Mentor Business Podcast

If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or founder who's unsure how to pay yourself or constantly putting yourself last this episode is essential listening.

Dr. Lewis Haydon, a trusted business coach and strategic advisor to growth focused founders, breaks down the salary strategies of real 7 figure CEOs. This isn’t about pulling random numbers or hoping there’s money left at the end of the month. It’s about understanding your salary as a leadership move and a signal of true business maturity.

Lewis dives deep into how founders can stop playing small, stop confusing revenue with real profit, and start making decisions like a CEO. You’ll hear practical advice on pay structure, capital allocation, and why underpaying yourself could be stalling your growth.

Whether you're stuck in survival mode or starting to scale, this episode will help you rethink how and why you pay yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Your salary isn't just a number, it's a strategy.

• Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity.

• Paying yourself last is a growth killer.

• You need to think like a CEO, not an employee.

• Underpaying yourself signals a weak business model or poor priorities.

• Start with financial clarity and clear goals, then build a pay structure around it.

• Think: What would it cost to hire someone to do what you do?

• Keeping 10% capital reserves is a sign of a mature, strategic business.
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• Your business should work for you, not the other way around.

Chapters:

00:00 – Understanding Salary as a Strategy

06:57 – The Importance of Business Goals and Planning

12:39 – Choosing the Right Advisors for Financial Success

18:24 – Wealth Mindset and Leadership in Business

Keywords:

salary strategy for entrepreneurs, how CEOs pay themselves, business owner pay structure, profit vs revenue, financial goals for founders, paying yourself as a CEO, entrepreneur salary planning, small business pay model, business coach Lewis Haydon, founder salary tips, scaling your business income, mature business strategy, capital reserves for businesses, profit-focused leadership, mindset for 7-figure founders, financial maturity in business

If you're a business owner doing seven figures but struggling to reach eight this episode is your wake-up call.

Dr. Lewis Haydon exposes the hidden 30% of your week that’s being lost to low-leverage tasks, firefighting, and unnecessary involvement. He explains how time leaks, micromanagement, and hiring mistakes silently kill momentum and keep high-performing CEOs stuck in the weeds.

This isn’t about hustle. It’s about leverage. You’ll learn how to audit your time, eliminate bottlenecks, and start acting like the architect, not the operator.

Whether you're running one business or building a portfolio, this episode is a raw, practical guide to getting out of your own way and scaling faster with less stress.

Key Takeaways:

• You’re likely wasting 30% of your week on tasks you shouldn’t touch.

• Time audits expose the real bottlenecks, starting with you.

• Hiring “cheap” costs more than hiring right buy expertise, not problems.

• Micromanagement is a control issue that keeps you stuck in operational chaos.

• To scale, shift from operator to architect and protect your time like profit.

Chapters:

00:00 – Why 7-Figure CEOs Are Still Stuck

05:45 – The Truth About Time Leaks and Busyness

12:28 – How to Do a Brutal Time Audit

18:40 – Hiring for Leverage, Not Headcount

25:53 – Micromanagement vs. Real Leadership

33:30 – Million Dollar Tasks and Strategic Thinking

42:15 – Designing a Business That Doesn’t Need You

48:50 – Architect vs. Operator: The Mindset Shift to scale, shift from operator to architect and protect your time like profit.

SEO Keywords:

business growth, time audit for CEOs, productivity for business owners, scaling a company, 7 to 8 figures, business bottlenecks, how to stop micromanaging, leadership mindset, time management for entrepreneurs, high performance habits, delegation strategies, effective hiring, business strategy podcast.

If you're a business owner or manager making changes after a decision but still not seeing meaningful results, this episode is a must-listen.

Dr. Lewis Haydon, top UK business coach and advisor to growth, focused leaders, unpacks why most changes in business don’t move the needle. He explores the hidden cost of constant pivots, the danger of chasing busyness over effectiveness, and how to identify which changes actually impact your bottom line.

