The Ultimate FD Podcast

Welcome to Episode 37 of Magic Moments ✨

In this week's Magic Moment, I chat with Christian Harris - a guy who knows a thing or two about taking a business from the brink and scaling it into something seriously impressive.

Christian's been in the trenches, especially through the madness of covid, and he came out the other side with a thriving company and some seriously valuable lessons.

What stood out most in this episode was Christian's ability to pivot under pressure. We got into how he's built predictable systems for lead gen and sales, and how dialing in cash flow processes - like reducing collection days and using invoice discounting - kept the lights on when things could've gone south fast.

Christian talked openly about knowing your own weaknesses, and how the real growth came when he started surrounding himself with people who complimented him, not just copied him.

This one's full of real-world advice for any business owner trying to scale sustainably - especially when times get tough.

Christian brought the goods in this one. If you're building, scaling, or just trying to keep your business afloat through chaos, you'll want to give this a listen.

Did you enjoy this Magic Moment? Click here to listen to the full episode.

This week on the UFD podcast I am joined by Akash Vaghela, the founder of RNT Fitness. Akash's journey from personal trainer to running a global online transformation business that's helped over 4,100 people across 28 countries is extremely impressive!

In our conversation, we dove deep into how RNT Fitness evolved from chasing client numbers (they once had over 1,000 clients!) to strategically reducing to around 500 higher-paying clients.

This shift not only made the business more manageable but significantly boosted their profit margins. Akash shared that this counter-intuitive move of working with fewer clients while charging more was absolutely transformational for both the business and his quality of life.

Akash has been relentlessly consistent with articles, books, and his podcast - creating a content machine that positions RNT as the go-to experts in transformation coaching. This approach has allowed them to command premium prices in a typically price-sensitive industry.

We also talked about the elephant in the room for fitness businesses - the impact of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and how they might reshape the industry. Akash shared some really thoughtful insights about how RNT is future-proofing their business model by focusing on the psychological and lifestyle aspects of transformation that medication alone can't address.

For any entrepreneur looking to build a sustainable, profitable business that truly makes an impact, Akash's approach offers a masterclass in doing it right. Time to tune in, listen and learn!

You can connect with Akash via his social links and website below:

http://www.rntfitness.com

http://www.facebook.com/rntfitness

http://www.instagram.com/rnt_fitness

http://www.youtube.com/user/rntfitness

UFD RESOURCES:

👉🏻 DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR BOOK SMALL BUSINESS BIG PROFIT FOR FREE: https://ultimate-fd.webflow.io/small-business-big-profit

👉🏻 HOW FINANCIALLY FIT IS YOUR BUSINESS? Take the Ultimate FD Acid test to find out and have a bespoke report in less than 5 minutes!!! Take the test here: https://josh-dtlqxm7w.scoreapp.com/

Welcome to Episode 36 of Magic Moments ✨

This week's Magic Moment is a bit different… Because the guest is none other than yours truly.

This week I am in the hot seat to dive deep into my journey - how I went from being an employee in a mate's business to building serious financial independence through smart investing and structured business strategy.

We talked about the early days - when I barely knew what property investment really was - and how I got thrown into the deep end. I share some raw moments from my time in the Property Entrepreneur programme, and how a seriously tough situation ended up being the turning point that shaped my future as a leader.

I break down my strategy for building my Financial Fortress. We're talking low-risk, long-term, cash-flowing property investments that give you actual freedom - without the stress and noise of more volatile setups.

This one is a must-listen if you're tired of chasing quick wins and want a real, repeatable strategy for lasting wealth.

It was great having the tables turned on me in this episode and sharing my full story - it's one of resilience, smart decisions, and a whole lot of intention behind every move.

Did you enjoy this Magic Moment? Click here to listen to the full episode.

We're back this week with another episode of Tax Talks! This was an incredible conversation with tax expert Tej Gill that I know is going to be super valuable for all of you.

If you've ever found yourself scrambling at the end of the tax year or been hit with unexpected tax bills, this episode is for you. Tej breaks down the entire process of creating a proper tax and drawing strategy with such clarity – I was taking notes myself!

One of the first things Tej emphasised was the importance of aligning your business year-end with the tax year. This simple adjustment creates so much more visibility for planning purposes. I've seen firsthand with my clients how this alignment can make a massive difference in their ability to make smart financial decisions throughout the year.

We spent quite a bit of time discussing how to analyse your personal needs before diving into any tax strategy. Tej walked through a really practical approach to figuring out exactly how much you need to extract from your business, when you need it, and what you need it for. It sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many business owners (myself included in the early days!) skip this crucial step.

I particularly loved Tej's insights on leveraging your business for legitimate benefits – from company vehicles to relevant life insurance. These strategies can significantly reduce your personal expenditure needs while remaining fully compliant.

