The Founders Blueprint 1r5e2e

In this episode of The Founder's Blueprint Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Katherine Jones, a natural entrepreneur from Liverpool's south end. From a young age, Katherine always had a keen eye for business opportunities. Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered her ion for hospitality while working at Marriott Hotels in Kentucky. Today, she is the visionary creator and owner of Social Network, a platform bridging the gap between influencers and brands as well as the popular Think Wine Group. Katherine shares the innovative idea behind her drink brand, Think Wine—a vegan, organic, low-calorie, low-sulfite prosecco that quickly became a hit. The recent launch of canned prosecco sold out in just eight weeks. Katherine speaks candidly about the highs and lows of her career, her dedication to ing women in business, and her journey to achieve B Corp certification. Listen as Katherine discusses the challenges of running a business, from dealing with dishonest staff and fake investors to rebuilding from setbacks. Now, with a new investor who shares her vision for global expansion, Katherine is unstoppable. Tune in to hear how she's working with international brands like Mulberry and what the future holds for her growing empire. #liverpool #liverpoolpodcast #prosecco

Welcome to this episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, where Liverpool’s own 'Sid The Barber', s James in the studio. Sid shares his journey, from being the class clown during his school days to struggling with the deep loss of his father at a young age. Learn how these pivotal moments shaped his life and led him to discover his ion for barbering—a pursuit his friends initially thought was a joke! But Sid's journey doesn’t end with barbering. With a keen interest in photography, he has not only competed in the field but also had his work showcased by industry leaders such as JD Sports, Canon, and prominent photography magazines. This episode delves into how Sid skillfully merges his photography talents with his barbering career, creating stunning celebrity headshots that have attracted a large following on Instagram. Currently backed by the sportswear brand Reprimo and on the verge of launching his own fragrance brand, Sid’s unwavering ion for learning and determination proves that if you believe in yourself you can achieve anything. #liverpool #podcast #liverpoolbusinesscollege

Are you a shoe enthusiast? particularly fond of Nike 110's? If so, this episode is tailor-made for you. James as he sits down with Charlie McDonough and Sam Byrne, from Liverpool's iconic shoe store- Block P. Charlie discovered the lucrative potential of the resale industry after profiting from a shoe sale on Depop. After becoming a Depop Community Leader in Liverpool, Charlie was fueled with inspiration for the city's iration for Nike 110's. Taking a bold leap, Charlie founded Block P, and with the of colleague and investor Sam, the two have forged a powerful partnership dedicated to the business’s success. In this engaging conversation, Charlie and Sam recount their adventures traveling across Europe in pursuit of the finest 110's to bring back to their Liverpool store. They also delve into the challenges of launching their own line of products, sharing the relentless efforts required to achieve the quality they desire. A highlight of their journey has been deg and selling their own 110 slippers—a resellers' dream come true, with demand skyrocketing. What's next for these ambitious entrepreneurs? Listen in to discover their plans for the future and how they continue to fuel their ion for growth. #liverpool #fashion #shoes

In this captivating episode, James sits down with the talented independent Liverpool singer-songwriter Anthony Russell, as he gears up for the launch of his second album Street Songs on 12 April 2025. Known for his soulful voice and heartfelt performances, Anthony takes us on a journey through his life and career, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Anthony opens up about his experience on the British talent show, X Factor, and the immense impact it had on his life. He credits the unwavering from One Direction's Louis Tomlinson as a crucial element that helped him navigate through some of his darkest times. With sincerity and courage, Anthony discusses his upbringing in a challenging environment where drink and drugs were a constant presence, and how these experiences influenced his music and aspirations. Despite the hurdles, Anthony's determination has never wavered. His incredible journey has taken him to stages around the world, including a recent performance in the Caribbean for Chopard Jewellery. In this episode, he reveals how the encouragement and belief of others have been instrumental in helping him take life one day at a time, ultimately transforming him into the artist and person he is today.

