As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to have resilience but until we face certain challenges, we often don’t recognise how resilient we truly are.
 
Joining us this week is someone who’s resilience shines through – the brilliant Kelly Gilmour-Grassam, Founder and Director of Making You Content.

Kelly had a passion for writing from an early age and rather than going straight into a job working with others, she decided to set up her own business.

In this episode, Kelly shares the incredible journey of starting Making You Content at only 21 years old, what’s contributed to its success over the last 10 years and the lessons she’s learnt on the way.

Kelly also discusses:
•Why you can’t ‘copy and paste’ yourself when recruiting others.
•The importance of staying curious and being agile.
•Being able to think on your feet.
•Why you need to be resilient.
•The value of a good support network both personally and professionally.
•Why running a business can be hard, but also remembering it’s a privilege.

Kelly Gilmour-Grassam:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kellygilmourgrassam
Website: www.makingyoucontent.co.uk
Email: [email protected]

Trevor:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

On today’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Mark Goyder, Founder of Tomorrow’s Company – “a not-for-profit think tank that exists to inspire and enable business to be a force for good.”

In this episode, Mark details his early career, particularly the four people who inspired him during this time. He also shares the story of how Tomorrow’s Company came to be and how the company has evolved over the years.

Mark also discusses:
•Why failure is a great teacher and can be a great door opener.
•Why the concept of stewardship is absolutely vital when considering how to regulate a business.
•The importance of building up reserves.
•Why both internal and external partnerships are essential.

I learnt a lot from hearing Mark’s journey and I’m certain that if you listen to the episode, you will too.

Mark:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-goyder-72713827
Tomorrow’s Company: https://www.tomorrowscompany.com/
Website: https://markgoyder.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

Today’s guests are Adam Twidell and Carol Cork – co-founders of Private Fly, a hugely successful aviation business that grew and grew until it was acquired a few years ago.

In this episode, they share their entrepreneurial journey of Private Fly as well as all the work they’ve done since deciding to sell the business. 

They also discuss:
•Why you need to believe in what you do.
•The importance of taking risks and being all in. 
•Why you must have focus and know your key performance indicators (KPI).
•The value of hiring and building a team early and recognising you can’t do everything yourself.  
•Why you should empower your team to help make decisions. 
•The power of telling everyone your story. 
•Why risking everything might not actually be risking everything. 
•The freedom of starting a business in the first place. 

Adam and Carol are both incredibly positive people and after listening to their story, it’s easy to see why they’ve had such success!

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

Our last episode of the year is now live and features the fantastic Chris Parke – Co-Founder of Talking Talent.

In this episode, Chris shares some brilliant insights, including:
👏 The importance of purpose.
📈 Using data to build a business case.
👍 Making more good decisions than bad.
📆 Spending enough time on planning.
😊 Why you need to surround yourself with good people.
📞 The more conversations you have, the more clarity you get.

Chris Parke:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-parke
Email: [email protected]
Talking Talent: https://talking-talent.com/ 

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

On today’s episode, I am joined by the fantastic Kim Ades – President of Frame of Mind Coaching and Journal Engine Software and CEO of The Journal That Talks Back. 

Kim’s career has been one full of variety – there’s not many interviews in which you fit a psychology degree, a balloon business, then a software entrepreneur. 

Because of this variety, Kim offers a lot of great insights throughout the episode, including:

• How your thinking impacts your actions and inactions.
• Why listening to yourself is one of the greatest formats of self-awareness. 
•  The importance of working on your mindset.
• The impact of journaling in the coaching process. 

Kim Ades:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimades
Frame of Mind Coaching: https://www.frameofmindcoaching.com/
Journal Engine Software: https://www.journalengine.com/
The Journal That Talks Back: https://www.thejournalthattalksback.com/ 

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to our latest episode of The Merri-Cast podcast!

