In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’, our host provides an April Monthly Update.

April was a turbulent month for Daniel and his businesses. In this solo episode, Daniel shares a candid update on being hacked, losing access to essential tools like Office 365, and how the fallout affected business performance.

Despite setbacks, progress continues across major projects including a new website, content series, and long-term investments. Tune in to hear the raw reality of running a business through chaos and resilience.

HIGHLIGHTS

· The team was hacked, losing Office 365 access for all staff members.

· Business performance dropped 30% below target due to technical disruptions and seasonal factors.

· A three-year website project is nearing completion, aiming to unify systems like CRM, bookings, and finance.

· Launch of a new content series: “Sports Day Showdown” featuring Daniel vs. FD Steve on YouTube and TikTok.

· Updates on crypto investments and the early-stage development of Shizzoo Media, a new podcast/content agency.

· Daniel’s guest appearance on the Independent Minds Podcast, coming in May.

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Building the Business – March 2025 – Daniel Osullivan

Building the Business – February 2025 – Daniel Osullivan

Building the Business – January 2025 – Daniel Osullivan

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Andrew McGee from AME Property and Investments.

From humble beginnings and a £3-an-hour apprenticeship, Andrew McGee has built an entrepreneurial empire spanning fitness, education, and property.

In this episode, Andrew shares his remarkable journey from launching a gym with just a credit card and a dream, to building a property portfolio worth over £2 million.

With deep insights into personal growth, opportunity vehicles, and the importance of systems, this is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for real talk on the highs and lows of building a business from scratch.

HIGHLIGHTS

· How Andrew launched a gym in 2013 with limited funds and no prior experience

· Why systems and standard operating procedures are crucial for business growth

· The power of community during the pandemic and how 90% of members kept paying

· How Andrew pivoted into property and built a £2M+ portfolio by age 34

· Why he focuses on “opportunity vehicles” and scaling businesses that outgrow him

· The importance of hiring for your weaknesses and focusing on high-value tasks

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website - https://andrew-mcgee.com/

Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie

Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser

Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

DONATION

Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/(Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)

In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Joel Campbell from Cove Group.

Joel shares the journey of how he built the Cove Group, a multifaceted business with ventures in heritage tourism, real estate, and entrepreneur mentorship.

Starting from an 11-year-old selling keyrings at Glastonbury to turning decommissioned prisons into tourist attractions, Joel’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and unrelenting entrepreneurial spirit.

From founding a wellness tech company that ended in a painful exit to creating immersive visitor experiences inside former prisons, Joel unpacks the lessons he’s learned, the systems he’s built, and how he leverages his failures to support other entrepreneurs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Joel’s childhood entrepreneurial spark that started at Glastonbury Festival

• The founding and painful collapse of his first wellness tech company

• How a failed prison bid led to the launch of a successful attraction business

• The three pillars of the Cove Group: business operations, investment, and entrepreneur support

• Turning historical prisons into unique, multi-use attractions with escape rooms, ghost tours, and overnight stays

• Why having a shareholders agreement and clear business plans matters (and when it doesn’t)

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.

We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.

Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies.

With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website - https://www.covegroup.co.uk/

Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie

Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser

Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Page

In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Jamie Darkin from Cornerstone Property Group.

Jamie shares the inspiring journey of building a successful social housingbusiness that now manages over 200 properties across Kent and London. Starting from humble beginnings with limited capital, Jamie teamed up with his dad to create a business that has now housed over 1,000 vulnerable families. We dive into the early struggles, the power of mentorship, building a team, learning through experience, and Jamie’s next chapter in business acquisitions.

HIGHLIGHTS

• How Jamie went from university dropout to founder of a social housing business

• Starting a company with his dad and their early challenges with cash flow and scaling

• The decision to focus on Cornerstone after trying (and failing) with several other ventures

• Why personal development and mentorship accelerated Jamie’s business growth

• The power of LinkedIn and personal branding for long-term opportunity

• Future goals: Expanding through property development and business acquisitions

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between. Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website - https://cornerstoneproperty.co.uk

Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie

Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser

Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

Donation: Every week that we releasean episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the BritishHeart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)

This solo episode features the host of the We Built This Business podcast, Daniel Osullivan.

This episode is part of Daniel’s monthly update series, where he shares the real, behind-the-scenes journey of trying to scale his business group from £1.5M to £5M by 2030.

