Ambitious Minds

Sign up to my weekly newsletter Fuel Your Ambition, where I share insights to help you grow your money, business, or career: https://fuelyourambition.substack.com/ [https://fuelyourambition.substack.com/] In this episode, I sit down with Noel Mack, the Chief Brand Officer at Gymshark, to understand what it takes to build one of the UK’s biggest brands. Noel offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Gymshark has evolved from a scrappy e-commerce startup into a global powerhouse, with physical stores, millions of loyal customers, and a brand identity built on community, authenticity, and relentless ambition. We explore what it really means to be a Chief Brand Officer, and how Noel’s role is rooted in creating emotional connection, building culture, and obsessing over the customer journey. Noel also opens up about his unconventional path to the role, his drive to keep growing, and how staying humble and hungry fuels his success. This conversation is just as much about mindset as it is about marketing. 00:34 Defining the Chief Brand Officer Role 01:06 Emotional Connection and Customer Experience 02:18 Community Engagement and Product Development 06:53 The Journey to Gymshark 09:07 Maintaining Core Values 11:47 Customer Obsession and Feedback 19:41 Personal Reflections and Career Path 30:01 Humble Beginnings 31:27 Gym Shark's Work Ethic 34:03 Expanding to Physical Stores 41:09 Ambition and Personal Drive 44:10 Balancing Ambition and Overcommitment 48:42 Future Goals and Personal Ambitions 54:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

In this episode, Mitch returns for his second appearance on the podcast, but this time, we’re also joined by his mentor and boss, Mark, to get the full story. In the first episode, Mitch shared how Mark played a pivotal role in his career growth. Now, we hear Mark's version of events, offering a unique perspective on mentorship, ambition, and business growth. Mitch and Mark discuss the key elements of their business success, from strategic planning and setting goals to navigating challenges and leveraging mentorship. They explore how they transformed a small accounting firm into a thriving business with 77 employees, all while maintaining a focus on personal growth and leadership. Plus, they discuss how spiritual practices like meditation have helped shape their leadership styles and fostered a purpose-driven approach to business. 00:00 Introduction 02:03 The Early Years 04:38 Mark's Journey into Accountancy 07:19 Mitch's Evolution in the Company 13:29 Systemising the Business for Growth 18:36 The Role of Mentorship and Trust 27:05 Scaling the Business and Setting Goals 37:23 Discussing Departure from Dens 38:18 Lockdown Challenges and Learnings 40:30 Transition to CEO Role 44:05 Leadership Styles and Decision Making 51:55 Spirituality and Meditation in Business 56:57 Ambition and Purpose 01:02:17 Supporting Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs 01:04:37 Reflecting on Mentorship and Growth 01:12:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Goals Discover Nordens and Mitch Website - www.nordens.co.uk [https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-podcasters-podcast/id1592722911] LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/nordens-chartered-accountants-&-business-advisers/ [http://www.linkedin.com/company/nordens-chartered-accountants-&-business-advisers/] Follow Mitch on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/mitchhahn/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchhahn/] Get In Touch LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/] Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.com [http://ambitiousmindspodcast.com/] Instagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast [http://www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Andrew Craig returns for his second appearance on the podcast, and in this episode, we delve into why so many people make investment mistakes—or choose not to invest at all. We also explore the UK’s wealth crisis, discussing its causes and potential solutions. Andrew shares insights from his latest book Our Future Is Biotech, revealing the groundbreaking scientific advancements that could lead to healthier, longer lives. Join us as we discuss the role of financial literacy, the biotech revolution, and the power of compounding in creating lasting personal and financial growth. 