Gavin Kirkwood didn’t fall into business ownership, he worked his way there.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Gavin Kirkwood, founder of Kirkwood Asset Finance, to explore what it really takes to launch and grow a business in a brutally competitive industry. Gavin shares why leaving a secure, high-performing role wasn’t an easy decision, how early deals didn’t land the way he expected, and what the last two and a half years of building from scratch have looked like.

Gavin speaks openly about the pressure of running a young business, unpredictable cash flow, sleepless nights, and learning the difference between knowing an industry and being responsible for every outcome within it. From compliance and regulation to trust, pricing pressure, and long sales cycles, this conversation cuts through the polished version of entrepreneurship.

James brings his own experience into the discussion, drawing parallels with building The Power Within Training, and sharing honest reflections on leadership pressure, hiring fears, systems, and responsibility. Together, they unpack resilience, trust, and why consistency matters more than comfort.

Key moments include:

✔️ Starting out in call centres and building confidence in sales

Follow James Fleming:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

Follow Gavin Kirkwood:

Website → https://www.kirkwoodassetfinance.co.uk

Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/kirkwood-asset-finance-limited/

Timestamps

[00:00] James opens the episode and introduces Gavin Kirkwood

Kenneth Martin didn’t chase fast growth or flashy success, he built something that lasted. From discovering architecture at just 12 years old, to setting up his own practice earlier than most would dare, Kenny’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and staying true to professional standards even when the pressure was relentless. With Block Architects now over 21 years old, his story is a rare look at what it really takes to survive and evolve in a demanding industry.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kenneth Martin, founder of Block Architects and Interior Designers, to unpack the realities behind building and sustaining a professional practice through recessions, debt, staff cuts, personal sacrifice, and long-term leadership decisions. From working alone in his attic, to employing teams, losing them during the 2008 crash, rebuilding from debt, and starting again from scratch, Kenny shares the honest truth behind longevity in business.

This conversation goes deep into what leadership actually looks like over decades, not years. Kenny speaks openly about the mental toll of responsibility, making decisions that affect people’s livelihoods, carrying debt to keep the business alive, and learning when to step back so the business can survive without you. Alongside that, James shares his own experiences of sacrifice, pressure, and why succession planning is not optional if you care about the future of your company.

If you’re running a business, thinking about growth, or quietly wondering how long you can keep carrying everything yourself, this episode will resonate deeply.

Key moments include:

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Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/block-architects-limited/

Website→ https://blockarchitects.co.uk/

Timestamps

[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kenneth Martin

Cameron Young didn’t take the traditional route into business, but the lessons he learned along the way shaped everything that followed. From leaving school unsure of his direction, to helping grow a family wedding stationery business into a fast-scaling e-commerce operation, Cameron’s journey is built on learning by doing and putting in the unseen hours.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Cameron to unpack his journey from scaling and exiting a family-run e-commerce business to becoming a partner at Business Partnership. Cameron shares the realities of rapid growth, burnout, business exits, and why so many owners aren’t prepared when it comes time to sell.

This conversation explores what really drives business value, the importance of knowing your numbers, building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you, and why trust, transparency, and the right advice matter when everything is on the line.

If you’re a business owner thinking about growth, exit, or long-term legacy, Cameron’s story offers grounded, honest insight into what to focus on before it’s too late.

Key moments include:

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Steve Young didn’t wait for certainty, he backed himself and learned on the job.

From leaving school early and working multiple jobs as a teenager, to selling TVs at Dixons, moving into fax machines and copiers, and building a long career in document management and process automation, Steve’s journey is one of graft, resilience, and refusing to live with regret. Buying his first flat at 18 and thriving in high-pressure sales roles, Steve learned early that effort mattered more than titles.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Steve to explore his journey from corporate leadership to building his own business. Steve opens up about the frustration of not being able to make decisions, the fear of starting again later in life, and why he made the conscious choice to build a business with no plan B. The conversation also dives into resilience, failure, and what Steve calls “bounce-back ability”, learning through mistakes and continuing forward.

James shares his own reflections on chasing money, burnout, and redefining what success really means, as both explore why fulfilment, freedom, and potential matter more than income alone.

If you’ve ever questioned whether comfort is holding you back, or worried about reaching the end of your career with regrets, Steve’s story will resonate.

Key moments include:

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Anne Okafor didn’t follow a traditional route into construction.

