After escaping poverty as a teen, Debbie Lewis takes on a risky entrepreneurial journey, only to learn the hard way that failure can be the key to success. "When you have trodden that path and done alright out of it, I heard Shalom Lloyd say a couple of years ago, 'leave the ladder down' - and that really resonates for me." 

Debbie Lewis is a passionate entrepreneur and small business cheerleader, having founded and managed a chain of hair and beauty salons for 17 years. She is now a business advisor and regional ecosystem manager. Debbie Lewis had a burning passion for entrepreneurship from a young age, and she used it to escape poverty and strive for a better life for herself. Despite her lack of experience and resources, she managed to purchase a hair and beauty salon and build a successful business. 

However, she quickly learned a few hard lessons, including the importance of listening to advice, understanding her weaknesses, and being strategic in her business decisions. After a few tough years and almost losing everything, Debbie emerged with a newfound understanding of business that she never would have acquired without the experiences she endured. 

In this episode, you will learn the following: 

1. How did Debbie Lewis go from growing up in poverty to becoming a successful entrepreneur? 

2. How can a business owner find the right people to help them scale and exit their business? 

3. How did Debbie Lewis learn to listen to her accountant’s advice and use it to save her business? Connect with us: Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/youtopiasolutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoutopiaSolutions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQh2hMYBVGc7dEnAH9TkXOw Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HelloYoutopia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youtopia-solutions-ltd/ Website: https://www.youtopia.co.uk/

Interviewing James Chapman from Recruiter on Demand talking about his journey from working as a salesman to going into recruitment and how he is changing the industry to not focus on commission but insourcing by putting internal recruiters into a business.

Katherine Interviewing Anita Devi from Team ADL, talking about her journey from being a teacher to forming her own company, becoming a change maker in the SEND space challenging government policy, how she is focused on core values and the views on work-life balance.

David Interviewing Jonathan Jennings from Premier Garage Equipment, starting work as an engineer, being made redundant and then starting his business, growing the team to over 20 people and bringing in a business partner.

Katherine Interviewing Steve Judge from Bonfire Creative Intelligence, we talked about starting up his design agency over 20 years ago, growing the team to over 20 people and then the effects of losing a big contract and bouncing back over Covid.

David Interviewing Ed Neal from Geodesa, we talked about the ‘Voyage’, how he started work on the seas to take every opportunity he was given and now runs a small business on land although his life goal is to sail the Atlantic.

In this episode of "The Ups and Downs of a Small Business Owner" podcast, Caroline Duran, a charity leadership coach, shares her experiences of burnout while working in the charity sector and how it led her to start her own business. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and prioritizing well-being for business owners. Caroline discusses the challenges of running a business, staying true to core values, and achieving work-life balance. She reflects on her past experiences and the people who have influenced and supported her. Caroline hopes to leave behind a legacy of helping people thrive while prioritizing their well-being.

Katherine Interviewing Sue Michaels from Red Bird Tutoring. Talking about life as a teacher, moving into coaching, photography, radio shows and gardening! Then not feeling confident in front of other business owners, to now growing the business.