This isn’t theory, it’s real talk from the trenches. You’ll learn how to make fewer, smarter decisions that drive true business performance, not just surface-level activity.

Whether you’re running a team, scaling operations, or trying to break through a plateau, this episode will help you slow down, think clearly, and act with impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Most business decisions don’t lead to meaningful results.

• Busyness ≠ productivity, it often just creates noise.

• Every change costs time, money, or momentum; use it wisely.

• Focus on leverage, profit, and needle-moving metrics, not vanity moves.

• Optimisation beats reinvention; refine what’s already working.

Chapters:

00:00 – The Hard Truth About Business Decisions

07:09 – Understanding the Cost of Change

14:19 – Identifying the Needle to Move

20:06 – Optimizing for Long-Term Success

Keywords:

business decisions, change management, business efficiency, business profitability, organizational psychology, business growth strategy, decision making in business, entrepreneur mindset, productivity for business owners, scaling a business, profit vs revenue, cost of change

If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or founder preparing to invest in growth—this episode could save you £50K to £250K or more.

Dr. Lewis Haydon, trusted business coach and founder of CEO’s Boardroom Table, is joined by commercial accountant Adeel Bashir to break down how business owners can unlock government grants and funding most never even know exist.

They share how Lewis missed out on £150K+ during a £1.2M expansion—all because he didn’t apply early or get the right advice. They reveal exactly how to access grants for buildings, machinery, software, IT, and energy upgrades—and why your external accountant won’t tell you this.

Whether you're scaling from 500K to 5M or beyond, this episode is packed with practical insights on funding strategy, budgeting, and why every SME needs a commercial accountant around the boardroom table.

Key Takeaways:

In this conversation, Dr. Lewis Haydon shares raw lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship, mentoring 100s of businesses, and scaling 8 businesses of his own. He reveals what he’d stop doing if he had to start again—from chasing revenue and hiring reactively, to ignoring health and taking advice from the wrong people. This episode is a tactical, no-fluff blueprint for founders ready to scale smarter, not harder.

Whether you're stuck in the grind or scaling fast, these are the hard-earned truths that could save you years.

Key Takeaways:

• Avoid chasing revenue; focus on building leverage

• Revenue does not equal freedom; profit and systems do

• Hire for ownership and outcomes, not just tasks

• Movement does not equal progress—track what moves the needle

• Only take advice from people who’ve built what you want

• Don’t ignore your health or relationships

• Audit your time for true effectiveness

• Build an asset, not just a job

• Be mindful of the beliefs you adopt from others

• Culture and clarity are underrated growth levers

Chapters:
00:00 – The Illusion of Business Success
02:48 – Chasing Revenue vs. Building Leverage
05:52 – Hiring Right: The Key to Business Growth
08:48 – The Importance of Delegation
12:06 – Movement vs. Progress in Business
14:57 – Choosing the Right Advisors
18:39 – Balancing Health and Relationships
21:57 – The Long-Term Vision for Business

Keywords:

business growth, entrepreneurship, revenue, leverage, hiring, productivity, mentorship, health, relationships, scaling, business coaching

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner stuck in a loop of planning without real progress—this episode is your wake-up call.

Dr. Lewis Haydon breaks down a core truth: strategies don’t fail—execution does. And the root of that failure? Confidence. Not just in theory, but in yourself, your team, and your ability to push through resistance.

You’ll discover why high-performing founders prioritize psychological capital over just chasing new tactics. Lewis explains the three types of confidence—trait, efficacy, and state—and how they directly impact your business’s ability to scale.

This episode isn’t just motivational fluff. It’s a deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of execution, the barriers that keep entrepreneurs stuck, and how to build the confidence to act consistently.

Takeaways:

• Strategies aren't the problem; execution is.

• Confidence is key to consistent action and business growth.

• Entrepreneurs often fail not from lack of knowledge, but from lack of belief.

• Podcasts that add value build trust and authority faster.

• Confidence fluctuates—learn to manage state confidence.

• Psychological capital drives leadership, performance, and resilience.