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Website →https://www.anneokafor.com/

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Shannon McKechnie didn’t wait for life to hand her the perfect plan, she built one step by step.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Shannon to uncover the real story behind her career in recruitment and how it led her to becoming Managing Director at MBN Solutions. From the shift from traditional face-to-face hiring to AI-driven talent processes, to navigating a male-dominated tech sector, Shannon’s path has been shaped by bold decisions, difficult lessons, and learning to lead as herself.

This conversation goes deep into the realities of recruitment today: why CVs often miss the truth, how AI is changing the game for candidates and employers, and why human connection still matters more than ever. Shannon also opens up about the impact of COVID, the career coaching that redirected her path, and the support that helped her grow into the leader she is now. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt stuck in the wrong version of success, or wondered how to take the next brave step, Shannon’s story will resonate.

Key moments include:

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Timestamps

Most people spend their late teens figuring life out. At 18, Niall McCabe was walking into £300,000 homes praying no one would answer the door because he was the estate agent selling the house, and somehow from that terrified first valuation to becoming one of the top-ranked agents in Europe, he’s built a career in an industry where nobody expected someone his age to last, never mind lead.

From leaving school at 16 because the classroom never worked for him, to winging his way through early valuations, to navigating an industry dominated by people twice his age, Niall’s story is proof that graft, personality, and a bit of panic-driven resilience can take you further than anyone imagines.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Niall to dig into the real journey behind his rise. The nerves, the graft, the pressure, the wins and the moments he thought he’d made the worst decision of his life.

You’ll hear how he built a name for himself from scratch, how COVID nearly wiped everything out, how he rebuilt through pure consistency, and why treating clients like actual humans (and not transactions) has become his edge.

This one is full of straight-up honesty, Scottish humour, and real-world lessons on building credibility long before you feel ready.

Key moments include:

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Sathpal Singh didn’t follow a straight path, he built a career by embracing the twists, the turns, and the lessons that shaped him.

From starting out as a hands-on software developer to becoming a respected leader in product, agile delivery, community building, and tech leadership, Sathpal’s story is all about curiosity, reflection, and the courage to understand yourself before trying to lead anyone else.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Sathpal to dig into the real journey behind his career, the mindset shifts, the cultural conditioning he had to unlearn, the pressure of being the first in his community to go to university, and how he went from code to coaching leaders inside some of the biggest organisations in the UK.

From growing up as the eldest in a large Sikh family, to battling limiting beliefs, to learning the power of reflection, networking, and asking better questions, this conversation goes deep into self-awareness, grit, and the lifelong work of mastering yourself.

Sathpal doesn’t just talk about curiosity, confidence, or leadership, he lives it.

This episode is full of honesty, perspective, and the kind of practical insight that every leader, especially those navigating tech, change, and uncertainty, needs to hear.

If you’re a leader, a manager, or someone trying to build a career on your own terms, this one will hit home.

Key moments include:

✔️ James welcomes Sathpal

Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more real, reflective conversations with people who challenge old conditioning, ask better questions, and build their lives with curiosity instead of fear.

Follow James Fleming:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

Follow Sathpal Singh:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/sathpal/

Timestamps:

[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Sathpal

Pamela Cunningham didn’t wait for the perfect moment, she built opportunities long before they existed.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Pamela to uncover the real journey behind her work in procurement, tendering, training, and the reality of building businesses from scratch.

Pamela doesn’t just talk about visibility, growth, or opportunity, she’s lived every inch of it.

This episode is full of honesty, real-life industry insight, and the kind of practical lessons that every small construction business owner needs to hear.

If you’re in business, in the trades, or trying to grow something from the ground up, this one will hit home.

Key moments include:

✔️ James introduces Pamela and asks her to share who she is and what she does

Follow James Fleming:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

Follow Pamela Cunningham:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/pamelaxcun/

Timestamps:

[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Pamela

Kirsty Strain didn’t just find her voice, she rebuilt it from the ground up.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kirsty to uncover the true story behind the actor, the coach, and the woman who refused to stay silent. From losing her childhood to chronic illness, to rebuilding her life inch by inch, literally relearning how to walk, speak, socialise, and trust herself. This conversation goes deep into resilience, identity, and what it means to finally accept who you are.

Kirsty doesn’t just talk about confidence, she earned it the hard way.

This episode is filled with vulnerability, Scottish humour, and life-changing insights about fear, communication, self-worth, and the moments that make us.

Key moments include:

✔️ Growing up wild, confident, and carefree, until illness changed everything

Follow James Fleming:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast

Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

Follow Kirsty Strain:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kirstystrain/

Website→  https://www.kirstystrain.com/

Timestamps:

[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kirsty