Welcome back to the Beautiful Business Podcast, brought to you by The Wow Company. In Part 2 of our Season 3 highlights, Chloe and Paul revisit even more standout conversations from across the series. From demystifying sales to the realities of succession, from happiness at work to building pioneering creative businesses, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and honest reflections.

Ryan Hall – Sales Coach & Author of Don’t Sell

Ryan reframed sales as relationship-building, showing how curiosity, generosity, and trust are the true drivers of growth. His “don’t sell” mantra flips the script, proving that good business starts with being human.

“Replace sales with relationship… it starts by talking to someone as a human, not a dollar sign.”

Kelly Goodship – Managing Director, The Wow Company

In a rare in-house conversation, Kelly opened up about stepping into the MD role and the fears, doubts, and imposter syndrome that came with it. Her candid reflections on succession, self-belief, and caring deeply for people resonated with leaders everywhere.

“My fear is that I’m never going to do as good a job as you—but I won’t let that bottle up. I’d rather just call and talk it through.”

Lord Mark Price – Former MD of Waitrose & Deputy Chairman, John Lewis Partnership

Mark shared his lifelong mission to make work happier. He revealed the six fundamentals of workplace happiness, and why the relationship with your line manager is the single biggest factor.

“None of the six things I talk about are expensive—yet they massively improve productivity and performance.”

John “Sinx” Sinclair – Co-founder, ustwo

Sinx pulled back the curtain on building a pioneering creative studio, balancing client services with breakout products like Monument Valley. He spoke openly about the tensions of diversification, the risks of seeing client work as ‘bread and butter,’ and why humility and simplicity matter most.

“Clients don’t want to be the bread and butter—they want to be the cream cake. You have to love what you’re doing.”

Rethink Sales

Shift your mindset from closing deals to opening relationships. Trust and value come before transactions.

Lead with Openness

Succession planning isn’t perfect—but candid conversations and care for people create lasting trust.

Happiness Drives Performance

Pay and perks matter, but culture, recognition, and relationships are what make work truly rewarding.

Balance Bread & Butter with Bold Bets

Diversification can bring breakthroughs, but only if client service remains something you love—not just a means to an end.

Thank you again to all our guests and listeners for being part of this inspiring season.



If you enjoyed Season 3, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favourite moments with us—we’d love to hear from you.

🎧 For more advice and inspiration on building a beautiful business, head to:

wowco.co.uk/hub

Welcome to the Best of Season 3 of the Beautiful Business Podcast, brought to you by The Wow Company. This season has been full of rich conversations, eye-opening insights, and practical wisdom from leaders across the business, sports, design, and tech worlds.

In this special highlights episode, hosts Chloe and Paul look back at the most memorable moments from the season—covering everything from high-performance cultures to inclusive leadership and the future of work in the age of AI.

Mo Kanjilal – Co-founder, Watch This Space

Mo offered a fresh perspective on DE&I, encouraging leaders to look beyond box-ticking and see inclusion as a powerful driver of commercial success. Her insights on blind spots in leadership, silent feedback, and cultural listening left a lasting impact.

“If 60% of people respond to a survey, the real question is—why didn’t the other 40%?”

Tim Foster – Olympic Gold Medallist & Leadership Coach

Tim’s experience with elite rowing teams translates directly into business. His episode explored how trust and accountability fuel high-performing teams, and why culture allows even the most junior voices to be heard.

“Trust is the foundation that allows hard conversations to happen—without conflict.”

Dr. Jon Finn – Tougher Minds Founder & Performance Psychologist

Jon shared timely advice on how to “AI-proof” your business and build teams ready for the future. He outlined the new roles of innovators, automators, and elite cognitive performers—making the case that our brains are the most valuable asset in a tech-driven world.

“There’s been a race to roll out AI—but no one’s been thinking about the humans.”

Melanie Wendland – Co-founder, Sonda Collective

Melanie introduced us to the world of decentralised, self-managed teams and explained how structure, not hierarchy, is key. Her real-world examples from global design projects and holacratic governance made this episode a standout.

“We manage the process, not the person. That’s how self-management thrives.”

Listen Like a Leader

Creating an inclusive culture means paying attention to what isn’t being said—especially from those who stay silent.