March 2025 brought fresh challenges and wins: from budget cuts and economic shifts to office expansions, content creation, and new podcast ventures. Daniel offers his honest reflections on growth, resilience, and adapting in a tough climate.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Red Cactus Events surpasses Q1 targets despite economic slowdown

• New unit leased in Rotherham to support national coverage

• Shizzoo Media prepares for April launch with unlimited podcast editing services

• Daniel films 5 podcast episodes and 3 vlogs for content growth

• Introduction of Meta ads and content retargeting strategy

• Crypto investment journey and dollar cost averaging approach

• Early reflections on global economic impacts, including tariffs and international client concerns

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.

We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.

Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

 Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 toreceive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website

Red Cactus Events – www.redcactusevents.co.uk

Team Building Experiences – www.team-building-experiences.co.uk

Shizzoo Media – www.shizzoo.co

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

January 2025 – Building The Business

February 2025 – Building The Business

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

Donation: Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)

In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Paul Mort.

Paul is a dynamic force in the world of coaching, mindset transformation, and raw honesty. From being sacked from a gym job in 2001 to building a powerful coaching business for married businessmen, Paul has turned personal pain into professional purpose. He opens up about his journey through business, addiction, rock bottom, and ultimately creating a global movement that helps men reclaim their lives and their edge.

HIGHLIGHTS

• How being fired from a gym job launched Paul's entrepreneurial journey

• The Tony Robbins moment that lit the fire in him

• From outdoor bootcamps to a franchise-like model (and the collapse that followed)

• His spiral into addiction, hitting rock bottom, and the road to recovery

• The viral video with 15 million views that kickstarted his current business

• Paul's battle-tested tips for dealing with criticism, trolls, and online hate

• Why he believes community and live events are the future-proof way to grow a coaching brand

• Insights on writing his book Upgrade and why it took 8 years

• Hard lessons learned spending £10k on a failed app

• Thoughts on popularity vs profitability in today's attention economy

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.

We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.

Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.
Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website – Paul Mort Official
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print and Promotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie
Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business and Thrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser
Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group with brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business
Podcast Website
Podcast Linkedin Page
Podcast Instagram Page
Facebook Instagram Page

Donation: Every week that we release an episode of We Built This Business we give £10 to our Charity the British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/ (Started 21.05.2024 we hope to donate £520 a year)

In this episode of We Built This Business, DanielO’Sullivan sits down with Darryl Bates-Brownsword from Succession Plus UK to explore the critical but often overlooked process of preparing your business for a successful exit.

With only 1 in 5 businesses achieving a truly successful exit, Darryl shares expert insights into why so many business owners fall short—and what you can do differently. Whether you're years away from selling or considering it sooner, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you exit on your terms.

HIGHLIGHTS

· Why most business exits fail—and how to avoid being part of that statistic

· The three key components of a sale-ready business

· When you should actually start planning your exit

· How brokers fit into the process—and what to watch out for

· The dangers of relying too much on your personal brand

· Real-world examples of business exit motivations and strategies

· How valuation works and how to improve it well before sale day

· The step-by-step model of exiting through employment, control, and ownership

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business.

We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.

Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences Website - https://team-building-experiences.co.uk/

Offer Code - Podcast15

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Guest Website - https://succession.plus/

Take the Business Sellability Score test - https://succession.plus/uk/business-sellability-score/

Darryl Bates-Brownsword Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-bates-brownsword

Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie

Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser

Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

In this episode of We Built This Business we talk with Olivia Mae Hanlon from Girls in Marketing.

Olivia shares her journey from studying psychology to creating Girls in Marketing, a thriving online community and learning platform for marketers. Olivia talks about how she turned a simple Instagram page into an international business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and what it meant to be recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30.

HIGHLIGHTS

• How Olivia transitioned from psychology to marketing and started freelancing
• The origins and growth of Girls in Marketing into aglobal learning platform
• The challenges of running a business as a first-generationentrepreneur
• The power of community and mentorship in marketing education
• Olivia’s Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition and how it hasimpacted her career
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business and navigating challenges

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business

Podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We cover how they started, the challenges they faced, their successes, failures, and everything in between. Running a business is hard work, so why not learn from those who have done it?

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company, experts in keeping things fun for companies.

With mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge, and more, there’s something for every team.

Visit Team Building Experiences and quote PODCAST15 for 15% off your next team-building event!

