability

01:23:12 Therapy and Group Dynamics

01:25:17 Wrap Up

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If you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - [email protected]