Build Trust for High Performance

Whether in sport or business, trust is what allows teams to speak up, challenge each other, and raise the bar.

Prepare for the AI Era

Invest in the cognitive performance of your people. AI can handle tasks—but only humans can think, create, and lead.

Structure Empowers Autonomy

Self-managed teams don’t mean chaos. With the right systems in place, freedom and accountability can go hand-in-hand.

Thank you to all our guests and listeners for making Season 3 so impactful.

If you’ve enjoyed this season, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts or guest suggestions with us—we’d love to hear from you.

🎧 For more advice and inspiration on building a beautiful business, head to:

wowco.co.uk/hub

About the Guest

Dr. Jon Finn is a renowned expert in performance psychology, leadership, and behaviour change. With over 20 years of experience working across elite sport, education, and business, Jon is the founder of the award-winning Tougher Minds consultancy and author of the best-selling books The Habit Mechanic and Train Your Brain for the AI Revolution.

Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and behavioural science, Jon helps individuals and organisations build sustainable habits, boost productivity, and thrive under pressure. His pioneering work focuses on developing "habit mechanics" a practical framework that empowers people to better understand their brains, change unhelpful behaviours, and unlock peak performance.

Through his extensive work with C-suite leaders, educators, elite athletes, and global businesses, Jon has positioned himself at the forefront of brain-based leadership and AI-readiness. His mission is clear: to future-proof people and organisations by helping them cultivate brain state intelligence and create cultures that support elite cognitive performance in a rapidly evolving world.

This Episode Covers

• The Power of Learning: Jon reflects on his own journey from struggling academically to becoming an expert in how people learn, adapt, and perform under pressure.
• What Makes or Breaks Performance: From professional sport to business, Jon explains why psychology and habit formation are more critical than talent or knowledge alone.
• Understanding Brain States: Discover the “three brain states” framework—recharge, medium charge, and high charge—and how balancing them is the key to health, happiness, and high performance.
• Brains Before Bots: As AI reshapes the workforce, Jon argues that your biggest asset isn’t your tech—it’s your people’s habits. Businesses must invest in helping their teams become AI-proof.
• The Habit Mechanic Framework: Learn how simple, science-based routines can radically improve sleep, stress, focus, and leadership.
• Why Knowing Isn’t Doing: We all know what we should do, but Jon shares how to actually make those changes stick.
• The Future of Work: From upskilling to creating brain-smart cultures, Jon lays out a roadmap for how leaders can help their organisations thrive through the AI transformation.

Links

• Website: Tougher Minds
• Free resources: Train Your Brain for the AI Revolution
• Books: The Habit Mechanic
• Social Media: LinkedIn

About the Guest

John Readman is a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, martech, and scaling SaaS and agency businesses. As the founder of Modo25 and creator of ASK BOSCO, John is revolutionising how brands and agencies harness performance data to drive sales and optimise ad spend. 

Having worked with global giants like ASOS, Pepsi, BMW, Superdry, Honda, HP, Toyota, and Vistaprint, John has a proven track record of helping businesses amplify their online presence and e-commerce performance. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation are at the heart of Modo25’s mission to reshape the digital marketing landscape.

John pivoted from owning an agency to creating a SaaS product to address inefficiencies in client reporting and media planning, leveraging his experience in scaling agencies. He developed ASK BOSCO, an AI-driven analytics platform, to provide brands and agencies with actionable insights, benchmarking, and forecasting tools, ultimately enabling smarter growth strategies and better data utilisation.

Dynamic and forward-thinking, John combines strategic expertise with a relentless drive to deliver results, cementing his reputation as a leader in marketing technology and performance-driven solutions.

This Episode Covers

Simplify Complex Topics: When approaching overwhelming subjects like digital marketing or SaaS (Software as a Service), breaking them down into simpler, more approachable ideas can make them easier to understand and implement.

Transitioning Business Models: Moving from a traditional agency model to creating scalable software products can be challenging but offers opportunities for innovation and growth. Success requires careful planning and execution.

Harnessing AI for Analytics: Artificial intelligence can transform business analytics by connecting various data points, providing competitive benchmarking, and optimising spending strategies for better decision-making.

