The Fun Side Of Business

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What happens after the excitement of going self-employed? When the clients are coming in, the business is growing... and suddenly you're buried in admin, paperwork and wondering where the hours in the day disappeared?

In our latest Fun Side of Business episode, James Roper joins us to share the reality of building a successful wealth management business. From a chance conversation at a wedding that changed his career, to taking the leap into self-employment with no ready-made client bank, James is refreshingly honest about the highs, the challenges and everything in between.

We chat about the less glamorous side of growth too—FCA regulations, delegation, wearing every hat in the business, and the struggle to stop being reactive and start thinking strategically. James also shares how his mindset has changed over the years, why he no longer panics over the "what ifs", and why time has become more valuable than money.

There are plenty of laughs along the way (including a rather uncomfortable would-you-rather!) as well as practical insights for anyone growing a business.

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Ever had that moment where the sensible plan suddenly stops feeling big enough? That’s exactly where this conversation with Shelly Antczak from Raspberry HR begins.

We chat about growing up in Ipswich, loving the structure of school, studying business with a marketing career in mind, and then somehow falling headfirst into HR instead. What started as an unexpected detour became a 15-year career packed with challenges, opportunities, and one surprise promotion that changed everything.

Along the way, Shelly shares what people leadership really looks like behind the scenes. We talk about why the perfect CV isn’t always the most important thing, what makes a great hire, and why good HR is usually about helping people find solutions rather than policing problems.

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None of us like to think about it, but life can change in an instant. In this episode, Louise Gladwell shares her deeply personal story of losing her husband, Gary, suddenly and how that experience changed both her life and her approach to helping others.

We talk about the reality of grief, the shock, the practical challenges, and the emotional roller coaster that follows when someone you love is no longer there. Louise speaks openly about navigating those difficult days and the lessons she learned along the way.

We also explore something that often gets overlooked during bereavement: finances. From wills and life insurance to pensions, passwords and important paperwork, Louise explains why getting organised isn't about expecting the worst, it's about making life a little easier for the people you care about most.

Louise also shares how her loss gave her the confidence to step outside her comfort zone, leave compliance behind, and become a financial adviser focused on supporting families through life's biggest challenges.

This is a conversation about love, loss, resilience, and the importance of planning ahead. It's honest, heartfelt, and packed with practical advice that could make a real difference to you and your family.

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In this episode, we sit down with Simon Bennett, CEO of Vinttro, whose career starts far from boardrooms! Working as an Ipswich panel beater before building and scaling high-growth insurance and claims businesses, completing a successful exit, and then launching a new venture designed with acquisition in mind from day one.

Simon takes us back to the early grind: YTS schemes, long hours, saying yes to every shift, and building practical skills while others were still figuring out their direction. Those early lessons set the tone for everything that followed.

He then moves into insurance claims, learning office life from scratch and quickly rising through the ranks faster than expected. But the journey isn’t smooth.

We dive into the messy reality of growth, corporate takeovers, outsourcing pressures, and the moment Simon realised service quality was slipping and something needed to change. That turning point led to the creation of CAA, built through lean years, big risks, and eventually growing into a major local employer.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, scaling businesses, or just honest founder stories with no filter, this one’s for you.

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This week, we sit down with Gemma Matten, Business Engagement Manager at the University of Suffolk, to unpack a career journey full of unexpected turns, tough moments, and bold decisions.

From working in recruitment and property sales, Gemma shares how redundancy during the 2008 recession and just after having a baby, pushed her into starting a business!
We talk honestly about the reality of self-employment, the pressure that comes with it, and why mindset matters more than having a perfect plan.

The conversation also dives into apprenticeships, employer engagement, networking without the awkward sales pitch, and how businesses can tap into student talent to solve real problems. Plus, we hear how an unexpected podcast studio purchase eventually led Gemma to becoming a podcast host herself.

Packed with practical advice, career lessons, and real-life perspective, this episode is for anyone navigating change, building something new, or wondering what could happen if they just took the leap.

