IT’S NOT SO LONELY AT THE TOP

Building a £5M Exterior Cleaning Business | Jim Neville, Founder of PCS Exterior Cleaning

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Neville, the entrepreneur behind PCS Exterior Cleaning, to talk about scaling a simple service business into a serious operation.

Jim shares the real story behind building a fast-growing exterior cleaning company — from knocking on doors and running a van himself to leading a team, delegating operations, and aiming to build one of the biggest exterior cleaning businesses in the UK.

We discuss how a simple, scalable business model can generate serious growth when paired with strong leadership, operational discipline, and relentless sales effort. Jim also opens up about the lessons learned from burnout, the importance of delegation, and why building a legacy matters more to him than just making money.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone building a service business or trying to scale a team.

Jim’s goal to grow the business to £5 million turnover within five years

The strategy to scale from 4 vans to 25 vans and 30 staff

Why door-knocking still works as a powerful sales strategy

How commission incentives motivate teams to generate new work

The leadership shift from working in the business to leading it

Lessons from burnout and why delegation is essential for growth

Why simple, scalable service businesses can outperform complex ones

The importance of culture, fairness and clear communication in team leadership

Jim Neville is the founder of PCS Exterior Cleaning, a rapidly growing exterior cleaning business specialising in residential and commercial services. Starting from a single van, Jim has built the company into a multi-vehicle operation with ambitions to become one of the largest exterior cleaning companies in Britain.

Alongside running the business, Jim also hosts the Dirt Millionaire Podcast, where he speaks with entrepreneurs and tradespeople about building successful service businesses.

🎧 Perfect for listeners interested in:

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

Your guest today is Jim Neville

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

When Should a Leader Stop Something That’s Working? | Strategic Leadership & The CLOSE Framework

In this episode, we explore a counter-intuitive leadership question: when should you stop doing something… even when it’s going well?

Many leaders hold onto successful projects, roles, or commitments simply because they work. But great leadership isn’t just about starting things — it’s about knowing when to stop, pivot, or delegate so you can focus on what truly moves the business forward.

In this conversation, we introduce the CLOSE framework, a practical decision-making tool leaders can use to evaluate whether an activity still deserves their time and energy.

Using real examples from leadership and business growth, we discuss how evolving priorities require leaders to regularly reassess their commitments. Sometimes the most powerful decision a leader can make is to end something at its peak — freeing capacity for bigger opportunities.

You’ll also hear why leadership isn’t about managing time but managing priorities, and how failing to stop misaligned activities can quietly drain energy, create burnout, and limit growth.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader juggling too many responsibilities, this episode will help you make clearer decisions about what to keep, what to delegate, and what to let go.

In this episode we discuss:

Why leaders must sometimes stop successful projects to grow

The CLOSE framework for deciding when to continue, delegate or stop

Why leadership is really about managing priorities, not time

How holding onto old commitments limits growth and impact

The importance of aligning activities with your long-term vision

How ending things intentionally can prevent burnout and increase focus

The CLOSE Framework Explained:

C – Capacity: Is this the best use of your time right now?

Great leaders aren’t defined by how much they do — they’re defined by what they choose to stop doing.

🎧 This episode is ideal for listeners interested in leadership development, strategic decision-making, entrepreneurship, productivity, and business growth.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

Cybersecurity, Leadership & Risk: How Kieran Lee Built Evolve Technologies | Business Leadership Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Kieran Lee, founder of Evolve Technologies, to explore the realities of building and leading a fast-growing IT services business.

Kieran shares the lessons learned from scaling a technology company, building a high-performing team, and navigating the increasing cybersecurity risks facing modern businesses.

We discuss how introducing a structured sales team and process dramatically accelerated growth, why cybersecurity investment is no longer optional, and how leadership culture plays a critical role in staff loyalty and long-term success.

One powerful moment in the conversation centres around a real ransomware attack that took nearly nine months for a client to fully recover from, highlighting the devastating consequences businesses face when cybersecurity is neglected.

Kieran also opens up about his leadership philosophy, his approach to hiring the right people, and the mindset required to take calculated risks while growing a business.

If you’re a business owner, leader, or entrepreneur navigating growth and technology risk, this episode offers practical insights and honest reflections from someone in the trenches.

How a structured sales process transformed business growth

The real impact of ransomware and cybersecurity failures on businesses

Why small businesses are often the weakest link in cyber supply chains

Kieran’s “tough but fair” leadership style that builds team loyalty

Why experience beats education when hiring technical talent

The role of risk-taking, resilience, and humility in entrepreneurial success

Why luck, teamwork, and judging character quickly matter more than most leaders admit

Kieran Lee is the founder and owner of Evolve Technologies, a growing IT and cybersecurity provider supporting businesses across the UK. With years of experience in managed IT services, Kieran focuses on helping organisations protect their systems, improve resilience, and leverage technology to support growth.

🎧 Perfect for listeners interested in:

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

Your guest today is Kieran Lee

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

Unfiltered Leadership: Why Being Liked Is Overrated | Leadership, Decision-Making & Respect

In this episode of the podcast, we tackle a leadership myth that quietly undermines performance in organisations everywhere: the need to be liked.

Many leaders dilute their decisions, over-explain themselves, and hesitate to act because they fear judgement or disapproval. But great leadership isn’t about popularity. It’s about clarity, courage and respect.