Prioritise Workplace Culture: Fostering a people-focused environment contributes to business success. Creating an exceptional workplace can improve employee satisfaction and attract top talent.

Leveraging Collaborations: Building strong partnerships or collaborations can provide crucial support, whether financial backing, expertise, or shared vision, to help achieve strategic business goals.

Integrating Passion with Work: Combining personal interests with professional goals can lead to fulfilling projects that align purpose and profit, like charitable endeavors or activities that build meaningful connections.

• R&D enquiries: Head here

Links:

• Website: Modo25
• Website: ASK BOSCO
• Social media: LinkedIn

About the Guest

Kelly Goodship, Managing Director of The Wow Company, brings nearly two decades of experience rooted in people, purpose, and progress. Joining Wow straight out of university, she rose through the ranks with a relentless focus on doing the right thing - especially for people. Becoming a mum to her two boys, shaped her leadership approach, driving her passion for flexible, family-first workplaces. Kelly’s commitment to honest, human leadership and operational excellence has positioned her as a trusted voice on culture, client experience, and creating workplaces where people genuinely thrive.

Known for her warmth, clarity, and relatability, Kelly balances strategic leadership with hands-on client work and honest conversations about successes and challenges. She’s energised by topics like parenthood, leadership, and culture, inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones. Whether on stage, in a podcast, or in everyday interactions, Kelly leads with credibility, humility, and heart - focused on building a workplace where people feel excited to come to work.

This Episode Covers

The Value of Early Work Experience: Starting work at a young age can teach critical life lessons such as the value of money, the importance of hard work, and self-awareness about professional preferences. Early exposure to the working world can shape attitudes toward career and responsibility.

Long-Term Commitment to a Workplace: Staying with a company for an extended period can lead to deep familiarity with its culture, operations, and vision. Longevity at a workplace can provide a stable foundation for growth while maintaining a sense of belonging and purpose.

Taking on New Leadership Challenges: Transitioning into a leadership role after years in a supporting role offers the opportunity for personal and professional growth. Despite its challenges, stepping into a higher position can renew motivation and add a new dimension to one’s career.

Managing Leadership Anxiety: It is common for leaders to face fears of not meeting expectations or replicating past successes. One way to manage this is through open communication, seeking advice, and fostering honest discussions with trusted mentors or peers.

The Shift from Team Player to Leader: Moving from being part of a team to leading it requires a shift in mindset. Applying prior experience within the organisation and developing communication skills to inspire and guide others can ease this transition.

The Importance of a Supportive Environment: A smooth leadership transition is often backed by strong support systems, such as mentorship, open communication, and the ability to ask questions. Ongoing collaboration and guidance are key to success in any role change.

Links

• Website: The Wow Company
• Social media: LinkedIn

About the Guest

Becky Simms is the Founder and CEO of Human First Collective, a collection of digital businesses that make space for human brilliance by embracing the evolving tech and AI landscape.

Becky has been listed in the BIMA100 for the last five years, a list of the top 100 people shaping the future of the digital industry. Her two digital agencies focus on how understanding human behaviour can supercharge digital products and marketing strategies. She also spearheads a not-for-profit, Aspiration Digital, which inspires our future digital leaders.

Becky is a member of the Government’s Digital Skills Council, providing industry knowledge and expertise to help solve the digital skills gap. 

This Episode Covers

Customer-Centric Marketing: Highlighting the importance of placing customers at the center of business strategies by combining creativity with practical, real-world solutions to meet their needs effectively.

Experience with Business Acquisition: Insights into navigating the complexities of acquisitions and managing the challenges and opportunities that arise afterward, while maintaining core business values.

Workplace Culture as a Priority: Understanding the significance of fostering and integrating a strong workplace culture to enhance team collaboration, morale, and long-term success.

Adapting to Flexible Work Structures: Exploring strategies for balancing remote and hybrid work environments to support employee well-being and productivity in modern work settings.

The Four-Day Work Week: Examining the implementation of a four-day work week, its advantages in terms of work-life balance, and the limitations or challenges it may present for businesses.

Early Foundations of Leadership and Growth: Learning from lessons in leadership, the influence of role models, and the value of staying focused on long-term goals to achieve professional and personal growth.