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You definitely do not need a perfect story. We get into what actually works when the microphones are on: turning up as yourself, dropping the business façade, and speaking with the kind of honesty that makes listeners lean in.

Guests who are willing to give a little more than the safe, tidy answer create interviews that feel human and relatable. We also dig into why not taking yourself too seriously matters, especially on a business podcast where reputation can make people guarded. When the vibe is chilled and the chat is real, time disappears, guests open up, and the result often feels like a mini therapy session or a genuine trip down memory lane.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a mate who is guest-shy, and leave us a review. What do you think makes a brilliant podcast guest?

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The plan sounds straightforward: land a top banking job, grind hard, make serious money, and buy yourself freedom. 

Richard Grainger actually lived that path, from studying Economics at University of Cambridge to working in Canary Wharf.
This conversation pulls back the curtain on what that lifestyle really looks like. We get into the brutal hours, the pressure that keeps you chained to your desk, and the survival mindset nobody teaches you when you’re applying for graduate schemes and dreaming about “making it” in the City.

Everything shifts once Asia enters the picture. Richard talks about the culture shock of Tokyo and Korea, why Hong Kong suddenly clicked, and how the lifestyle can quietly take over your identity. But there’s a trade-off: nonstop travel, relentless expectations, and family life constantly competing with work. He opens up about the regrets, the burnout, and the strange reality that your highest-earning year can also be your least fulfilling.

Now back in the UK building Clear Idea Finance, Richard shares what success looks like on his own terms.

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Getting kicked out of school doesn’t exactly scream “future success”… but for Tom Hines, it was just the beginning.

In this episode, we chat with coach and Hindsight founder Tom Hines about how fear of failure can quietly shape your life, showing up as avoidance, self-doubt, and unrealised potential  and how to flip that into confidence, purpose, and real impact.

From growing up in rural Suffolk with the classic “bags of potential” label, to working in corporate HR across different cultures, Tom shares a refreshingly honest journey. We dig into what actually drives behaviour at work: why people switch off in training, how influence really works, and why leaders who dodge vulnerability lose trust (even if they don’t realise it).

We also get into “sustainable joy” and why that Sunday night dread is a red flag, not just part of life.

If this hits home, give it a listen, share it with someone who needs it, and don’t forget to subscribe.

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A 9-year-old selling horse chestnuts for cash doesn’t exactly scream “future entrepreneur”… but Scott Russell was never following the usual script.

In this episode, we get into the real journey. He left school at 16 and learned what classrooms don’t teach, how to sell, how to hustle, and how to handle real money. Turns out, earning early can teach you more than perfect grades ever will.

Then comes the twist. A “too good to be true” telecoms job drops him in with just a clipboard and confidence. Instead of backing out, Scott doubles down. He shares how he built credibility from a tiny Mayfair office, landed solid deals, and created businesses with predictable, scalable revenue, the kind buyers actually want.

If you’re into smart growth, exits, or purpose-driven business, this one’s for you.

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A house sale can fall apart for the most unexpected reasons — like someone refusing to leave behind a spare cooker. Then, in contrast, another deal can be saved simply because an estate agent rolls up their sleeves, cleans up an empty property, stages it with whatever’s on hand, and helps buyers instantly picture a future there. That’s the side of “selling homes” most people never see, and it’s exactly what we dig into with Joe and Peter Wood from the Joe Wood Property Team.

Peter shares his long-term view of the UK property market, including an early wake-up call with negative equity and how his background in banking and business coaching shapes the way he manages risk, pressure, and people. Joe brings the scrappier origin story — starting with a phone book, relentless door knocking, and a mindset shift sparked by Rich Dad Poor Dad. We also explore why Keller Williams stood out to them, how they built a modern estate agency in Ipswich, and why the goal shifted from being the cheapest option to delivering the best value.

If you’re buying or selling, this episode is packed with practical insights: smarter negotiation tactics, pricing strategies that actually work, staging that changes how buyers feel, and the hidden complexity of conveyancing, where a third of deals can collapse before completion. We also break down why buyers often go head-to-head with pros while under prepared, and how acting as a trusted adviser can protect both sides of a move.

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