The Spike Podcast

"I think Amazon found lightning in a bottle at Waste. Exactly the right time I think when I look back at Amazon now, when I look now and then think where's the motivation come from. Amazon, like many other businesses, was on its knees at one point..."

Welcome to this massively insightful episode with Thomas Vosper.

Having come through the ranks in ecommerce, from Amazon to TedX speaker and Aisle3 co founder, Thomas shares his views on ecommerce specifically, but also the online space generally.

Thomas gives us his thoughts on the reality of people like Elon Musk purchasing massive brands like Twitter.

He also shares his stories around positioning huge companies like Tesco into the ecommerce era.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• Thomas Vosper's back story
• How companies like Amazon work when it comes to ecommerce
• The need for aggregating data for ecommerce success
• How sites like eBay and Amazon work
• What is aisle3 and how does it work?
• How aisle3 strategised their startup
• Thomas's 'Spike'

Listen to the previous guests on the Spike by clicking this:

The Spike Podcast in your favourite app

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"So they made a presentation and said where we wanna target, what we wanna make... what it means for staff, all that kind of stuff. So I wanted to take that and give our most value members of the community an insight into the brand.."

Welcome to part two of Season two.

For our first episode back, we've got Jimmy Charnock. A man who lives and breathes community.

Having worked in customer service, he knows how to talk to fans of a brand, and what they want.

And in this case that brand is Represent Clo the massively popular clothing giant from George Heaton and Michael Heaton.

In this episode, Jimmy tells his story of how he came from big name brands like AO.com and he knew he could bring something special to the clothing brand Represent Clo.

And from there, it seems it was just an ongoing rise to the top with the company.

Jimmy Charnock talks with host Harry Portch about how to treat customers and turn them into loyal fans who will not only buy from you, but do your marketing for you.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• Jimmy's backstory
• How he first got in with Represent Clo
• What it's like running a successful and busy online community
• His tricks for keeping that community engaged
• His moment calling out Harry for spending so much on clothes 😂😂
• How clothing brands are using social media now
• Jimmy's 'Spike'

Listen to the previous guests on the Spike by clicking this:

The Spike Podcast in your favourite app

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"I just sat back and thought to myself, I need this 180 day plan. I had made a 180 day plan, which was like every day for 180 days, I'm gonna make a skit and drop a skit.."

This is one of those episodes that "The Spike" has become famous for. 

An hour of solid insight into what makes a successful person tick in business.

Rufaro Kahuni is known in his day job as the Marketing Director of Life of a Hustler.

In this episode, he's bringing some sick information around how to get your branding noticed by some of the most powerful faces and names in the world.

Zoning in on his experience with "Secret Drops", Rufaro Kahuni brings host Harry Portch the ultimate branding masterclass.

From his early days with shoes and hats, through to working with rapper Nines and internet celebrity KSI, all the way out to working with major brands like Nike on their marketing.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• The origins of Secret Drops on Instagram
• The connection with number 1 rapper Nines
• Working with Nike and Jimmy Jones and its impact on Life of a Hustler
• What Life of a Hustler does with marketing for the BBC (Radio 1 and BBC Asian Network) and Chris Brown - yes THAT Chris Brown!
• The importance of getting out of your comfort zone
• Using music to tell stories and be creative
• The shady side of the music business that he's learned from being on the other side of the recording studio glass
• His work campaigning about knife crime education
• Rufaro's 'Spike'

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"That's the sort of clever bit of it is I can act a fool with marketing now whereas in the past l'd just be the fool for the sake of it. It's not very clever, but if you're doing it and aligning it with what your job is.. career passion, clients, whatever. It's way more fun.."

For this episode, it's the second guest to return from the first season.

If you're a long time listener, you'll probably recall our maverick marketer Lewis Ellis from a previous episode.

The big message of his last appearance was that he felt he needed to succeed so that he could pass on the learning to future generations of entrepreneurs.

He also shared some of the crazy stories of his past, including the time he convinced the national papers and television that he'd got lost on an expedition.

He was also seen attempting to swim in a swimming pool in a replica Titanic in a shopping mall.

Since that guest appearance on The Spike, he's been up to more tricks.

The most famous one was when he travelled across the world to track down his Airpods that he'd left behind on a flight. 

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• The bantz around Lewis' northern accent
• Why is Harry's mum cooler than Harry?
• The troll client who tried to work with Lewis
• How Lewis and Elton John (kinda) worked together
• That Apple airpods stunt
• Dealing with trolls 
• Lewis's 'Spike' Is it the same as last time?

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"I didn't wanna open this. But I have a look at it. It's actually got like seven or 800 reactions. I'm like, okay, this isn't good. And then... where do I know him from? I click onto his profile. His tagline obviously mentions what he does. I'm like, oh my God. I actually know this guy. Like I've met this guy in person!...."

We've rolled out a really spicy one for episode five.

If you're an active user of LinkedIn in the UK, you've no doubt heard of Cat Philp.

Yes, she's the personal branding influencer who made *that* post.

Yep the one about the Uber driver who told her she was too pretty to be in business.

Here's her profile. Go and look for that post if you must.

And that very dark week in Cat's life does make up a huge amount of the conversation, but we also learn a bit more about Cat and what drives her.

She talks about her formative years, and why she went down the educational path she took.

