Real Startup Stories

The Prawn Star: 2 Kids, A Full-Time Job & A Business She Built Alone

Welcome to another episode of Real Startup Stories. Joined by Ella, founder of The Prawn Star, who swapped Essex for Cornwall and left her old life behind to build a business around her love of seafood. Ella shares what it was like moving 370 miles away, starting from scratch and building her brand through pop ups and restaurant takeovers while working full time and raising two children. She talks about the lessons learned from her very first seafood boil event, where things didn’t quite go to plan, the realities of doing everything herself, and the journey towards launching her own food van. We also discuss balancing family life with entrepreneurship, future projects in the pipeline and what it really takes to build a business from the ground up. If you enjoy hearing honest stories from founders and entrepreneurs, make sure to subscribe and follow Real Startup Stories for new episodes every week. Follow The Prawn Star: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprawnstarcornwall?igsh=OTN4OGdxMm9nMDdm [https://www.instagram.com/theprawnstarcornwall?igsh=OTN4OGdxMm9nMDdm] Follow Real Startup Stories: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartupstories.podcast?igsh=ODEzdHc2ejlqb2Z0 [https://www.instagram.com/realstartupstories.podcast?igsh=ODEzdHc2ejlqb2Z0] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-97OqnFnjlDi [https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-97OqnFnjlDi] #RealStartupStories #ThePrawnStar #FoodBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessUK #SeafoodBoil #FounderStory #BusinessPodcast

He Missed a Flight… and Turned It Into a Song | Hogi Interview

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of Real Startup Stories. This week, we’re joined by Hogi, an independent rapper from Barnsley who’s been making music for years but only recently decided to take it seriously. We dive into his journey into music, balancing his passion alongside a full-time job, and what it’s really like trying to build a career as an independent artist in today’s industry. Hogi shares the story behind his latest single “Barcelona”, inspired by an unexpected missed flight home from Barcelona that ended up becoming one of his biggest creative moments. We also talk about: 🔥 The reality of being an independent artist 🎵 Building a music career without a label ✈️ How a missed flight inspired his latest single, “Barcelona” 🧭 His love for side quests and embracing opportunities 💼 Balancing music with a full-time job 🚀 Upcoming projects and what’s next for Hogi Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, creator, or simply someone pursuing a passion outside of your day job, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation. 👇 Let us know your favourite moment in the comments, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the episode. #RealStartupStories #Hogi #IndependentArtist #UKRap #Barnsley #Barcelona #MusicPodcast #CreatorEconomy #Entrepreneurship #IndependentMusic #RapPodcast #StartupStories #MusicIndustry #CreativeJourney #Podcast

Jam & Meme: How a Cornish Meme Page Turned Into a Movement

Jam & Meme: How a Cornish Meme Page Turned Into a Movement In this episode, I sit down with the creator behind Jam & Meme to discuss how a simple Cornish meme page evolved into one of Cornwall’s most recognisable community brands. We talk about the unlikely story of becoming DJs after being handed a festival set, learning to DJ from scratch, the growth of Pard Card and Pardcast, staying anonymous, how Jam & Meme has become a platform for highlighting the issues affecting Cornwall today and his top pasty locations. Topics covered: • The origins of Jam & Meme • Getting their first DJ set • Learning to DJ under pressure • Building Pard Card and Pardcast • Staying anonymous • Reporting on serious issues in Cornwall • The future of the brand • What’s next for Jam & Meme If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment and subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators and interesting people from Cornwall and beyond. #JamAndMeme #Cornwall #PardCard #Pardcast #CornishBusiness #CornishPodcast #Podcast #CornwallLife #Entrepreneurship Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamandmeme?igsh=YWd4cW51ZnNhcDVu [https://www.instagram.com/jamandmeme?igsh=YWd4cW51ZnNhcDVu] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamandmemecornwall?_r=1&_t=ZN-97BbqDSSkhq [https://www.tiktok.com/@jamandmemecornwall?_r=1&_t=ZN-97BbqDSSkhq] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu [https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu] Listening on the go Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9]... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id]... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c]... Business enquiries James@realstartupstories.com [James@realstartupstories.com] Audrius@realstartupstories.com [Audrius@realstartupstories.com]

VATISTHEPROBLEM, Men's Mental Health & Something I've Been Struggling With

In this solo episode, I'm sharing a few things that have been on my mind lately. I talk about the growing support behind VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk [http://VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk], why I believe VAT is holding back small businesses across the UK, and what we're doing to push the conversation forward. It's also Men's Mental Health Month, so I wanted to speak openly about the importance of checking in with ourselves and the people around us. I also open up about something I've personally been struggling with recently - the difficult decision to re-home my dog and the emotions that have come with it. On top of that, I share my thoughts on the incredible feedback the podcast has been receiving, how much it means to me, and some exciting plans I have for the future of the channel. Topics covered: VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk [http://VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk] Why VAT is hurting UK hospitality Men's Mental Health Month Rehoming my dog Dealing with difficult decisions Podcast growth and audience feedback What's next for the channel If you've enjoyed the podcast so far, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who might find value in it. 🌐 VAT Is The Problem: https://VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk [https://VATISTHEPROBLEM.co.uk] #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #VATIsTheProblem #SmallBusinessUK #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #FounderJourney #Podcast #UKBusiness #menshealth Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu [https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu] Listening on the go Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9]... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id]... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c]... Business enquiries James@realstartupstories.com [James@realstartupstories.com] Audrius@realstartupstories.com [Audrius@realstartupstories.com]

How Kie5 Turned His Passion For Rap Into A Growing Music Movement

In this episode of the Real Startup Stories Podcast, I sit down with Barnsley rapper Kie5 to discuss his journey into music, how he developed his sound, and the work that’s gone into building his career from the ground up. We talk about setting up his own recording studio, organising shows for other up-and-coming artists, gaining recognition around his hometown, and why representing Barnsley is such a big part of his identity. Kie5 also shares insights into the realities of being an independent artist, creating opportunities for others, shooting music videos in iconic local locations, and what the future holds for his music career. Whether you’re an aspiring musician, entrepreneur, creative, or simply interested in hearing real stories from people building something from scratch, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and honest conversation. Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kie_5?igsh=OHBlNWl4c295bzl0 [https://www.instagram.com/_kie_5?igsh=OHBlNWl4c295bzl0] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@KIE5tkw?si=-XZlKJmu_VpOLKLq [https://youtube.com/@KIE5tkw?si=-XZlKJmu_VpOLKLq] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu [https://www.tiktok.com/@realstartupstories?_r=1&_t=ZN-96p6U5RlKlu] Listening on the go Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1rXVvO9]... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id]... Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/93c]... Business enquiries James@realstartupstories.com [James@realstartupstories.com] Audrius@realstartupstories.com [Audrius@realstartupstories.com]