The section on executing your drawing strategy was gold. Tej explained how to properly manage director's loan accounts, when to take salary versus dividends, and how to time everything for maximum tax efficiency. He even shared a few examples that illustrated how proper planning could save thousands in unnecessary tax.

What really stood out to me throughout our conversation was Tej's emphasis on proactivity. As he pointed out, tax planning isn't something you do in March for the year that's ending – it's something you should be thinking about right now for 2025/26.

This episode is packed with actionable advice that I know will help you take control of your tax situation rather than letting it control you. This is one you do not want to miss! Let's dive in.

UFD RESOURCES:

👉🏻 DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR BOOK SMALL BUSINESS BIG PROFIT FOR FREE: https://ultimate-fd.webflow.io/small-business-big-profit

👉🏻 HOW FINANCIALLY FIT IS YOUR BUSINESS? Take the Ultimate FD Acid test to find out and have a bespoke report in less than 5 minutes!!! Take the test here: https://josh-dtlqxm7w.scoreapp.com/

Welcome to Episode 35 of Magic Moments ✨

In this moment, I sat down with the brilliant Orrin - an absolute powerhouse when it comes to finance and business. He's got a solid foundation in the corporate world (three years of CIMA under his belt and five years grinding in finance), and he's since taken that knowledge and turned it into entrepreneurial gold.

We discussed the stuff that most people shy away from - what to do when your business hits tough financial times. And it's not about hiding or powering through silently. It's about honesty and transparency. Orrin shared how being upfront and open with partners, investors, and teams can actually make or break your business when the pressure's on.

We also dived into why every entrepreneur needs to get comfortable with the numbers. Finance isn't just for the accountants anymore - it's a core part of decision-making, and if you want to lead with confidence, you've got to understand what's under the hood of your business.

Orrin's lived that transition from financial specialist to full-on business leader, and he drops some epic insight on how that shift works - and why CFOs are often stepping up as CEOs more and more.

This conversation was a proper eye-opener, and if you're navigating the chaos of entrepreneurship (especially with money stress in the mix), this one's definitely for you.

Did you enjoy this Magic Moment? Click here to listen to the full episode.

In this week's episode of the UFD podcast I am talking about something that I am really passionate about and addressing a challenge I see far too many of my clients facing.

Your business is showing healthy profits on paper, but somehow your bank account isn't reflecting that success. If you've ever found yourself scratching your head at this disconnect, this episode is for you.

I wanted to deep dive into why this happens, especially for those of you who've scaled to seven figures. It's that moment when you look at your P&L statement showing impressive profits but then glance at your bank balance and think "where did all the money go?"

Been there myself, and it's exactly what prompted me to start Ultimate FD.

Throughout this episode, I unpack the crucial difference between accounting profit and actual cash in your business. The accounting principles that recognise revenue before you've been paid can create this illusion of profitability while you're still chasing payments.

One thing I'm particularly proud of is my approach to credit control. I've learned (sometimes the hard way!) that having strict payment processes isn't being difficult - it's just good business sense. When I implemented proper credit control systems, the difference to my cash position was night and day.

Looking back at my own journey over the past year, I've seen tremendous growth in both revenue and team size at Ultimate FD. But that growth came with its own cash flow challenges that forced me to practice what I preach. The strategies I shared are the exact ones that helped me navigate that expansion.

Remember, cash really is king. You can have the most profitable business on paper, but without cash, you're vulnerable. Hope this episode helps you bridge that gap between your profit figures and your bank balance!

Drop me a message on socials if you've experienced this profit/cash disconnect in your business or if you have questions about implementing any of the strategies I discussed.

UFD RESOURCES:

👉🏻 DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR BOOK SMALL BUSINESS BIG PROFIT FOR FREE: https://ultimate-fd.webflow.io/small-business-big-profit

👉🏻 HOW FINANCIALLY FIT IS YOUR BUSINESS? Take the Ultimate FD Acid test to find out and have a bespoke report in less than 5 minutes!!! Take the test here: https://josh-dtlqxm7w.scoreapp.com/

Welcome to episode 34 of our Magic Moments series ✨

In this week's Moment, I break down what I've observed after working with so many business owners - particularly how clarity becomes a massive leverage point.

I shared my thoughts around why knowing what you actually want is half the battle. Once you get that clarity, everything else becomes about execution and alignment. I've seen this pattern repeatedly - the entrepreneurs who can articulate their true aims are the ones who create businesses that work for them, not the other way around.

I get into the whole "revenue is easy, profit is hard" concept that keeps coming up in my conversations. So many business owners chase top-line growth without understanding the profit mechanics underneath. I tried to unpack why this happens and how to shift focus to what actually matters.

The predictability of success is something I'm becoming more convinced of with each passing year. When you follow certain principles consistently, the results tend to follow. I shared some examples from my own journey with business growth, publishing, and property investments to illustrate this.

