Meet The Owner

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

Follow for more inspiring conversations with real people doing extraordinary things.

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

In this captivating episode of Meet The Owner, Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with Vincent Macaulay, a man whose incredible journey has taken him from the streets of Liverpool to the heart of British basketball. From founding the Milton Keynes Lions to meeting icons like Princess Diana and Michael Jordan, Vincent’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and relentless passion.

Hear how he transformed British basketball, secured a groundbreaking sponsorship with Nike, and even brought NBA legend Michael Jordan to Brixton! Plus, his unforgettable encounter with Princess Diana, coaching successes, and how he shaped the basketball scene in Milton Keynes and beyond.

With a career spanning sport, business, and film, Vincent shares valuable lessons in leadership, perseverance, and seizing opportunities.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more incredible business stories.

#MeetTheOwner #VincentMacaulay #StevenDrydenHall #Basketball #BritishBasketball #MichaelJordan #PrincessDiana #Nike #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #InspiringStories #SportsBusiness #Coaching #MiltonKeynes #Podcast #Leadership #SportsIndustry

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall welcomes Suzanne Brown, the inspiring founder of Al’s Pals, a charity providing emotional support to cancer patients and their families. Suzanne shares her journey from various careers—including fitness, fundraising, and law—to founding a charity in memory of her father. She opens up about the challenges of running a non-profit, the importance of corporate support, and the impact Al’s Pals has on the community. With big plans ahead, including a charity ball and fundraising events, this is an episode full of inspiration, resilience, and giving back.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Suzanne’s incredible story!

#MeetTheOwner #SuzanneBrown #AlsPals #CharityWork #CancerSupport #Fundraising #BusinessStories #InspiringWomen #NonProfit #CommunitySupport #EntrepreneurLife

In this episode of Meet The Owner, host Steven Dryden-Hall sits down with the multi-talented Dr Hazel Roberts to explore her fascinating journey through multiple businesses. 

From a successful sticker business to artisanal jams and chutneys, a Scottish holiday rental, and her involvement in MK Eats and local food events, Hazel shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. 

She opens up about her career shift from teaching to self-employment, the challenges of running diverse ventures, and her passion for creativity. 

Packed with inspiring insights, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to turn their passions into successful businesses.

Instagram and facebook accounts @hazelslabels @jammookow and MK Artisan Food & Drink on facebook - @ArtisanMK,  

Ebay shop https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/hazelshomegrown

Jam website https://www.jammk.co.uk/

Holiday let rental website: https://www.thecaptains.co.uk/

MK Eats too https://www.mk-eats.co.uk/

#MeetTheOwner #BusinessSuccess #EntrepreneurLife #DrHazelRoberts #SmallBusinessUK #StartupStories #JamMaker #StickerBusiness #HolidayLet #MKEats #FoodEntrepreneur #CreativeBusiness #SelfEmployment