What exactly is wealth management, and how can it benefit you? In this weeks episode, James delves into the realm of wealth management with John Price, founder and owner of Modus Wealth Management in Liverpool. John shares his insights into the wealth management industry, detailing his journey from climbing the corporate ladder to his time at the prestigious Coutts, where he became the second youngest Executive Director outside of London. Despite his success, John realised that his Liverpudlian values and perspectives were increasingly at odds with the corporate environment. Taking the bold decision to take a 100% pay cut to start his own business from his spare bedroom, the business has since expanded to a team of nine and has recently been awarded Professional Services Business of the Year. https://www.modus-wealth.co.uk #podcast #wealth #liverpool

In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, James interviews Michael Achilleos, the founder and owner of Grael, a premier luxury footwear restoration and cleaning company located in the vibrant Baltic Triangle of Liverpool. Mike recounts his journey from running a successful fish and chips shop to realising it was time for a change. As he neared the sale of his business, uncertainty about his next steps began to weigh on him. However, a fortunate search on Google sparked the idea of starting his luxury footwear restoration company. Now, with a thriving team by his side, Mike is restoring shoes for local celebrities, footballers, and clients from all over the UK. He shares his vision for the company and reveals some exciting plans he has in store. www.grael.co.uk

.Have you ever been curious about how to purchase a house in the UK? Are you feeling daunted by mortgage jargon and APRs? Alex Leppard, the owner of the award-winning mortgage brokerage AL Mortgages, as he discusses everything mortgage-related with James. Alex shares his journey from being an advisor at Barclays Bank to becoming the owner of one of the fastest-growing mortgage brokerage firms in the North West. The home-buying process can be quite overwhelming, particularly for first-time buyers. Alex breaks down the steps of mortgage broking to simplify the process and enhance understanding. With changing high APR rates, could this be the new norm? #business #podcast #mortgage

In this weeks episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, James dives into the inspiring journey of Roxanne Twomey, founder and owner of School of Rox in Liverpool. Roxanne share's her transformative experience of juggling multiple part-time jobs to then ultimately realising the importance of pursuing her true ion - teaching music From a young age, Roxanne was immersed in the arts, with early interests in boxing, singing, and piano. At just 16, she began teaching music lessons from home, turning a childhood love into a thriving side hustle while completing her studies. With a commitment to excellence and a desire to her community, she built a loyal clientele, proving that ion and hard work can lead to success. us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of balancing work, education, and personal interests. Plus, hear about the exciting achievement of how Roxanne has published her very own Beginners Guide to the Piano this year.

Welcome to episode 18 of The Founders Blueprint. In this week's episode, James engages in a conversation with Joe Campbell, the founder and creator of Culture City, one of Liverpool's fastest-growing corporate film, photography, and design companies. Joe reflects on his college days, uncertain of where his journey would take him—whether it would lead him to a band or venture into filmmaking. One thing he was certain of was his love for picking up a camera and capturing people living their best lives. But how could he transform this ion into a thriving business? With an impressive portfolio that includes collaborations with Nike and the UK Government, Joe shares his experiences working with musician Jamie Webster on his own film, as well as the challenges and successes of running a film business. www.culturecity.co.uk

In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, James is ed by Georgia and Jade Morgan, the founders and business owners of Propel PR in Liverpool. With backgrounds in journalism and fashion, the sisters ed forces in 2019 to establish their own business and have never looked back. Their extensive understanding of building positive client relationships and delivering exactly what clients desire has allowed their business to thrive continuously. They share their insights on what it takes to run a successful PR company and discuss one of their recent events—the launch of the esteemed The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie. The sisters reveal that while their jobs may appear glamorous, the countless hours of hard work behind the scenes tell a different story... they discuss how they manage their workloads while operating a successful business that is available around the clock as well as being busy Mums. www.propelpr.co.uk

