Steven Dryden Hall is back with another engaging edition of Meet the Owner, joined by entrepreneurs Samantha Paul and Rachel to talk about the fast-growing Solo Connects singles events business.

From school struggles and unexpected career twists to building a thriving events brand from scratch, this conversation lifts the lid on what it really takes to create momentum in business. Samantha and Rachel share how a simple coffee meeting turned into a £75k first-year venture, why real-life connections still matter in the age of dating apps, and the practical realities of scaling into new regions.

There’s honest chat about entrepreneurship, mindset, marketing, and the challenges of attracting the right audience — plus some entertaining behind-the-scenes stories along the way.

If you’re interested in start-up growth, side hustles, community events, or the dating industry, this episode is packed with insights and personality.

In this episode:

The origin story of Solo Connects

Turning organic marketing into real revenue

Lessons from corporate careers and early jobs

Why in-person dating events are booming

Plans to scale across the UK

The mindset behind successful founders

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#MeetTheOwner #SoloConnects #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessGrowth #StartUpUK #DatingEvents #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #SideHustle #PodcastUK

From telesales and BMW showrooms to smoking ribs in a gazebo, this episode charts the full journey of Harp Gill, founder of The Rub BBQ. He opens up about walking away from the corporate world, starting with a 3x3 tent and family help, selling out his very first event, and learning the hard lessons of growth, burnout and nearly quitting altogether.

Harp shares how sales skills, self-development, and understanding people shaped his approach to business, why marketing and personal branding became a turning point, and how consistency beats quick wins. There’s honest talk about events that flop, handling complaints, the pressure of being responsible for everything, and the reality behind turnover versus profit.

The conversation dives deep into the street food model — prepaid weddings and corporates versus risky public events — and how The Rub evolved from pop-ups to trucks, a rebrand, a production base, and now a national franchise model. Harp explains the systems, training, marketing support and mindset needed to scale without losing quality, plus why knowing your weaknesses and getting help is a superpower in business.

A proper behind-the-scenes look at building a food brand from scratch, staying resilient, and turning passion into a scalable operation.

#MeetTheOwner #StreetFoodBusiness #FoodEntrepreneur #UKBusiness #FranchiseLife #BBQBusiness #SmallBusinessJourney #HospitalityIndustry #StartupStory #BusinessPodcast

Meet the Owner returns with a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation as host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Gemma, a multi-business founder operating at the heart of the UK beauty and media industries. From her early days managing a major nightclub to building a thriving salon, launching a self-tanning and haircare range, creating a national awards platform and founding a PR and mentorship business, Gemma shares the reality of juggling multiple companies and trusting inspired action.

This episode explores her journey through education, confidence, personal branding and leadership, including how the UK Beauty Awards grew from a 300-person local event into a national ceremony heading for London’s West End. Gemma talks openly about money, delegation, seasonal business challenges, vision boards, wellness trends, digital products, TikTok commerce and why giving back has become central to her work.

There’s also insight into female entrepreneurship, building authority through visibility, podcasting and PR, plus a look ahead to future projects including mentorship programmes, beauty innovation and live events. Honest, energetic and full of practical takeaways for business owners at any stage.

#MeetTheOwner #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurLife #FemaleFounders #BeautyIndustry #PRandMarketing #PersonalBranding #UKBusiness #StartupStories #Mentorship #AwardsCeremony #WellnessBusiness

In this episode of Meet the Owner, host Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Saira Lawlor, founder of The Strength Barn, to explore the remarkable personal and professional journey behind one of Milton Keynes’ newest female-only fitness spaces.

Saira opens up about her early life, growing up with Irish and Fijian heritage, her school years, and the confidence struggles that quietly shaped her relationship with fitness. She speaks candidly about her time in recruitment, earning big at a young age, and the moment she realised money alone wasn’t enough. From walking out of a high-pressure career to retraining as a personal trainer during lockdown, Saira shares how discipline, consistency and self-belief helped her completely change direction.

The conversation dives into body image, disordered eating, the importance of strength training for women, and why quick fixes and six-week challenges rarely work. Saira explains her coaching philosophy, why community and habit-building matter more than motivation, and how The Strength Barn was born from a desire to create a safe, empowering, female-only training environment in a peaceful rural setting.

You’ll also hear practical fitness advice for real people, from preparing for charity walks and half marathons to balancing training with everyday life. Honest, funny and deeply relatable, this episode is a powerful listen for anyone considering a career change, starting a fitness journey, or building a values-led business from the ground up.

#MeetTheOwner #SairaLawlor #TheStrengthBarn #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs #PersonalTraining #FitnessJourney #MiltonKeynesBusiness #StrengthTraining #WomenSupportingWomen #BusinessPodcast #HealthAndWellbeing #EntrepreneurLife #GymLife

Steven Dryden-Hall takes a deep dive into Mario's life from his early years driving swanky sports cars and running nightclubs with all the hedonism and debauchary that come with it, to his current business, an award winning Italian restaurant Fratelli in Woburn.