In this honest conversation, we explore why the most effective leaders focus on earning respect rather than chasing approval, and how filtering decisions through values can transform your confidence and impact.

Drawing lessons from iconic leaders such as Sir Alex Ferguson, we discuss why tough decisions are often unpopular in the moment but essential for long-term success.

You’ll learn how to separate useful feedback from background noise, protect your energy as a leader, and make decisions aligned with your values rather than other people’s expectations.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to please everyone at work, this episode will help you step back, reset your leadership mindset, and lead with strength and integrity.

In this episode we discuss:

Why great leaders prioritise respect over being liked

How fear of judgement weakens leadership decisions

Using your personal values as a leadership compass

Filtering constructive feedback from unhelpful criticism

Why trying to please everyone leads to burnout and indecision

The difference between popularity and real leadership influence

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, entrepreneur or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you lead.

🎧 Perfect for listeners interested in leadership development, decision-making, mindset, business leadership, management psychology and building high-performance teams.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

Want to hear Pete challenged by recent guest Paul Umpleby?

In today's episode we explore Pete's leadership philosophy and mindset -

Business Foundation: Flagship launched in 2018 with just three drivers, discovering market demand through a £50 training fee.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

If you knew you couldn't fail what would you try?

In today's episode we explore failure and what it is we are actually fearing -

Fear of failure limits leadership growth: It causes a safety mindset, preventing risks that drive innovation and progress.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

From 37p to £70 million - Neville Wright has acheived a LOT in his business career and life.  Do you want to learn the secrets to making millions?

In today's episode we cover;

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Success comes from relentless hustle and overcoming fear, as shown by starting Kiddicare with just 37p.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

Your guest today is Neville Wright - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillewrightmentor/

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

Timeline Therapy is a simple but powerful approach where you revisit key moments from your past in your mind, reframe the emotional meaning of them, and then step forward feeling lighter, clearer, and no longer run by old baggage.  In today's episode we discuss this therapeutic service that Pete offers coaching clients, we cover.

Impact on Decision-Making: Timeline therapy clears emotional blockages, enhancing leaders' ability to make quicker, better decisions.

Addressing Limiting Beliefs: It helps transform beliefs like “work has to be hard,” simplifying tasks and boosting productivity.

Growth Constraints: Leaders often cap growth at 20%; therapy can shift mindset for goals of 50% growth annually.

Team Dynamics Improvement: Leaders become more engaged and communicative, fostering stronger alignment and productivity within teams.

Session Efficiency: Major emotional blocks can be cleared in half a day, with ongoing support recommended for deeper issues.

Measuring Results: Improved decision-making and relationships demonstrate the therapy's impact, encouraging skeptics to experience its benefits.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

From selling Renault cars to achieving an MBA, there isn't much Paul doesn't know about sales leadership.

Today we interview Paul and here are some of the key subject areas we cover;

Paul's sales journey: Started by cold-calling 18 dealerships, leading to a role at Renault that kickstarted his career.

Current consultancy focus: Providing fractional sales director services addresses core sales challenges with integrated leadership support.

Leadership philosophy: Paul values individual uniqueness and fosters diverse teams by seeking overlooked sales talent and promoting a people-first culture.

Vision and strategy model: Paul uses a simple three-part model to clarify direction, adapt priorities, and keep teams aligned and focused.

Personal purpose: Paul's goal is a happy family life, motivating him to help clients find deeper meaning in their business strategies.

Specialisation dilemma: We question whether AI will favour specialists or those with adaptable, broad skill sets in future job markets.

Interested in joining Pete and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

Your guest today is Paul Umpleby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulumpleby/

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.

“You can’t lead others until you learn to lead yourself.”

The challenge continues. In Part Two of this special INSLATT episode, business owner Ian Bridgestock dives even deeper into the architect’s chair, questioning Pete Rushmer on the gritty, often overlooked side of the Performance Trifecta.

If Part One was about the blueprint, Part Two is about the construction. Ian pushes for answers on how the Trifecta survives the "messy middle" of leadership, the moments where strategy hits the reality of human emotion, limiting beliefs, and the exhaustion of the climb.

This is a raw, insider’s look at what it truly takes to master your business by first mastering yourself.

Interested in joining Ian and other high-performing leaders in the Mastermind? Find out more about how we challenge and support each other at https://www.inslatt.co.uk/mastermind/.

ABOUT

🎙️ The INSLATT Podcast – It’s Not So Lonely At The Top

Running a business can feel like steering a ship through choppy seas… and sometimes, the captain’s chair gets lonely. That’s why the INSLATT Podcast exists — to bring together bold, brilliant business leaders who get it.

Whether you’re leading a growing team, managing risk, or simply carrying the weight of high-stakes decisions, this podcast is your safe harbour. Every episode dives into honest, energising conversations with business owners and performance experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the T-shirt.

🎧 Why Listen?

Learn from real-world stories and leadership lessons that don’t make it into the textbooks.

Discover practical tools to lead with purpose, clarity and momentum.

Explore topics like performance, mindset, wellbeing, risk, resilience motivation, and culture — all with a down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach.

Feel part of a community of leaders who want to grow without the ego.

🧭 This isn’t just another business podcast. It’s fuel for your leadership journey.

📍 Where to Listen & Learn More:

New episodes are released weekly on a Wednesday at 6am

Your host is Pete Rushmer - https://www.peterushmer.com/

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

The podcast is bought to you by 'It's not so lonely at the top' thank you for listening.