We’ve covered so many subjects that every entrepreneur has faced on their business journey and now that we’re close to 40 episodes of the podcast, we’ve listened back and noticed some issues come up time and again.

One of these is the subject of authenticity. So, we thought we’d make this week’s episode a little different - a mini Merri-Cast if you like, on this particular subject.

In the episode, you’ll hear from previous guests Terri Vincent, Zoe Walters, Joel Blake, Andrew Armes and Marie-France Samba who have all shared valuable insights and wisdom on why#authenticity is so important. 

On this week’s episode of The Merri-Cast Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Jane Sunley –Co-founder of Hendrick & Hyde and a best-selling business author.

Jane previously had a thriving career in hospitality. However, since turning to entrepreneurship, she has founded and co-founded four hugely successful businesses including Purple Cubed and Talent Toolbox. 

In this episode, Jane discusses the power of mentoring, seeing the job through, why you need a business plan, and the importance of ethics. She also shares her top motivators as an entrepreneur and what makes you an authentic business. 

Jane’s career speaks for itself and continues to go from strength-to-strength. I learnt some truly valuable business lessons from this conversation and I’m certain you will too!

Jane Sunley:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jane-sunley-purplecubed-founder
Email: [email protected]
Hendrick & Hyde: https://www.hendrickandhyde.com/
Book: Purple Your People
Book: The People Formula
Book: It's Never Ok to Kiss the Interviewer

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

Having a career structure and plan is the driving force behind many people’s success. However, for my next guest on The Merri-Cast, having a largely instinctive career is what’s helped them the most.

This week, I’m joined by the insightful Lucy McCarraher – Author, Keynote Speaker, Book Mentor & Publisher, and Founder of Rethink Press and The Business Book Awards.

Lucy’s career has been largely unplanned but one full of inspiration. In this episode, she discusses doing what you love, why partnerships are vital, and using books to build your business.

She also shares the importance of learning as you go and being inspired to a give a voice to others.

Lucy’s story is proof that a planned career isn’t the only way to see success, it’s pursuing your passion and doing what inspires you.

Lucy McCarraher:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher
Email: [email protected]
Rethink Press: rethinkpress.com
Business Book Awards: https://www.businessbookawards.co.uk/
The Real Secret Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Secret-universe-hasnt-delivered/dp/1907498397

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

On this week's episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Rachel Turner.

Rachel began her career as a music industry entrepreneur but over the last 20 years, has been a successful coach and leadership advisor. She is the Founder of ‘Achieve Unlimited’ and Co-Founder of VC Talent Lab “which aims to put leadership talent development at the heart of the VC ecosystem”.

Rachel is also author of the #1 best-selling book ‘The Founder’s Survival Guide’ which was recently shortlisted for a Business Book Award.

In this episode, Rachel discusses hanging out with the winners, and the balance between fear and aspiration. She also shares the importance of knowing how to manage, being self-aware, and networking as a start-up entrepreneur. 

Rachel:
LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/achieveunlimited
Email: [email protected]
VC Talent Lab: vctalentlab.com/
Achieve Unlimited: achieveunlimited.com/
The Founder's Survival Guide: https://www.thefounderssurvivalguide.com/

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected] 

On today's episode, I'm joined by Lisa Michaels - CEO of ‘Lisa Michaels’, GeniusU Mentor, and Real Estate Investor.

Lisa’s career speaks for itself with over 30 years of “soul-filled business and leadership experience”, an author of several books, 20+ years as an accelerated learning workshop facilitator, and more.

Her first successful business experience was the owner of a 500+ pupil ballet school and since then, her career has continued to grow.

In this episode, Lisa discusses the importance of starting and finishing projects on time and the perils of boredom. She also shares why entrepreneur is a skillset that you must continually practice and how the forces of nature help the creation of your business.

Lisa:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisamichaels-author-mentor
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.lisa-michaels.com/ 

Trevor:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormerriden/
Merriborn Media: https://merribornmedia.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]