This conversation rolls through his journey from Luton school days to investment banking in London, the wild nightclub years, and the leap into running two hugely successful restaurants with his brothers. Expect stories of family, food, failure, resilience, bottomless brunch mayhem, Sicilian roots, big wins at the food awards, and the honest challenges of hospitality today.

Mario opens up about branding, standards, staffing, location, and the mindset needed to survive in business. There are brilliant anecdotes about fast cars, high-pressure trading floors, the birth of Fatelli, the rollercoaster of the 2008 crash, and the unexpected opportunity that led to the restaurant opening. It’s warm, funny, insightful and packed with real-world advice for anyone who loves business, restaurants or a great story told well.

#MeetTheOwner #Fatelli #Woburn #RestaurantLife #BusinessStories #HospitalityUK #ItalianFood #MiltonKeynes #Ampthill #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessUK #StevenDrydenHall #PodcastUK #LocalBusiness #FoodAwards

Steven Dryden Hall sits down with long-time friend and personal trainer Jason Bone. Packed with hilarious stories, raw honesty, and inspirational moments, this conversation takes you from their wild early-20s adventures in Australia to Jason’s rise as a top London trainer working with celebrity clients.

Jason opens up about moving out at 15, rebuilding his life after a near-fatal car accident, discovering a passion for fitness, and building a career across Virgin Active, boutique gyms, and now his brand-new venture: Lads and Dads Fitness.

Expect nostalgia, banter, hard-won wisdom, and plenty of motivation as Jason lifts the lid on working in some of London’s most exclusive gyms, training high-profile clients, creating his own app, and the mindset needed to turn setbacks into comebacks.

This is a brilliant mix of humour, hustle and heart – the kind of conversation that leaves you laughing, thinking, and feeling inspired to level up.

Timestamps

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www.ladsanddadsfitness.com 

In Episode 15 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall catches up with Alvin Printwhistle — the comedy performer, singer, and all-round showman who went from selling firewood as a kid to driving an Aston Martin and starring as Elvis in the West End. 

Alvin shares stories from his early gigs and comedy shows to running a catering business and launching his own talent agency. 

Full of laughs, heart, and hustle, this episode proves that with personality, persistence, and a bit of Presley, anything is possible.

#Boom7 #MeetTheOwner #AlvinPrintwhistle #ElvisTribute #ComedyPerformer #WestEndStar #MusicBusiness #TalentAgency #UKEntrepreneurs #EntertainmentIndustry #MiltonKeynesBusiness #JamesBondDreams #Inspiration #ShowbizLife #StevenDrydenHall

In this compelling episode of Boom 7: Meet the Owner, Steven Dryden Hall sits down with Ronnie, the unforgettable “Diamond Geezer.”

From a high-flying career in the diamond trade—travelling with millions in precious gems, navigating the cutthroat world of Hatton Garden, and dealing with brutal heists—to hitting rock bottom and rebuilding his life, Ronnie shares an extraordinary tale of resilience and reinvention.

Now a personal trainer at David Lloyd in Milton Keynes, he opens up about depression, weight loss, fatherhood, and why helping others has become his new mission. This is an unmissable journey from sparkle to strength.

#Boom7Podcast #MeetTheOwner #DiamondGeezer #RonnieThePT #MiltonKeynes #DavidLloydMK #Resilience #FromRockBottom #WeightLossJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #HattonGarden #BusinessStories #Redemption

In Episode 13 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with DJ O'Neal — the ex-basketball-playing banker turned serial entrepreneur behind the UK’s leading kids’ hair salon chain Shortcuts and the bold new nacho brand Nacho’d.

From building salons with Lamborghinis and PlayStations, to launching nachos from his garage and dreaming up a kids’ shoe brand mid-slushy delivery, DJ reveals how creativity, bold risk-taking, and zero fear of failure have driven his business journey.

Honest, inspiring and seriously entertaining — this one’s got layers.

#Boom7 #MeetTheOwner #DJO’Neal #NachoFood #ShortcutsSalon #KidsHaircut #NachoBusiness #MiltonKeynesBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #BasketballToBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #StreetFoodUK #StartupStory #BusinessPodcastUK #StevenDrydenHall

In Episode 12 of Boom 7 Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall chats with Iain Row, the founder of Prominent Media and the mind behind Fintrano — a powerful app designed to revolutionise how tradespeople and customers connect.

Iain shares how a burst pipe and a missing plumber sparked the idea, explains the app’s Uber-style tracking features, and delivers candid business insights including why success should never be defined by money alone.

A must-listen for entrepreneurs, tech fans, and anyone passionate about great service.

#Boom7 #MeetTheOwner #IainRow #Fintrano #TradesTech #ProminentMedia #BusinessJourney #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessUK #CustomerExperience #MiltonKeynesBusiness #AppInnovation #StartupStories #TrustInTrades #StevenDrydenHall