Links

• Website: Reflect Digital
• Social media: LinkedIn

About the Guest

Ryan Hall is the founder of Friday Solved, a cutting-edge consulting firm reshaping how businesses approach sales. With over 23 years of experience in consulting and two successful business exits - including one to Accenture - Ryan has cemented himself as a leader in driving sustainable and scalable sales growth. His "Don’t Sell" philosophy and groundbreaking "Build It, Don’t Buy It" methodology empower businesses to ditch outdated sales tactics and design predictable systems built to last.

Ryan’s expertise lies in building pragmatic frameworks, fixing broken sales engines, and coaching leaders to achieve laser-focused, results-driven strategies. He’s worked with some of the world's biggest brands, including HSBC, Sky, Deutsche Bank, Vodafone, and UBS, solving their toughest sales challenges with innovative and actionable solutions. Whether refining strategy, transforming culture, or crafting a future-proof sales engine, Ryan delivers high-impact results.

At the core of his work is a passion for equipping CEOs, founders, and business leaders with the tools to thrive in competitive B2B markets. With a no-nonsense, results-first approach, Ryan is redefining how businesses think about sales—shifting the focus from relying on ineffective outsourced solutions to building dynamic systems that are scalable, sustainable, and entirely their own.

This Episode Covers

Fostering Genuine Relationships in Sales: Prioritise authenticity by treating customers as individuals rather than financial targets. Consistency and effort in providing value without expecting immediate returns can lead to lasting business relationships.

Crafting Effective Sales Strategies: A robust sales engine is crucial for successful business operations. Focus on developing efficient strategies for scaling, setting effective pricing models, and leveraging technology to drive growth.

Understanding Evolving Sales Trends: Stay informed about how the sales industry has transformed over time. Adapting to these changes allows businesses to refine their sales approaches and remain competitive in a dynamic market.

Pursuing Strategic Business Growth: Identify strategies that support business growth by selecting the right tools and forming valuable industry connections. Aligning operations with clear objectives can foster both profit and purpose.

Balancing Financial Success with Purpose: Strive to harmonise business operations with meaningful goals alongside achieving financial success. Purpose-driven growth enhances overall business impact and sustainability.

Links

• Website: Friday Solved
• Social media: LinkedIn
• Book: Don’t Sell

About the Guest

Mo Kanjilal is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader, Tedx Speaker, Author and Entrepreneur. During a corporate career climbing the career ladder, she worked in multi-national technology corporations. She faced discrimination and had to fight her way to Senior Leadership roles. She led diverse, global teams across a range of technology sectors. She co-founded Watch This Sp_ce, a multi-award-winning diversity and inclusion company. The company shows people the inclusion journey to new ways of working that include people and engage employees.

Mo is a Tedx and conference speaker, and co-Author of The Inclusion Journey, published by Kogan Page. Mo’s story of fighting her way to the top of a corporate career and then giving that up to found her own business has seen her speak at many events and in the media. She has spoken at conferences, on TV and radio, and featured in corporate videos.

She is a Charity Board Trustee at The Clock Tower Sanctuary, a charity for young people experiencing homelessness. She is a Mentor for the Girls Network charity and a Non-Exec Director for a healthcare social enterprise. From a South Asian background, she speaks about anti-racism, understanding differences, and how to empower people to feel valued and respected.

This Episode Covers

The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I): DE&I is essential for fostering innovation, creativity, and organisational growth. It's not just a moral obligation but a business imperative that benefits both individuals and companies.

The Role of Leadership: Effective leadership involves actively listening to diverse perspectives and encouraging open, honest communication. Strong leaders make informed decisions while ensuring everyone feels heard and respected.

The Value of Inclusivity: Inclusivity goes beyond compliance or box-ticking - it creates environments that welcome diversity, support individuals' unique needs, and allow everyone to thrive together.

Addressing Personal and Systemic Biases: Individual and organisational biases can hinder progress. Identifying and addressing blind spots is crucial for creating a fair, equitable experience for everyone.

Advantages of an Inclusive Workplace: Diversity within the workplace leads to better decision-making, increased innovation, higher employee retention, and overall stronger organisational performance.

Challenges and Opportunities in Driving Change: Tackling fears of change or resistance to DE&I efforts requires thoughtful conversations, education, and actionable steps. By focusing on solutions and progress, organisations can create meaningful and lasting impact.

