In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse, sits down with Carmel Jane, founder of Carmel Jane Photography and owner of two residential care homes, to dive into the raw journey from survival mode to scaling success, burnout recovery, and the unexpected pivot into children's care.

Chapters:

[00:00:13] Introduction and Meeting Carmel Jane 
[00:02:47] From Wedding Photography to Dance Schools - The Pivot 
[00:07:08] The Fire in Your Belly - Survival and Success 
[00:13:25] Managing Growth and Team Dynamics 
[00:18:20] Handling Business Highs, Lows and Burnout 
[00:26:45] Accidental Entry into Children's Care Homes 
[00:35:22] Competition, Copycats and Staying in Your Lane 
[00:46:03] Risk-Taking, Hiring Right and Lessons Learned

💡 Topics Covered:

✅ How a breast cancer diagnosis led to building a scalable photography business instead of self-employment 

✅ The brutal reality of rapid business growth without proper infrastructure 

✅ Why hiring people opposite to your personality type is crucial for success 

✅ Managing the transition from startup founder to business owner at different team sizes 

✅ Dealing with cutthroat competition and industry sabotage

✅ The accidental acquisition of two insolvent children's care homes and their turnaround.

✅ Why having a purpose matters more than money once you've achieved financial success

✅ The importance of getting into the right rooms with other entrepreneurs

"I had no other options. I kind of had done photography, I'd worked in hotels, so I didn't have a job that worked in with kids, so I just, I just had to do it. I had no other options."

"When you're small, they can just go, oh wow, she's a whirlwind. She's bringing us with us. But actually when the team gets bigger, you can't keep those connections with enough people."

"You need to have a purpose in life. 'Cause a life without, without a purpose kind of has no meaning."

📌 If you're an entrepreneur struggling with rapid growth, battling burnout, or wondering how to scale beyond your personal limits, this raw and honest conversation will give you the roadmap and reality check you need.

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business! 

#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Photography #CareHomes #Scaling #Burnout #YourMindYourBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessMentoring #StartupStruggles #TeamBuilding #BusinessCoaching

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In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod sits down with John Holliday, founder of Pocknells Accounting, to dive into the raw journey from debt-ridden business to a thriving 50-person accounting firm through strategic acquisitions and personal growth.

Chapters:
[00:45] Introduction to John Holliday and Pocknells Accounting
[03:22] From reluctant accountant to accidental entrepreneur
[06:02] The mentor who shaped everything - Colin's influence
[08:42] The BNI breakthrough - discovering the power of sales
[11:27] The pivotal moment - learning sales changed everything
[15:59] The police station gamble - from comfort to crisis
[22:49] The ultra marathon mindset - pushing personal boundaries
[27:23] Managing stress and the loneliness of leadership
[31:20] The recognition trap - awards that don't fulfil
[37:42] Social media jealousy and finding true fulfilment
[42:30] The Super Profits program - helping others through forecasting
[45:20] Leading a team of accountants through constant change
[50:01] Current acquisitions and managing risk appetite

💡 Topics Covered:
✅ The journey from failing school to building a multi-million pound accounting empire
✅ How poor grades and rejection led to discovering entrepreneurial superpowers
✅ The mentor relationship that provided both opportunity and cautionary lessons
✅ Why learning sales and marketing transformed everything for the business
✅ The psychology of setting unrealistic goals to force action and commitment
✅ How a £1.4 million police station purchase nearly derailed everything
✅ The loneliness of leadership and importance of therapy/coaching for entrepreneurs
✅ Why material success (cars, awards, recognition) often feels empty
✅ Building systems and forecasts that turn accounting into a growth machine
✅ The shift from personal achievement to creating opportunities for others
✅ Managing multiple acquisitions while balancing risk and growth
✅ Leading change-resistant accountants through sales and marketing innovation

💪 "I genuinely believe that in my circle of entrepreneurial friends, entrepreneurial clients, they would typically always succeed. There might be some failures and there might be some problems along the way, but they're the type of people that have got the grit that it doesn't matter what happens, they're gonna come back."

🎯 "Once you've learnt that you can sell and market, anything, So I do believe money's abundant at some point in my journey. I didn't see that. I couldn't, I didn't believe it. I didn't know it."

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

Follow Pocknells: 
Linkedin.com/company/pocknells 

x.com/pocknellsllp 

Facebook.com/Pocknells

Visit: ecommercenurse.com

#Entrepreneurship #AccountingBusiness #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset
#YourMindYourBusiness #BusinessAcquisitions #EntrepreneurialJourney #BusinessPodcast #AccountingFirm 

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In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod from e-Commerce Nurse sits down with David Hurst, former Essex High Sheriff and non-executive director of OnRec, to dive into the gritty reality of building, scaling, and successfully exiting a business through pure determination and strategic planning.