Ever wondered what it's like to go from being an engineer at one of the UK's most reputable companies, earning a high salary, traveling the world, and enjoying a comfortable pension, to deciding to walk away from it all to set up your own dog food business? Meet Ben McIntyre, the founder and CEO of Mersey Raw, based in Liverpool. Ben’s deep love for dogs and his ion for ensuring they have access to nutritious, high-quality food inspired him to leave behind a successful engineering career to start his own business. In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, Ben shares his journey of turning his back on a conventional career path and pursuing his dream, despite skeptics who thought he was 'too clever to be making dog food. With Mersey Raw thriving, Ben discusses overcoming the hurdles he faced and the invaluable business lessons he learned along the way. us as Ben reveals his ion for feeding the nation's dogs the best quality food and shares his ambitious vision of expanding into the worldwide market. www.merseyraw.com

In this episode of The Founders Blueprint, James sits with Marcus Hollingsworth and Sophie Adens, the duo behind Hydro, a leading web design company based in Manchester. As co-founders and life partners, Marcus and Sophie share their unique insights into the challenges and rewards of running a successful business together while also living under the same roof. Listeners will discover how their shared background in sales and creative flair have fueled their company’s growth and success. Marcus delves into his experience juggling multiple successful ventures and the importance of wearing different hats to effectively manage business operations. This episode provides an inspiring look into the balancing act of personal and professional life, highlighting how Marcus and Sophie have mastered collaboration to maintain an edge in the competitive world of web design in the North West.

Welcome to episode 14 of The Founders Blueprint. In this episode, James sits down with Paul and Joe Murphy, the duo behind the popular menswear brand Lanka Clothing. So inspired by their cherished memories and deep iration for Sri Lanka, they decided to name their designer label after the beautiful island nation. Paul and Joe take us on a journey through their entrepreneurial adventure, starting out in their parents' garage. They share candid stories of investing thousands in samples, only to receive items that were far from their original designs. Through persistence and a commitment to quality, they have refined their suppliers and transformed Lanka Clothing into a widely recognised brand, both regionally and nationally. Tune in to hear about their early struggles, the importance of making mistakes, and their strategic approach to organic growth and advertising. Discover how they balance affordability with high quality, and gain insights into their collections, including coats, trainers, sliders, and more. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fashion enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice on launching your own clothing brand. "Don’t procrastinate, just get started." Lankaclothing.com

In this week's episode of The Founders Blueprint podcast, James is ed in the studio by best friends Dom Talbot and Oliver Cooke, founders and CEOs of Venture Finance in Liverpool. Offering end-to-end ing services for small to medium-sized enterprises, they discuss how their unique way of working, makes their clients feel like they’re an extended member of their team. Dom and Ol recount their first meeting, when playing on the football fields of north Liverpool, where they discovered a shared ion for business and ing. Fast forward a few years, Dom was working with HMRC and Ol had completed his studies, the covid pandemic struck. During this challenging time, Ol convinced Dom to leave his secure corporate job and take the leap to establish Venture Finance. It’s a decision they’ve never regretted. In this engaging conversation, the pair discuss the hurdles they've encountered on their entrepreneurial journey and reveal exciting future plans. With their motto of "it's quality over quantity," they've built a stellar reputation that has clients lining up to work with them. venturefinancemanagement.com

Welcome to episode 12 of The Founders Blueprint, where host James delves into the world of entrepreneurship and healthy eating with Liverpool's own Leanne Wall, the visionary behind the award-winning The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen. Have you ever wondered how it's possible to prepare nutritious meals daily while balancing a hectic lifestyle? Leanne shares her journey that has helped her and countless others maintain healthy eating habits amidst the chaos of everyday life. Leanne is not only an inspiration to those wanting to live healthier lifestyles, but also a community leader. Giving free Christmas dinners to the vulnerable and creating a Christmas Grotto with free gifts for children, her remarkable online presence and unwavering commitment to giving back make her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. Despite facing the daunting prospect of starting a business without funding or savings, Leanne's ion for healthy eating propelled her forward, transforming her dream into reality from beginning in her home kitchen. us as we explore Leanne's inspiring story and discover how she has remained true to her roots while making a lasting impact on those around her. https://www.weightlossprepkitchen.co.uk/