• Identify your real constraints to unlock growth.

• A-Players need space to take risks—build that culture.

Chapters:

00:00 – The Challenge of Execution
05:41 – Understanding Confidence in Execution
13:00 – Types of Confidence: Trait, Efficacy, and State
20:00 – Overcoming Barriers to Execution

Keywords:
business scaling, confidence, execution, business growth strategies, psychological capital, self-efficacy in business, entrepreneurship mindset, overcoming business barriers, A-Player culture, consistent execution, scaling a business, founder psychology, leadership development for entrepreneurs

If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or founder struggling to close more deals or improve your sales call performance—this episode is essential listening.

Dr. Lewis Haydon, a trusted business coach and mentor to growth-focused founders, is joined by sales strategist James Willis to break down the real sales psychology behind successful conversations. This is not about hype or pressure—this is about mastering the mindset of sales, building trust, and leading with confidence.

They cover exactly what makes a sales call effective—from building rapport, to using Socratic questioning, to knowing when to push and when to back off. You’ll learn how to structure calls that convert, use questioning techniques to uncover real needs, and apply cold calling strategies that don’t feel like cold calls.

Whether you're a startup founder doing your own sales or leading a small team, this is a sales training masterclass packed with techniques you can use immediately.

Takeaways:

• Master the psychology behind sales calls that close.

• Use strategic questioning to turn interest into action.

• Ditch the script—learn how to lead real sales conversations.

• Build instant trust and control every sales call with confidence.

00:00 – The Psychology of Sales Calls
10:05 – Building Rapport and Understanding Needs
20:33 – Effective Sales Strategies and Techniques
30:36 – Closing the Deal: Push vs. Back Off

Keywords:

sales psychology, how to close more deals, cold calling strategies, building rapport in sales, questioning techniques, Socratic questioning in sales, effective communication in sales, business coach Lewis Haydon, business mentor for founders, sales training for entrepreneurs, closing techniques, sales mindset, how to sell on sales calls, how to run a sales call, sales call tips, consultative selling, startup sales process, sales strategy podcast, founder-led sales, sales coaching UK

If you're a business owner, founder, or entrepreneur looking to get more clients using LinkedIn—this episode is your blueprint.

Dr. Lewis Haydon, widely recognized as a leading business coach and strategic mentor for growth-stage companies, sits down with LinkedIn lead generation specialist James Willis (aka Willis) to reveal what actually drives results on LinkedIn and how you can get more customers today.

They break down how successful businesses are using LinkedIn Sales Navigator, outbound messaging, and ideal client targeting to generate high-quality leads without relying on content, ads, or spammy outreach. This conversation is built for real business owners who want consistent, scalable lead generation from LinkedIn—and are tired of tactics that don’t convert.

You’ll walk away with a proven process for identifying your ICP, building trust through value-based messaging, and using LinkedIn the way top-performing B2B founders do: to start real conversations and close real clients.

Takeaways:

• Why posting on LinkedIn doesn’t equal prospecting

• How to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to find qualified leads

• The psychology of starting sales conversations that convert

• How to blend AI tools with human-led messaging

• The importance of a clearly defined ICP

• What makes a LinkedIn profile convert vs. just look good

• Why most lead gen fails and how to fix it with consistency and strategy

  
  

  Chapters:

00:00 – The Myth of LinkedIn Content = Clients
02:46 – What Real LinkedIn Lead Gen Looks Like
05:52 – How to Engage and Convert on LinkedIn
08:49 – Relationship-First Selling
11:51 – Using AI and Sales Navigator the Right Way
25:43 – Final Strategy Tips for Founders

Keywords:

how to get clients using LinkedIn, LinkedIn marketing for business owners, lead generation on LinkedIn, LinkedIn Sales Navigator strategy, LinkedIn for B2B sales, get more customers LinkedIn, how to generate leads, business coach Lewis Haydon, business mentor UK, James Willis LinkedIn marketing, founder marketing strategy, sales outreach for entrepreneurs, ICP targeting LinkedIn, AI in LinkedIn marketing, LinkedIn DM strategy, organic client acquisition, scaling a business on LinkedIn, startup lead generation tactics

If you're a business owner or marketer looking to get more customers without spending money on Facebook or Google ads, this episode is for you.