Chapters
[00:00:44] Introduction and David's Current Roles
[00:02:50] Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Property Development
[00:07:48] Transition from Corporate Sales to Business Owner
[00:10:22] First Hires and Learning Through Chaos
[00:16:03] Challenges of Managing People and Growth
[00:19:06] Aggressive Takeover Threats and Growing Up Fast
[00:25:06] Managing Pressure and Finding Balance
[00:30:06] Decision Making and Leadership Development
[00:33:35] The Exit Strategy and Earnout Experience
[00:39:03] The Final Sale and Immediate Aftermath
[00:42:42] Transition to Charity Work and Giving Back

💡 Topics Covered:
✅ The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur and recognizing opportunities
✅ Early property development ventures and learning to leverage investments
✅ Transitioning from corporate sales roles to building your own business
✅ The reality of chaotic early hires and learning management on the fly
✅ Dealing with aggressive competitors and takeover threats in business
✅ Managing the pressure and stress of rapid business growth
✅ Developing decision-making skills and leadership under pressure
✅ The importance of having Plan A and Plan B during exit negotiations
✅ Navigating earnout periods and working with new corporate owners
✅ The emotional journey from business sale to finding new purpose
✅ Applying entrepreneurial skills to turn around failing charities

🔥 "Right up until the sale, I had plan A and Plan B. If they hadn't have been honourable, if they'd have said 'we're just going to knock 20% off that initial price,' to be honest, if I hadn't have had that plan B in mind, I would've said 'oh alright, you can have it.'"

💪 "I think trust your instincts. Be inquisitive, learn as much as you can, talk to as many people as you can. Don't think you know everything - just try and absorb as much as possible."

🎯 "I had an attitude just to get on and do stuff. I was quite impatient, and as time progressed, I found myself putting money in other people's pockets, building their businesses, and I thought I ought to be trying to put my efforts into building my own."

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

#Entrepreneurship #BusinessExit #Determination #YourMindYourBusiness #BusinessGrowth #StartupJourney #BusinessSale #Earnout #CharityWork #PropertyDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessStrategy #Leadership

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In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod sits down with Dan Nunn, co-founder of 5Physio, to dive into the raw reality of scaling a healthcare business from the ground up while maintaining work-life balance and developing exceptional leadership skills.

Chapters:
[00:40] Introduction to Dan and 5Physio
[02:36] From NHS to Private Practice - The Early Journey
[07:15] The Entrepreneurial Awakening and Self-Awareness
[12:54] Building a Team and Learning to Let Go
[17:22] The Wake-Up Call - Health Crisis and Leadership Lessons
[25:07] From One to Two Clinics - The Biggest Challenge
[28:44] Finding Your Why and Understanding Motivators
[39:53] Competition, Collaboration and Social Media Strategy
[47:42] The Weight of Responsibility and Success Redefined

💡 Topics Covered:
✅ The transition from NHS employment to entrepreneurship and private practice
✅ How a health crisis at 33 became a turning point for leadership and delegation
✅ The importance of self-awareness and finding your "why" in business
✅ Building company culture by understanding individual employee motivators
✅ Scaling from one clinic to multiple locations while maintaining quality
✅ The art of delegation and moving from "in the business" to "on the business"
✅ Balancing the responsibility of payroll and team development
✅ Redefining success beyond financial metrics - family and team growth
✅ Building strategic partnerships with gyms and fitness communities
✅ The power of learning from mistakes rather than following advice

🔥 "I never really had any doubt. I knew it would get there. I didn't know how it would get there, but I knew it would get there."

💡 "You cannot manage or lead people effectively if you can't manage and lead yourself."

🎯 "My perception is, I don't think we overthink. I think that a lot of people might under think."

📌 If you're an entrepreneur struggling with delegation, trying to scale your business, or looking to build a team-first culture while maintaining work-life balance, this episode delivers raw insights and practical wisdom from someone who's been through the trenches.