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Girls in Marketing: www.girlsinmarketing.com

• Olivia’s LinkedIn: Olivia Mae Hanlon

• Olivia’s Website: www.oliviahanlon.com

• Podcast Host Website: We Built This Business

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Becky Hopkin – How I Took On A Business Whilst Becoming A Mother

Jordan Stachini – How I Built a No-Fluff, No-Bull, ROI-Obsessed Marketing Agency

Catherine Storey – How I Used Personal Branding to Attract High-Value Clients

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group we have brands in the events, entertainment and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: Daniel Osullivan  

We Built This Business

Podcast Website

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Instagram Page

DONATION

Every week we release an episode of We Built This Business, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation. Our goal is to give £520 per year! Donate Here

In this episode of We Built This Business, we talk with Ryan Williams, co-founder of It’s Gone Viral and the KOMI Group.

Ryan shares his journey from creating viral Twitter parody accounts to building one of the UK’s leading social media brands, competing with the likes of LadBible and Steven Bartlett’s Social Chain. He opens up about scaling the business, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, and ultimately exiting the company.

HIGHLIGHTS

· How Ryan’s viral sports parody accounts led to a multi-million-pound business.

· The pivotal moment when It’s Gone Viral was monetized on Facebook.

· Navigating the pandemic and losing 70% of revenue overnight.

· The process of rebranding to KOMI Group and preparing for an exit.

· The emotional and personal impact of selling the business.

· Ryan’s new mission: educating parents on online safety and social media risks for kids.

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel O’Sullivan invites business owners and industryexperts onto the We Built This Business podcast to discuss how they have built their businesses. We explore their entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. Running a business is tough, so why not learn from those who have already done it?

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences is a nationwide team building company specializing in Keeping Things Fun for corporate teams. They offer mobile events like Game Shows, Sports Days, and the Crystal Challenge.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive15% off your next event!

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Ryan Williams Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantwilliamsofficial/

Ryan’s Book: Blood, Sweat & Tweets – Available now! - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Sweat-Tweets-inspiring-Entrepreneurs/dp/1916237789

Host Website – https://webuiltthisbusiness.co.uk

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 4 - How I Built a £6 Million Revenue Print andPromotional Business by The Age of 24 - Taylor Tassie

Episode 5 - How I Built a Global Tech Events Business andThrived in the Pandemic - Johnny Edser

Episode 6 - How I Built a Digital Marketing Business and How I Exited - Alex Minchin

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel O’Sullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group, which includes brands in the events, entertainment, and media industries like Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Football Zorbing UK, Shizzoo Media and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan

Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page

Email: [email protected]

We Built This Business

Podcast Website - https://beacons.ai/wbtb

Podcast Linkedin Page

Podcast Instagram Page

Facebook Facebook Page

CHARITY DONATION

Every week we release an episode, we donate £10 to the British Heart Foundation – our goal is to contribute £520 per year!  Donate Here

In this episode of ‘We Built This Business’ we talk with Daniel Osullivan, host and founder of the podcast.

In our February 2025 solo episode, Daniel shares behind-the-scenes insights into how the business has grown this month, exciting new developments across the team, event launches, and even his first steps into cryptocurrency. With a focus on consistency, Daniel reflects on the ups and downs of business ownership and shares lessons from the journey so far.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hiring two new team members and expanding operations with a new Sheffield office on the horizon.
• Planning to increase in-house team events by over 50% in 2025.
• Launching a new team building experience, Betrayers Evening of Deception, with strong early feedback.
• Soft launching Shizzoo Media, a content marketing agency, gearing up for a full launch in April.
• Sharing the highs and lows of investing in cryptocurrency.
• Achieving a 90% year-on-year increase in Red Cactus Events' corporate business.

PODCAST INTRODUCTION

Daniel Osullivan invites business owners and industry experts onto the We Built This Business Podcast to discuss how they have built their business. We discuss how they started, their business challenges, successes, failures and everything in between.

Running a business is hard work so why not learn from business owners who are currently building or who have built a business.

PODCAST SPONSOR

Team Building Experiences are a nationwide team building company who are experts in Keeping Things Fun for companies. With a wide range of mobile events such as Game Shows, Sports Days, Crystal Challenge and more, there is something for every company.

Visit https://bit.ly/tbe-pod and quote PODCAST15 to receive 15% off your next team building event.VALUABLE RESOURCES
Host Website – https://beacons.ai/wbtb

ABOUT THE HOST

Daniel Osullivan is the CEO of The Experience Specialists Group with brands in the events, entertainment, and media industries including Red Cactus Events, Team Building Experiences, Shizzoo.co, Football Zorbing UK, Nel Events, and X Event Solutions.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Daniel Osullivan
Daniel Osullivan Linkedin Page
Email: [email protected]