Dr. Lewis Haydon is joined by boardroom table member and strategic advisor Peter Boolkah to uncover exactly how successful businesses are generating leads in 2025 without paid ads. They break down the shift from traditional digital marketing to AI-driven visibility, SEO-first strategies, and long-form content that feeds search engines and customers.

You'll learn why most marketing fails today, how artificial intelligence is changing search and lead generation, and what content actually ranks in the new marketing landscape. Whether you're a startup, scaling SME, or established brand, this conversation offers a blueprint for client acquisition using modern marketing tactics that don’t rely on ad spend.

Takeaways

• How AI is reshaping digital marketing — and what it means for getting clients

• The real reason your content isn’t ranking (and how to fix it fast)

• Why SEO is still the most reliable lead generation strategy in 2025

• How to attract high-quality leads using long-form content and AI-friendly copy

• What smart business owners are doing differently to grow without paid media

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Client Acquisition Strategies
03:50 – Understanding Your Ideal Customer Profile
06:47 – The Evolution of Marketing Channels
09:49 – The Role of AI in Marketing
12:41 – Peter’s Journey to SEO Mastery
15:37 – Strategies for Startups to Get Clients
18:44 – Hiring the Right Marketing Talent
21:47 – Scaling Beyond Six Figures
24:46 – Long-Term Strategies for Client Acquisition

Keywords
getting clients without ads, client acquisition, lead generation, SEO for business owners, AI in marketing, AI visibility, content marketing, organic marketing, digital marketing strategies, how to get more clients, marketing strategies 2025, inbound marketing, scaling a business, business growth tactics, artificial intelligence and SEO, founder marketing, startup visibility, Peter Boolkah marketing, business podcast for entrepreneurs, AI marketing podcast

Are you growing a business or just building yourself another job?

In this episode of CEO Boardroom Table, business coach and 8x business owner Dr Lewis Haydon breaks down the difference between earned income and passive income—and what it really takes to build a business that works without you.

You’ll hear the real story of a business coaching client who was stuck in the day-to-day grind, struggling to scale, and blocking leadership growth by treating their business like a job instead of a scalable asset.

Lewis explains what business owners must shift to create freedom, profit, and long-term value. If you want to scale your business, lead better, get more clients, and eventually exit or step back, this episode is your blueprint.

Key takeaways include:

• Why most small business owners get stuck in earned income loops

• The mindset shift from operator to true business owner

• A checklist of CEO-level tasks vs operator tasks

• How to grow, systemise, and scale your business as an asset

• What real leadership looks like when building a profitable company

• The long-term benefits of building online systems and passive income

This is one of the most important conversations for any entrepreneur, small business owner, founder, or consultant looking to build real wealth through their business.

Chapters:
00:00 The Story of a Business Coaching Client: A Business Owner's Journey
03:04 The Hustle Mentality: Is Busy Really Productive?
06:05 Valuation Insights: Understanding Business Worth
07:28 Understanding Business as an Asset
09:54 The Role of the Business Owner
12:19 Systems and Scalability in Business
13:32 Building an Asset vs. a Job
14:39 Scalability and Long-Term Goals
15:52 Time Management and Life Choices

Hosted by Lewis Haydon – 8x business owner, Doctor of Management, Business Coach of the Year, and founder of MentorBusiness.com. He walks the talk, having built multiple 8-figure businesses and helped others become millionaires.

Keywords:
business coaching podcast, entrepreneur podcast, how to grow a business, scale a business, startup podcast, online business podcast, get more clients, passive income podcast, financial freedom podcast, leadership podcast, business growth podcast, small business podcast, asset building, business owner mindset, business strategy, business systems, time management, CEO podcast, business mentor