Welcome to episode 11 of The Founder's Blueprint. In this weeks episode, James chats with Paul Webley, founder and CEO of Blaze Media, a digital marketing agency based in Liverpool. Paul's journey began in the world of software engineering, but he soon realised that this was not his true ion. Transitioning to a career in sales at a major marketing agency, Paul achieved remarkable success, earning substantial commissions at home with his family. In 2017, Paul founded Blaze Media from his home garage. Fast forward seven years, the agency is now known as one of Liverpool's leading marketing agencies. Paul candidly shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, offering listeners a genuine glimpse into the unpredictable journey of running a business. From the exhilaration of growth to confronting challenges beyond one's control, Paul’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Blazemedia.co.uk

In Episode 10 of The Founders Blueprint, host James sits down with Liam Quirk, CEO and founder of Quirky Digital. Liam shares his inspiring journey from Despite leaving school without formal qualifications in math's, english, or science to leading one of the fastest-growing SEO agencies in Merseyside. Liam's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. He began his career with an apprenticeship and began building PCs from scratch. Motivated by his uncle's success in search engine optimization (SEO), Liam taught himself everything he needed to know, to build his own business. As a teenager, he began earning money by creating and renting websites to businesses—a venture that paved the path for his current success. Fast forward to today, Quirky Digital is thriving under Liam's leadership, boasting a soaring turnover and a reputation for excellence. us as Liam shares his insights on entrepreneurship, the digital landscape, and the mindset required to run a successful business.

In episode 9 of The Founders Blueprint, James is ed by the multi-award-winning and world-renowned artist, John Charles. Born and bred in Kirkby, John opens up about his early love for art, and recalls the day he sat a small coffee table with a tiny easel where he painted Disney pictures. However, his story takes a dark turn, when during his teenage years, he struggled with alcohol and drug addictions. John bravely recounts these dark times and discusses his inspiring path to recovery. John, ed by his wife Jen, reflects on his return to the art world he loves. He speaks of his next steps in opening his own art gallery in Southport and is excited to showcase his work to the public. This is an amazing conversation with an inspiring and warm-hearted man who has turned his ion into a celebrated career. artistjohncharles.com

In this weeks episode, James dives into the entrepreneurial journey of Jess, the dynamic force behind Spray Tans By Jessy. After completing her apprenticeship as a barber, and working many hours in hairdressers, Jess felt she needed more from her career. Embracing her ion for beauty, she embarked on a new path in spray tanning, a decision that would soon transform her professional life. Jess shares her experiences of stepping into the world of self-employment. After the birth of her second child, she made the courageous choice to leave her role as a barber to launch her own business, fully aware of the trade-offs like forfeiting holiday & maternity pay. Jess opens up about the unseen side of her success. From the highs of running a flourishing business to the challenges of managing anxiety and maintaining a vibrant social media presence, Jess offers a heartfelt of balancing her roles as a busy working mum and a successful business owner.

In this episode of Founders Blueprint podcast, we dive into the fascinating journey of Chris Redman, founder and CEO of Ultimate Kids Ltd in Merseyside. Redman, a successful business owner has built a thriving enterprise despite his aversion with asking for payment. Chris candidly discusses the challenges he faced in overcoming his discomfort with sales and shares the innovative strategies he employed to grow his business without compromising his values. Listeners will gain insights into how to build strong client relationships and develop a mindset that balances ion with profitability. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, Chris' story offers valuable lessons on navigating the financial aspects of entrepreneurship with integrity and confidence. Ultimatekids.co.uk