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

Discover more about 5Physio: https://fivephysio.co.uk/

Follow 5Physio:
https://instagram.com/fivephysio/
https://linkedin.com/company/5physio
https://facebook.com/5physio/

Guest: Dan Nunn from 5Physio
https://linkedin.com/in/daniel-nunn-71680b44/

Host: Carina McLeod from eCommerce Nurse
https://linkedin.com/in/carinamcleod/
https://ecommercenurse.com/

#Entrepreneurship #PhysioBusiness #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #YourMindYourBusiness #HealthcareBusiness #TeamDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #5Physio #FivePhysio #BusinessGrowth #SelfAwareness #Delegation

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In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod sits down with Jerry Lawson, Chief Frog and co-founder of Frog Bikes, to dive into the unplanned, resilience-fueled journey from corporate life to building a £10 million children's bike manufacturing business that sells in 50+ countries.

Chapters:

[00:00:31] Introduction to Jerry Lawson and Frog Bikes
[00:02:58] From Corporate to Entrepreneur - The Pivotal Moment
[00:11:48] Reality Check - Unexpected Global Demand and Challenges
[00:19:36] Crisis Management - Fires, Tax Investigations, and Resilience
[00:31:03] Managing Growth, Competition, and Team Responsibility
[00:42:47] Work-Life Balance and Partnership Dynamics
[00:48:35] Key Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

💡 Topics Covered:

✅ The transition from 20 years in corporate (Tesco, Amazon, John Lewis) to starting a children's bike company
✅ How a simple problem - heavy kids' bikes - sparked a £10 million business idea
✅ Research-led product development with Brunel University to understand children's unique needs
✅ The reality of manufacturing challenges, from factory fires to customs delays
✅ Building resilience through major setbacks including tax investigations and Brexit
✅ Scaling from 3 people to 100+ employees across 50+ countries without external funding
✅ Partnership with Team Sky and maintaining innovation leadership
✅ Sustainability innovations including 25% post-consumer recycled aluminium frames
✅ Managing the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship with your life partner
✅ The importance of expert advisors and knowing when to ask for help

🔥 "You have to assume everything is gonna go wrong. There is a possibility that something will go wrong... you have this risk register, whether official or just in your mind."

💪 "You've just got to have total resilience... assume everybody's an idiot. So you ride defensive riding."

🎯 "We wanna make bikes that kids wanna ride, stores want to sell, and parents want to buy."

📌 If you're considering leaving corporate life to solve a real problem, or you want the unfiltered truth about building a manufacturing business from scratch without external funding, this episode reveals the grit behind entrepreneurial success.

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

Discover more about Frog Bikes: https://frogbikes.com 

Follow Frog Bikes:
https://facebook.com/frogbikes 
https://instagram.com/frogbikes 

#Entrepreneurship #Manufacturing #FrogBikes #BusinessResilience #YourMindYourBusiness #KidsBikes #Innovation #Sustainability #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurs #EntrepreneurPodcast #CorporateToStartup #ManufacturingBusiness #UKBusiness

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Daniel Herman, founder of Bio-Synergy, shares how he built one of the UK’s pioneering sports nutrition brands long before social media, influencers, or digital hype. In this episode, hosted by Carina McLeod founder of eCommerce Nurse, Daniel opens up about growing Bio-Synergy from his parents’ house to supplying elite athletes, global sports teams, and major retailers, all while staying grounded and focused on product integrity.

From losing 99% of his business overnight to never paying a celebrity to endorse his products, Daniel’s journey is packed with resilience, early innovation, and lessons in longevity. Discover how he stayed humble while working with household names, why he refused to follow industry gimmicks, and what it really takes to build a brand that lasts nearly three decades.

We dive into:
 ✅ Building a brand before Instagram, TikTok or paid influencers
 ✅ Supplying Arsenal and Formula 1 without being starstruck
 ✅ Losing almost everything during COVID
 ✅ Why Daniel has never paid an influencer in 28 years
 ✅ Balancing brand growth with integrity, humility and values
 ✅ The mindset that kept him going when 99% of his revenue disappeared
 ✅ How pioneering in product, not promotion, created lasting success

Whether you’re launching your first business or navigating the long game of staying relevant, this episode is a masterclass in leading with values, product, and grit, especially when the spotlight isn’t the goal.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-talk episodes that reveal the grit behind entrepreneurship.

#Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #BusinessPodcast #EcommerceSuccess #SportsNutrition #ResilientLeadership #AuthenticBranding #YourMindYourBusiness 

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In this raw and honest episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod steps into the guest seat for the very first time, interviewed by Joanna Howes, leadership coach at Change Creators.

Carina shares the untold story of walking away from a successful corporate career at Amazon, burning out, and making the life-altering decision to move to Costa Rica. What began as a bid for freedom quickly became a survival mission, juggling two businesses, a new identity, and motherhood in a foreign country. Eventually, Carina returned to the UK, where she scaled her company eCommerce Nurse into a global eCommerce growth agency.