I hope this episode helps listeners cut through some of the noise and focus on the core elements that actually move the needle. Sometimes entrepreneurship feels complex, but the fundamentals haven't changed - clarity of purpose, understanding unit economics, and having the discipline to stick to a plan still win the day.

Looking forward to hearing how this resonates with you. Let me know what you think!

Did you enjoy this Magic Moment? Click here to listen to the full episode.

In this week's episode I am joined by UFD client Ashley Gray from Grey Electrical Contractors in the West Midlands. Ashley's been doing very well in the electrical contracting world while also building a pretty impressive property portfolio using the BRRR strategy (buy, refurbish, refinance).

We got into the nitty-gritty of how Ashley transformed his business by getting serious about the financials. We all know cash flow is king, but hearing how Ashley shifted from taking any job that came his way to strategically pursuing long-term contracts that provide consistent revenue was eye-opening.

Ashley shared some painful lessons about pricing - something I think a lot of us can relate to! He admitted to underpricing jobs early on because he wasn't properly accounting for all his overheads. Once he built proper financial models and forecasting tools, the game completely changed for him.

Ashley's approach to employee retention is gold - he's created a culture where his team feels valued, and it shows in their loyalty. His journey from scrambling for jobs to building a stable, profitable operation is exactly the kind of real-world business evolution I love exploring on this podcast.

It's time to dive in - I hope you enjoy!

You can connect with Ashley via his social links below:

https://www.instagram.com/newhorizonhomes/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-gray-73492b285/

UFD RESOURCES:

👉🏻 DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR BOOK SMALL BUSINESS BIG PROFIT FOR FREE: https://ultimate-fd.webflow.io/small-business-big-profit

👉🏻 HOW FINANCIALLY FIT IS YOUR BUSINESS? Take the Ultimate FD Acid test to find out and have a bespoke report in less than 5 minutes!!! Take the test here: https://josh-dtlqxm7w.scoreapp.com/

Episode 33 of Magic Moments has landed!

This week's moment is from an amazing conversation with Gareth Morgan that I can't wait to share with you all. Gareth is truly a systems guy with a gift for optimising business operations and driving growth.

Our chat was packed with insights about how he approached buying his mortgage advisory business and immediately set it up for success through his clarity about where to focus his energy and what to delegate from day one.

Gareth shared how he identified the value of his time early on and made strategic decisions about outsourcing and systems. Instead of getting bogged down in admin work like many new business owners do, he immediately invested in support structures that freed him to focus on what he does best - structuring deals and growing the business.

I particularly loved Gareth's perspective on not waiting until you're drowning in admin work to build systems. He came in with a clear vision of his strengths and weaknesses and built his operation around maximising his impact.

The conversation reinforced for me that sometimes the best business decisions aren't about what you do, but what you deliberately choose not to do. Gareth's success came from understanding where his unique value lies and designing everything else around supporting that.

For anyone looking to acquire or scale a business, this episode offers a masterclass in strategic thinking from day one.

Did you enjoy this Magic Moment? Click here to listen to the full episode.

For this week's episode of the UFD podcast, I welcomed Colin McIntosh, the founder and CEO of Sheets & Giggles, a sustainable bedding company that's absolutely smashing it. Colin's journey is fascinating - he launched his company after being laid off in 2017, and within just two years was hitting $1 million in monthly sales.

Colin transformed a simple concept - sustainable eucalyptus bed sheets - into a thriving business with a loyal customer base. He shared how his initial crowdfunding campaign was crucial to getting the business off the ground, essentially using customer pre-orders to fund production and validate his product concept.

Colin's approach to marketing is refreshingly authentic and customer-focused. He explained how his background as a recruiter gave him valuable insights into leadership and building high-performance teams, which he's leveraged to grow Sheets & Giggles.

Colin's side project is an AI-powered resume review and building service. Drawing from his recruiting experience, he's created a tool that provides job seekers with personalised advice at scale. The way he's using AI to extend his expertise to help more people is very impressive.

Colin kept coming back to the importance of being customer-centric and genuinely trying to help others. Whether it's creating sustainable products that people love or helping job seekers land their dream positions, his philosophy centres on making a positive impact.

We wrapped up with some solid advice on financial strategies for growing businesses and the importance of understanding every aspect of your business before delegating. Colin's approach of learning each business function himself before hiring specialists has clearly served him well.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, or how AI can be leveraged in unexpected ways, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Dive in and enjoy!

You can connect with Colin via his socials below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colindmcintosh

https://www.instagram.com/colindmcintosh

UFD RESOURCES:

👉🏻 DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR BOOK SMALL BUSINESS BIG PROFIT FOR FREE: https://ultimate-fd.webflow.io/small-business-big-profit

👉🏻 HOW FINANCIALLY FIT IS YOUR BUSINESS? Take the Ultimate FD Acid test to find out and have a bespoke report in less than 5 minutes!!! Take the test here: https://josh-dtlqxm7w.scoreapp.com/