Swim Against The Tide

Swim Against The Tide

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Swim Against The Tide episodes

  • Ep029 – Huw Owen, Travel Local | Globally connecting people to reimagine travel | SATT

    In this conversation, Huw Owen shares his journey in the travel industry, detailing how he co-founded Travel Local to connect travellers with local experts. 

    He discusses the vital importance of real local knowledge in enhancing travel experiences, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic decisions made to ensure growth and sustainability.

    Huw emphasises the significance of the supportive role of investors in navigating the travel landscape, with the importance of adaptability, and the human element in business relationships. 

    He explores the journey to achieving B-Corp certification, the significance of impact reports, and the collaborative spirit within the travel industry.

    Huw finally shares insights on emerging travel destinations and emphasizes the value of company culture over strategy in entrepreneurship.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    55 min
  • Ep028 – Sara Davies | Building a business: from side hustle to success | SATT

    This week we meet the brilliant Sara Davies. She shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days at York University, where she launched her first business, to becoming a huge star of the BBC’s Dragon Den.

    She discusses the challenges and sacrifices of entrepreneurship, the importance of family support, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Sarah also reflects on her experience of receiving an MBE and her decision to join Dragon's Den.


    Sara talks deeply about the importance of authenticity, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and her commitment to supporting fellow entrepreneurs.

    We also get a sneak peek at her upcoming book, 'The Six Minute Entrepreneur,' aimed at empowering individuals through self-development.

    We finish by Sara emphasising the significance of being true to oneself and the value of hard work in achieving success.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!


    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    1 hr 8 min
  • Ep027 – Siddhi Mittal, yhangry | Building a $1bn Business | SATT

    In this episode we meet the positive lifeforce that is Siddhi Mittal, the co-founder of yhangry - a brilliant service that connects customers with private chefs for unique dining experiences. 

    She shares her journey from a small city in India to becoming an entrepreneur in the UK, discussing the inspiration behind the brand, and the challenges and successes faced along the way, including their experience on Dragon's Den! 

    Siddhi emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, the dynamics of co-founding a business, and how their platform empowers of chefs to sell themselves better.

    She also shares insights on self-care as a founder, the influence of family, and the significance of authenticity in entrepreneurship. 

    Finally, the conversation also touches on global expansion plans and the value of mentorship in navigating the challenges of building a successful company.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    53 min
  • Ep026 – Simon Gray, Boost Drinks | Successful leadership comes with respect, not popularity | SATT

    In this engaging conversation, Simon Gray, CEO of Boost Drinks, shares his journey from young entrepreneur in Leeds to building and leading a successful energy drink brand.

    He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in entering a market dominated by giants like Red Bull and Lucozade, emphasising the importance of timing, innovation and understanding consumer needs.

    He reflects on the lessons learned from both successes and failures, highlighting the significance of a lean business model, and ensuring you always hire people that are smarter than yourself. 

    Simon further reflects on the importance that emotional intelligence has played in his leadership style and the need to always embrace change.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    52 min
  • Ep025 – Dale Smith, Host & Stay | Revolutionising an established industry | SATT

    In this episode we meet Dale Smith, CEO of Host and Stay, and he shares his unique journey from the sunny shores of San Diego to a career in the automotive industry and finally establishing his successful holiday rental and management company.

    He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in building the Host and Stay brand, focusing on innovative management practices, sustainability, and navigating industry regulations.

    Dale emphasizes the importance of balancing quality and volume in the property management while leveraging market-leading technology to enhance the guest's experience and the operational efficiency of the property itself.

    Finally, he reflects on the influential figures in his career and shares advice on future growth, including plans for international expansion.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship
    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    58 min
  • Ep024 – James Rutter, Cook | Serving up a brilliant solution | SATT


    In this engaging conversation, James Rutter, Chief Creative Officer of Cook, shares his unique career journey from journalism to the culinary world. 

    He discusses the growth of Cook, a company specialising in the creation of amazing homemade frozen meals to help busy families serve up great food quickly. Emphasising the importance of steady growth and the joy of building a brand. 