We dive deep into:
 ✅ Hitting burnout at the peak of corporate success
 ✅ The identity shift that comes with stepping off the career ladder
 ✅ Building a business in a foreign language and culture
 ✅ The emotional cost of starting over (with a baby and no roadmap)
 ✅ Reclaiming self-belief and stepping fully into leadership
 ✅ Why asking for help was the hardest and smartest move
 ✅ How discomfort fuels growth (and what Costa Rica really taught her)

Whether you’re on the edge of change, building something from scratch, or trying to find your voice as a founder, this episode will remind you that reinvention isn’t a risk… it’s a strategy.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-talk episodes that reveal the grit behind entrepreneurship.

 #YourMindYourBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #BurnoutToBusiness #FemaleFounder #BusinessGrowth #SelfBelief #SelfDiscovery 

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In this raw and honest episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod sits down with Glynn Roberts, co-founder of Essex Boot Camp (EBC), former Royal Marine Commando, father of four, and advocate for mental health.

Glynn shares the real story behind Essex Boot Camp—one of the UK’s original outdoor training brands—and how a military mindset became the foundation for building a fitness business that’s helped thousands shift their mental and physical health.

We dive deep into:
✅ The mindset-first approach that defines EBC
✅ How mental health and physical training are deeply connected
✅ The challenges of scaling a people-driven business
✅ Navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19 as a small business
✅ Staying authentic amid social media noise and fitness trends
✅ The emotional and mental weight of leadership

Whether you're building a business, growing a fitness brand, or just figuring it out as you go, this episode gets real about the mindset, values, and grit it takes to keep moving forward—especially when things get tough.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-talk episodes that expose the grit behind entrepreneurship.

Discover more about Essex Boot Camp: https://www.ebcfitness.co.uk

Follow Essex Boot Camp: 
https://www.facebook.com/essexbootcamp
https://www.instagram.com/essexbootcamp/

#EssexBootCamp #Entrepreneurship #FitnessBusiness #MentalHealthAwareness #BootcampTraining #RoyalMarineMindset #BusinessGrit  #YourMindYourBusiness  #SmallBusiness #OutdoorFitness #MindsetMatters #RealTalkEntrepreneur #EBC #EBCFitness

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In this episode host Carina McLeod interviews entrepreneur Paul Phillips, founder of Chopp, a thriving hair salon in Essex and haircare brand, about his incredible journey from starting at a young age to building a standout business in the competitive hair and beauty industry.

Paul opens up about the real grit behind growing Chopp, navigating financial pressures, managing personal tragedy, and staying true to his vision through every challenge — including the impact of COVID, team leadership, and business expansion.

🎧 Topics covered:

➡️ Building a business from scratch with limited resources
➡️ How travel, hustle, and resilience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
➡️ Managing financial stress and mental health as a business owner
➡️ Balancing leadership, team growth, and brand integrity
➡️ Turning passion projects like Chopp Haircare into powerful revenue streams
➡️ Staying focused on your own path without getting distracted by competition

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone striving to build something bigger, this episode is full of inspiration, hard truths, and practical lessons.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

For more details on Chopp:
https://chopphair.com/

#EntrepreneurJourney #SmallBusinessUK #HairSalonOwner #MindsetMatters #YourMindYourBusinessPodcast #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurshipGrit

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In this episode of Your Mind Your Business, host Carina McLeod interviews entrepreneur Mike Linger, founder of Winger Sports Academy, Dodgeball London, and Essex Games, about his 25-year journey in the sports and fitness business.

Mike opens up about the realities of running multiple businesses, the challenges of staying resilient during setbacks, and how he manages the emotional and mental toll of business ownership—especially through COVID and beyond.

🎧 Topics covered:

➡️ Starting a business from scratch with no money
➡️ How working for Jamie Oliver sparked his passion for entrepreneurship
➡️ Managing mental health as a founder
➡️ Rebuilding after COVID shut down his businesses
➡️ Redefining success beyond just money
➡️ The mindset, routines, and self-belief that keep him going

If you're a small business owner, a fitness entrepreneur, or someone navigating the ups and downs of building a business, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more episodes of Your Mind Your Business!

For more details on Mike's businesses:
https://www.wingersportsacademy.com/
https://dodgeball-london.com
https://essexgames.com/

#EntrepreneurJourney #FitnessBusiness #SmallBusinessUK #MentalHealthForEntrepreneurs #YourMindYourBusinessPodcast #BusinessOwners #Entrepreneurship

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