00:00 The UK's Wealth Crisis: An Overview 00:25 The Biotech Revolution: A New Era 01:06 The Cash ISA Dilemma 01:45 The Impact of Financial Journalism 03:37 The Economic Consequences of Poor Investment 06:57 The Global Wealth Disparity 13:31 The Role of Technology in Wealth Creation 19:56 The Importance of Financial Literacy 32:45 Healthy Eating Habits from Childhood 33:20 Economic Growth and Wealth Creation 34:46 Reflecting on the 1970s Economy 36:54 The Future of Biotech 47:44 Gene Editing and CRISPR Technology 52:08 The Rise of Autism and ADHD 58:45 The Complexity of Human Biology 01:04:55 Discussing Chris Hemsworth and Free Solo 01:05:09 The Importance of Visualization in Extreme Sports 01:05:43 Pushing the Frontiers of Human Capability 01:06:53 The Power of Compounding and Consistency 01:08:49 Exciting Advances in Microbiome and Bioremediation 01:10:05 The Miracles of Precision Medicine 01:12:49 The Abundance of Modern Life 01:15:40 The Importance of Reading and Continuous Learning 01:18:49 The Impact of Podcasts on Personal Growth 01:22:29 Economic Models and Government Intervention 01:26:58 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections Discover Andrew Website - https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/ [https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCME6xVzdcA7q_RfhRaRIkPA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCME6xVzdcA7q_RfhRaRIkPA] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcraigpef/?originalSubdomain=uk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcraigpef/?originalSubdomain=uk] Books - https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/books [https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/books] Get In Touch LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/] Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.com [http://ambitiousmindspodcast.com/] Instagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast [http://www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What if you could turn a teenage side hustle into a company that runs over 4,000 events a year, without raising a penny of external funding? In this episode, I'm joined by Toby Burns, founder of The Silent Disco Company - the UK’s leading provider of silent disco infrastructure for parties, weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Toby shares how he went from entertaining kids at birthday parties to DJing luxury events, and ultimately scaling a business that’s redefining how people experience music and nightlife. He breaks down the realities of self-funding a company, the importance of sales over branding, and how AI is helping streamline his operations today. We also dive into lessons on hiring, managing burnout, investing in property, and why every entrepreneur should think about building a business to sell; even if they never plan to. 00:00 Introduction to the Silent Disco Company 01:02 The Journey of Toby Burns 02:51 Innovating in the Event Industry 04:45 The Importance of Sales and Innovation 07:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life 15:00 The Role of Education and AI 24:53 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities 36:16 Always Be Hiring: The Entrepreneur's Mindset 36:41 Balancing Hands-On Work and Leveraged Work 38:05 The Impact of Government Policies on Entrepreneurship 38:40 AI and Automation in Business 39:17 The Burden of Taxes on Business Owners 46:57 The Importance of Owning Assets 53:27 Building a Business to Sell 55:16 The Future of AI and Education 01:00:20 The Silent Disco Experience 01:12:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Follow Toby LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/toby-burns [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/toby-burns] Website - https://thesilentdiscocompany.co.uk/ [https://thesilentdiscocompany.co.uk/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEventrepreneur [https://www.youtube.com/@TheEventrepreneur] Get In Touch LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/] Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.com [http://ambitiousmindspodcast.com/] Instagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast [http://www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Think negotiation is all about being tough? Think again. In this episode, I sit down once again with bestselling author and top sales coach Nicole Soames to uncover the underrated skills that actually win negotiations - from emotional intelligence to strategic silence. Whether you're asking for a raise, closing a deal, or navigating a difficult conversation, this episode gives you the mindset, tools, and strategies to walk in with confidence and walk out with results. Nicole shares proven techniques used by professionals to consistently create win-win outcomes - including real-world examples, role-playing advice, and preparation tips that actually work. Back by popular demand, this is Nicole’s second appearance on the podcast. If you haven’t heard our first episode together, check out Episode 43 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Key Traits of a Good Negotiator 02:48 Understanding the Negotiation Process 04:15 Emotional Aspects of Negotiation 09:40 Preparation for Negotiation 15:47 Strategies and Tactics in Negotiation 35:53 Practicing Negotiation Skills 37:40 The Importance of Practice in Negotiation 38:09 Role Playing and Preparation Techniques 39:52 Everyday Negotiation Opportunities 40:57 Delegation as a Form of Negotiation 44:38 Negotiating Salaries and Pay Rises 51:50 Strategies for Job Offer Negotiations 01:04:11 Emotional Intelligence in Negotiation 01:06:50 Conclusion and Next Steps ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.