Links

• Website: Watch This Sp_ce
• Social media: LinkedIn
• Book: The Inclusion Journey 

About the Guest

Melanie Wendland is a pioneering design strategist with over 18 years of experience in service design and a decade applying design to global health challenges. Specialising in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, she combines design, behavioural science, and data to drive better decision-making and social impact. As co-founder of Sonder Collective, where she led as chairwoman until 2022, Melanie has spearheaded innovative approaches to tackle complex global health issues.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences, Melanie is a sought-after advisor, mentor, speaker, and lecturer on service design and social innovation. She has collaborated with world-leading organisations, including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and Merck for Mothers, to create transformative change in global health.

This Episode Covers

Exploring Alternative Business Models: Businesses can operate beyond traditional hierarchies by adopting models like cooperatives, which emphasise shared ownership, democratic decision-making, and reinvesting profits back into the organisation to create sustainable and inclusive structures.

The Role of Human-Centered Design: Human-centered design is a problem-solving approach that focuses on understanding the needs and experiences of people. By collecting insights, creating prototypes, and refining solutions, organisations can develop products and services that are effective, relevant, and meaningful.

Addressing Complex Challenges Through Research and Design: Combining thorough research with thoughtful design can help solve large-scale societal issues. For example, blending qualitative interviews and quantitative data can inform strategies that directly address community needs or systemic problems like public health challenges.

Decentralised Leadership and Decision-Making: Decentralised organisations demonstrate that leadership doesn't always require traditional hierarchies. By distributing roles and responsibilities based on expertise rather than position, these systems allow teams to operate flexibly while maintaining transparency and collaboration.

Practical Strategies for Business Innovation: Gathering feedback from users or customers and analysing it effectively is crucial for innovation. Businesses can improve their offerings and customer experience by using structured processes to build solutions that reflect real-world needs.

Integrating Structure and Creativity for Success: Effective organisations find a balance between creative freedom and structured systems. Clear processes for decision-making, transparent communication, and feedback systems enable teams to operate efficiently while fostering innovation and collaboration.

Links

• Website: Sonder Collective
• Social media: Linkedin

About the Guest

Lord Mark Price is a celebrated figure in the business world, best known for his contributions to enhancing employee engagement and happiness. As the former Managing Director of Waitrose and former Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership. He is now the founder of WorkL, the leading global employee experience platform helping individuals to work happier and organisations to improve commercial performance by prioritising employee happiness.

Mark is a member of the House of Lords, and serves as a Non-Executive Director of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. His commitment to ethical business practices includes former chairmanship of The Fairtrade Foundation and Business in the Community, as well as his presidency of the Chartered Management Institute. He was also formerly Minister of State for Trade and Investment under David Cameron. 

Mark has written a range of business books on his Six Step Methodology, Employee and Customer Happiness, his new book Happy Economics explores the intricate links between employee engagement and economic performance.

This Episode Covers

The Importance of Workplace Happiness: Happiness at work is essential for driving productivity and commercial success. Organisations with happy employees benefit from lower staff turnover, reduced sick leave, and improved customer service, all contributing to higher profits.

Six Factors of Happiness at Work: To enhance workplace happiness, focus on six critical areas: reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment, well-being, instilling pride, and ensuring job satisfaction. These factors are foundational to creating a positive and productive work environment.

Culture and Management Matter: Organisational culture and management styles play a significant role in employee happiness. Companies that promote trust, recognition, and empowerment generally see higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.

Cost-Effective Strategies for Improvement: Many strategies to improve workplace happiness, such as personalised recognition and empowerment, are low-cost. Implementing these can lead to significant improvements in employee morale and productivity.

Global Perspectives on Workplace Happiness: Globally, workplace happiness varies, with countries like the UK scoring lower compared to developed nations the US. Understanding and addressing cultural differences in workplace practices can help improve overall employee satisfaction and productivity.

Tailored Management Approaches: Recognising individual differences among employees is crucial. Effective management involves personalising support and empowerment to meet the diverse needs and preferences of employees, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and organisational performance.

Links

• Website: WorkL
• Social media: LinkedIn
• Take the free WorkL Happy at Work Survey here