She also mentions how she was unhappy running her previous  business, and why some self-questioning led to a life-changing decision.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• Cat's school years
• Apprenticeship or education?
• LinkedIn and the challenges of client demands
• That post about the Uber driver
• How she managed all the 'Johns'
• The changes coming to LinkedIn 
• Cat's 'Spike'

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"Every day new brands are coming on board. I think that's testament to like.. the brand we've got, we've developed, it's so cool. We're in the best locations. AAnd it just kind of snowballs eventually. I'm going out to New York on Friday for a month..."

We're already on episode four of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike" and for this episode, we're inviting back an old mate.

This episode features Henry Milroy, from Pan n Ice.

Henry was with us in an episode last year during our first season.

Henry talks to Harry Portch about the challenges of being a young entrepreneur. 

He's faced trading during one of the biggest UK heatwaves in history, and shares that experience with Harry.

He talks about the successes.

Warning, there are name drops for Google, Grey Goose, Pretty Little Things. Sony, Android, Facebook, Amazon Boohoo, Joe Malone and Rolls Royce.

Also, the celebrity customers - hello Amelia Dimoldenberg from Chicken Shop Date and Tayler Holder!

He offers up his advice for other entrepreneurs.

Harry gets all involved and talks about using rituals for growth, and audiobooks.

There's also a fairly tasty chat around social media influencers and the way LinkedIn is going.

And will Henry's Spike be the same as last time?...

You'll have to listen to find out.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• A catch up on Pan 'n' Ice.
• Marketing of brands in 2022.
• An opportunity to update the celebrity name drops.
• What is happening with LinkedIn at the moment? (Harry's not a fan) 
• Henry's 'Spike'. Is it the same as before?

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"He's one of the only guys I've seen do this, but like when the crew turn up, he literally goes around every single person and says hello to them."

We're already on episode three of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike" and we're not slowing down.

This episode features George Cowin, from Cowshed Social.

George and his team have worked with some pretty incredible big name brands and individuals.

One of the more significant moments has been sorting out fights between KSI and Logan Paul in Las Vegas.

George chats with Harry about that time, as well as his experience working with the likes of Aston Villa FC and LADbible.

Harry Portch talks to him about all of this and his views on what people need to do to get his attention if they're after him for a job.

As a recruitment expert running a recruitment agency in Reading, Harry was all ears!

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• George's time working at LADbible. Sort of.
• His thoughts around brands and their marketing.
• YouTube ads and how they're 'dead' now with Gen Z
• Working with KSI and Logan Paul in Las Vegas
• The pressure of having to think about what you post online

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"They don't know he's my dad for any other reason except for that show. And then they'll go, my wife watches that show. I don't watch it. Every time. I think, mate, you wouldn't recognise me unless you watch that show."

We're going all in on episode two of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike".

This week we're talking to Joe Sealey, ex goalkeeper, son of Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey, multi-exit business owner, CEO of Neon Juice, co Managing Director of Truth Prosecco, and for reality TV fans, husband of Nicole Sealey.

That's right, THAT Nicole Sealey.

Star of The Real Housewives of Cheshire, the reality television show.

Joe opens up about the relationship he had growing up with his late father as well as his experience and perspective on professional football.

We also learn more about his dynamism that led to his transition from footballer to successful businessman.

In this brand new episode of The Spike, Harry Portch talks to him about his 'wife's show', as well as his general thoughts around success.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• His relationship with his Dad
• What he makes of being in that show
• The mechanics of reality television
• The dramas of social media

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

"Like I was a nightmare with money. Honestly, when I was younger, if I'd earn a hundred pounds I'd spend a hundred pound, you know what I mean? I was always like that.

Like, and if you was taught at school, just save 10%, just save 20%. You'd be so many more kids or, or young adults. Now that would be in a better position.

A hundred percent."

We're back with a new look and brand new sound for season two!

The Spike season two - episode one

This episode... Tom Skinner

If you watched season 15 of the BBC show "The Apprentice" you'll definitely remember Tom Skinner.

He was one of the stand out characters on the show, quickly endearing viewers as well as other contestants to his Essex charm.

Tom is now in the retail business running Bosh Beds.

In this brand new episode of The Spike, Harry Portch talks to him about 'that' show, as well as his wider career progression and who would be attending his ultimate fantasy dinner party.

During this conversation, you'll hear:

• His struggles at school
• How schools need to rethink education
• His idea for reverse engineering the bed linen market
• His life changing experience caused by 'that' show

Want to catch up on the previous season of "The Spike"?

You can do so here.

Guests you might have missed:

TikTok and Instagram star "Temps".

IOTK podcaster and young entrepreneur Ted Lawlor.

BBC "The Apprentice" star and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis.

Ecommerce whiz-kid Adam Power.

International DJ Ben Rainey.

Sports and business excellence coach Tony Walmsley

Crypto expert Elliott Rayne.

Animal relaxer Amman Ahmed

Emotional resilience teacher Alex Holmes

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast.

Reach out to Harry directly with any recruitment questions here:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harryportch

We're back to it with season two of The Spike.

Harry is joined by Tom Skinner of the BBC's "Apprentice" and the pair discuss everything from Tom's fame to his ideal dinner party guests.

The Spike is an HM Staffing podcast