    James highlights the significance of a strong team and company culture, detailing how Cook fosters a collaborative environment that values its employees. 

    He also touches on the company's core values and their impact on customer connection, showcasing how Cook has become synonymous with quality and home-cooked meals.

    He also shares insights into Cook's B-Corp journey, highlighting the shift from purpose to measurable impact. Additionally, he talks about the Raw Talent program, which aims to break down barriers to employment for marginalized individuals.

    Finally, he reflects on the future of Cook, focusing on continuous improvement and the importance of trying new things.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    51 min
  • Ep023 – Vincent Hodder, Leeds Bradford Airport | Delivering an airport to be proud of | SATT

    In this conversation, Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, shares his journey from the industry to a varied career in global aviation.

    He discusses the importance of cultural adaptability in business, the lessons learned from his experiences in various countries, and the significance of strong leadership. 

    Hodder emphasizes the need for a focus on customer experience and employee satisfaction to drive profitability and growth. He outlines the ambitious plans for transforming Leeds Bradford Airport, including a £100 million investment in infrastructure and community engagement, aiming to create a modern airport that meets the needs of its customers and the local community and one they can be proud of. 

    Finally, he shares valuable career advice about embracing the journey and gaining diverse experiences rather than rushing to advance your career.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    56 min
  • Ep022 – James Bott, Boxbar Tech | Serving up a brilliant solution | SATT

    In this conversation, we meet James Bott, co-founder of Boxbar Tech, and explore his fascinating, truly entrepreneurial, career journey from early experiences in sales and e-commerce to launching game changing innovative solutions in the hospitality industry. 

    James shares insights on the challenges of scaling businesses, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons learned from his previous ventures, including his pre-Spotify foray into the music industry and building an App Store optimisation agency.

    The conversation also delves into the entrepreneurial mindset, exploring whether it is innate or developed, and highlights the critical nature of timing in business decisions, particularly when it comes to selling a company.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    1 hr 4 min
  • Ep021 – Matt Carr, Carrs Pasties | Keeping it in the family | SATT

    In this conversation, Matt Carr from Carr's Pasties shares insights into the history and growth of the family business, which has evolved from a small bakery in Bolton to a well-known brand in the Northwest and beyond. 

    He discusses the importance of family dynamics in leadership, the innovative product development strategies they have implemented, and how they maintain their family values while expanding their market presence. 

    Matt also outlines future ambitions for Carr's Pasties, emphasizing the significance of community and customer relationships in their growth strategy. He also explains about how an exciting collaboration with the makers of Wallace & Gromit is spreading the good news of their brand.

    Finally, he shares advice on networking and collaboration highlighting it as essential for navigating challenges, whilst also reflecting on the future of the family business emphasise the need for strategic decisions regarding succession.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!


    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    52 min
  • Ep020 – Brian Reid, Deli Lites | Keeping a nation fuelled on the go | SATT

    This week we had the pleasure of meeting Brian Reid, CEO and co-founder of Deli Lites, the amazing provider of over 40m food-on-the-go products a year. 

    He shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to leading a successful food business, discussing the inspiration behind Deli Lites, the challenges faced in the early days, and how he and his partner Jackie navigated their roles within the company. 

    He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, innovation, and building a purpose-driven culture that engages employees. Reid also reflects on the evolving market demands, particularly the rise of conscious consumers, and shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

    We hope you enjoy this podcast, if you do, please leave a like and subscribe to our channel!

    The SATT Team :) 

    #podcast #business #swimagainstthetide #growth #entrepreneurship

    49 min

About Swim Against The Tide

From the publisher's feed

The idea behind Swim Against The Tide podcast is to meet founders and leaders of businesses who have launched and operate in competitive markets, taking the bigger, more established players head on. It is about exploring what drove them, how their brand stood out, what they had to do to win and what lessons they have learned that they can share with the listeners to hopefully inspire them to take their own journey.