Real Startup Stories

How We Built a Full-Service Creative Agency That Can Launch Anything

In this solo episode, I break down a big shift - the rebrand of the podcast to Real Start Up Stories Podcast and why it matters. This isn’t about polished success or overnight wins. It’s about real people building real businesses, making mistakes, figuring it out as they go, and showing what actually goes on behind the scenes. I explain why this direction benefits not just the guests, but anyone watching who’s trying to start or grow something of their own. I also dive into Hyperfocus Studios - a new collective built to bring ideas to life. Whether it’s brand launches, events, content creation, photography, videography, or full-scale execution, the goal is simple: take any idea and make it happen properly. This episode gives you insight into the vision, the model, and where it’s heading. On a more personal note, I talk about turning 29, the pressure of the next chapter, and the goals I’m setting before 30 - in business, life, and everything in between. No fluff, just a real look at where I’m at and what I’m aiming for. If you’re into startups, business growth, creative projects, or just hearing how things actually get built from the ground up, this one’s for you. Shout out to : Audrius, the guy behind the camera: https://www.audriuscreates.com/ [https://www.audriuscreates.com/] https://www.instagram.com/audriuscreates/ [https://www.instagram.com/audriuscreates/] Xemi, the printing company: https://dtf-services.com/gallery [https://dtf-services.com/gallery]

How Sammy Built Cornwall’s Hair & Beauty Awards From Scratch

Sat down with Sammy, founder of the Cornwall Hair and Beauty Awards, to break down how she turned a simple idea into one of the most recognised hair and beauty industry events in Cornwall. In this episode, we dive into the full startup journey - from the moment the idea wouldn’t leave her alone, to launching the first awards event, dealing with unexpected problems on the night, and growing it into a respected brand within the UK beauty industry. We cover: • How to start an awards event from scratch • Building a brand in the hair and beauty industry • The importance of sponsorships and how to secure them • Event planning challenges and real behind-the-scenes issues • Lessons from launching a business in Cornwall Whether you’re an entrepreneur, event organiser, or working in the hair and beauty industry, this episode gives real insight into what it takes to build something from nothing. Subscribe for more podcasts featuring UK business owners, startup stories, and real conversations about building and scaling a business. Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cornwallhairandbeautyawards?igsh=bXJxdW02M2czaWt1 [https://www.instagram.com/cornwallhairandbeautyawards?igsh=bXJxdW02M2czaWt1] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness]... 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: Businessdiariesrsus@gmail.com [Businessdiariesrsus@gmail.com]

How a Nightmare Landlord Nearly Destroyed Their Beauty Business

In this episode, I sat down with the Empress beauty salon owners to talk about their journey through the beauty industry and the challenges that came with building their business. We talked about: Getting started in the beauty world Growing the brand and building a loyal client base The realities of running a business behind the scenes Dealing with an unfair landlord and eviction drama Taking the situation to court The stress, pressure and uncertainty of it all Lessons they learned through the experience What’s next for Empress A real conversation about business, resilience and what it takes to keep going when everything feels against you. Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empresss.redruth?igsh=MWQ1emptaHQ3b3Vncw== [https://www.instagram.com/empresss.redruth?igsh=MWQ1emptaHQ3b3Vncw==] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness]... 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: Businessdiariesrsus@gmail.com [Businessdiariesrsus@gmail.com]

How Eddie Built a 25+ Person Painting Business After Going Bankrupt

Sat down with Eddie from Spray Station - a painting and decorating business doing things differently. We dive into how he went bankrupt in his 20s, took time out travelling Thailand, and came back with a completely new approach to the trade… swapping traditional methods for spray painting. Fast forward to today, he’s built a team of 25+, working on luxury homes and high-end properties - including projects for well-known names he couldn’t disclose. We talk about: The reality of going bankrupt young Why he walked away and reset in Thailand How Spray Station was built from scratch Scaling a trade business to 25+ staff Spray painting vs traditional decorating Working on high-end and celebrity homes * Lessons from failure and building back stronger If you’re in business, trades, or trying to build something from nothing - this one’s for you. Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spraystationcornwall?igsh=MTBpMWF5bmljN2gxaQ== [https://www.instagram.com/spraystationcornwall?igsh=MTBpMWF5bmljN2gxaQ==] Website: spraystationltd.co.uk [http://spraystationltd.co.uk] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness]...

The Aussie Smoker: From Backyard BBQs to a Smoked Meat Empire

In this episode, I sat down with The Aussie Smoker - a guy who turned a love for backyard BBQs into a full-blown smoked meat business. We dive into his journey from growing up in Australia, where BBQs were a way of life, to coming over to the UK and building something from scratch. Starting out by wholesaling smoked meats, he then took a bold step - running a venue just one night a week on a presale model… and selling it out consistently. Since then, he’s expanded into events and weddings, secured his own unit, and is now moving into a huge new space as the business continues to grow. This is a real story about spotting an opportunity, backing yourself, and scaling something simple into something serious. If you’re into business, food, or just hearing how people turn ideas into reality - you’ll enjoy this one. Follow their journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaussiesmokercatering?igsh=d3pyeW5lMjc0dnZy [https://www.instagram.com/theaussiesmokercatering?igsh=d3pyeW5lMjc0dnZy] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaussiesmokerbbq?_r=1&_t=ZN-95reEiICzxO [https://www.tiktok.com/@theaussiesmokerbbq?_r=1&_t=ZN-95reEiICzxO] Follow my journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realstartup [https://www.instagram.com/realstartup]... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness [https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbusiness]...